Sunday, May 31, 2009

My New Hobby

My mom started to teach me to crochet many years ago, but I just lost interest.....surprise, surprise. But since I was moving home for a while, I thought it would be a great time to pick it back up. Not to mention carry along an old fashion trade that many don't do anymore!

So my first project wanted to be a baby blanket for my good friend Liz. I really wanted to give her something special to show her how much her friendship means to me! Since then she has had sweet baby, Ellie! So here is the completed project! I am mostly happy with it for my first one....I do wish it was a little wider, but too late now! :)

I received so many hand made blankets for Jackson (quilted, crocheted, knitted, cross-stitched) and I think I have a new appreciation for them all! I can see now why they call it a labor of love!

Happy Birthday Miss Ellie!

Friday, May 29, 2009

Monkey Joe's

I took Jackson today to Monkey Joe's - it is a place with lots of inflatables and a ton of fun for kids....or so you would think! We met Katie and Maddie there and Maddie is a pro! She loves to jump and bounce, climb the BIG inflatables and zoom down the slide, and just have a great big ole time. Jackson not so much the dare devil and I can say he gets that after me. He did play in a couple of the smaller inflatables, but has really yet to jump. At one time I thought I would force him to go up and slide b/c if he did it once he might love it. No such luck - as I was taking him up he kept screaming "No Mama No", so I brought him down.

He did enjoy running around and making me follow after him (in which I think I was more tired afterwards than he was), the water fountain and he did find the chalk wall a big plus. All in all it was a fun day, but I think I may wait to take him back when David comes 4th of July....maybe he will be a BIG BOY for Daddy! :)

Here is all the fun stuff for kids to do!

Jackson did play a little....

And we did progress to a bigger inflatable.

Where he seemed to like it the best- in the chalk room.

His first ICEE....mmm it was good! He shared with his Mama!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

The Tatum/Jackson Wedding

Well the wedding is over! It was a very small, beautiful wedding just like they wanted! I really didn't get too many pictures b/c I was so preoccupied with a little boy! All in all it went well with Jackson. He saw Papa and Dee at the front and wanted to run and see them before it was his turn, so we had a little fuss in the back. Then it was his turn and he took about 2 steps and noticed all the people. I didn't think he would do it and I was about to walk down with him....and then he took off, but not before throwing his Ring Bearer Pillow on the ground! SO CUTE! So I slipped down the side and he sat still for a little bit and then I took him to the nursery where my cousin's husband watched Jackson and his daughter. I was able to get back in the church at the back to see them say their vows and be pronounced Mr and Mrs Thomas Dee Jackson!

Pictures with Jackson were not so good, so I am hoping their photographer was fast! At one point he would not put down the toy fishing rod he found without throwing a fit, so some of the pictures should be VERY interesting!

The reception was delicious, all being done by Robin's family, including the cake. Yeah I have no pictures b/c it was me and me looking after Jackson. Oh where was David in all this....let me tell you! lol No, he actually had a SIM until later Friday and wasn't able to make it.....so yes David you owe me BIG TIME! :)

After it was all said and done and the happy couple left, Jackson went home with Aunt Flora to play with all of his cousins while I helded my parents and Robin's family clean up. Even with all the work it was a nice needed break from Jackson....by this time I was WORN out and needed a couple hours to myself.

So Congratualtions Dee and Robin and welcome to the family! I hope you have a wonderful time in Antigua.....I only wish I was going on a vacation too! :)

Dee was a nervous wreck at this point!

Me and my date

Oh how black is not always slimming on a pregnant woman! lol

It was EXTREMELY hard to get a good picture of him, but I think he was the most handsome man there!

Mr and Mrs Thomas Dee Jackson

Friday, May 22, 2009

The Wedding Rehearsal....

Oh where to start! lol I will have to say that Jackson did very well considering he is only 2 years old and my expectations were rather low for him! It also helps to expect the unexpected! :)

I bribed Jackson with Skittles in the back of the church until his time to walk down the aisle and it seemed to work and give him sugar overload all at the same time! Walking down the aisle is no problem for this kid- b/c he sees Dee Dee and Papa at the front. I might add that walking is not what he does- he RUNS! But it is very cute! So we get him down there and the problems start....he wants to run around, play the piano, use a candle he has found as a sword, anything and everything but sit still near me (I never expected him to stand near my dad up there). But luckily there is a pastor's room right next to our pew and it has a doorway to the outside, so I may just take him out after we see Robin walk down the aisle. I hate I may have to miss part of the wedding, but I don't want Jackson to be a distraction either...it isn't his day, it is theirs!

At one time Jackson did walk back down the aisle to leave holding hands with dear little Morgan (she is the cutest flower girl and Robin's niece). In fact when we got to the church she kept running around after Jackson telling him, "Jackson, when you put on your bow tie, you are going to marry me!" And she said this over and over- it was the sweetest thing. Jackson ended up having a good time b/c he played with Morgan and my cousin's little girl, Crystal. He actually just like to chase them and have them chase him, but whatever works and tires out a 2 year old!

The dinner afterward was delicious! It was just an old fashioned BarBQ that my Uncle and Aunt helped my parents prepare. We had chicken, my Uncle's famous BarBQ, hushpuppies, candied yams, coleslaw, squash casserole, baked beans, potato salad, you name it! Top it off with a glass of sweet tea and you can call that a good time! And thank goodness all the cleanup help afterward b/c we got out of there by 9:30 with a tired little boy. Not too bad!

This is Morgan and Jackson...oh how they make a cute couple!

David you owe me for not being able to come.....or the AF does. I was one TIRED Mamma!

