Over the mountains & through the woods to Pappa and Mimi's we went (really just up hwy 65) =)

Jeremy had a week at camp and several youth events in the month of July, so we decided the babies and I would enjoy a trip to Pappa & Mimi's for 2 weeks!  Having extra hands of help was a huge blessing!  We loved our special time with them and it was such a time of rest and relaxation for us all! =)

Here are some of the highlights of our 2.5 weeks in Nashville...

Auntie Brit loved coming home on her lunch break and getting special snuggle time with Jackson!  I think she's loving the excuse that she needs "practice" before Houston gets here!

Our handsome little pilot!

Pappa pulled our old tricycle out of the attic!  All three of us girls learned to ride on it...Bella loved learning to ride her "bicycle."

Mom and I had a special pedicure day together.  We left Bella to nap with Pappa and took Jackson with us.  He was an angel...charmed all the ladies and then dozed off to nap while I soaked up the quiet relaxation time!

Bella and Napoleon bonded!  Bella saw it as her duty to make sure he had food every day.  =)

We love our Pappa...full of cuddles, sweet treats and tickle tortures!!!

Brother is growing way TOO fast!

Bella enjoyed special trips to the park with Pappa!  She loves putting her "running shoes" on all by herself...we just gotta work on getting them on the right feet! =)

All ready to go to "Pappa's Church" as Bella calls it!

Aunt Linny and Cousin Sadie came up for a few days to visit!  Bath time with a friend is always more fun.

Who knew my sisters and I would have the privilege to celebrate a national holiday together..."Ice cream Day" ...

Sweet snuggles with "Aunt Linny" 

Cousin snuggle time...

Love these little rascals!

Jackson practicing his boxing skills!  He loves to kick those feet and punch those fists!

We were able to hang out with 2nd cousins for an afternoon as they were passing through Nashville!  

Hey...a girls gotta work for her place to stay! =)

I guess she got hot on a summer sunny day...

We love our Mimi...she gives fun baths, willingly changes poopy diapers, cooks delicious meals, prays with us, snuggles with us...and takes mommy out for special relaxing days! =)  BEST Mimi in the whole world!

We enjoyed some hot summer walks together up and down the rolling hills of Tennessee.

Love this sweet boy!

My baby girl is growing up...precious little toddler girl she is =)

LOVE her!

My little handsome all ready for church...(the best place for a baby nap)...

My babies...(do you know how challenging it is to get a 25 mo. and 2 mo. old in a picture together!?)

Bella anxiously searches for her Pappa...and as soon as she sees him she does not want to be separated from him.  I think she'd make a good pastoral assistant! 

We loved attending the annual church-wide picnic!  Yummy food, great fellowship and a fun stream to play in!  Pappa was teaching Bella how to skip stones.  She was ecstatic!

Bella, Jackson and I had a slumber party at Brit and Matt's house one night.  We put Bella to bed and Jackson and I helped organize all baby Houston's cute things!  Jackson wanted to try out the froggy hat...Cutest little froggy around! 

The next morning, I took Bella to play on Aunt Brit's neighborhood playground!  FUN times!

Opening Ceremonies for the 2012 Olympics! GO USA!

Ready to cheer for the USA!

Summer Time!

This summer seems like a whirlwind in so many ways!  As you can imagine, life with a newborn and terrific 2 year old can be quite busy!  Along with that, my body had some challenging weeks adjusting to not being pregnant!  LOVELY hormones =) I was so very thankful for our sweet family and friends who brought meals and helped us the past few months! =)  I'm going to do my  best to blog about the highlights of our summer the best I can!  For those of you who have 2 babies...it's always a bit unpredictable how much time you really have to sit and actually do something productive during nap times!   But, we are slowly getting into a good routine...Isabella naps about 2-3 hours every afternoon and Jackson will nurse...nap and nurse again during that time period!  So...here it goes for our summer posts!

Happy Birthday America!

 We ventured over to swim and grill out with some sweet friends on the 4th. Then spent the day relaxing together. We enjoyed time with our neighbors as we watched them do fireworks...sparklers ect. That was more than enough color, loud noises and action this year for sweet Bella and baby Jackson. :)

Bella wasn't too sure of all the loud noises and bright lights...but we had fun relaxing together and visiting with neighbors.

2 months...

