Well it is official

Our Big Guy is going to be a preschooler!  Yesterday Jackson, Owen and I headed out to visit the Open House and register Jackson for preschool that will be starting in the fall.  When we were in the car he told me how he was scared about going to the school and made me promise a hundred times at least that I would stay by his side the whole time.  I promised and told him that of course it was scary because he has never been to Preschool before, but before you know it you will love it and have a great time.  He said OK, but he still didn't think he wanted to go.  We walk inside with his little hand glued to mine, hiding behind Owen's stroller, just two little eyes peering out at this new place.  He was dying to see what it was all about, but still didn't want anyone to pay attention to him- just in case he was forced to talk to them or even worse... STAY.  The women that we talked to were all so nice.  They talked to Jackson even though he refused to talk back.  That is until one asked if he liked dinosaurs.  His eyes lit up and all of a sudden this lady was kinda alright.  He answered with a very small "yes" and actually made eye contact with her.

 The director of the Early Education Department took us around and showed us what a classroom is like.  At first Jackson didn't want to go anywhere near the door.  What if they made him go inside?  But after a few minutes, with the teacher explaining all the fun things he was going to be able to do in a few months he was more intrigued.  It was now OK to stand outside the door and peek in.   It was so colorful, with posters, artwork and crafts on all the walls.  There were toys to play with and games to do. The kids were right in the middle of doing "Jesus Time" and he knew the story they were talking about.  Maybe this place wasn't so strange after all.....

Well the teachers asked if we would like to come back and visit a class during school time.  i immediately jumped at the idea.  With Jackson, the more aware of things he is the more accepting he will be in the long run.  She told us that him and I could come for the day (or as long as Jackson was brave enough to do) and we were welcome to participate in any or all of the activities the other kids were doing.  Jackson could do the crafts, sing the songs, have the snack... I felt a tug on my pant legs and in a loud whispering hiss Jackson says to me "I'm not doing any of that."  I told him OK, we could do whatever he wanted to do.   The teacher went on telling us more about the school.. field trips, gym class, chapel, the playground.... all with Jackson quietly listening by my side.  Then it was time to leave, with an invite to come back on Monday for our preschool class day visit.

In the car Jackson was pretty quiet, just taking it all in.  After a few minutes he says to me" Mommy, I think I might want to do the craft and have the snack at preschool on Monday."  I told him that I was so excited because I was hoping to do the craft and have a snack too.  I peer at him through the rearview mirror and he is sitting there with a huge grin on his face.  His eyes meet mine and he says "Mommy.  I think preschool is going to be pretty cool."  Happy sigh.  I am so proud.  My sweet Jackson is growing up.  As sad as I am about him growing up so fast, I am also so very proud and excited for the new stage in life he is going into.  Normally Jackson is very shy about telling people things about his life.  It can sometimes be like pulling teeth to get him to talk to others about stuff that happens in the day.  Well not preschool!  Every chance he gets, he tells people about it.  He is so excited!  I know it is a while until he will be officially starting, but this is an awesome first step in the process.  Yay for Little Man!

The first month in pictures

I know I have some catching up to do on here.   But I thought in the meantime I could at least bring you up to speed on our little piece of joy we call life.  Here is the past month in pictures....

Sorry Kathleen!!!  These are for you :) 

Week One

My awesome boys

Owen's first bath at home.  Jackson helped.  

 Mr. Slick.  It only lasts like this for about 15 minutes after his bath.  And then it all spikes up on its own again!  His hair has a definite mind of its own!

Jackson got this cool hat from Auntie Bon Bon for being a big brother.  Oh how he loves it! 

And then there were four!

Week Two 

Me and my Little Man... he is getting so big!

Week Three

Jackson was so proud that he could give Owen a bottle, just like a real big brother

Snuggle time is the best 

Jackson and Sophie all bundled up, ready to play in the snow

Look at those kissable lips! 

 Jackson being silly in Daddy's fishing socks

Week Four

These are pictures from a fun morning;  just playing, being silly and plain enjoying each others company.    It gave me a glimpse of the fun Owen and Jackson are going to have together as they get older.  I can't wait to be a part of it.  Oh how I love my boys!

showing off all his cool toys... Jackson was telling Owen how much he loved the Sharp Tooth he got him.  

Jackson schooling Owen on "bad guys"

One of Jackson's famous "Line Ups".  This is hands down a personal favorite.  

Taking a break from "playing" for a little cat nap....

Watching the snow fall

Week 5

Free as a Bird!

This is exactly how I feel knowing that I no longer need to work anymore!!!

On Wednesday night, I worked my very last day of work~ saying I am excited is an understatement.  I am now officially "retired" and it feels great.

I Get to Join the Ranks of Mimi and Papa!

So last night while eating dinner, Scott said he had an announcement to make.  A very important one, so we all needed to listen.  When I go into work on Wednesday, I am to give my two weeks notice- I don't have to work anymore!

