Doesn't Get Sweeter Than This . . .

My baby turned four months old on Friday- update to follow soon!

Homemade with Love

I have been so overwhelmed by all of the beautiful handmade items that friends and family have given me for my little Jackson.  I can't believe all of the time and thought that so many of you put into making something special for my special little guy. 

My Grandma Josie made this beautiful quilt; the first of many, I'm sure. 

 My SIL, Amanda's boyfriend's mother (that's a mouthful) made this super soft blanket.  I love the colors and the owls.

 A friend from church, Julie Cattani, embroidered this beautiful blanket with Jackson's name, DOB, and birth weight and height.  I absolutely love it and it hangs over his crib.

She also embroidered his name on this cute little lovey blanket, which we have named "Elly."

My good friend, Shannon, had her cousin make this super cute diaper and wipe case. 

 Then after seeing Jackson's nursery, which has a coastal feeling to it, she had her cousin make this adorable knit whale.

 Another friend from church, Cara, made this cool travel wipe case.

 And our bishop's wife, Julia Miner, knitted this super soft blue blanket for Jackson.

And Ben made this bear at the Build A Bear factory for Jackson before he was born.  I almost cried when he came home with his dad and played me the cute message he recorded that plays when you touch his left paw: "Hi Jackson, this is brother Ben.  I love you."  So sweet. 

A huge thanks for everyone who put their love and time into these special gifts.  We love them all. 

Mother's Day

My mother's day started on Wednesday at Ben's mother's day tea at school.  It was very sweet.  They sang two songs, and Ben actually sang this time (he didn't at all when I came to his school for Thanksgiving- he's grown so much this year).  Then we had strawberry short cake and socialized.  Ben made me a cute little frame and when asked why he loves me? he said, because "my mom gives me everything I want."  I don't know why he said that, silly kid.  I really don't want him to think that.  Oh boy.

It continued on Sunday morning when I walked out of the shower to find Jacky on my bed with flowers and a card- such a thoughtful baby. : )

The primary children sang during Sacrament, but Ben did refuse to go up and sing for that one.  Oh well.  I'm sure by next time they sing in church he'll do it.  In primary Ben made me a card and answered a bunch of cute questions about me.  I think he was a little hungry at the time because three of his answers are food related.

• I really love it when my mom . . . cooks me food at nighttime. 
• My mom likes to wear . . . running clothes. 
• My mom always tells me . . . it's time to go preschool. 
• The best thing she does is . . . gives me food at lunchtime. 
• It makes her happy when . . . I cheer her up. 
• My mom likes to relax by . . . takes a shower. 
• The best thing she cooks is . . . pancakes. 
• I love my mom because . . . she cooks me food!

We were able to visit both of our moms after church and my sister, who is celebrating her first mother's day this year.  And what better gifts for everyone than pictures of mine and their (my sis's) kiddos.  At least in my opinion.  I think they really liked them too.

I took some pictures of my niece, Ashlyn, without my sister knowing it and gave her the photos for her gift.  Below are a few of my favs.  She texted me the next day that the pics were a hit at her work and that she might have some jobs for me.  I'm not aspiring to be a professional photographer, but it would be fun to do it on the side now and then for friends and family.  So stay tuned because I might have some maternity photos to post soon, as two women at her work are expecting.

I love being a mom and am so grateful for the mothers in my life who have taught me how to be a pretty decent one.  We women deserve to be celebrated.  I mean we work hard.  It takes me forty minutes just to put my children to bed every night.  Sheesh.  These two are worth it though.   

Brothers

The one thing that I was most excited about when we found out we were adding a new member to our family was getting to see how Ben reacted to and acted with this new little one.  And although I would have loved (and still wish for one; fingers crossed for next time) a little girl, I was just thrilled to discover that Ben was going to have a brother.  And it has been great witnessing the love these two brothers have for each other.  Even the love that baby Jacky has for his big brother.

I love that Jackson is completely and totally used to his brother.  I mean Ben would have totally freaked out as a baby if a almost four-year-old ran up to him and squeezed on his cheeks, gave him an almost too hard squeezy hug, and was completely in his face using a not so quiet voice.  But for Jackson that's just life.  Don't worry Ben is gentle with him and I always supervise. : ) 

I love how on most mornings Ben and I go into Jackson's room together when he wakes up, and Jack's eyes always go straight to his brothers and he gives him the biggest smile.

I love how Ben would be so mad at me if I put Jackson to bed without telling him and letting him give him hugs and kisses.  But at the same time he wouldn't want me to wake him up.

I love how yesterday at the park Ben was completely involved with some other kiddos in the sandbox while I quietly took Jackson over to the swing.  In less than a minute as soon as we were spotted Ben ran over to witness Jacky's first time in the swing, give him a little push, and then join him on the neighboring baby swing.

I love how I cannot get a solo picture of Jackson if Ben is in the room.  He immediately snuggles up next to him as soon as he sees the camera out.  I also love how he will cuddle up next to him randomly and say "mommy, you should take a picture of us."

I love how one night when Jackson was maybe a month old I was putting Ben to bed and he handed me his baby blanket and said that he wanted to give it to Baby Jacky because he is a baby and that he (Ben) no longer needed it.  

I love how when I told Ben that I needed to find a sitter for Jackson while I worked at his preschool his response was that we needed to find the "best babysitter."  He continued by saying that we should get a doctor because doctor's know a lot about babies.  His final conclusion: "we should get the best doctor to watch Baby Jacky."  So sweet that he wanted the best for his baby brother, and so smart to even think about the importance of leaving Jackson in very capable hands (at least I think so!)

 I just love, love, love these brothers.  I tell Ben all the time that his job is to teach and protect Jackson.  I tell him that they are best friends for life.  I'm so glad to see that they already are, and I pray that they always will be.