Things I don't want to Forget.

From November

Sometimes it's easy to daydream about when my boys get older. Sleeping 8 hours uninterrupted if I choose. No diapers. Independent nose wipers. Things like that.
But there are other times when I want to freeze time. When I'm snuggling with Jackson and reading him books before he goes to sleep and he gives me that sweet smile that melts my heart. When I'm rocking Chase in the middle of the night and he smiles up at me looking through his sleepy eyes.

From November

I want to remember Jackson’s slightly chubby arms wrapped around my neck when he gives me hugs. How every night he asks me to rest with him and giggles like crazy when I snuggle next to him for a few minutes talking about our day and making up stories for each other. The way he tilts his head to the side and asks quite seriously “How you doing, Mom?” The way he pats my shoulder when he can tell I’m grumpy or sad and says “It’s okay, Mom. I’ll take care of you.” How often he says "I love you."

From November

The way he asks to be wrapped up in his towel 'like a baby' after his baths even though he insists he’s a ‘big boy’ the rest of the time. The way he tickles Chase and they laugh together. I know that before too long he won't ask me in the middle of the mall "can I have a hug, mom?" like he did today. I know that he won't stop me in the canned foods aisle at the grocery store and pat my hand and say "I love you sooooo much."

From November

I want to remember Chase’s sweet gummy smiles that will be turning into toothy smiles so soon. The way he watches me while he eats with his big, beautiful eyes and his long lashes. How he’ll pull back and just smile at me adoringly. The way his eyes follow Jackson and how quick he is to smile as soon as Jackson smiles. How he cranes his neck all around the room when he hears Jackson’s voice.

From November

His INCREDIBLE laugh. The way he sometimes snuggles into my shoulder or my chest when he’s really sleepy and sighs. The peace he emits when he’s falling asleep and his eyes close ever so slowly with longer and longer blinks. The way he slaps his arm up and down smacking my arm when I’m trying to sleep and he wants me to wake up. It’s his ‘pay attention to me!’ slap.

From November

So I want to remember, cherish, and hold on to these moments as they pass because I know there will be good and bad with each stage of life. And there is so much good right now. I don't want to be one of those people who dwells on the past and talks about how much I miss the baby stage. I want to enjoy my boys every day. Even when Jackson makes his favorite 'mean face'.

From November

Even when there are diapers to change. Even when there are fights. Even when they are teenagers. Oh please,do not let them act like I did as a teenager. =)
Thank you, God for every day you give me with these precious boys.

Fall is Here!

From November

It's FALL in Virginia! This season is stunning. The mountains become rainbows of colors as the trees shift to crimsons, gold, orange, etc. I always find fall a little bittersweet. It means Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. It means the possibility of snow days with my husband. But it also means winter and everything that entails. Brr. I just shivered thinking of it even though today was 75 and sunny. We've been taking lots of long walks now that the mosquitoes have met their fate (YES- score one point for fall!)

From November

Jackson loves running through the leaves and jumping into big piles of them and throwing them at people.

From November

Alan has started doing "night walks" with Jackson. Since it gets dark now at 5:30 (BOO. -1 point from Fall) the after dinner walks involve flashlights. They go out on their adventures and Jackson thinks this is the coolest idea ever. We live in a relatively safe neighborhood. Good schools, the majority of the houses are kept up well, typical middle class neighborhood. I have noticed that on both of my running/walking routes there is at least one building with some not so pleasant "BLOOD" graffiti. Yep, as in the gang. I always carry pepper spray no matter where I am (except for the airport- they took mine away last time I brought it there). My neighbor down the street had her car stolen from her parking space which is pretty much in her back yard a couple nights ago. She had left her keys in her diaper bag and someone thought they hit the jackpot. Fortunately her husband was able to recover it soon after. So needless to say, I always tell Alan to be careful on his night walks. I also ask him to bring my pepper spray since bringing my .22 pistol isn't the best idea with a toddler in tow.
Tonight he came home and I asked him if he saw any gangs.
He said no, but he did see a guy with a giant gun get out of his truck and walk towards them.
I laughed.
He said no, seriously.
I said what the heck?
He said the dude was all in camo (it's the first day of hunting here) and he turned the corner and went into his house before he got really close to Alan and Jackson.
Lovely.

Jackson's Latest Tricks...

These are some of Jackson's new party tricks on display. ;-)
Here he is being 'interviewed' and singing (a short version of) the song "Hit the Road Jack" which he thinks was written for him. Much like I though Carly Simon wrote "You're so Vain" for me when I was growing up because my mom told me it was. What? I loved mirrors. And yes, that is his incredible falsetto he is using while singing "What you say?" at the end.


