Brotherly Love

Yesterday Jackson and I were watching our typical 20 minutes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse before nap time. He reached over and pulled my shirt up over my baby bump. I pulled it back down and he pulled it right back up. I asked him what he was doing and he simply said, "Bearnon (we love the name Baron so we're referring to the baby as Baron these days) need watch Mikey Mouse too mommy." So, we sat and watched the rest of the episode with Jackson's hand on my stomach so he could pat his brother "Bearnon." My heart melts over this guy!

Jackson School Update

Jackson LOVES everything about mother's day out! He loves carrying a backpack, Mrs. Brazeal and Mrs. Bell, doing crafts, eating with his friends, a girl named Sophia, recess, going potty at school (they have little urinals), etc. He loves it. And thanks to Adrienne's bright idea we have solved the nap problem. We now pick him up right after lunch and he comes home to nap (for his usual 2 1/2-3 1/2 hours) instead of getting the 60 minute nap at school and being miserable for the rest of the day. I did talk to one other mother about his problem who said she had encountered the same thing and had to "break" her son of napping so she could get the full free time from MDO. I do not understand anyone "breaking" their child of napping. Being pregnant I sleep the entire time. . .yes 3 hours. . .he sleeps! And before being pregnant that was my productive time.
About the second week of school Jackson's teacher was hugging him and said to me, "Jackson is the most compliant of all of my students. I only have to tell him things one time and he always follows directions. He is very bright." I was not surprised about the bright part (I think he's brilliant and yes, I realize I may be a little prejudice) but was very happily surprised at the most compliant part. Great news!
One week later, this week, she said he was still a joy but had begun to show a mischievous side. For the entire day when ever she would tell any child not to do something Jackson would look straight at her and smile and then do exactly what the other child was told not to do. Hmmm.
This happened at church and not school but is still funny, last week his teacher said that he is always so great and entertaining. She went on to say that he had been playing in the ball pit in his Sunday school room. He then got a very determined look on his face. Immediately he ran to the other side of the room and pulled the picnic table next to the ball pit. At this point in the story it became obvious to me what my little guy was doing but the teacher was shocked. Of course, he jumped from the table into the ball pit and did a belly flop. The mother next to me almost had a heart attack just hearing the story as she picked up her delicate and adorable little girl. I was just amused with my inventive little guy. . .I guess that's why God made me a boy mom:)

Murphy Maize Days

Today we went with Gaga to Maize Days in Murphy. It's an annual festival and Jackson really loves festivals these days.


Jackson saw this bounce house obstacle course and went wild. He wanted to do it so badly but was too small. Luckily the guy in charge didn't care:)



Jackson and Daddy going in!



Jackson insists on choosing his own clothes these days. "It's my torn pick outfit mommy!" And today, being a hot Texas day, he thought overalls one size too small seemed perfect. I don't fight the small stuff:)



Daddy had to help with the climbing part but Jackson still did a pretty good job.



Jackson (peeking out on the right) made it to the top!



Jax loves slides. . .I think this may be the tallest one he's gone down.



As soon as he reached the bottom "do dat gin NOW daddy peez! (do that again now daddy please)" was all he said. Jay did do it again with him. . .3 more times!



Jackson loves the carousel but I'm pretty sure today was the first time he rode actual horses. He loved it! Although he did want Gaga to stay with him.



Happy Jax and Gaga.



Gaga had to pull him off at the end. He could have stayed on that pony all day:)


Thanks for a great time Gaga:)

Baby Brother Excitment!

We always invite all of the grandparents to sonograms and this time only Gaga could make it. But here she is with Jackson very excited over the new baby brother!


And since it was friday, after the sono we had to honor our "Jackson fun day" tradition of "widing horses."

It's a boy!!!

Today we had our sonogram and were so excited to lean that IT'S A BOY!!! I would have been thrilled with a girl but also (not so secretly) wanted brothers. Our little guy was very cooperative and we immediately got the news. And of course most importantly. . .he looks great and all of the organs and important things are in perfect order. Here are some of those creepy looking sonogram pictures that only parents love:)
While I am super excited about not needing clothes for another gender. . .I'm now on a mission to find adorable matching outfits for the brothers!


Here's our little guy holding his right leg behind him with his hand. Also, this is the shot where I knew he was a boy!



I love those sweet little baby feet.



His profile shot. . .too bad we can't tell much by this.



I find this shot to be the typical creepy sono pic. But still it's our guy so I love it:)



I can't wait to meet our sweet little baby!


BTW-While I have been dreaming of cute matching outfits all day Jay has been excited about us having the next Manning brothers. . .

