Happy 1st Christmas!

Jackson had a blast w. the packages, ripping the paper, eating the paper, ripping off the bows, eating the bows... all sorts of fun to be had.

here are a random sample of pictures from the past few days, including today.

This is Grandpa Eddie or Grandpa-grumples as he's more affectionately know! Jackson & Grandpa are down at the Farm in Romeo, Florida. This was a few days before Christmas.



Here are Jackson & Grandpa on his Harley down at the farm.



I'll have to give the backdrop to these next few pictures. We took Jackson to Buddy DeGraff's house in Melrose Florida. He decorates his house with "a lot" of lights, and he dressed up as Santa on this very special night. Jerrod knows Buddy from working at Gator Door these past several years. Anyway, when we first arrived this is how Jackson felt about "Santa"...



Seeing this we didn't want to be those cruel parents who force their kid like totally bizarre looking -jolly old red faced & white bearded strangers, so we walked Jackson around took in all the sights, sounds, & smells (Santa has an fire pit outside - the aromas from the fire were fabulous). Then we found this wooden Santa, and from the looks of this picture it would appear that Jackson was "cool" with Santa.... oh, just wait. (I'll post these pictures later - blogger has really been a pain lately when uploading pictures!)

We were invited to spend Christmas in St. Augustine this year. With it being a "quiet" Christmas, at least that's what we were told by those who've had their children, that we would do something different this year before the craziness hits next year & every subsequent year after that. So, here are a few pictures from Christmas Day with the Carters, Jerrod's cousins. Ellie, the youngest Carter, gave Jackson a nickname.... "Jacksy" - it's hilarious!

Here's Jackson w. Catie Carter - he LOVED Catie, was really taken w. her.

Catie, Jacksy & Ellie & the sweet dump truck Auntie Julz gave Jackson for Christmas.

Catie & Jackson

Jacksy & Ellie

Daddy & Jackson all tuckered out from the mornings doings.


Jackson just woke up from his nap. Mommy & Jackson talking on the phone w. Nana & Grandpa Eddie - wishing them a very Happy Christmas!


Here are a few from out ventures out & about in downtown St. Augustine, at "The Fort". Daddy & Jackson - as we make our way around The Fort.

Mommy & Jackson half-way around The Fort, overlooking the Matanzas.


The Fam at The Fort


On our way home from St. Aug we had to take Clarissa, our cat, to see Dr. Lynn Peck, a holistic Vet- she's fabulous with animals. Anyway, this is when Daddy & Jackson where hanging out in the car waiting for Bubb's to be done w. her appiontment.


Another sweet one of "Jacksy"


This is one of our finds in St. Aug - a swing for Jackson! He LOVES to swing. Daddy hung this up this past weekend. He swings at least once a day on it. Laughs, giggles, & loves being on his swing.

9 months old...

Finally, an update! Jackson is 9 months old, well he's actually 9.5 months old, but who's counting?

At his 9 month check, on 12.3.07, up he was 23 lbs, 30" long or 2 1/2 feet tall! Way to go for our big boy. He's 95% for both height & weight for his age.

He has 8 teeth - the last 3 have already broken through the gums & are now in the descending process. This is how it makes him feel!



He's making all new sounds all the time, for the past 3 days is been a "W" sound, as in we-be or we-bay or as I like to say "we-bay-jammin Mom"!

He's been cruising for over a month now. He's already stood, own his own w. out any supports, for several seconds at a time. He's walking w. assistance, either holding onto one of our hands, or legs, or his walker/rider/scooter thingy.

He's just figured out how to clap his hands all on his own. So today he's been totally enjoying me singing "if you're happy & you know it", and boy is he happy. I have a video of it & I will try to post it.

Other Jackson news, His Daddy graduated from Acupuncture school yesterday!!!!! Yeah for Daddy. We are SO VERY PROUD of him. He finished all 3.5 years with a perfect 4.0, and he was/is essentially class valedictorian, as they do not actually grant that honor at his school.

