Halloween!

We had been looking forward to dressing Jackson up for months and taking him out trick o treating for his first Halloween! Yes, we know he is only 8 months old and doesn't even know what candy is. But we were so excited to get a little costume for him and take him around to a few houses with some of his buddies. We decided to get the most adorable bat costume from Pottery Barn Kids. And Kyle and I didn't want to miss out on the fun so we dressed up too! On Halloween we met up with some of our friends and their kids. After the mini photo session, we headed out to a few houses to get some candy for the daddies of the group! Jackson looked so cute and he actually loved wearing his little bat costume. It was a fun night and a great first Halloween for our little "pumpkin!"

My first Halloween!

Aren't I the cutest bat you have ever seen?

Vampire Dad and his little bat.

Spooky family.

Just hanging with my friend Jacob the monkey

Yay! Time to go trick or treating with Wyatt and Jacob.

Heading to the first house with Dad.

Lets get some candy for Daddy!

Pumpkin Time!

Yesterday, we took Jack to Bates Nut Farm (Pumpkin Farm) for the first time. We had been looking forward to this since last year when we saw all the pictures of our friend's babies playing in the hay and looking at all the pumpkins. Now we finally got to take our little "pumpkin!" I pretended it was fall for a while in my scarf until it got up to 90 degrees....what is going on? I am getting desperate for chilly weather, boots and scarfs, warm soup and pumpkin bread....all signs of fall. But not yesterday. Shorts and flip-flops were more appropriate attire! Jackson loves being outside and he seemed to love looking at all of the pumpkins and fall decor. It was fun hanging out with his friends Wyatt, Landon and Jake and their Moms and Dads. After a few hours, the babes were getting tired, So we said goodbye to the Farm. Now, more than ever, I am looking forward to the Fall season and Halloween in a few weeks. Here are some highlights of our fun day!

Looking for pumpkins with Mom!

With my friends Jake, Landon and Wyatt

Family pic in the pumpkins!

Farmer Jack!

I found some pumpkins!

Which one can we take?

I love Fall!

With Mom and Dad

Just hanging with my friends in the wheelbarrow!

Checking out the cornfield with Mom!

I'm a little punkin!

Our Visit With Bo

Last weekend Kyle, Jackson and I headed up to L.A. to visit my nephew Bo. He is already 2 months old and getting bigger by the second! My Mom and I went with Haley to his doctors appointment and he is already 13 lbs 5 oz! That is the 90% percentile!!! To put it in perspective, Jackson was 9lbs 6 oz at 2 months so needless to say he is a great eater!!!

It is so fun watching Bo. He is beginning to smile and loves taking baths. Jackson really loves his cousin too. He always wants to touch him and see what he is doing. He even starts to cry every time he hears Bo crying. I am really looking forward to watching the boys grow together. They are going to be the best of friends. I definitely miss having my family close by. They are such an amazing support. But I look forward and savor the times we are together. Can't wait for more adventures ahead...

What a sweet face!

With Uncle Kyle

Hi, Cousin Bo!

Do you want to play?

Cheese....

Bath time

I love him!!!!!!!

P.S. Jackson is 7 months today....pics to come!

Grilled heaven...

So, I have always wanted a panini maker. I love how the sandwiches have the little ridges that make it taste so yummy. But I never thought I would use it enough to go and buy a $100.00 one at Crate and Barrel or William-Sonoma. Still every time I would browse through one of those stores, I would always think, "I wish I had a panini maker!" Until...

A few weeks ago when I was making a regular visit to Target (deadly!) I came upon a beautiful display of cookware designed by Giada De Laurentiis (the really pretty cooking channel lady!)Apparently, she had collaborated with Target and developed a line of stainless steel products for the kitchen. One of which happened to be an awesome panini maker!!! It was really nice. Non-stick, really big surface area, expensive-looking design.....ALL FOR 50.00 BUCKS! (Do I sound like an infomercial) At that point, I looked at the pile of items that were stacking up inside my cart and realized that maybe I should wait a little longer. Sadly, I left without a panini maker but now I knew that a really nice one existed that I could afford.

About a week later, my wonderful mother-in-law came for a visit. Again, we made the trip to Target(because really, Target has just about everything!) As we were walking down the isles, I saw the panini maker again. I mentioned to her how much I really wanted a panini maker and how cool I thought that one was but of course, there were NO MORE!

