4 months

It's hard to believe how fast time is going by! Jackson turned 4 months old on the 9th of this month. He is now giggling (inconsistently), smiling all the time, rolling from tummy to back, standing with support, sitting with support, raising up onto his arms during tummy time, and baby-talking up a storm! He is totally aware of his surroundings and loves to watch what's happening around him. He loves having a story read to him during his bath time each night. He is fascinated with the TV, the dogs, his hands, and his newest discovery...his feet! (he still can't quite figure out how to hold onto them for more than a second or two) He sleeps 8-10 hours at night most of the time which is fabulous, but I actually told Travis the other night that I sort of missed getting up with him at night. It is starting to feel like our little munchkin has always been a part of our family. We love him so much and he brings so much joy into our lives. Waking up at 6:30 or 7 a.m. on a Saturday morning isn't even bad when it's his cute little baby face we're waking up for!

At his checkup he was 14lb 4 oz (45th%), 24.5 inches (25%), and 16.5 inches head circumference (45%) The doctor said that he had a nicely shaped head, average weight gain, and was simply darling! Jackson was so brave during the two shots that he got and was excited when we were told that he could start introducing to rice cereal whenever we were ready. Last night we gave it a try for the first time and this was the result...

...Once it was all said and done, for his first time Jackson did great! I know that most of you are probably wondering if ANY cereal got into (and stayed in) his mouth. Quite frankly, I was wondering the same thing myself until I changed a dirty diaper today that was a little different than the last 4 months' worth. We still have a little bit of learning to do as far as moving food from the front to the back of his mouth without spitting it out goes before he is able to take cereal a little better, but you know what they say...practice makes perfect!

Today I received some very wise advice in an email from my Grandma ..."hold his hands until he is old enough to realize that he can't chew on his hands while his mouth is full"...I think that we will try that next time, but watching him make a mess this first round was priceless!

We're Gonna Get Dirty!

Travis and I couldn't think of a better way to spend a fall morning in September than running, crawling, and jumping in the mud at Soldier Hollow (the location of the Cross Country Skiing Events for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games) and so we signed ourselves up for the 2010 Dirty Dash 10K! We are going to be on a team with Travis' brother, his wife, and her sister... it is going to be a blast! There really is no advantage to running the race as a team...it was the same price and we all still have to run the entire distance...so I guess the point of being on a team is to be there for physical and moral support through the obstacles...and for great photo opportunities! :) To learn more details about the race click HERE

We have been alternating days going for runs to prepare for the main event. It feels so great to be back into running again. Once I find my pace I could run for hours. Historically, when I have mapped out my routes I avoid incline like the plague. Seeing as this course has been described as "rolling" I decided I had probably train some hills so last week was my first attempt and I about died. I have a whole new respect for people who love to go trail running in the mountains (Travis is one of those people) So far I have done a 3.5 mile run with hills and a 4.5 mile run with hills and I must admit that although it is tough it feels great afterwards! I can't wait for September 25th to arrive! If anyone is interested come out and cheer us on! :)