Jackson's New Favorite Place

Jackson has discovered how to crawl and get onto the bottom of his exersaucer. Whenever we go into the kitchen for a minute and come back to the living room and can't find him, he's under there. It's really cute. I don't know why he like it, it's just boring and blue. Maybe it's just comfortable? I don't know. We've also had to start closing all of the doors in our hallway. Our living room may not be completely child proof yet, but it's alot closer than the bedrooms and bathroom. He's getting around so well now. It's amazing! I even caught him on hands and knees the other day, but he quickly got onto his stomach.

Here's a picture of Jackson hanging out in his new favorite spot

I really have no idea why it's so fun under there.

how on earth this can be comfortable i do not know... My mom loves this one. Her and dad say it looks like Jackson is trying to be a mechanic like his grandpa. I love that idea. SO Cute! Now we need to get him some big overalls, a tool belt and put some grease on his face.

Jackson is an apple man. I gave him the core of my apple the other day and he had a blast with it. The only problem is that now that he has a tooth he can accidentally get chunks off of it, so i have to keep a close eye on him, since he isn't eating any kind of finger food yet. But hey, if it makes him happy, it makes me happy. I actually tried giving him some not so mushed up sweet potatoes the other day and he hated them! I think he's just not used to anything having a texture greater than cream soups. One day. I also can't wait for him to start holding his own bottle! And drinking out of a cup!Jackson Has had an awful cold for the past week and a half.Poor little guy. He's got a really stuffy nose, nasty productive cough and is all congested. It's horrible to see him like that. I actually even took him to the doctor a week ago, but there's not much they can do unless he gets a bad fever or has labored breathing. Well, it's not labored but it sure doesn't sound pretty right now. I sure hope he gets over it soon. He is starting to eat better now, but still has a cough and i have to suction his nose. Luckily Bryan and I have escaped the cold Jackson has. So we aren't all miserable at once.

On a bright note, Jackson IS taking a formula bottle now. I am ecstatic! He's doing really well with it. I think it makes him a bit more gassy, but i am loving the freedom i feel. 7 1/2 months of breastfeeding is plenty for me, though it will still take a few weeks to ween him completely. But by Christmas he'll be a bottle baby and i am very excited for that. I am also very thankful for WIC or we would never be able to afford putting him onto formula.

In one week it will be American Thanksgiving. We are so excited to have a few days to ourselves to hang out as a family. Bryan has a test before the break but then nothing until finals. It will be wonderful to have a few days to relax together.

Still no news from any more dental schools. We're still hoping and praying that we get an acceptance from Indiana. Cross you fingers and pray for us too!

Get Well!

Grandma Schaalje got a knee replacement at the start of September, just after we left. So Jackson and Amber made a surprise get-well e-mail for her to read when she got home from teh hospital. These are the pictures taht were in there...
... I Love You...
... listen to some tunes...

... relax...

...when you feel the pain, sad or blue... (they're out of order apparently)

... get lots of rest...

Mom made it thorugh surgery fine and was home within a few days. She is healing well and can get around the block pretty easily.

However, it was a bit of a gong-show for Amber's parents for a bit. Shortly after Amber's mom came home (and was unable to drive from the surgery) her dad had a gallstone attack and was hospitalized for a few days. His gallbladder was then removed a few days after he had recovered from the attack. He too is recovering well now, and says that his appetite has come back a bit now. That is a very good thing since he hasn't wanted to eat much since his treatments.