About another week passed and one day I received a surprise knock on the door. It happened to be the UPS man that was dropping off a package for me. I was little confused because I was not expecting anything. But I am sure you all know what was inside....Yep, the panini maker from Target! My amazing mother-in-law surprised me with it. She is the best! And let me tell you....I love it. I have been making paninis up a storm: Chicken pesto, turkey and swiss, grilled cheese, tuna melts. So yummy. So I know this post is a little random but I just wanted to pass on a great product that I think you will LOVE (especially if you LOVE sandwiches like me). Oh yeah, and if you have any good panini recipes, please send them my way.... dessert paninis??

Voila!

Thank you to my mother-in-law and Giada D.L. for making my tummy very happy!

Dear Jackson...

Dear Jackson,

Today you are 6 months old. I cannot believe how fast you have grown. You are getting bigger and changing everyday. When I think back to that little peanut in the NICU with tubes and wires, I cannot believe you are that same child. Being your Mother is the most amazing gift in the world. I love when you smile with your lips closed, I love when you take naps on my chest, I love watching you play with Daddy. You have learned to roll over and now you "steamroll" everywhere around the house. I can't leave you alone for a second! You love music and dancing, you love to take walks, you love your bear blanket. Daddy and I thank God everyday for bringing you to us. You have brought us nothing but joy the past 6 months. We can't wait to watch you grow and get dirty and play soccer and everything else little boys should do! Just try not to grow up so fast OK? We promise to always be there for you. We promise to teach you about Jesus. We promise to love you unconditionally. I am so blessed to be your Mother.

I love you Jackson.

Love, Mommy xoxo

Our first photo together!

Almost 6 months old!

San Francisco

A few weeks ago Jackson, Kyle and I flew to San Francisco for one of my best friends wedding. It was Jackson's first plane trip and even though it was a quick 1 hr and 15 minute flight, I had been anxious all week in anticipation for the trip. Jackson is a GREAT baby but he definitely has his moments and I was just praying that all would go smoothly. To our delight, he did amazing on the way there...not a peep. The way back was a little different :) He had a little meltdown that seemed like an hour but was probably only 10 minutes. And even though I became "that person" with the crying baby on the plane, I was surprised how calm and patient Kyle and I were though the little episode. We never stressed, or got upset with each other. We just worked together to get Jackson calm and comfortable. Just one of the many reasons that Kyle is such an awesome husband and Father. We are a great team!

We had such a fun weekend reconnecting with old friends, walking around the city, and enjoying a beautiful wedding and reception. Alisa and Philip looked amazing and their wedding was the perfect blend of the two of them. It was a great getaway but it was our first taste of what life is like traveling with a child....a wonderful experience but definitely different than just the two of us. Looking forward to more traveling memories as a family. We love you Philip and Lis. Wishing you many, many blessings in your new married life together!

Getting ready for takeoff...

San Francisco, here we come!

Alisa and Philip...such an amazing couple!

The beautiful bride

The lovely ladies of Point Loma!

Our little family all dressed up!

P.S. Jackson turned 5 months a few days before we left. Here is his 5 month pic! He is getting so big :)

Bo Mitchell Milligan

He's here!!!!! On August 2nd at 7:55pm, my nephew Bo Mitchell Milligan made his debut into the world. And despite being 6 days late, he weighed only 7 lbs 8 oz! I had the honor of watching his birth and it was a complete miracle. Jackson came into the world so different and I did not get the full experience of contractions and the labor process so this was my chance to see how a "typical" birth goes. Haley did amazing....she was such a warrior! It was such an amazing experience watching my baby sister bring her son into the world. She only pushed for 13 minutes....it all happened so fast! And as I watched the nurses weigh him and clean him off, I couldn't help but remember the day Jackson was born just 5 short months before. Bo seemed so tiny and it was hard to think about Jackson being even smaller than that when he was born...it is so crazy how time flies. Everyone always tells you it goes by in a blink, but you don't realize until you see how small a newborn is. I am looking forward to many family memories of Jackson and Bo growing together.

I am so proud of Haley. Her and Freddie are going to be amazing parents. And I am going to be the best Auntie. I love you Bo and I am always here for you. I have been praying for you for a long, long time. You are so loved and have so many people to guide you. Thank you Haley and Freddie for allowing me to be a part of such an incredible moment in your life! He is amazing!

Not too much longer...

Mommy and son.

We have been waiting for you.

Welcome to the world!

Together at last!

First family photo!

My turn... so proud of my sister!

Such a proud Aunt!

Snuggling with Daddy

Waiting for my cousin Bo to come home!

I am soooo excited!

Fish face

Yay, Bo is home! I love my cousin!