4th of July Weekend

I cannot think of a better word to describe our long weekend then blissful. It was simply pure bliss and my heart is oh so full right now.

The long holiday weekend was just what my little family needed to reconnect and refresh. Jackson was full of laughter and snuggles.all.weekend.long and we both enjoyed having Daddy around. Mr. has a new case that is taking up a lot of his time, but he was able to steal away a whole afternoon with us on Sunday!

We spent a lot of time at the pool and had a couple of BBQs at the house. Our new neighbors are amazing and have become fast friends, which makes the new house even better!

The weather was hot, but the afternoon thunderstorms made for great naps and movie time. I even took a lazy afternoon nap on Sunday, which is pretty much unheard of! Mr. said that I was napping with the biggest smile on my face:) I don't know what it was, but I needed this weekend more then I knew!

I hope y'all had a wonderful 4th of July as well:)

Our first family picture at the new house!

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The Big 2!!!

I posted about Jackson turning 2, but I never shared the events of the day or more importantly, his cake!

Jackson's 2nd birthday brought a mix of emotions for me. It was so amazing to watch him in awe of how much he's grown - not just since birth, but over the past year as well. Birthdays really put things into perspective sometimes, and it's good to reflect back on the year and make wishes for the next year to come.

This day was bittersweet because my baby was another year older, but it also marked one year since I last saw my Grandma. Her dying wish was to see Jackson on his first birthday, and she not so peacefully passed days after. The last night I saw her was on his birthday. We ate cake around her bed and celebrated that she made it through her first great-grandson's year of life.

And on the same weekend that we moved her stuff out of her apartment, one year later we moved into our new home...it makes me wonder what we'll be doing next year! Hopefully, no moving is required:)

I digress. Jackson's actual birthday was a great day. We skipped a party and just celebrated as our little family. Our final walk through at the new house was the early evening of his birthday, which meant that we got a late start to his celebration. I don't think he knew the difference though as he ran wild through the game section of his favorite restaurant and scarfed down his favorite grilled cheese sandwich in town:)

After dinner, we went back to my mom's house and sang happy birthday. Jackson blew out his candles, and I made many wishes for my sweet boy! He loved every bite of his ice cream cake and was serious about it not being taken away from him - in true terrible two style:)

Jackson got lots of cool gifts for his birthday - a basketball hoop and four-wheeler, and bubbles and new books and some of his favorite cars character toys.

Happy "2" Jackson Christopher!

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Drop-off meltdowns suck

Sorry the title of this post is pretty lame, but it is what it is - sucky!

Jackson is doing well at his new school.  He comes home with sweet projects and drawings.  His vocabulary triples almost every day.  And he's eating some really great food and is "the best napper in the class". 

However, dropping him off every morning is pure torture.  The first week was great.  Mr. dropped him off and he waved bye like such a big boy.  Weeks 2 and 3 result in Jackson clinging on to either one of us for dear life and screaming at the top of his lungs.  His teacher literally has to peel him off of us while we run away. 

I know that he settles down and has a great day minutes after we leave.  But, hearing his screams when I get in my car to leave just plain sucks! I hate starting my day this way, it just breaks my heart.

We've been dropping Jackson off for child care since January, so this is not a new concept to him.  I'm pretty sure Jackson just hates the fact that he has to share with 11 other kids and isn't as spoiled as he has been...guess time will tell!

At least picking him is a completely different story.  He beams from ear to ear and can't jump into my arms fast enough - it almost makes me forget how sucky my day started, almost.

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Jackson is TWO!!!

Oh sweet boy of mine, how these past 2 years have taught me so much about life! You are my everything and give me a purpose I never knew existed. The amount of love and pure happiness you bring into our lives, words simply cannot explain...as well as the amount of stress and meltdowns that come along with parenthood:)

You can brighten up a room with your laughter just has fast as you can clear one out with your fits, but your strong will and personality are some of the many things I love about you! And we'll work on those fits, this phase too shall pass.

Your daddy and I love to listen to you talk, and it amazes me to hear your sweet voice. One morning you woke up and decided to start talking, and you haven't stopped. I've lost track of off of your words, but you'll repeat anything we say (even our potty mouths).

School is going so well, even though it's just been a week, I can tell a huge difference.  I think you've been craving this social interaction and structure for way longer than I was able to recognize.  Daddy drops you off and I pick you up.  You give sugars and wave bye to Daddy and you leap up and give me the biggest hug ever when I arrive.  I'm pretty sure a little bit of my heart melts for you at this time everyday!

Tonight you will be surrounded by our family and we'll sing Happy Birthday and make many, many wishes for you!

Momma loves you sweet boy - all the way to the moon and back! Happy 2nd Birthday, Jackson!

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