2 Days Until Jackson's 1st Christmas

We have been so busy in our household getting everything ready for Jackson's 1st Christmas. Christmas is my favorite holiday in the whole world. It is just so wonderful getting together with who is most important in your life and sharing in the meaning of the day. Watching the excitment of the children will make it 100 times better. I absolutly can not wait to see what Jackson and Sophie think of their 1st Christmas. I am already guessing that they will be more excited about all the paper then the actual gifts! Today I was wrapping my gifts and Jackson got ahold of a shiny red bow. That thing provided him entertainment for forever! And whenever he would find interest in something else, that bow would catch his eye- and back to it he would be! It was so cute watching him fling it and chance it around the house.

Jackson is moving right along with his vocabulary. So far he can say "Mom", "DaDa", "itty" (for kitty), and his newest words are "Anna" and "PaPa". I also think he is saying "meow" when you ask him what a kitty says. He is definately mimicking the noise if nothing else. It is so fun to see all of the changes that he makes daily!

Well, I have to get back to wrapping- I am almost done! If we don't see you in the next few days we hope you all have a beautiful Christmas and a safe New Year!

I am going to leave you with my favorite scene from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Lots of love!

Charlie Brown: I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn't have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about.

[shouting in desperation]
Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.
[moves toward the center of the stage]
Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please.
[a spotlight shines on Linus]

Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

[Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown]
Linus Van Pelt: That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Jackson's 9 month Doctor's Appointment

On Thursday, December 6th I took Jackson to see Dr. Biglow (formally Dr. Wagner- she got married) for his 9 month doctor's appointment. It went really well. He is still a peanut weight wise, weighing in at 16lbs 2oz. His height is 27inches and his head is 17 inches- all right on for his stature. His doctor was very impressed that he is cruising furniture and even taking 1-2 steps unassisted every now and then at 9 months. Also that he is saying "Mom" and "Dad" and knowing who to call what at this point. His milestones are a bit ahead of the game so we are on the right track for sure. She couldn't get over how much he has changed, looks-wise since when he was born. She even commented on how much he looks likes his cousins- Anna especially. But we have been hearing that from eveyone lately! There is no denying they are related, that is for sure!

I decided to have Jackson get a flu shot at this appoitment. Dr. Biglow said that the AAP recommends it for all children 6 months of age and up, but it was up to me to decide if I wanted to. Jackson has such a tough time when he isn't feeling good, I couldn't imagine him suffering through the flu. Especially since now all the cold medicine has been pulled from the drug stores, there wouldn't be much to help make him feel any better. The shot really didn't effect him too much. He woke up more then usual in the middle of the night, but other then that he handled it well. We go back in a month for the second dose of the vaccine and also for a reweigh. We will see a different doctor at that appontment becasue Dr. Biglow will be on maternitiy leave. She is due in 15 days! How exciting for her. I am very curious as to how she will change as a doctor once she has a child of her own. She is extremly overly cautious about things, which I don't necessarily mind. Better to be that way then to blow things off when it could turn out to be serious. But I wonder if it will make her a little more relaxed about somethings- or at least a bit more realisitic once she is dealing with a baby every moment of her life. We shall see!

Jackson is 9 months old!

Happy birthday my little man! You have now lived exactly the same amount of time on earth as you did in my tummy- pretty neat!

Jackson has been growing so fast and learning so very much! His new favorite thing to do is wave. He waves at everyone and everything- the TV, mommy and daddy, his stuffed animals, people in the stores- you name it! And of course everyone loves it and has to come over and say Hello. His other tricks are giving you a Hi-5, playing peek-a-boo, and playing Steal the Pacifier. He is also SUPER ticklish and laughs the cutest giggle when you get him in just the right spot.

Jackson has become one busy, busy boy! He is always on the move- and fast! He has become a master at cruising the furniture and even took his first two steps unassisted on Thursday, the 15th! We are so proud of him. He has this push toy that he loves. He stands behind it and walks all over the place. He has gotten so good and so fast, it is very impressive! At this rate he will be walking in no time! Then Mommy and Daddy- Watch Out!