He's signing too. He knows how to wave Hi & Bye, say "more" with his hands, tell me he wants something, like my drink, by extending his arm & then opening & closing his hand.

The down side to more Jackson freedom, as in crawling, cruising, etc... he's into EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!! the toilet, the garbage cans, you name it. One of his favorite things to do is to go in our room or his room, go to an open drawer & start pulling out the contents 1 by 1... my job is clean-up crew!

Food - Jackson is all about feeding himself. He is so over being spoon fed. Looks like I'll be returning those last 10 baby food jars to Publix. Oh well, at least they will give me a full refund without any hassles.

Jackson LOVES to eat (of course) whatever we are eating, which makes it rather challenging if it's something that his system can't handle, like cheese, or other dairy products, which if any of you know me at all you know my love of cheese/dairy!!! We have also discovered that he has horrible gas from Cayenne pepper... boo-hoo. We love cayenne, as I use it in lieu of black pepper, which is actually harder on the digestion than cayenne.

Jackson LOVED spending time with both of his grandmothers. My mom, Nana, & Jerrod's mom, Gramm's came up every week, at least once a week, to stay w. Jackson while I went to UF to teach Youth Development to Juniors & Seniors in my Department. It was great to see how much they love Jackson & how much he loves his grandmothers. I love that this special bond has already taken shape. We have been blessed by both of our parents in numerous ways this year.

Things Jackson enjoys:
Reading (YEAH), Jackson really & truly loves to read, just ask either of his grandmothers. His personal favorites include: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Panda Bear, Panda Bear, Polar Bear, Polar Bear & The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Nursing, yes, still a very big fan of nursing, he nurses 3-4 times a night still.

Sitting in his backpack, he loves to be in his backpack when I am cooking, or washing dishes, or going to Lowes to work on finishing up our Kitchen remodel. He LOVES to watch & take everything in. He is super curious & wants to know all that's going on.

Bathtime, he loves taking a bath. He could be in there for hours.

Brushing his teeth, another personal fav of Jackson.

Washing his hands, this a recent discovery... running water in the sink = play time! it's not just for getting those pesky germs off your hands!

Exploring boxes and cabinets, loves to open, close, get in, crawl on & over any type of box we have in the house.

Folding laundry, he loves helping me or my Mom fold laundry, especially neatly folded laundry, now why is that???

Paper, he loves to eat paper. Whether it's toilet paper (not used) or scrap paper, or magazines, or whatever he can get his hands on he wants to chew on it...much to my chagrin!

Loves to say Momma & Dadda & does it to the right person too, not just to any old fool!

He's figures out how to use "stuff" to climb higher & higher (scary). He's used a can of olive oil to stand on to reach up to a higher shelf in the back kitchen. He's used several of his toys to stand on to get on top of the coffee table or get up on the couch.

Jackson loves the vacuum cleaner. We have an electrolux cannister vacuum cleaner & he loves to chase it around, help me vacuum & then try to eat the cord.

Jackson has figured out, for the most part, his body. He know's where his penis is (this is very important for mankind, right???) and he knows how to duck his head when crawling through something or under something.


I (highly) suggest turning the volume way down, as my voice & singing are just HORRIBLE! Apparently, I have 1 fan!

UF Homecoming...

I had to share this... it's a short one, but sweet. Jackson & I watched some of UF's Homecoming parade on Friday. Jackson is now 8 months old. He's pictured here in his brand new Kelty Backpack (Thank You Auntie Julie!!!)

Jackson at Jax beach 10.14.07

We went to Jax beach on 10.14 to visit w. our friends Tim & Cat... Here are a few fun pix of Jackson enjoying the beach.

7.5 months

Sorry for the delay in between posts.

Growth & Development Updates....
Jackson is pulling himself up to stand - all the time - crawling faster than most people walk, and he's even been standing for a second or two completely unassisted. The best part is, is that he's already figured out how to sit back down!

