Morgan Family Visit

The Morgan family planned a trip to come see us and we had so much fun.  It all stemmed from the boys wanting to go to a baseball game, which worked out great for Jillian and me because we don't get to hang out much now that we moved :(.  They came in on Monday and the boys went to the baseball game that night.  So that night it was just us and the kiddos.  We ordered a pizza and let the kids play outside.  It was so fun catching up and letting the kids run around in the sprinkler, play in the pool, and eat popsicles. 

The next morning we woke up and went to the aquarium downtown.  The aquarium is great and the adults enjoyed it, but after about 30 minutes they seemed to have had enough (especially Jackson).  Good thing they are free because it would not have been worth it.  Jackson is really into being independent and wanting to walk everywhere (NOT sit in his stroller).  This is fine most places, but not when you are surrounded by tons of field trip kids!  After leaving the aquarium we did lunch at Chick-Fil-A then headed home for naps.  For dinner we headed to eat Mexican food out on the patio! 

The next day we went to the Indoor Safari Park.  This is a great place because it is all enclosed and the kids can just run around anywhere.  They have to large play arenas with slides and ball pits.  They have a train they get to ride on (which Jackson is obsessed with) and electronic animals they get to ride on (Jackson is not a fan of these).  After playing for about 2 hours, we headed to the park for a picnic, where once again we picked the spot of the field trippers.  Since it was crowded we picked a quiet spot to have our lunch and only played for a few minutes then headed home.  That night we BBQ'd and just hung out!  It was so much fun!  Jackson and Charlotte had a blast playing in the suitcase and playing ring around the rosie outside.  It was so cute to watch them play together.  It makes me sad that we can't do it more often. 

I am so glad they got to come visit!  We had so much fun, and I look forward to when we can do it again!

Day out with Thomas

I found out from a friend of mine in MOPS that they were having a Day Out With Thomas in Grapevine.  Since Jackson is in love with trains right now we thought it would be a great thing to take him to.  Mason happened to be in town too, so we got him a ticket as well because he used to be a train enthusiast as well. 

We had a great time.  We got to ride a real train with Thomas at the front.  I think Jackson may have been a little young to get the full effect of it all, but he still seemed to have a good time.  After the train ride, we went to a room filled with train tables so he could play.  He loved this, maybe a little too much because he kept taking trains away from other kids so eventually we had to take him out and of course he was not too happy about that.  So what do we do, go let him pick a toy out from the giant Thomas souvenir shop.  He picked a Thomas bath toy that he loves and can't wait to take baths at night so he can play with his "choo choo". 

They also had a mini train pulled by a riding lawn mower that we got to ride.  He really enjoyed that.  After we were all finished we went to the Gaylord to have lunch with my MOPS friend and her family.  It was a great end to our day because they had electric trains running right next to where we ate so it kept the boys entertained while we got to relax a bit.  It was a fun day and look forward to doing it again next year (if Jackson still has his love for trains).

Easter

I love this time of year!  The weather is starting to get really nice and Easter is always such a fun holiday.  Easter Sunday was a fun, but low key day at our house.  We all slept in, including Jackson, which was nice and refreshing.  The Easter bunny came to visit Jackson and left his basket on the table downstairs.  Craig got him from his bed and when he came down he could see his basket on the table and immediately spotted the trains and started saying "choo choo" from the top of the stairs.  He had so much fun digging through his basket to find all of his goodies.  He got to eat lots of "mimis"  (M&M's), eventually I had to take his eggs away because that's all he wanted to do.  I can't wait until he is a little bit older when he can start understanding the true meaning behind Easter!

We attempted to take pictures with the Easter bunny, but Jackson is not a fan of the big, giant bunny apparently because he did not want anything to do with it unless I was right there by his side.  We still got some pictures, because I want to be able to look back at these pictures!  My mother always has told me that I was scared of characters, so looks like Jackson might be taking after me. 

Trip to College Station

This last week we had a chance to head to College Station.  I had not been to visit in way too long.  Planned it with Erica so we could be there at the same time.  It was great to see her and the kiddos, especially since we had not seen them since we moved from San Antonio in July.  We went over to Hayley's and the let the kiddos play by the pool and they had lots of fun.  Jackson (used to playing by himself)  stayed close to his mommy the whole time and didn't ever venture to the pool.  Hayes and Jackson are only 11 days apart so it is always fun to get them together.  Though right now they don't really play together just around each other, one day they will be good buddies if we have anything to do with it. 

