confessions

Luke and I were driving in the car and listening to the radio. The Beyonce song "Single ladies (put a ring on it)" came on the radio. Luke confessed he heard this song when we were dating and thought "I should put a ring on it"

And the rest, ladies & gentlemen, is history.


I guess I have Beyonce to thank for this beautiful ring on my finger.


I somehow convinced my husband to go to a Sheryl Crow concert with me tonight. I feel bad for all you other ladies out there because I have the best man around. Period.

Flowers&updates

I used to love to take walks in Italy and admire the sights. Our town, and especially where we lived was right out of a movie. I mean cobblestone streets, huge wooden rustic doors, and flower boxes on every window seal and balcony. I loved the flower boxes. There is something about it that's so romantic.

Since our home has a Tuscan feel (sorta!) I decided we needed flower boxes too!

 

In other exciting news... Cole is 8 MONTHS old. Where does time go? He was just a tiny little baby and now he's a 22 pound beef cake! Cole has learned to pick up his little puff cereal with his fingers and feed himself.  I'll put him in his high chair and I'll sit next to him and he will entertain himself (and me) for a half hour or more.

 I love how he focuses in on one piece of cereal, then looks at his fingers like he's telling them what to do. After a moment or two of strenuous concentration ..he  goes for it. It takes him like 5 minutes to eat 5 pieces of cereal and most of it ends up on the floor, but it's cute.  I mean it's sooooo cute. You can tell he is very proud of himself.

He claps when you say "clap", (that's old news) he gives "kisses" and we are currently working on the high-five. Luke is trying to teach him how to "pound" too,  but I am hoping he doesn't pick that one up.

 He says "dada" all the time.  Luke swears he's head "mama" before,  but I think he is just trying to make me feel good. I've certainly never heard it. I do think its a little unfair that I'm the one who carried him for 9 months, gave birth to him,  gets up with him in the middle of night, and has changed 98% of the his diapers.....and he says dada first?  Whats up with that, Cole?

He's also mastered the sippy cup.  Look at that grin! How can you be mad at that face?

Ever since his bottom 2 teeth cut through he has been sleeping like a champ! He just wakes up around 6 for an early morning snack, then goes back to bed until 9:30 or 10. I haven't felt this rested in a looooong time. He is crawling around like crazy and into EVERYTHING, He is obsessed with trying to get our cell phones and the remote control.  He's fast too. If you leave them unattended for a second he will go for it and when he gets a hold of one he squeals with delight.  He's been pulling himself up on things. He wants to walk so bad! Doesn't quite have the coordination yet. Thank goodness. Not ready for that.

Cole is a ring bear in Uncle Joey & Heathers wedding in late August.  He is really excited! (and I am more excited)  I mean Cole in a tux with suspenders?? Name something cuter!?

We are taking a trip to Dallas in a month to see my brothers and their wives. We are hoping Cole will be on his best behavior and will some how convince them to all have babies!!!  (sooner than later!)

Speaking of babies...Jill and Shane are giving us a new NIECE in early September and we couldn't be more excited!

Luke is recovering nicely! He is working out hard and even playing a little basketball.  We are hoping and praying he will be ready to play next season. He's working really hard in our yard and it is really looking good!

He's such a stud.

That's all for now. It's sunny out and we are off to play outside.  

*Fyi our most recent family pictures were taken by Erich McVey. He is very talented if you are looking for a photographer!

Something new

Just felt Cole's first tooth!

What a big boy!

tricky tricky

Have a grape juice orrrr...maybe a red wine stain or two? Spent countless dollars on carpet cleaners that have failed you miserably??Well I have the solution for you


1. mix equal parts dish soap with hydrogen peroxide
2. let solution soak into the stain for one minute
3. Wipe solution off carpet with a wet towel.

Works like a charm. You're welcome.

Worn out

We are back from Palm Springs and one thing is for certain...vacations are not what they used to be b.c (before Cole) We did have a good time, but I am much too exhausted to write about it.

Instead I leave you with a video of Luke trying to wear Cole out before our flight home. I'm not sure who was more tired after this, Luke or Cole....



It worked. Cole (& Luke) slept the whole flight home.

Cole learns to clap

Being a mom makes you really appreciate the little things.



Wow, I thought he couldn't get any cuter and then he clapped.

hello sunshine

Cole's pediatrician once told me that most people who live in Oregon are seriously lacking Vitamin D in the winter.   I took this information and jokingly said to Luke, "A doctor told me I'm lacking vitamin D and you should probably take me somewhere sunny". And to my surprise,  he bought it.

         He said we could go on vacation in two weeks and get this.....I could pick the destination and he would take me anywhere I wanted. My first thought was HELLO HAWAII...but then I remembered I had a 6 month baby boy. I decided to stay close because Cole will be joining us. (and have you ever been on an airplane with a baby???) The shorter the flight the better. So the Jackson family will be going to palm springs in 2 weeks.
    Do you need a vacation?? Tell your husband you are feeling the affects of Vitamin D deficiency too!