Brotherly Advice

Jackson is very interested in the new baby lately. He wants to talk to my stomach several times every day. Sometimes he just hugs or kisses the baby, sometimes he sings and sometimes he imparts his two year old wisdom. A few of the things he has said recently:
1) Baby Charlie lived tummy yike dis
2) Drink wawa (water) and go poo poo
3) I yike you new baby. I yike your heart beat
4) I love new baby, I hug new baby, I not stand on new baby
5) New baby need football, and baseball and basketball. New baby need lots of balls.
6) I yike new baby. . .I hit new baby! (He didn't actually hit my stomach but he pretended to and then got hysterical).
7) New baby doesn't yike penos (jalapenos). New baby yike baba, milk and fier (pacifier).
8) Need kleenix for runny nose.

Today he asked me to light a candle and then sang happy birthday to the new baby. I'm sure he has no idea what the new baby really means and what will happen to his 100% mommy attention but it's still pretty cute that he is so interested.

I'm already in week 19 and we are SO excited to find out the gender on Friday! The baby isn't moving too much yet but Jay did feel him/her for the first time this evening:)

Oktoberfest 2009

On Saturday we went to Oktoberfest with Papa. We had SUCH a fun time. I don't think Jackson has ever been to a festival with rides for kiddos.


Waiting for the ride to begin.



Jackson was loving the cars. . .Papa loved being with Jax but could have done with out the massive jerking of the ride.



Jackson smiled and laughed the entire time!



Papa says Jackson is exactly like he was at this age:) So, I assume Papa was the worlds most fun. . .and energetic little guy ever!



Jackson could have stayed on this ride the entire day.



Three of my very favorite guys.



Jackson begged and cried the entire time to ride the ferris wheel. He was so excited that Papa said he could do it. Here he is looking at the huge ride.



Jackson was very brave but I think he was getting nervous. Despite his constant begging.



Here is what Jackson was begging for all day. Papa and Daddy rode with him. They said he said he loved it but hung on to them for dear life. I'm really glad he was hanging on tight! Jay said he was super brave the entire time.



After the ferris wheel Jackson went back to his typical girl chasing. I swear we are going to have to watch this guy.



After his female friend had to leave Jax decided to try to climb the tree.



He's working on it.



Victory! He made it into the tree and even got back down by himself:) I can't wait to let him burn some energy in sports in a few years.


What an awesome day we had, thanks Papa!

Plano Balloon Festival 2009

Friday we went to the balloon festival. We had grand plans of letting Jackson stay up for the launch. . .but the weather didn't allow for any balloons. We still had fun though! Click here to see how the little man has grown since last year at the same festival. No comments about who else might have grown:)


After much deliberation we gave Jackson his first taste of a treat with sugar. It was a cupcake. We didn't give him the frosting. I just knew he would devour it and beg for more. Much to my surprise he spit it out and said "I not yike it mommy!" So, i figure we will give him another treat at 3.



Jackson LOVED the football game. He threw the ball pretty well for a little dude although he didn't get anywhere near the target. They were very nice to let him keep trying though. And he was just thrilled to be throwing "yike daddy."



Giving it another shot.



Jackson loves to be on Jay's shoulders. Jax was in heaven here because he was given a balloon and he and Jay put stickers on their faces. Pretty easy to please at this age!



Jackson may not have liked the cupcake but he LOVED the popcorn!



The festival definitely seemed smaller with no balloons!



Jackson and mommy. We had both been rained on several times already.

Toy Store

Over the weekend we went to the toy store. We have been to this one many times before but this time Jay and Jackson decided to joust:) It was pretty funny watching them scramble for swords and hats. This seriously took about an hour. I love these guys!


Jackson looking for the perfect hat!



My money is on Jax.



Poor Jackson had a tough time. His head was too big for the kid hats. Hats were either way too big or way too small. Is there no plus size hat for kids available?



That's my man!



Amazed by his daddy.







Jay was cracking him up dancing in his crazy hat. And yes, there were other people there and yes, they were staring at us. No, we didn't care.



Jackson loved the big sword the most.

Nodder Birthday???

Due to Jackson having a summer birthday his mother's day out celebrated his birthday last Thursday. He was VERY excited to learn that he would be having "a nodder" birthday. I made his favorite apple sauce cake and both Jay and I went up for the party.


Jackson's class getting ready to wash their hands before cake.



Wearing his special birthday hat Jackson finished 3 cups of water before any other kid even had one. My poor little guy comes by his "camel" nature honestly.



How many pieces of cake do you want?



He's not so thrilled to pose for pictures during cake time.



Hmmm, wish I had known there was frosting on his lip!