Kelleys Island or Bust!

We were lucky enough this past weekend to have an impromptu vacation on Kelley's Island when Bonnie and Neil's renter's canceled last minute at Cedar Cottage.  They asked if we would like to use it and, with nothing else really on the agenda we snagged it up!  And what a wonderful mini break it was!

*if you click on the pictures it will enlarge them

This trip was worth it, if only for the ferry ride alone.  Jackson was sooooooooo excited!  He could hardly contain himself!  The picture of Scott holding him captures the energy perfectly.  Look at that smile!

The next morning Little Man and I woke up for a nice quite time, letting Daddy sleep in a bit.  Jackson loved walking behind the big curtains and I captured some cool pictures of his shadow.  They remind me of illustrations from the book The Little Prince or Peter Pan listening to Wendy's stories.

Then I had to take the boys to see the Glacial Grooves.  These amazing cuts and "grooves" in the stone were created by the Glaciers 10,000 years ago!  They are the most famous glacial grooves in the world.

Off to the beach.  The sand here is so soft and the water is super shallow.  I can actually walk all the way out to the buoys and have the water be right under my waist.  Jackson prefers to play in the sand.

Hi!  I'm just playing around with the camera, waiting for the boys to finish getting ready for the evening....

After the beach and a nice long family nap, we got ourselves cleaned up for a night out on the town.  Dinner at the Village Pump of course, then a game of Mini Golf, dancing to the fun live music, and watching the boats come in.

It was very cute watching Scottie teach Jackson how to play Put-Put.  He'll get it in time- he's got a great teacher!  We got a kick out of how when we "weren't watching" Jackson would pick up his ball and move it next to the hole so he cold hit it right in.

Then of course we had to have ice cream!  

It was such a great day.  Unfortunately Scott was feeling a little under the weather, but considering it was so relaxing and laid back he was still able to enjoy himself.  Gotta love Island life.

The next morning after breakfast we just had to let Little Man get wild at the playground.  He was just dying to check it out!

He had such fun and has gotten so brave.  He will try out everything now, with no hesitation.  He has become a PRO at climbing!  Anything there to climb up, he scurries up it nothing flat.  Jackson is getting way too big!

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end.  But at least we get to end our fun trip with another fun ferry ride!  We were so hot and sweaty!  It was a scorcher on Sunday- *phew*  Thank goodness we got splashed a little bit by the waves.  It felt great!

Thank you Bonnie and Neil for giving us a vacation at your beautiful cabin!  It was a wonderful time- can't wait to go back!

To Infinity and Beyond!!!!

We had such a fun and exciting morning on Saturday!  Scott's work had a sneak preview event for Nestle employees to go see Toy Story 3 at the theater.  Oh how we love the other Toy Story movies!  We watch them all the time, and probably each one of us could almost recite the movies word for word.  Including Jackson!  They are just so smartly written, and just plain FUN!  So when we heard about a new one coming out we decided right away that this would be Jackson's 1st movie in the movie theater.

I am not sure who was more excited- us or him :)  OK, probably him.... he woke us up at 6:00 am, climbed in bed with us whispering.. "Mommy, Woody is going to be bigger then Daddy!"  "That's right Jackson, Woody is going to be huge!  Now let's go back to sleep for a little while."  "Ok, Mommy."...... "Mommy.... are we going to see Zerg today?" ....."We'll see sweetie.".... "Mommy"....

Jackson did a great job!  He loved having popcorn and also picked out a box of gummie bears for his movie snack.  He rotated between sitting on my lap or sitting on Scott's, and didn't start getting antsy until 3/4 of the way through.  And guess what- little man even remembered to tell us when he had to go potty!  We were all able to enjoy the entire movie, and he has been talking about it every single day since.  It was definitely a hit!

I may or may not have cried at the end.... what can I say- it was incredibly touching!  Go and see this movie!  It is wonderful, and worth every penny.  What a fun time!

This is day number 136 and you're 19 weeks pregnant!

The other night while rocking Jackson, he was hugging and kissing my tummy.  He does this all the time, which I find so heart warming and sweet.  But tonight he decided to lift up my shirt "Mommy, I want to snuggle with my baby brother.  Can you keep your shirt like this?"  So with my shirt pulled up over my belly, Jackson cuddled right on up and gave baby a big kiss and said "I love you baby."

Talk about a tear jerker! This hormonal pregnant woman was a water-works.  Oh how I love my two little boys already!

----------------------------
You have 144 days or 21 weeks left, and are 48.6% of the way there.
Baby's age since conception is 122 days or 17 weeks. You are due on 11/13/2010.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and measures 6 inches, head to bottom, about the size of a large heirloom tomato. The hair on his scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that he may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, taking to him, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

A Test of Wills....

Jackson washing the wall after he colored all over it in crayon

A while back Jackson and I had a test of wills- who was going to give in first.  It was a quiet afternoon, filled with coloring, Wizard of Oz and just enjoying each other's company.  I started getting dinner ready since little man was happy and occupied.  About 10 minutes later I realize it is awfully quiet.  Too quiet.  I call to Jackson and he yells that he is upstairs (in my bedroom).  I ask what he is doing, and again I am met by quiet.  Not usually a good sign.

Of course I am elbow deep in raw chicken so I figure he is probably jumping on the bed like he usually does, and let it go for a few more minutes.  I know what you are thinking.