His other favorite past time is chasing the cats, Ringo especially. Memphis will let him get just close enough to touch, but the moment Jackson tries he walks just out of reach. But Ringo... oh boy. Ringo is such an attention kitty; once Jackson learns how to play and pet the kitties gently him and Ringo will be fast friends. Right now Jackson thinks that petting involves grabbing handfuls of hair and also enjoys lying right on top of him. But surprisingly Ringo doesn't care. He just lies there and lets Jackson abuse him! It makes us a bit nervous that Ringo will get mad and lash out one of these times, but so far Ringo has been super patient and I honestly thinks he like the attention he is getting.

Here is a list of Jackson favorites as of 9 months:

Favorite Toys: blocks, cars and balls
Favorite Movies: Praise Baby and Baby Einstein
Favorite Book: "I Love You Through and Through"
Favorite Snack: Cheerios or "O's" as we call them in our house
Favorite Foods: Macaroni and Cheese, yogurt, all fruits, especially bananas and pears, cheese, Spaghetti with meat sauce, Broccoli and Chicken, carrots, and of all things- gooseliver! Must be the German in him! Jackson loves to eat and likes pretty much everything except green beans and baby food peas (although he likes regular peas that aren't mashed up)!

How Big is Jackson- So Big!
Diaper size: 3
Clothing sizes: 9 months in pants and 9-12 months in shirts!
Shoe size: 2

Life in our household is just so much fun! Every day is something new and exciting. We are really looking forward to his first Thanksgiving and first Christmas- what a special time of year this is going to be!

This Thursday is Thanksgiving and then the day after we have a tradition with my immediate side of the family where us girls (me, my mom and Bonnie- plus the kids) go shopping and spend the day bumming around. And then that evening we meet up with the guys and go out to dinner at Bucci's in Berea. I am sure I will be taking lots of pictures so be sure to check back often!

We hope you all have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Looking Back on Boston

This time of year gives me a feeling of nostalgia. I think back to my short time when living in Boston and what an amazing experience it was for me. When i first moved there I got pretty homesick. I didn't really know anyone there and life was just so different in New England then it was in Cleveland, Ohio. I kept to myself quite a bit and just felt lonely. Well after a few weeks I told myself I needed to embrace what was such a wonderful new place with so much to experience in it and go out and enjoy life!

My very first excursion was a road trip to Walden Pond. I read a lot of Thoreau while in college and realized he was a perfect book to turn back to at this point in my life. He wrote a lot about nature, solitude and learning how to enjoy being a alone. The pond was just as beautiful as I had hoped. I brought my book along and decided to hike a bit, then find a nice place to read a while. A few passages stuck out for me and I want to share then with you guys.

"We are sometimes made aware of a kindness long passed, & realize that there have been times when our friends' thoughts of us were so pure & lofty a character that they passed over us like the winds of heaven unnoticed; when they treated us not as what we were, but as what we aspired to be." --from 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers'

"Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake" --from 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers'

"I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life" --from 'Walden'

From this point forward I did just that: live deep and suck out all the marrow of life. Sure I was lonely now and then, but I also grew as a person. I became my own best friend and enjoyed exploring my new home. Now after being away from Boston for 4 years now, a little sadness comes over me when I think of it. Not a ho-hum type of sadness, but the sadness like the loss of a friend. I know that I truly made a home for myself there and I very much look forward to when I can visit again.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Yesterday was Jackson and Sophie's first Halloween- and boy was it fun! All of the kids looked so darn cute. Jackson was a lion, Sophie dressed as a ladybug and our Halloween pro Anna was Ariel the Little Mermaid (donning a marvelous red wig and all! -that lasted about 10 houses and then she was a blond mermaid the rest of the night).

