I know a little boy that is 8 months old!

I feel like I no longer have a "baby" on my hands.  Jameson has become such a little "boy" over the last month that I am simply blown away!

We officially have a "talker" (or should I say SCREAMER) in the house!  Jameson is babbling away!!!  From da da, ma ma, tah tah, gah, gah... he is picking things up oh so quickly.  Although starting to talk, Jameson is not quit crawling yet, but we are close.  He is starting to throw himself forward and letting himself fall face down to try and reach for that one toy that is just a little too far away.  He reaches up when he wants to be picked up, is rolling front to back and back to front, holding himself up on both hands and scooting around while laying on his back.

We also have a "true male" when it comes to eating (this is nothing new).  Jameson still drinks 5 bottles a day (2 - 8oz bottles and 3 - 6oz bottles) and two servings of baby food, but we have now added snacks in there as well.  He is LOVING the puffs, mum mums and dehydrated yogurt drops.  His chewing skills have improved immensely over the last month.  Jameson also tryings desperately to grab the spoon out of my hand every time I feed him baby food.

It's been another rough month of teething!  Jameson is working on his two front teeth (no more vampire look)!  This battle has been much more "dramatic" than the last couple teeth.  We have experienced more crankiness this time around and a much more tired baby.  Overall, he is being a trooper through the teething process, but I can tell its taking a toll on my happy little guy.  Once his front teeth are in, he will have a total of 6 teeth!  (4 top and 2 bottom)  

Sleeping habits are still top notch!  He is taking a little cat nap in the morning, around a 2 hour nap in the afternoon and tends to be in bed for the night around 7:30 sleeping until 6:15ish the next morning (the last few days its been close to 7!)

Crazy, crazy, crazy how quickly our "baby" is becoming a little boy!

8 Month Statistics:

Weight: 22 lbs (home scale)

Height:

Diaper size: 4

Clothing Size: Minimum of 9 months, but slowing

adding some 12 month clothes (PJ's are def. 12 months!) 

8 Month Photo Shoot!  

(this is getting harder and harder each month!)

St. Patrick's Day Weekend

We spent last weekend back in our hometowns of Winona, MN and Onalaska, WI.  My parents had asked Luke and I awhile ago if we wanted to join them for St. Patrick's Day.  It worked out great because Luke already had the weekend off...  We thought, heck, why not?  We needed a weekend out and it sounded like a great time! (And it surly was!)

Friday - Luke was able to leave work a little early, so we could get on the road and head to Winona at a decent time.  Luke hadn't been back "home" in over a year, so we wanted to try and get in town as early as possible so we could take a little drive through the city and get some extra time with his mom and step dad.  When we arrived, his parents had a delicious dinner waiting for us followed by some time to catch up and chat before it was time to put Jameson to bed and head to bed ourselves.  Saturday was going to be a long day with mommy and daddy out enjoying "adult beverages" and Grandma and Grandpa Gunderson with Wild-Man Jameson. 

Grandma and Grandpa Gunderson were so gracious to watch Jameson overnight!  Luke and I were able to let loose and have fun!!!!  Before we headed out for our "Day O'Green" we made a quick visit to see Luke's dad and step mom.  But of course, our day wouldn't be complete without a quick photo opportunity ;-) 

After our visit with Luke's dad and step mom, we dropped Jameson off at Luke's mom's house and we headed down river to meet up with my parent's.  It was time for mommy and daddy to have a little adult time!  

Luke and I in our get-up

My Parent's in their get-up

The day was SO much fun!  Our afternoon was spent in downtown La Crosse enjoying great friends, beautiful weather, the St. Paddy's Day parade and of course... Green Beer! 

Mr. H ;-)

While mommy and daddy were out "playing" Jameson was busy playing with Grandma and Grandpa Gunderson!  Grandma and Grandpa Hansen even stopped by to visit Jameson one more time. 

It took 2 sets of Grandparents and 1 uncle

to get Jameson bathed and dressed

I think this picture is fantastic!

Good times were had by all, but it sure was great to hug and kiss Jameson Sunday morning!  A BIG thank you goes out to Jean and Mark for taking such great care of our little man.

Enjoying the Weather

We had such a fabulously fun weekend back in our hometown!  (blog to follow)  When we returned to Sioux Falls Sunday evening, it was still 83 degrees and sunny!  We couldn't pass up a little time outside before bath time and bedtime.  Our neighborhood has a little "mini" park just down the road, so we decided to take a little stroll and tryout the swings.  Jameson LOVED the fresh air and most importantly, he was having a blast on the swing!  So much fun :-)  He was giggling, smiling and laughing the entire time. 

This 80+ degree weather in March is amazing!  

A trip to the zoo

Luke and I recently decided we needed to plan some sort of family activity on the days he has off; especially during the week since it's not so crowded everywhere like it is on the weekends.  Now that Jameson is getting a little older, enjoying the outdoors and not napping all day long, we want to get out of the house and enjoy Sioux Falls as much as possible.  We decided the activity that we plan could be as simple as going for a walk or as elaborate as taking some sort of trip, but most importantly, it something we can all do together and make memories as a family.

