Happy 7 Months!

I don't know why this month seems particularly hard for me? I guess it's because 7 months is SO much closer to one year than newborn. Jackson's just such a sweet, fun-loving boy now!


And I couldn't resist buying this Cupcake Pan from Williams-Sonoma for his upcoming first birthday! I made it last night with the vanilla cupcake recipe it came with and it sure looks good. Can't wait until Jackson's smashing it with whatever cake recipe I decide to make him for his first birthday!

Thankful Thursday

1. Only 9 more days of school. My class is done, I am done, we all need a break.

2. Our new vegetable boxes! Donnie did such a great job on them and I'm so excited to plant in them this weekend.

3. Chef's Market season has started. We missed last week's opening celebration, but we're going tonight to check it out.

Jackson vs. Cookie Monster

The last time Jackson met Cookie Monster,

Cookie Monster played dead and freaked Jackson out!

But this time he's a little older and wiser!

"Oh, hi Cookie Monster, I remember you!"

Cookie Monster bows, "hello!"

The stare-off.

And Jackson goes for the left-hook!

"Ha ha, I told you I remembered you!"

Favorite Toys

Why are a baby's favorite toys,

the TV remote,

and your cell phone?

Weekend of Firsts

First time on a swing!

First time eating something with my own hands!

Wonderful Sunday

What a wonderful Sunday! I met Cheryl in downtown Walnut Creek and finally got to meet her adorable Eli! Eli is 3 months younger than Jackson and they are bound to be great friends. They even have a play date set this summer for the zoo.

It was so great to be out shopping like the ole days. Seriously, after about an hour of shopping, we kind of wondered how we could have shopped for so long in the past! We stopped at the Nordstrom's Cafe for lunch and Jackson sat in his first highchair. How nice it was to be able to eat my sandwich without him in my lap grabbing for it the whole time. Next time I'll have to be prepared with a banana for him to eat. (He had one on Saturday, I'll post pics tonight!)

One of the great parts was walking into the Bare Essentials (makeup) store and there was nobody else in the store except for 5 bored workers! So, we got a little bit of our makeup done while the other girls ooohed and ahhed over the babies. One of the girls was pregnant, we asked her what she was having and she said, "I don't know, I stopped listening after they said twins!" Haha, I couldn't even imagine!

Kayleigh Anne

Kayleigh Anne
June 23, 2008 - May 11, 2009



She tried so hard but she was so tired. Her poor little heart just couldn't go any further. There is a wonderful, wondrous place waiting for you. I'm so deeply saddened by the loss of Kayleigh. You really fought so hard and touched so many of us who you never knew. Dad and Mom, she will be awaiting patiently for your reunion with her. Just from reading about you, I know you have the strength to get through this difficult time. Be sure you love the two children you have and love each other like tomorrow is not an option. I will forever be touched by Kayleigh and I am so very thankful that you shared her story with me.

Saturday

What a beautiful day! Janet, Susan, Jackson, and I decided to venture out as early as we could, before the tourists came to the valley for Memorial Day Weekend. We started at Mumms as early as we could manage, and boy was it beautiful! Always a bonus they participate in Napa Neighbors!

Here's my taste, the Red, White, and Blue! Can you guess which one is supposed to be the red?

Everybody loved Jackson there! He was a good boy for most of it, then he got a little squirmy towards the end. So, we walked around their art gallery and Jackson got to see his first Ansel Adams.

Afterwards we stopped by Rutherford Hill Winery with our picnic. Too crowded for tasting, but we still were able to use their picnic tables!

Thankful Thursday

1. This upcoming 4 day weekend. Someone at work said today is Thriday, lol!

2. That JT won Survivor. Such a cutie, and we have a JT too!

3. Adult and JC classes. I think I would be so bored if I wasn't always learning/trying something new.

Big Boy

I never would've imagined this happening so fast!

What a big boy keeping himself busy playing!

Raspberries

Dirty boys. Jackson had to go without a shirt because he's blowing raspberries and talking to himself so much, he soaked his shirt!

Survivor

Aaah, I'm so tempted right now to google who wins! I know the East Coast already knows! Such a good season, it's really the only show we never miss. Thursdays is ALWAYS Survivor and Panda Express night. (Eating Chinese food while watching people on TV willingly starve, you really should try it.)

