how I fill my days...

would you look at those little faces!! It was so nice out today we ventured out to enjoy the weather ALL day! We also put jackson in this little push car and BOY did he love it!! Check out his hand.. do you see him 'driving?!' This was just too cute not to post... Can you believe how my little ronibear is?! wow time flies...

sick bear :(

Yep thats right.. This how we spent our day.. the essentials: green lovey, tylenol, thermometer, baby einstein, lots of books and blocks. all those things with a blanket and mommy snuggles... what is better than that really?



is that the saddest little pouty face you've ever seen!! poor roni-bear!!



we spent the day on the floor - playing blocks, reading books and watching baby einstein - each thing had a very short attention span... here's a shot that lasted about 2 minutes tops!



so yes, the jackaronibear had his first sick day today :( poor little thing... but it really wasn't that bad!

the whole story.... well, yesterday afternoon jackson only slept 20 minutes (if that!) and woke up A MESS! he is usually a mess without a nap but can kind of pull it together -oohhhh boy! not yesterday! he couldn't stand himself really... so by the time we had got home from work he felt pretty warm to me.. took his temp and yep -- poor thing had a fever of 101.8 -- sooooo we gave him some tylenol and a tubby and had some extra snuggle time before bed.. he slept fine through the night so we thought it was just a little bug - until this morning.

daddy and jackson were playing in the hallway when all of a sudden i hear rick call me to come quick.. i put down my coffee and turned the corner -- there was my little jackaroni being held in daddys hands covered in throw up. yeah, gross i know. and for those of you who know my anxiety about throw up you'll be happy to know i didnt throw up right there! baby spit up and throw up doesnt so much phase me - its when they're toddlers and older when its real that makes me go into convulsions!!

sooooo daddy of the century went to work for me (again!) today! jackson got a day at home with mommy.. even though it was a sick day, i still had fun! it reminded me of the days when jackson was tiney tiny and i didnt even know what day it was! but i'm happy to report he was alright after that first episode this morning.. he ate lunch and dinner fine.. he was definitely a bit more whiney and snuggley but for the most part we just played on the floor all day... (and as you may have guessed, mommy sure did love that extra snuggles!) hehe...

Oh and look at this silly bear's new thing... He likes to chew on this dino and crawl around with it hanging out of his mouth!! Funny little guy!! :)


well now that the jackaroni is in bed- its time to snuggle with my love! pray that this little bug is over and doesn't come back to anyone else in this house! :)

hugs ......

xoxoxo

break out the gates!!

whats that you ask?

oh thats the TOP stair -- as in the top stair in the flight of stairs at work... Yep thats right! Mr. Jackaroni has officially climbed stairs which now = what he thinks is the most exciting game ever! Mom says 'No no Jackson....' and Jackson crawls as FAST as he can over to the steps giggling no less and puts one hand on the step, turns around and waits for you to say 'No' again! .. can you say T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!! Ahhhhhh....

What happens when Jackson gets a hold of daddys hat??? ..... He becomes a little hip hop man! :-P


and just one more of that cute little face... muah!

oops.. left off the copyright... NO STEALING - thanks. ;)

Happy Birthday Morgan!

Happy Birthday Cousin Morgan!! I can't believe she is already ONE!!! I remember when she was born (and i was thinking HOW MUCH LONGER WILL I BE PREGNANT JACKSON!!) It seems like that was all just yesterday - wow, a whole year already!!!! We went to Morgan's grandmothers to celebrate with family and friends... Rick and I were just talking about how we can't believe Jackson will be one in just a few months as well.. good LORD time really does go too fast.. I caught Jackson in his party hat with a little smerk on his face... Happy Birthday little one...

