My Generations

Today was much better in Seattle. The temp got up to around 89 which is nothing compared to the 115 that I am used to in AZ. Plus it cooled way down last night and I actually got some sleep (well as much as I can with a big pregnant belly). We went out to Hood Canal to visit my grandparents and my aunt today. They live on the canal which is connected to the pacific ocean so it is salt water. The water was so warm it felt like a bath. We didn't go swimming but we did walk all along the beach and Jackson sat in the water and threw rocks in. He thought this was great because he is always trying to throw stuff in the pool and we won't let him but today he had free range to throw as many rocks as far as he could. He also liked the fact that he got to play in the fountain, my grandpa showed him how to play the organ, and Jack tackled my grandparents fat begal Dexter (who wasn't happy about having a baby tackle him).

He had a great time and it was so nice to see my grandparents who are getting very old. I am really close to them so I try to see them as much as possible but it is hard since I live so far away. I know they won't be around much longer so any time spent with them is cherished time. It is funny too because the older you get the more baby like you become. My grandma had all of Jackson's favorite foods like applesauce, fish crackers, and popciles because that is what she eats now. Sleeping more and eating less. . .84 years apart and they have more in common than they realize.

Then we went to this great pizza restaurant called The Rock where they play rock music and have fun lights. Jack loved this and he even ate the spicey Yellow Brick Road pizza with pepperoni, sausage, onions, and banana peppers. What can I say, the kid has sophisticated taste buds and he knows the good stuff. I even gave him a few sips of root beer. He ended up passing out in my lap by the end of the night. He has been playing so hard since he got here it is no wonder that he sleeps so well at night.

Summer in Seattle part 1

So we have been in Seattle for 2 days and it has been HOT, HOT, HOT! Jackson was fantastic on the plane. We sat in the front row where there is lots of leg room. No place for bags or trays but lots of leg room which worked out because Jack got to stand up and walk around a little or sit on the floor and play. We sat next to two nice older women who thought Jackson was the cutest baby. He didn't cry at all and with about an hour left he decided he was tired so he sat on my lap and took a short nap while I read a book. It would have been nice to have a pillow to put behind my back but other than that I thought it went extremely well.

It has been 100 degrees here and the problem is there is NO AIR CONDITIONING because Seattle doesn't usually get this hot. We have been spending lots of time outside in a small, frog, blowup pool or riding in the car which feels pretty nice. I don't think it is going to cool down the entire time we are here so that means lots of fans, lots of pool time, and very little clothes (onesies for the baby). So far Jack has mastered the small 3 steps that lead to the family room and he loves sweeping the kitchen floor with the small broom my mom bought him. He is having a great time and I am really glad we came. I just wish Brandon was here to enjoy the muggy weather with us.

A piece of my heart

TodayBrandon left for 2 weeks to do some training for his job in Illinois. I took him to the airport this morning came back home and layed in my empty bed when I realized that I MISSED HIM. I know how silly. He had only been gone for an hour and I already missed him. Then tonight after I put Jackson to bed I came into my bedroom and I had a thought. . .what am I suppose to do now? I miss Brandon. We have been married for over 3 years and have never spent more than 1 day apart. He is my best friend, my confidant, and the one I look to when I find something funny or something sad. He is my rock. I guess that is why I am taking Jack and going to Seattle for 2 weeks so that I don't think about missing Brandon every second of the day. Most people might think, yeah 2 weeks of freedom. But I think. . .where is my buddy? I hate being without him, even if it is only for a short while.

What the future holds?

One thing about living at the Stoker's, Marissa has her own little living doll to dress up however she likes. . .and Jackson LOVES it. He goes into her room and hangs out with her. I'll look around for him and find him chilln' in her pants drawer under her bed or dancing to her IPOD. Then every once in awhile he will come out with some funny outfit on that Missy helped him pick out. This is mainly funny to me because lately I have been helping Brandon's mom go through all her pictures and put them into photo albums. The funny part is there are a ton of pictures where Missy is dressed up in weird outfits that her older sisters put her in. Since Marissa is one of the youngest in their family she never had someone to pass the torch onto. But now she does, Jackson is her new best friend and he really loves her and all her crazy costumes. Who knows if Jack ever becomes a famous reporter or aerobics instructor these photos might come in handy.

Dancing King

Dancing King


This is the first video I have ever uploaded. Marissa took it (that is why half of it is sideways)
but it is still adorable. Enjoy the dancing baby.

New Projects

So I don't know if it is a nesting thing or if I am just really bored because I don't have the usual day-to-day tasks that most moms have (going to the grocery store, the bank, etc) but I have been looking for projects left and right lately. My scrapbooks are all caught up, I bought the fabric for the baby's room and started working on that, and I recently decided to dress up some of my cardigans that I thought needed a little something extra. I went to Micheal's and found these really cute fabric flowers and old fashioned buttons on sale. So a bought them and tried to think about what I could do with them. I ended up with several cute accessories and embellishments that dazzled up my old stuff. Here are some pictures of what I created.

I added small flowers to the neckline A ribbon trim around the neck and down the buttonsThese are headbands with flowers or buttons that I thought were fun accessories. Jackson actually doesn't try to pull these off like he does earrings or a necklace.

Jackson the Giant

Jackson is 15 months old now, I can't believe how fast he is growing up. We went to the doctor yesterday and he is 34 1/4 inches (off the charts for height) and 24lbs (50%). The doctor said most 2 yr olds average 35 inches so for him to already be 34 1/4 he is a GIANT. Bragging time, here are some other things about Jackson at this age:

-he loves swimming, especially going down the slide with dad
-he has 11 teeth (3 molars) and another 4 teeth are about to break through
-he can say: mama, dada, bird, ball, doggie, and moon (actually it is more like boon but I know he is talking about the moon because he points to it when he says it).
-his favorite toy is the dog (Twix)
-he loves reading books especially Goodnight Moon and The Very Hungry Caterpillar
-he eats regular food including hole grapes, blueberries, and pizza
-he still sleeps throughout the night (9pm to 10 am)
-he can point to his toes, knees, tummy, and ear
-he can fold his arms for praying or listening
-he follows commands like drying spills, picking up toys with mom, finding his cups, or throwing things in the garbage
-he is still working on using a spoon and fork. . .sometimes he can do it sometimes he doesn't have the patience
-he likes to tackle the stuffed purple octopus

-he loves dancing and listening to the IPOD

He is a great baby and I love him so much, especially when he gives me kisses at night.