This is Jackson reciting the books of the Old Testament that he's been learning at preschool. Last week I picked him up from preschool and saw on his daily report that he knew the books of the bible through Ezra. I couldn't imagine he actually did since I didn't even know he had been learning them but I asked him and sure enough, he recited them perfectly. He asked me to help him with what came next when he got to Ezra and I had no idea. My husband thought that was hilarious. I guess those of us educated in public schools somehow missed the memorizing the OT unit. I know my New Testament! =)


And we conclude with Jackson singing the song, "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus." I didn't know he knew this song either until one day he was sitting next to me playing cars and singing this song. I love the way he sings the word 'follow'. Melts my heart.

Visting Alan at Work...

We had never seen Alan's school before so we decided to go by and visit him on a teacher's work day when we met him for lunch. The high school he works at is beautiful. It's huge and it's spread out into several campuses but the original building is very picturesque! Jackson was in awe of the whole experience. I think it's fun for him to be able to picture in his head where Alan goes to work everyday.
I decided to put Chase in his bear suit. Alan has mentioned that some of his fellow teachers are more dog people than they are kid people. I figured this way I could trick the animal lovers into liking Chase and the baby lovers would just think he looked extra cuddly. It totally worked, I think. =)

From sept/oct

Jackson checked out some of the reading material. He thinks Ray Bradbury is overrated (much like his mother does).

From sept/oct

Chase was in a great mood the whole time. He was smiling and cooing and saying Dadadadada- his latest trick. I think he was excited to see Alan in the middle of the day!

From sept/oct

Here are my three boys together.

From sept/oct

I think Jackson wants to be a teacher. He made me sit at a desk and he handed me a piece of paper and a pencil and told me not to write on my desk. Then he decided to draw on the white board and told me to draw the same thing and spent the next 5 minutes telling me how I didn't do it right. Sigh. School is hard. =)

Who's a Month Behind?

I'm a month behind. Luckily, Oktoberfest seems like it should take place in October. I'm not sure why, something about the name perhaps? It actually took place in Montclair mid-September but we'll pretend this was October so I won't feel so far behind. Kay, thanks? Most families regard holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving as the big holidays. In the Blecksmith family, we love holidays. ALL holidays. We love to celebrate! This includes the celebration of all things German known as Oktoberfest. After all, what says holiday more than a petting zoo, pony rides, a bouncey house, beer, and bratwurst!? So the WHOLE family came from all over the state- Richmond, Blacksburg, Roanoke, and Harrisonburg and came 'home' to Montclair. Home to our mom and dad:

From sept/oct

Sigh. I love them so. =)
Before we left, Dad took Luke and Jackson around the block by pulling them in his bike trailer. Jackson thought it was pretty awesome. Luke had some concerns.

From sept/oct

From sept/oct

Please note the cousins holding hands! Love it.

Here we are getting ready to walk to the beach at the lake where the festivities are occurring. We look perky and all-american.

From sept/oct

Here we are walking to the lake. We look bad A and gang-like.

From sept/oct

And here is Jackson's face upon arriving. Oh, to have the enthusiasm of a three year old every day.

From sept/oct

And here is Jackson being a cowboy on his noble steed, Lucky the Pony.

From sept/oct

And here is Chase looking a little less enthusiastic about the festivities.

From sept/oct

Here is my adorable nephew Luke with his Gpa.

From sept/oct

And the WHOLE family:

From sept/oct

Another successful Oktoberfest for the Blecksmith/Janney/Pierson family.

Baby Chase Laughing

Does it get much better than a smiling, laughing, chubby baby in a diaper!?! I sure don't think so.

Anne's ETSY page

My sister Anne has always been incredibly artistic and creative. I have Anne originals hanging up around my house and I don't hang just anyone's art. Just Monet, Vettriano,
and Anne. =)

Anne's paintings and drawings really are spectacular so when she decided to take up sewing stuffed animals I was a little bit perplexed. Then when I saw her creations, I understood.

From sept/oct

She creates many of her own patterns and she also makes each one into her own work of art paying attention to the little details and the combination of colors and fabrics as only an artist can.

From sept/oct

Her creations make perfect gifts for newborns, toddlers, or older kids who collect a certain animal. She does beautiful hand embroidery and even personalization if requested.

From sept/oct

Many of her creations can double as decorative nursery accessories in addition to being a snuggly toy or pillow for the little one.

From sept/oct

Chase found his star particularly delicious.
She even does custom art for nurseries or children's rooms:

From sept/oct

This is her shop in case you'd like to take a look:
PreciousPeaches
And this is an awesome review that was recently done of her shop:
REVIEW
It's also a really cool blog in general that you should check out if you get the chance!
Okay, just had to brag on my sister because I'm super proud of her! =)

Happy 3 Month Birthday to Chase!

