Keepin it cool with Mr. Lion

About a month ago while Jared was out of town, I took it upon myself to buy a walking toy for Jackson-seen in a lot of his current pics. I found this lion at Target and Jackson loved the roar it made. So I bought it, took it home and opened the box to get Mr. Lion out as Jackson fussed for me to hurry. Well... As a new mom, I found out quickly that although these toys are in a large box, they do not come assembled. Ugh! So to ease the fussiness, I gave Jackson one of the wheels and he was happy. Until he heard Mr. Lion roar and then he wanted all of Mr. Lion - NOW! Unfortunately it was not an easy task, but well worth it! Jackson loves to push Mr. Lion around everywhere! He walks with him, pushes him over like a boy and acts like he is fixing him. He loves to ride him for a few minutes, but then he slides off the back and walks with Mr. Lion again! Definitely worth the purchase and time of putting him together. Jackson keeps his cool with Mr. Lion and it helps a lot while Jared is travelling! A must for all parents!

National Lampoon's European Vacation!

I've finally done it. I applied for my passport and booked a 10 day trip around Europe for Jared's birthday. We go July 24th to August 3rd and we can't wait! We have talked about going to Europe for a long time, but I have been so anxious about leaving Jackson for more than an overnight. I finally got up the nerve and just did it. I wanted to surprise Jared by giving him my passport on his birthday, but I didn't want to wait too long to ensure it was a surprise - he is going to Memphis next week and since I had to email a few of them to ensure he has the time off, I want to make sure it doesn't accidentally get out. He arrived home from Utah on Wednesday and I handed him my passport application with the paid receipt attached. Jared was really surprised and I was thankful I could pull it off! We booked our airline tickets and confirmed the 10 day land tour. We are set to go to London, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Paris!
Now, we just have to figure out who gets Jackson for that time - most likely splitting time between both grandmas.

Swing Swing

Today, Jackson and I, went out on an hour long walk on the Red Jacket trail. We enjoyed the beautiful Spring weather and the birds and squirrels. Jackson's big on pointing at everything he notices. He just takes everything in. After our walk, we went for breakfast at Perkins. He tried orange juice for the first time. He wasn't quite sure about it, but said yum yum and pointed for more. I also gave him a bit of my chocolate muffin and he, of course, said yum yum.

I decided to take him to Spring Lake to check out the geese, but they were all very territorial because their baby geese were around. Instead, I put him in the baby swing and he LOVED it! He giggled the whole time. He especially loved when I got close and he would kick at me.

It was such a blast! Now we are back home. Jackson was so tired. He fell asleep in the car and when I got him in the house and changed his diaper, he never woke up. What an amazing little man! An absolute blessing!

Enjoying a night of relaxation

Tonight I went out and used my 2.5 hour spa package at Liv Aveda - my Mother's Day gift from Jackson, yes of course Jared helped him pick it out! Thank you Jackson and Jared! I didn't need this to know how blessed I am to be your mom, but it was nice to be pampered.
For all you moms out there - you HAVE to do a seaweed wrap and a Vichy shower! First I was exfoliated and then AApril (yes, it is spelled with two A's) painted on a very warm seaweed gel on my body. After she was done exfoliating and painting, AApril wrapped me in a warm blanket for 30 more minutes while she massaged my scalp! Then I had to wake up and walk across the hall to the Vichy shower - what a great invention! I laid down on a table with a towel over my body and the 9 heavy duty shower heads massaged my back for 30 minutes. I finished the night with a 60 minute swedish massage! So nice, so wonderful!
I can't say it enough - I am so blessed to be Jackson's mom! He is always amazing us with his daily changes of standing on his own (even for a second), playing peek-a-boo, calming down to watch the fan, turning on the lights... Everything! Jackson is an amazing little man! Full of love for everyone he meets! And you can see God in his eyes!
Thanks again for a great mother's day gift!

My First Mother's Day!

Today was my first Mother's Day and I loved it! Jared and Jackson surprised me with eggs in a frame for breakfast and then we spent the whole day together! At daycare on Friday, Jackson made me my first Mother's Day card! Okay so he scribbled on a piece of paper and the daycare ladies wrote Happy Mother's Day, but it is perfect! My son is perfect! He gives me kisses, hugs me, reaches for me, smiles when I come into the room, and giggles when I tickle his tootsies! I am so in love with this amazing blessing! His big blue eyes, his cute dimple, everything... I just love every bit of him! I am such a blessed mom! Thank you God for Jackson! Thank you for blessing me as his mom!

Happy Mother's Day to all moms out there! I pray that you all feel the love and blessings of being a mom to the most perfect creation-your children! May God continue to bless you to be the greatest moms!

-Trisha

Jackson loves his Sweet Potatoes and Corn

Hurry up and feed him! That's our game plan when it comes to Jackson's food! He is getting really good at getting what he wants - especially with his grandparents. Jared and I are pretty good at settling him down before we give him what he wants - he really does understand with us that he cannot whine if he wants something. He tries, but knows it doesn't work. EXCEPT when it comes to his food and bottles! He will scream, grunt, cry, throw himself down, kick, anything he can do to get his food. We've tried to calm him down before he gets his food, but he only gets worse. So - we make sure he eats by 5:30pm and we do not try to multi-task while we feed him. If we don't pay attention and he doesn't get his next bite right away, he starts to fuss and tries to grab his food - causing a big mess - see above picture. Lesson learned - feedings come before anything else! I have to admit, I will take his tiny tantrums over food anyday! Jackson is such a great baby - patient, well-mannered, an amazing blessing, and so happy-all the time! We can't wait to see what Jackson does next, but for now, we'll take in all the new discoveries, tantrums, and giggles he has to offer.

Learning his limits

So we are moved in and trying to unpack. One of us (usually me) watches Jackson and the other (usually Jared) does the unpacking. We switch a few times, but Jackson has really started to cling to momma! I finished the bathroom - well... I ran out of paint with ONE tiny section left, so I am done until I can get the next quart. We thought we lost our Sugarland tickets for the Thursday concert, but after a long search last night, we found them!
We took some time off from the unpacking last night to enjoy a grill out with my family - David was in town and Jackson loves his uncle David! We sat Jackson down in the grass for the first time and he loved it! So much that he tried to eat it! That is only the beginning of Jackson's new found testing of EVERYTHING!
He loves to look at Jared or I right before he is about to do something he isn't quite sure of. If you say no, he stops, looks at you again, and then just does it. He understands no and yes, but wants to know why you say no. Jared and I love to have Jackson explore, figure things out on his own (with guidance) and discover life as he sees fit. Jackson is so smart! He knows if we really don't want him to do something, we'll say no again and pick him up and move him away from whatever he shouldn't do. The biggest obstacle was the outlets - he has figured out how to remove the outlet covers. What a mind this 10 month old little man has!
He never ceases to amaze us! Jackson opens our eyes and our hearts to new things every day. He reminds us of what life is all about and teaches us to make each day the best!
Jared, Jackson, and I pray for all of you and hope you may all live your life to the fullest - remembering each day is a blessing!

Moving Day

I know I said we would post pics of the house already, but wow! is there a lot to do before you move in! We are officially moving in today. The weather turned out to be pretty nice - sunny and 50* but somewhat windy. We'll take it since it was suppose to be rainy all day!

I should go - just wanted to send a quick update and let you know - there is more to come!

This is Jackson enjoying the new patio door!