Beach Time

We made our first attempt at taking the family to the beach.  We had a great time, but learned a few lessons along the way.

Lesson 1: Don't bring the carseat to the beach.  You will be cleaning sand out for days.

Lesson 2: Dogs will eat sand.  YUCK.

Lesson 3: When attempting to put up a tent/shade, make sure you do a trial run at home.

Lesson 4: Don't forget the baby's food.

Oliver Tries out the Bumbo.

Oliver saw that Jackson was having so much fun in the Bumbo he wanted to try it out as well.  He was a perfect fit and Jackson didn't mind sharing his toy. 

It's Official

We are California residents!  Driver's licenses ... check.  Cars registered ... check.  A nice tan ... check.  

Out with the old. 

In with the new. 

He's gonna be a soccer player!

Jackson loves to kick, kick, kick. 

Boys will be boys.

This is what our Saturdays and Sundays are going to look like for the next 15-16 weeks.  

Daddy and Jackson watching tv.  Wonder what they are watching ...

... Football!!!!

Jackson 3 months old

I know I start almost every post by saying "I can't believe Jackson is (insert age)"...but boy does time fly when you are having fun with quite possibly the cutest kid ever  (ok, ok, I know...every mom thinks their kid is the cutest!).  

This week Jackson found his legs and boy did he use them.  I woke up one morning to the sound of a thumping noise.  I went into Jackson's room and he was wide awake kicking his feet as hard as he could against the mattress.  When I got him out of the crib and put him on his changing table, he smiled real big and started kicking like a mad man.  Since then he hasn't stopped.  He figured out that he could kick his feet and make his animals move on his play mat.  Daddy also figured out that he has to start protecting the "Teach family jewels" when holding a kicking Jackson ;)  

Jackson is also starting to figure out how to manipulating mommy.  I went into his room the other morning and he was laying there playing quietly.  As soon as he heard my voice he started crying.  This one is going to be TROUBLE!

I love to suck on my hands.  

This apple is yummy!

Best buds chilin on the couch.  

Can you say T.R.O.U.B.L.E. 

What's yours is mine....as long as it squeaks.

Oliver had quite a busy morning today.  He woke up early, went to the bathroom, barked at the neighbors driving by, took a nap, ate some breakfast, and then stole Jackson's toys. See the evidence I found below...

Pacifier in Oliver's water bowl.   

Jackson's toy monkey in Oliver's toy box- bottom left hand side.  Oliver was eying this toy when I was squeaking it for Jackson yesterday.  

Jackson Week 12

Mommy can not believe that our little boy is 12 weeks old.  He is turning into such a great little boy.  Just last week he started to sleep through the night- from around 9-10 at night to 6 in the morning!  Now I just need to train myself to sleep through the night- I keep waking up to check on him.  

Other milestones he is starting to hit- he is holding up his head really well these days.  We tried out the Bumbo for the first time a few days ago and he LOVED it.  I have even started to give him rattles and toys he can hold on to.  He grabs a hold of them- but he doesn't quite understand what to do with them yet :) 

We had another KSU game to root for this weekend, so we dressed Jackson up in his KSU gear and listened to the game on the radio.  We bought the Fox Sports Midwest package through our cable provider, but unfortunately the Wildcats weren't being televised this week :(  

Jackson Week 11

This past week we have been getting settled in California.  The first few weeks were a whirlwind- we spent the majority of our time cleaning and unpacking.  Jackson did an amazing job while we were busy getting things ready. Oliver on the other hand...Oliver barked a lot and pooped everywhere.  *Sigh*.  But we still love him.  

11 weeks old!

Big blues. 

Grannie Annie and her friend Pat came out to visit us and see the new digs.  We didn't quite know the area yet, so there was a lot of time spent driving around- but next time we promise we'll have more fun things to do!

Grannie Annie, Jackson and Oliver.  

Jackson got to watch his first KSU game with Daddy last Saturday. We got him all decked out in KSU gear- including some awesome socks from Sarah Rupp- Thanks Sarah!

And one last random picture...caught Jackson sleeping like this the other day...

The Big Move

While Jared was in California working, Jackson, Oliver and I stayed behind in KC and dealt with getting the house packed up and loaded. Luckily, Jared's company paid for movers to do all the work for us- so it was more of a camp out for Jackson, Oliver and I.  All I had to do was point and direct (which we all know I'm really good at!).

Camped out in the family room.

Oliver kept watch and wouldn't let any of the movers back in the family room

. Moving Van in front of our KC house.

