Look Who's Got the Giggles

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the sound of a child's gut-busting laugh is the best thing in the world.  This video is proof.  I have no idea why Ian found this so amusing, but once I got him going, I couldn't stop.  Oh, and incase you're wondering, what you hear in the background is Ava saying "happy birthday," and "I love my Pooh Book."  She couldn't let Ian have the entire spotlight!

Ian's Half Birthday

Ian is 6 months old today. As I thought about what I would write to commemorate the occasion, I watched the video Stefan took tonight of us singing Happy Half Birthday to Ian, and I stumbled upon some old videos of Ava.  Old, as in December 2007, when our baby girl was a mere 12 months old.  At first, I couldn't believe there was video from 2007 still on the camera, for Pete's sake.  But then, after a minute, I was so grateful to have found that treasure trove of beautiful memories.  There were several video snippets, including her crawling, playing with Annie, and her very first steps.  There was a video of her pulling up into a standing position for nearly the first time.  There was a video capturing her nightly sprint to the bathroom when I mentioned the word "bath."  I ran upstairs, grabbed Stefan, and the two of us sat on the sofa in our bedroom for 15 minutes, stunned at what we were watching.  Was that really Ava?  I was shocked at how much I had forgotten - the sound of her squeals, the adorable toddle of her first steps.  How wobbly and clumsy she was as she attempted to do everything for the first time.  I watched myself in the videos and loved how engrossed I was in the moment.  You could read the strain in my eyes: "Remember this, Jackie. Don't forget this, Jackie. Don't you dare forget this."  I cried as I continued to watch those videos, wanting that time back so badly, feeling sad that she'll never again be that size.  Here is this beautiful little girl, sleeping soundly just down the hall, and here I am, sobbing over home movies of her just 18 months ago.  I miss her.  I know she's only two-and-a-half, but in my eyes, she's all grown up.

So then I got back to the task at hand: thinking about Ian.  He's growing so fast and changing every minute.  I'm living the moments with him now, but in just 18 short months, I'll look back at his half-birthday video with the same nostalgia and awe with which I watched those videos of Ava.  And I'll hate myself for not remembering.  I'll be shocked at how little he was, how fragile.  I'll want it back.  So as I sit here typing this post, I'm telling myself that this is the time.  These are those moments.   Don't forget.  Soak it all in.  Take pictures.  Enjoy him.  

Happy half birthday, Ian.  I love you so much, and while I can't wait to watch you grow and do things on your own, please know that I am loving this time, too.  I just want to be sure I remember it forever.  Get ready... you are going to be seeing a lot of the video camera.

Mad Love from an Old Friend

Lookie at what I got!  Oh boy, I'm so very excited to have received my very first blog award from my sweet friend Colleen.  We have known each other since high school in Florida, but we lost touch during the college years even though we attended the same university (how sad is that?!?!).  P.S.  GO GATORS! Anyway, we found each other again a few years ago and have managed to stay in touch, although I wish I could see her more often.  Colleen's blog is a true inspiration for several reasons.  First, the girl gets real. Very real.  She tells it like it is, and usually, this means I am doubled-over in laughter. Second, Colleen's blog is just down right adorable.  It looks professionally done.  Seriously, follow the link above and be amazed.  I fully admit to having blog envy when it comes to her spread.  Love it!  Colleen has also reminded me that there is more to my life than children.  For over a year now, I have blogged about pregnancy and children - my children - and little else.  And as a mom of two tots under age 3, I'm sure you can understand that there is little time in my life for all things unrelated to diapers, toys, car seats, spit up, pureed food, houseproofing, peanut butter and jelly, discipline, potty training, and watching my language around a very sponge-like 2.5-year-old. But reading Colleen's blog reminds me that I exist apart from my children, even if I don't really enjoy writing about that existence.  Because let's just face it: life is a hell of a lot funnier with kids!  So I'll try to write more often about other things that interest me.  Hmm, what is it that interests me?  I forget.  I'll figure it out and let you know.  On to the award!  Oh, and thanks Neener!

The "Love Ya" Award states: These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

Would I be totally snubbing the greatness of the award if I passed it on to only four people?  I know the rules say to award eight, but seriously, I barely know eight bloggers!  So pathetic.

1. Tracy at The Wagstaff Family. Tracy is one of my dearest friends, and she resides in Utah.  We met through church and came to know the awesomeness of God's grace together.  Tracy is an AMAZING photographer and has her own business.  She cans her own pumpkin, makes her own home decor, designs her own artwork and is a damn good mom.  In a nutshell, she's a domestic goddess, and I love her.  Love her blog, too.  Tracy harped on me for months to start my own blog, and so I did.

2.  Bonnie at The Real Jackson Five.  My totally wonderful sister.  Older, wiser and did I mention older?  Bonnie taught me how to design my blog so it actually looked nice, and I will be forever grateful for that!  Bonnie is very similar to me in that she blogs about her three beautiful kiddos and the big family events.  It's just darling.

3.  Lori at I'm The Manager.  I have known Lori for a few years now, and even though we moved back home to Atlanta before Lori and I had the opportunity to really get to know each other, I still keep in touch and read her blog regularly.  Lori is a very balanced blogger because she blogs about her adorable little boy, her own life, and even about things such as her favorite jewelry pieces.  It ROCKS! I seriously look forward to reading Lori's posts when she writes about her favorite things because it's from her that I get so many ideas for myself and for my own home.

4.  Stephani at Ham Fam On The Go.  Steph is a cousin of my husband's, but I love reading about her kids and life in upstate New York.  She is as busy as busy gets!  Love your blog, Steph!

Ian and Drew

As most of you know, my sister Bonnie also recently had a baby boy.  Drew Jackson was born on March 1, 2009, just a little more than two months after Ian entered the world.  With two boys almost identical in age, it's easy to dream about their future as playmates and close buddies.  It will be fun to watch them grow up together with the blood of cousins but (hopefully!) the relationship of brothers.  With our busy schedules, getting both boys together for pictures, etc., has been difficult to say the least.  Bonnie and I have tried several times, but it always turns out that one is fussy or the other is sleeping.  One night last week, however, the moment was good (or, as good as a Kodak moment can be with a 5-month-old and a three-month-old).  So we took a couple of pictures.  I envisioned a close-up photo, with Ian and Drew looking at each other, like you see on heavyweight fight posters.  Bonnie and I held our boys up as Stefan tried to take the picture, but it was so funny that Bonnie and I had a hard time keeping our arms extended and steady.  The picture didn't turn out exactly as I had hoped, but maybe we'll try again later.  In the meantime, enjoy these two quirky pics of our baby boys...

Tagged!

My very good friend Colleen over at The Mess Potential is Exponential tagged me in this fun blog tagging game! Here are the rules:

1. List Six UNIMPORTANT Things That Make You Happy.

2. Mention and link to the person who tagged you

3. Tag six of your favorite bloggers to play along, and comment on their blog to let them know they've been tagged.

My six UNIMPORTANT things that make me happy are:

1.  Trying a new recipe and having it turn out beautifully

2.  My handmade greeting cards

3.  The sound of the wind blowing through the trees in my backyard on a lovely day

4.  Reading a magazine

5.  Napping with the windows open

6.  The smell and appearance of a freshly cleaned bathroom

I tagged the ladies from six of my favorite blogs:

1.  Bonnie at The Real Jackson Five

2.  Trace at Wagtrio

3.  Lori at I'm the Manager

4.  Steph at Ham Fam on the Go

5.  Lisa at The Sanders Family

6.  Liz at The Friel Family