WATCH OUT, WORLD!

Yes, its true!  This girly-girl is destined to be the mother of BOYS!

After much back and forth (told at 9 weeks it looked like a boy, then told at 19 weeks it looked like a girl), it was confirmed at my high-res 20wk ultrasound that we are having another boy!  Isn't he cute?! ;)

After asking the ultrasound tech 4 times if he was SURE this was a boy, he printed this shot for me: 

...and I was finally convinced. :)

Jackson's FIRST day of preschool!

After spending a long time on the wait-list, Jackson was finally accepted into an wonderful school!

We have been talking a lot about school and he has been very excited to start!  He was mostly excited, however, about getting to ride a school bus (which is not a part of the plan).  So, we pretended that Mommy's car was a school bus and (thankfully!) he was just as excited to ride to school in Mommy's bus this morning.

Got my backpack and I'm ready to go!

Walking to Mommy's school bus...saying "Come on, Mommy! Come on Mommy!"  He was SO excited we couldn't get there fast enough!

Finally arrived at school, about to go in and meet my new teacher and friends!

We arrived early so I could turn in some paperwork so Jackson had the whole place to himself for a little while.  It had been a long time since we visited the school and I was surprised that he remembered it.

Just checking it out!

Not only was today Jackson's first day, it was also school picture day!  He had his picture taken alone (cooperating MUCH better for the photographer than he ever does when I take his picture, of course).  Then he had picture taken with the whole class.  I can't wait to see them!  I know they turned out great!

After pictures, his teacher (Teacher Jeanne) had activities planned.  Knowing that this was a very new experience for Jackson, she didn't push him to join the others.  Instead she sat on the floor and played with him and got to know him better.  I loved that she did this since he is not used to the structure of school.  I am glad that she is helping ease him into it.  I just LOVE his teacher!

Then it was time to play outside.  Jackson immediately lined up all the bikes he could find.  I think he was having a blast, don't you?!

ALL mine!

Oh wait...you mean I have to share?!

After playing outside, it was time for a snack, then story time.  Jackson was not interested in sitting and listening to the story.  There were too many new toys around to play with.  I was relieved to hear from the other moms and Teacher Jeanne that it was totally normal for him to not want to participate on his first day.  I know it will take some time for him to get used to, but I KNOW he will LOVE this school!  I was pretty picky about finding the perfect school for him.  After today, I know I found the right one for us!

Jackson had the best time at school today....UNTIL it was time to go home.  He cried the whole way home, saying "I wanna play at school, Mommy!!!".  Thankfully, he didn't REALLY lose it until we actually got home (see below).  He was so tired, he actually ASKED me if he could take a nap!

Parking garage melt-down

Other than the melt-down, Jackson's first day was a huge success!  I guess I should be happy that he loved it so much he didn't want to leave!  

UPDATE:  After a good nap, Jackson woke up in a much better mood and asked if we could go to school again!  I am just thrilled that he likes it so much!  Can't wait until Tuesday!

Nolan's Anniversary Surprise

On August 9th, we celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary!  Nolan made dinner reservations at a restaurant called "Cliff House" overlooking the ocean.  We had amazing food at a table with an amazing view.  It was perfect!

The view from our table

As the sun began to set, I decided to give Nolan his anniversary card (the usual anniversary gift from me, nothing out of the ordinary).

Why does he look so surprised to open yet another anniversary card,  you ask???

...Because THIS is what he found inside the card:

We are very excited and beyond blessed!

Go, Jackson, Go!

So, after over a week and a half of hearing THIS, several times a day, everyday:

...we finally got to do THIS today:

...he hasn't gone to the potty since, but this is one happy new cyclist:

Bringing back the blog...again!

WOW!  I am beyond bad at this blogging thing, but really want to do it!  Especially since we are living far from some friends and family and SO much has changed since my last post (October of last year...why do I even try)!  I'm sure anyone reading this blog already knows that Nolan (after nearly 8 years of very dedicated, hard work) was offered a great job in California!  I couldn't be happier for him!  He had visited San Francisco in the past and mentioned several times how much he loved it here, and here we are! I am so proud of him and thankful he now he has a job that he loves in a place that he loves!  Jackson and I are loving it, too!  Nolan is working NORMAL hours and has weekends off!  We are so thrilled to have him around more!  While we miss our friends in Pittsburgh, we are so happy to be starting a new life here!

The three of us have had a blast exploring our new home!  I have snapped a few pictures along the way, like: 

Jackson's first look at the ocean:

This kid will be surfing in no time!

And Jackson's first time playing on the beach:

He loves sand!

Only to be followed, of course, by Jackson's first "I don't wanna leave the beach" crying fit:

Its so hard being 2!

Jackson has changed very rapidly in the past month or so!  I feel as though he went to bed one night a baby and woke up a little boy.  He is always busy and always talking, all day.  He has been so much fun lately!  I have started looking for a preschool for him.  I think he would love school!

Jackson and I have been making new friends, too!  He has two little buddies we hang out with regularly, Cody and Gordon.  They are younger than he is, but it has been good for him.  He is able to recognize that they are babies and he is a "BIG BOY"!  I'm sure he will be teaching Cody and Gordon lots of things, both good and bad, over time.  They are the three amigos!  I recently joined the San Mateo Mother's Club and also a babysitting co-op.  There is always something going on in the Mother's Club, socials, playgroups, mommy's night out, events, etc.  So far it has been wonderful!

Our place is slowly coming together.  It takes a while when you basically need EVERYTHING!  We love it, though!  Its small and expensive but it is the nicest place we have ever lived and our landlord is great!  I am obsessed loving making it a home!  In fact, I have painted the bathroom twice already...still not sure that I love the color, but Nolan made me promise it was the LAST time we paint in there.  I guess that's a good thing since the paint guys at Home Depot were starting to give me a hard time for coming in all the time for more paint samples!

I couldn't possible fit in all that has gone on since we have been here, but I HOPE I can keep up on this blog a little better.  Our life is completely different than it was just a few short months ago!  We are loving life and more time together!  We are blessed!