coordinated drive-bys

Happy Thanksgiving y'all! I just wanted to post this somewhat old photo of Jackson for you all, especially for Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Scott. We were lucky to have them visit (aka drive-bys as we call them) twice this fall as they made there way east to sell merchandise at venues (check out the business at www.northernsun.com -- nice plug, right Scott?). I love this photo of them and Jackson. It is also Aunt B's birthday today and we want to wish her the best day ever! Happy Birthday Aunt B ... we love you!

11 weeks and rolling!

This past Sunday Jackson celebrated his 11 week birthday. I made a quick target run to get some essentials. When I returned I found dad and Jackson playing on the floor. I was at the tail end of a phone conversation and when I got off dad had promptly said "Do you know Jackson flips? Like 4 times." I was in utter shock and had to clarify that Jackson rolled from his belly onto his back. Remember that I had made a quick visit to target, and that I stay home with Jackson and he has never done this for me ... which I'm sure is more common than not. I'm glad dad could experience this new milestone. However, J-man hasn't done it since even though I've been trying hard. Fortunately dad got photographic evidence. Once Jackson rolls over again I'll be sure to get a video clip for all to see.

two month stats

A little less then 2 weeks ago Jackson had his 2 month doctors appointment. Dr Thompson said that Jackson is doing really well. Jackson weighed in at 12 lbs 7 oz and grew 4 inches in length ... that's right he is now 23 inches long! J-man (as Dad likes to call Jackson) is our little string bean and we love it! The round of shots given at 2 months weren't so bad. Jackson cried for a bit but then quickly went back to his snuggling ways.
Lucky for Mom and Dad, grandma Jen and grandpa Dan were visiting. Jackson just loved all the attention. Not that we don't give him any. The weather in Columbus has been wet and cold so we spent a lot of time playing inside. We did get out for a bit though. We spent the day at the conservatory, checking out all the different types of plants.
The best part of the whole visit was all the baths Jackson received from grandma and then the "nake-y time" after. We sure miss them and can't wait to see everyone this holiday season.

sorry readers

Sorry for the blog overload but 1, its been awhile and 2, I'm trying to get use to the iPhoto software on the Mac (I must say its kind of confusing). Quick note: Jackson is now tracking objects and sounds and Tony is trying to get him to hold on to things.

for all the moms out there...

... remember to take photos of you and your children. Too often we are the ones behind the camera taking those adorable photos of dad and babe but don't forget to jump in there from time to time!

golden hour

Here are some fun photos of all three of us at the Franklin Park. We have been having some amazingly warm weather. Tony took off early on Friday so that we could enjoy the weather and take Jackson to the park. We were able to take some really great photos -- Grandma Jen and I love the golden hour!

good friends visit

We were so lucky to have our great college friends visit us last weekend -- Aunt Anne and Uncle Ned! Although the visit was very different from our college days, we had fun hanging out with Jackson and enjoying the beautiful weather. Not only did Anne made delicious meals but she and Jackson worked on some reflexes and tests (for people that don't know - Anne is a physical therapists. And for those of you that may be concerned - nothing is wrong with Jacks, Anne just wanted to do some tests). The guys got to go to the OSU-Penn state game. Ned and Jackson got along right away. Ned was surprisingly good at calming Jackson down. Here are a few photos from the visit, and a couple of photos from Jackson's first trip to the playground. Tony loved taking Jackson down the slide. Jackson on the otherhand wanted to go home and eat!

apple picking?

So we decided to go apple picking last weekend in Columbus. It was a sunny day but really windy so we decided not to go picking. Instead we picked out a pumpkin and snapped a few photos. Maybe next year we can have some fun running around the apple orchard and pumpkin patch!

grandparents, political rally, and the packers

So its been almost 2 weeks since the Bouressa's came to visit Jackson. Frank meeting Jackson for the very first time. Grandpa Frank was mesmerized by Jackson - constantly saying "you know what?" "What's that Frank?" "Jackson's great!" When I went to pick them up at the airport both grandparents had on scarlet red sweatshirts (i.e. Ohio State red). It was very amusing but a little strange to see WI natives wearing OSU attire. We all had so much fun. Jackson experienced his first political rally. We went to the Obama rally in Columbus. Even though Tony and I voted early in OH we thought it would be fun to see and experience Obama in person. Even though Jackson and I were kind of far away from Obama it was well worth it -- history is in the making! Here is a picture of Jackson and I near the waterfront and the action.

The weather was fabulous the whole weekend, which was nice since Ohio's been kind of cold lately. Frank and Tony went to the OSU football game while Grandma Chris, Aunt Cathy, Jackson, and I went for a long walk in one of the many Columbus parks.


Grandma Chris also spent time helping Jackson with his homework (i.e. studying black and white photos and tummy time).

And finally, Grandma Chris's friend made Jackson a Packers quilt (of course!). He was a little fussy both times we tried to take pictures - I wonder what that means. Just joking, I'm sure Jackson will be a fan! Go Packers! But more importantly Go OBAMA!

i love my husband

Last night was great! Jackson slept in stretches of 3 and 4 hours. Right before Tony leaves for school he's been placing Jackson in bed with me for some quality bed time. Later in the morning Jackson and I mosey-on downstairs to start the day and this is what we found ... flowers and a doughnut and a note wishing Jackson a happy one month birthday and thanking Mom for all she does! I love my husband and best friend so much I had to post this adorable photo of my two men sleeping soundly!

feeling much better

After 2 days of hospitalization for a fever Jackson is feeling much better (and so is Mom and Dad). It was scary but the Children's Hospital was thorough and informative. Jackson had a fever last week and our pediatrician wanted to rule out a bacterial infection. All the cultures came back negative so we got to go home with a clean bill of health. The most difficult part of the whole ordeal was that we had to witness Jackson getting poked and pricked. But all is well and he is back to his old ways and more cute then ever.

first photo shoot with Jackson!

first bath

Jackson didn't seem to mind his first bath. He didn't enjoy it but he didn't hate it either. Since then he doesn't seem to like bath time at all. It is something that we are working on since bath time can be so much fun and relaxing. The most hilarious part of Jackson's first bath is that once we wrapped him up and got him warm and dry ...
... he had a huge explosion all over daddy (i.e. right after we took the photo below). Grandma Jen was there to witness the whole thing. Dad's eyes were huge and then we all started laughing! It is one of the first great moments that we will have to share with Jackson later in life.

a few photos of Jackson's first days home

Jackson doing what he does best ... sleep! I love the pictures of Jackson with Grandpa Dan and with Dad. They either show how tiny Lil' Craw is or how much bigger the 'boys' are.

out with the grandparents

Grandmother and grandfather Keyser came to Columbus almost immediately after Jackson was born, and then soon after Grandma Bouressa came to visit. We were so excited to have them early on. Jackson was probably one of the most held newborn babies. He was never put down! We did all sorts of exciting things like go shopping at the North Market, visit with Aunt Cathy, Uncle Monroe, Sara, and Daniel, and walk through the Park of Roses. Jackson feel right asleep in his snuggley/carrier.