Christmas is coming and a new addition to our friends family!

We put the tree up a little early this year to get Jack used to it before we decorated it! He was a little a scared but now says WOW alot and looks at the lights. He does enjoy unplugging the tree though. We prob will put decorations this weekend- at least ornaments at the top!

And Caleigh Michelle Shannon was born on Monday at 10:56 am She was 18.5 in and 8lbs 1oz. Lauren, my friend calls her the michelin baby- she has little fat rolls! She is way to cute and already is wearing a headband!

My little artist!

So we got some new markers and Jack drew a lovely picture and then though it was much funnier to color on his "belwee". I also had to give him a heart tattoo!! Luckily it all came off in the bath!

Whew- a yucky few days!

So our last couple days have been exciting but definitely in a fun way! A couple nights ago jack threw up in the middle of the night and we attributed it to eating something that didn't agree with him but it happened again the next night. We did many loads of laundry and Ryan really helped out especially when the smells got to me! Anyways, Tuesday afternoon he started having diherra and generally feeling yucky! Wednesday morning it got worse and he had two baths and two outfit changes before lunchtime. We went to his 18 month apt and otherwise he is fine. A little on the small size but she wasn't worried. He weighed 23lbs 8oz and was 30 3/4 in long. I believe the weight because he hadn't eaten anything or kept it down in 2-3 days but for the length I think he is a bit longer -he refused to lay still on the table to get measured so we had to hold him down. She pretty much just eyeballed it! He had a fluoride treatment because the dentists up here wont see kids til 4 or 5! I told her about him being sick and she said it was going around- just to keep him hydrated. Today he actually ate three meals and had no diherra. Yippee!
Then last night it started in with Ryan! I am just hoping it ends there! I have washed everything or bleached it! Hopefully it goes away!

Jack will be 18 months old tommorrow

I really can't believe that a year and half has gone by already! He has brought so much joy to our lives with his smile, laugh and mischievous grin! He can climb, run, dance, jump and talk and he goes most all day long.

He is getting more independent and is looking with more interest at the potty. He does sit there but so far more of just a fascination- no results. We go tommorrow for his checkup and i will publish his height and weight- I am thinking 33 in tall and 25 lbs- but we will see.

This is from the science museum in Anchorage- They are in the middle of a bubble!

Mi Mama

FINALLY-!!! Jackson has said mama for almost 6 months or so but it never seem directed at anyone... Finally I am mi mama (or at least that's what it sounds like). It's so nice to finally be called something! He is currently running around and pestering the dog who can move at a seconds notice.

We are going to Michigan tommorrow to spend abut a week with my brother, sister in law and for a few days my mom and dad. We seem to have gotten flights at good times so hopefully everything goes well. I had packed but am going to repack tonight because although it is 40-50 degrees here, it is still quite warm there. Actually they were saying it might snow here today! YIKES!! It is cold and yucky looking outside so time will tell.

Grandma Berrilla has passed away

In addition to vacation and buying a new car, Ryan's grandmother had been admitted to the hospital. Ryan was supposed to travel there this weekend leaving tom night and coming home next Tuesday. The day I flew home to Alaska, Ryan flew to Oregon. He was able to visit with her that night and all day yesterday. She recognized him yesterday morning and they said their goodbyes. She passed away this morning and although I haven't seen Ryan in almost a month, I am glad he was able to be there with his family. She was 89 1/2 and was very active but had recently found out she had cancer.

The funeral is in Oregon next Tuesday 9/9 at 11am at Pleasant Hill baptist Church. Please be thinking of Ryan and our family at this time.

Back from vacation

It's been almost a month since the last post as Jackson and I have been in Oregon for 3 weeks. We traveled to the coast and Jack played on the beachand I went shopping at the outlets. We went to the zoo the day a baby elephant was born and jack loved all the animals!! We went to the circus which jack loved. He watched all of the elephants and tigers. He watched the clowns and motorcycles. We also made it to the carosel in Salem. He loved the horses and went on it twice. It was a great time and we did alot of shopping. I left with 1/2 a suitcase and came home with two!!

We saw President Bush!