Hallelujah!!!  

I had been only doing two nights a week, and then most recently I dropped down to one, working me down to nothing at all.  But I didn't expect it to happen until closer to Owen's birth, maybe sometime in the end of September or October.  But here it is- two nights left and I am done.  Jackson got this silent grin on his face, and you could tell he was thinking about something.  "Retired" he whispered.  We both got a huge grin on our faces and Scott said "Yes Jackson, just like Mimi and Papa, Mommy will be retired and not have to work anymore.  Do you think you will like that Big Guy?"  His smile stretched from ear to ear and said a big, loud "YES!"  

So who would have thunk it. Only 31 years old, and already retired. Now I get to live the Good Life.  *grin*

Who am I kidding, my life has always been good.  

3 days and counting....

So I am down to three more days left at work here in Cuyahoga Falls- and I have to say I am soooooo ready to be done. As much as I like it here, and love the people I work for I am so exhausted by the end of the day! I almost feel like I did after Jackson was born! Not only do I work an 8 hour day, but I drive for 3- so that makes an 11-12 hour day for everyone. Way too long for little Jackson to be away from his mommy and daddy 5 days a week (and way too long for mommy and daddy to be away from him too!) I go into the Macaroni Grill on Thursday the 31st for my orientation and then I am guessing I will be starting work officially the following week. It will be such a nice change.


I was reading the news paper yesterday and found out some pretty cool news. The very first eaglet was born in the Cuyahoga National Park in the past 70 years! The last time one was born here FDR was on office! Here the article all about it:

Eaglet arrival 70 years in the making

Categories: Breaking News

Brecksville - The last time bald eagles hatched in Cuyahoga County, FDR ruled from the White House, the Great Depression worsened and another World War crept closer.

Now, 70 years later, a newly hatched national symbol huddles in a 1,000-pound nest in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

"It's a real exciting time for the park," said interpretive ranger Paul Motts, standing on the Towpath Trail, across the Cuyahoga River from the birds' home. "It just shows our great efforts in trying to preserve areas like this."

The park service is also trying to preserve the eaglet, born April 3 in the V of a big, sparse tree.

Officials have shut off pedestrian access to the railroad tracks on the west side of the river and posted signs on the Towpath urging people not to dally. Trains chugging by on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, though, don't bother the birds, said park spokeswoman Mary Pat Doorley.

In the mid 1970s, when the valley was made a national park, only four pairs of bald eagles lived in Ohio, Motts said.

Now, the state has 164 nests - 116 of which hatched at least one chick this year, said Carla Maxwell, volunteer eagle coordinator for the Ohio Division of Wildlife. That's the most nests since the division began keeping count in the '70s.

"It's a big deal," Motts said. "The eagles were on decline, almost wiped out."

Their return to the river, like the blue herons' move there in the 1980s, signals the Cuyahoga's clean water and abundant fish, he said.

Bruce Abbott, an amateur bird watcher, comes to the river often to look at the eagles. "It's like a once-in-a-lifetime thing," he said.

Park officials hope not. They believe the eagles may return to the spot after a successful nesting, creating an eagle colony like that of the herons.

The eagles, then, would be a fixture in Cuyahoga County, not an I-remember-when footnote in history.

**article can be found {here} 

I think I will have to go and take a walk over there and see if I can get a few pictures. A photograph was posted at cleveland.com and the baby is so cute! Maybe this will be a good field trip for Jackson and I once I am working part time- strap him in the bjorn and go for a little hike. He would love it- he absolutly loves being outside. Mommy would care more about the eagles, but he would enjoy watching the trees and feeling the breeze in his hair.

Goodness, I can't wait until I am part time! All of the fun things I will get to do with him then. I won't be just limited to Saturdays and Sundays. I am so excited!

I gave my 2 weeks notice at work!

Well Monday was my first day back to work from maternity leave. What a loooooooooong week this has been. Bonnie is our nanny, so at least I did not have to stress over Day Care. But the worst part (aside from having to leave Jackson) is that Bonnie lives a half hour away from me and then she is an hour away from my work- yup, that makes 3 hours driving a day (and that is on a good traffic day, no construction, accidents, etc). I have to wake up a 5:00am to get myself awake, and ready for work, get him up and packed up, etc. By the time I get home from picking up Jackson it is about 8:00, and it is time to get him ready for bed! I don't even get to see him really. It is so depressing!

So after much talking and thinking with Scott, I have decided to quit my job and work part time waitressing. I got a job at The Macaroni Grill, this restaurant that I used to work at many years ago. They are letting me work 3-4 days a week and do just lunches during the week (unless I want to pick up dinner shifts!) I am so excited! Plus, the restaurant is only 5 minutes away from my sisters house! So no more stress, late hours, long drives, and I get to spend 4 days a week at home with Jackson. It is all such a relief.

