Dear Jackson,

Baby you are 8 months old. You can sit, stand, and crawl. You can grab a bag of cereal off the couch, open it, eat the cereal, and then look up guiltily when you get caught. You like music, all music, and you like it loud. You love dancing with your Momma and she loves it too.

You still squeal to the top of your lungs every chance you get. You made your Momma carry you in the grocery store while she pushed the buggy because you broke down, screaming and crying when riding in the front of it.

You have 4 teeth and a temporary tattoo on your leg that your Momma put on there yesterday because she knew it would make her smile.

Baby it has not always been easy. There have been times that your Momma could do nothing for you but cry for you and herself at the same time. And then I see that 4 toothed smile, and I know that it was worth it. Every last seemingly unbearable moment was worth it all. I hear you happily babble and giggle like a little boy and I melt.

I want your life to always be this simple and happy. At the same time I know that it will be the hardships that define you as an individual. Thank you for being my sweet son. Thank you for completely turning my life upside down, it was just what I needed, you were just what I needed.

With Love,
Your Momma.

My First Mixed Cd and Father's Day.

First of all I want to admit that Lil' Jack Daniel has his first mixed CD. We bought this great little cd player on vacation for the beach with full intents of hooking the Ipod up to and playing some Raffi for Jackson to go to sleep to. Our Ipod, unfortunately was stolen in Ft. Lauderdale so we decided that a CD would do nicely and that Jack probably wouldn't mind listening to the same 17 songs again and again.

Vienna Teng rocks my baby through naps and the night, and he absolutely loves it! Seriously, he is sleeping all night now (besides waking up once, briefly, to moan through some teething pain, but I didn't have to get up so that doesn't count).

- Yesterday was also Dave's first official Father's Day (although we did celebrate a little last year because we were so excited)! Becoming a parent definitely has made me realize/appreciate, all the sacrifices and love it takes to raise a child. Dave has done all of this so gracefully and beautifully. It honestly puts me to shame at times.

Since we returned from the beach, money has been tight so I rescheduled gifting for a later date, but made sure to remind him (after I returned home from work) of what a wonderful father he truly is.

I feel that Jackson is so very lucky to have Dave for a father. Dave is a father who is just as ready to get on the floor and play with his son as he is to teach him new things, to point something out and say, "See son, this is how it works." And most importantly he is a father who loves with his whole heart and gives that love freely to his family.

Back in the Saddle Again.

I have been missing for a week. I knew where I was: on a well deserved vacation. Jackson didn't accompany us on this excursion. This was a trip of a young man and woman enjoying the beaches and sites of Ft. Lauderdale and Key West.
The beaches were beautiful.

The drinks were cold.

The fishing was exhilarating.

And of Course... The company was divine.

As with all trips we take, we are always happy to see home again. And after 17 hours of traveling back through 102 degree weather our humble home had never been more Beautiful.

Jackson Had a vacation as well, With his grandparents. Here he learned how to crawl, pull up to his knees, and sometimes pull up to standing. He says "dad" quite clearly and I am simply "Ma" especially when I am walking away from him and he is not yet finished with my attention.

This kid is on the move and the baby proofing has yet to begin.

I didn't even realize how terribly I had missed him until I held him in my arms again and all I could do was squeeze and kiss him while he tried to wiggle away.

I realize once again that they continue to change and grow with or without your presence and I wouldn't want it any other way.