His 4th tooth is decending...he has 2 teeth on top & 2 teeth on the bottom - so cute.

He's recursive babbling -saying "dadah" babah" "mamah" "cah" & so many other sounds..

He's huge, he looks more like a year old, than a 7.5 month old....

These are pictures that our friend Glenda took of Jackson when he was 6.5 months old...

6.5 month update... 21.10 lbs & 29.5" long/tall

Well, here it is the middle of September already and Jackson is approximately 6.5 months old. On Monday we had our 6 month visit to the Ped, Dr. Michelle Massais, one of the best around! Anyway, we had the usual measurements taken, discussed foods, safety, anything new, etc.

It appears that our boy is still progressing (growing) along the growth curve, only maxxed out to the 95th percentile! He weighed in at (it sounds like a weigh in for a boxer, and in this corner...) 21.10 lbs and He's 29.5" tall.

Other Jackson news, he's cutting his 3rd tooth, this time it's on top. He has also been pulling himself up to stand. He's been doing this for just over one week. It started last week when my mom, Nana, was watching him. He's already trying to move around while standing too.

He really enjoys feeding himself, so I've been giving him toasted O's, puffed rice, cooked carrots bites, banana's, and peas. He's already moving towards greater independence, a bit scary for me & Jerrod.

I almost forget... Jackson is crawling & sitting up! It's all so cool!

My oh my, how growth & development fly bye...

6 months old, already

This shot was taken on 9.3.07 when Jackson & I went for a walk.

I can't believe I gave birth to Jackson just over 6 months ago. Not only has it flown by, but I still can't get over the all the changes he has gone through.

To give you a few updates: We know he's over 20 lbs, we just don't have the exact weight. You see we, Jerrod & I, each weighed ourselves at the Publix scales, obviously we did this separately, then weighed ourselves with Jackson, and we both agreed that he's over 20 big ones.

Jackson's starting to make sounds: last night his first "distinctive" bable was dada! I was thrilled to hear this & of course, Daddy was psyched! Atta boy! He LOVES to screetch at the top of his lungs... giving his vocal cords a really nice work out. too funny! He even laughs at himself sometimes after he screetches.

He loves to drink out of my water bottle & ANY of my glasses, whether it be wather, or a sunshine, he enjoys drinking out of an adult cup.

Jackson's eating like a Viking. He's already eating, Toasted O's... just like Cheerio's, only Organic. He's been on solids since 4 months, but has recently added chicken & turkey to his diet. Everything he has eaten or tried he has gobbled up. This boy LOVES food.

Jackson totally enjoys bath time, which happens at least once a day. He truly enjoys eating so much so that he likes to put it all over his belly. He usually starts off with a bib, but he has figured out how to take it off, so mid-way through eating, he pulls the bib off & then begins to wipe his food all over his chest, his face, his ears, & in his hair. I've taken a few pictures. It's absolutely priceless. Funny, I could care less about him getting messy, but Jerrod is very neat with him... sort of the opposite in real life. Jerrod is not as neat as me & I am normally the neat freak. Strange how Jackson can change your attitude about certain things.

These next to shots are sooo sweet. Jackson woke me up early one morning, I fed him breakfast, got him cleaned up, dressed him, then layed him in with Daddy while I went to take a shower. When I got out of the bathroom they were both sound asleep together, priceless. The shots are very grainy - I didn't dare turn on a light or open the blinds.




Jackson has been working on sitting up. He's being doing Fabulous! He sit's in a tripod for up to a minute, sometimes a bit longer too. He is also kneeling, this is new thing for him, he's been doing it all week. He crawls to something then gets up on his knees for better viewing or reaching. He totally humors himself this way too.

Jackson is working on crawling. He's rocking back & forth on his hands & knees, he's not yet on all 4 crawling, but most of his efforts, when he does "scootch" around, include getting up on all fours. You can see that he's got the mechanics, he's still figuring out how to put it all together. Each day I see something new with his crawling. I'll say this about it, despite not having put it "all" together to crawl on all 4's - this boy can get places, and fast!