The president flew through Eielson on Monday as a fuel stop on his way to Asia for the Olympics. We were in a hangar sitting on bleachers, so not very comfortable but it was a special event for the base. Jackson did well except for all of the waiting. We got some good pictures and made the local news at least.

Camping

Camping was alot of fun- we rode around in a boat for most of Friday and were glad because it rained on and off Saturday and Sunday! We came back to base on Saturday for a birthday party and then went back for camping. It was alot of fun and we stayed in nice cabin this time. Attached are some pics to look at!!

Rain, Rain Go Away

I sit here and look out the window and think we are on day 6 of rain- maybe not straight through but for the most part. I heard this morning that there are shelters up around the area because the rivers are high- WOW. But on a closer to home note- our backyard is beautifully green! Ryan actually had to mow it yesterday in one of the breaks of rain. Since the last post we have been camping, my birthday has happened and we went to one of Jackson's closet friends birthday party. All in one weekend.

Jackson is doing well- he loved camping but when we got home on Sunday he started running a low grade fever and kept it until yesterday morning or so but it was on and off- I am blaming alot of teeth that he must be getting. Several nights he has awoken us and been screaming with no way of comforting him. One night Ryan was on standby and had to go out from about 9:45-11:30 or so at night. While he was gone Jackson woke up and as I held him and tried to comfort him all he screamed was "dadadadada". Apparently i couldn't do it!! But for the last two night he has slept through so hopefully we are out of that for now!

He is currently watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and saying "key" "key". He is getting too smart for his own good and getting into everything. I have had to keep moving things back because suddenly he can reach them.

On a sadder note- we have found out the grandma Berrilla has cancer and are awaiting the total specifics. I am already going home in about 2 weeks until the beginning of Sept. but we have begun to look for flights home for Ryan as well. So we'll see about that. We just hope for a full recovery but are also realistic about the disease.

Above are pics from Julian's b-day and my birthday cake- made as a surprise by jenna!! love her

Wow, a couple weeks have passed

Never a dull day here in Alaska. I can't belive its been almost 2 weeks since the last post. Jack and I are always busy. We have been to the community center- a large inside playland, so that Jack can climb and play with other children. We have done some art projects and loads of errands. We got a small picnic table at a yard sale and placed it inside so jack has a table to sit at and do all sorts of things. He LOVES to climb on it, of course. He is growing so much and now can get onto the sofa and be where mommy and daddy are. We are going camping again this weekend so I'll have some new pic by then. Jackson loves to be outside and play. He enjoyed our last trip - hopefully this time it will be warmer.

Jackson is getting more teeth!

Finally, yesterday Ryan noticed that Jack is getting his other bottom lateral insiscor(other tooth next to the front two!) And then as i was feeling it, it seems he is also getting his cuspid on that side- i cant feel the point below the gums. So I'm sure the next few week will be fun. His sleeping is usually affected- and that means mine too!

He is also coming along with using some baby signs. He has "more" down! I am now working on "please" and "help". He will do it but if he is tired or wants something right away- he won't try. So this is my ongoing project.

Finally a good picture!

We took some pictures yesterday but Jack was not in the picture spirit so it took a while- until this morning to get one that he was not screaming in! Here is a cute little boy in his 4th of July outfit! Also a pic of him eating his first ice cream cone!

happy 4th of july!!

So yesterday was busy because Ryan had off as well. We are trying to replant our backyard with grass because right now there is none- just weeds!!! So we rented a rotatiller and Ryan finished about half yesterday and then we went to town (Fairbanks) to Walmart to get an economy size grass seed and fertilzer!
Jackson also got to play in his pool yesterday because it was actually warm here. 75-80 which is warm!! Then last night we went to our good friends, Jason's promotion party. He and Ryan put on SSGT together. We were out til late so luckily Jackson slept in too- We got up at 9am! We are having a bbq later on today- wish you could be here!!

Our New Blog

Okay I'm going to try to post every couple days, since i 'm home I should be able to do it. I can upload pictures and new things that Jack is doing and things that happen in Alaska!

Here is a picture from Ryan's promotion ceremony. He is offically Ssgt McBee!! Congrats to him.

Jackson also just learned how to turn things over and climb on them. I looked over earlier and his hand was on the counter. He had grown 6 in!! Then I noticed the bucket. he just laughed at me.