Jackson's 7 Months!!

See above picture.

Jackson turned 7 months on June 23rd. He is more mobile and active than ever. I feel like I keep saying that each month but it's so true. He's about 26 inches tall and around 18 lbs. He has just recently added "baba" to his many interesting sounds. I often catch him mouthing "baba" with very little sound as if he's trying to go through the movements for practice.

He's still not crawling but of course we are working on that. He is moving his legs and pushing his but in the air but can't seem to get his arms moving so he can actually go somewhere. He's so funny because he does try and crawl but once he realizes he can't go anywher or reach an object he's trying to get he will lay his head down on his hands as if he's saying, "whew, that was a workout." He has also learned to clap his hands and gets really excited when you clap with him. Stay tuned for more interesting developments in the life and times of Jackson Riley!

Our First Father's Day

Today was Father's day and what a beautiful day it was...sunny, 1000 degrees, what more could you ask for in Texas.:-) The day started out a little shaky, Jackson awoke at 3 am trying to hang out, knowing momma is not a night owl I quickly went to bed when I realized he wanted to stay up...that means daddy had to keep him company:-). Then we noticed his eye was pink so we took him to the Dr. in the early afternoon. Turns out he had the makings of pink eye. But after the Dr. visit I treated Jarvis to an awesome lunch at Screen Door, an upscale southern cusine spot in downtown Dallas. And we enjoyed the rest of the day just lounging and hanging out in doors of course.

Gymboree - Level 2

Jackson has now moved up to the level 2 class for Gymboree. This class is definitely more fun than level 1, a little chaotic but definitely more interactive. The age range for this class is 6 mo - 10 mo so most of the babies are crawling or on the verge of crawling. Since Jackson is not in daycare, this has been a great way for him to learn early socialization skills like grabbing another babies shirt when he wants to say hi or grabbing another end of a toy to let them know that he wants to play (these of course were learned by other babies doing this to him first).

New Playmat to Explore

Now that Jackson has gotten more mobile, we decided to get him a more substantial play mat to encourage him to roll around and hopefully crawl. The play mat is a series of interlocking pieces with enough pieces that we can create two play mat areas in separate parts of the house. Although Jackson is not crawling yet, he is enjoying playing on his playmat and we often catch him bending over doing the splits to get a toy. He has also figured out how to take apart the pieces so that has been eventful trying to keep him focused on his toys vs. tearing up the pieces of the mat so he can chew them. I still do not understand why with all the toys he has, he has more interest in "non" toy items... remote controls, phones, the wipe plastic container, of course mine or daddy's computer and the jar of cream for his body... go figure:-)

DaDa or TaTa?

Jackson uttered his first attempt at what Jarvis believes was da da today. Of course Jarvis was there to capture it knowing I would not believe him (listen to the commentary in the video). I honestly believe he was saying ta ta but I'll let you be the judge. Of course Jarvis does not believe me when I tell him that Jackson cannot distinguish yet what da da really means if he is in fact saying it. Now I must practice every day with him ma ma.:-)

Birthday Suit + Diaper

So I just couldn't resist putting my baby's juicy birthday suit on the blog. As he's getting taller he's slimming out a bit but his knees and legs are still chubby. One family member asked "are Jackson's knees swollen," uhh no, that would be baby fat rolls.:-)

The Windy City Sure Was Cold

Jackson took his third flight to Chicago for Jarvis' friend's wedding. We arrived 2 days early so that I could introduce Jackson to my girls from my days at Kraft and from my days in Detroit.

Chicago was no surprise, the weather was cold and the skies were overcast... however a few hours before the wedding, the sun came out, the weather warmed up and we reminisced on why we loved chicago! We strolled up and down Michigan Ave with Jackson all bundled up fitting right in with the other families like we were still Chicagoans:-)

The wedding was absolutely beautiful!! It was outdoors at the planetarium with the reception inside the planetarium. Jackson loved meeting everyone but was pooped by the time the reception came (8 ish. Before we could get in the cab he conked out in his stroller. The only thing I missed taking him to see is the lovely Chicago beaches. Maybe next time the weather will cooperate:-)

Lovin' on Daddy:-)

I absolutely love these picture. You can truly see Jackson's personality shining through. He loves to press his lips against your arm or cheek and hear himself make noises. Sometimes he's a bit forceful when he grabs your arm, you wonder where these little guys get all that strength! He was having such a good time today with daddy slobbering on him and making noises. So precious!!!

A Day at the Park

Memorial day weekend was pretty low key. Jarvis and I did a little spring cleaning and then decided to take Jackson to our neighborhood park. Jackson is a little too young to get on all the playground equipment without assistance so daddy got on the slide with him and slid down the slide. This was all new to Jackson so at first he didn't know how to act, we made more of deal out of it then he did. After about 10 times up and down the slide he finally got the hang of it and would chuckle a little when they got to the bottom of the slide.

Jackson's 6 months!

