Little Baby Steps

Where oh where has my little boy gone!
I can't believe this, he is growing way too fast! Jackson has been taking a few steps on his own for a couple of weeks now, but those first few steps were so hard to catch on camera. I would never know when he would gain the courage to just get up and go! The first time he walked more than three steps without falling, we were on opposite sides of the living room. I was seated on the couch, watching him play with blocks he had been picking up off the floor and placing on our shelving unit across the room. All of a sudden he just turned and looked at me and a second later he was crossing the room on his own two feet! I couldn't believe it! I hadn't coaxed him to do it at all! He had a huge smile on his face and I was freaking out! I called Brian to share the news, which made his day at work.
Since then, he's become way more confident in his ability to walk. While exciting, I am feeling sad that he is changing so quickly from being my little baby to an independent toddler! Check out this clip....

Idaho

Last week, Brian surprised me with a last minute trip to visit Carissa, Braxton and Chloe in Caldwell Idaho, just outside of Boise. He had an unexpected business meeting in Boise and decided it would be fun if we came a long and spent some time with family too. It was a blast!

It was Jackson's first time flying and he was soooo amazed at the plane. He loved looking out the window, in fact, it was during his dinner time when we all flew out (and usually nothing gets in the way of dinner) but all he wanted to do was look out the window. He would turn his head to take a bite and then whip it back around to peer outside again! After the first ten minutes of that, it was bouncing between our laps, looking over the the seats, and being totally restless! I think he just loved the idea of not traveling in his car seat....

Sleeping in a new place was an adjustment. He was also cutting two new teeth, and so the nights were kind of difficult for us, but we more than made up for it during the day! Jackson loved being around new toys, a new environment, his cousin Chloe (who was teaching him how to walk AND kept him company in the back seat), and having more than just his mom who was there to hug and kiss him during the day. I have a really cute picture of Chloe and Jackson holding hands in the backseat of the car, but it's on my phone, so you'll have to wait until I can retrieve it.

Jackson LOVED taking a ride in Chloe's wagon! I just might have to get one too!

We had dinner at the Cheesecake factory (the chicken costaletta is my favorite), and we each got dessert to take home and share. Jackson and Chloe had fun banging the spoons on the table. Whatever entertains!

Carissa took me to a cute little town called Eagle, where we shopped at a home decor store (a lot of things I liked, but couldn't fly home with) and had a snack with the kiddos at a bakery which was across the street from a shop called Jackson's. I forgot my camera that day, so ya, it's on my phone.

We loved the visit. The morning we left, it started to snow. I snagged a few cute pictures of the kids looking out the window. They always had to copy each other, when one cried, the other cried also, when one was held....you get the idea. Anyway, we miss them already! I love having a sister who is so close in age. I may not have appreciated it when I was younger, but I love the advice, tips, and ideas we get to share with one another on raising kids, family life, and working out. I only wish they lived closer!

I took this picture of Brian after his business meeting. We were all trying to head out the door to catch dinner and there was Brian, hands full with two kids. I could tell he was feeling overwhelmed! I remember thinking, "so, you think your job is tough?" and had to snap the picture. His job may be demanding, but it definitely doesn't give back rewards like mine!

"Conversation" with Dad

On Valentine's Day, Brian took over the kitchen. He is a great cook, so I was really looking forward to it. The meal was beef tenderloin with a port reduction sauce and mashed potatoes (he thought mashed potatoes would be too common for the meal, but since I requested it, he gave in).

Jackson loves when dad comes home. He gets so excited when he hears the lock on the door jiggle, and knows that within seconds, dad will appear through the doorway and wrestle with him. Here, you can see him playing at dad's feet carrying on a "conversation" with his dad. It was so cute!

Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Lately I have been working on baby announcements for my sisters-in-law. It is an addicting pastime and hobby for me, so a total pleasure for them to allow me to do this! Who knew all of those kindergarten art classes would come in handy one day?

Liz had baby Max on January 16th. He was 7 lbs and 7 oz., Sweet, tiny and cute! Visiting them at the hospital bought back some nostalgic memories with Jackson, and made me want to have another! Don't worry, I'll keep you all posted if anything happens...

Claire is expecting little baby Carter in just a couple of weeks. It will be her second, although her first boy. We are excited to have boy cousins on both sides of the family~ it will be fun for Jackson to have cousins so close in age!

