Like a fish...

Jackson really enjoys being in the water, which is a very good thing considering his daddy's profession. We went swimming at the Lakeville Lifetime on Saturday with our friends Russ and Heather and their son Grayson.

While Lakeville is only a 45 minute drive for us and we only stayed at Lifetime for 3 hours, it felt like we actually went on a mini vacation, it was great. The boys went into childcare for the first hour so we could have some adult time using the rock climbing facilities. After refueling the boys we got them ready for the water. It took us longer to get them ready before and after than the time we spent in the pool, but it was well worth it, we all had a blast.

Thanks for the good time Schmidts!

Brusha Brusha Brusha...

With his little Baby Einstein toothbrush, Jackson brushes away. He laughs and giggles while he scrubs back and forth on his two tiny little teeth and gums.

Do you ever find yourself singing the commerical that Jan sings in Grease?

Brusha, Brusha, Brusha
Get the new Impana
With the brand new flavor
It's dandy for your teeth

That's what I sing while I brush, I even try to do it in Jan's nasal sounding voice. I think I'll teach it to Jackson.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for many reasons, one of them being the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I can't wait to wake up with Jackson and run to the living room to turn on the old television and tune it to the parade. It's the one day all year that it's perfectly acceptable to stay in your pjs until noon, so that you don't miss one single float go by.

The Rockettes!!! Oh, the Rockettes... I was going to be one of them someday. Somehow even if I had the ability I don't think I would have been accepted being 5'3" and all would play against me. I would yell to my mom who was probably getting multiple dishes ready for our Thanksgiving feast, "Mom, the Rockettes are on!!! You CAN'T miss the Rockettes, hurry up get out here!!"


The RadioCity Rockettes

A few years ago my mom met a Rockette! She brought me back a t-shirt... but I still wish I could meet a Rockette.

Do you remember when the Sonic the Hedgehog balloon got caught up in a lamp-post? I think that it was the Cat in the Hat that banged into another lamp-post a few years later and injured some folks.

Spending Thanksgiving mornings with Bryant Gumball, Willard Scott, Katie Couric and Al Roker has been a highlight of mine for many years. I watch from the very first float until Santa makes his way to Macy's. Last year I was a little disappointed to be watching Meredith Vierra and not Katie Couric, and I'll probably be disappointed again this year, but the smile won't leave my face until Al, Meredith and Matt sign off for the day.

This parade obsession could possbily contribute to the reason that Miracle on 34th Street is my favorite Christmas movie to watch. Maybe this parade obsession contributes to other things... or maybe explains some??

Some day though, I promise to take my family to see Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in front on Macy's. I wonder who will be most excited to be there?

Snow flies...

Winter isn't even officially here yet and I've already got the blahs. The work it takes to get the boy bundled up, and then myself, and get out the door just doesn't seem worth it. I'm going to have to change that attitude, and quick! Jackson and I spent the entire weekend indoors with the exception of a brief outing on Friday to visit my mom for lunch and a quick run to the corner market (also known as MurderMart) for the Sunday paper.




Jackson after our visit to Grandma's work.

Jackson didn't seem to mind being bundled up in his snowsuit though. He needs something to cover his tender nose and mouth though. He looked like the poor dear in A Christmas Story... Ralphie wait for me!! I'll get the picture up here when I have time to download it from the camera. We plunked him down in the stroller and away we went. Ron and Jackson chased me through the leaves and the cold weather didn't seem to bother any of us, it's just getting out that's the problem. It's like hearing the alarm going off on a cold winter morning, and while you've been awake in bed for 20 minutes at least, the thought of escaping the warmth of the covers for the cold hardwood floors is none too welcoming.



Jackson all bundled up.

Here is to more cold floors in my future, unless I can talk Ron into moving us all to a warmer climate.

Fashionista...

When Jackson goes to sleep and Ron is away playing volleyball, I am home indulging in my absolute favorite guilty pleasure... Project Runway! I am a Bravo TV addict, I'm a Tim Gunn addict. I can't get enough, Project Runway, Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, Top Chef, Top Design. I'm not afraid to admit that, or that I was counting down the days until the new season of Project Runway started.

Among others, one thing I missed about nursing is being forced to sit in a chair for half hour intervals in front of the TV. Jackson has watched many episodes of Bravo television with me and he has never complained. While I don't have as much time for television anymore, I still find time once the little guy is off in dreamland.