Jackson enjoys helping Mommy wash the dishes. When I have a sink full of dishes & Jackson is not at all sleepy, I'll sit him in one side of the double sink to wash dishes with me. He has such a blast. He leans forward, sticks his mouth under the faucet & drinks right from the tap. The funniest part of this, is that he did that all on his own, about a month ago. He just leaned in, opened his mouth & started drinking. It sort of freaked me out at first, I kept thinking... he's going to drowned or something, but no - he's smart enough to take himself off the tap (hahaha) before that happens. He's too funny! He also tries to "help" me wash the dishes by splashing the water, eating the bubbles, & sucking on the dishrag that I use to wash the dishes.

This one is a shout out to his Auntie Lynnie, she hooked him up with a bunch of Red Sox outfits. Go Sox!


Finally, Jackson is super friendly. Regardless of where we are, he's smiles, laughs, and interacts with people. As I said in a previous post, he LOVES the ladies. Today, Jackson & I had to make a run to Lowes, while Daddy worked on the kitchen. While we were there, we met Tracy at the returns counter, Larry in aisle 21, and our checkout lady - all with big smiles, a few giggles, and his very engaging eye contact. I've got to say, for only being 6 months old this kid's got some great eye contact. He's extremely observant!!! You can't get ANYTHING past him, he's too smart for the usual bait & switch method. No sirreee bob, he's onto you in a snap.

We'll that seems to be about all that's coming to my very tired brain. When I think of more, I'll post it.

Here's my happy boy!

One last hoorah...

A few of us decided to head to the beach, St. Augustine, for one last hoorah before the start of the fall semester. Almost all of us has to go back to school/work & we needed one last great day... Also, this was a first to the beach for one of our friends, Aurelia!

We packed up & headed out early from Gville and arrived at Anastasia State Park around noon-thirty. We traveled in 2 cars, Jerrod driving us in the subadoo, along for the ride where Brian & Glenda, while Marcus drove the lumina with Sarah, Aurelia, Holly & Maddox. Here are a few lasting memories from our trip.

Here is Jackson commando crawling...

Jackson doing his early afternoon workout, featuring pushups...one, two, three push

Jackson absolutely LOVED the water, here's one of Jackson & I playing in the water

Jackson's on a mission

Jackson is sitting up - taking in all the site's at the beach.

Jackson is working on crawling here

I love the look on Maddox's face!

Marcus & Aurelia taking a siesta

Sarah & Aurelia

Family Time!

Mommy & Jackson

Brian & Glenda

Brian & Jackson

The group, from right to left, Holly, Maddox (in the baby jogger), Marcus, Sarah, Aurelia (in the sling), Glenda, Brian, Jackson, Me, & Jerrod

Back to work

Yes, it's that time of year, when kids cry out that summer's over & parents thank God that it's already gone. Me on the other hand, am happy that fall is here & sad that I will be leaving Jackson while I teach at UF, it's bittersweet to say the very least.
The best part of my going back to work, I work at the University of Florida as lecturer and as a State Evaluation Asst. on a federal grant, is that Jackson will be taken care of by my Mom, aka Nana, and Jerrod's Mom, aka Grammy, or Grams, or GG....

Here is Jackson w. Nana,

We are so blessed to have both sets of parents/grandparents within an hour of us. Jackson will have so many fun times & special time with his Nana & GG. I, on the other hand, will be teaching Youth Development to approximately 100 UF undergraduates, this is my third time teaching this course, but it's been over 2 years since the last time I taught this one. I'll update as the semseter progresses.

here is an older picture of Jackson w.his GG

Jackson's 1st "header"

Last Tuesday morning Jackson took his first nose dive off the bed. Here are the results. He's healed beautifully & the Ped said that he should not have any scars (so, no Vanilla Ice - Ice Baby scars).



Here he is today, as you can see he has healed beautifully!