What a day, what a day...

Our Wednesday started and ended with fun, fun, fun. As soon as the kids woke up we headed down the road 1/4 mile to the Figueiredo's property to see the high loader moving dirt, trees and making a fire. Through out the day we managed 4 trips there to watch the loader making progress. Jackson loves to talk about the high loader (we thought it was a bull dozier until Daniel- the operator- told us differently!) and the dirt, trees and fire. And the fact that Ashton & Parker are building a house right down the road! We barely had time for a nap- in fact, Jackson was so excited that I finally had to go in his room and tell him he couldn't go if he didn't nap quickly- before it was time for daddy to take him & ashton to the fair! They went last night for the mud trucks (jackson's term) and to see all the farm animals. Ashton & Jackson could barely talk fast enough to get all their excitement out. While the big boys went to the fair we celebrated Addison's birthday. Addison, Parker, Heather & I went to get ice cream (although the bday girl slept through the entire party) and check out the progress at the property again. Even though Addison is not feeling well she still manages to c-r-a-w-l all over the place. Parents As Teachers came yesterday and actually felt sorry for me... she is crawling very early and I must baby-proof the house this weekend. She is crazy fast. She is also sitting by herself now. Time is precious...

On the move...

I knew Addison was moving- I'd put here on a blanket and come back a few minutes later and she'd be a few feet from where I left her. But on Saturday Nathan yelled at me to come watch her and sure enough she was pulling herself with her arms and would even get her legs to help. If you put something out of her reach she will surely get it. The tstirts they are wearing in this picture say "what happens at Gram's, stays at Gram's"... so true! My sweet little boy got up from his nap the other day and the first thing out of his mouth was "how are you doing today, mommy?". After telling him that I was doing great he said "your hair looks nice"!!! This is a day where I'm feeling quite sick and I had just taken a shower and pulled my hair back in a knot. Sweet, sweet boy! We're going to be fighting the girls off! Life is getting exciting... and busier. I'm not looking forward to baby-proofing the house and having a "mover" on my hands! I've gotten spoiled and lazy with Jackson being so easy and good.

My little fish... and puppy dog.

Jackson was made for summertime. He loves the water and anything to do with it. I never would have guessed he would have been so comfortable as he is- as he is dealthy afraid of an ant the size of a needle. It's sometimes scary for me how comfortable he is- as he won't make sure I'm looking before jumping in deep (deeper than him at least) water. He has been joining auntie Heather for Ashton's swim lessons and enjoying that time in the water and I finally got him signed up for his own swim lessons starting the end of this month. We also have a new puppy in the house... Jackson- at least 5 times a day- turns into "chewy" the puppy dog. He does tricks, drinks and eats out of bowls on the floor and barks to answer questions. Ashton- a.k.a. gooey- is the one who started all of this- and is actually really quite good at being "in character". He will not talk while in character and gets this cute little smirk on his face- simply adorable. When the boys are all together we have a blast with it- Chewy, Gooey and Louie! The other day mommy & Jackson were doing puppy tricks for daddy and addison and I told him to sit (gave him a treat) and then for the first time I told him to shake... as I reach my hand out Jackson (oops... chewy) starts shaking his body! Nathan & I crack up- it had never crossed my mind that he would shake his body!! Addison is in love w/ brother. He has started making her laugh- nearly uncontrollably- in the car. He'll get her laughing so hard and they'll both be laughing and then to get her to keep laughing he starts to think of things... so he starts saying "fire engine", "bobcat", "scoop"... In the past month Addison has started cereal and fruit and moved out of her pumpkin seat and into a regular car seat (most infants can stay in there MUCH longer than mine... her feet and legs were hanging off the end and she was nearly impossible to carry in it). She will be 6 months old next week. Hard to believe how time goes so quickly. She loves life and is nearly a perfect child... not quite sleeping through the night but I'm starting to think (Nathan has been telling me this for months) that it is my fault. I get in there after she makes a whimper to feed her and she is still sleeping! She's just too cute and I almost miss her if we go the whole night without seeing each other! We went to the St. Louis Zoo again on Saturday and had a great time. Jackson LOVES all the animals. It was a very hot day but we lasted 4 hours. Fun time for all of us. Life is so much fun!

