5 years!!

It's hard to believe that it's been 5 years since Eddie and I stood before our family and friends and said our vows. Eddie and I have been thinking back and remebering those snap shot moments from our relationship and it's been fun. For our anniversary,he created an album of events and typed up headings. He went through his old phones and even found ways to get them on his computer and print them. Some of the pictures I remember taking, but had not seen in forever. After he gave me the album, he kept the suprises coming! He surprised Jackson and I with a trip to Alexndria, VA. It took us about an hour an half to get there and we spent one night in a fab, modern suite with a balcony. Then, I got to go get a much needed aromatherapy massage. All you wifes and moms out there have to request this, it was amazing! This massage was so relaxing and the oils from the massage leave your skin so soft. Jackson loved the suite, as much as I did. He was running and climbing on everything. Such a boy, and so fun right now! He also ate the chocolate covered strawberries the hotel brought us. He had a ball, and we loved sharing the celebration with him. We did have a date night on Saturday for just the two of us once we got back home. It was such a wonderful weekend, and all thanks to my husband! I know it's cliche, but I love him more today than the day we got married. Sure, are marriage is by no means perfect. Who's is? However, I think we get each other and that goes a long way. Oh, and if we are fighting, Eddie usually finds a way to make me laugh half way through the fight. That is a tough thing to do, and I don't think many could pull that off. Plus, when I see Eddie with Jackson my love only grows. He is an awesome Dad, even better than I expected. Then, there's our cool history, college sweethearts who fell in love at such a young age and knew we wanted to get married as soon as we graduated! So here's to much more laughter, probably a few tears, and years and years of love!

Life Lately......

Once again, I am behind on blogging. Yesterday, was officially the first day of Fall so I decided it was time to catch up. Life has been hectic for us, but most of the summer was EXCITING! We sold our home and moved on July 31, 2012. We will always cherish our first home together, but we are excited about our new neighborhood and 2nd home! Our new neighborhood is full of kids for Jackson to grow with and we feel beyond blessed to have ended up here in this new town. After 65 showings of our 1st home, and lots of research and stress, we know we ended up where we did for a reason. Our new town is so quaint and charming and In a lot of ways feels more Southern. (Which in my opinion is a great thing!) Eddie has a little farther commute to work but he has not complained once, because he loves the area as much as I do! Jackson loves to play outside even more now and already has met a pack of 1 year olds that I am sure he will be running with! Eddie and I have enjoyed having all the grand parents in town to visit. They now have more room to enjoy as well! Enjoy the most recent pics! Happy Fall Ya'll!

It's beginning to feel like summer......

Here are some pictures from our recent trip to the Outerbanks. It was Jackson's 1st trip to the beach and first time for him to feel the sand in his toes! He loved every minute of it. He had an ear infection, but everytime we took him near the sand and ocean he seemed to forget that he felt bad. We really enjoyed this trip. We were with my parents and some of our best friends from Texas and our family friends from Nashville, Tennessee. Ashley, my dear friend from Texas is expecting her first baby in September and our friends from Nashville, have a little girl named Sarah Grace. So there was lots of baby talk and Jackson had a buddy for the trip! I also finally got some sun, which I guess was much needed becasue my husband has been calling me Queen Elizabeth lately. So funny, I know. Cannot believe summer is right around the corner. Hope everyone has some fun summer plans. Thanks for checking in! I Could Wake Up to This Everyday. This Was Our View for the Week.

Ready to Build a Sandcastle!

Getting Into Trouble With Sarah Grace!

Good Times with Pop Pop and Daddy

Hanging with Zac and Daddy on the Beach

Jackson's Party and Easter!

As usual, I'm behind with my blog. I think I am honestly still recovering from Jackson's 1st birthday party and Easter. I would have never known that throwing a 1st birthday party could be so much work. I just keep learning as I go. Nonethless, it was all worth it for my precious boy! Everything turned out great and everyone had fun. I think Jackson's favorite part was the cake! He demolished his 1st birthday cupcake. I mean I have never seen a baby go to town on cake at a first birthday quite like Jackson did. I guess my sweet tooth is genetic! :) Hope he can look back at pictures and see what a great party it was. My mom has my whole 1st birthday on video, and I really enjoy watching it. Anyways, the party was a success and then for Easter we traveled to visit Eddie's family in South Carolina. The weather was beautiful, and we had a great time with Eddie's family. Eddie's Dad is recovering from triple bypass surgery and was just so happy to see Jackson!! It was relaxing and we got to hang out outside a lot. Jackson got his first Easter basket and was mostly amused by the eggs. Enjoy the pics! Hope everyone is having a blessed spring so far. Part of the Setup

Gift Table

Cake

Starting to Dive Into the Cupcake!

Enjoying His Cake and Party!

Loving the Fresh Air in South Carolina!

Hanging out with Granddaddy on the Porch!

