Many Thanks

Apparently November is the month where everyone posts what they're thankful for on Facebook.  I wasn't aware of this until this year.  Is this a new thing?  I'm not in the cool kids group, so I don't know these things.  Anyway, I decided to do it, but not post it on my Facebook.  Nobody on Facebook cares what I'm thankful for.  When I put it here, I can look at it later...all at the same time.  Anyway, here's my list...

Day 1--I'm super thankful for my little man.  I couldn't imagine my life without Jackson.  He is the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me.  His little personality and huge smile can make any day better.

Day 2--I'm thankful for Darrin.  He's such an awesome daddy and puts up with all my attitude!  Don't know what we'd do without him.

Day 3--I'm thankful for this hickey on the side of my face.  Jackson was givin' good lovins this morning!

Day 4--I'm thankful for my Polka girl.  Such a smart dog and absolutely adorable!

Day 5--I'm thankful for family and friends, the ones that stick by your side regardless.

Day 6--I'm thankful for the ability to vote.  Some politicians scare me.

Day 7--I'm thankful for the ability to go to college.  Some don't have that option.

Day 8--I"m thankful for Jackson's health.  He's made it 6 months without really getting sick.

Day 9--I'm thankful for the ability to feed my baby (breastfeeding).  We got really lucky and got the hang of it pretty quickly.

Day 10--I'm thankful that my family is open-minded.

Day 11--I'm thankful for video monitors.  Definitely makes me feel better being about to SEE Jackson when he's napping in the other room.

Day 12--I'm thankful for cell phones.  I love that I can get ahold of anyone...no matter where they are.

Day 13--I'm thankful for heat.  I can't handle the cold.

Day 14--I'm thankful that Jackson is usually super happy.  Makes every day better.

Day 15--I'm thankful for the ability to stay home with Jackson.  I couldn't handle taking him to a baby-sitter.

Day 16--I'm thankful for another day.  Let's make the most of it.

Day 17--I'm thankful for DVR.  So convenient.

Day 18--I"m thankful for Chipotle.  Love that place.

Day 19--I'm thankful for sweatpants.  I'd die without them.

Day 20--I'm thankful for a break from school.  Darrin has been home more and I'm able to clean a little.

Day 21--I'm thankful Darrin let me sleep in.  Much needed.

Day 22--I'm thankful for Thanksgiving.  I love food.

Day 23--I'm thankful to be able to see my family and celebrate together.  Love them!

Day 24--I'm thankful for sleep...I just don't get any.

Day 25--I'm thankful for technology.  Makes life a little easier.

Day 26--I'm thankful I got my projects done for school.

Day 27--  I'm thankful for thermometers, saline drops, and snotsuckers.  Baby boy is sick :(  Nothing serious, though.

Day 28--I'm thankful for baby snuggles.  We're both sniffly, but snuggles make everything better.

Day 29--I'm thankful for Target...even though I spend WAY too much money there.

Day 30--I'm thankful we are finally putting the tree up.  I usually hate holidays, but I want Jackson to be excited for them.  I'm kind of starting to get into it this year :)

Many thanks!!

New tricks

Jackson has some pretty fun new tricks!  Most importantly, he has said MA-MA!!  I'm sure it was on accident and I'm aware that he has no idea what he said, but it is still exciting!  The little punk has been saying da-da forever.  Now he can work on his ma-ma skills.  So far he's only said it when he was mad, haha.  That's okay...I'll take it.  He's "crawling", but he has his own little style.  It's more like a scoot/belly crawl.  He can get on all fours, but just rocks and lays back down on his belly.  He gets where he wants to go, though.  I'm sure it's a matter of time before he perfects his technique ;)

It's been pretty busy around here.  We've had a lot of things going on.  Unfortunately, Darrin's grandpa passed away.  So that's been really hard.  School has been crazy for both of us.  We're just trying to get through until the semester is over.  Then Darrin is done and I only have one semester left!  We also had a ton of places to go to for Thanksgiving celebrations.  On Thanksgiving, we went to Darrin's moms in the afternoon and his dads that night.  Then we did some Black Friday shopping.  And THEN we drove to Chicago for my family Thanksgiving.  And then drove back home the same day.  But, it was worth it.  On top of all the craziness, we're getting sick around here.  Awesome.

No pictures (I'm entirely to lazy to upload any new ones to the macbook right now).  Next time :)

Lafayette

We finally made it to Lafayette!!  You can't even understand how excited that makes me.  We didn't get to see everyone and didn't stay too long.  Definitely need to start making more regular trips.  Jackson did pretty good on the car ride.  He didn't cry at all on the way there.  We made it all the way to Tuscola before he got upset on the way home.  I thought maybe stopping and getting him out at Tanger would help, but I think it might've just made it worse.  He was pretty pissed from Tuscola to Mattoon.  I fed him and kept him entertained and he was okay after that.  He finally met one of his birthday twins!  Kourtney just so happened to have baby Zackary the same day I had Jackson!  It was crazy.  I can't even express how ADORABLE her kids are.  I wanted to steal them and bring them home.  You can definitely tell Jackson isn't around other kids much, haha.  We need to change that.  Didn't get toooo many pictures, but that's okay.  Some are from earlier, too.

Love his sweater! & Shoppin' with Momma

Monster feet

 Kid has style!

Readin' Rainbow Fish & Alyssa's grave

Grandpa Robbie lovins & Baby Z (Birthday Twin!)

Haha, we need to toughen Jax up!

6 months

It is SO hard to believe that Jackson has been around for a half of a year.  That is just crazy talk.  It definitely doesn't feel that long.  I don't know what I ever did without this little man.  He had his well-baby check up today.  He's 19 lbs. 1 oz. (80%) and 27.5 in. long (85%).  His head circumference is in the 99%, haha!  He's finally starting to slow down when it comes to growing.  He got 4 shots today.  I hated every second of it.  I make Darrin hold him while he gets them.  He just wanted to hug Darrin after.  It's so sad :(

He has the best little personality there is.  And no, I'm not biased ;).  He still prefers being home.  He's a totally different kid when he's home.  He's usually smiling, laughing, and having a good time.  Don't get me wrong...the kid is still dramatic, haha.  He's getting a lot better when it comes to car rides, but I don't want to jinx myself.  He sits up so good by himself.  He has been lunging forward to try to crawl for awhile.  He will rock back and forth and then lay down, haha.  He's eating pretty good (both solids and nursing).  He hasn't really HATED anything yet.  He's so perceptive.  He's always looking around and concentrating on something.  He is still saying dada, but not mama yet.  He loves chewing on Darrin's hats.  There's just soo much more...I could go on about this kid for days!

He ends up in bed with us EVERY night.  We lay him down and let him basically cry himself to sleep. We go in every 5 minutes and calm him down.  He's getting better about falling asleep quicker.  He'll sleep in his crib until he wakes up and I usually just pull him into bed with us from there.  I know...terrible.  I just can't handle the whole sleep training thing.  It's the best we can do just trying it when he first falls asleep.

Bring on the next 6 months :)

Love baby jeans :)

Raspberry, Spinach, and Greek Yogurt :/

He went shoppin' today with me while Darrin took a test