100 things about me... old hat I know!

okay so this is old hat and a lot of other people have posted this a long time ago but i started it and never finished it... i have been adding to it as i have gotten bits of time here and there.. so here ya go.. finally. :)

100 Things About Me!

1. I was named after Keri Lotion -long story!
2. I was 8 weeks early and they didnt think I was going to live - surprise!
3. I think having a baby is nothing short of a miracle. every time it happens.
4. My son is the best thing I've ever done in my whole life.
5. When I was little and people would ask, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' I always responded with "A Mommy!"
6. I cried when my son was born.
7. I love to laugh - my husband is REALLY good at make me laugh everyday!
8. I believe in soulmates.
9. I am married to mine.
10. Our wedding was absolutely perfect (our perfect!) It was just what WE wanted it to be.
11. Our wedding song still gives me goose bumps, "Feels like Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk.
12. Music is very important in my life.
13. I wish I knew how to play the piano.
14. I love sign language and hope to be an interpreter one day.
15. The beach is where I go to clear my head - its like my own piece of heaven.
16. I get paid to fingerpaint, play tag, build block towers and giggle.
17. I think I will eventually go back to teaching once Jackson and our other children are old enough.
18. I hate feet.
19. I do like pedicures though.
20. I hate when people say the letter 'O' for the number '0'
21. I love the show 24
22. I miss my college girlfriends
23. I love my college memories - they are some of the best days I'll treasure forever.
24. I hate grammar.
25. I I think snowflakes are magical
26. I love photography
27. I always knew I would marry someone from the midwest (even ask Kimmy!)
28. This life is my life of rewards (Sweet!!!)
29. I lived in North Carolina for 7 months - and really liked it!
30. I would move if all my family and friends would move too :)
31. I wish I could slow time down, it goes too fast these days!
32. I should just hand my paycheck over to Target
33. I love coffee... hazelnut with cream and sugar yuuuuummmmmmy!
34. Don't talk to me in the morning until I drink my coffee - I'm not nice.
35. I knew I was pregnant when I took a sip of my coffee on a Thursday morning when I was teaching 1st grade and about threw up right there!
36. I knew in my heart I was pregnant two weeks before I found out.
37. I talked with Rick for 2 weeks and knew I was going to marry him.
38. I love fresh purple and yellow roses and would buy them everyday if i could.
39. I miss my Erin everyday.
40. I believe in angels
41. I know Jackson sees angels too - like his mommy!
42. I thought Jackson was a girl until the day we found out.
43. We had the nurse write on a card and seal it in an envelope at our ultrasound. At midnight on New Years Eve we opened the card at midnight....she wrote: "I'm 26 weeks old and can't wait to meet you - I'm a BOY!" Congratulations!
44. I love scrapbooking and thought I'd do MUCH more of it for Jackson after he was born. Silly me.
45. I wish I had 10 more hours in a day.
46. I hate sneakers with jeans - even though I wear them with the kids - i hate it.
47. I love the stars.
48. I love knowing looking at the stars is looking at the past - something magical about it
49. I wish on shooting stars
50. People ask my mom and I if we are sisters!
51. I love red wine.
52. I used to hate white wine but now I actually kinda of like it!
53. I would buy Jackson a new outfit everyday if I could.
54. I love Nicholas Sparks.
55. I don't like to read other than his novels!
56. I have too many favorite movies
57. I love standard cars - I miss my honda :(
58. I love to daydream
59. Rick designed my engagement ring all by himself - its EXACTLY what I wanted
60. I believe in chivilary (sp?) - Jackson will too.
61. I have 'the husband of the century!' ;)
62. I love the emotions evoked from black and white photos.
63. I believe you should love with all your heart
64. I love to people watch
65. I graduated with 63 kids - 30 of them went from Kindergarden through 12th grade with me, 12 went from preschool through 12th grade!
66. I love the way people from the midwest treat others and wonder if we will end up there
67. I want to create a "Life to-do list"
68. I have a fear of the following: heights, spiders, snakes, and dying.
69. I hate running but should really start doing it
70. I have seen Dave Matthews Band play around 54 times.. sickness I know
71. I don't know if i'll go to another DMB show - the last one was Fenway Park. Priority shift. ;)
72. I love sunshine.
73. I love the look of wonder in the eyes of children
74. I love fruit
75. I am a germ freak - i hate them!
76. I love warm towels
77. I hate switching wet clothes into the dryer but I like to fold laundry (I'm just good at putting it away, right Rick!)
78. I hate that young kids (under 14) have cell phones - no need really.
79. Jackson will not watch much tv - there is too much to explore and discover in this world.
80. One of my favorite times of the day is our nighttime routine with Jackson - books, bath, jammies, nurse, sleepytime music, snuggles!
81. I miss being pregnant (but not enough to do it again JUST yet!)
82. We want more kids.. hopefully when Jackson is about 2 yrs. old.
83. I love early mornings while the sun is coming up and the world is still quiet
84. I am really outgoing now but used to be very shy.
85. I loved to eat the following when I was pregnant: hot pepper rings (by the JAR!), watermelon, buffalo chx salad and ice cream
86. People always say and spell my name wrong (i.e. carrie, kerry, cary, kari etc...)
87. I didn't know anything about finances until my husband came along - thank god for him!
88. I don't know anything about history either (and Rick hates it!)
89. His degree is in history (haha!)
90. I love curley ribbons and nicely wrapped presents
91. I love surprises but nobody is really ever able to surprise me, I always know :(
92. On my birthday the first year Rick and I were dating he and my dad made me dinner together (and I kept waiting for something else to happen - i thought it was a big joke! - but that was it - they made dinner together! hahah)
93. I had no idea about Ohio State OBSESSION until Rick came into my life! ;)
94. I love disney movies - Lady and the Tramp is my favorite.
95. I love baby feet (piggies!!!!)
96. I love Jackson's kisses (he opens his mouth and bumps his head against your face!)
97. Everyday that little boy does something even more amazing - I can't believe he's really OURS!
98. Rick knows something about everything and it always amazing me!
99. I have SUCH a sweet tooth - I love funfetti cake, brownies, chocolate chip cookies but all have to be homemade - I hate store bought sweets.
100. I wake up everyday so thankful for the amazing life I have been given..

