Jackson's Third Birthday

Jackson's birthday party was December 17, and he was so lucky to have a fire truck come and help him celebrate. He was also joined by about 12 of his good friends. The firemen did a fantastic job of showing the kids around the fire truck, alowing them to touch and play with everything! They even took everybody for a ride around the neighborhood!

Sounds like a great party, huh? Well, Jackson didn't think so!! He was pretty freaked out by the fire truck. We aren't sure why, but he was ready for it to leave as soon as it arrived. He was the only child not to go on the ride! Poor guy.

It wasn't a wash for him, though. As soon as the fire truck left, the kids all went out back to play on Jackson's new playset, and he had a blast then. The Thomas cake was also a winner for him! Overall, I think he enjoyed himself, but he probably could have done without the fire truck!!

Spencer tries out the passenger seat.
The Thomas birthday cake was a hit with Jackson.
Even Harris got in on the fun!

I have been trying to post more pictures from the party, but for some reason, blogspot isn't posting them. So, I will have to quit here and try again later!

The Christmas Pagent

On December 15, The Little School had a great little Christmas pagent! The church was packed full of proud and excited parents, many of us ready to watch our children in their first school performance. The boys in Jackson's class were cows and sheep (except for one lucky boy who got to be the donkey!!), and the girls were angels. Jackson was the sweetest cow ever! We were treated to the Christmas story, followed by various Christmas carols and songs performed by the children... what a wonderful way for us to start the holidays!!

Jackson was so excited when he realized we were in the crowd.

He enjoyed hanging out and singing with the angels.

He was a little nervous that we were going to leave without him!
Look at that boy sing!!!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas...

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

and a Happy New Year!!

Harris at 9 Months

Jason and I were looking forward to Harris' weigh-in at 9 months. We were sure that he had gained a couple of pounds and was making progress on the pediatrician's growth chart.

No luck.

Harris weighed 15lbs 15oz, which was no longer even on the chart... less than the 3rd percentile. Ugh... he seemed to be eating like a little pig, but I guess in being so active, he just burns it all off.

To top it off, Harris was a bit anemic. So, he is taking iron-loaded vitamins every night. I feel terrible, like I am doing something wrong!!

He seems just fine, though. He is clapping like crazy, crawling, pulling up on everything, chatting away, and everything else a 9-month old should be doing!!

So, ultimately, I guess he is fine. Those dumb charts really have done nothing for us but stress us out. I think, from now on, I am just going to watch Harris, not the pediatrician's "numbers". He is a very healthy, lively little boy, who is just fine being a peanut!!

Behind

I promise we are all still here. I am just falling so far behind with blogging. Harris has been extremely clingy lately (the ped. said it will probably go on for another 9 to 15 months... um, not if I can help it), I have been sick, and we have just been so busy with the holiday "bustle". So, I have fallen behind. I know, excuses, excuses. I'm sorry. I need to catch you up on Jackson's Christmas pagent, his birthday party, Harris' 9 month appointment, and the holiday season in general. Hopefully I will feel more up to it in the next couple of days.

I promise to be better once things slow down in January. I have to. The boys' worlds are passing us by, and I need to catch up and record it!!

Happy Birthday, Jackson

Three years ago today, Jason and I were in a hospital room welcoming our new little boy into our lives. Little did we know, our lives would be changed in ways we never knew. Jackson has brought us many hugs, laughs, smiles and tears (of course more smiles than tears!!), and he has made our hearts triple in size out of love and pride in him. He amazes me more and more every day, and I am loving getting to know the boy he is becoming.

What an amazing gift God has given us.

Happy birthday, Jackson!!! We love you so much!!!

Charleston in Toledo

My dad's friend, Lois, sent this article from the Toledo Blade concerning the new Cooper River Bridge here in Charleston. It must be big news to have an entire article about it in a newspaper in Toledo, Ohio! The picture is from the back of Dad's boat. You can see part of the old bridge behind the new one.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2005512140355

O, Christmas Tree

Our Christmas tree is up and decorated. I am glad to have it done, but it is strange... growing up, Dad always liked to put it up just a few days before Christmas. It seems so early!

