Nice thoughts for the day

The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground. 

-Author Unknown

A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. it knows no law, no pity, it dates all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.
-Agatha Christie


The greatest achievements were at first and for a time dreams.
-James Allen


Thank you, God, for this good life and forgive us if we do not love it enough.
-Garrison Keillor


Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.
-Victor Hugo


Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'
-Mary Anne Radmacher


There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.
-Elizabeth Lawrence

On the day that Owen was born

"On the day that Owen was born

On the day that Owen was born

On the day that Owen was born

the angels sang

and they blew on their horns

and they danced- they danced!

They smiled and raised up their hands 

and they danced, they danced

on the day that Owen was 

being born.

Right now someone somewhere is being born

Somewhere right now someone is being born

Right now someone somewhere is being born

And the angels are singing and their blowin' on their horns

And their dancin', their dancin'

Their smilin' and raisin' up their hands

'Cause right now somewhere someone is being born

Raisin' up their hands...

On the day that each one of us was being born."

~Red and Kathy Grammer

Happy birthday my wonderful, beautiful, incredibly happy baby boy!  Goodness, I can hardly believe that an entire year has come and gone so quickly!  

You are on. the. move!   

A boy full of energy and wonderment- everything is an exciting new discovery just waiting to be understood.  Oh how I love you so.  Each day of my life is brighter because you are in it.  Thank you for all of your sweet, juicy wet kisses, your hugs and wild laughter with each tummy tickle.  And although I am the one to give you presents today, you gave me the sweetest of all- to hear you say "Mommy" perfectly in your little voice melted my heart and made the whole world OK, if just for today.  

Happy first birthday Owen!  Now, let the celebrations begin!

Jackson the Preschooler!

I am so proud of my little man.  He has taken to school in the most wonderfully amazing way.  He loves it. Loves it (almost) as much as he loves Super Hero's.  Ok, maybe not that much- but goodness, it is pretty close!  He is learning so much and is so, so proud of his new accomplishments.  The alphabet letters that we have been struggling with for the past two years are now so easy, like this whole time he has been playing a trick on me and actually knew them all.  

This past monday I got to attend my very first Parent-Teacher Conference.  I have to admit it, I was so excited.  I knew he was doing well; after the first week of school he now tells me everything he does over the course of a school day (with hardly any prodding!) But I was looking forward to getting a little inside scoop on how he actually carries himself in school.  Is he polite?  Does he ever talk to the other kids? Does he help his other classmates and is he good at sharing?  I know what to expect when I am around, but it means something entirely different when he is in a room full of people.  Our little gabber jaws at home is very quiet and reserved in large groups.  Ands his teacher confirmed that Yep, he is like that at school too.  But although he is quite and an observer, he's got the smarts.  He is already in the head of his class when it comes to gross motor development.  Jackson has a perfect hop, skip and jump (Hey Mom, remember Bonnie with this one?!  hahahahaha) and his teacher said that in all of her years teaching she has never taught a 4 year old child that can color and stay in the lines like Jackson can.  They are amazed at his ability to sit still and the patience to get his pictures "just right". We are beginning to notice he may have a love for art just like his mommy.  So cool.

Jackson is growing in leaps and bounds and we are just loving seeing these exciting new developments.  This is a whole new stage in life for all of us- but it is 100% a great one! 

Almost 1 Year

I sit here tonight in a quiet house.  The Little's are all sleeping, Scott is at a friends house tying flies for an upcoming fishing trip and I get to blog in peace and enjoy a glass of wine.  It's kinda nice.  Thoughts have been running around in my head these past few days.  Looking back on this last year, I honestly have no idea where it went.  How on earth is it possible my little Owen is turning 1 in just 11 days?  Life has been fun and exciting and a total whirlwind.  I am sure it is also due to having a 4 year old (almost FIVE, don't even get me started on that one.... Mimi and Papa, where is that brick hat already??!!!) that is 100% boy to help keep me on my toes.  But WOW, is all I can say.  I love seeing all the growth and developments that Owen is making.   It is awesome and simply amazing how much these babies can learn in just a years time.

Even though I haven't been good about blogging here, I still have been keeping track of all of Owen's "First's".  Not sure why I didn't just jot them down here... I guess when I "blog" I want to be able to write something substantial.  But sometimes I just have a little to say and then it never gets said.  So here I am turing over a new leaf.  I will write here more, if even just a small update.   So here is what you missed....

