What a Christmas!

I had such a wonderful 1st Christmas! We went to Grandma's all the way in New Jersey... and we DROVE... well, I rode. I did so well for Mom and Dad. In the hotel on the way there, Mom took me swimming for the first time! I really enjoyed it. There was also an indoor playground at the hotel, so I went on the baby swing for the first time. I bet you can tell by the picture I had a lot of fun!

When we got to Grandma's on Monday, Uncle Bill and Meredith were there. It was such a treat seeing them! They got me some really cool Christmas presents. First I opened a Philadelphia Flyers pillow. I don't know who liked it more - Dad or me! Then I opened a Flyers hat. I look great in it! Finally, I opened a new book titled The Gas We Pass. Yup - that was the name of the book. Uncle Bill even read it to me and now I have a much better understanding of the gas that I pass.

Thank you very much Uncle Bill and Meredith for my Christmas gifts. Although I enjoy them very much, the best gift was being able to spend some time with the both of you. I hope you had fun in New York!

On Tuesday I met Uncle Pete, Aunt Suzy, and my cousins Molly, Connor, Mary Kate, and Emmett for the first time. It was so nice to meet them! They were so generous and gave me a wagon walker, huge teddy bear, and sneaker-socks for Christmas. Dad can't wait to put the wagon walker together, I love snuggling with my teddy bear, and the sneaker-socks are a hit! Everyone comments on them! Thank you for all your gifts. I really enjoyed meeting all of you. Mary Kate - thanks for playing with me and making me laugh!

Speaking of laugh... Uncle Pete really had me going when he was playing with me. Dad took a video of it. You can watch it below.

On Wednesday, Christmas Eve, Grandma prepared one of her many delicious meals. She sure spoiled Mom, Dad, and I while we were there. Grandma and Aunt Kate gave me some wonderful Christmas gifts. I am so lucky! Mom said she'll take pictures of me in my new clothes and post them on the blog. I also love my new toys. Mom says I'll be so smart if I play with the new "Brainy Baby" toys. They kept me busy in the hotel last night. Thank you so much for all your gifts.

On Thursday, Christmas Day, Grandma again was cooking away. Yummy! We also went to mass and saw Grandma's new church. It was beautiful.

I was really showing Grandma a lot of love because I don't get to see her that often - and she spoils me rotten! Check out the video below.

On Friday, we went and visited some of Grandma's friends. We met Mrs. Hydock and her son Jim, and Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald. I was a little bit cranky, but they were patient with me, and I enjoyed the fresh air on our walk. The weather was so much warmer than what I am used to in Wisconsin. We even stopped at Aunt Kate's before going back home to yet another delicious dinner.

It was so hard to say goodbye as the week went by so fast. It was a relaxing, enjoyable week that I didn't want to see end! Thank you, again, Grandma for letting me take over your house for the week. I miss you already.

One thing that perked my spirits after leaving Grandma's was when Mom and Dad took me swimming again last night. Check out my swim trunks!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. Mom and Dad have the whole week off, so Mom said she'll post more often this week. Thank you, again, to all of you for your Christmas presents. My bedroom sure filled up fast! I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but again, as I mentioned before, the best part about Christmas was spending time with family.

Sending my love until next time...

Jackson

XOX

7 Days Until My 1st Christmas!

Hi there! I am showing off my new shirt in this picture. Robyn, my daycare provider bought it for me. Mom thinks it's pretty funny because it says, "All Mommy wants for Christmas is a silent night." I'm not sure why Mom thinks it's so funny...

Well, I came down with my first bout of the flu. I felt real yucky, but am doing so much better now. The picture below was from when I was kind-of cranky with the flu. Last night I was such a big boy. I had to get 4 shots, let me repeat that, 4 SHOTS, at the doctor's for my 6-month check-up. Ouch! I am not sure who was more upset... me or Mom.

We went to my cousin Isabella's Nutcracker performance last Saturday. She did a wonderful job and is a natural performer. I didn't like the dark much at the theater and sudden, loud music scared me, so Dad, Mom, and I were in and out a lot. I got to see my cousin Cohen, Aunt Audrey, and Uncle David, too. Nana and Papa spent the night to celebrate Mom's birthday. Nana stayed until Monday! On Sunday, she helped Mom out a lot with her Christmas baking, and on Monday, she took care of me! We had such a fun day together. Thanks, again, Nana.

I switched formula again, and am eating pretty well. Hopefully 4th time is a charm! I like to make sounds with my lips. I make some pretty funny faces.

Can you believe there's only 7 days until Christmas? They are calling for a bunch of snow here Friday. Mom won't mention "snow day" because everytime she has before, there wasn't a snow day. I guess they're predicting somewhere around 12 inches.

We leave on Sunday for Grandma's house! We can't wait! Hope everyone has a great rest of the week. If you're traveling, be safe! The next post will be full of Christmas pictures!

Love,

Jackson

A Great Giggle!

Hi Everyone! We have some new pictures and videos to post. Mom and Dad had some friends over for dinner last night. They brought their two daughters Savannah and Sydney. I had so much fun playing with them.

They really had me giggling. It is a long video - you may not want to watch the whole thing.

