Preparing for baby Jackson

At 36 weeks, mommy is feeling some minor contractions, called Braxton Hicks. These are signs that baby Jackson will be here soon.

Mommy had a great pregnancy and will miss feeling me kick and hiccup. She's pretty smart because she knew I was a boy right from the beginning. Daddy was really excited to learn the good news because now he has a buddy to play sports with. One day when I'm old enough, daddy will take me to an LSU football game.

Mommy says that the baby shower was great and we got everything we need to keep me happy and healthy. Grandma bought me my crib which mommy says will be my bed until I grow up. Grandpa bought me a car seat which will last until I'm a big boy! Grandpa's motto is: "Health and safety first," so he was more than happy to buy me a car seat to keep me safe. Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Kerrie bought me my little All Star sports crib bedding. Friends and family bought me clothes, a high chair, decorations for my room and more. The nursery is a sports theme and it looks great! Uncle Kevin, Aunt Anna, and Aunt Tootie painted my nursery blue. Aunt Joy made curtains that dad thinks are cool. Everyone is looking forward to meeting me!

Books mom and dad really enjoyed reading are: "Baby Bargains", "Baby Wise", "Nutrition For A Healthy Pregnancy", "Your Pregnancy Week-by-Week", "What To Expect When Expecting" and more. Mom also liked websites such as http://www.baby2see.com/.

Mom didn't have too many strange cravings. She liked to eat a lot of yogurt, as well as hot dogs with sauerkraut. Unfortunately, she didn't like to eat meat and green vegetables, which normally she loves. I don't take it personally. I'm sure I will like to eat both meat and green vegetables and grow up to be big and strong. I have really enjoyed getting to know mommy and appreciate the warm home she has provided for me over the past nine months. We listen to Vivaldi in the car which the experts say should help with my neurological development and IQ. Daddy likes to tell me he loves me and gives me lots of kisses. All of us like playing the kicking game too. Maybe I'll be a soccer player like the doctor said I will.

Hope to see you soon!

How mom and dad met

On October 18, 2004, mom met dad at Aunt Anna and Uncle Kevin's house in Houston, Texas. Dad, who is Anna's older brother, was home on leave from Iraq. Dad is a veteran of the United States Army 82nd Airborne division stationed in Ft. Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina. He served as a paralegal for 4 years in the Army - one year of which was spent in Baghdad, Iraq.

In December, 2004, dad moved to Houston to begin his career post-Army, and get to know mom better. On Memorial Day weekend, 2005, dad proposed to mom on Lake Houston as the sun was setting. Just over a year later, on June 3, 2006, mom and dad got married at Heaven on Earth in Missouri City, Texas.

2 years has passed since then, and mom and dad are anxiously awaiting my arrival.