Random

The first time I saw Jackson, I thought that he looked exactly like Austin when he was a baby. Here is the proof:

It is crazy how much they look alike. Austin quickly lost all of his hair and Jack is also. They even have the same mannerisms.

The other day, I caught Austin after he had picked his nose and was going to wipe his finger on my coffee table (freaking gross). Here is my conversation with him about it...

E: "Austin! What are you doing?!!"

A: "Nothing (with a guilty smirk)."

E: "You NEVER wipe your finger on anything except a tissue or toilet paper! Do you understand?"

A: "Understand. I will get the boogers off everything else tomorrow."

Boogers are an ongoing battle here.

The Value of Money

Austin has been talking about this new Toy Story Imaginext toy since he saw and played with it at his cousins' birthday party. Since it is a whoppin' $50, I told him that the only way he was getting it was to save his money. He was determined that he already had that amount in his piggy banks. We counted and he actually had $37 in one (of three). We told him that he would not be able to use the money in his big bank because that was going towards his first car (you may laugh, but I purchased my first car (1988 Ford Escort - hatchback) with the money that was saved for me in a similar way by my Grandmother).

Austin earned a little more money throughout the week and I had a $5 coupon (it pays to be a Toys R Us rewards member). He and I sorted, counted and rolled the change. I love doing this because it reminds me of rolling change with my Grandfather. He was a milkman and everyday when he got was done with his route, my sis and I would sort, count and roll all of his money. We always looked forward to it.

Here is the loot...$47.


We took the money to the bank and Austin asked for "paper money." The end result...
A happy camper and a valuable lesson!

Jackson's first photo shoot

To check out the pictures of Austin and Jackson, go to http://doe-ee-bird.blogspot.com. Thank you Tracy for these amazing memories of my boys at 4 years and 8 days old.

Quick Update

Things are still good around here however the energy that I talked about in the last post has come to a screeching halt. I have been so exhausted the last couple of days. Austin started swimming lessons this week. It is at 8:45 am for 8 days. What was I thinking???? I have to stay awake from Jack's early morning feeding at 6 am or so, then get my sleepy-head Austin up, get breakfast for him, get both boys ready and out the door. UGH!

Aside from all that...Austin can barely keep his hands off of Jackson. When he is holding him, he always asks us to take a picture. This is the first of many pics you will see like this taken from my phone. Jackson is starting to loose his hair just as Austin did. It is gone on the top and he is beginning to look like George Costanza from Seinfeld. :)

Wonderful Weekend

4th of July weekend was great! On Saturday we caught up with some SHSU friends at the Robinson's home. We spent the 4th at Granny and Papa's house. They got a Water Wheel for the pool. Austin completely shocked me with all the things he tried with it. He let Waylon throw him through it, over it and in it. It was awesome but a little nerve racking for me. The floaties should be gone in a couple of weeks after swim lessons are over.

Here are some of the dare devil's pics...

He always went in face first on the other side but I was over there spotting.

The next day, Waylon woke up at 5am to take Austin fishing. They had a great time. Together, (mostly Austin) they caught 17 fish.

Jackson is doing awesome. He is getting little fat rolls on his legs which I totally love. He weighed 8 lbs and measured 20 inches at his 2 week appointment. Austin is still in love with him. He constantly wants to "pet" and hold his baby. It is actually hard keeping him away when Jack is trying to sleep. Austin makes up songs and sings to him a lot which he enjoys.

Life is freaking awesome!

I am totally loving life at home with the kids. I have more energy now than I ever have. I do get really bored sometimes however because I am not a big daytime TV watcher. That has led to my OCD about my house being clean. I don't want to waste one minute I have with the boys while I am off of work so I joined the YMCA and enrolled Austin in swim lessons, which he will start in July. Jackson is only two weeks old but time is flying by already.

I bought Austin his first bike with training wheels. Not only was it long overdue but I wanted him to go with me to the park while I walk. We have been to the park the last three nights and he has riden over a mile each time. Waylon and Jackson went with us the last time. I am loving my new jogging stroller.

Jackson Kendell Heflin

Jackson arrived on Monday, June 14th at 1:31 pm weighing in at 7 lbs, 14 oz and 19 inches long. Apparently, I like to have babies on Monday morning when we have to drive to the medical center in Houston traffic. I began having contractions at 5:15 am at 5 minutes apart. Around 6:00 am, we loaded up Austin and headed to the hospital. We arrived about 7:00 am and it was only a matter of time before the contractions were 2 to 4 minutes apart. I was still not dilating past 5 cm however, so they got the epidural started and the medicine to bring the contractions closer together. I love that hospital because you are given one nurse that is by your side through the entire process. We learned upon arriving that we were randomly assigned to the same nurse that I had 4 years ago with Austin, which was so awesome. Our doctor did not get to deliver Austin because she was delivering babies all weekend at the time so she did not want to miss delivering Jack. She had a surgery scheduled at 1:00 pm at another location. She postponed her surgery and came back to the hospital when she found out I was ready to push. She made it just in time. I only had to push 4 times and Jackson was out. It all went by so fast. Austin was completely giddy when he saw his brother for the first time. That was the most exciting part.

Surprisingly, we were released from the hospital the next day. Things have been going really well. Jackson loves to sleep! Breastfeeding is also going well. I have persevered! I didn't know if I would make it and several times I wanted to give up but it is a nice feeling knowing that I can provide all that he needs. It was also nice to know that when we went to his first doctor appointment on Friday, we didn't have to pack and bottles or formula.

We have always liked the name Jackson even though I have several friends with the same name. His middle name comes from my dad, Kendell Ables. I love family names. Austin is named after Waylon's Grandfather.

What an amazing blessing! I am so very grateful for this healthy, beautiful addition to our wonderful family.