Jackson's 1st Halloween

Sitting down to dinner tonight Kristin and I talked about how long it has been since we updated our blog. After Jackson was born Kristin did much of the blogging because I was going into the office every day and by the time I got home at night, blogging was at the bottom of the list. Getting tired of keeping up with the blog, Kristin stopped and before you know it, just over 4 months passed.

Before updating the blog, I looked back to our prior blogs, and I am amazed at how much has changed, at how much Jackson has changed. The once expressionless baby has blossomed into an easy going, outgoing, good tempered, smiling crazy little boy! Today marked another milestone for Jackson. Today was the first day Jackson crawled and what an amazing site this was. While Kristin was getting dressed this morning, I was lying on the floor with Jackson, taking some pictures of him while he was playing around. I had put the camera on the floor a few feet in front of Jackson and before you know it, he slowly started to charge forward with his hands reaching out in front of him to grab hold of his new found toy. Amazed that he finally crawled I ran and got Kristin. I pushed the camera a few feet in front of him and again he began slowly crawling forward towards it. Almost 12 hours later, he is all over the place, interested in the new world in front of him. While happy to see him accomplish a new milestone, I sat in his room tonight feeding him before putting him down to sleep saddened at how quickly my little baby has grown. I remember the nights sitting in the same chair wondering when the colic would end, when he would smile and laugh rather than scream all the time, when I would have somewhat of a normal life and now, I look at him amazed at how something so beautiful is mine!

So this weekend was Jackson maiden voyage to Maine to see his aunty, uncle and cousin. I was somewhat nervous about the drive up to Maine, not knowing how he would be being in the car for 4-5 hours, but in the end, he did awesome! We had planned to leave early Friday morning during the time Jackson normally goes down for a nap, hoping we would sleep for half the trip. We got on the road at 9:30am and he slept until about 10:30 before getting up and playing for 30 minutes while in his carseat. By the time he started to get fidgety, we were in Kennebunk, which is where we decided to stop for 1/2 hour to feed him and let the dog out. Jackson cried for about 5 minutes when we put him back in the car, however, quickly fell back to sleep for the last 1 1/2 hour of the drive. The drive home was as equally smooth as the drive up. Kristin and I were both proud of how well he did and how thankful we were for paper, the only toy that seems to entertain him! So for Christmas, no need to spend money on those noisy, loud toys that daddy has to put together. Instead, you can bring Jackson a pad of paper!

When we got to Jamanda's house, Jared and Callum were there to greet us. Jackson quickly discovered Callum's toys and Callum discovered the bag full of food and cereal we had packed for Jackson. It was kind of funny seeing the two boys together. Jackson sat observing Callum, and interested in the toys Jackson was playing with, Callum sat down by him. Callum every once in a while took the toys Jackson was playing with, but Jackson did not seem to mind much. It was kind of funny to be honest because Jared and/or Amanda would tell Callum to give it back, which he would do, however, shortly after giving the toy back to Jackson, Callum would take it back again. Below is a picture of the two of them playing.


Here is a picture of Kristin with the two boys and Jared with Jackson:




After Amanda got home from work Friday, Jared grilled us up some burgers and sausage on the charcoal grill. The food came out good and had great taste from the smoke of the charcoals. I have a new appreciation for charcoal grills over the convenience of a gas grill. Later that night after the boys were in bed, the parents did adult like things, which consisted of Amanda and I playing Farmville on Facebook, Kristin reading trashy magazines and Jared making fun of Amanda and I. I remember the times when we use to stay up until 11 or 12 but now, 9pm is the new bedtime!

Saturday morning we had some heart healthy donuts, Amish bread, sticky buns and bread for breakfast. We all went out for lunch at the Mainely Brew, which was this great pub in Waterville. Jared and I had some great brew and the four of us had a good lunch. Jackson even sat in a big boy high chair at the table while we ate. Afterwards, we headed back to the house so the boys could take a nap before getting dressed up to go trick'or'treating. Look at Jackson's pre-Halloween attire:


After the boys got up, we got them dressed in their costumes for some early photos/videos before taking them out. Amanda's Father and Grandfather also came over for some photos. Mr. Jackson was a pirate and Callum a monkey. Just look how cute the two of them were:



Below are some more pictures of Jackson, one of which was taken at our house before Halloween. Notice the picture of Jackson with the witch, which was Cindy who lives next door to Jared and Amanda. This kid is not afraid of anything!




We only took them around to a few homes before heading back to hand out candy. Jared set up shop in the breezeway this year. Last year he and I sat at the end of the driveway enjoying some adult wheat beverages while handing out candy to the kids. This year the weather was so warm and humid compared to last. There was a pretty steady flow of kid, though I did not think as many as last year. Afterwards, Amanda and Kristin put the two boys in the bathtub and gave them a bath. I got a cute picture of the two of them playing in the tub. I cannot wait to show this to them when they are older and have girlfriends! They also had matching PJ's! After the trick'or'treating festivities were done, Jared and Amanda got pizza for dinner and we watched It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.



We got on the road this morning by 8:30 and were home at 1pm, which factored in a 1/2hr stop to feed Jackson. We made good time overall. After we got home, Jackson stayed with Grammie while Kristin and I went and did some errands and grocery shopping. Jackson had chicken tonight for the first time and seemed to like it. Tomorrow he might try turkey. Tuesday he is on to martinis!

So, hopefully we will keep up with the blog. It will sure be fun to look back at all the postings and see a snapshot of our past and look in astonishment as to how much changes so quickly!