Wordless(ish) Wednesday

Here's my excuse for never washing my windows. What's yours?

Fall into the Holiday Season

As much as I dread the end of summer, the sunshine, playing outside, daylight until 9:30, I do like Fall (minus the rain). The colors this time of year are probably the prettiest of any. And there is still a chance you may see the sun at least one day of the week. So far, we've been staying busy, finding new places to play indoors, still going outside (bundled up some days) on the days we can.

As many of you know, I LOVE the holiday season! But for me, that means Thanksgiving thru the New Year. I DO NOT didn't used to include Halloween in my definition of "holiday." Since having Jackson, however, I think my holiday season must now include Halloween. And it isn't such a bad thing. The pumpkin patch is a pretty fun place to visit (we've already been twice).

For our first visit we did encounter a few sprinkles and it was on the chilly side, but Jackson had such a blast! He walked around checking out each and every pumpkin as if he knew just what he was looking for. And of course the real test was how the stem tasted :) Our first trip was to Lee Farms, the same patch we visited last year. What a difference a year makes (I'm talking about Jackson, of course!)

The second patch we visited had all kinds of animals, pigs, llamas, calves (and no, I did not let Jackson get close enough to pet the animals, even though he really wanted to). They also had a giant tub filled with feed that the little ones could swim in and Jackson really enjoyed that. And bowling, wait, what? I know, first time I'd heard bowling had anything to do with Halloween?! And we went on a hayride, which was fun and a little terrifying all at the same time ;)

And then there's the dressing up. NOT A FAN. For myself, for Jackson on the other hand, I can't wait! We haven't decided for sure what he'll be, he's got several options. Whatever he (we) decide, I know he'll be the cutest! I'm also excited that for the first time since I was 13, I'll have a Halloween candy stash!

Wordless(ish) Wednesday

(Now, I know this post will technically read Thursday, but for all intents and purposes, it's still Wednesday for me.)

Enough hair for a mohawk!

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remeberance Day

Today is the day set aside each year to remember our angles, gone too soon. On this day there is a world-wide wave of light as people all across the globe light a candle in remembrance at 7pm their time. Please light a candle at 7pm (your time) to remember our beautiful angel Hannah and all of the other precious souls who are no longer physically with us but forever in our hearts.

Hannah Avery lived inside my womb for 37 weeks and 4 days and I will cherish those weeks, days, minutes, seconds for the rest of my life. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her, imagine taking her to dance class, think of what a great big sister she would be to Jackson. She is such an important part of our family and we are grateful for the time we had with her.

In the words of Elizabeth Edwards, "If you know someone who has lost a child, and you're afraid to mention them because you think you might make them sad by reminding them that they died--you're not reminding them. They didn't forget they died. What you're reminding them of is that you remembered that they lived, and...that is a great gift."

We love and miss you sweet Hannah Bear. We will carry you in our hearts forever.

Wordless(ish) Wednesday

"Oh, hey Mom. Just helping with the packing."

(Getting ready to go to Sun River for my birthday a few weeks ago)

Hide and Seek?

This seems to be Jackson's new favorite game. I think it's more like hide and seek with the unfair advantage that Mom usually doesn't know we're playing a game. I can't tell you how many times I've opened a drawer, cupboard, or looked in the laundry basket to find something that doesn't belong.

Exhibits A, B and C:

I have to admit, each time I find a "treasure" it brings a smile to my face :) But then I think, "Eww, gross, my dirty socks are in with the tupperwear!" OR I find the measuring spoon in the recycling and wonder what I didn't see that already went out to the bin? And in the case of the phone, I actually saw him put it in there, but do you think I could remember that 20 minutes later when I was looking for it?? I guess that one's on me.

So I've tried to limit his access to anything that is of any importance (read: Jackson doesn't get to play with Mom's phone anymore), but somehow that sneaky little guy gets a hold of things he shouldn't (TV remotes)!

Keeps us on our toes!

Wordless(ish) Wednesday

Who says sharks are scary??

(and, yes, I let him put a q-tip in his mouth to get him to cooperate for this shot)