Hodge Podge

Jackson with Pops

First of all, a big shout-out to Mac Russell's amazing food truck: Shindigs! For those in Birmingham, you HAVE to try this amazing food. Go to here to see the menu, and you can follow them on Twitter to see where they'll be. Mac uses all local farmers, grass-fed beef, and everything is simply delicious. We are all so proud of Mac and his wife Lacey!!!



Second hodge podge statement: If you are looking for a great book and devotional, I highly recommend "Calm My Anxious Heart" by Linda Dillow. A fabulous book for all women, whether you're married, single, have kids, have grandchildren, etc. Absolutely fabulous. This book has spoken so much to me, especially in that "God is the Blessed Controller of ALL things!"


Jackson listening very intently to Papaw

Third random fun fact: A GREAT summer read is Jeff Abbott's "Adrenaline." I just discovered this "thriller" author, and he's awesome. Andy loves his books as well. You can "friend" me on www.goodreads.com to see other books I'm reading.

Fourth fact, I'm going to get my first pedicure of the summer tomorrow. Late, I know. Shame on me. I guess Jackson will get his first taste of a nail salon while he's there.

And last one, if you're looking to buy some CUTE boy or girl clothes, monograms, etc, go here to order. It's all for an amazing cause!

Happy Summer Day!

6 Months

First time in my high chair

I can't believe my sweet baby is 6 months old! My how time flies. I think I say that every month, but for real, I'm going to have to plan his 1 year old birthday party in just a few short months! We had Jackson's 6 month check up at the pediatrician today. He weighs 17.1 pounds and is 26.5 inches long.

He's sleeping well through the night, and wakes up once or twice for a quick feeding. On Sunday, July 24th, he flipped from his back to his stomach, and he hasn't stopped since. He's flipping and rolling all around, and I'm amazed at how he can maneuver himself all around his crib. He still naps in his swing (I know, I know, but hey, at least he naps! 3-4 naps a day, and that makes momma happy and baby happy). He truly is a very happy, easy baby, and for that, I'm very grateful.

We just started rice cereal and he enjoys it. Although breast milk is still his main nourishment, he's now getting used to eating from a spoon. We've also tried a little bit of banana mixed with the rice cereal, and I plan to do avocado and also sweet potato sometime later this week. I bought a Beaba from a friend who's done with hers, and so I plan to make Jackson's baby food. I think it'll be easy, nutritious, and inexpensive, so I hope it works out!



Jackson also has started noticing photographs and the people in them, and it's hysterical when he sees a picture of me or Andy. He starts kicking his legs and purses his cute lips saying "Ooh, Ooh!!" He just stares at photographs with wide open eyes and it's so fun to see. Andy's mom will be watching him when we go to DC for a wedding in a few months, so we've been showing him pictures of Ya Ya, since we haven't seen her in a few months. He also still loves it when we read books to him.


Who, Me??




Playing wears me out


Must.Get.Tag

Beach Babies

We just came back from a fun week in San Destin, Florida, with my family. Jackson was the perfect age to take to the beach, and he thoroughly enjoyed the sand, obligingly stared at the ocean while Andy took him out in it, and tolerated the pool well.

We made a pit stop on the way down for an emergency diaper change. What boy doesn't like to be naked in the wild outdoors? Thank you Doc's Country Store, for allowing us to use your picnic table to hastily change a dirty diaper before the rains washed us away.







Since Jackson inherited my fair skin, I of course had him covered from head to toe. I love this little swimsuit he's wearing, as it also functions as a swim diaper. His hat is from Buy Buy Baby and has SPF 50 in it, and you'll see a swim shirt I bought him at Swaddle in Birmingham that also has SPF 50. The baby sunglasses are from Target.

"I'm just checking out the pool, Mom."





My happy baby



My little stud muffin



Margaret and her boyfriend Danny joined us for a few days



GiGi loves her grandbaby!











An Alabama friend from work gave me this cute Auburn hat :)





I love sand







Fun times with Pops and Uncle Jason



We loved our time there, Jackson did great on both car rides, and we hope to be back on those sandy shores sooner rather than later!

5 Years of Marriage

Happy 5th Wedding Anniversary Andy!! You're the best husband and friend, and I'm so blessed and grateful that God blessed me with YOU! You are such an amazing daddy to Jackson, and I look forward to many more years, Lord-willing, as we grow as a family.





Our niece, Celie, had just turned 2, and she was a great flower girl

5 Months

Jackson finally able to sit up in the Bob

Jackson is now almost 5 1/2 months. My how the time is flying. He's such a happy baby, always smiling and giggling. We recently went to visit family in Orlando for my grandmother's 80th birthday. Jackson did great on both airplane rides (slept most of the way), and he had fun meeting all of the Thomas side of the family (after all, it's who he's named for!). Here are just a few pictures of my sweet little boy: (I forgot to take my camera to Orlando, but I'll post pics when I get them from family members)


Jackson's 1st flight...sleeping the whole way to Orlando. Makes.me.happy.


Playdate with the Menendez clan

Emily Menendez (holding Jackson, 5 months), and me holding Thomas Menendez (3 1/2 months)



Jackson loves our dog Tucker, but Tucker usually won't have much to do with Jackson. Here's a few snapshots of Jackson's attempt to love on Tucker:



"I can almost reach him..."



"I got him!"



Poor Tucker's pleading look for help



I love my two "boys"







On another note, I had some extra strawberries that were on their last leg before losing their freshness, so I decided to make some strawberry bread. And I may or may not have eaten most of one loaf by myself. This is an easy and delicious recipe from allrecipes.com:

STRAWBERRY BREAD

2 cups fresh strawberries, chpd
3 1/8 c all purpose flour
2 c white sugar
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 c vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 c chpd pecans

Preheat oven to 350 and butter 2 bread loaf pans.

Slice strawberries, and place in medium-sized bowl. Sprinkle lightly with sugar, and set aside while preparing bread mixture.

Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and baking soda in large bowl: mix well. Blend oil and eggs into strawberries. Add strawberry mixture to flour mixture, blending until dry ingredients are just moistened. Stir in pecans. Divide batter into pans.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until tester inserted comes out clean. Let cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes. Turn loaves out, and cool completely.

Yet again, no pics of food (it's eaten too quickly in my house for me to take pics!). So you're stuck with looking at more pics of Jackson :)



You gotta love the drool





Aunt Myra gave us this adorable outfit. Thank you Aunt Myra!