Birthday Dinner and Presents!

Last night, we took Jackson out for a birthday dinner.  We went to Spaghetti Warehouse--Bryan and I went there many times with our families growing up, so it was fun to take our wee ones!

We sat in the trolley, and Jackson loved it!

Jackson is reaching for the huge piece of bread here instead of looking at the camera!

Beara ordered spaghetti and loved it!

J had cheese pizza!

After dinner, we ordered a 12 layer chocolate cake with ice cream for everyone to share.  Several of the waiters even came over to sing "Happy Birthday" to Jackson.  He took turns clapping and eating cake throughout the entire song!

Jackson is too busy trying to get more cake here instead of looking at the camera!  The boy likes to eat!

Looking out the trolley!

Once we were home, we gave him a quick bath before opening presents--he was covered in marinara, garlic butter, cake, and ice cream!!
One of Jackson's favorite books is "Five Little Tigers" so when I saw this one at Barnes and Noble, I knew we had to get it for him!  He loves quacking like a duck!

He was excited about his Little People fire truck!

He was curious as to what was in the other bag, but he didn't want, (or know how), to actually open it--so I finally did it for him!

This drill makes noises and actually screws in the hardware that came with it!  Now, he's just like Daddy!

Finally, we gave him a t-ball set!  I think he really liked this one!  Bryan has already taught him pretty much everything about football, so he's excited to now teach Jack about baseball!

We have one more gift to give him, but it was just delivered today, then Bryan got home after Jackson's bedtime tonight, so we'll hopefully give it to him tomorrow!

2 Years Old!

 It all started with this picture...

 ...which led to finding out we were having a boy...

 ...which caused my wonderfully huge tummy...

 ...and lots of waiting to meet little Jackson.

 Then, 2 years ago today, he was finally here!

 It was absolute love at first sight!

The three of us adored him from the moment we found out about him, and we loved him even more once we were able to hold him for the first time!

This is Jackson on his first birthday!

And this is Jackson today, on his second birthday! 

I attempted to get a better picture of him wearing another birthday hat that I made during nap time, but it was a no go!  He was too busy running around to be bothered with a picture!  So, even though this one was snapped quickly while he was in front of the window, I love his sweet smile in it!

 This is all from his first year!

And this one is from his second year!

Jackson Henry has had such a huge year! 

• He actually began the year not saying too many words, which really concerned Bryan and me because by the time Sarah was one, she was talking up a storm.  Jackson always understood everything we were saying to him, but the fact that he didn't verbally communicate back was different than what we were used to when Sarah was so little.  But now, he says tons of words and makes quite a few sentences!
• He absolutely adores Daddy, Mommy, and Sarah!  If one of us is not around, he'll ask, "Where DaDa go?!"
• He loves sleeping with a lot of his stuffed animals!
• He loves any type of sports ball and playing catch is his favorite game!
• He gives lots of hugs and kisses--and the kisses are always on the lips!
• He loves to swing and would do it all day if you let him!
• He loves being read to, and once he finds a book he loves, you will have to read it several times each day!  Luckily, we're perfectly happy doing that!
• The only show he watches is "Blue's Clues," and he just adores "Pupa!"
• He loves to jump!
• He loves all types of animals, so he's really enjoyed all of the petting zoos and duck ponds we've visited this year!
• He shares his toys!  He will give you what he's playing with if you ask him for a turn.
• He loves being tickled!  He will now even take your hand to his tummy to keep tickling him after you've stopped!
• He loves bath time!
• His favorite game is peek-a-boo!  He'll put his hands over his eyes, then when you ask "Where's Jackson?!" he'll uncover his eyes, and yell, "PEE!"  (He can't quite get the "k" on the end of "peek!"
• He is the sweetest little boy!

We are so grateful to God for bringing us precious little Jackson! 

Growth Chart

A few months ago, I saw how to make an adorable growth chart using a 1x8x6 piece of wood from this blog, and I knew I wanted to eventually make one for our kiddos!

Last month, while Bryan was on vacation, we bought the materials at Lowe's--it cost less than $15 for all of the supplies.

