Harris...

... sticks out his tongue when he is concentrating on something.

... has just started cruising along the furniture.

... loves peaches and black beans.

... opens every plastic container he can with his two bottom teeth.

... has decided it is time to wake up between 4:30 and 5:30 am. Sometimes he goes back to sleep, sometimes he doesn't.

... loves trying to drink the bath water. Ick.

... is still wearing some of his 3-6 month clothes.

... loves taking his vitamins or medicines.

... hates sitting in the cart at the grocery store.

... wants to play with whatever Jackson is playing with.


... loves to laugh and shake his head "no".

... loves to clap and the reaction it gets.

... loves his big brother, Hanna, and the cats.

... loves to eat dirt out of my plants.

... is still big into Mama around other people, but he is starting to give me a break when we are alone.

... has the biggest and sweetest dimples ever!!

New Year's Boat Ride

On New Year's Day, we coaxed Dad into another boat ride. It was a beautiful day, and we went though the Wappoo Cut and down the Stono River, almost to the ocean. What a scenic ride! I wish I had taken pictures of the scenery along the way... the marsh was amazing, and the houses along the river were impressive. It was so nice to get out on the water... it has been so long since I have been able to spend much time in the boat, and I have really missed it. Hopefully this is just the beginning of many boat rides!

Boat Ride Pictures

Harris does really well in the boat. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about his "boat coat". Any tips on getting him to be more comfortable in his lifejacket?
The boys are really starting to love playing together!

I drove for awhile, but it still makes me nervous!
Captain Dad gots lots of experience driving and docking the monster!!
This is the anhinga that made himself comfortable on the pylon by the boat. I wish I could have gotten him with his wings drying....
Harris helped Papa drive for awhile. Jackson helped Jason drive for awhile.

Young Love

Tonight we had a social at our house with our cell group from church (a group of 8 married couples that get together every other week for a Bible study and fellowship). It was a family affair tonight, so there were lots of little ones around. Well, Jackson and Mary Kathryn (our friends, Gregg and Dorothy's, daughter) fell in love. It was too cute... Jackson was lying on the floor as Mary Kathryn tickled him. Then he would turn around and tickle her. The two of them just giggled and giggled!! I was able to snag a few pictures to display at their wedding in 25 years!!
Jackson and Harris will probably end up fighting for Mary Kathryn's affection... she is the one that Harris is gazing at in the Halloween picute I posted. (You'll have to scroll down a ways to find it.)
Tickle, tickle!!

Jackson's 3-Year Appointment

Yesterday Jackson and I headed for the pediatrician for his 3-year check-up. Parts of it went well, and other parts were very frustrating. He freaked out for the weigh-in and height measurement... not sure why. At that same time, the nurse wanted to take his blood pressure -- yeah, right. Not a chance. So, she takes us back to the exam room, and asks if I can get him to pee in a cup. Again, yeah, right... he won't even pee in the potty, let alone a cup!!

He was great for the exam, though, which suprised me after the weigh-in episode. His weight and height were good (28lbs, 36 inches -- 25% for both).

The biggest issue we had was his speech. Last year, the ped. said that all he needed to be on track was to be able to say at least 50 words and combine 2 in a sentence. She said that Jackson might be a little behind, but he would catch up before he was three. At this appointment, when I told her my concerns about his speech (not conversing with us, not asking questions, etc), she said, "Have we not had this evaluated?". Ugh... she told me last year not to worry about it!! So anyway, he is going to be referred for a speech evaluation.

My biggest frustration was what the ped. said to Jackson. In this sweet voice, she said, "I don't know what is wrong with you, why you fussed. Everyone here is so nice...". She told my child that she didn't know what was wrong with him. Excuse me??? Maybe I took it the wrong way, but I would never condescendingly ask someone what was wrong with them, especially not a child!

Despite what she said, Jackson is a healthy 3 year-old!!

And Finally, Christmas #5!

Christmas #5 was spent with my dad and Lois. They arrived on the 27th after a long drive. The following morning, we again opened a ton of presents... lots of great things: beautiful antique books, two pocketbooks, more toys for the boys, and that monstrous jump castle in our backyard! Harris was a bit of a party-pooper... he was a little under the weather with a fever, so he didn't enjoy the festivities as much as the rest of us. Later that week, Papa, Lois, Jackson, Harris and I went to the aquarium. Jackson gave us the "quick overview" tour... he has been enough times now that he runs to his favorites and bypasses the rest. We enjoyed it, though, and went for a nice lunch with a great view of the harbor afterwards.

It was a nice visit and a great way to end our Christmas!