We can not believe our little handsome is already two months old! He continues to bring us all such pure joy. His layed-back, easy going disposition is more and more evident with each passing day. Around six weeks, he began sleeping a consistent 6 hours a night. We haven't really had to put much effort at all into getting him in a good eat, play, sleep routine because he is sooo easy! I mean I feed him....he will coo and smile with us for a bit and then when he gets sleepy he just dozes off. Doesn't matter where he is or what's going on around him....no need to be tightly swaddled...he just drifts off. He seriously only cries...more like whimpers with his little bottom lip puckered out when he's hungry or wet. He doesn't even poo every day!?! I'm telling you this baby is easy! :). My pediatrician always told me not to worry if around a month old Bella went a few days without pooing....but she never missed a day...ha! Now this little fella LOVES to eat! He is hungry every 2 hours...sometimes he'll go 3 but very rarely! So, since he's hungry and chows down so often that makes for short naps all day. With a baby as easy going as he is....we can work with frequent feedings. I usually feed him 9 times a day...every 2 hours and then a late night feeding around 10. Then, he sleeps until 4...then until 7ish. He loves to cuddle...loves to snuggle up on my chest and doze. :). He loves being warm...a perfect nap to him is being wrapped in his warm lambs wool type blanket and cuddled close.
He began smiling around 6 weeks and it sure is the sweetest smile ever! He rolled over from tummy to back around 6 weeks also...he is a strong boy! He kicks those legs hard...he can even skoot already! He's not a huge fan of his paci...but will take it with a little encouragement. At night, he's usually so tired...I will feed him, swaddle him and then he dozes right off! He doesn't even want a paci.
We are going for his 2 month check up Monday so I will update his stats then! In the meantime, we are going to go relax together and take a little nap until sissy gets up. :)

Stats are in!
12lb 12 oz...75%
23.25 inces...65%
40 cm...55%



Enjoy these pics from the past few weeks...

First smile...

This little guy is "chill" just like his daddy! =)

Bath time with Mimi and Sissy!

Happy July 4th!

Nothing sweeter than this little smile...

Thankful for a good little sleeper =)

1 month...

I can not believe my little guy is already over a month old! He continues to be such a precious, tender, layed-back little fella! He rarely makes a peep! I know...you think I'm crazy...a newborn who rarely cries...but I'm serious! I know if he cries then the little guy is either starving or has a nasty diaper! And this little one loves eating!!! He chows down every 2 hours...sometimes he will make it close to 3 during the day but not often. At night he averages 4 hours between feedings....thank goodness it's not every two! He is truly such a perfect little gift from heaven! He is a big snuggler...sleeps best when cuddled up close on mommy or daddy's chest. We have special snuggle time when big sister is down for her nap. Shhh! Don't tell sissy we snuggle without her....:)
His typical day is a routine of eating, awake for a few minutes then back to sleep! He sleeps WAY more than Bella ever did! She had a rough newborn stage with reflux and a dairy allergy...bless her little heart! Jackson seems to be the most content little guy! He is growing fast! At 2 weeks he weighed 8lb 11oz and was 21 inches! So, that's been 3 weeks ago...I bet he is approaching 10lbs if not more! The past week or so he has been so much more alert...wide-eyed and looking all around! He still loves to be warm...snuggled up in his thick sailboat blanket or chilling outside in the warm summer heat. He does seem to be a grunter! He grunts and gurgles loud at night...only at night...but it's loud!!! But, maybe is does it cause he knows daddy will take him to the couch and snuggle with him! We are blessed to have this precious little man join our family! He brings us each so much joy each day!
Here are some favorite pictures from the past few weeks!

Snuggled Up!

Our first slow, short but successful walk!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love this sweet boy!

Snuggle time with daddy...

Relaxing on the porch with Mommy =)

I walked in to find this one morning (daddy supervised)

I think for most the day Jackson wishes he could say, "Could ya'll please be quiet...a man needs his rest!"

Sugar from Sister!

She loves her little brother...

Growing bigger!

Sweet sugar...

Mimi helps take good care of us all =)

I texted this picture to Pappa and he replied, "He looks FAST!" =)

Hey there little guy!

Cheering for daddy at his triathlon...

our little rock star...

Fun times with Uncle Jordo and Cousin Maddy...

Can't you see the love!?! =)

Fun times...

Uncle Matt & Auntie Bub!

Last weekend, my little sis and her hubby came down to meet baby Jackson and hangout with us over Memorial Day weekend! We loved every minute of our relaxing, lazy weekend together! We went on walks, grilled out, played outside and Jackson had lots of cuddle time!!! They brought their little dog, Franklin, down with them...Bella thought he was the most fun thing ever! Britney is due September 19 with baby Houston Edward! Jackson will be looking forward to having a playmate for sure! Here are some pics from the weekend...