This part time thing will definately be better. I have been slowly telling everyone at work; and you know what, everyone has been so amazing. They are all very supportive and understanding. Which has made it so much better. I was so nervous about quitting! But most people have told me that they think I am making the right decision. many said they would have done the exact same thing. They have been very sweet telling me I will be missed, and how great it was having me back. I was definately lucky to work for such a kind company. 

My last day here will be May 30th and then I will be starting at the restaurant. I am actually really loking forward to it, suprisingly enough. Some of my friends are still working there, so I will have familiar faces. Plus it will be busy. I will be on my feet running around so hopfully it will help me loose some of this extra baby weight I haven't lost yet- I just have to be good with staying away from all that yummy pasta!!

My 1st Mother's Day

Today was my very first Mother's Day- and how special it was! First I woke up in the morning to have a lovely bonding time feeding Jackson. While rocking him I thought back to how amazing his birth was and how in just 12 weeks I have changed so much as a woman and a person. My life has a new purpose that I never could have dreamed would feel so wonderful. We have been blessed with such a gift. I will be forever thanking God for trusting us with our precious boy.

After Scott woke up we played with Jackson in his gym had lots of smiles. Then Scott gave me the most beautiful gift from Jackson. It is a pendant of a mother and child and their arms incircle to make a heart. It is so beautiful and absolutly perfect.

We spent the afternoon with Sandy going out to lunch at Clemetine's and then browsed around Grand Pacific Junction. Sandy was so sweet, she gave me these wonderful stepping stones to place in one of my new garden's (whenever it is that we finally make them!) and also two Creeping Flocks plants. They are this beautiful lavender color. I can't wait to plant them.

The evening we visited over at the Jill's and had a lovely dinner and just enjoyed eachother's company. My mom gave me my whole start to my herb garden! I know what I am doing this weekend! I hope we have nice weather so I can get it all dug up and placed. Bonnie gave me the most beautiful Orchid. It is this very pretty purple color. I hope that I can take good care of her- I have never been good with Orchids. But I will definately try! This was such a special day and i will always remember it.

Thank you Mom's- I have such amazing role model's in each of you. All I can hope is that I can become as wonderful a mother as you have all been to me, Scott and Anna and Sophie. I love you!

One Week of Maternity Leave Left

Wow, I knew it was going to be hard to go back to work. However, I never could have anticipated how hard it actually would be. I have spent every single day so closely with Jackson for the past 11 weeks- I cannot imagine not having that same closeness with him. I am going to miss him more than anything. I am just so very sad. I do not even want to think about it! .....so enough about that.....


Ok, on to Jackson cuteness! He is getting sooooo big! I can hardly believe how much he has grown. Every single day he does something new, something cuter then ever. Now he is getting so playful. I put him in his gym and he bats at the toys, studies himself in the mirror and laughs the whole time. He has favorite toys now too. He just loooooves the horsy toy in his gym. There are four different toys, all brightly colored, but the horse is the one he gives the most attention too. He has also really taken to this stuffed bear that the body is a little blanket. It is silky on one side and super soft on the other. You give it to him and he snuggles right up with it. He likes to rub the soft side on his face and sucks on it sometimes too. Now even if he gets fussy, you give him the bear and he calms right down. It is so precious seeing him snuggly like that!

Jackson has become super vocal too. I love hearing his voice and all of the sweet noises he makes. You can have these cute little "conversations" with him. I just can't get enough!

This week I will be doing my best to make the most of this last week with my little prince; soaking up our entire special one on one time. I know I will look back so fondly of this Mommy and Baby Time. What an amazing experience this has been!

Mom & Dad's Big Night Out!

Last night my parents had their first babysitting experience with our little Jackson-- the new Mommy and Daddy were going out on their first date since their baby was born! It was so exciting!

Scott's boss at work, for a job well done, gave each of his team a gift certificate for a very nice night out at the restaurant of their choice. We decided this was the perfect time to cash it in! We chose to go to The Melting Pot, which is a very cool, very fancy, Fondue Restaurant.

As excited as I was I have to admit I felt a bit sad and a bit nervous about leaving him. I knew he was in the best possible hands; my parents are amazing with children. But Jackson hasn't been away from my side for 7 1/2 weeks. Driving over to my parents’ house, I even had a bit of an upset stomach! I planed it so when we got there I could feed him and it was time to go. I got a bit teary eyed thinking of leaving him, but once we got on the highway I started feeling much better. It was time for a fun night out as adults!

We got to the restaurant a little early and enjoyed a drink at the bar (I had an amazing grape martini- yummm!). Then the servers took us to the most wonderful table. It was private and quite romantic, I’d like to add :) The food was so delicious- we highly recommend checking this restaurant out if you want to try something fun and different.

After dinner we wandered around Legacy Village a bit and then headed home to pick up our little man. The night was perfect and we decided it was something we needed to be sure to do more of (plus I doubt the grandparents or Auntie Bonnie and Uncle Neil would protest time with the prince!)