7 Months - 
What a difference a month makes!

• June 12th SO close to crawling! He's got the army-move down pat. And the past few days he gets up to his hands and knees and then doesn't know what to do from there... until he lunges himself forward onto his face.

• Learned how to Crawl on Sunday, June 19th, Father's Day, perfected it the next morning and immediately was On. The. Move.

• First Word (Mama) the following Tuesday, June 21st. We have a 1st word!! During dinner, I just couldn't get Owen's dinner in his mouth fast enough. Impatiently Owen, very clearly says loudly "Ma Ma!" We all were shocked and squealed. About 5 minutes later he said it again! What an amazing week this has been for Little O- crawling, 1st haircut, and 1st word- all within 3 days of each other. So exciting!  

• First Haircut, also on Tuesday, June 21st.  Needless to say this week put me in a tizzy.  I was a wreck.  I lost my "baby" this week.  He went from laying on his back with spiky, crazy black hair- to crawling, "talking" and being completely blond with a crew cut.  He looked so different I admit it, I was super sad and emotional.  It was one of those bittersweet moments as a mommy.  Excited to see your children growing up, but yet not quite ready for so much at one time.  He hasn't had a haircut since.... although he needs it.  

• June 30th can now sit up independantly (meaning he can go from laying or crawling to sitting up on his own without help.  He is also enjoying Cherios, puffs and all that good stuff. He definitely prefers chunkier food then purees. I just can't get over all the milestones he has hit in just the past week!!

8 Months

• Owen is SO BIG!  He loves this game.  You ask him "How big is Owen?" he then proceeds to throw his hands in the air and then claps at himself , so proud.  Absolutely a-d-o-r-e-a-b-l-e.  He also loves to show off by playing peek-a-boo and pat-e-cake.  When he gets on a roll he will go from one trick to the next to the next, laughing and smiling and clapping at his accomplishments. 

9 Months

• August 19th Separation Anxiety has kicked in FULL FORCE. I can not even walk out of the room without Owen screaming and crying until I come back and pick him up. And if he had his way completely, I would never put him down. Once I am holding him, if I set him on the floor the screaming resumes. I don't remember it this bad with Jackson. It is also to the point that he will crawl away from me out of the room, but if he turns back to look at me and I'm not there behind him, he screams.  I've been using my sling a lot, except he is 9 months old and not the lightest little guy anymore (20+ lbs) Even with the sling, my back needs a break from holding him every now and then. The crying is just wearing on my nerves. He was NEVER a crier before. This is all so weird for him.  I sure hope this is a faze.  

• We've got a cruiser!  It didn't seem to take him long to figure out how to cruising furniture.  Once he got the hang of it he is all over the place.  

10 Months

• at 10 months 5 days old he got his first tooth!!  He is crawling everywhere, cruising furniture with a purpose- and fast! He can stand up on his own, and boy is he proud! But not quite walking independently yet. He can say Mama, Dada, Baba (for bottle and he says it for food in general) and More (sounds like Mah) while either clapping or hitting the table if the food isn't coming fast enough! lol. 

• He is definitely not into baby food anymore. Totally preferring table food, his favorites being pasta, brown rice, cheese toast, bananas, beans of any kind- especially baked beans, vegetable stew, Israeli Couscous and his absolute favorite- polenta! This boy likes food with flavor! Not crazy about applesauce, but if I sprinkle a little cinnamon on it he gobbles it right up!

11 Months

• October 6 so little Owen has a crazy rash of some sort. Worrying myself to death thinking it is rebella or measels. So not happy considering I am a mother who regularly vaccinates their children and out of no fault of my own Owen is suffering (he is too young for the vaccination). UPDATE: well it turns out Owen is allergic to the flu shot!! Weird, huh?! He has a really bad case of hives. So nothing too serious but he will probably never be able to get the flu shot ever again. At least it is nothing serious or contagious though!

• October 11 feeling burnt out today. It has just been a long two weeks for us. Me fighting migraines and a chronic sinus infection (which may be a huge cause of my headaches these days). Add to that Owen getting two new teeth, fever and fussiness from shots and an allergic reaction to the flu shot. He is not sleeping well or eating well and fusses almost constantly. It's been a long few days and i just could use a break. Oh how I hate being a downer. Sorry guys.

• October 17 And we have a walker!!!! After two weeks of Owen taking 3-4 steps and then falling on his butt, last night he figured it out and now he can't stop! The proud look on his face is so cute. Love him!

