Food & Fun

This picture speaks for itself. Jaxon spit up all over Ryan and looks to me and smiles. I think someone is getting smarter and he is becoming quite the jokester!

More videos!

Jaxon is still very intrigued by his exersaucer!

Jaxon on his play mat talking. This kid talks all the time!

Cereal Video

Just for Aunt Erin, Jaxon's first cereal experience on video!

Cereal

Tonight, Jaxon has officially left the newborn world and started eating cereal! The pediatrician mentioned giving Jax cereal last month since he was eating so much formula. Of course I put it off, I don't want my baby to grow up too fast! I felt it was time since he hit the 4 month mark and is getting much stronger with holding his head up.

I'm not quite sure how the first feeding is supposed to go, but I think this went ok. I felt like he liked the taste, but didn't quite get the spoon and swallowing. Baby steps....

Wisconsin Dells - Part 1

Last weekend, we headed off to the Wisconsin Dells for the first Samford family vacation with the addition of 3 little ones. We knew we were in for a thrill, and we were correct! It all began Sunday morning...

Jaxon and Mommy before the 4 hour drive:

Jaxon did so good the whole trip up. We stopped for lunch outside of Madison at Fuddrucker's. It was delicious and Jax enjoyed his lunchtime bottle. After that, it was Wisconsin Dells or bust. Once we arrived, we shopped at the outlet mall next to our hotel until the rest of the family arrived. We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge. This place was huge! They consider themselves to have 3 indoor water parks and one outdoor...plenty of room for 3 kids under 3! We finally checked in around 4:30. Ryan was nice enough to complain about our wait and they upgraded our condo to the biggest they had. Thanks Ryan! In one condo we had a living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms and a kids room. Adjoining our condo, we had another bedroom with sitting area. Aunt Jessica's family stayed in the second room with Grandpa, Bebe, Ryan, Jax & I sharing the other. The girls used the kids room as a play room when they were over. Sunday afternoon was filled with Ava and Reese's first water park experience followed by unpacking and settling in. We didn't end up eating until around 7. Buffalo Phil's didn't have much of a wait, but it was a bit late for the girls. I think they were so excited to be on vacation that they didn't want to sit down and eat. After eating, we headed back to the hotel for bed. That night, Ryan put Jaxon to bed. A few minutes later, we heard a lot of talking coming from our bedroom. Grandpa and Bebe could hear him all the way up in their loft. Our little giggle monster was laughing away and we were so excited that some of our family got to experience this.

Day 2 involved a morning at the water park. Jaxon got all ready to go and "played" in the water for awhile before crashing. I think he had a good time before falling asleep...

Jaxon and Bebe poolside

While Bebe watched Jaxon, Ryan and I had the opportunity to go down the Howlin' Tornado. This is the scariest water slide I've ever been on. You begin at the top and immediately go straight down into a cone shaped apparatus. I screamed the whole time. I later talked Jessica into going on it with Seth, but didn't give her a full run down as I knew she wouldn't have done it had she known!

Jaxon ready for dinner at Moose Jaw's: Ava and Bebe had a good time at dinner. Ava was adorable with her antlers!

Reese and Jessica enjoying dinner:

We went back to the water park that night and the girls really settled in. Ava loved the jet skis and spraying people as they walked by. There was one unsuspecting gentleman in particular that walked right in front of her. As he walked by, Ava pelted him with water. It was classic!

Reese really took to the wave pool. She loved moving the tubes around and wasn't even scared of the waves by the end of the day.

Reese and Seth in the lazy river:

A fun vacation was had by all. Yes, it was crazy with 2 toddlers, but we loved every minute...I mean... most minutes of the vacation! At the end of the vacation, Aunt Jessica had to ask, "Was Jaxon even here?" Jaxon hardly made a peep, he was a perfect angel! More pictures to come from Grandpa's collection later this week!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Today marks my 26th birthday. Not much of a milestone, but it is my first birthday since Jaxon arrived! Last year at this time, we had only known Jaxon was on the way for a few days. What an exciting year this has been! This morning Jaxi came in around 7 and slept with me until after 9. What a good start to the day. My boys all wished me a happy birthday this morning.

