Jack's New Bed

The big boy bed is now permanently located in Jackson's room with train sheets and his great new bedding (that he got for Christmas!). He loves it! We couldn't be happier with how the transition is going. Last night, when I got up to leave he grabbed my hand and said, "Mommy, lay down." So, I happily obliged, laid back down and thought about how long I have until he says, "Okay, Mommy, you can leave now."

I also got him the cutest little cowboy hat - which you can see he wears with great pride. My little Texan!

Will sends everyone a big hello kick and is excited he now has a room that we can begin preparing for his arrival (now that his brother has taken the bed!).

Big Boy Bed. Woo Hoo!

Check out that tan line...

At the splashpark...

Mommy's Island Getaway
North Captiva Island, Florida

Jackson spent his second night last night sleeping in the big boy bed - that would be the double bed and NOT his crib or a toddler bed. He is doing fantastic! I can't believe how easy the transition is going and he seems to be incredibly happy with it. The first night I laid with him until he fell asleept but last night I left while he was still awake. I told him, "mommy is going to her room now, you will sleep in here. If you need me just call my name and I'll be right here." He shook his head, said yes and watched me go with no crying, not even a whimper. He slept there all night and stayed in the bed when he awoke, until we came to get him out. This weekend we will move the bed from Will's room where we have had it for guests to Jackson's room. Jack will now have his own big boy bed with his train sheets and pillows. I can't tell you how proud, yet sad I am at this. David keeps saying, "this is really big, he is growing up." Upon hearing this, I cried and lamented the day he leaves me (which you might notice from past posts is something I worry about all the time). What will I do when the light of my life goes off to college, gets married and has kids of his own? Well, at least I have one more little boy who will give me three extra years at home before I lose them both... I know, I am such a boy mom and will probably raise momma's boys. Sorry, though, I just don't care!

I had a great time in Florida this past weekend. I attended a yoga retreat in Florida's North Captiva Island, where I spent a lot of time doing yoga, of course, resting, swimming in the pool, relaxing by the ocean, exploring the island by golf cart, reading and missing my boys. It was a nice getaway but I was glad to get back home. It was an experience that I never would have done on my own and glad I had the chance to enjoy before Will arrives. But, the whole time I just wanted Jack and David to be there with me to enjoy it.

Tuesday began my third trimester - 12 more weeks and we're there (or maybe even sooner)! I am beginning to get a little more uncomfortable with this growing belly and the continued heat with temperatures above 100 (for 23 days straight now) has been hard on me. However, Will is still doing great and growing every day. I'm thankful for that. In fact, just this week the linea negra on my stomach (vertical dark line) appeared to form a cross on my belly with a horizontal dark line on my upper stomach. There may be some scientific explanation for this but I also believe God is telling me that our little boy is blessed. I pray every night for both of my boys, especially their safety and health, so perhaps God is telling me he's got it under control!

Well, Jack and I are off to take a nap then head to the splash park....

Under the Big Top

As if my life wasn't enough of a circus, we planned an outing to the "Greatest Show on Earth" - Ringling Brothers / Barnum and Bailey Circus - here in Dallas last weekend. Honestly, I think David was more excited than Jackson - he researched the show's website the night before and woke Jackson up the next morning telling him all about it. All that stuck in our little boy's head were the animals, of course. So, that was the most exciting part for him and us (just seeing him light up makes us ecstatic, who cares about the show?!). I will admit though, the clown sequences which segway between each major act were a big snooze. Jackson had no interest in them so we had to entertain him about half of the time when the clowns were on the stage; he also had no interest in the ribbon and high wire acts. But, boy, when those elephants came out he was glued to the scene. Mommy's favorite act was the trick dogs - I was even motivated to teach Maggie and Gertie a few moves we saw until I realized that wienie dogs weren't in the act and probably for a good reason. I guess our two girls will continue their lives of leisure where they get treats for doing nothing but lying around. To conclude, another first for my little man - the circus! Now we won't have to do that again for a few more years... hopefully.