• Now that Owen has learned how to walk, that is his most favorite thing in the whole wide world to do.  He just loves walking from one room to the next, looking at stuff, bending down to pick up a toy and proceeding on his way into the next room of the house needing exploration.  He babbles nonstop and has developed a FULL set of lungs.  No more quiet baby, that's for sure.  Owen has stuff to say and wants to make sure you hear it loud and clear!!  He also seems to have turned into a bit of a screamer.  I think it has to do with the fact that he is learning so much and has so much he wants to communicate with us, but yet doesn't have a whole lot of words to say it all.  He gets frustrated and in turn screams to make himself noticed and heard.  We are all hoping the screaming faze will be on its way out once new words are on their way in.   The separation anxiety isn't as intense as it was.  He still loves to be held and has his times of day when that is all he wants (thank you again Leanne for the sling.  It is getting a work out for sure with this one!!)  But now that he can walk he has more fun being on the loose, so to say.  

• Owen loves to point.  It is his new favorite thing!  You scoop him up in your arms and immediately there is 100 things he wants to show you, pointing from one thing to the next "asking" what it all is.  Everything is exciting and interesting and he wants to learn it all.  

• Owen's Words so far: Mama, Dada, Baba (bottle and food in general), More (sounds like Mah.  He also still bangs his tray when he is ready for more too.  We have a little caveman! haha), A-Da (he says this when he is asking what something is.  He says A-Da and then points at the thing in question.  Be sure you answer him or he will keep asking only it gets louder each time!), he said "kitty" once but hasn't repeated it again, can't really count it yet....

So there you go!   I think I have finally caught you all back up to speed on our Little O.  Next is the Big Man on Campus, Mr. Jackson.... hold tight!

Oh my goodness, life has just been HAPPENING!

I don't know about all of you but life is just good these days.  Summer is in full bloom; my boys are growing, busy and so very, very happy.  There is a lot of joy going on in our household lately.  And you know what, it has everything to do with our new little Owen.  He was every bit the missing piece that our little family needed.  I don't think I have ever in all my life met a happier, more peaceful or more content little baby.  If you have spent any time with this little guy you would notice that he is the quite observer.

 a happy Owen, 5 months old

He takes in everything around him, while just waiting patiently for you to make eye contact with him.  Once that happens forget it- your heart has now melted from the ear to ear smile he just blessed you with.  As he is growing more and more independent, studying all that is around him, he is truly finding his "voice".  He isn't quite as quiet as he used to be, but he is definitely Mr. Mellow.  He let's the world roll off of his shoulders- very much as I would love to be able to do from time to time. Owen is so much like his Daddy, it is amazing.  I look at the boys and although I see Scott in Jackson's ever changing and growing features- his personality is me through and through!  It is like deja-vu at times.  And our Owen, my little face twin is his father's son.  I see those personality traits that my Scottie possesses- those same ones that made me fall in love with him, right here in my littlest guy.

6 months old

It is amazing how you forget those super early days with your first child.  I am so glad I wrote everything down with Jackson, because I am loving going back and reading all the firsts he had, when they happened and looking how Owen compares.  They might be brothers, but their personalities are so different.

my wish- they will always love each other this much. Or more.  

When it comes to hitting milestones the boys have been pretty much right on track with each other.  Jackson was an early developer and I see Owen is very much the same.  I think a lot has to do with the fact that they just don't want to be left behind.  Jackson as a baby was determined to be able to do whatever it was that his big cousins Anna and Sophie could do.  And now we hear Owen loudly protesting when he works so hard to get to where the action is, just to be left behind when one of us walks into another room.  I can almost hear "Hey!!  Wait up guys!!" come from his lips.  He is constantly reminding us- I will not be left behind!

Sweet angels, you two have a place in my heart- in my soul, that could never, ever be left behind.

We've got a crawler!!

On Father's Day, after a week of trying and trying, Owen finally figured out how to crawl!! The hand over hand while moving his knees at the same time thing is so tricky to understand. Sunday evening it started to click and he made a few actual forward crawling movements.  But as of Monday morning I plopped him on the floor and he crawled right away from me like he has been doing it for months! Jackson and I erupted into cheers, claps and even some jumping up and down! Such an accomplishement. Now two weeks later and he is all over the house. The baby gate is now a permanent fixture as he will follow anyone (especially the kitties) wherever they go. He is our little explorer.