The Amusement Park

Our backyard looks like an amusement park! Jackson and Harris got the swing set for Christmas and their birthdays, and Papa gave them the jump castle for Christmas. It is crazy back there now. They are never bored, though, and I never have to worry about how I am going to tire them out for the day!! Playgroup at our house!!!

Big Boys

We went to visit our friends, the Blacks, in Hartsville after Christmas. Bennett, their 4 year old, had gotten an educational video game for Christmas and was playing a Dora the Explorer game. Jackson loved it!! He tried to play, but he really couldn't do much other than push the buttons... he didn't "get" the game. So, he was completely fine watching Bennett play. I love these pictures... Jackson looks so into the game!! I thought boys were much older before they got into watching other boys playing video games!! Maybe Santa will bring Jackson one of those games next year!!

Christmas #4

Baby Connor playing with new toys from Santa.
Harris "borrowing" Connor's new and exciting play table.
Lindsey and Harris.
Ganny, Grandaddy and Harris playing in the kitchen.
Granny is stealing a hug from Jackson.
Ganny and Lindsey made wonderful quiches for breakfast.
Kaila entertaining Harris.

Our fourth Christmas was on the 26th with Jason's family. Lindsey, Kaila, Connor, Aunt Amy and Uncle Scott trooped over to Ganny and Grandaddy's house for the big celebration. There were, again, tons of presents to open and smiles to go around. We were given a DVD player for the car... I can't tell you how nice and quiet the trip home was!! We had a yummy brunch of quiche, grits, bacon, biscuits and cinnamon rolls... we ate way too much once again!!

After a rest from the food and fun, we went to Amy and Scott's house just to sit back, relax, and let the kids play. Jackson and Harris were wildmen, checking out every toy they could find. It was a wonderful, relaxing way to spend Christmas #4!!

Christmas #3

Christmas #3 was at Ganny's family's house in Oates. It definitely made up for our quiet Christmas morning!! There were probably at least 30 people there, many of them children. Harris and Jackson did great amidst the chaos... they both enjoyed watching everything go on around them. The food was so yummy... fried turkey, rice & gravy, butter beans, corn on the cob, cheese bread, BBQ, and lots of desserts. I think we all ate way too much! It was great to celebrate Christmas with family we don't get to see very often... hopefully we will see them more often this year!

Christmas #2

Mrs. Clause came on Christmas Eve to bring everyone new, freshly cleaned pj's.
Santa visited Jackson...

... and Harris, too!! Jason is excited to see his new fire pit.

Christmas #2 was at our house on Christmas morning. It was the first Christmas that we have spent with just our family... usually we have lots of family around. While we missed all of our family that morning, it was very nice just to celebrate it ourselves. The boys got up early, and of course, Santa had been there, eaten his cookies, drank his milk, gave an apple to Rudolph, and left lots of presents. Both boys were thrilled by all of the paper, excitement, and goodies that he had left behind!

It was a great morning... I feel incredibly blessed to have such a wonderful husband and such beautiful, amazing children.

It's Slinky...

Harris loved checking out the new slinky that Jackson got in his stocking!!

"All I Want For Christmas...

is my two front teeth..." Well, Harris got half of his wish. He woke up Chirstmas with a new top front tooth. Hopefully the second one will pop through any day now!!

Happy Birthday, Lindsey!!!

We hope you had a great 10th birthday!!!

Lots of hugs, kisses, and love,
Uncle Jason, Aunt Amanda, Jackson & Harris

JICP Christmas Lights

Every year the James Island County Park puts on a huge Christmas light display. Of course I didn't get any good pictures of the lights, but they were beautiful, as usual. Harris was working on a tooth, so he wasn't too into the lights, but Jackson loved watching the animated displays, especially the Jack-in-the-Box. That is one of his new favorite games to play!

I did get some good ones of Jackson at the big greeting cards. Each school in the Charleston area creates an over-sized greeting card. Jackson loved the greeting cards! He ran from card to card, feeling the different materials used, and playing "Jack-in-the-Box" at each one. Maybe next year he will be into the carosel or sitting on Santa's lap...

Christmas #1

We celebrated Christmas about 5 times in two weeks this year. Number 1 was with Nana and Papa T the weekend of Jackson's birthday. There were way too many presents and a little bit of craziness, but we all enjoyed it... especially watching the boys with their gifts!
Jason is excited about his new toy from Papa T.
The train table was a big winner with Jackson!
Harris loved opening his walker, and I think Jackson loves it as much as he does!
Harris tries out the new walker.
Jackson opening the train table.