Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas Excitement

I have some pictures to post of Christmas Eve but they are all on my phone.  We went to the 5:00 service at church and then to dinner at Ted's Montana Grill.  It was yummy and Jackson refused to eat anything which is par for the course right now.  We drove around and looked at Christmas lights in Naperville and then came home to get JJ to bed.  After we changed him into his Christmas pajamas, we read The Night Before Christmas.  The first picture really shows how excited he was.  The next two perfectly capture how the mood changed over the course of about three minutes.


 After we said goodnight, we quickly got things set up for Santa and then we went to bed too.  We knew JJ would be up at 6!

6:00 came way too early but we were excited for the day.  Jackson could spot his toys as he was coming down the stairs.
 He was really excited!

 I really love this picture!

 The 3 gifts that Santa brought.
 Daddy is such a good basketball helper.
 For some reason we didn't get him any food or dishes to go with the kitchen so it wasn't very exciting for him.  Luckily, Aunt Monica and Uncle David gave him so food so it was put to good use later!
 He'll have to grow into the hoop.
 Stocking time!
 After he opened his stocking we got dressed and went to church.  He looked so handsome in his Christmas clothes.  We came home and opened a few more gifts before naptime.

He was getting really overwhelmed with all of the new things in the room so we took a break with about 5 gifts left to open.  We had lunch, he took a nap, and then he opened the remaining gifts.  He really seemed to enjoy the day and he loves his new toys.  We are moving most of the toys to the basement so our living room doesn't look like a daycare. :)

Jackson had a great Christmas so we did too!


Week 14 and 15

I was warned that there would be fewer pictures of the second baby.  I really don't want that to be true.  Unfortunately, the first 13 weeks flew by and I never got a picture!  Shooot.   I'm not off to a very good start.  I am taking weekly pictures for this little one.  We will find out on January 12 if it's a boy or a girl!  I'm so excited!

Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier

The weekend before Christmas we went to Navy Pier for Winter Wonderfest.  They decorate the whole convention area in winter decorations.  There are trees everywhere, ice skating, rides, food, and plenty of Christmas cheer.  It is a great way to get in the holiday spirit.  JJ loved it! 

The first place we went was especially for little ones.  He loved throwing these balls around.
 He wasn't brave enough to go through the whole tunnel but he enjoyed what he did explore.
 Next we headed to the train.  Jackson liked the ride much more than waiting in line.

 Here is the main tree!  It is so pretty!
 Jackson's first carousel ride started off well but he was underwhelmed once it started moving.
 He really wasn't sure how he felt.
 Jackson is a great cookie decorator.  As soon as we bought our cookie to decorate, he started signing "more."  He couldn't wait to eat part of it.
 Then Bryan talked me into letting him take JJ on this big inflatable obstacle course and slide.  Luckily, he was thrilled to go down the big slide with Daddy!
 His last big adventure was the ferris wheel. It wasn't a kid ride and I was so scared he would jump to his death!  I made Bryan take a bunch of cheese puffs to keep him occupied while it slowly made it's way around to unload everyone.  He was so little up there.
This is such a fun place and will definitely be a yearly tradition!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Jackson is 17 Months Old

Jackson, at 17 months you:
  • are getting quite the personality.  You make funny faces and can tell when mommy and daddy are being silly with you.
  • are still a picky eater.  The only way you eat vegetables is if it is mixed with fruit in a little pouch.  We buy them at the store and you suck down 3.5 ounces in less than a minute!
  • sign "cracker" and say "cacah" every time we open the pantry door.  It is by far your favorite food!
  • love watching your Baby Signing Time DVD.  It starts with a song and when you hear it, you get a huge smile on your face and start signing baby.
  • have started pulling Lily's tail.  She doesn't like it but she doesn't run away from you yet.  You laugh and that's how we know you're doing something naughty.
  • are mostly napping just once a day but some days you take two naps.
  • wake up at 6am on an almost daily basis.  The days you sleep until 7 are heavenly.
  • love the Christmas decorations.  Every morning you stand next to each tree and say "on" until with plug them in.  We have even caught you trying to plug them in yourself!
  • say "pretty" as you go by the Christmas lights.
  • don't cry at all when we drop you off for Kids' City at church.  They always say you do a great job.
  • are much better behaved on the weekends when daddy is home.  You love your daddy and he loves you!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The Marathon Reveal

I found out I was pregnant the night before the marathon.  I had tested the weekend before since we were going camping and I wanted to know if I could have some of the sangria I had made.  It was negative and the sangria was tasty.  I'm not really sure what made me take another test at 9:30pm a week later.  I did and I immediately ran into my parents room- they were staying with us for the marathon- to show them.  It was crazy!  Then I ran to show Bryan's mom too! 

I knew I couldn't call Bryan to tell him.  He was staying in the city with Jeremy so they wouldn't have to get up so early in the morning to make it all the way there in time for the race.  Since I couldn't sleep, I went downstairs and added some more text to the back of Jackson's race shirt.  I just had to make sure Bryan couldn't see it before he finished.

"Hey Daddy, I'm going to be a BIG BROTHER!"


Bryan looked at it when we met up with him after the race and he was shocked!  I think initially thought I had been keeping it from him for a while!  It worked out perfectly to tell him that way and it was much more memorable than when I carried out the freshly peed on test for him to see with Jackson.  What a fun surprise we will never forget!