Nap time

Two little words can bring so much joy! Don't get me wrong, I love my JJ when he's awake, after all, he keeps me skinny by running after him. But I just love that time when he sleeps too. It's "my time". The only 3 hours I get by myself the whole day. Often, I have a hard time deciding what to do on "my time". Should I shower without an audience? Clean the house with a free pair of legs? Maybe catch a nap as well? Too many choices, so little time!

Even though Jackson may not wake up from his nap in the best mood, he always brings a smile to my face when I pick him up out of his crib. Imagine this: he's whining, mom's laughing. Why? His hair! I may have a hard time deciding what to do during nap time, but other than sleeping, I have no clue what He's doing back there! I wish these pictures did justice to just how sweet his bed hair is! I don't even bother brushing his hair anymore until after the morning nap....

Again, the little things that make life so worthwhile. I love being a mom!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I've had several people ask me for this recipe, so here it is! The key is to use fresh chopped salsa from the local grocer, not the bottled stuff like pace.

2 boneless chicken breasts
1 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 tsp. cumin
4 cans chicken broth
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 Tbsp. Lemon juice
1 to 2 cups chunky salsa (depending on how "hearty" you like your soup)

Garnish with:
chopped avocado
shredded Monterrey jack cheese
tortilla chips

In a large pot, saute chicken, garlic, and onion in olive oil. Add Cumin and mix well. Add broth, corn, chili powder, lemon juice, and salsa. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20-30 mins.

Garnish with whatever toppings you like and enjoy!

Goooooo Cougars!

We took Jackson to his first sporting event on Saturday. It was a basketball game, BYU Cougars vs. New Mexico Lobos, and the biggest crowd of the season! It was a blowout, we won 83 to 66.

Brian was so excited to take Jackson to the game, all dressed up in his cougar gear. Brian had attended an evening BYU game the week before with some young men in our ward, and begged me to let him take Jackson, but since it conflicted with bedtime, I said no. He was so disappointed. When the opportunity came to go to an afternoon game, we couldn't pass it up! It was so cute! He walked with Jackson on his shoulders all the way to the ticket booth, proudest dad ever!

The first few minutes of the game, we didn't think Jackson would make it. We thought we might have to turn around and head back home. Jackson was NOT having fun. He was so scared~ he was shaking in my arms, clinging to me with all of his might, and not about to let go. Every time the crowd cheered, he'd cry. Pretty soon, he got used to the noise and was clapping along with the rest of the crowd. He even got his own seat for a little while in the game!

If Jackson was a bumper sticker...

So I am writing two posts today because I just can't pass up sharing what happened with Jackson today. I love how all the little things he does makes me laugh.

When I was feeding Jackson lunch today, I was thinking how I would describe him in one sentence. So, then I thought that the people who make up those bumper sticker saying might actually be on to something (random, I know, but it's how my mind works sometimes).... Here are a few I thought of:

I'd rather be naked.

The key to my heart is through my stomach.

Catch me if you can.

Wait until I'm a teenager.

Isn't there an easier way to do this?

This post is actually regarding the last one. I'd say Jackson is pretty imaginative. After his main meal, I gave him a cup of diced fruit so that he could feed himself while I washed dishes. He has gotten pretty good at it. A minute later, I looked over and he was trying to suck up the fruit off of the tray with his mouth! Mouth to food, not food to mouth....typical boy. I grabbed my camera and snapped these photos.

On the move!

He seems too small to be almost walking! I can't believe it... time flies by way too fast. Jackson figured out what mom and dad's two pointer fingers were good for...holding him up so he could walk! When I would reach down to pick him up, he'd latch on to my fingers and wanted to be "walked." Heaven help me if I did anything otherwise! He definitely let me know that was NOT what he wanted...

Last week, I took Jackson to our playgroup and my friend, Mauri, had one of these walkers for her girl. I let Jackson give it a try and he took off running! Partly because he was trying to keep up with the wheels...it was so funny! I had to get one.

At first, he was unsure about it, but now he's loving it. And I'm loving it too! Of course, he doesn't know how to maneuver it yet, so he can only go straight. When he hits something that prevents him from moving forward, here comes mom to the rescue!

Too bad I can't pack this to church to keep him happy during sacrament meeting. We usually take a few laps around the halls but I guess the old two fingers will have to do....

The little things...

One of the things I don't like about winter is how dead everything looks. Thank goodness snow covers most of it, but I sure miss the colors of Spring and Summer. Flowers have a way of making me happy. Gerber Daisies are my favorite! Yesterday, Brian was thoughtful enough to bring me home a boquet for no reason at all. Aren't they a little piece of happiness? I can't wait for Spring!