January randomness

So much has occurred in our lives since the last post, but nothing that could really be put into one, big, cohesive post. So you're just going to get one, big, random post instead.
Luke has changed so much. He is crawling everywhere, pulling up on everything, and really letting his personality come out. We have always called him Monkey (or Monk Monk) and he is living up to his name. He has developed his own personal impression of a monkey which basically consists of short, very loud, shrieks. His favorite place to do his impression is, of course, in public...usually as I'm shopping in the grocery store or when we are out to eat. While it is amusing at first, it can be quite disruptive and gets lots of stares :)

Who does he think he is? He's supposed to be my baby :( He still only has 2 teeth, but is working hard on getting some more...hence the drool all over his shirt :)

I love that this is what I get to see when I go into his room each day. He is so very proud of himself and his newly learned skill...it is just too cute!

Couldn't you just pinch those little cheeks?

I love to laugh. And Jackson keeps me laughing all the time. I think kids say the funniest things at this age. Sometimes he is meaning to be funny, and other times he doesn't even know how funny he is.

Example:

Most nights it is a bit of a struggle to get him to come up with what he wants to thank God for in his prayers (some of you may think that is a bit of a high expectation for a 3 year old, but Jackson is a smart kid). But the other night, there was no hesitation. I didn't have to coax, didn't have to remind him of what he did that day that might serve as a good idea, gave no suggestions, he simply got on his knees, bowed his head, closed his eyes, and in his sweet little voice said..."Dear God, Thank you for the song 'Let's Get It Started In Here'. Amen."

Yes, God. Thank you for the Black Eyed Peas. I'm sure He gets that one a lot ;)

Another thing about being a 3 year old boy...he is BUSY! There is no down time. Jackson is either on or off; there is no in between. He is rowdy, he is rough, he is dirty...but he is sweet, he is tender, and he is polite...and did I mention smart? I am so proud of him :)

He has been into Mr. Potato Head lately (which is funny because he got a bunch of Mr. Spud stuff for his 2 yr birthday and has not really been interested in it until just lately). He likes to create 'potatoes' and then come show them to me.

He created this masterpiece and said to me "Look, Mommy. It's Picasso!" (Toy Story is one of our current movies of choice)

He brought this one to me today and said "Look, Mommy. This guy has a pistachio!"
Mustache, pistachio...who doesn't confuse those two words?

Every night, Brad and I make "rounds". We go in and look at each one of our little angels as they sleep. We re-position, re-tuck, re-kiss...it is such a sweet time as parents that I look forward to each evening. Jackson, like most 3 year olds, sleeps with an army of things. He has G, baby G, Mickey pillow, Gray Cat, Mickey cubbers, Georgia cubbers, Football cubbers, and Swakey Swake...a giant 6 foot long stuffed animal snake...and all in a twin bed! So as we made "rounds" the other night, this is what we walked into. I promise there was no re-positioning before this picture was taken...this was just as we found him, and we couldn't resist the photo opportunity as we chuckled in the dark :)

A few weeks ago, we went to Atlanta to celebrate some Morgan family birthdays...both of my brothers, Kenny and Nicholas, and Nicholas' wife, Ashlyn. My parents cooked a wonderful dinner and we all enjoyed great company, food, and of course, wine. My favorite thing about the evening (other than the never ending "that's what she said" comments by the entire family) was that the cousins got to play together. Jackson and Allie are 15 months apart and Luke and Jake are 9 months apart. They had such a great time playing together. Jackson and Allie were the funniest, walking around hand in hand the entire night like long lost little buddies.

Hanging out at the top of the stairs

Sweet picture of Luke playing with Grandpa

The fam...I don't think Brad likes it that I dress the boys alike sometimes, but I love it!

Whew, that was a lot. Is anyone still reading....?