Dallas trip

A few weeks ago we took a trip to Dallas to see family and go to the State Fair of Texas. I grew up in Dallas so the State Fair was just a given. We went every year and I am pretty much obsessed! So we had to take Jackson, although technically, not his first time, it was the first time he could really see and experience it! 

Last year at the State Fair, 22 weeks pregnant, and this was just days before Big Tex burned down due to an electrical glitch :( 

This year! My how a year changes things :) 

Tried to offer a corny dog- not for real folks just to take a pic but he was not a fan- it was too hot :( Maybe next year!

No fried foods for Jackson so he ate the guide instead 

Our attempt at a picture with the new Big Tex. . . FAIL! My photographer, ahem, didn't quite get the picture I was hoping for, but I still love him anyways!

While we were in town we also went to the Arboretum for their pumpkin display which is AMAZING! If you are close by I definitely recommend checking it out. We were extra brave crazy and decided to try to get pictures of Jackson with his two cousins (16 months and 6 weeks). It was comical to say the least

eating mulch. .. that he threw up on himself and dad about 5 minutes later! 

outraged at the blatant pumpkin stealing! 

but someone else is pretty excited about it! But still we were doing pretty well with 2 kids. . . then we tried to add the 3rd

And this is what you get. Baby completely content and happy, Jackson wanting to eat mulch and just look confused as to why he's here and big toddler playing with sticks and accidentally poking himself in the eye with it. . .hence his poor red eye! haha we were a mess by the end of it but we made it and have some cute and funny pictures as a consolation! 

Hope you are having a great fall as we near towards Thanksgiving! 

9 months

9 months, just a smidge late ;)

Jackson,
Hi sweet boy! I feel l should ask you how you are feeling because we have been sick a lot this month. Both of us. It hasn't been fun at all but I do relish your sweet cuddles when you don't feel well. You are still pretty cuddly and love being held but you have defintiely become much more independent this month. You started army crawling and it is so fun to watch you explore. You love to find the absolute tiniest spec of dirt or dog food, inspect it and try to eat it :) You are also learning some boundaries, like what things we shouldn't pull on (the dog's bucket of toys) because they will fall on you and hurt. It took just one time for you to learn that. I told dad we were going to have to move them (and probably still will) but you know not to pull it over anymore! It's amazing how fast your brain works. And while you are definitely crawling when you want something, you still like to sit and observe. I read in a book that some babies are crawlers and some are observers. While you crawl when you really want to, you are usually content to play with the toys you've got or observe everything. Content is probably the word I use most to describe your personality. And happy! Oh my goodness are you happy. Your giggles send me over the moon. These days Sam is probably what has you laughing and smiling most often! I hope you are always this happy and content. Your spirit is contagious. It's amazing to me all the people you can get to smile and laugh with you! We have had more conversations with random people at restaurants, in grocery stores and just walking around about what a happy baby you are :) I can't believe we are closing in on the 1 year mark! It has gone so fast, I'm just trying to take it all in before you are a walking/ talking/ independent toddler! Lots of love, mom!

Favorite things:
SAM!! You love to watch him and try to crawl to him to touch his paws. You have also taken to looking out the patio door windows with him :)
waving
clapping for yourself! Especially after you eat something
mommy- you've been having a little mommy separation anxiety but I don't mind :)
jumperoo
moving constantly, even before you could crawl
mirrors- love to look at yourself still! (And you love seeing pictures of yourself too!!)