Four years, 48 months, 1,460 days, 35,064 hours.. and too many amazing moments to count

WOW!
Four years, 48 months, 1,460 days, 35,064 hours..
and too many amazing moments to count!!!
Our guy turned four, almost 2 weeks ago (yes, I'm a bit late on the posting...).
I promise to post all about his celebrations, and of course, share many amazing photos... 
 but first I just had to take a mini trip down memory lane... to share how much our little guy has grown, in just a mere 35,064 hours :)

I just cannot believe our little guy (ok, well... maybe not so little, now or even at birth...) is FOUR YEARS OLD! I know every mother (and father) says this, but really... where did the time fly? I guess it is so true, time flies when you're having fun... and we've had so much fun with Jackson since the day he entered the outside world ....

Jackson William Weeks

November 9, 2007

This photo was taken just a few moments after his birth. He had just been quickly cleaned up (after I snuggled with him first), and I remember holding him up for Brian to take his first portrait. He seemed so tiny, so fragile, so perfect. And, although it's been FOUR years, I can remember this moment so clearly... I hope it always stays so clear in my mind.

I remember when he was so little (again, not so little), thinking how I couldn't imagine him walking, let alone running, having full conversations with me, he and Maggie having DEEP conversations... it's all amazing.

Just a warning... MAJOR CUTENESS PICTURE OVERLOAD AHEAD ...

ENJOY!!!!

I sure have!

Yes, many tears have been shed with looking back at how much he has grown.

But, again... I am so proud of the 4-year old, our guy is!!!

Jackson, September 2011

These GREAT photos were taken, in honor, of our guy starting PRESCHOOL! His personality was captured so well, in each and every photo we got of him that day!!!

Jackson at home his first week, of "outside" life!

We used to call this "look", his "milk coma". He always would fall asleep with a full, warm belly... and milk still on his sweet little mouth. After his belly was full, he was OUT!

Jackson's "photo shoot" for his 1st Birthday!

(and... in turn used for his 1st birthday party invitations... that I made by hand. Fifty invitations all made by hand, by me. Let's just say I have never ever ventured into that realm of party invitations AGAIN!!!)

Jackson, September 2011 - one of my favorite photos of our guy

Jack's first Halloween! He was a tough University of Oregon, Football Player! And, a tough football player with a mouth full of banana, at that!

Go Ducks!!!

Amazing that a little guy who is just 4 years old, can be so smart, so sweet, so kind and compassionate, so empathetic, have so much energy, be so adventurous, so loving, and then of course, so stinky, so much 'tude, but so worth every minute in the last FOUR years!!!!

This photo (B&W), was taken when Jack was about 7 months old. He was sitting up, and showing interest in crawling... but did take a couple more months before he decided to really take off!

 
This is one of the very few photos that Jackson really looks like me (Mama). Most of his photos (for all that know us and have seen baby photos of Brian), know that Jackson is a spitting image of his Daddy! It's amazing how much they look alike.

I have always LOVED this photo for many reasons, but the #1 being that he looks like Mama! I also love that it was taken at my Grandmother's house (Grandma Bette to me, Great Grandma Bette AKA: Nana Buddy, to Jackson and Maggie). And... of course, I can't NOT mention his DARLING outfit. It was one of my favorites, among many (ok, just about every outfit he wore!).

This was Jackson's first real time at the "park", he was about 8.5 mo. old. 

We had, of course, gone many times before, but he was also in the sling, or front pack... this was truly his first time in a swing... he LOVED it! Can you tell?

I adore his chubby little cheeks in this picture. This is one of those photos, that you just can't NOT smile when you look at it!!!

Ooopsie, I completely fibbed, regarding the photo above. This photo was probably Jackson's first trip to the park, but I don't recall putting him in any swings... he was too little... (I think he was probably about 6.5-7 mo. old).

His eyes are amazing!

Yet another amazing EYES shot... our lil' guy! This was the photo we ended up using for his Baptism announcements. Funny... with all of the professional photos we had taken of him... We just LOVED this one, because it truly captured his amazing personality!!!

Yet another AMAZINGLY Hilarious photo of our Jackson! I love this one, as it completely shows off his goofy side! I can just hear his giggle... he still has the same hilariously-contagious laugh! Love it!!!

Jackson at the park near (one of our MANY) homes in Vancouver... for those of you who remember each and every house in Vancouver (it was the ranch-style house) ~ we walked to this park almost daily, during the summer of 2008. I remember at first, J did NOT like the feel of grass at ALL... and then he learned to LOVE LOVE LOVE it... to the point of me continually catching him eating it! :)

What a handsome and HIP dude!

Jackson, 1 month shy of turning 2 years old. This was taken in our front yard (at yet again, one of our MANY homes)! This was in Gig Harbor, WA - a gorgeous gorgeous town!