Funny Face!

Funny face Jackson just wanted to say hello!! Is he the cutest thing ever or what!!!... okay, a little biased mom here but really! ;)

Hugs!!!
:)

Thinking of Having Kids?

I got this email and about pee'd my pants!!! This is a riot....

Lesson 1
Go to the grocery store.
Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
Go home.
Pick up the paper.
Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their…
Methods of discipline.
Lack of patience.
Appallingly low tolerance levels.
Allowing their children to run wild.
Suggest ways in which they might improve their child’s breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior. Enjoy it, because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3
To discover how the nights will feel…
Walk around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly.
At 10PM, put the bag down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
Set the alarm for 3AM.
As you can’t get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink.
Go to bed at 2:45AM.
Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
Sing songs in the dark until 4AM.
Get up. Make breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years.
Look cheerful.

Lesson 4
Can you stand the mess children make? To find out…
Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
Then rub them on the clean walls.
Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5
Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.
Time allowed for this – all morning.

Lesson 6
Take an egg carton. Using a pair of scissors and a jar of paint, turn it into an alligator.
Now take the tube from a roll of toilet paper. Using only Scotch tape and a piece of aluminum foil, turn it into an attractive Christmas candle.
Last, take a milk carton, a ping-pong ball, and an empty packet of Cocoa Puffs.
Make an exact replica of the Eiffel Tower.

Lesson 7
Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don’t think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don’t look like that.
Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
Get a dime. Stick it in the cassette player.
Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat.
Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.
There. Perfect.

Lesson 8
Get ready to go out.
Wait outside the bathroom for half an hour.
Go out the front door.
Come in again.Go out.
Come back in.
Go out again.
Walk down the front path.
Walk back up it.
Walk down it again.
Walk very slowly down the road for five minutes.
Stop, inspect minutely, and ask at least 6 questions about every cigarette butt, piece of used chewing gum, dirty tissue, and dead insect along the way.
Retrace your steps.
Scream that you have had as much as you can stand until the neighbors come out and stare at you.
Give up and go back into the house.
You are now just about ready to try taking a small child for a walk.

Lesson 9
Repeat everything at least, if not more than, five times.

Lesson 10
Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-
school child. (A full- grown goat is excellent). If you intend to have more than one child, take more than one goat.
Buy your week’s groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys.
Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 11
Hollow out a melon.
Make a small hole in the side.
Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.
You are now ready to feed a nine- month old baby.

Lesson 12
Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street, Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV for at least five years.

Lesson 13
Move to the tropics. Find or make a compost pile. Dig down about halfway and stick your nose in it. Do this 3-5 times a day for at least two years.

Lesson 14
Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying “mommy” repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each “mommy”; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years.

You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 15
Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the “mommy” tape made from Lesson 14 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

(Author Unknown, but they must have had kids…)

Where does the time go?