I asked Alan to snap a few pics of Chase when he got home from work in honor of his 3 month Birthday. He took some of my favorite pics of Chase to date.

From August

My little munchkin. I think Alan described him best to me when he said "he just tries to be happy." He really does. He is content and needs so little to keep him happy. If his diaper is clean and his tummy is full and he's had a nap, there is like a 1% chance he's going to fuss. It's like he knows that Jackson requires some of my attention and energy and decided to take it easy on me. Such a sweet heart.

From August

This handsome little smile comes easier and easier these days. I had him in his Bumbo the other day and he would smile and laugh every time I'd say "Hi Chase!" Oh, if only everyone were so easy to entertain. =)

From August

And then there is his laugh. He laughs pretty easily too these days. I LOVE LOVE LOVE his laugh. It's kind of raspy and just adorable. If baby laughs don't melt your heart, then I just don't think you have one. They are the cutest.

And a random Jackson story:
I almost never wear glasses because I have day/night lenses which you sleep in and leave in all the time. Tonight, I decided to wear my glasses to give my eyes a break for once. Alan likes my glasses. He also thinks Tina Fey is cute so his opinion doesn't count for much in this area. Jackson hasn't ever seen me in glasses and when I went in to kiss him goodnight he said "Mommy, boys don't like it when girls wear glasses. Take them off." Hm...thanks for that.

From August

Jackson's Birthday Party...

Jackson's 3rd Birthday this year was a very laid back event. The past two birthdays have been fairly big. This year, due to schedule conflicts for setting a date, we decided to just have family for his party. We had the first party on Saturday with my family (minus Anne, Danny, and Luke who were at the beach- we missed them!). My Mom and Dad took Jackson out to lunch at his favorite place (Chick-fil-a) and then out to the mall. Liz, Becky, Alan, and I (Chase too- but he wasn't very helpful) then went to work at setting up streamers, balloons, banners, making and decorating cupcakes, and donning party hats. We all hid in the dining room and heard Jackson coming in saying "Hey guys!" "Guys?" "Look! Balloons! Ooh!!" Then we all jumped out at Jackson yelling SURPRISE when they brought him inside and he went from looking slightly terrified to completely ecstatic!

From August

He then proceeded to grab a birthday horn and march around the house with us blowing the horn and laughing.

From August

The birthday horn Jackson wouldn't put down.

From August

Chase did not love Jackson's party.

From August

My favorite pic of the day!

From August

Jackson's football Auntie Anne made him. It's PERFECT because he's allowed to throw it in the house. Check out her other custom made creations: Anne's ETSY shop SO CUTE.)

From August

A wonderful nap time break with sisters and parents.

From August

Post dinner walk- working off the cupcakes.

The next day (Jackson's actual birthday), my family packed up and headed home. We met with the Janney family that evening for a fun dinner at Red Robin and then came back for another birthday party and for cupcakes and ice cream.

From August

Auntie Meg and her two nephews.

From August

Debbie (Nana) with Jackson and his new bike. How cute is she in her skinny jeans!? Jackson had a blast and got lots of fun presents that he was eager to open up and show how they worked to Megan, Nana, and Papa. We sang him Happy Birthday and he blew out another set of candles. He definitely woke up on Monday wondering if it was still his birthday since he'd had such an epic weekend with all of his favorite people (minus Anne, Danny, and Luke).

From August

Happy Birthday to my beautiful three year old. I love your sensitivity, your amazing sense of humor, your sweet attitude towards your baby brother, your wonderful hugs, your endless curiosity, your growing love for Jesus, your obsession with all things boy (sports, trains, planes, cars, ambulances, firetrucks, police cars, etc.). I love all the things that make you YOU, Jackson Ryan Janney. It's been an incredible three years! =)

Girlfriend and Cousin Time...

Jackson got to hang out with Emma again recently. For a little background on who Emma is, see previous blog HERE and HERE and if you scroll down to Emma's birthday party in December.

From August

Jackson pretending to be asleep. Emma's not fooled. Yes, please note the forehead sticker.

From August

Jackson and Emma cracking up. Love this one. Amelia, Jon, Emma, and Ella spent most of the day with us and it was so much fun! A lot different from our college roomie days since we now have two babies and two toddlers but still so much fun. =) I didn't get any pics of Ella (she's 1) but she was totally eyeing Chase. A definite Cougar in the making.

These are a couple pics of Jackson with his cousin, Luke. They are taking a "silly bath" at Gigi and Gpa's house together:

From August

From August

I don't think this kid could possibly get cuter!!!

From August

He's pretty darn cute, too.