The Groom's Cake

The Bride and Groom to be

This was the only time my child was sat still...only because I hooked him in and dared him to move!


Here is a glimpse of what it would look like for Jackson to "walk" down the aisle.....he and Morgan were playing!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Don't Judge Me :)

I finally broke down and bought Jackson his new friend/restraint. I have several friends that swear by them, so why not, right?? My main reasoning for getting it was for my brother's upcoming Wedding Reception this weekend....not feeling up to chasing him in heels. I tried it on him today to see what he would think and he LOVES it! He thinks it is fun and loves a book bag anyway, so 2 for 1 deal!

I use to think that parents that did this were lazy, but after having a child of my own I realize they are smart! This kid has more energy than I can even imagine and now being pregnant and larger, I just don't have the energy I use to. And so to you non moms out there who think this is cruel - you are more than welcome to borrow Jackson for a day and see how you feel at the end!

So here's to whoever thought up this design.....must have been a Mom! :)


Friday, May 15, 2009

Redneck Swimming Pool

Jackson decided this was more fun than a swimming pool....and boy did he throw a FIT when it was time to come in and get a bath!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Am I really ready for this??

I have always been worried about Jackson's speech and vocabulary b/c he always seemed to be a little further behind then his friends. But then I think I am being too pushy and he will learn on his own- let him be a little boy while he can.

Then he turned 2 and his vocabulary is taking off a little more- but am I ready?? He is saying phrases now - some of the same, but he he saying them. Some of his favorites seem to be:
I siiit there! (And this boy has a Southern Draw that no one is taking away from him!
I dunno?
Mama, Where is baby at?
Mama, Where is Papa at? (Insert this phrase with anything - Baybay (Bailey), shoes, etc)

And he is picking up other things too! YIKES
He can name everyone in family pictures for the most part - although my mom and David's mom are still Papa too. He is calling my brother DeeDee now, but he was Papa for a while.

He is just a little boy who loves to play outside and I am trying not to push him too much, but I am trying to get him to learn his ABC's, 123's and colors.....not much luck. See, he could care less! I think Kindergarten may be a struggle for us! :) He will say the number 2 after you say 1, but he also says it after 3 too! lol

Another thing he is doing is saying Dada a lot after stuff. I think he is missing his Daddy and I know his Daddy is missing him. I try to get him to talk on the phone with David, but he is usually too busy! Everything is Please Dada, Hey Dada, Bye Dada! Too sweet!

The one good thing he is doing is saying "peas" (please) for everything he wants. At least his boy will learn his manners. Currently working on Thank You, but not much luck there!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

I've got my new shoes on

This is for David....Jackson also wears Papa's shoes! This is a more manly look for him and one he should stick with! :)

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day

I can't believe that this is my third Mother's Day already! My how time slips by so fast! Three years ago this time David was leaving (yes on my first Mother's Day) to start his AF career by going to OTS! This year isn't much different as he is off for more training. But I am fortunate enough to spend it with my mom in NC.
What a blessing it is for David and I to have such great moms! We truly appreciate your love and support for us throughout all the years. We think you are the BEST! We hope you both have a wonderful day!

Here is my little Jackson just a few days after he was born.....being a mom is the BEST!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Happy Mother's Day to Me!

Here are the beautiful flowers that David's parents sent me for Mother's Day....how sweet of them!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Big Boy Haircut

I finally decided to get Jackson's hair cut a little more than usual...the intention before going in was to get it cut like Daddy and we could gel it. That didn't happen, but I did get clippers on the back and that is a start. He has only had about 4 haircuts and they have all been with just scissors all over. I hope I can continue to let go a little each time and get it cut closer and closer. (Can you tell I am having a hard time letting go already!)
He did very well and I think he looks super cute and more like a little boy now!


21 weeks and 4 days

I had my first appt here in NC this morning and all was very routine. Everything went well - I did get to take a peek at the baby on the U/S since the Doc just wanted to make sure that the fluid and all looked good and baby was growing well. He said he was glad we we not trying to find out the gender of the baby today b/c baby had his legs crossed. I am hoping they will do this at least once more for complete confirmation on BOY!

Other than that nothing new- blood pressure was good and I had gained 4 more pounds, so I am back on the positive side now by 3 pounds. I guess the only good thing about throwing up for 9 weeks straight is not having to worry about gaining a ton of weight in the beginning. By this time with Jackson I had only gained 7 pounds though, so I better continue to watch it a little bit! :)

I did receive all my lab work back and all labs run looked good - the Down Syndrome test, etc. I go back in 5 weeks and take my Glucose Test....which I DREAD! And then they said they will start me on every 2 weeks. Wow this is going by fast!

Here I am today.....belly is growing growing!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Fun at Memaw's and Papa's

Well we don't do this everyday...thank goodness (can't wait for David to see this first picture). But Jackson loves to play with anything besides all the tons of toys that we have bought for him - and here are some pictures to prove it!

Jackson in Memaw's high heels from a hard days work. At least he is wearing camo! :)

Reading the morning paper with Papa.

The Sound of Wedding Bells

My brother is getting married in less than 3 weeks now and we are all so excited! We very much LOVE his wife to be and can't wait to officially welcome her into this crazy Jackson family! My mom's church had the happy couple a wedding shower a week ago and they made out like fat rats! Everything was so nice and they received so many wonderful gifts! Oh let the Thank You notes begin.....how I remember those days! Here are some pictures of the day and of the happy couple: Dee and Robin! Stay turned for wedding day pictures....remember Jackson is the ring bearer and I am sure there will be a story to be told! :)

Dee and Robin



Opening their gifts.....that is Robin's niece, Morgan, and her sister and mom beside of me.

Look at all the presents

And another whole table!