Every year the final Survivors walk through "the past" and collect the names of the fallen Survivors on the way to the final tribal council. The commentary in the background is of the outted Survivors and how the game has changed them. Every season when they do this, hearing them talk about how the game forever changed their life, I think, "We have to be on Survivor!" And I say "We" have to be on Survivor, because the dream is for there to be a special "Couples" season of Survivor and Donnie and I get to battle it out with other couples. We would do so well! Donnie's the total physical, outdoorsman Survivor and I could puzzle and rumor-mill 'til the end. haha. If it came down to it, I could definitely eat bugs also.

We have to put in our tape.

Hot Weekend

Well, this weekend was too hot for pretty much anything. Almost 100 degrees, I hope this is just a small taste of summer (but not the whole summer)!

Donnie, Jackson, and I did go on our first hike! I have always wanted to go to the Westwood Hills hike, which is seriously so close. But, there is no way the stroller will go up that. So, we tried out Donnie's pack and had so much fun! It is quite a workout, but Jackson just loves being up high and seeing everything.

I even gave it a try. It wouldn't be too hard on flat ground, but going up a hill, wheew!

Hello on Saturday!

Jackson Shops

Jackson gets his first (alright second, but I forgot my camera at the first) shopping cart adventure!

And happily finds something to eat,

And eventually sees there's other fun stuff, but stays occupied eating.

And really never even noticed that there are people, kids, free samples, and fun at Costco!

Mother's Day Cont...

My Mother's Day continued with a day of fun at the DeBarr's.

Blair & Jackson

Jackson eats...

And lots of hula-hooping! We all left with hula-hoops to practice before Tahoe camping. (so far, no luck at our house. Devyn may be the hands-down winner!)

And Jackson with cousins, Tyler & Kailey, too cute!

I have lots more hula-hooping pics to add!

Shadows

"See my pretty shadow?"

"Hey, I see something too!"

"So what should I do?"

What I do with everything else, "Eat it!"

Happy Birthday Donnie!

We love you so much! You're the best papa & hubby that we could ever dream of!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms, I can't believe how different it is this year.

We made cards at school for the kid's moms. Although, I think mine turned out a little nicer than the rest of them.

Yesterday Donnie and I went to celebrate at Rutherford Grill, yummy! Seriously the best ribs you can ever imagine, and Donnie is just obsessed with their grilled artichoke appetizers. And that was after a day filled with shopping in Berkeley at Anthropologie. My fav, what a great day!

Donnie had to go back to work today, which is why we celebrated yesterday, but he barely made it out the door this morning before we were up! Jackson and I woke up to one more surprise! (I already ate one of the muffins)


Thank you papa, we can't wait until Father's Day!

Baby Boy Morning Hair

Our Little Angel

If only you could hear him scream!

Thankful Thursday

1. Mothers, especially my mama. You never realize how hard the job is, until you have the joy of doing it yourself. And I've only just begun. Thank you.

2. I'm so so thankful for our healthy little boy. While I was reading a blog, who reads a blog, who reads a blog, I happened upon this one from the family of Kayliegh Anne. A little girl who was born 3 months early and the rollar coaster they've faced since. Such a strong family, I can't even imagine how hard it would be if we were in the situation. I'm praying that they find peace, which they seem to have. You can see their blog here,


3. And the sun is shining today!

So it begins....

...and off goes mama & papa's movie. (That actually wasn't a movie but Netflixed "How I Met Your Mother" TV Series. Which, if you haven't tried, you must! It is now one of my all-time favorite TV shows.)

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I can't believe it's already the 5th of May! We had an excellent time going to Cinco de Oxbow. They had a Mariachi band which Jackson loved! I forgot to take my camera, err.

Janet and I had Pica Pica, which apparently is Venezuelan cuisine, I wasn't sure of that until I googled it right now. Very tasty, ymmmy Maize'wich, slushy sangria, and the vucca fries were so good!

But, here's some pics of Jackson after we got home, with some happening hair! Janet has been practicing sitting with him, and he's pretty good now.

"Is this how cow is supposed to taste?"

"What else do you have for me to put in my mouth? I'm not touching that pig one!" (Haha, just kidding.)

And, his new bookshelf that Donnie put in, thanks papa! It's right at my eye-level!

And again...

Okay, here's another try, minus Jackson's behind. Just a quick stab at it, although his coloring looks quite pasty!

Textures

My first try at textures! Since I can only get better from here, I don't think it's half-bad! Woot!

Okay well, it was a good pic, but the mom in me is feeling a little badly about my baby's butt being up for all to see! So, I will post a new pic tonight minus his behind.