3 1/2 years old

Today my biggest baby is 3 1/2 years old!! WOW! Time flies when you're having fun.

He has taken on his role of big brother better than I would've ever imagined. He loves Jackson so much...if you could only see the way he talks to him you would agree.

He is so smart..I know I'm his mom, but he really is! Or maybe all 3 years olds are this smart?! He remembers everything! You can sing him a song once and he knows it! He learned our phone number in one try! He can write so many letters, knows the sound they make, loves to point letters out to me on everything he sees. His little brain is just so ready to take it all in..he is excited about learning...maybe that's why he loves school so much.

He still loves Thomas the Train, but now loves anything that has wheels. His favorite thing right now is tractors...that makes his daddy happy! He tells everybody that when he grows up he's going to be a farmer. He loves books and loves puzzles.

Most of the time he is the sweetest, most precious, loving little boy...but he has his moments. He is very hard headed!! I say he gets this from his daddy, but of course Chris says he gets it from me. He still uses the "5 more minutes" method with EVERYTHING!!

We just can't believe how fast 3 1/2 years have flown by. Warner is so big and he's only going to get bigger. Happy 3 1/2 birthday little bit...you have made our life so full!!

Jackson's first(s)...

In the past week Jackson has experienced a lot of firsts:

- first airplane ride

- first long car ride

- first time spending the night away from home

- first time to sleep through the night (8-6)

- first laugh

- first time staying in a hotel

- first shopping trip

- first tailgating experience

He is just the cutest, sweetest, most lovable, easy going, light up your life baby!! I might be a little biased. It is so true what I hear about your second child - you don't worry about the little things and you just enjoy every minute!!

I finally caught a big open mouth smile!

this was our long road trip to Starkville - I was squeezed in the backseat between these 2 sleepy heads. Jackson was so good during the trip - he would wake up when he got hungry, we would pull over and I would feed him, then he would go back in the carseat, give us a few smiles and coos, and then go back to sleep.

He slept through most of the tailgating too...

Texas to Starkville

Well, I did it!! I survived my first flight by myself with TWO! The trick that saved me was getting permission for Chris to go through security with us and get us to our gate. I'm not sure I would've been able to do it all without him - get Jackson out of the car seat, Warner's shoes off, Warner out of the stroller, my shoes off, get all the bags on the conveyer belt while holding Jackson, try to keep my eye on Warner so he doesn't wonder off somewhere, get everybody through the metal detector and then repeat the process in reverse!! Funny story - a long time ago when traveling with just Warner, we were going through security and I had taken Warner's shoes off and was busy getting all the bags on the conveyer and making sure my liquids were in a ziploc, etc....I look up and can't find Warner anywhere!! My heart just dropped. I started yelling his name, and the next thing I know I hear a little laughter. I look down and he had crawled under the table and was sitting on a shelf right up under me!! SO anyway I was very thankful to have Chris with us to help get through the most difficult part of flying. Once we got to our gate everything was smooth sailing - Jackson slept, Warner colored. We landed in Dallas and Warner did his usual of running to my parents and jumping in their arms! We enjoyed a nice long week at my parents house.

On Friday, after the long (with many stops, 12 hours in the car) trip to Starkville, we reunited with daddy to watch a little MSU football. Not a good game, but we still LOVE our Bulldogs!

I got to visit with one of my best friends from high school - miss you Shelley!

Warner got to play with one of his new best friends, Camp - they played so hard!

The Rowells and The Rayners - these 4 go WAY back!!

our Halloween in pictures

meeting Sarah Blake

Thursday night Laurin arrived to meet little Jackson. Friday morning we drove to Memphis to meet little Sarah Blake - Jan's new baby girl, born three days before Jackson. Lena met up with us after work. We had such a great visit! It's always good to see these girls - we need to do it more often. Sarah Blake is absolutely precious - I wish I would've been able to get better pictures. Jackson looks like he's 3 months older than SB - she's a petite little girl and Jackson is a BIG boy! Can't wait to see how much they've grown next time we get together! Thanks Laurin for driving up to see us and thanks Jan's parents for letting us crash for the day.

one proud mama!!

Every month Warner learns 2 bible verses at school. I pray that he keeps these words in his heart forever and that they become more than just a fun song he learns at school. I love his school and am so thankful for his teachers...and the time they take to love on these children and teach them about Jesus.

Jackson is 2 months old!!

Jackson is 2 months old today! He is...

• going to sleep between 9-10 every night
  

• getting up 1 time at night - usually between 3-4
• weighing in at....13 lbs 3 oz!
• smiling the most at his big brother
• crying the most because of his big brother - waking him up...or Warner just being rough
• hating his carseat!!
• happiest in mommy's arms - therefore, being held a lot these days!
• taking very short naps during the day
• still eating every 3 hours
• still being swaddled
• sometimes liking his paci
• spitting up quite a bit
• going through LOTS of laundry
• still sleeping in bassinet
• getting ready to go on his first plane ride - Kissy & Buddy here we come!!
• happiest in the mornings
• such a sweet baby

We love you Jackson!! Thank you Jesus for this precious gift!

bath time

Last night I attempted to give the boys a bath together. I thought it was the way to go since daddy was working - I can get them both bathed at the same time. Well....Warner was splashing, Jackson was screaming, and I was just plain worn out!! I think I'll go back to seperate baths for now...

My favorites!!

I waited to post these two until these were sent out and received. Jenny is amazing and designed the perfect announcement. Thanks so much Jenny!! Check her out at jennyhollowaydesigns.blogspot.com.