Jackson turned 6 months today!!! Where is the time going. Although I am anxious to see him grow and develop, I am sad that very soon he will no longer depend on me to carry him around everywhere and do things for him:-( At the doctor's office this week he was live and in color. Dr. michaels was like, wow he's gonna be an active one." He was just talking away, probably trying to boss Dr. Michaels around.

He weighed in at a whopping 16 lbs 7 oz and was almost 26 inches long. He is well into eating lots of veggies and fruits. He is also very good at telling you what he doesn't want. He closes his mouth tight when he doesn't want his food or sometimes when he's around strangers. Jackson is really enjoying Spaulding now. I need to post a picture or a video of them together but Jackson puts out his hand for Spaulding to lick his fingers whenever he sees him in the room.

Reading Time

Well as much as we'd like to say that Jackson can read, he has not demonstrated that skill just yet. He does love for us to read to him but now that he is more mobile he would prefer for you to give him the book so he can eat it up. Here Jarvis has given him a book to peruse in his bumbo chair to lick, eat - whatever his heart desires.

Tummy Time? I Got That in the Bag!

Jackson has now become a pro at tummy time. There is no protesting it, in fact when I turn him on his tummy he now gets really excited and usually starts to talk and coo. He has also mastered the art of rolling from his tummy to his back so he often likes to flop back and forth when he’s on his tummy. Next stop, sitting completely unsupported!

Stand for the Camera

Over the past several weeks Jackson has mastered standing. He is now standing more upright vs. pushing his but out.:-) Standing has become one of his favorite things to do so much so when you try and sit him down he locks his legs so his knees won't bend. Here we are trying to get him to stand for the camera...as you will see he was bopping all over the place.:-)

Magazines Make Noise and Their Yummy

Jackson has a facination with most anything these days but things that make noise especially plastic and paper are most facinating.

Who Knew Sleeping on My Tummy Was The Way To Go

It's good to know Jackson takes after his mommy with some things since I keep hearing he doesn't have my looks. I was soo exhausted this morning when I heard Jackson in the monitor that I fell back asleep. When I awoke frantic that something terrible must have happened, I quickly turned on the monitor to find him on his stomach. This of course also startled me because he has never slept on his stomach. I surely thought he wasn't breathing (I know, new mom syndrome). When I ran to his room and touched his back he was sound asleep. I guess he got tired of waiting for momma and talked himself back to sleep.:-)

Mean Muggin' 'Em

One thing that we found facinating about Jackson is his various expressions. Here are two that his daddy is proud of.

Don't Mess With Me


I'm a Lion, Hear me Roar

Jackson's Visit to the Church Nursery

This Sunday was our first Sunday putting Jackson in the church nursery. I have to admit I am one of those mom's that just isn't sure what goes on in the nursery so I have been hesistant to leave him there. Jarvis and I unfortunately had no choice this Sunday because we had a Marriage ministry meeting after 2nd service and no one else brought their kids.:-( I managed to get Jackson to sleep after 2nd service so I figured he would stay that way through our meeting and I could just keep him in his car seat but of course he woke up.:-) So I trucked on over to the nursery and dropped him off. He was teary eyed when I picked him up, maybe the newness of it or maybe because some of the other babies were crying, who knows. We have another marriage ministry meeting next week so I will see how he does the second time around.

Jackson Sittin' In His Crib

Just this week Jackson has finally fully gotten the hang of sitting unsupported. It's fun to watch him sit, as soon as he reaches for something his stomach forces him to lie down.:-) And if you come from behind and start talking to him he will try and raise up and turn around to see you, this of course causes him to fall backward. Thank goodness for Gymboree...we now have some exercises we can practice with him to develop his core strength.

Mother's Day

Mother's day was extra special this year...of course because I am now a mom and because I have a great husband and son. For my mother's day gift, Jarvis and Jackson wrote me this lovely poem and they stamped it with their finger prints. Of course we know Jackson's were a little scattered in some spots but I loved it nonethless. They are also getting me a new video camera!!! So I will no longer have to take video clips on my digital camera...look out for some extended video in the future!!!

We also spent the day at my cousin Clay's graduation. He graduated from Jarvis and I's alma mater... Tuskegee University! We ended the day with dinner with the entire family and a late flight back to the lovely state of Texas. Jackson once again was great on the flight. He was up most of the time looking around and playing with his toys. Midway through the flight he drifted off to sleep and stayed that way all the way home.

Alabama, Family, Friends, Graduation Oh My!

Mother's Day weekend we traveled down to Alabama for my cousin Clay's graduation. Before going to the graduation on Sunday we spent some time in Montgomery with Jarvis' family and some of my friends from college. Jackson had fun meeting new people and bonding with his family. The plane ride down there was a bit challenging this time, although Jackson behaved himself, sleep was not what he was trying to do. He was in awe of all the people, the seatbacks, the tray tables, the vents, you name it he wanted it. I guess him being busy is better than him fussing so we can't complain.