Room to Play

Jasper and I have been trying to decide where to put the ever growing collection of baby stuff and toys that are entering our house. Living in an old house has many perks, but large open spaces isn't one of them. Also, with two dogs, it isn't like you can just leave toys out and expect the dogs to not think it is a new chew toy for them. We therefore decided to make our guest bedroom a playroom for Jax. We just don't use the guest bedroom that often and really need the space. It is also great because it is downstairs and right off of the kitchen. So my dad came up this weekend to take out the bedroom furniture and we are in the process of also clearing out the treadmill and bike that are in there. The room isn't finished but it does have a play mat down and many of Jax's toys. We have loved playing in there for the past few days and I took of pics of Jax hanging out in his new play room.















Now I can't wait to get it finished and decorated!

Four Month Check Up

Yesterday Jax had his four month check up and everything went well, even with another round of shots. He flirted with the nurses and impressed the doctor with his milestones. The doctor said "he seems just perfect," and we tend to agree. :)



Here were his stats:

weight: 15 lbs 6 oz 70 percentile

length: 25 inches 60 percentile



I talked with the doctor a lot about introducing food and she agreed that I should wait until 6 months to do so unless he seems really interested in my food before then, in which case I might start a little earlier. I plan on making his baby food and I am really excited about this next phase.



Jax did well the rest of the day. He did get a fever like he did with the last round of shots, but he wasn't extra fussy from them. Here is a picture I snapped showing his band aids.

So here's to a happy healthy boy!

Meet Me at the Cracker Barrel

A sad fact of life is that when friends move away, it is hard to keep in touch. No matter the new technology or social media, you just don't see friends as often when they live in a different city. When my good friend Ashley moved to Nashville, I knew I wouldn't be able to see her as often (especially for lunches downtown!). However I wasn't too worried because, as I told her, if there was one friend that could move away and I knew we would both make the effort to stay in touch, it was her. These last few months have been crazy though and we had not been able to get together since Jax had been born. Well Saturday we remedied that situation by meeting for lunch in Cave City. Cave City is a very small town almost exactly half way between Nashville and Louisville so it naturally became the perfect meeting spot. It is an odd town as there is not much there, yet they seem to be trying to lure the visitors going to Mammoth Cave and so there are a few random attractions in the town. Cave City has one great thing though, a Cracker Barrel.



I love Cracker Barrel. Whether it is the rockers out front, all the fun items in the store, or playing checkers on the oversized board by the fireplace (well maybe the fire isn't going when it is almost 90 degrees outside), there is something so inviting about that restaurant. Jasper, on the other hand, isn't such a fan of the restaurant so we don't go often. Well Saturday Jax got his first experience at the Cracker Barrel and I think he liked it.



Meeting Ashley for the first time and he was such a little flirt. He was so happy during the whole meal and we even had a lady come up to us after we were finished and say that she has 11 grandchildren and she thought Jax was one of the cutest babies she had ever seen. Cue the proud momma moment.

Anyone else obsessed with the peg game? Seems like Jax will love it as much as I do.

One peg left, he is a genius! Ok so maybe Ashley helped with it this time, but I am sure he will have mastered it by the time we return.

After lunch we spent some time rocking on the porch just catching up. Ashley decided Jax needed some time in the UK rocking chair after seeing this post. We also let Jax check out the checkers that were out by the rockers. The black and white squared board with big red and black pieces is the perfect distraction for a baby while his momma talks with a friend.



All in all it was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon and we have made plans to get together again soon. Maybe next time we can also check out one of those other great attractions in Cave City. Dino World anyone? :)



I should add that my parents would never forgive me if I drove through E-town and didn't stop in to visit. Papa Bear hadn't seen Jax since we have returned from D.C. so they were very excited to see him. Here are a couple of pics from the visit.









Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Mr. Jax Goes to Washington

Since our last trip went so well, we decided we were brave enough(or maybe just foolish enough) to take another trip. Jasper had some work to do in Washington D.C. and since that is such an easy trip to make, Jax and I decided to tag along and make a family trip out of it. Jasper's best friend lives in Baltimore and so we also visited them while in the area. We flew into BWI and the first flight was pretty uneventful. Jax is getting to be a pro at this flying business. I snapped this picture with my iphone during the flight.



We had such a great visit with John and Laura and their adorable boy Jack. He is 10 months older than Jax and we know they are going to be great friends. I can't wait for them to move back to Louisville someday and I am already planning lots and lots of play dates.



I didn't take many pictures during this part of the trip and we spent most of our time just hanging out and catching up. It can get pretty hectic in a house with a walking 13 month old and a 4 month old, but we had a fantastic time. We did snap this picture of Jax when we all went for a walk to the park. Jax, as usual, was sound asleep soon after the walk began.







After two nights in Baltimore, we rented a car and headed into D.C. We actually stayed at the Marriott on Georgetown's campus in their conference center. Jasper LOVED showing Jax around his alma mater and I loved being in Georgetown and in walking distance of lots of fun shops and restaurants. Soon after we arrived we took Jax on his first tour of the campus.