Owen's Favorite Enticers 

(i.e. things Owen can't keep his hands off of while on the move):

cords- all kinds. He seems them, he will beeline to them and immediately tries to figure out how to get them in his mouth. Really great, huh?! Time to figure out some new cord control...

Stereo and Electronic Equipment- do they make screens to hide stereo buttons? Because that is the first place he heads. If Owen is in the living room, be prepared for the television volume to be turned off, stereo turned on (full blast and usually on AM fuzz- it sounds wonderful, let me tell you...) or all of the sound buttons pushed at the same time so you have no idea how to fix it until hours later....

The Cats!!!!!- Just like when Jackson was a baby, Owen just loves to follow the kitties. Memphis usually lets Owen get just close enough to touch and then he walks out of reach. This continues until one of them gets bored (usually Memphis). Ringo, the stubborn cat that he is, doesn't like to give up his house and has to be the center of everything. The poor cat is going to be hairless soon if he doesn't give in. Owen always has his fingers in his mouth, so they are wet and sticky. wet and sticky fingers + cat hair = gross.

Jackson's Toys- it doesn't matter what it is.  If it is Jackson's, he wants it.  And wants to put it directly into his mouth.  Jackson has actually been surprising good at sharing and making sure nothing too tiny is on the floor where Owen can reach.  I think the only thing Jackson really misses is being able to color in the living room on the floor.  But Owen just wants to eat the crayons, so for at least a little while, coloring will have to be done at the table.  

I think we have to loose the bumper...

I think he hates it.... 

but how am I going to sneak out of his room at bedtime if it is gone?! lol.

May Catch Up

ok, so maybe not flooding.... ehhh, whatever. What can you do. Life gets busy and I get bad at blogging. But I can not forget all of the wonderful milestones that my baby is accomplishing- and so fast too!! Every day I am amazed at this little guy. He is growing in leaps and bounds.  Bare with me, I am going to try and play catch up a little bit....

In May, Owen became a supported sitter, which makes life much more fun!  But it also means we have entered the world of head bumps (Owen) and the heart stops (for the rest of us!!)  Because of this, Jackson has become especially concerned that Owen is going to fall backwards and hit his head.  So he has appointed himself the job of making sure the Boppy is safely wrapped around him for support.

Aside from the head bumps, sitting up has proven to be super fun.  I love watching my little men begin to play together!  Jackson is such a good big brother, showing Owen how toys work and gently (usually, anyways) playing with and holding him.

A whole new world is opening up for him, and he is having a blast!

Probably the coolest thing for Jackson this month is that he has learned how to use the computer!  We have been having so much fun learning about dinosaurs, practicing our letters and playing all sorts of games.  He has gotten so good that he hardly needs me to even help him anymore.  Needless to say, he feels like such a big boy.

My boys are growing up so fast!

Time to Catch Up!

February was my last post.  Seriously?!!  I'm so sorry.  Well be prepared for catch up time!  I am going to flood this blog with posts these next few days to try and get everyone back up to speed!  Here is something I think is pretty awesome to hopefully make up in my lack of blog posts.  Enjoy :)

This is a video of Jackson (4 years) feeding Owen (6 months) and 

then sings him some of his favorite songs

What Every Mom Dreams to Hear from her Children

The other evening while I was giving Owen his bath, Jackson came into the bathroom to chit chat with us.  He was talking to Owen and making him laugh, telling him all the things he will be able to do soon. "Owen when you are bigger you will be able to play with all my bath toys.  I'll share with you.  And Owen, when you get bigger we can take baths together.  It is fun to and swim and play.  And when you get bigger we can scoop and dump...."  And then he turns to me and says "Mommy pretty soon Owen is going to be my new best friend."

My heart melted right then and there.  And as my eyes were welling up, I scooped Jackson up in my arms and gave him a huge hug and kiss.  I am so proud of the big brother he already is to Owen, how he cares and loves him- even though he is too little to do much back.  I am so excited to watch their bond of brotherhood grow and develop in the years to come!

*sigh* life is good.  

Owen Rolled Over!

For the last week or two, Owen has been on the verge of rolling over from his back to his tummy.  He will lift his butt, hip and shoulder off the ground and lay completely on his side.  But his arm gets in the way and he can't quite figure out how to get all the way over.

Well yesterday while playing up in Jackson's room, I laid Owen on his belly for some Tummy Time.  His head is getting nice and strong, he lifts it high up and looks all around him, taking in the surrounds from a different angle.