The weekends seem to be gone in a flash!!! Must be true, time flies when you're having fun :)... Daddy, Jackson and I sure had fun this weekend... it was Jackson's first trip to the PARK! :) Boy did he love the swing -- he was kicking those piggies and doing his little screaming bursts like crazy -- Cousin Katie came with us too - Jackson sure does loves to play with his cousins! I remember when Katie was as big as Jackson - haha!! Anyways - since the weather was beautiful, we spent the day walking around Manchester with Jackson and Scooter... I cannot WAIT for spring!!!!!

Daddy putting Jackson in the swing.....



SWIIIIIIINGING!!!!



Check out the grin!!!!



Cousin Katie showing Jackson how to drive!!! ;)



Now..... That was just a bit of a tease since it is going to be -5 tomorrow!! Now I know some of you in warmer weather are laughing at us right now but to be honest, its not that bad -- its not that bad because now we share it with a little bundle of joy who has discovered the magic of snow!!!!!! Last week after we had a snow storm we all played outside all bundled up...

Our little buddy Aidan and his awesome Mommy Bethany let us borrow one of their FANTASTIC sleds from L.L. Bean... (now mommy wants one for Jackson!!!) Its one of those glider ones.. so freakin cute! Aidan has his name engraved in his from his grandparents -- what a great idea! Anyways - we bundled the boys up (Janssen, Jackson and Aidan) and headed out to circle the yard........for hours! But they loved it so we just stayed outside... Then Rick came over and Gracie came home from school.. and if their was a way to upload movies from your phone I would SO be putting it on here... BUT since I'm not that tech savvy you'll just have to settle for the story...

Little Jacksonbear all bundled up in the sled!



How cute is Aidan!!!




Janssen is king of the mountain!



Imagine this: Jackson in the back of the sled, Janssen in the front and Gracie hanging off the back laying on her belly... RICK is RUNNING around the yard dragging the kids behind him in the sled (and Gracie holding on) as they are all screaming and giggling!!!! Now isn't that the magic of winter!! It was priceless...I was standing out of the way with tears rolling down my face - it was a riot! maybe one day I'll figure out how to put it up... The other funny part about all that was Jacksons little face.. hahha.. he was like ummmmmmm guys??? WHAT is going on??? he was stiff as a board in his little snowsuit - unable to move an inch! haha... it was awesome.

Whew. On another note -- I apologize for the lack of pictures/crisp pictures that I've been (or not been) putting up.. I've been in a bit of a photography funk and keep getting discouraged by the shots I'm getting (or not getting!!) so I've fallen a bit behind the ball... BUT - Due to a WONDERFUL inspirational post by a fellow photographer I have gained a bit of confidence back and will try to throw myself out there a bit more in order to get to where I want to be artistically. After all, isn't that how we get better by practicing all the time!?!.... So I am going to try to limit the amount of pictures I have up - instead of posting a bunch of okay (and a lot technically wrong) images, I'm going to try to a few really good shots.. at least thats my hope!

Anyways -- I have a few I feel alright about at the moment... on top of the fact that i THINK i figured something out in PSE -- and THAT could be huge!! CC welcomed on any of the images...

Whoa photography ramble.. haha... Now back to Jackson!!! He sure has been a busy boy lately... I was looking through his baby's first year calendar the other day filling in parts of his babybook when I really realized HOW fast the last two months have been... just a few days changes his development COMPLETELY! He only started sitting up from laying on his belly on the 19th - now he is pulling himself up and standing holding on to things -- not to mention crawling up stairs already!!!! I can't believe he is 9 months old already.. where did my little Jackaroni go??? Tonight he fell asleep before bed in my arms -- he didnt have a second nap due to a crazy schedule so he was exhausted... Rick and I just stared at him counting our blessings to have such a beautiful, healthy, happy baby boy... (Damn it! where was the camera then!??!?) I sat in the glider with him sleeping in my arms for about 10 more minutes with tears streaming down my face (wow i cry a lot!!) thinking how lucky I am that he chose me to be his mommy ... looking at his little face makes my heart skip a beat... gosh, i love him.

alllllright -- I have a few more things to edit and a few emails to respond to before 24 is on... i wonder what Jack Bauer is up to tonight!!

Hugs to you all....