Twinkle Lights

The trouble with Pinterest is that I get carried away trying to replicate the ideas I see, even though I lack the necessary experience, technology, or equipment.  For example, I fell in love with the idea of using Christmas lights blurred in the background. 

It seemed simple enough.  I taped some icicle lights to the windowsill and got Jackson and the camera.  I was able to get some really cute pictures, but not what I had in mind. 

I decided to try again the next morning.  I safety pinned the lights to a white blanket and draped it over the pack-n-play.  I put our white comforter on the floor so it could reflect the light.  Once again, I was able to take some cute photos, but not what I wanted.

I quickly became frustrated and impatient.  After doing some research, I discovered that the key is to have the subject 4 or more feet away from the background.  We eventually captured the photo I wanted and I am finally content! 

Teething on Top

Remember that Bah Humbug photo session?  Jackson was especially clingy at random times throughout the weekend.  He seemed unusually fussy and had some nasty diapers.  After taking a closer look at his mouth, I discovered he is cutting 4 teeth on top!  No wonder...


Poor Boy!



So Many Questions, So Few Answers

Today was a sneak peak for Jesse at what it will be like to watch Jackson and baby Connor.  (Of course "baby" is misleading considering he is a small heifer.)  I was excited to hear all about their day.  Jesse wasn't in a blogging mood today but he took some pictures from their day.  My favorite is the following snapshot:

Of course, one might ask...
Why is Connor sucking on Jackson's toes?
Why does Jackson have Connor's pacifier?
Why is Connor's hand resting gently on Jackson's behind?

Only Jackson and Connor can answer those questions, and they won't be telling us anytime soon.  In the meantime, we'll look forward to new routines in January.

Bah Humbug

I tried placing Jackson in the stocking that has his name on it.
He rolled out of it in 2 seconds.  We repeated this process several times.


I taped icicle lights from a windowsill and tried taking the "twinkle lights" photos.
He ripped the lights down and tried eating them.

I put a Santa hat and a red cloth diaper on Jack.
He tore the hat off, fell over, and scooted away.


I dangled Christmas ornaments in front of him and tried to take pictures of him reaching for ornaments or holding them. 
He put them in his mouth and threw them.


So...


Here's the best photo (and most representative of our moods) that I could get:

Somewhere, my father is laughing.  ; D

Nothing Says Sophisticated Like a Sweater Vest

Jackson can totally rock a sweater vest.  Jesse couldn't resist the temptation and ended up purchasing Jackson's outfit on clearance at Old Navy.  The members of the church were in complete admiration over this kid.  I was able to sing in the choir today since we practiced the anthem yesterday, while the women in the nursery got their baby fix.

I had few errands to run after church, including picking up some baking supplies for the Women's Christmas Party this evening.  I always look in the clearance rack of Harris Teeter.  They had baby food for $0.30, so I picked up a few jars. 

Jackson ate some Vegetable Chicken in addition to his bottle.  We've never given Jackson baby food; we just mash up whatever table food we're eating.  He was a fan for a couple bites, but quickly grew disinterested. 

Jesse is taking off early so that I can attend the Women's Christmas Party without Jackson.  I generally prefer bringing Jackson to things, but this is the kind of dinner party with plate chargers and crystal stemware.  We have a white elephant gift exchange after dinner and listen to some kind of holiday story.

Then, of course, it's back to the grind.  Only two more weeks 'til Christmas break.  I think I can; I think I can!

Nostalgia

I've spent over an hour cleaning up photos on the SD card and computer.  I came across this picture on our camera that I don't think I've ever even seen before.  The photo is from the day after Jackson was born.  Jesse must have taken it while we were sleeping.

Oh my goodness, that tiny face is the sweetest thing ever!

Low Key Adventures

I haven't been feeling too ambitious today.  Since Jesse started his job at Toys-R-Us, Jackson and I have spent our weekends at the beach, pumpkin patch, getting ready for Halloween, Renaissance Festival, Black Friday shopping, and Christmas decorating.  I feel like I have failed if I don't have some great experience or memorable pictures as proof of our weekend adventure.  We kept it very low key today and still enjoyed our time together.

Jesse didn't have to go in until noon today, so we enjoyed a few hours as a family together this morning.

Before long I was off to choir practice.  Jesse and I chose to quit choir when Jackson was born because we didn't want to disrupt our schedule by attending Wednesday evening rehearsals from 7:30-9 p.m.  That is way too late for Jackson.  I've missed singing with the choir immensely and was so excited to find out that they are having Saturday rehearsals solely for the Christmas cantata.  A member of the church has volunteered to watch Jackson in the nursery while I sing.  Jesse was able to watch him this morning since he was scheduled to go in later than usual.  It felt so, so good to be back in the choir!

I had planned to go to a spa party (similar to a Mary Kay or Thirty One party) with some women from the church, but when I got Jackson ready I realized that Jesse left my carseat in his car.  With no other choice, I decided today was a good day to install the new convertible carseat.  What a disaster!  I had to call Jesse at work for him to talk me through how to uninstall the Graco base.  Since I wasn't the one who installed it in the first place, I was genuinely clueless.  Putting the Evenflo Symphony in didn't take anywhere near as long as taking the old base out.  I watched a video online and cursed while literally wrestling with the "SureLatch connectors".  There is absolutely no slack with these connectors so I feel very confident that Jackson is not going anywhere.  The rear facing position is awfully reclined, but Jackson is content for now.  He seemed much more relaxed in his big boy carseat.

By the time I got Jackson in the carseat, it was too late to go to the spa party.  Instead, I cleaned out my car while Jackson supervised from the driver's seat.  He seriously sat there for ten minutes just playing with the steering wheel and cup holder.

Side note: Jackson's eyes are definitely changing, but I don't know how to describe them.  His right eye still has a speck of brown in it, just like his Grandpa.  I'm not sure what color they will end up, but I'm sure they'll be gorgeous with those long lashes.

The rest of our day consisted of napping, playing on the floor, eating, and bathing,  The dry winter has done no favors for Jackson's skin.  He is beginning to get cracks along the folds of his skin again.  I gave him a baking soda bath and rubbed him head to toe with his prescription creams, which is something I haven't done in over a month.  Hopefully his skin will clear up in the next week. 

Now that Jackson is in bed I have organized all of my digital photos into chronological folders on my computer and begun lesson plans.  I hope tomorrow is equally productive and relaxing...