Happy Anniversary!

Today we have been married for four years! So many things have changed in our lives since July 31, 2004 when we said our vows. We are so grateful to the Lord for all of the things he has blessed us with and look forward to what this next year together will bring.

Also, we want to wish April and Tanner a wonderful anniversary since we sort of borrowed their day! Thank you April and Tanner for letting us share it with you! We can't wait until the day we can say we've been married as long as you two!

18 Months = One & a half!

We can't believe Jackson is a year and a half old. Time flies. We were at lunch last weekend and I put my head next to his to see what he was doing and he pushed it away and said "go." He also chases Libby around the house with his vinyl-covered, plastic, Curious George baseball bat. What have we gotten ourselves into?

At least we are getting him interested in other things besides just Sesame Street and Elmo's World. He also really likes Mary Poppins and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. However he is still extremely busy and runs around the house at all times getting into everything. Here are some pictures of how he's changed...

January 29, 2008: Just Born and already curious. Dr. Dandade said he was looking around the room right when he was born.

July 2007: 6 Months Old and saying "dada." Crawling, self-feeding and walking with assistance.

January 2008: One year old and running and saying "hi."

July 2008: Not the neatest eater but very aware. Saying "thank you," "here you go," "Mama!!!!" and LOTS of other words. Climbing and able to drive his Tot Rod and Golf Cart!

Finally!!!!!!

As I was feeding Jackson dinner tonight he finally said, "Mama mama." I am wondering if it was because he wanted me to give him food and he was trying to say "mine" or if he really meant to say "mama" so I would give him the food. Either way, it's a YEAR after he first said "Dada" although, I'll take what I can get.

He's also started cheering by clapping his hands and saying "Yay!" It's so funny to see him get so excited about things. It's becoming increasingly difficult to take his picture now. He runs away giggling or tries to grab the camera!

In other Avery news, Scott made his first Eagle today on the golf course...He thinks he'll definitely be ready for the Senior Tour when the time comes (haha).

Here's the only decent picture I could get of him tonight after dinner (notice the green bean deposit on his forehead)?

Another Day, Another Injury

Our poor son has fallen and busted his lip. He looks like he got in a fight. It is purple, dark red and white. He is climbing on everything and while he stayed injury free for awhile, he is getting awfully brave - a little too brave actually. He is so tough though. He'll cry for about 2 minutes and then it's like nothing ever happened.

He's also started saying more words like "hat," "don't," and all of his vowel sounds. It's really funny. He'll say "aaaaaa," "iiiiiiiiii," "ooooooo," "eeeeeee." I think he means to say "a, e, i, o, u" but he can't remember the order.

We also have a major Elmo & Sesame Street obsession. We knew he really liked them but now when we put it on and he hears the songs for Sesame Street or Elmo's World he screams in excitement and jumps up and down. We can actually get him to sit still for about 5 whole minutes when we put them on!

Here are some pictures I tried to take of his lip. It looks much worse in person...and yes, he has a sippy cup of water in the tub. It's the only way I can keep him from drinking the bath water!

Nursemaid's Elbow

Well we had a scare today. Scott called me this morning saying I needed to call the hospital because Jackson was hurt. Apparently when Scott got Jackson out of the car he started running towards the street. Scott grabbed him as quickly as possible by the arm and he said he heard a pop. I called the Pediatrician's office immediately and was put straight through to a nurse. The nurse said that our Doctor actually had an opening in 30 minutes and that taking the appointment would be quicker than going to Urgent Care. Within 15 minutes, Scott, Jackson and I were with Dr. Bruce. Jackson was wimpering and burying his head in our shoulders which broke our hearts. Dr. Bruce was able to quickly figure out that it was a dislocated elbow. All he did was pop it right back into place. He also said it is a very common injury and that he would be just fine. Of course, Scott was worried about Jackson's baseball career. We don't know if he's a South Paul yet but his left elbow is good as new now. He stopped crying within 5 minutes of the Pediatrician fixing it and was able to use that arm to grab a sucker, and has been himself ever since. I found this article on the issue http://www.drgreene.com/21_1079.html. Dr. Bruce actually said to Scott, "Great job Dad. You saved his life," which made Scott feel much better about the whole thing.

Here's a couple pictures of Jackson eating dog food last night after we got home from the gym...He IS a baby Scott!

"Thank" You Granny

We had a great visit with Granny for the 4th of July and are very grateful that she came to see us. We took Jackson to the zoo, picked paint colors (finally), shopped (what we both do best) and even played dominoes. On top of all that, we attempted to get Jackson to say mommy but we got something that sounded like "Mommany."

Meanwhile, Jackson has started saying "thank" when you give him something that he wants. Usually a cookie. Tonight, he handed me a package of cookies from the pantry (he opened the door himself) and said "heeyoogu." Then after I gave him two (one for each hand) he said "thank." At least he's attempting to have good manners.

Also this past weekend, our good friends George & Andrea Wilson packed up their two girls and four dogs and moved to Louisiana. All three of us are very sad. We did however, inherit Taffy. He is a blue Beta now residing in our kitchen.

Well cross your fingers for us tomorrow night. Jackson will be going to the daycare at the gym for the first time so Scott can lift weights while I have my first session with my trainer (thanks Mom)! I've been having anxiety that I will hear my name on the intercom for a "situation" in the nursery.
Playing at home

Just looking cute

Playing (eating really) at the Wilson's (in his diaper)

His last ride with Emma

New Words!

Jackson has started bringing things to people and saying, "here you go." It really sounds more like "hee-yoo-gu." This morning when I dropped him off at Gina's, instead of going straight to her arms from mine like he normally does, he reached down into his diaper bag, grabbed the banana out of it, handed it to her and said, "hee-yoo-gu." He's also saying "stinky," and playing hide and seek with himself to mirrors.

Scott and I took him to the pool on Sunday and he rode in his remote-control float. He really enjoyed controlling it himself. He also liked to watch the older children jump off of the diving board. He is turning into such a cute little boy, although, we do miss his baby face!

Here are some pictures of him swinging with George and the girls.