Lattes, candy corn, and...sand dollars?

What do pumpkin spice lattes

and candy corn 

have in common with the beach?

Usually, for us, nothing! However, this year we are taking our family beach vacation during the first weekend of Fall! We're leaving tonight and I can hardly wait. I haven't finished my packing yet (of course that's why I'm blogging) but there is so much more to take with a baby. Do I even have a swimsuit?? :) Happy 1st day of Fall tomorrow! 

A Little Bit Crazy...

I need some help, and I am going a little bit crazy. A mom needs some time during the day for some quiet, time to get things done, right? So here's the thing, Jackson.will.not.nap. He's a great sleeper at night. Goes to bed at least by 8 and sleeps until 7, 7:30. I try to put him down for a morning nap around 10. Some days are ok, but most days he may sleep for 30-45 min. Afternoon naps are the worst. I learned not to nurse him to sleep at night but sometimes that is all that will put him to sleep in the afternoon. Once I lay him down, though, those little eyes pop open and he starts kicking and crying. 

So here's my question...am I doing something that I need to adjust? Do you have any pointers? Right now it is 3:30 in the afternoon. He has napped for a total of 20 min today and is showing no signs of going to sleep but he is weepy and doesn't want to be put down. I've tried a modified cry it out method, with 10 minutes being the most time I've let him cry. He doesn't let up. Then, tonight when I go to work, he will be cranky and will make Daddy not so happy. He's such a good baby and I really have nothing to complain about, but he needs his sleep and a mama needs some quiet time, right?????? 

Happy Wednesday!

and your baby boy. :)

I can't imagine life without either of them. Love you boys!

Seven Months

I keep saying that at three months, Baby Boy, you got more manageable, but at six months you were so much fun!! At seven months, you are even more fun and an almost unbelievable blessing to us! At seven months:

• you are a strong sitter. 
• you get up to your hands and knees! From there you either slide down to your belly to get something you are after or push back to your bottom. You are going to be on the move soon!!
• you have learned that you can roll to get something you want.
• you are still nursing about ninety percent of the time.
• you love solid foods. new foods this month are carrots, blueberries, squash, avocado, cheerios, ritz crackers, grapes, and watermelon. Your favorite meal is bananas and avocado.
• you are picking up food and objects well although you have not completely developed your pincer grasp.
• you absolutely LOVE baby bookworms at the library. Seeing the other babies, musical instruments, and bubbles are your favorite!
• you continue to be an excellent sleeper. You average about eleven hours a night!
• you don't have a single tooth yet! That's OK, we love that gummy grin.
• you are a charmer. You have a smile for everyone.
• you save your biggest smiles for when Daddy gets home.
• you do NOT have a smile for the vacuum cleaner. You do not love that noise.
• So much of the time, you are content to roll around, kick, and talk in the floor. 
• you love to be around puppies and other babies. You will put your hand, gently, on a puppy or another baby's face and touch. You are so sweet.

Jackson, every time I put you to bed I pray that God keeps you in His arms through the night. You are unbelievably precious to us and we continue to marvel at the new things you do and the little boy you are becoming. I pray that you will grow, grow, grow, have fun, and find a million things to smile about. I also pray that we will learn to help you through your hurts and pains and help you to grow in a knowledge of Jesus and His love for you. 

Loved!

Jackson eating his "Goldfish" toast.:)

This little boy is a blast! We have been to Baby Bookworms at the library today, took a great afternoon nap, and went to the park to swing and play in the dirt! While he was eating his toast tonight I was telling him how much he is loved...you know...Mommy loves you, Daddy loves you, Grandmother, Granna, and Pap love you...and down the list. I also told him, though, that most importantly-Jesus loves him! Then I started thinking about what a task Chris and I have to make sure Jackson knows this always! I pray more than anything that Jesus is always a part of his life. Not the first time I have prayed this, but it hit me a little harder tonight. Perhaps because he is growing so big so fast. Jesus, keep him in your arms and grow him up in Your love!

Jackson's Sixth Month

Could we ever have known, Baby Boy, when you were born, how much we could ever love you and how much fun you would be?

These past 6 months have been amazing, full of tired nights, dirty diapers, and those bright blue eyes. At 6 months:

Your smile is the best. You have a big one for just about everyone.

You love the water! Your little legs kick so fast underneath that float!

 You love to look at the fish at Petsmart. Mesmerizing.

 The laundry basket is one of your favorite places to play.

 You loved the swing at the park.

 You loved playing in the water with your toys on the back porch. You were not ready to dry off!

 Your first trip out of state was to Georgia! We went to Atlanta. So what if it  was Mommy and Daddy's anniversary? We didn't want to leave you at home!

 You are just about as cute as can be in your jammies.

 You liked tolerated Ikea.

 You loved swimming again.

 You had your 6 month check up. You are 24 and 1/4 inches long and 16 lbs, 7 oz.! You loved the doctor and nurse but your favorite activity was ripping up the exam table paper.

 You found your "little boy" paci. It was like finding a new toy!

 You loved playing with your Uncle Brian.

 and snuggling with Aunt Stacey.

You loved watching Uncle Brian play softball.

You are liking new foods! You have eaten bananas, sweet potatoes, apples, pears, rice cereal, and oatmeal. You are still nursing and that seems to be your preferred meal still, but you seem to like trying new foods.

You sit up well, roll around, and are starting to pull forward from a sitting position to your knees. You're about to be mobile! You sleep about 10 hours at night but naps are not your favorite thing. You love to jabber and talk and sometimes it sounds like you are singing. You love bath time now and like playing with your toys.You love puppies! You giggle hysterically at a puppy even sitting across the room. You are playing more purposefully. One of your favorite toys is your stacking rings. You like the different colors and pulling the rings of the stack.

I could go on and on. Your Mommy and Daddy think you are amazing and love getting you out of bed every morning. We never dreamed there was love like this. Keep growing, Baby Boy. Know that you are loved and the most special thing to us.

So Excited!

Hurray for the Olympics starting tomorrow! Can't wait for some gymnastics and swimming, which are my favorites. I will be tuning in to various other events throughout the Games. I just love the spirit of the events and of course watching Team USA win gold! You may now call me a nerd. :)