Jackson was entertaining Owen by showing him all the cool toys "he will be able to play with when he is bigger." 

Well while on his tummy, right before our eyes, Owen rolled himself right on over onto his back!  Jackson and I started cheering right away, clapping our hands, and Owen looks at us with these wide eyes like "Holy moly, how did that happen?!"  It was great :)  Awesome job Little O!

Featuring Junior Chef Jackson!

If you are a regular on my food blog, My Retro Kitchen, you know that my #1 assistant in the kitchen is always Jackson.  Any chance he can get to help stir, pour, dump and sprinkle he does it!  He is a chef in the making, and I LOVE it!!  And I definitely know that this is the reason he is so open to trying new things.  His new favorite statement (at almost every meal) is "Mommy, I like everything.  I really like to eat everything!"  How cool is that to hear from your kids mouths?!!

A food blog that I like top frequent is Soufflé Bombay.  Colleen, the author of the blog is also a co-author to this brilliant cookbook called Picture Me Cooking.  Not only is it a cookbook for kids, but also a scrapbook for you to add pictures of your own children to make it extra special.  What an awesome keepsake!  I know, it is one of those "Why didn't I think of that?!"

Well be sure to head on over to the website for Picture Me Cooking to see my own Jackson as their Junior Chef in the spotlight!  I wish you could have seen Jackson when I showed him this morning.  He was so excited!

I am so in love

Thank you God for blessing me with the most beautiful gifts a woman could ever have.  My heart breaks wide open just looking at these two angels.  

I love them, I love them, I love them.

I'm a Kid

"why can't you see i'm a kid', said the kid. 

Why try to make me like you? 

Why are you hurt when I don't cuddle? 

Why do you sigh when I splash through a puddle? 

Why do you scream when I do what I did? 

Im a kid." 

— Shel Silverstein (Falling Up)

Hallelujah in Alaska

This is so neat.  I hope you all enjoy!

rough day today.

Nothing major.  Nothing we can't fix.  Just that being a parent is a really tough job sometimes. These are a few wise words I wanted to be reminded of today.

"Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

‎"Don't ever discount the wonder of your tears. They can be healing waters and a stream of joy. Sometimes they are the best words the heart can speak."
-William P. Young

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
-John 14:27

"Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet."
-Lucy Maud Montgomery

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
-Matthew 6:34

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!

Owen's 2 Month Dr. Visit

Owen 2 months old

Today Owen went in to see Dr. Biglow for his 2 Month well baby visit.  This little guys has been growing in leaps and bounds and I have been dying to see how much he has actually grown.  Well he was the hit of the office, of course!  No one could get over his hair- such a conversation starter.  If I got a dollar for every time someone commented on his hair I would be so rich already!

He is in the 50th percentile all around for weight, length, and head circumference.  He weighs a whopping 12 lbs 4 oz!  This means he has gained 6 lbs since birth- great job big guy!!  He also grew an inch and a half, measuring in at 22.5 inches long and his head circumference also increased to 40.5.  The doctor says my children are the cutest little boys she has ever seen (like I had any doubt otherwise... proud mommy moment. hehe).

She said that he is in perfect health and that we didn't need to come back until he turns 4 months old.  The bummer news is that he had to receive some vaccinations today- 6 in total!  Thankfully they group them together so he only had to have two shots and one oral vaccine.  But oh how I hate that cry.  It brings tears to my eyes every single time.  He was a champ though, he was able to calm down pretty quickly once he was snuggled in my arms.

Speaking of hair, his is growing just as much as the rest of him- and it is growing in blonde just like his brothers did!  It is about a half an inch longer then at birth, you can tell by the blonde roots.  Too cute.  Our little rock 'n roller.  Although in these pictures I think he looks more like a future line backer :)

Especially this one!

"Mommy, you're the best!"

I never tire of hearing this.  Jackson, I think you're the best too!  I love you my Little Man!

7 weeks old and already a heartbreaker

Our little Owen is so much fun these days!  He seems to be growing and changing every single day- it's amazing!  Not only is he getting heavier and taller, but his personality is starting to come out.  He smiles the moment he lays eyes on Scott and I and loves watching Jackson sing and act silly.  This week he has added another new talent- he found his laugh.  Oh it melts me!  I might be a little tired or feeling overwhelmed, all I have to do is lay eyes on this little guy and my entire day is brightened.  I recorded a little bit of my morning for you.  I hope it brightens your day too.