All of a sudden Jackson comes running down the stairs and says......

 Jackson: "Mommy, I need some paper towels."

 Mommy: "What do you need paper towels for, buddy?"

Jackson: "Nothing, it is nothing."  long pause... "Can I have a paper towel now?"

Mommy: "Jackson what do you need the paper towels for?  Did you do something upstairs that you shouldn't have?"

Jackson: "I said NOOO!   It's fine!  Nevermind!!!" 

Mommy:  "Jackson, I need to know what happened upstairs."

Jackson: "I just need a paper towel!  It is nothing!" 

At this point I tell him to wait there and I go upstairs to check things out.  Over on the side of my bed I see the chair is moved away from the wall a little bit and on the cushion of the chair, on the floor and smeared on the carpet is chap-stick.  I come back down stairs for some more conversation....

Mommy: Jackson I need you to be honest and tell me what you did upstairs.

Jackson: "I SAID I DID NOTHING!" 

Mommy: "Now I just went upstairs and know that you aren't telling me the truth.  I need you to go in the corner until you can be honest and tell me what happened."

Jackson: "Mommy, I didn't do anything!" 

Mommy: Jackson you can stand there as long or as short as you want.  The sooner you are honest the sooner you can get out of the corner.   Uh Oh!  You don't want your nose to grow like Pinocchio's nose!  I think I see it starting to grow!"

Jackson: (throwing his hands over his nose) "No!  It isn't growing!  Mommy, NO!"

Mommy: "Well are you being honest or are you telling a lie like Pinocchio did?  Tell me what you need the paper towels for and your nose will go back to normal and you can come out of the corner." 

Jackson: "I don't want to" 

Mommy: "OK, then you get to stay there in time out until you can tell me the truth." 

TWENTY minutes later!.....

Jackson: "Mommy....."

Mommy: "Yes Jackson?  Are you ready to tell me what happened and tell the truth?"

Jackson: "Yes...." 

Mommy: "Ok, then let's go upstairs and you can show me and then tell me what you did." 

Jackson: (in a whisper) "I spilled your chapstick...."

Mommy: "OK, I need you to show me.  Let's take the paper towels and you can clean it all up." 

Jackson: "OK.  I'm sorry Mommy" 

Mommy: "Thank you for being honest.  It is soooo important to tell the truth!  Nobody likes a friend that tells lies.  Now I need you to clean all of this mess up.  And no more touching Mommies chapstick."

Jackson:  "I don't want to be like Pinocchio, Mommy."  

Mommy: "I know, buddy."

Jackson: "I love you, Mommy." 

Mommy: I love you too, Buddy. 

Now, ever since this day if Little Man tries to tell a lie all we need to say is "Is your nose going to grow like Pinocchio's?"  And he changes his mind and tells the truth.  Thank you very much Walt Disney!

Was that the baby or just a spasm?

Yesterday after eating lunch I was sitting quietly on the couch relaxing.  All of a sudden I felt a hard kick on the inside.  "Hello Baby!"  I instinctively placed my hand in that spot and there it went again, only this time I even felt it on the outside! Wow!  I didn't expect to feel it this soon, but maybe!

So either baby is kicking harder these days, or I am having belly muscle spasms.  Hmmmm......

Kelly's Baby Shower

Me, Andrea and Kelly

Over the weekend I attended my friend Kelly's baby shower.  In college me, Andrea and Kelly were inseparable, and I am so grateful that we have remained close friends after all these years.  It was a beautiful shower, with delicious food, wonderful company and best of all I got to spend lots of quality time with my girls!  Oh how I have missed them!

Kelly and I thought we would be silly and squish little Andrea with our big bellies. lol

Us ladies giving the baby some loving!

There were four of us pregnant women here!  Brittany (farthest to the left) actually went into labor that night and had a baby girl!  Guess all that baby excitement got her little one moving!  

Our pregnant congo line. hahaha

Brittany: 39 weeks, Kelly: 32 weeks, Heather: about 23 weeks, and Me: 18 weeks

Andrea was trying very hard to feel Kelly's baby kick throughout the day. Baby didn't want to perform on command for a while there, but she finally gave in and showed off some acrobatics.   

It is so special to share pregnancy with a close girlfriend.  Now if I could just get Kelly and her husband to move closer (they currently live in Arlington, VA), it would be perfect! 

Instead of driving straight back to Columbus, Andrea stayed the night.  I think our Jackson fell in love.  He thought she was just the coolest.

Kelly, thank you so much for inviting me to celebrate with you on your special day!  I am so proud of you honey and you make the most beautiful pregnant woman ever!  I can't wait to meet your little princess- let the countdown begin!

Leaving Comments....

I have gotten a few emails that people weren't sure how to leave comments on here.  It is actually quite simple.  Instead of having a "Guest Book" like on my old site, you get to leave comments after each post.  If you look right under this entry it will say something like......

POSTED BY AMIE AT 8:44 PM 0 COMMENTS

Click on the word "Comments" and it will give you a pop up to leave your comment in.   It will give you a few options to sign in, but if you do not have a google/gmail, AIM, wordpress, etc profile you will have to leave it as "Anonymous".  Just be sure to leave your name so I know who you are (that is unless you like to remain incognito)!!

Looking forward to hearing from all of you!