I ADORE this photo!

One of my absolute FAVS!!!!

Jackson, summer 2009 ~ at the GREAT age of 2.5 years old.

Love our Monkey!

We, completely, ADORE our guy! (can you tell?)

He is our world, and I cannot imagine my life without the coolest 4-year old in it! 
It's hard to explain how much love, joy and pure FUN Jackson has given us in only 4 years... we are more ready than ever for so many more fun times!!!

And, as always, my 1st baby...

Jackson,

I love you forever,

I like you for always,

As long as I'm living,

My baby you'll be!
All the way to the Moon and back,
All the way to Mars and back,
More than all of the fishies in the sea, 
And, even more than all of the stars in the sky!
You're my #1 boy!

xoxo

RV's and Surgeries...

Yep, you read the title correctly... and no, I am not having a surgery in an RV... ;)

Although, we have/will have experiences with both within a few days...

This past weekend we headed up to Brian's parents home in Lacey, WA.  It was funny when we first got there, because Jack wanted to look all around, as did Maggie. It dawned on us, we hadn't been up there since Christmas... and little ones don't always remember every little detail... so they took themselves on a quick tour of Nana and Papa's house. :) 

As soon as their toys came out, they seemed to remember the fun times we've had there. 

Brian's Aunt and Uncle were on a road trip (in their AWESOME RV...  Just a quick note: I have never been too keen on the idea of traveling via RV or trailer (it is completely unfair for me to feel that way, as I have never traveled in an RV or Trailer - what is the difference between the two???). 

My reasoning:

I always envisioned it being cramped, a bit unsafe (thinking of Jack and Maggie bouncing all over the place, whilst Brian trying to drive "schoolbus" size vehicle... just makes me a bit nervous ~ as does each of those individually too). 

Then, their is the whole "bathroom" issue. I just always figured, if you're going to road trip it, why not 

A.) camp

or 

B.) (...my personal choice...) Stay in luxurious hotels in between stops of fun

WELL... I am a changed woman! 

Uncle Gary and Aunt Mel have given me a whole new outlook on RV'ing, if you will. Their RV is ah-maaaaaaaaaaazing!!! It is really spacious (not the crampy feeling I envisioned), and it "hooks" (totally the wrong term I'm sure, but I'm not a professional RV'er... yet!) on to their truck, so they don't actually ride in the RV while driving, they ride/drive the truck... 

My thoughts have also changed regarding the "kiddos bouncing all over the place", if it were an RV that was "all together" (again, I don't know any RV lingo, yet....  ~What I'm trying to say is, an RV that doesn't "hook" onto a truck. You know, one that is just all one big RV... oy vey, that made no sense, but I hope you're still with me here...). 

So, if it were an "all together" RV, I think I'd be ok with the munchkins hanging out in the back, watching Veggie Tales. Brian and I could might actually be able to TALK and not LISTEN to/or WATCH Veggie Tales (or whatever "show" of their choosing... it for sure wouldn't be HGTV -unless it was my luckiest day EVER!)... or I'd be chillin' back there with them, as Brian chauffered us all over vacay land (vacay land: term for unknown vacation destination).

Lastly, the "bathroom" issue... = no issue. It's actually pretty cool that the bathroom is RIGHT THERE! The bathroom itself may have sold me on the RV'ing ~ after the past drive to Nana & Papas with Jack (ie. yes, he's doing AWESOME with his potty training, but that AWESOME = stopping, literally, every.other.exit. while he screams that "pee pee is telling him it needs to come out nooooooooow!!!! That is a whole other post in itself.) 

Yes, I say... Forget camping, using yucko bathrooms ~ I'd rather have my own Porcelin awaiting me ... AND Jack).

Sorry for getting a bit off track there, but the RV is COOL! Really Cool! It was parked in Brian's parents driveway while they were visiting for a few days, and so it wasn't connected (hey, is that the correct term... rather, than "hooked"?) to their truck. Jack and Maggie thought it was SO COOL (I totally agreed with them!). 

Jack kept begging for just a little little little ride (it became little little little after he asked 12 zillion times and was told no 13 zillion times). Yes, he would've loved it, but as I'm sure all can imagine, it's not like all hopping in the car for a quick spin around the block. 

Someday, Jack... someday, sweetie. Like I said, Mama is anew in her thinking of RV's... and I'm a like'n 'em. 

Uncle Gary and Aunt Mel (Gary, is Brian's Mom's (Karen) brother) live in the Fresno area... so this was the first time for me and the kiddos to meet them. They were great! We had such a fun time getting to know them... and in addition, Uncle Bruce and Aunt Karin, Great Grandma Weeks, Misty and the girls (Michelle & Ashley) all came up too ... we had a great BBQ, and just overall fabulous family time! We missed Jeff & Chris, as Chris had basketball that he couldn't miss.