Loving his new Wagon and enjoying Mason's company! (A great gift from Gigi and Pop-Pop)

Reminiscing

Well April 4th, Jackson's 1 year birthday is fastly approaching, and I am a typical mom who is super pumped about my baby's 1st birthday, and amazed at how quickly a year has passed. It feels like yesterday we were in the hospital and they were placing him in my arms. I will nover forget that moment. One of the best moments of my life, hands down.
Latley, I cannot help but to reminisce and try and hold on to my little baby boy a little tighter.
Yesterday, I was in Jackson's room doing my monthly closet assement and cleanout. As I was packing things away, I couldn't help but pull out his newborn stuff. I remember not even having anything small enough to fit him. because he was so tiny when he was born. Luckily, my amazing mom got him several little things he could fit into. I remember the outfits and the tiny socks and hats, like yesterday. I remember the joy of getting to leave the hospital with my tiny angel, and Eddie and I asking eachother, "Are they really going to let us leave with this precious, tiny baby?" Now we've been home with him for almost a year, and we have learned a lot and know we will have more learning to do along the way. For now, I just am soaking up the next week. I am rocking him when I can and treasuring the moments while I can still call him my 11 month old baby!
Outfit Jackson Wore Home From the Hospital

Sleepy Boy

Loved the Pacifer from Week One

Right now my 11 month old is:
Pulling Up and Into Everything
Laughs and Smiles A lot
Crawling Faster than Ever
Drinking 4 bottles
Favorite Foods: pears, peaches, applesauce, grilled cheese, strawberries, corn, peas, and waffles (only with syrup, go figure)
Sleeps from 8:30-7:45 Usually
Loves the Water Still
Does not like to have his dipaer changed at all. He screams like I am torturing him. :(
Claps a lot.
Says, "Hey", "Dada" , and "Mama", he babbles alot of consonant sounds latley too.

11 Months-(It's Been Shorts Weather in Maryland)

So in love with my 11 month old boy, and cannot wait to celebrate his 1 year. Thanks for checking in! Hope everyone is having a great Spring so far!

Love,

Alaina

Busy Bees!!

Gigi and Jackson

Loves Doors!

Playdate with Precious Evangeline

Jackson and Brady Hanging Out

Really Likes his "Iphone"

Having "a Ball" at Lainy's B-day Party!

As you can probably tell, Jackson and I have been on the go lately. The good news is winter in Maryland ,and really for most of the country, has been mild this year. In turn, J and I have been able to be out and about more than we would be during a typical winter. This is a great because it's been a busy time. From birthday parties, to playdates,to visting Gigi and Pop, and playing we've been some busy bees! Eddie has had to travel more than usual too, so I am so thankful for my parents who helped me this past week while Eddie was away. I am also grateful to all my friends who have been so supportive and I'm very appreciative to Eddie's Dad who came and visited a couple weeks ago and really saw that I got a break. It is hard feeling like a single mom. I really respect those that have to do it by themselves on a regular basis.
On another note, Jackson is growing too fast. I seriously can't believe he will be 11 months next Sunday. Right now he is still in to everything. I actully turned my back for literally two seconds last week and he had started to eat a fake plant. (Gross!)
Although he remains a busy boy, he continues to be so fun as well. He makes me laugh and smile a lot these days! I must say boys are funny! Sometimes I catch myself laughing at things I proabably shouldn't, but a least he isn't able to comprehend too much yet.
Here is what he is up to at 10 months old:
Crawling and wants to pull up but still cannot stand for more than 2 minutes or so without support.
Babbles a lot! All we can understand is ma-ma and da-da so far!
He loves opening and closing doors (Gigi was smart enough to find a toy that had a door)
Addicted to cellphones and remote controls (We have invested in fake ones now)
Just started Clapping! (It is so Cute)
Continues to enjoy Music and Dancing!
Holding his Sippy Cup pretty well, but Occasionally Still Throws It.
Eating more finger foods, he loves strawberries!!

I think this is about it! We are loving every minute and we are getting excited about his 1st birthday party!!

Thanks for checking in and hope you all have a blessed and fun filled weekend! xoxo

9 months old!

My Sweet 9 Month Old!

He Loves Tupperware!

Helping Daddy Put Together Dino Toy!

Loving His New Dino Toy!

Really, where has the time gone? Latley I feel we have spent most of 9 months being sick. Yes, J has gone from an ear infection and then just when I thought I had faced the worst, he came down with a stomach bug last week. It was awful and so frightening to me as a mother. I mean we have all thrown up, but to see your 9 month old baby do it, is much tougher than I could have imagined. First, I thought something was terribly wrong and panicked, I mean he was projectile vomitting and every terrible thing came into my mind. Did he have an allergy, a concussion, food poisioning, or swallow something? All the while, my husband was calm and collected. Eddie was patting his back, acting like he had gone to medical school overnight. He said, "Alaina, it's just a stomach bug". He patted his back so calm and was the comforting one. I wanted to be that way, but it didn't happen, at least not for this illness. I was a wreck to see my baby that shaken up from throwing up, it just made me feel so uneasy that there wasn't anything I could do to make him stop and feel better. I know other moms can relate. The good thing is we survived it and now I feel like it is another thing we have gone through together. I feel thankful he got well, and it was not something more serious.
We did go to the doctor and she gave us some good recomendations to help Jackson through the virus. Then, we waited till the end of the week and Jackson had his 9 month check up.
He weighed 19 pounds, and is 29 1/2 inches long. He is 30th percentile for weight and 80th percentile for height.
Here is what Jackson is up to:
He takes only 4 bottles a day (We just dropped the dreamfeeding)
Eats 3 meals a day
He naps twice a day
Seems to be teething (bites the heck out of his pacifers)
Enjoys eating snacks (puffs are still his favorite)
Sits in bath tub by himself now!
Loves the water and his light up ducks!
Continues to just love music.
Talks and makes all kinds of sounds. Still says Da-da the most.
Crawls now and gets into everything!
He is quite the explorer, prefers boxes and magazines over some of his toys.

Thanks for checking in on us! We are loving Jackson and all the new things he is doing. We hope all our friends and family and doing well.
XOXO,
Alaina