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! :+]