Last week was awesome because Luke had two days off in a row during the week.  Wednesday was our anniversary and we already had plenty to do that day, so we decided we would take Jameson to the Sioux Falls zoo on Thursday morning.  (I think I was more excited than most kids!  I love the zoo)  Now that Jameson is getting older and he is actually sitting in the stroller seat (not the car carrier) he LOVES looking around to see what is going on around him.  I thought he would really enjoy looking at the animals.

It was a pretty nice day, not like the weather we are having now, but nice enough for us to bundle Mr. J up and truck around the zoo.  Jameson was a little into the animals, but like I said earlier, I think I enjoyed it more ;-)  He did well for about an hour and a half and then it was time to head out.  But we did get to see a lot fun exhibits and overall it was just nice to get outside and walk around.

Here are a few pictures from or trip to the zoo

Jameson is all set to go!  He's ready to see some animals

 Jameson's view of the monkeys

Happy Anniversary!

Luke and I celebrated our 3rd Anniversary on March 7th!  CRAZY!  It seems like yesterday we were planning the "biggest day of our lives" and pulling together the wedding of our dreams.  But, three years later, we are happy, healthy and of course, still madly in love!

What a GREAT year it has been.  From our trips to Florida and Mexico, friends/family weddings, selling our first house, moving to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and of course, the love of our life..  JAMESON!!!!  It truly has been a spectacular year!

Luke and I already celebrated our anniversary in Mexico, but we still decided to do a little something special on the actual day.  It was great because Luke had the entire day off!  We were able to relax as a family for a while in the morning, made a trip to the gym, did some errands, took a nap and then got ready for a wonderful dinner.  We decided to get a babysitter for the evening so the two of us could go out and enjoy a relaxing dinner together.

I could not ask for a better husband, father to my son and best friend!  You make each and every day worth waking up for, you bring a smile to my face every time I feel down, your sweet hugs and kisses melt my heart and you truly bring butterflies to my stomach every time you walk in to a room.  I love you with all my heart, Luke and feel truly blessed to have you in my life.

March 7, 2009

March 7, 2012

(Sorry, a little fuzzy!)

Cheers to another fun, exciting, memorable and loving year!

I Could Get Use to This!

69 Degrees in March?!?  WHAT?  I don't think I could have ever imagined such a beautiful day during March... Especially not the beginning of March!

Jameson and I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and we went for a VERY long walk after his afternoon nap.  We enjoyed the outdoors, the fresh air and most importantly, our time together.

Chillin' in the back of Mommy's car while

she got the stroller ready

 Trying out my new shades!

We both felt GREAT after a little vitamin D and fresh air! 

Jameson playing in his jumper after our walk (giggling away!)

Doing something for yourself is OK!

At least that is what I am told these days :-)  (Thanks to my wonderful husband!)  With all of the changes over the last 6-7 months, putting myself before either of my boys has not happened nor has it even crossed my mind.  From shopping for myself, taking a nap when everyone else is resting, getting away for a few hours, or even taking the time to "get ready" every day.  (Don't get me wrong, I do have days that I get ready, actually put on make up, change out of my sweats, but it doesn't happen often.)  New clothes, well that hasn't happened in a while and I don't even care.  It truly is hard to say something for ME is more important than something for Jameson or Luke.

Adjusting to mommy-hood, being a stay-at-home-mom and everything else that comes with babies and husbands has not been easy for me recently.  It's been a struggle for me to admit this because I don't want to sound like a "bad" mom or wife, but it's true.  Our family went through a few changes in a very short period of time and looking back now, it really took a toll on me.  I say "looking back now" because until just recently I don't think I realized it or wanted to admit it.  Don't get me wrong, my boys are my number one priority, but when I say "it hasn't been easy" I mean I have not taken very good care of ME.

Luke and I had a long talk on our vacation and he told me I really needed to take some time for myself.  (sorry all, but I truly believe I have the BEST husband in the world!)  He could tell I was trying VERY hard each and everyday to make sure he and Jameson were happy and healthy, but I wasn't doing anything to make sure I was ok.  He doesn't need all the make up, fancy clothes or nice shoes... but he does need a wife with confidence, a smiling face and a positive attitude.  (The LOVE is always there) ;-)

So...  (in true Hansen style) Luke and I created a list of "things that make ME happy" (outside of our family) and things I want to accomplish for ME.

Although its only the beginning, I already feel like a better wife, mom and daughter... everything.  I joined weight watchers to help me drop the baby weight, I am enjoying my work outs MUCH more, eating better, enjoying cooking new recipes, "walking taller" and most importantly... smiling at who I am!

I can not tell you how much I LOVE being a mother and a wife, but I truly could not say I enjoyed much about myself.  With a little boost from the hubs, I am much happier, healthier and of course more confident.