Cheering on the team and learning to eat

I brought home a few new toys for Jackson from the big pep rally. He has really enjoyed the megaphone, and thinks it's hilarious when we talk to him through it. He hasn't quite gotten the hang of using it himself. He also loves the football and will pounce on it and roll around on the floor like he's tackling it. Unfortunately, they are from our rival school.

Jackson has learned to use a fork! We put the food on it for him, and he gets it right to his mouth. He's a natural born eater, just like his dad!

Rainy day blues

We've had some much needed rain lately! Last week was nice, but the week before, we had several days of rain. It was the first time Jackson really noticed it. He hung out by the window and watched the rain fall.

10 months old and first word??

Jackson is 10 months old today. It's hard to believe that he is already 10 months and almost a year! Where did the time go? Today, he and Andy had pictures made in their Iowa gear. We are SO ready for football season! Jackson is going to his first tailgate in August - should be a great time!

We think Jackson said his first word yesterday... He was sitting with Uncle Tommy (Andy and I were heading out for a date). When Andy came down the stairs, Jackson turned and looked at him and said "Dada!" and waved to him. Then today, he did it again when he saw Andy. So, we're going to officially mark it in the baby book - first word = dada.

Jackson does a lot of goofy stuff, and most of it is while he is eating. This is a picture from last week of one of his many faces... what a goofball!

Jen and Maddox came over last week and joined us for a little scrapbooking. Jen and I were distracted by a neat scrapping toy and discovered Jackson and Maddox "playing" in the living room. Maddox was laying on the floor, and Jackson was crawling over him.

Maddox thought this was pretty funny stuff...

Last Weekend...

Last weekend was Andrew's birthday, and LOTS of family came into town to help him celebrate! He had an Indiana Jones party at Altitude, Sarah's cheer gym. It was a lot of fun! Will announced that he is going to be a big brother in March! Very exciting! Jackson had a good time playing with everyone. Aunt Becky pulled out some great toys, but his favorites are still Sarah's Hillwood pom poms. He thinks they are pretty cool!

He and Will play well together, and Jackson can almost keep up with Will! Will is a walker now and always on the go, so Jackson loves to watch him move around. It's tough to get a picture of the two of them together, but we managed to catch a quick one...

Jackson is working on "sharing" and usually does a great job. However, when it comes to food, it's a different story. I suppose he gets that from his daddy. He and Will were sitting with Grandpa munching on some yogurt melts. Jackson was trying to take them as fast as he could to keep Will from eating them (I should mention that these are his favorite snack). At one point, he stuffed a whole bunch in his mouth and held the rest in his hands... does this remind anyone of a certain "chipmunk" that they might know???

On Sunday, we all went to the neighborhood pool and had some slide races. We had a lot of fun. Jackson enjoys going down the slide with everyone! He is very interested in the "bucket pool" but peels out pretty fast when the bucket dumps all of its water out!

Jackson played so hard at the pool that he fell asleep and snoozed the rest of the afternoon...

Jackson LOVES the refrigerator. He rushes over any time someone opens it. Could it be that he is looking for a little cool air to get away from the 105 degree heat outside???

First Hair Cut

Well, we finally did it! I have been putting off Jackson's first hair cut for a while. It was looking a little shaggy as you can see below, but I absolutely loved it! We took him to Tiffany, who cuts my hair. She did a great job, and Jackson did really well - even had fun! She cut his bangs and over his ears and even used the clippers in the back! He looks very grown up and handsome.

Before

Checking with Dad to make sure this was okay...

Getting a "big boy" hair doo...

After...

Spray Park

Jackson and Grayson have gotten to hang out a little bit lately, and we have been SO bored staying in the house with all of this really hot weather! We finally got to take Jackson and Gray to the spray park in our neighborhood the other day. The boys had a great time! Jackson wasn't so sure at first, but as you can see, he warmed up to it. He crawled right through the fountains with no fear! We will definitely have to check out the park again soon.

Mr. Mischief

Jackson is quite the sneaky little guy! We have created a little barrier with his toy baskets to keep him from exploring some areas that have been difficult to "babyproof". He is particularly interested in the area with all of the DVDs. So, in order to get over to the other area, he tries to pull one over on his mom... Jackson will throw a toy over the baskets and then climb over to "retrieve it". As soon as he on the other side and clear of his mom, he will go for the DVDs or behind the chair. It's a good thing I know what he's up to!

Meal time

Jackson has become quite the eater! He still pretty well rejects the chunky stage 3 foods but LOVES table food. He is smiling in this picture because he has just managed to return the portion of the "lasagna with meat sauce" that he found unacceptable.



He tried little bits of banana for the first time the other day. It went really well, he loved it. We are still finding pieces of the banana in his high chair...

He does really well with his sippy cup when he's interested...

Since we've started letting him sample foods from the adult dinner menu, he has decided that any time Andy or I eat, he is entitled. The other day, Andy and I were have a little dessert. He crawled from one of us to the other with his little mouth open waiting for his sample. Unfortunately, he had to settle for a puff snack. Oh well, maybe next time...

High School Reunion

Andy and I traveled to Temple this weekend for my high school reunion. We had a pretty good time. We went to the actual event with Cio and Marshall who also let us stay at their house this weekend. The kids had a fun time together - Bella is such a good little babysitter! Andy and I really enjoyed hanging out with Cio and Marshall and wish they lived a little closer. It was so nice to see all of my old friends from high school and realize that not much has changed! Everyone seemed to be doing well!

Bella chases Jackson in the living room...
Jackson and Cio

Allison Dickson, Leigh Gauntt and Leska Scanio put the reunion together and had a great turnout.

Tracilynn Jones - still a rock star!!

Cio and I at dinner...

On another fun note, Jackson has leaned to wave "bye bye" and clap his hands. He thinks it's the greatest thing ever (I agree), and he does it all of the time - TOO cute!

Recovering from the week

What a bummer of a week! I have been down and out since last Saturday with a nasty virus! Yuck! I was achy all over and had a really high fever - however, it could have been a lot worse... The bad part is, I was not a very fun playmate for Jackson, so I can tell he's glad to have his mommy back! On a fun note, Andy and I will get to go to an OU football game this year! Yippee! It has been a while since we've made one, but I'm REALLY looking forward to it. JT's uncle is working on a super special shirt for him to wear to the festivities - should be a good time.
To the Jones family... as always, we loved having you guys over last night! Mad Dog is growing up way too fast! Before we know it, he'll be punching Jackson back. ;)