Back Home

Addison & I have returned from Florida and are catching up on our sleep. We had a fabulous trip. Addison just loved her best friend, Riley and the feeling was almost mutual. Addison is a little aggressive- and Riley wasn't quite ready for it. The 3 months difference is quite a bit! Within the first few minutes of meeting Addison was sucking on Riley's face. We ventured the beach the first day and the girls loved the water (not so much the sand, heat and sun, though). We stayed an hour and packed it up and went home. The next days were spent mostly shopping. We literally shopped till the poor girls dropped. The time flew by but Addison was ready to get home and see her brother and daddy... and get back on a sleep schedule. Brother Jackson was VERY happy to see both Mommy & Addison. I'm not sure when Jackson slept- he had a whole list of things that him & Gram did each day and I'm not sure a nap was part of the list. She bought a slip n' slide and they played on that, they went to the pool, mall, pet store and I'm sure hit Chuckie Cheese... Addison had her very first solid food today. We started a little later than we did with Jackson. She is over 5 months old but I'm glad I waited. She did great! Very messy and she is old enough to grab the spoon so this should be an adventure. Jackson begged to give her a bite... I was nervous but he actually did great. She just loves him so she would open her mouth for him and he put the spoon in and then dropped it! My BIG little helper! That's it for us right now... looking forward to taking Jackson back to Florida- he is the perfect age to enjoy it all!

Catch up...

Life has been busy so I'll just give a re-cap of the last 2-3 weeks. Nathan & I celebrated 6 years on the 10th of June. Mom watched the kiddo's while we went to dinner- came back and of course both kids were still awake and Jackson was still lacking a bath... one word- n-a-n-a. Bob is recovery very well and has already lost over 30lbs. It was such a life change for him- amazing. Heather, Mom & I went to Women of Faith in St. Louis this past weekend and it was my first overnight (28 hours) without Addison. I was dreading being away from her but it was such an amazing event. Everyone did great! We spent the most part of Father's Day outside playing. In the late afternoon we joined the Figureiredo's and Nana & Papa at their Beach Club and had a fantastic time. Jackson surprised us all and went down the HUGE waterslide all by himself (w/ a lifeguard at the bottom to catch). He first went down with Nathan and had fun but after seeing Ashton go down with ease by himself he decided he wanted to go by himself (totally NOT Jackson). On the way down (around corners and going fairly fast) he flipped around and looked like he was getting very scared. I hurried down after him thinking he would be screaming and instead he was laughing and running towards the steps to go back up. My baby is growing up!!! Addison is just the happiest, most content child I have ever seen. She's so sweet and is just full of smiles and personality. She is rolling back & forth (well, goes to her back only her her crib) and always wants to be on her tummy when you put her on her back. And when she is on her tummy she is trying with all her might to GO. She wants to make headway. I'm going to be chasing 2 children very, very soon. The other day at Auntie's house I laid her on the couch in the crevice of the 2 cushions and she sat herself all the way up- like a sit up! She is so strong. Addison & I leave for Orlando (take 2) on Saturday. She is very excited to meet her best friend, Riley Grace.

Fun in the sun!

We had a fun party at Grandpa & Grandma's during Memorial Day weekend. Grandpa got out the waterslide and it didn't take Jackson to warm up to it!

We roasted some hot dogs & marshmallows on their new firepit. It was a perfect day of 78 degrees.

Everyone had a blast.

Just an update

Jackson & Daddy on Uncle Phil's new/old bobcat. Jackson is in love. This past week we had a bit of a scare. Addison & I were on the way to the airport to fly to Florida to visit my best friend that just had a baby girl when we found out Grandpa Bob had a heart attack and was going into emergency triple bi-pass. So, we came straight home (have rescheduled our trip for later this month) and have been watching Grandpa get better. We are so lucky to still have him around with us. And he is recovering remarkably well. Jackson & Daddy are over there tonight taking care of him while Joan went to a church meeting.

Addison has mastered rolling over from her back to tummy. She WILL NOT stay on her back now. I timed her last weekend (and it was a tough one) and from the time I let go of her to the time she hit her tummy was 14 seconds. She doesn't waste time and loves being on her tummy. She will be 19 weeks tomorrow. She is perfect in... almost... every way. If the girl would sleep through the night (and not spit up) she'd be perfect. She truely is so good- never cries or fusses if there isn't a good reason and has such a great personality. She talks almost as much as I do- so we might have some problems in a year or two! Her & Jackson both take after me...

We went to the dr. last week and she is 100 percentile in both weight & height! What a champ! She is too long for her 9 month jammies and we have moved on to 12 months. I'm going to have to start buying them without feet b/c she's so long.

Jackson is such a big boy now. He LOVES to hang out w/ Daddy and go anywhere with him. He did not like seeing Grandpa in the hospital but got used to it after several days. If Addison turns deaf I think we can blame it on Jackson. I will put her on the changing table after she wakes up and he will climb his stool right next to her head and do the highest screach in her ear- all in this crazy high pitch baby talk. He loves to hug her- also known as putting all of his weight on top of her.