Jackson Eli turns 1!

Although Jackson's 1st birthday was actually on December 2nd, this past Saturday we celebrated it. He had a "book party," which was such a good idea because he now has plenty of books in his library. We may also have to do the same for Ayla's 1st birthday party. :+] Here are a few pictures from his "big" day, with a few others thrown in. :+)

To go with the "book" theme, Ayla had on a "Thing 2" outfit, which is a Dr. Seuss character (for those who don't know). Jackson had a "Thing 1" t-shirt to match Ayla, but he didn't wear it until later in the day.

I'm sure one day Ayla is really going to "love" this picture, but this was the best part of her "Thing 2" outfit! :+} Aren't those rolls on her legs cute?! I think this might be the "feature" she inherited from her mommy (Ha ha).

Jackson is really digging in, with Ayla watching. In the second picture it actually looks like she's wondering what it is he's doing. Either that... or she'd really like for him to share a piece of his cake. :+]

Jackson and Makayla... Both Makayla and her sister Olivia were such great helpers. They are friends from church, and they both love playing and helping with Jackson and Ayla. They are going to be great babysitters! :+]

Jackson with Grandma Sherry

Grandma Sherry reading Jackson one of his new books

Jackson and Sarah... We got him 3 Dr. Seuss books, but we also got him this stocking, too! His daddy is a big Seminole fan, and when he says, "Gooooo Seminoles," Jackson raises both hands. Justin is very proud that he's taught him this. However, I will add that he'll also do it when I say, "Gooooo Gators." :+}

This is Jackson's "new" smile, which is absolutely adorable!!! It's a bit hard to catch him doing it because he first smiles, and then he'll quickly crinkle his nose.

Jackson reading his book. We'll have to teach him that he's got to turn them right side up!

Of course it's "the wrapping" that always gets their attention!

Ayla and "lil' Brett"

Jackson and Justin in our backyard making s'mores

Ayla on the floor in front of our Christmas tree
She is really drooling a lot more lately.

Jackson taking a bath in our tub... He loves playing in the water! We can't wait for Ayla to be big enough for them to take baths together. However, I told Sarah last night that we'll have to stop it by the time they are in middle school or else people might start "talking." ;+]

He's got his mom's big, beautiful eyes!

Who does she look like?

Like all parents, we wondered what our baby would look like, but no matter how hard we tried, we simply could not imagine what she'd look like. As soon as I laid eyes on Ayla I thought she looked like Brett. Almost everyone who knows him that sees her says, "Boy, she looks like her daddy!" I know that dads want their children to look like them, but for moms, it's something altogether different. After all, we carried them for 9+ months, it was our bodies that morphed into something we no longer recognize so they could enter this world, and it is us who continue to lose sleep to nurture and nourish them.... so we'd really like for our children to come close to resembling us. I recently saw my Aunt Jackie and my cousin Russ (who was older when I was born), and both of them said, "She looks like you when you were a baby." They have no idea how great that made me feel. Well, depending on who you ask, some say Ayla looks like me... and some say she looks like Brett. One evening, Brett pulled up a few of our baby pictures, and we could see Ayla in both of us. I've posted a few of our baby pictures that follow a few of Ayla. We'd love to hear what you think. :+] Click on the comments link and let us know... :+]

Okay, these first four pictures are of Brett.

The next four pictures are of me, Amy.

Now, here's Ayla Grace! :+]

Thanksgiving in Texas

We had a really nice Thanksgiving visit in Texas. It was our first Thanksgiving as parents, which gave us so much more in which to be thankful! It was great to see everyone, and of course the highlight was introducing Ayla. She got to meet the rest of Brett's family. His mom and dad came for a short visit when she was two weeks old, so it was fun for the rest of his family to see her. :+] .

We also got to see Hollie, Stephen, and Hobson while there, and it was their first time seeing Ayla. Hobson was great with her...and could even say her name...quite well I might add. He only showed a little jealousy once, and it was while Hollie was rocking Ayla. But...in his defense...that was his mom and he was tired.! ;+] Hobson is adorable and getting so big way too fast. :+] Hollie and Stephen just found out that they will be having another boy this spring, and we can't wait to meet that little guy. Hobs is going to make a wonderful big brother. :+]

It was Ayla's first trip to Texas, and all in all she did rather well. :+] She slept the whole way there...and 7 out of the 10 hours on the return trip. We've learned that it's a whole new traveling experience when you have a baby. It's amazing how much stuff you think you need when you travel with one extra "little" person. :+) On the first day of our last trip to Texas I broke my cell phone, and on the first day of this one I lost my phone. Most of you know how I am with my cell phone, so maybe someone is trying to teach me a lesson. :=] I've ordered a new one that should be here in a few days.

This week we've been getting back into whatever routine we had before we left. Tonight, Brett and I got out our Christmas totes, and while he, my dad, and my brother watched the Cowboys, I unloaded them. It's been 2+ years since I've seen any of my Christmas decorations, and it was fun to be reminded of all the "stuff" we have. Okay, here are a few pictures I took while in Texas. I had 205 of them to choose from, so it was hard picking which ones to post. :+] I've posted 31 pictures, which isn't too bad considering... ;+)

This was the first image I saw after waking up the first morning we got there. :+] Hollie and Stephen had this shirt made for Hobson, and the below onesie for Ayla. We desperately want to be related "for real," so these kids are going to love each other if it kills us! ;+] If only arranged marriages were accepted in this country!

By the look on her face... you'd think she was surprised by our little plan! :+]

How precious!!!

Need I say more...

If this isn't little Brett and Stephen... I don't know what is!!! :+]
I think they were watching "Handy Manny," which I have no idea what that show is or whether I'm calling it the right thing. However, I am sure that Brett and I will know all the kid shows very soon! :+]
Hobson, Hollie, and Ayla

Grandpa Ken and Ayla

Grandpa Ken, Ayla, and Oma (Brett's parents)

Ayla's 1st cousin, Garrett (left) and her 2nd cousin Liam (right)

Ayla's 2nd cousin Madison (left) and her 1st cousin Jaycee (right)

Ayla's 1st cousins Jasmine (Liam's mom) and Stephanie (Madison's mom)

Steph and Ayla

Willy (Stephanie's husband) and Ayla

Ramona/Oma (Brett's mom) and Kim (Brett's sister)
The Gang

Pam (Brett's sister) and Ayla

Jaycee, Ayla, and me

Oma and Ayla

Friday night, we went to go visit with Sarah's family. This is Jackson and his great grandmother, who has also "adopted" Ayla so Ayla will get to have a Grandmother, too! :+}

Me and Jackson Eli

Ayla in the Bumbo seat at Steak and Shake. She was giving her unintentional "Elvis" look again. :+}

Ayla and Maddy

Ayla and Jaycee rae

Ayla and Garrett
By the way... she isn't crying because of Garrett... she was getting tired

The night before we left to go back to Florida... I said I would title this picture, "Does this onesie make my thighs look big?" :=]

Very sleepy after her long visit to Texas!!