We all met at Neil and Bonnie's house for the Halloween celebration. They live in a big development with tons of kids so it is the perfect place to do some trick or treating. The whole development gets involved and they make it a lot of fun for the whole family. People bring their fire pits to the driveway; sit out side, and even the adults dress up. The older kids had a blast running up ahead of all the adults hitting house after house over filling their treat bags of candy. Jackson and Sophie rode most of the way in the double stroller, with everyone commenting on how darn cute they both looked. There was one woman that was actually taking pictures of all of the babies in costume. I bet that roll of film is so precious!

After the kid’s candy buckets were all overflowing we headed back to the Stenger house for a “Spooky Dinner”. The menu was MacaBoney and Cheese, Rat Meatloaf (little meatloaves shaped as rats, with olive eyes, pretzel legs and whiskers and curly fries for tails), and a spooky salad. It was delicious and fun!

This was such a memorable First Halloween for Jackson. I am definitely looking forward to next year when him and Sophie will be running right along all the other kids. I have uploaded all of the pictures from the night and also from the Ungar Family Halloween (which I will journal on later, so check back). The pictures from Halloween night are a little sparse because I think our camera is dying a slow death- I know, what in the heck am I going to do?! I will post more pictures when I get the ones from Bonnie and Neil. But at least you can see all the kids in their fantastic costumes. Have fun!

Our Day at Mapleside Apple Farm

This afternoon we had such a lovely time playing with pumpkins, and plopping Jackson all over the place for Photo Op’s at Mapleside Apple Farm. It was almost time for Jackson’s afternoon nap, so he was in an incredibly mellow mood. He was fine with whatever, and wherever he landed. It was a beautiful day- a bit chilly and breezy but with the sun was out it made it a perfect fall day. Check out all of the pictures. We got so many wonderful ones, some definite framers.

The last time we were here as a family, I was 21 weeks pregnant with our little man! If you go to the Belly Pictures album and look at the 6th photo, it was from a year ago at Mapleside. It’s hard to believe how much our lives have changed since then. I never realized how incomplete my life was until we had him be a part of it. Now every day is more precious then the last- we are always anticipating what Jackson will be able to do next and how cute he looks each day. As of today he is now 8 months old by the way. Hard to believe, huh?! He is pulling up on EVERYTHING and soooo ready to cruise and walk around. He thinks that he should be able to walk wherever he wants, and without any assistance. We think he will be standing up on his own any time now- it is definitely not far off. Until then, we get to deal with more bumps, tumbles and bruises. But he has become such a sport! More often then not I am more shaken up by a fall then he is. That just comes with the territory I guess!

Halloween is just a few days away. I absolutely cannot wait for all of you to see Jackson in his first Halloween costume. He is going to be SO cute! I am not going to tell what he is going to be yet- so be sure to check back here for updates…

I "signed the list"...sort of

When Bonnie decided to not go back to work after Sophie was born Anna came up with this idea that to be able to do so you have to "sign the list to not work". She decided that her Mommy signed this list and why in the world didn't I sign it too. I mean, "don't I want to be home with them all the time too?!" I told her of course I do and I would looooove to sign the list but just not now. But go talk to Uncle Scott and tell him I need to get on it sooner then later..heheheh. Well every single day when I would drop Jackson off at Bonnie's before I went to work she would ask me if I am going to sign the list to not work soon. And every day I would tell her not yet.

Well after some figuring of number's we realized that my working lunches was just a waste of time. I was basically working for fun. I would make just enough to pay Bonnie. Ummm, sure Macaroni Grill is a nice place to work and all, but I don't know that I would consider it "fun". So as of Tuesday I am no londer working lunches, just my two dinners a week. It is wonderful!!!! I love being home with Jackson so much. Plus I won't have to cram all of my house work into two days, and I can actually let myself have fun every now and then with Bonnie, or Adrianne or Lora, whatever. I don't have to feel guilty that I should really be vaccuuming or cleaning bathrooms.... It is definately a good thing! :)