Ft Worth Zoo!

On Sunday, we went to the Ft Worth Zoo!  This was Jackson's 2nd time there, but Ethan's first time there... (we're a zoo-loving family.) Anyway, Jackson was so happy.... Ethan chilled out in his stroller and was SO good while J ran around crazy looking at all the sights.  It was super fun!

Eugene, Darcy and Rylee (3 mos) Krupitsky

Mark, Stacey and Bryce (15 mos) Smith (with Cameron, 2 mos shy of making her entrance!)

 

Mommy's and our babies!

As Darcy pointed out after the pic - our bunch sure has grown!

There wasn't too much time between these two pictures.  :)

 

Thanks Stacey for taking a couple family pics of us!

We were at the zoo from about 1030am - 100pm.  It was very very hot....and needless to say, Jackson wasn't napping while we were there like his brother did.  Therefore, this was Jackson about 5 minutes after we got into the car.

Our "Little Rock" gang.

When Ryan and I moved to Little Rock, Jackson was only 3 days old.  It was horrific for me... literally.  But it wasn't long before Ryan's friend from grad school, and co-worker at Alltel - Eugene - came over for a visit w/ his girlfriend Darcy.  Darcy was so excited about meeting Jackson.  And it wasn't long before Ryan's other friend and co-worker Mark came over and brought his wife Stacey.  Soon, we were making regular "game nights" at our house on the weekends after Jackson went to bed.  They don't know this, but this group of friends got me through that rough time.  I was a new mom, in a new city, with a new job (stay-at-home mom).  I was experiencing serious hypothyroidism and a tad of some depression... until they came along.  I am very grateful for these friends.  

Now, we are all grown up.  Jackson is now 3 years old, and now we have Ethan! Mark and Stacey had Bryce - who is now 15 mos old, moved to Dallas last year and are expecting sweet baby girl Cameron in early August.  Eugene and Darcy still live in Little Rock and got married 2 years ago on Labor Day weekend and in Feb, they had THE gorgeous Rylee Clare.  I love our gang even more now than I ever have.  We are all spread out but that's not stopping us!  I feel like we have not only doubled but added a whole new element to our friendship now that we are ALL parents.  

On Friday, Ryan and I packed up the boys and made the trip to Dallas to spend Memorial Day weekend with some of our best friends.  The kids are still getting to know each other, but it's fun to watch these little stinkers together.  It was a GREAT weekend.  Thanks Mark and Stacey for letting us crash in your beautiful home.

I had fun taking pictures of these babies!

 Bryce!!

 

Rylee!

 Of course, I take every opportunity possible to get pictures of my two cutie-pies!!

 

Love you guys!!!!  Can't wait to get together again when baby Cameron gets here!

All the Thomas clones, line up.

I went up to check on Jackson the other day, and this is what I found.  He had dug around and found all of his Thomas engines and lined them up - naturally.  He said that they were "shunting" each other.  Wow, shunting looks fun.

What's Up!

Pick on someone your own size!

He may be a baby now but something tells me that when he gets bigger, Jackson better watch out!  This isn't going to fly w/ Ethan when he is older.. Jackson loves to play - but he plays pretty rough.  No matter how many times I say, "J, he's a baby - you can't push him down like that" or "J, he's a baby - he's not a big boy like you - so you can't pull him to floor like that" or "J, don't drag him around by his feet," Jackson still doesn't get it.

  

Ethan is only 8 pounds lighter than J.... so sweet Jackson, you better watch out!!!

10 Months Old!

My tiny baby boy is 10 Months Old.  The word "baby" is merely for my own benefit - since he is 21 pounds, 1 oz as of today.  Ethan Chase - omg!  You are a perfect little mess.  I laugh more watching you and your brother in the last 3 years than I ever have in my life.  You are so full of life.  You love to laugh and you love to have attention - all attention.  You are totally and completely spoiled rotten.  If you want to be held, and I set you down, WATCH OUT world.  My boy is going to let out the loudest scream you've ever heard.  Then, the second I pick you back up, quiet as a mouse... with a smile.  It's like you're saying "ha!  I win."  You're beyond gorgeous.  You have this beautiful red-hued hair.  You have eyelashes that people pay money for.  Your eyes are this light honey brown color.  You have these beautiful baby rolls all over that I LOVE. You want to walk so bad you can't stand it.  You crawl at mega fast speed - it's actually impressive! You pull yourself to standing on anything and everything...You think your Daddy is hilarious... you smile just looking at him.  You love funny sounds and you have this precious cute little laugh.  You are so tough - your brother pushes and pulls and sit on you.  You laugh like it's your favorite thing ever. You look for Jackson when you come into a room... We've been calling Jackson "Bubba" in hopes that you'll say that easier.  You are the best sleeper ever.  You take at least 2 long naps a day - usually about 2 hours.  Then, you go to bed around 630p - 700p and sleep til 600a -630a, without a peep.  When you wake up, you usually just sit and stand in your crib and wait for me... all while you're tossing your paci's one-by-one onto the floor.... You still take Prevacid for your reflux - but you only have small spit-ups now.  You take 3 bottles a day - 8oz each, plus 2-3 jars of baby foods - stage 2.   We're now moving onto Stage 3 tomorrow.  Up until last week, you were gagging at anything with texture.  But last week, you made a breakthrough and started eating Puffs and even some finely chopped up fruit and soft beans.  We're starting therapy next week to see if we can tackle the gagging and tongue thrusting you still do but other than that, you're right on track developmentally.  You say DaDa to Ryan, me and Jackson.  You love the kitties so much but they do not love you! When people hold you, you tend to slap at their face, scratch their face and pull their hair or eyeglasses.  You're rough - but aren't little brothers supposed to be?  They have to be to keep from being bullied!  To me, you are so cuddley and sweet.  You absolutely love when I give you kisses and smile this smile that I would pay millions of dollars for.  You are such a blessing to our lives.  I can't picture my life without you in it.  I can't believe you're already 10 mos old!!!  I really honestly can't.  These last 10 months have gone by so fast - it's been lightening speed.  I hope the next 10 months slows down.  I'm having the time of my life raising my 2 sassy boys. 

My peaceful sleeper.

Heavy rain, hail and the constant threat of tornadoes are no match for my sweet little sleeper.

My big boy is THREE!

It's so hard for me to believe that it's been three years since the long long awaited birth of my sweet firstborn baby....

Jackson Andrew Stearle - you have been the one of the biggest blessings of my life.  Next to the day I married your dad, May 23 was the happiest day of my life.  My heart feels like it will bust with how much I love you.  You make me laugh every single day.  Your smile forces a smile from anyone you shine it to.  You are ridiculously smart.  You amaze me - you are so passionate and loving.  I look at you and think to myself that I am so undeserving of being your mom, but I pray to God every single night that he continues to allow me to be.  I look forward to waking up and seeing you every morning.  I will forever be your #1 fan.  I love you my precious boy.

Here are some of my favorite picture moments of Jackson from the last 3 years.

year one:

 

year two...

 October 2009 / March 2010

 year three!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY J! 

WE LOVE YOU soooooooooooooooo MUCH!