While we were decorating the tree, I got nostalgic. I started thinking about each of the different ornaments we were hanging on the tree... they all have meaning in one way or another. There are many that came from my childhood. My grandmother used to give us each an ornament every year so that when we were on our own, we would have a good start for our tree. There are some that I recognize from Belmont Country Club's annual Christmas party. Some I made at The Learning Tree preschool or in Brownies. It is amazing that they have lasted so long! There are also all of the ornaments that Jason and I have acquired since we have been married... a bell from Sarah and Jeff's wedding, some we were given for our wedding, some we were given for our first Christmas married, and most recently, the ones that Jackson made at school (those are some of my favorites!!).

Thinking about the ornaments got me thinking about all of the trees I have decorated, where our ornaments have been, and all of the trees they have graced. There were the trees on Locust Street, trees at the condo in Naples, trees at Dad's condo in Maumee, the tree in Georgetown at Nightingale (that we decorated with magnolia seed pods and pine cones, since we didn't have our ornaments with us!), the trees on Oyster Point, and now finally the trees here at our new home. All of them were beautiful trees, decorated with family.

It is amazing to think about the meaning of a Christmas tree. I'm not sure what the original meaning is, but to me, it is all about family and home, old and new. As I enjoy my Christmas tree this year, I will be thinking about all of my family, my home, and all of the blessings that I have been given.

"Mommy Pretty"

Oh, how I love Jackson!! He and I were snuggling on the couch before I had to leave for a chocolate tasting, and he looked at me and said, "Mommy pretty". My heart melted. When do they understand that concept? What made him say that? I'm not sure, but I am going to enjoy knowing that my sweet son thinks I am pretty.

Happy Birthday, Kaila!!!

We hope you had a great day and ate lots of cake!! We love you and can't wait to see you at Christmas!

Love,
Jason, Amanda, Jackson and Harris

P.S. Your present should be there Friday!

Harris Update

Harris is growing and changing so quickly! He is to the point where I am having a hard time keeping up with him! He is moving so quickly and so well now. He is still primarily doing the commando crawl, but he will spend part of the time on his knees. One of his new favorite obsessions is the staircase. He can get himself up the first step, and I know he could probably get further if I let him. He is pulling up on everything... we finally had to lover the crib to the lowest it can go.

Harris is very chatty... lots of "Dada" and "Nana"'s. Just Saturday, he looked at me and said "Mama". It could have been a fluke, but I think he knew exactly what he wanted. He is so into Jackson. He wants to be everywhere Jackson is and doing everything Jackson is doing. Poor Jackson isn't so thrilled, though... Yesterday I found him lying across Harris. Boys.

Harris' newest accomplishment is clapping. He hasn't perfected it yet, but he keeps trying. He is also shaking his head "no". It isn't to say no, but I think he thinks it is funny. I can't believe how fast this first year has gone by. It won't be long until he is walking and running to keep up with Jackson!

Papa's Water House

My dad bought a new toy last week... a new boat! It is beautiful, and I think he is super-excited about his purchase! The name is currently "Spend a Buck III", but when he bought it, he had to change the name... it will soon become "Progress". He is planning on keeping it at the marina here until May, when he will make the trip up the coast and through the Great Lakes until he gets back home to Ohio. He will then make the trip back down here in late October (hopefully missing any hurricanes!). Jason and I are hoping to accompany him from here to wherever the first leg of the trip ends in May (maybe the Outer Banks?).

Why are we calling it "Papa's water house"? Well, we don't know why, but Jackson didn't like the idea of visiting Papa's "boat". He was nervous about the whole thing... walking down the pier, getting on the boat, etc., so we called it the "water house". For some reason, that changed everything, and he was ok with being there. Now he loves "Papa's water house"!

We are excited about the boat, but we are more excited about the fact that we will get to see Papa more often now that he has a home here!!

The First Ride

Dad, Jason, Jackson, Harris and I went on the first ride on Saturday. We just kind of cruised around the harbor and up the Ashley a bit, but it was wonderful to get out and about on the water. Both boys did great... Jackson was a little nervous in the beginning, but he quickly got over it. By the end, he was ready to jump out the back out the boat!

I think my dad was a little overwhelmed at first - the boat is about twice the size of his previous boat - but he did great!! He seemed like a pro already. He had Jason and I both drive for awhile, and while Jason seemed totally comfortable, I was pretty nervous. Going from ski boats to this monster was pretty intimidating! It will take some time, but I'm sure we'll get used to it!

Thanks, Papa, for a great afternoon... we loved spending the day in the boat with you!

Playing on the Boat