 Jared flew back into Kansas City on Thursday evening and we spent the next few days saying goodbye to our family and friends. 

Blue Moose going away party- Nici, Raegan, Shari

Blue Moose Going Away Party- Brad, Jared, Derrick, Josh, Brett.  

I was a little nervous about how Oliver would act on the plane ride. I knew Jackson would be easy, but Oliver....Oliver is always a handful.  To help ease things, the Vet gave me a sedative for Oliver. We gave it to him right before we got on the flight and he was out cold in his carrier (he HATES being in a carrier) for a good hour and a half. Then about half way through the flight, I heard a rustle and then a scratch and then see Oliver's nose popping up through the opening in the carrier. He had somehow managed to unlock the carrier at the top and poke his head out.  We gave him another dose of the sedative and then let him sit on my lap the remainder of the flight. 

Jackson, of course, did an amazing job.  He slept on the way up, ate while we cruised, and slept on the way down.  The people behind us said "I didn't even know you guys had a baby with you" when we were getting off the plane.  

Last picture of the family in front of our KC home.

Jared and Jackson on the plane.

Oliver on my lap on the flight.  

Peterson 60th Wedding Anniversary

Grandma and Grandpa Peterson celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in Gardner the day before we left for California.  We were able to stop by and say hello and goodbye to my side of the family. For most of my side it was the first time they had met Jackson- and he made quite an impression. He spit up all over me within the first few minutes of being there!  And he was quite the charmer with his smile!  

Grandpa Wine and Jackson.  Not for sure who looks more nervous in this picture- Jackson or Dad.

Grandma Wine and Jackson.

Jackson Week 8-10

Jackson got his two month shots in KC and he did such a great job!  Unlike Oliver and trips to the vet for his shots, Jackson had no idea what was about to happen.  He was all smiles until he was stabbed four times- poor little guy.  It took him a few seconds to realize what happened and then he screamed bloody murder for about a minute and then drank a bottle and went to sleep. Huh...I had visualized it going much worse in my head.  But, as always, Jackson pleasantly surprised me.  He is such a good little boy.  

Jackson and his battle wounds.  

Before we made the big move out to Cali, our families came up to visit us one last time in KC.  

Grandpa Teach and Jackson

Grannie Annie, Jackson and Oliver

A little So Cal and a little boy.

Well if you haven't heard the news yet, Jared has taken on a different position within his company and we are moving to the San Diego area!  I am actually blogging from a hotel in Laguna Hills- we are out here looking for places to rent and exploring our "new home". 

We found out we would be moving when Jackson was 5 weeks old- what a whirlwind it has been since then.  Some of you who know me might think that my head is about ready to pop off from all the stress that comes along with a move across country (and a newborn!), but I have been trying to keep a level head about the situation AND Jackson has kept me so busy that I really don't have time to get stressed!  Just another example of how Jackson is just the best gift ever!  

I will keep everyone informed of when we plan to make the big move out to So Cal- our goal is to be out here before Labor Day Weekend (YIKES!).  Words can not express how much Jared and I are going to miss our family and friends, but this move is a great opportunity for Jared and the right decision for our family as a whole.  We will be accepting visitors year round, so start booking your plane tickets now!!!  

Now on to some pictures of the J-Man.  He has been quite the charmer this week with his smile. 

OLIVER!

I feel like I am constantly yelling at Oliver to get away from Jackson.  He wants to be around him 24/7.  He is always gentle with Jackson, but he doesn't quite understand that Jackson doesn't want kisses from him.

Here are a few photos of Oliver spending time with his best friend.

Oliver hanging on the play mat with Jackson.

Oliver has the boppy stuck on him.

Oliver still has the boppy stuck on him.

Jackson Week 6

WOW- week six was a big, big week.  Jackson has really started to notice his surrounding more this week. He finally started to notice the white fluffy dog that constantly follows him around, as well as the rotating mirror and animals above him on his swing.  It is so awesome to watch him learn and grow on a daily basis.

Other big milestones this week- Jackson has been smiling on a daily basis. When he wakes up in the morning he has the biggest smile on his face when you greet him.  The past two nights he has slept for a five hour stretch, which was AWESOME!

We took family pictures yesterday and I will post the link as soon as I get them back- so excited to see them. We made sure to take pictures in front of some KC landmarks so Jackson knows his roots!

It took mommy about 30 pictures to get a good one of Jackson on his chair.

Some bloopers from the photo session. 

After bath time. 

Giving mommy smiles on the play mat. 

On our way to the grocery store. Mommy thought I looked way too cute to not take a picture.