I'm so excited about this new season of Project Runway. I'm already a fan of Jack and Christian. But Jack, not only is he easy on the eyes, okay, very easy on the eyes, I also want to wear the dress he made this first episode. I'm sure I'll have a new favorite by the end of the season but so far, I'm naming my winner: Jack. What do you think of Jack's dress? What do you think of Jack?

And for the one that oughta be out, Elise. She should stick to upward lifting dog and stay out of Parsons. Sorry Elise, no Namaste for you!

Picture Day...

This picture was taken today in a sweater that Grandma Pam brought back from Portugal for Jackson.

About a month ago Jackson's school had picture day. Ron and I talked about what picture day meant to us back in grade school. The silly outfits we were put in and the "unbreakable" black combs that were handed out before the Lifetouch photographer snapped the shot. About how everyone proceeded to try their best to break their "unbreakable" comb... which always broke in two.

Well, after much anticipation, (sure, it was just me anticipating) we got the photos back today. He looks adorable! The teachers managed to get 16 or so kids to sit still for a class shot too. How they did that I'll never know. Of course it's our kid that is the ONLY one not looking at the photographer. Little Jackson showing off his Independence at such a young age.

Lights out...

Last night Ron and I went to bed at 8:45. After a full weekend of getting up early and chasing a crawling Jackson all over the place I was exhausted. I was falling asleep in the chair at 8:30 and told Ron I needed to go to bed. Shortly after I snuggled myself up in the covers, Ron came in, he was tired too. Will I eventually get used to staying so busy? I feel like a loser hitting the sack even before they put the old ladies to bed in the nursing home!!

Today is Jackson's 10 month birthday. Time is whizzing by.

Watch your step...

Our city's parks are loaded with goose poop! We went to Ron's stomping grounds this weekend to find a park where we could walk and swing. We walked around the little "lake" but couldn't look up because we had to keep our feet from stepping in little goose turds that covered the path. How can this be prevented? Is there something that can be sprayed on the sidewalk to keep the geese pooping on the green? I suppose spraying a chemical of some sort into our parks isn't the answer either, but what is?

Anyway... minus the goose droppings, we still had a good time. Here are some photos of our adventure:

Jackson swinging.

Daddy took Jackson down the slide.

Popeye the Sailorman.

Mommy and Jackson on a walk.

Make a wish...

Jackson celebrated his daddy's birthday yesterday. Blow out the candles and make a wish... And Daddy's wish came true! Yay!

Happy Birthday...

Today is Ron's 38th birthday! Ron had his party and opened his gifts already, over the weekend. I'm feeling a little bad that his actual birthday is quite unexciting.

We will hopefully be celebrating with pizza and election results.

Where is Jackson?...

Like I said, we are in for it now. Jackson is finding himself in places he has never discovered before.


He left for Grandma's on Saturday night crawling just a few "steps". He came home Sunday afternoon able to go the length of the living and dining room. It's amazing to watch how fast he learns.




Jackson stayed at Grandma's so I could go out and play. Another member of the group turned 30 today so we all surprised her and had a birthday party for her on Saturday. It was so nice to be able to hang with the girls for a night of dancing and cocktails. It's been a while since we were all together, Kari, Dana, Jessica and Julie. Happy Birthday Kari, thanks for giving us an opportunity to all be together.

Achooo...

All three of us in this house have caught whatever bug it is that has been going around. Jackson started it, and Dad followed. Just when I started bragging about not coming down with the sniffles, wham! I got it too. Of course I don't have it nearly as bad as Ron. (wink)

This round is much easier than the last time all three of us were sick at the same time. That was a stomach bug which hit us all much much harder. Jackson was just about four months, poor little guy. My parents saved us by coming to pick the little guy up so that Ron and I could lay in misery in bed without being bothered. I don't know what we would have done without that option.

Hopefully we'll be out of this pile of kleenex before too long... we need to celebrate Ron's 38th birthday this week.

On all fours...

We've hit a new milestone with Jackson this evening. He took two "steps" forward crawling with his tummy up off the ground. He has taken his sweet time learning to crawl, but I think we are in for it now!

The cutest little scarecrow ever...

Jackson enjoyed his first Halloween! We "Trick or Treated" at the Fire Station, Grandma Jan and Grandpa Joel's and Grandma Pam's. We saw our devilish little cousin Luke and had oh so much fun!


Jackson The Scarecrow



Luke the Devil