The next video is one of me laughing at Mom. She had me in the "Superman" position on her knees and I couldn't stop laughing!



Here's a picture of Mom and I playing the other night. I'm all smiles now that my two bottom teeth have come through.

Mom and Dad went to Dad's office Christmas party on Friday. Emily, my favorite babysitter, came over to play with me. When Mom and Dad were on their way home, Uncle Bill called to inform Dad Ball State was getting their "tail whooped" (Dad's words). We got more snow, too! They are predicting a big snowstorm for tomorrow night. Can you say, "Snow Day?" (Mom's words). Dad had class this weekend, which was probably best due to UCONN's poor performance. He might be going to see UCONN in the International Bowl in Toronto in January, though, so that has perked his spirits. Of course Mom's happy that the Bears won (and Packers lost) today.

I have started to enjoy the computer.

Would you believe they make a "laptop" for 6-month-olds? Mom said maybe after Christmas I could get one. It's never too early to engage in technology!

Here's the infamous Texas Longhorn soothe. I still won't take a pacifier, but I like to suck on my middle two fingers.

I can't believe we leave for Grandma's in two weeks. Mom says we are going to try to get some Christmas baking done this week. Nana and Papa are coming to visit next weekend. My cousin Isabella is in the Nutcracker and we are all going to watch her on Saturday. Nana is staying until Monday so I don't have to go to Daycare! I know I'll keep her busy and we'll have lots of fun!

Have a good week!

Oh... The Weather Outside is Frightful

... but the fire is so delightful! I am experiencing my first snowstorm! They are predicting somewhere between 3 and 8 inches for us, and then gusty winds. Could Mom possibly have a snow day tomorrow? Doubtful...

Uncle David, Aunt Audrey, Isabella, and Cohen got me a new car for Christmas. I am a little too young to drive, but Mom and Dad let me sit on it last night. It also converts so I can push it and practice walking.

Mom forget to mention last night that I am cutting my first tooth! Well, I am actually getting two teeth, but one is popping through for sure. It hurts!

Have a good night... keep your fingers crossed for the Bears. They need all the luck they can get.

We'll write more soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We went up north to Nana and Papa's for Thanksgiving. It was so nice to spend some time with family. I played with my cousin Isabella a lot. I napped on Papa a couple times.

Mom and I relaxed together, too.

We had a delicious Thanksgiving meal prepared by Nana. Great-Grandma Mary made some tasty pies! She enjoyed spending time with all her great-grandchildren.

Nana and Papa took a picture with all their grandchildren, also.

You can watch a movie of me playing with my cousin Isabella if you'd like. She really knows how to make me giggle.

We celebrated Mom's family's Christmas. Thank you everyone for all my wonderful gifts.

This morning Mom and I went to meet cousin Gina and her son Nicholas at Starbucks. Gina gave me a lot more clothes of Nicholas' to wear. Thank you, Gina and Nicholas!

I can't believe we'll be leaving for Grandma's in 3 weeks. It doesn't seem possible that my first Christmas is right around the corner. I hope everyone has a good week and we will post again soon!

Love,

Jackson

My First Cold - A Dandy! :-(

I came down with my first cold and I sure feel miserable. I am all stuffed up and I cough a lot. I am not sleeping, and when I do, it's sometimes in my carseat so I can be sitting up. It's no fun being sick. Luckily Mom had Friday off, so we were able to take it easy this weekend. On top of all that, Mom thinks I have a tooth coming in. Dad has had a cold and Mom is fighting one, too. Even though I have been feeling lousy, Mom managed to take a picture of me in front of the fireplace. The mantle is decorated, but we don't know for how long. Ace and Iso keep eating the garland! Mom says they should have grown out of that by now, but clearly they haven't. So, Dad and Mom made the executive decision that there will be no Christmas tree this year. We have a mini one that will work fine for this year. We'll be spending Christmas at Grandma's anyway, and Mom says she has one on her porch.We are really looking forward to going to Nana and Papa's new house for Thanksgiving. We will be celebrating Mommy's family's Christmas on Thanksgiving, too. We'll see Great-Grandma Mary, Great-Grandpa Bob, Uncle David, Aunt Audrey, cousins Isabella and Cohen, and of course Nana and Papa.

In case we don't get to post again before Turkey Day, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. We are so thankful for all of you and we look forward to the time we will get to see you! If you are traveling, be safe!

Love,

Jackson
XOX

Bad News Bears

Well, I sure didn't enjoy watching the Bear game at all today. While Mommy and I were playing (Daddy was at school), she caught me rolling over on camera. See for yourself!

I even wore my new Bears outfit from Nana and Papa. Unfortunately, it didn't bring any luck to the Bears. Mom put Dad's hat on me, too.

Yesterday I went shopping all day with Mom. She was so proud of how well I behaved while we were out running around. It tired me out, though!

I continue to love eating solids. My favorite foods still are peas and green beans. Of course I like the sweetness of fruits. I think my favorite fruits so far are peaches and prunes. Applesauce and bananas don't sit well with me.

I hope everyone has a great week! Can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving? We'll check in again soon!

Love,
Jackson
XOX