I am really enjoying meeting more and more of Brian's family! (most have lived/or still live out of state... hence, not seeing them often). We can't wait for another visit with U.Gary and A.Mel! 

Brother and Sister

Uncle Gary and Mom (Brian's Mom, Karen)

So Sweet! 

Love how even as adults, 

it's the typical brother thinking "enough, enough"... 

and sister thinking "i love you, and too many hugs and kisses are never enough!".

They had such a great time catching up!

 Brian and Great Grandma (Marjorie) Weeks

We were so glad she was able to join us. It was her first time visiting Mom & Dad (Brian's parents, her son is Brian's Dad... got all that??? :p) home.

 Jack had so much fun, and was such a good boy the entire weekend!

And... just gotta mention, how HANDSOME I think this monkey is!

Maggie was too! 

She LOVED saying all of her new words, and of course...

singing, dancing, running and just being cute!

Check out those pigtails! 

She looks so grown up with her hair like that! 

It is finally long enough to put up... however, in the tub when it's all wet after washing, it is 1/2 way down her back... just "boings" back up as soon as it dries, 

with those GORGEOUS (to die for!!!) curls.

 ... and to think this (above picture was last fall... less than 1 year ago)!

wowzers, she is growing FAST!!! 

and..

She is just CUTE!!!!

Jack with Nana and Papa. 

Not sure what's up with the face...

and no pants... umm... 

either getting them wet/dirty outside 

or????????? 

Ok, I have no idea. :p

Fun playing outside. 

It was an absolutely gorgeous and perfect day!

Papa knows all of Jack's "tickle zones"... :)

Buster was in ... or trying to be... on the action!

Cousin Michelle and Jack.

He absolutely ADORES his cousins, and the feeling seems to be mutual.

Michelle heads off to college this fall!

Wow, makes Brian and I feel ooooold.

Ashley relaxing...

Looks like she found a snuggle partner.

Mom/Nana ... the most wonderful hostess!

Food was great and the company even better!!!

Great Grandma and Maggie

Do you think it's trouble when two Marjories are hanging out together??? :)

 One big happy family...

with a few missing members...

 Caught with my mouth full...

always a flattering photo, right? :p

 My two very favorite munchkins in the world.

 Maggie says "stop takin' my picture. i'm busy chatting with the girls..." :p

 Lots of running, blowing bubbles, playing hide n go seek and 

just having a whole bunch of fun outside!

 Think someone is getting t.i.r.e.d. She didn't take a nap all day, but actually did great! 

There were a few minor meltdowns... to be expected when you're:

a.) 2

b.) a little girl who is a bit quite stubborn

c.) typically a big sleeper and missing her afternoon princess snooze

 Papa's Girl

 Aunt Misty getting Jack with lots of tickles...

and more tickles!

 Michelle, such a cute girl! 

And, a pretty fun niece/cousin too.

 Papa with two of his three special girls!

Observing everything and everyone! 

 Jackson being silly with Uncle Gary and Aunt Mel...

or is it the other way around???

 Wild Monkey...

and still no idea on the case of the missing pants... ???

 Daddy and his sweetpea.

 More Silliness ensues...

 We cannot wait to see Uncle Gary and Aunt Mel again.... SOON!!!

What a GREAT time!!!

We came home later on Sunday, and had a relaxing evening. Today... was housework, laundry, playing catchup, and did I mention housework??? :p

Brian's Mom came to our house this afternoon, and will be staying for the week... as tomorrow is "D" Day for me. 

I have my big surgery tomorrow... 

I am filled with many thoughts, feelings and emotions running through me, that I know I could not even begin to explain. I hope and pray all goes well, and that I can come home after only 1-2 nights in the hospital (rather than possibly more... all dependent, of course, on how my body reacts to everything). Then I am eager to begin a (hopefully) very speedy recovery, both physically and emotionally. Prior to a surgery date being set, I had really only thought of my physical recovery. However, the emotional side of it all came on quite quickly after the date was set. It was really happening, and as I said... I had/have so many emotions. Ranging from happiness at the thought of being done with all the yuckiness that has led to this surgery, to overwhelming sadness that I will never carry another child and that part of me will no longer be.

Again... prayers, prayers, prayers, are/is all I can do, and trust that this is the path that was chose for me. 

I do know in my heart this is the right & best decision. I know I will feel better than I could have ever imagined... it's the in between time that is going to be a bit bumpy... hopefully not too much. We'll keep you all posted.... and in the meantime, please keep us all in your prayers.

Lots of Love, and BIG (virtual) HUGS!!!