Santa visits Jackson

Christmas is really about the kids. I want every Christmas to be special for Jackson. I remember as a kid always having to travel on Christmas day. It is nice to see your extended family but as a kid it is hard to open your gifts and play with them for a min then have to rush and get ready to go. Then you only get to take 1 gift in the car for the long ride to Grandma's house. So we started or own tradition of staying home as a family and spending the day together.

Jacks was so excited when he woke up and Santa had stopped by. I think he was most excited about the fun bows on the gifts. He really liked all his gifts.

After opening a few he was ready to try to open them himself. There was so much to see that he wanted to stop and play with each gift. You may think a 9 month old has no idea what is going on but I think he did.

He did not look so excited about getting a book. But Santa knows how important it is to read.

He just loved all the bows and wanted to pull them off. When he saw there were more PJ's in the box he was ready to go back and play with the bow.

Then he got to get in his new walker and started running. MawMaw had let him bring one home over Thanksgiving and he just loved it so Santa got him one.

Next Brent and I got to open our gifts. Brent got a hunting bag and a gift certificate to get some boots. I got a new watch and a gift certificate to a Spa.

Then it was time for the special Christmas morning waffles (this is another tradition the Kent family is starting this year). So I put on my new apron Nana Kay made me and started cooking. It was nice for us to sit down and enjoy a great breakfast together.

But Jackson was ready to play with his new toys. He played so hard that we could not get him to take a nap until the afternoon (he usually naps at 10 AM). Then after his nap he played some more.

For the past (at least) 8 years we have been on the road on Christmas day. This makes it not feel so much like Christmas. Last Christmas was a beautiful white Christmas (but we were still on the road). This was the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER for all of us. I know that it was mostly due to Jacks....but it was also because we started our own family traditions and got to enjoy the day at home as a family. Everyone has always told me that when you start your own family Christmas is so much fun. I want to say THANK YOU to all our family members for working with us and allowing us (Brent, Jackson, and myself) to enjoy the day and not have to rush around. We look forward to (at least 18 more years) spending Christmas at home as a family.

Later that night our neighbors came over and gave us some great gifts. I took their picture with the gifts I knitted for them.

T'was the night before Christmas

Before the night before Christmas was the lunch before Christmas. Jackson's Grandpaw Randy and all of Brent's brothers, sister, and niece and nephew came over for lunch. We had chili and chicken chowed. I think Uncle Jay ate too much. It was a great meal. Of course Jacks got some more great gifts and we enjoyed the time together. It was really nice of them to drive to J'ville and see us since we had been on the road the day before.

We forgot to open the 2 days til Christmas bag yesterday. It was such a long travel day that we crashed when we got home. So we opened 2 bags tonight. Jacks got a bib and a football.

 Then Jacks was ready to sprinkle his reindeer food in the front yard so Santa could find him (I mixed some oats and glitter together so the reindeer could have food and see the glitter from the sky). Brent and Jacks sprinkled the food, I think Jacks was crossing his fingers that it was enough for the reindeer to find us.

 Brent and I said when we got married that if we ever had kids we would be at home on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. So this was our first of many Christmas at home as a family. So we started our own traditions. My friend Mandi gave me this great idea of everyone opening

PJ's on Christmas Eve to wear to bed. So we all got new PJ's and that was fun. I think Brent was the most excited about his camo deer PJ's.

 Next Jacks took his first bubble bath. Thanks MawMaw for the bubbles. He really liked to splash them around. Above is the beautiful Christmas plate my friend Meredith took Jacks to make for his Christmas cookies. Then we all put on our PJ's for a family picture. Jacks was getting a little tired so we had to rush and put the cookies and milk for Santa out and Dad read the bedtime story (which was a special Christmas story).

Jackson really wanted a cookie but we told him they were for Santa (and we have decided after talking with his Dr. that we are not going to feed him table food or sweets until after his first birthday). Then Jacks and Daddy fell asleep....at least for a little while. The child never sleeps and 2 days off schedule make it even worse. I think he was up about 5 times that night.

 

On the Road

With only 3 days til Christmas I think Jacks was a little upset to get a bib. Or maybe this is his surprised face.

 On Friday we went to Pop John's house for lunch. I forgot to bring my camera in and take any pictures. Pop let Jacks drive his wheelchair and he ran over the couch and moved it. He almost knocked a lamp over. I think he will not be driving for a while. We left there and went to Nana and Pawpaw Johnny's house. Pawpaw Johnny pushed Jacks and his new sock money on his John Deere from Uncle Jay (I think Honey was a little jealous and wanted her picture taken). Uncle Justin helped Jacks open his gift and then even put it together for him.





His cousin Jordan got a owl hat for Christmas so Jacks put on his snowman hat and they took a picture. Jackson, Mason, Jordan and Nana all took a picture together. Aunt Julie was also a big help opening gifts. It was a long day but a fun one.

Christmas Party

6 days til Christmas and Jackson got a rattle. If I had known a $2 rattle would have held is attention for so long I would have bought him one a long time a go. 5 days til Christmas and Jack got more socks. The only reason I continue to buy the socks is so people do not think I am a bad mother for not putting socks on him. All he does is pull the socks off over and over again.

On Wednesday we had the daycare Christmas party. Jack just had to take his picture with his girlfriend Ana Claire (she is 2 but she gives him a kiss every morning and takes care of him). MawMaw and Mrs.Tiff gave Jack more things then I think Santa is going to bring him. They are so good to him. Jackson gave both of them the most beautiful knitted scarves (I forgot to take a picture of them).

When we got home Jacks opened bag number 4 and there was a teething ring inside. I am sure he will need it soon. I think he is about to get more teeth soon.

Jackson is 9 months old!

On Saturday Jackson turned 9 months old. He has gotten big so fast. Most of the 9 month old pants and shirts are in the to small pile and he is wearing the 12 month outfits now. So I put on his 12 month camo overalls in hopes Brent would kill a deer. He did not kill a deer but Jacks looked really cute in his overalls.

Later that evening we went to Noccalula Falls to see the Christmas lights. We rode the train and walked around and looked at the lights. It was really nice. I told myself I was not going to make another seasonal toboggan. But I just could not resist. I know that soon he will be telling me that he will not wear something so I thought I better make it now while he will still wear it. I made him one and it was too big so I gave it to Ana who is our neighbor that goes to daycare with Jacks. It was a nice weekend.

The count down to Christmas is still going on. Christmas is a week away.

 


I bought these puffed yogurt things for Jacks to eat. He has been doing pretty good about getting things in his mouth. I have no idea how one got stuck to his head?