Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Birthday Bash









Years 6 and 7

Jackson seemed to change the most in these last two years. Maturing, learning and becoming a young boy. He holds steadfast to his love for adventure and need for nurture. I love that part about him. He's very caring and endearing, yet also silly and goofy. He loves his sister to pieces and has many good friends. He's learned to ride a bike, swim, skate and "surf". He's about to finish Kindergarten and is doing so well. We'll see what his 8th year brings. Is that possible? WOW~
Albert Einstein for Spirit Week at school (dress like someone from history).
Football Camp with his great Uncle Jim Prince.
He discovered hibachi...our fav!
Traveled to Canada to meet Aunt Christine's family.
Teaching Mommy about dinosaurs at school.
Living out a dream to walk in a parade and throw candy. He threw it all out before we hit the 1/2 way point. It was one of my most favorite things to watch in all my life.
His toga buddies at school.
He has a heart of gold.
And a love for nature.
Off to the races.
My buttercup.

Years 4 and 5

Life continues to get the best of my time, leaving little for blogging so here's a two-fer' (is that a word?)

Jackson continued to prosper in his 4th, 5th and 6th year. He's been going to a local Montessori School since he was 3 and done so well with the method. He's makes friends easily and loves to be the class clown (to his disadvantage at times). He's silly and loving and lucky for me, still likes to snuggle. He learned to skate and fish and loves to be active in any sport I sign him up for. It's bittersweet to see my tiny baby grow into a boy. I'll cherish every bit of it.
The awesome pool where we first lived on the OBX.
The fireman and his dog.
Off to school.
Still creative and getting into everything. I was amazed the basket didn't fall as he climbed in.





Thursday, May 19, 2011

Earrings for a REESE'n.

Some of my girlfriends and I got together and made some really cool earrings. The BEST part about them is that we are selling them for a REESE'n! They are $10/pair and all the proceeds will go to my special little friend, Reese (click on her name to meet her). She is five years old and in the fight of her life at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. If you would like to purchase one of the beautiful pairs below, please comment here to claim them (first come, first serve!). Just tell me which ones you'd like and I will contact you for delivery details.
We will plan to make more soon!

Pair #1
Pair #2
Pair #3
Pair #4
Pair #5
Pair #6
Pair #7

Years 2 and 3

Well, I posted day 1 and then life took over! This is the first time I've had a chance to sit down since Sunday. That is no joke. WOW...it's been busy. SO, I will do years two and three on this post. Not because they don't deserve their own post, but because if I don't...you may not see them! Ha ha.

After our first year of learning what to do with Jackson we started to relax a bit and enjoy parenthood. We let people actually touch him (ha ha, I'm not kidding). We let him play in the dirt and become a "normal" kid. He had a couple of hernia and groin surgeries in his second and third year and it seemed to have worked the second go 'round.

He was very active and busy at one and two. He started walking around 16 months and then he was unstoppable until his head hit the pillow. He helped welcome baby sister, Ellie when he was two years/two months. We had two kids in diapers and had days we thought we'd lost our minds. But, for the most part it was incredible. :) Here's a few pictures of those years. He's been such a joy.

His first surgery.
Telling the lamb to shhh?
Taking his first steps.
He could climb ANYTHING.
And get into ANYTHING.
Welcoming baby sister.
Growing up.
So sweet.



Sunday, May 15, 2011

7 years in 7 days








So uncertain, yet still smiling.

Just a part of our incredible support system waiting on his arrival.
The incredible crew who I'll always be grateful for.
He's here and alive and well! Serious thumbs up!
Incredibly tiny. 2 pounds, 5 ounces.
Daddy gets to hold him for the first time.
His first meal.
His bed for 5 weeks.
Kangaroo care with Daddy.
1st bath in the hospital. A bed pan was too big for him.
Nestled in his cave, paci as big as his face.
I love this picture.
Our most special nurse, Teri. What a blessing she was.
We come home!! 1st bath at home in the bed pan.
Our family.
He likes it at home.
Growing...
Smiling...
Back for a vist to his nurses at the hospital.
Cool dude.
Getting a lift from Daddy.
My angel.
1st time he stood up on his own, almost a year old.
He turns one!