The front lawn was so pretty and since classes hadn't started back yet we had it mostly to ourselves.





The next day there were many students on campus and it seemed like they were getting ready for new students orientation. By the time we left students had begun to move in. I think the nostalgia was in overdrive for Jasper. He loved being a student at Georgetown and it is such an amazing school. Who knows, maybe Jax will be a Hoya in 2029!



Jasper had to work Monday in D.C. but we did make time for one sightseeing adventure. We went to get a tour of the House floor. Jasper's father Mike was a member of Congress and we thought it would be cool to take Jax to the floor. In Jasper's parents house there is a picture that was in the New York Times of Mike, Jasper and his brother Kevin in their seats on the floor when Mike was getting sworn in. When we went onto the House floor we were able to find those same seats and take Jax which was really nice. He might not have fully appreciated it yet but we did and I am sure we will take Jax again when he is older. Unfortunately they have a very strict "no pictures" policy so we don't have a picture. I wasn't even allowed to take my diaper bag in!



We did snap a couple of pictures on our way back. The staffer that took us to the floor, from Congressman Yarmuth's office, took this one of us in the old House Chambers.



Jax was a pretty good sport the entire time we were there. He was tired by the end.

We walked underground and I thought it was cool that you could look up and see that you were walking underneath the capitol.



As we left the building with Yarmuth's office, this was the view of the capitol. It was a BEAUTIFUL day.



After we got back to the hotel, Jax took a quick nap while Jasper headed out to do some work. After Jax woke up we did a little walking around Georgetown. This place is one of my favorite stops in Georgetown. I enjoyed watching the show on TLC as well. Since I am still losing the baby weight I somehow managed to not stop in and grab a cupcake. It was tempting!





Our second night in D.C. we had dinner with two of Jasper's friends from college who live in the area, Jason and Aaron. We went to eat at The Tombs which is a bar/restaurant that is very popular with the college crowd but wasn't that crowded since school hadn't started back yet. Afterward we walked on campus. These pictures were taken on the roof of one of the student housing buildings. I loved that you could see the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial and the Pentagon from the roof top.



This picture cracks me up because it sums up what most of the night was, Aaron telling funny stories and Jax fascinated by this crazy man!

Family picture time.

On the final day we ate lunch at the Esplanade which is a rooftop garden area on campus. You can tell Jax was not happy that our trip was coming to an end. We got off the roof just in time though because a few minutes after we got down...





There was an Earthquake! Crazy stuff. We were in the hotel lobby changing Jax's diaper before heading out to drive to the airport when the building shook and the power blinked off. It didn't last very long and then we looked at each other and said "was that an earthquake?" Everyone started heading outside so Jax and I followed. Jasper decided that he should just hurry to the garage and get our car so we could head out. Probably not the safest decision, but luckily everything was fine and we were glad to get out before traffic got any worse than it was.



While waiting for Jasper and the car I took this picture of the lot outside the hotel. The conference center is right next tot he hospital on campus and everyone was evacuated. It is no wonder the cellphone lines were jammed, everyone was on their cell!







The earthquake was more of a hassle than it was scary. It made for very heavy traffic heading to the airport. Once we were there though it was an easy flight home as Jax slept from gate to gate. We think he is so good on trips so we will continue to take them. We had a fantastic time in D.C. and are looking forward to taking Jax back several more times as he gets older.

Four Months Old

Another month down and I will say this may have been my favorite yet. Do they just keep getting better?

Jax,
We think we may start calling you Mr. Personality. You are really starting to show us that you have your own personality and aren't afraid of sharing it. Sometimes you are "Happy Baby" and sometimes you are our "Serious Baby." We often ask you why you are so concerned because you stare at us like you know something we don't and it troubles you.

Your days are now filled with discovery as you start to learn all about the world around you. The dogs are becoming of interest to you and you try to pet them. Your petting is more like a smack to the head at this point, but Ladybird is so excited for you to just pay attention to her that she doesn't seem to mind. You love to watch us sing songs, dance around, or just about any other foolish thing to make you smile. Oh those smiles are so worth it. When something makes you happy you whole body clinches up like you are filled with excitement and about to burst. Many times you will smile from ear to ear and let out a loud burst of sound or a small giggle. It is pure magic. You are also becoming a little flirt with the ladies. Mommy takes you in public and when a women comes up to see you and say hi you giggle and smile. You will also sometimes bury your head in her shoulder after smiling like you are playing hard to get. The ladies just eat it up.

You are still talking up a storm and don't really care whether anyone is listening or not, though you tend to be the center of everyone's attention around here. You also have finally started to really like kisses (or maybe you just realized that all the adults were never going to stop) and you loved having someone blow on your belly.