On the laughing front...Last night, we went out to eat with our friends Josh and Cameo. Jax seemed to be in a good mood at Old Chicago, but was in an even better mood when we got home. While I was changing him for bed this kid was laughing up a storm. We have never seen him laugh like this. When we tried to video tape it, he wouldn't laugh as hard, but that little trickster...he would start up again after Ryan stopped recording. What a cutie!

4 months old!

Jaxon turned 4 months old yesterday! He is just so big and changing everyday. The last week has been filled with teething madness and exercauser fun! Last Friday, we got a call that Jaxon had a few too many dirty diapers ;) We have chalked it up to teething after speaking with the daycare and other moms. The last week was a bit rough, but he seems to be feeling better. We have found out that Jaxon is a Baby Einstein lover! He usually watches the whole thing and we have found it calms him down when he isn't feeling well.

Daddy and Jaxi Babe

The exersaucer has also made its debut. Jaxi is clearly at the beginning stages of this wonderful toy, but seems to be enjoying it! You can tell by his faces below, he was overwhelmed!

Jax and Wrigley had to both check out all the toys

The Cubs game was on in the background and like a true Cubs fan, he had to keep checking the score!

1st 4th of July in Wisconsin

Last weekend, we spent the 4th of July in Wisconsin for a long weekend. Ryan wanted to go to a few Cubs games so Jaxon and I tagged along and we stayed with Ryan's family in Racine. We arrived on Thursday after Jaxon slept the whole ride up with the exception of dinner. We visited for a bit with Uncle Mike, Aunt Sharon, Elsie, Cousins Mark, Stacie and Peyton. When we finally got settled in at Cousin Tom's for the night, Jaxon slept great. He only woke up a few times the first night. Our apologies to Tom who worked until 4 am and had to listen to our little noisemaker in the next room!

Friday morning Jaxon spent some time in bed watching TV and sucking his thumb:
Friday afternoon, Ryan met up with a few friends on the Wrigleyville Rooftops for the Cubs/Brewers game. Before the game we got a picture of the 3 biggest Cubs fans I know:

(Not pictured: Brewer fans Mark, Stacie & Peyton)

Jaxon and I visited a bit in the morning with family then headed out for a relaxing afternoon of shopping. We also got to see Cousins Mariah and Maddie who were sleeping the night before. It is so funny to watch the girls' reactions. Peyton loves to see Baby Jax and Maddie walks up and whispers "baby" in the softest voice possible. Also for some reason, little kids are obsessed with baby toys and car seats!

Little did we know how serious the 4th of July was to the town of Racine. Although, the bouncy house in Sharon's yard that arrived Friday should have tipped us off! We first dressed Jaxon in his 1st 4th of July onesie given to him by Aunt Sharon. I provided the adorable plaid pants ;) We then headed over for breakfast and sat outside to watch the parade.

In case you didn't think I was serious before, I thought I would include Cousin Tom's favorite float to show the high class level of this parade.

Jax and Mommy during the parade:

Mark and Peyton watching the floats:


The girls getting a front row view:

All of the excitement didn't get in the way of Jaxon's nap.

After lunch Jaxon was having the best time with his Daddy. I've never seen him laugh like this!

After a long nap Jaxon decided to watch some TV with his Daddy. What a cutie!

Sunday Stacie, Jaxon and I went shopping while Ryan, Tom & Mark met up with Cousin Kevin for the Cubs/Brewers game at Wrigley. Little did we know how much time and money we spent shopping until we were closed in at 7 pm in Children's Place. It was probably better for our budget that this happened ;) Jaxon slept most of the day away, but I can't complain as he was well behaved and slept all night! Thanks to the Best family for a wonderful weekend!

Thumbsucking & the Bumbo

We started Jaxon on a pacifier back in the hospital. I was hesitant as I knew we would have to break him of the habit later, but Ryan wanted it. I came to terms with it and realized it would be easier to take the pacifier away than his thumb when the time came. Last week, Jaxon decided he wanted to not only use his pacifier, but also suck his thumb when the pacifier is unavailable. I dread the day we try to break these habits!

We also put Jaxon in his Bumbo. I had to post pics because he is just so cute!