4 Months Old Today

4 Months Old (January 2011)

Wow, were did the time go??!!??  I can't believe that exactly 4 months ago today Jackson was born!

Sept. 26, 2010

Some friends of ours just had their first child less than a week ago and I've been thinking a lot about those first couple of days, nights and weeks of Jackson's life.  SO much has changed.  Matthew and I were just talking about that first night alone.... I remember Momma and Papa Holmes being here at the house when Matthew and I brought Jackson home.  They had everything ready for us, including dinner (I really do have the BEST in-laws!!!).  After visiting for a little while they said they were going to leave us and let us get settled.  It was in that very moment that I realized I was a momma!  Holy Cow!!  You're going to leave me with this child, this precious little being??  Talk about scared out of my mind.  How was I going to do this??  But we did and have been for 4 months.  And now that first night seems so long ago and I can't remember life before Jackson.

Jackson once was this little bitty peanut (okay, maybe not little bitty, he was 7lbs 10oz, but you get it....) with no neck control, no real sounds or expressions and he slept all of the time.  Now he's this strong, talkative (wonder were he gets that, LOL), expressive little guy, who looks more and more like a little boy!  He's got a little personality and is really becoming quite independent!

Trying to crawl.... Oh Boy!

Such neck control... time for the big boy toys

Playing on the laptop

What a joy its been to watch him grow these past 4 months!!  I am so incredibly lucky to not only be his momma, but to be with him each and every day to watch him make this steps!  I know I say this a ton, but its so true.... I am SO blessed to be his momma and he truly is the JOY of my life!!  I always knew that being a mom would be a joy, but I never knew it would fill me up this much.  This is what I was meant to do!

Loving on his momma

Staying home with Momma

Hanging out on his tummy

When I was a little girl I always dreamed of not only being a momma, but being a stay at home momma.  So to say that I've been enjoying my time being home with Jackson would be an understatement! 

Happy Boy after a Nap

There's nothing like hearing him coo first thing in the morning, or sitting on the floor doing tummy time, or watching him and Jayda lock eyes.  To see the excitement and the new discovery that fills his eyes is the true joy of being his momma.

High Pitched Screech

Jackson's new development has been this high pitched screech!  Luckily for you, I haven't figured out how to attach a video yet, LOL!  Its in those moments that I find myself calling him "Jackie".... haha. 

Here are a few new pics to show you how big he's gotten and the new toys and activities he's now enjoying.

So focused 

Playing in his "Baby Einstein" Around the World

Awww... Jayda Girl aka Big Sister

Jungle Floor Mat

I've Been a VERY Good Boy Santa (Part 2)

As I mentioned before, the Holmes Family always celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve but this year Omar had to work so we moved it to the day after Christmas.  Nothing like making Christmas last a bit longer this year!! SO fun.

Dani and Omar, as most of you know, have 3 boys.  Gabe who's 7, Lucas who's 4 and Evan who just turned 1 on the 29th of December.  Talk about a lot of grandson's!!  So for Christmas this year Dani and I decided that Momma and Poppa Holmes needed a new picture for their wall of ALL of their boys.  This actually worked out perfectly because Momma also thought she would like to get a picture of her boys and not only arranged for the photo but also bought their PJ's (LOL).  So a few weeks ago, we showed up with our boys in pj's and Matthew started clicking away.  One of the shots made it on to Momma & Poppa Holmes' Christmas card and our favorite made it on to their wall.  It was a great surprise and wonderful memory!

Evan (1), Lucas (4), Jackson (3 months) & Gabe (7)

Another great moment came from Grammy and Poppa and the giving of chairs to Evan and Jackson.  Grammy and Poppa started a few years ago with giving the boys chairs on their first Christmas.  Both Gabe and Lucas have these wonderful chairs with their names on them.  You know the chairs I'm talking of... the Pottery Barn ones.  So this year with it being both Evan and Jackson's first Christmas the search began.  Unfortunately, Momma couldn't find the chairs she wanted, so instead she decided that the two younger boys would have different chairs.  Talk about cute!!

Just kickin it in their chairs!!

Dani with Jackson and Evan

Gabe opening his book

Lucas opening a Wii Game

As always, it was a wonderful day spent at the Holmes house celebrating Christmas, love and of course the reason for it all, our Lord!  We are SO incredibly blessed this year!!  Last year at this time, Evan had just been born and was still in the hospital (yes he was a premi, hard to believe, LOL) and Matthew and I didn't even know we were pregnant.  So much has changed in just a short 12 months.  We've had amazing things happen in our life and we have so much to be thankful for.

"Everyday may not be great, but there is something great in everyday".... I think that is going to be my motto for 2011!!  Finding the great in EVERYDAY!! Here's to an amazing and wonderful 2011, may we all take the time and enjoy watching the world through the eye's of a child for they see only wonder and delight.

My Delight

My Wonder

My Awe

I've Been a VERY Good Boy Santa!

As I've mentioned before, Christmas is my most favorite holiday!!  I LOVE the fresh smell of the tree, the twinkle of the lights, wrapping packages, finding that perfect gift and of course seeing the delight in a child's eye on Christmas morning.  But nothing prepares you for being the momma of that child's eye!  I know Jackson is only 3 months old, but getting the house ready for him for his first Christmas might have been the highlight of my year!!  And boy did he LOVE the twinkle of the lights on the tree!

Merry Christmas

We normally spend Christmas Eve with Matthew's side, parents, sister and her family and then get up early Christmas Day and head to my parents farm.  But sadly, this year Omar (brother-in-law) had to work, so we moved it to the 26th.  So on Christmas Eve we headed down to my parents house to spend the night.  This was very special for my parents!  It was the first time in 14 years that both of their daughters were under the same roof for Christmas Eve, PLUS this is the first Christmas with their first grandbaby!  Talk about fun!!

First Christmas

Christmas Pooh

On Christmas Morning we woke to presents galore!! My little boy had SO many boxes for his momma to open!  From adorable outfits, to hats and socks to his Winnie the Pooh from Mommy & Daddy and of course the show stopper.... his Around the World Discovery Center!  It seems that Santa believed he had been a VERY good boy.... and Mommy and Daddy would have to agree!!

Auntie Heidi

Ready to go Duck Hunting w/Poppa Bubs

Grammy Lin

Looking Adorable

My favorite holiday has just been blessed with a new reason to LOVE it and hold it dear!  Looking forward to new and amazing traditions with the years to come!  We are BLESSED!!

Playtime with Mickey

Its so amazing to me how much Jackson has grown in his 3 months!  Everyday Matthew and I notice something different about him.  From the way he holds his head up, to a new giggle, to the way he looks at his hands and of course how he uses his voice!  He just loves to make sounds and his laugher... it just makes me smile! We have one very happy baby boy!!

My Mickey

The other day during our floor time, Jackson fell in love with his Baby Mickey.  It was SO much fun to see him grab ahold of him, hug him, talk to him and of course watch his face light up!

He really is becoming such a BIG BOY!!!

Talking to Mickey