Busy might just be an understatement...

Life is so busy right now, and to be honest, I kind of think "busy" might just be an understatement.  We had so many things going on this week -- so many fun things planned and so many things on our to-do list.

On Monday, Jackson's baptism outfit came in the mail, and we tricked Ben into thinking that he was actually going to wear the bonnet that came with it.  Ben was really sweet about the whole thing {mostly because he didn't want me to start crying like I did when he told me how he felt about Jackson's Easter outfit -- haha}, but he was so relieved when he found out that I was just kidding.  I'm pretty sure Jackson will hate me for this one day, but doesn't he make a cute little girl? ;)

Bath time is still so much fun...

...especially since he has now found a couple of other bath toys -- a.k.a. his feet! ;)

Jackson wants to put everything in his mouth these days -- even his bath chair.

 

After his bath, Ben took him out so that he could get a better chew.  It's no wonder Jackson's first word was "dada".  He is such a pushover. ;)

On Tuesday, Jackson and I spent the day with my mom.  I really wasn't sure how the day would go since G had passed away exactly one year prior, but thankfully, we were actually able to enjoy the day -- mostly because of Jackson.  That morning, we took sunflowers {the state flower of Kansas} to the cemetery.  We didn't stay long though since Jackson was asleep in the car.  It was also pretty hot out there.

Afterwards, we headed over to our family's favorite Mexican food restaurant for lunch.

Baby's 1st trip to El Patio -- definitely something worth documenting. :)

Later that afternoon, we took Jackson to the neighborhood pool, and Cheryl ended up meeting us there with Miles and Avery.

A lot has changed in the past 3 years.  Looks relaxing, doesn't it? ;)

We tried to get one of us with the babies, but unfortunately, my mom accidentally took a video instead of a picture.  I was able to get a cute screen-shot from it, but I guess you can tell who her main focus was -- she just barely got mine and Cheryl's eyes! :)

That evening, we went over to Holly and Nelson's house for a delicious steak dinner and to celebrate Uncle Nelson's 27th birthday.  Jackson was more interested in the cake {the flames to be more specific} than taking a picture, but at least he was smiling.

A couple of pictures for dad before dropping Jackson off at Mimi's house on my way to work on Wednesday...

On Thursday morning, we decided to check out Stroller Fit, which meets at the mall before it opens, and we both loved it!  I loved the hour-long workout {and am still sore!}, and Jackson loved watching the moms, the other babies/kids, and the random mall walkers.  I ended up signing up for the monthly membership and am hoping to make this a part of our regular routine -- because I gotta get my waist back somehow!

That afternoon, Jackson had apples {mixed with cereal and milk} for the first time, but once again, he wasn't a huge fan.

We also went grocery shopping for everything that we need for the lunch that we're having after Jackson's baptism, and thankfully, he was a fan of that.  He loves to be out-and-about, and he loves to people watch, so that definitely helped.  He also loves to entertain and ended up squealing/talking almost the entire time that I shopped.  Such a little ham!

Yesterday, we slept in and then invited Mimi over for breakfast in our pajamas.

As I was walking my mom out, I mentioned to her that it was probably about time to retire my favorite pajama pants since they were so frayed at both the waist and the ankles, and not long after she left, I somehow managed to put a huge rip in them.  Sad day. :(

Ben came home early yesterday, and the three of us headed back up north to CLOSE ON OUR BRAND NEW HOUSE!!!  We originally weren't supposed to close till September 5th, but because our lender was so on top of things, we were able to move it up 3 weeks.  Talk about exciting!

Jackson and our fabulous realtor, Cheri.  Not only did she sell our house and help us find a new one, she also kept Jackson entertained during closing and even gave him a bottle. Now that's service. ;)

Us in front of our brand new {to us} home!

An "outtake" but cute nonetheless. ;)

Yesterday evening, as we were driving back to my grandmother's house to put Jackson to bed, we decided to instead put Jackson to bed at my mom's house so that we could go back up to our new house and start on a few of the projects that we're wanting to get done before we move in next weekend.

We ripped up all of the carpet and padding in the bedrooms {so that we can put down the wood laminate that is in the rest of the house}...

...and we painted Jackson's room.

Max, the little boy who lived here before Jackson, had a tree painted on his wall, and although it was pretty cute, we decided that it wouldn't look too good with Jackson's train-themed nursery, so we painted over it.  Ben said that if Max ever comes back and asks where his tree is that he is going to ask him if he's ever seen the movie "Fern Gully".  Haha -- so cruel. ;)

We ended up letting Jackson stay the night at my mom's house since we didn't leave our new house till about 1 o'clock in the morning.  It was so weird to sleep without the baby monitor on {first time in over 6 months!}, and we both really missed him.  This morning, Ben went up to the church since he had volunteered to help paint the church library, and I went over to my mom's house to pick up Jackson.  He obviously didn't miss us quite as much as we missed him.

I spent most of the day getting ready for Jackson's baptism tomorrow and the lunch afterwards.  I cut up fruit, made cheese potato casseroles, did 4 loads of laundry, and cleaned house...while also entertaining a 6-month old baby.

We tried apples again today, and it went a little bit better than earlier this week, but I still wouldn't say he's a fan.  After I fed him, I gave him the spoon, and he really liked that.

Only 6 months old and already so independent!

I noticed today that he was a little fussier than normal.  He's been chewing on things for months now with no sign of a tooth, but I decided to check to see if teething was possibly to blame.  I stuck my finger in his mouth, and instead of the usual smooth gum, I found this -- a pearly little {sharp!} white tooth just barely breaking through.  I gave him a little Tylenol, which seemed to help, and I'm just hoping that it doesn't have too big of an affect on our big day tomorrow.

Tomorrow is yet another busy day with both Jackson's baptism and a lunch for 40+ family members and close friends -- because apparently closing on a house and cutting teeth isn't enough for one weekend. ;)  I'm telling you -- life is so busy these days.  So good, and so busy!