We also had a chance to go to dinner and meet up with Autumn and her family, Erica and her kiddos, and Pauline!  It was great for us to catch up while the kids all ran around.  After dinner we played around outside at the fountains.  Jackson had so much fun just being able to run around everywhere.  He did NOT want to leave and threw a huge fit when it was finally time to go.  He cried all the way back to GG's house.  We were able to get all the kids together (minus Campbell) for a few pictures so that was good! 

While we were in College Station we stayed at GG's house.  Jackson already loves his cousins so much, and it is fun to watch him interact with them.  The day we got there Jackson was playing by himself because the kids were still at school.  When Mason got home from school and walked in the door, Jackson had the most priceless reaction, I wish I would have gotten it on camera.  He smiled and started giggling it was the cutest thing ever.  They are such good buddies. 

While we were at GG's she surprised him with an Easter basket full of goodies.  He loved it!  There was even a "choo choo" movie which he watched almost immediately with Mason his train buddy.

  
We also did a quick little Easter egg hunt since we were not together on Easter.  Jackson is still not quite sure what to do on the egg hunt.  He would pick up an egg and just sit there and try to open it.  So needless to say he didn't get very many eggs in his basket.  It is still so much fun to watch  him try and figure it out.  I am sure next year he will have it down. 

It is always so good to see everyone when we are there, and I am so glad we got to spend some time with the Listi's.  Sad to leave, but look forward to the next time we get to go for a visit. 

25 Weeks

Well, I am just moving right along with this pregnancy!  It is going so fast.  I was so anxious during the pregnancy with Jackson and ready for things to move along.  Now with this one, I need it to slow down!  Too much stuff still to do.  At least it is another boy so we pretty much have everything we need.  It's just so hard for me to imagine our little baby Jackson as a big brother, but I know he will be a great one and they will be getting into lots of trouble together before I know it. 

I passed my gestational diabetes test!! WooHoo, bring on the candy ;).  I feel like I am so much bigger than last time, but of course I didn't take pictures so I have nothing to compare to.  Weight wise though I have not gained as much so far. 

This is me at 25 weeks.  The picture does not do portray how I really look very well, because I am way bigger!  Not sure what is going on with the camera, but I like it ;).

23 Weeks

I am 23 weeks pregnant now.  The time has really flown by.  There are so many things I need to do before Jackson's little brother gets her, because I know it is going to be here before I know it.  I want to paint the nursery.  Everything is going to stay the same except for paint because we never did that when we moved in.  We also need to work on Jackson's big boy room.  I think we are going to do bunk beds for him, but not sure about theme/colors yet.  Still no names picked out yet, but hopefully soon we will know what his name will be.  I am still feeling great (big but good), so I am very fortunate for that. 

Jackson is 18 months old

It is so hard to believe, but our little guy is already 18 months old.  He is still full of energy and always likes to be on the move.  He is talking more and more everyday, and even saying words that others (besides mom and dad) can understand.  He is saying:  car, ball, choo choo, spoon, shoe, mama, dada, mar (for Marvin our dog), bu (button), ba (bath), ca-ka (cracker or cookie), si (outside).

He is extremely obsessed with trains.  Anytime he hears one (or anything that may sound like one) he says "choo choo".  He loves to play with them, watch them on the iPad, look at pictures, and read books with them.  Pretty much anything train he loves.  He also loves to be outside, anytime he is getting whiny or grumpy outside is usually where we head.  He plays in his truck, and enjoys climbing the ladder and going down the slide. 

He did great at his 18 month check up.  He had 1 shot, and hardly cried at all.  He weighed 25 lbs (40%, which is a big jump for him because up until this point he has always been around or below the 20%).  He is 33 1/4 in. (75%). 

I attempted to get some pictures of him in the bluebonnets, but he was not having it.  He did not want to sit down or willing look at the camera.  Pictures have become quite difficult the older he gets. 

What a sweet boy you are Jackson!  Mommy and Daddy are so blessed to have you in our lives.  You continue to bring us so much joy!