Wordless(ish) Wednesday

A couple of my friends do this on their blogs and I didn't know if I could commit to a post each Wednesday, but I felt like this was the perfect photo to give it a try!

Jackson just couldn't decide on a movie.....

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY JACKSON!!!!!!!!!!

I CANNOT believe I'm writing about Jackson's first birthday! It really doesn't seem like a year ago, at this time, he was still inside. It's amazing how someone so small can change your life so much. This has been a year filled with love, admiration, amazement, and a few challenges :) We wouldn't change ONE.THING. We love you, Jackson Thomas, more than you'll ever know!!

I'm so glad we've shared our journey with all of you. Here's a look back at the last year.

1. still on the inside
2. our 1st family picture
3. 1st computer lesson with Dad
4. 1st week
5. 1st bath with our beloved frog towel
6. 1st smile
7. 1st DUCK game (on TV)
8. 1st time Mom made you wear something you didn't like (probably not the last)
9. 1st time playing Santa
10. one of Mom's all-time favorite pictures
11. 1st drum set
12. 1st (and last) time Mom let you hold the bowl
13. another one of Mom's all-time favorites!
14. tongue-y
15. 1st car
16. 1st beach trip (on the outside)
17. 1st trip to the park where you wanted to do more than just eat wood chips

Man on the Edge

Or verge, I guess I really should say. Jackson is getting pretty close to taking that first step! But in the mean time, he's found he can still get pretty much any where he wants to go. He just has to do it like a man scaling a building, which is why I refer to him as the man on the edge.

I think this is pretty hilarious. And if he really wants something, he can MOVE! He's been making his way around the house like this for about a month now and I have to say I think it's a crack up that now, when you hold his hand and he wants to walk straight forward, he sometimes turns to the side and side-steps as if he's walking on the wall!

Mr. Personality

Jackson really likes to make you laugh. He makes these faces and I crack up every time. So he does it again and again. It's really amazing to me how much he knows what gets a reaction. Oh, and look at all those TEETH!!!!!!

Babies

We got these pictures when we were down south for the 4th of July. We visited Great Grandma and Grandpa Craft and Grandma pulled out these dolls.

Jackson wasn't so sure at first, but once he warmed up to these babies.....

This was so cute to watch because when Alex was about Jackson's age, she did the same thing. Brought back so many memories. And now she's going on 16, it goes too fast.....

Quadrapus

Meet Jackson's new best friend, quadrapus, or just quad for short. Daddy named him that since he's supposed to be an octopus but is missing half of his legs.

Anyway, this is Jackson's go-to in the bath tub. As soon as his feet touch the water he grabs up quad and sticks him in his mouth. And that's where he stays until bath time is over. He sucks some of the water out of him, but mostly he just likes to have him in his mouth while he's playing with all of his other toys.

They are a pretty cute pair :)

4th of July on the 15th of July

I'm a little behind, so we'll play catch up for a bit. We've been so, so, so busy this summer!!!

We spent the 4th of July weekend with my parents and Alex. It was a great weekend, nice weather, good company and some GREAT food! We had an opportunity to catch some of Alex's softball, watch the parade, and even went on a double date with my parents to a concert for their anniversary!

Auntie Alex babysat and did a really good job. Jackson decided to make her earn her money (though we didn't pay her!) letting her know he wasn't ready for bed by screaming :) She did finally get him to sleep and I think it was a good experience for her.

We took Jackson to the Ashland parade for his first 4th of July. If anyone's ever been to the Ashland parade, or Ashland for that matter, you know it's very "colorful." Everything from organic farmers throwing lettuce instead of candy to men in dresses and four-inch heels. Nothing a couple of kids who lived in Eugene haven't seen though!

Jackson went right to "practicing" for the parade, walking up and down the street with Grandma.

He considered joining the marching band, but after a little more thought.....

He decided to sleep for most of it. I guess Great Auntie Ellen's lap was just too comfy!

After the parade we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's for a little bolo golf and and more sunshine (it's a good thing we soaked it up since it's been hiding here in Portland). We enjoyed the rest of our afternoon and best of all, we had Ron's famous Ribs for dinner!

Jackson didn't make it for fireworks. I was a little worried they might wake him, but he slept right through them! Never made a peep. I'm sure next year will be a different story....

Happy 15th of July to everyone!