Then, last week, I finally stained it after putting Jackson to bed.  Since we chose such a dark stain, I just painted it on, then immediately wiped it off.  Today, during naptime, I finished it by making all of the ruler markings and the numbers.  To do the numbers, I printed them out in size 200, then used a pen to trace over them, which made an indentation in the wood itself.  Then, I simply filled it in with a Sharpie.

Bryan and I hung it on a little wall in between the kitchen and the living room with Command strips.

I can't wait to start actually marking the kids' heights with on it!  I just wish we had it years ago when Sarah was really little!

Family Pictures

A few weeks ago while we were visiting our family in Keller, Jenny Holmes, one of our dearest friends took our family pictures.  Not only were Bryan and I great friends with her in high school, but she was also a bridesmaid in our wedding!  Jenny is a mother of two adorable little ones, a 4th grade teacher, and a professional photographer!  As soon as she started her photography business a couple of years ago, I knew I wanted her to take our pictures!  Poor Jackson was so fussy while Jenny was snapping away, (because he was overly tired from the whole trip), but she was extremely patient, and got wonderful shots!  She is an amazing friend and an incredible photographer!  You can check out our whole session on her website here!  I can't wait to order them all and hang them up!!

Father's Day

I am so blessed to be married to such an amazing man, who also happens to be such an amazing Dad!

Bryan was on call last night, and only got a little over 2 hours of sleep while at the hospital, but he still let us take him out to brunch this morning.  Despite being so tired, I didn't have to twist his arm to go out to eat--it was an all you can eat breakfast buffet at our favorite restaurant, and in honor of Father's Day, they added tons of meat to their regular line-up.  Breakfast buffets and meat are two of Bryan's favorite things!  : )

One of the things Sarah made for Daddy was a "Mad Libs" inspired card that I got from this site.  Bryan thought it was pretty funny!

Jack picked out this card with lions on it--one of his favorite animals!--for Daddy last month.  He loved coloring it this morning!

We got Daddy a bucket full of manly goodness--including new tools, Act of Valor, and his favorite candy, (Reese's), with little reasons why we love him stuck on each wrapper.

We also got him a reciprocating saw, which he is displaying while making a "man face."  I don't know what that is!

And last but not least, I made Bryan a picture book from Shutterfly.com.  I had a great coupon, and it was faster than making a scrapbook myself!  I think it turned out so cute, and Bryan loved it!  You can see it here, if you want: http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=a23964fae6a36ffef12f12eb75ef82b5&sid=2AauHDNo1ZsnHw

Bryan is the absolute best Dad to Sarah and Jackson!  He works so hard for our family, yet drops everything to play with them as soon as he gets home.  We appreciate and love him more than words can convey.

Father's Day Gift

Last year for one of Bryan's Father's Day gifts, I took pictures of the wee ones holding letters to spell out Dad. I love the way it turned out!

So, this year, I thought it would be cute to have the kids holding a chalkboard together that said, "Daddy, we love you because..."  Then, I would take individual pictures of Sarah and Jackson with their own reason.  Cute, right?!  First, I took Sarah's picture.  Then, it was J's turn.  I put him on the bench, gave him the chalkboard, and...

 ...he ran...

 ...and ran!

Although I had really hoped this wouldn't happen, I assumed it would, so I had a backup plan!  Years ago, I made Bryan a scrapbook containing pictures of just him and Sarah.  To go with one of the pictures, I wrote this poem that I found on the internet:

Walk With Me, Daddy

Walk alongside me, Daddy,

And hold my little hand.

I have so many things to learn

That I don't yet understand.

Teach me things to keep me safe

From dangers every day.

Show me how to do my best

At home, at school, at play.

Every child needs a gentle hand

To guide them as they grow.

So walk alongside me, Daddy,

We have a long way to go.

So, I picked out one of my favorite picture of him and Sarah walking to school on her first day of kindergarten,

 and one of him helping Jackson learn to walk by himself.

After I framed it, I put it in his office underneath the collage from last year.

Maybe next year when Jack's a little older, I can bribe ask him nicely to sit still so we can take the chalkboard picture for Daddy.  And although Bryan reads our blog, he won't remember that I'm going to do this a week from now, let alone, a whole year from now, so it will still be a surprise!  : )