You will notice the pictures above of Jackson modeling my high heel shoes - this was another first. Now, don't misunderstand me, he has played with my shoes many times before but NEVER high heels. That boy has balance and was pretty graceful teetering around on those heels. Not too worry, I've read up on this and it is completely normal for little boys to play in their mommy's shoes. And, honestly, it makes me laugh, which I need sometimes! He still loves golf more so that made his daddy feel better.

Now on to a short update on Baby Will. I'm growing daily, which means he's growing daily. I think I can actually see my belly stretching sometimes. He's into bouncing around in my uterus like it is a circular trampoline. Sometimes I can lie still and watch my belly shaking. My balance is definitely not all there - I took a spill today in a parking lot going down a few steps. I fell backwards and bruised my tailbone but, luckily, I was not holding Jackson. He was walking beside me and when I fell he looked at me like I was crazy then offered me his hand to help me up. Poor baby, there was no way his little self was going to pull this "big momma" off the ground but he was so sweet. I turned 26 weeks yesterday and feel every bit of it. 14 weeks to go!

A Glimpse into My Future

Paw's favorite picture - he told us that it was worth more than anything to him. It hung on his wall and he looked at it everyday. He was so proud of all of his grandkids...

Jackson, Keke (this is what he calls her) and Kolby. The 3 Muskateers... they are something when they all get together.

Jack modeling his new shirt by the pool.

One evening this past week, I encountered a scenario that could only bring to mind what my future holds with my three boys. We are always working towards a bedtime of 8:30 with Jackson but some days that is difficult. On this particular day, things seemed to be moving along well and this bedtime goal seemed within reach. We had him bathed and out of the bath tub by 8:15; as I stepped in to take my bath, David finished getting Jackson primped for bedtime (lotioned up and PJs on). I said my "goodnight" as they left the room and relaxed into my own bath. About 15 minutes later, I realized that I hadn't heard a word coming through the monitor from Jackson's room. This was odd but who knows what was going on? So, a few minutes later I hard a loud noise coming from the living room and began to realize that bedtime was not taking place as I had hoped. I pulled my huge self out of the bath room, put on my robe and headed to "see what was the matter." In a dark living room, at 9pm at night, Jackson and David were watching "Jurassic Park" - not a very relaxing nighttime movie (not that movies or tv before bed are even encouraged in our house). Jack's eyes were as wide as saucer and David was so engrossed he never noticed I had entered the room. My lovely husband then tells me that "this is a good part so I'll put Jack down in a few minutes, and besides he really likes it!". I couldn't come up with anything to say so I just carried myself back to our room (and smiled)...

Jackson has become very aware of my big baby belly - when people ask him about the baby, he pulls my shirt up, points and says, "right there." This can be a little embarassing in public places but I just go with it - it's hot anyway and the cool air on my belly feels good. He also played "hide the blanket" with his MawMaw and had a lot of fun putting the blanket under his shirt and pretending to be like Mommy with a big belly. He would pat it and tell us "baby." I just keep thinking, "if he only knew how much this baby belly is going to change his life." But, of course, he doesn't and I'm making sure he gets the most out of his last few months as a only child.

He's also doing great with his ABC's - he can sing the entire song- and counting to 10! We are always amazed at his ability to learn these things, repeat them and even have an understanding of them at his age. His favorite phrase right now is "watch this, Mom!" or "That's mine". The "watch this, Mom" comes a few second before he's jumping off of something high or moving. And "That's mine" is applied to anything and everything he thinks he wants or may ever want, even if it isn't his and never will be (for example, his daddy's phone). We are in full-on toddler mode, can't you tell?!

Finally, I want to thank everyone for their well wishes and prayers as we go through the loss of Paw Bush. The funeral was wonderful and befitting for such a special man. My grandmother said Paw was jumping around for joy in heaven at seeing us all honor him in such special ways. I know he is a "special angel" watching over his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; he wouldn't have it any other way. I'm also glad that Jackson had a chance to know him even if it was for a short time. Four days before he died, he told David over the phone, "don't forget me." My only response was "how could we? Anyone who has ever met him can't forget him!"

Up Next: Jackson's first trip to the Ringling Bros. Circus