You are so interested in what is going on around you and don't like to be on your back for very long and sitting up or standing on a lap is your preferred position so you can see everything. You will go anywhere in a stroller as long as you can just people watch, it might be one of your favorite hobbies. People, dogs, cars, other babies, they all are fascinating to you.

What an amazing month it has been. We are so so lucky to be your parents and we love you so much.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Of course another month means another mini photo shoot. He is really starting to get the hang of this!

Who is that handsome fellow?

Picture Dump

Things have been busy around here and I was going through some pictures last night and realized I had a couple that needed to be posted. They aren't related at all except in the fact that I find them cute.



My friend Kaelin let us borrow a bumbo (or something similar to a bumbo) and Jax has really been enjoying it. This wheel on the tray that attaches to the seat was actually one of the first things he grabbed.



I feel sometimes when I am taking pictures of him he looks up at me like I just caught him doing something. I wonder how many times I will see this face in the coming years?





Jax stopped by Daddy's office last week when I had to go downtown to get a new driver's license. When we went on our trip, I found out at the airport that my driver's license had expired... in January. Oops.





We have been venturing out to more restaurants lately. Here is Jax with his Mimi at Sunday brunch.



Here is Jax trying to gather the energy to start the day. We had a serious case of the Mondays.



We started the week off right though and tried out a new toy on Monday. I guess we call this thing a Rocking Giraffe? Its like a rocking horse and plays music when you push a button. I sat Jax on it, not really sure what he would think. He smiled immediately and then proceeded to start eating the Girafee's ear. I think that means he gives it his seal of approval.





Tuesday night we headed to church for a class to prepare for Jax's upcoming baptism. He looked so cute and I wanted a picture. I love this one because this pose is how Jax looks 90% of the time these days ... both fists in his mouth.



If you want to see his face you have to hold his hands down. :)





Hopefully from now on I can keep up with posting pictures as they are taken!

Guess Who

Guess who slept for 7 hours straight last night. . .

This guy!

If I had known that all it took to get this little guy to start sleeping better was blog about it, I would have done so much earlier! He slept from 9-10, woke for a quick diaper change and a quick feeding and then went back to sleep from 10 until 5! After that he went back down at 5:30 until 8. Not ready to break out the party hats and celebrate just yet as he has yet to develop a consistent sleep pattern. I will take it where I can get it though and last night was WONDERFUL.

Say Yes to the Dress: Elizabethtown

Anyone who knows me that well knows I love all things wedding related. I obsessed over every detail of my own wedding almost 5 years ago and really miss that planning stage! Since I haven't had a wedding to plan, I have filled the void by watching probably almost every episode of Say Yes to the Dress. Oh the drama! Whether it be the way too picky bride, falling in love with a dress that is way over budget, or the overly opinionated mother or sister that ruins the experience for the bride and causes them to leave empty handed, there seems to always be a problem.



Well my best friend Paige is getting married soon and I was thrilled to be able to go dress shopping with her on Saturday. I was even more happy that not only did we seem to avoid all the drama shown on those shows, but Paige also found a gorgeous dress. It was such a special day and I am so thankful she shared it with me.



Of course before we could get to the shopping, we had other important matters to attend to. Paige and her daughter Ava spent Friday night at my parents house and I met them there early Saturday morning. My parents think of Paige as their second daughter and I know they loved hanging out with her and Ava. When I got there I immediately gave Ava her birthday present since I had not had a chance to see her since she turned 1!

Ava opening her presents from Aunt Birdie!

I got her a basketball goal (in pink even) but I think she was most interested in ripping off the wrapping paper.

When Ava went in to meet Jax (who was still asleep from the drive down)

she just wanted to touch him.

I kept taking notice of how different things will be a year from now when Jax is mobile. Ava could go and climb anywhere. We will have lots of baby proofing to do!

I loved seeing them together. It will be so much fun to watch them grow up so close in age.

Ava seemed very curious when she saw her mom holding another baby.

My mom came along and was able to watch the kids while we shopped. At first this seemed like it might be an easy task as Ava was asleep and Jax seemed content hanging out in Madre's lap.

However, Ava soon woke up and was very interested in all the pretty dresses. My mom spent the rest of the time dealing with Jax and following Ava around the store. The bridal store is really not the most child friendly place as there were lots of shiny hair pieces and pretty veils all in arms reach of a one year old.

Paige looked beautiful in all the dresses and we were all in agreement on the one she picked. I can't wait to see her in it on her big day. (Note: this is not the dress Paige ended up with, I wouldn't put that one online!)

After all the dress shopping we went back to my parents house for lunch and some pool time.

This was the closest we got to a group picture.

It was so much fun to watch Ava in the pool. Her favorite thing seemed to be

walking in and out of the pool on the stairs.

My dad was able to get to her out there and help her swim to her mom.

Jax prefers the shady area next to the pool and was very content to just sleep on Madre.

It was definitely different from when Paige and I would sit out in the sun by the pool when we were in college. Both kids were exhausted by mid afternoon though and it was a great day.