Happy 6 Months and Happy Anniversary!!

Happy 6 Months to Me!! On June 18th Jackson turned 6 months. He is growing up way too fast. I can't remember when he was little. I look at his pictures and I can't remember him when he was younger!! We didn't do anything on his birthday to celebrate since we had a girl's camp activity that we were in charge of for the 4th year girls.

We went to the doctor today for his checkup and here is what he has been up to:

weighs 19 lbs 10 ozs and is 28 inches long (80% for weight and 90% for height)
still only rolls from his stomach to his back when he feels like it (very close to rolling on his back to his stomach)
no teeth yet
jabbers away (almost sounds like he is close to saying dada and mama but I think it is still jibberish)
laughs and smiles at just about anything especially his dad
rocks side to side to entertain you
will watch Baby Einstein and is glued to it
eats rice cereal and so far has had squash, peas, and carrots (seems to love all food)
grabs anything he can get his hands on and usually puts it in his mouth
freaks out for his bottles
usually only cries if he is tired or hungry
takes naps and goes to bed in his crib on his own
puts his thumb in the hole in his pacifier and occasionly tries to suck it but we pull it out if we see it!!
cries if he sees mom and dad walk away
loves to go swimming
anything that he sees he reaches his hands out to grab it
can sit up on his own for the most part but does still fall over after a little while

The doctor said he was advanced as far as doing things that a 9 month old would do as far as sitting up on his own and getting stranger danger and crying when we leave the room. I am excited about him being advanced in the sitting up but could do without the crying when we leave a room.

Here he is on his 6 month birthday.

Super happy boy!!

The next day (June 19th) was our 12 year wedding anniversary!! We decided to go to the new aquarium at the Arizona Mills Mall. It was fun but kind of pricey for the size of the aquarium. We had to wait in line probably about 30-45 minutes (so if you ever go buy tickets in advance online) and it was pretty busy. They try to stagger how many people they let in but it was still pretty crowded. We were very patient and waited our turn but I about lost it towards the end when we waited our turn to see some fish and right as we walked up to look at this fish some lady stood her kid on the rocks right in front of us completely blocking us and Jackson (I choose to be good and not say anything and of course I don't think they spoke English!!!) Jackson was very good in the aquarium but didn't really act like he was loving it he was just content (not happy or sad). Here are some pictures at the aquarium they aren't the best but you get the idea.

Cody looking soooo excited!!!

I wanted a shark in the picture but as you can tell it didn't happen!! Yes there are fish in this tank!!

After we walked around the aquarium and the mall for a tiny bit we headed over to The Claim Jumper for some food. It is a really good restaurant with very large food portions. Jackson did really good and enjoyed sitting in the high chair. He has gotten very grabby so you have to keep everything far from his reach and it seems he has a very long reach!! The awesome thing about Claim Jumper is you can make a reservation so you don't have to wait!!!

In the lobby waiting for our table to be setup

Posing with mom!!

After we were done eating

Once we were done at the Claim Jumper we continued to walk around the mall a little more and then went to the Rainforest Cafe for dessert. I really wanted to take Jackson there but I wasn't sure if he would like it so we figured we would just try dessert and see how it went. The Rainforest Cafe has lots of animals and displays that come to life on and off as you are eating. Probably about every 15 to 20 minutes there is a thunderstorm and it is pretty loud. He really liked it. We were near some gorillas and everytime they started moving and making noise he was just watching them. It was pretty funny when the thunderstorm started, he was just looking around and his eyes were all big but he didn't get scared. The cheesecake was very good and I am sure more calories than I should have had in one day but hey it was my anniversary!! Here are some pictures at the Rainforest Cafe.

Jackson enjoying the animals from his moms lap!!

A fish tank at the Rainforest Cafe

A guy put his 4 or 5 year old up by the snake and he freaked out!! Jackson loved it and was pulling on the snakes tongue!!

Sitting on the wall with the alligator behind him you can only see his teeth in the background

Always a happy little guy!! (I should say big guy!!)

As we were about to leave the mall we walked out by the aquarium and noticed it was pretty much empty. They stamp your hand as you go through and you are able to go back as many times as you want in the same day (hey it is $18.50 an adult!!) they should let you go back!! We decided to go through one more time and get our moneys worth. It was great the second time around because we could see everything and take our time without being shoved around by obnoxious people and their kids.

Jackson with a shark behind him!!

See the sting ray in the background

It was a fun day and a nice celebration for our anniversary and Jackson's half birthday!!

Random Pictures and Stuff!!

Here are a bunch of pictures that I have accumulated over the last several months but haven't posted yet. Sorry, it might be a little long but it is mostly pictures!!

Jackson almost 5 months enjoying some rice cereal

We were at a friends house and the men were having a pull up contest, Jackson wanted to join in

Happy Boy!!

Cody gave Jackson a little spike after his bath

Looking a little crazy with his spike

Once I was able to officially retire from work Cody was gone on a week long camp out, so Jackson and I went to go hang out at my parent's house. Jackson had a lot of fun getting to hangout with Grandma and Grandpa and swim in their pool. He went swimming for the first time at my parent's house and liked it.

Check out his cute swimming attire

Swimming for the first time with mom

Jackson with Grandma Castle in the pool

Enjoying his float

Playing with his toys at my parent's house

Another cute swim outfit

With Grandpa Castle in the pool

Sitting at the table in his bumbo seat while we eat

Jackson with Grandma and Grandpa Castle

Like Father

Like Son

I guess they have napped enough together that they do the same things while they sleep. These pictures were taken at the same time they were both taking naps and I thought this was pretty funny.

Jackson with dad in our pool

Jackson enjoying his dinner!!

Another nap picture - Aren't they so cute!!

It runs in the family - this is 3 generations of Mullenaux nappers - Jackson, Cody, and Randy

Jackson and his cousin Ian - they are about a month apart
We were all together for Nikki's baptism

Snuggling up with each other!!

All ready for church!!

Having some fun with mom's hat

Enjoying his new toy we got him an exersaucer!! - He is getting better but at first would only be in it for about 5 minutes at a time!!!

Two cool dudes!!!

Jackson's Blessing

We were able to bless Jackson on May 9th which also happened to be Mother's Day. Unfortunately over the years I have come to dislike Mother's Day. I am sure you can guess why since it was just one more reminder to me of how I wasn't a mother and everybody else was. This was the best Mother's Day ever!!! We had Jackson sealed to us the day before and so we still had some family in town for the blessing. I did still have to go to one meeting before church (next year they better cancel for us mothers!!) but it was a great day. Cody went all out for my first official Mother's Day and got me a pearl necklace, pearl bracelet, and pearl earrings!!! They were real ones too, not the $20 kind that don't look like pearls after about a week (trust me I saw the bill later!). The day was pretty low key since we celebrated with everyone the night before at the park after Jackson's sealing so we were able to relax a little bit.

Here is Cody putting on the pearl necklace - yes I know I have a weird look on my face but I was very happy!!

My brother Chris and his family were able to come done for the sealing and blessing. They stayed at our house so we were able to spend some time with them while they were here. Jackson had a good time getting to know his cousins.

Jackson hanging out before church with his cousins Hayden and Alec - our church isn't until 2pm so we got to hang out for a while!!!


Alec and Jackson watching the Wiggles before church


Alyssa and Jackson


Grandma and Grandpa Castle with Jackson in his blessing outfit

Me, my mom, and my brother Chris just before church

I wasn't sure how Jackson would do with the blessing. He cried during the sealing so I was sure that he would probably cry during the blessing. He didn't cry at all it was great. Cody gave him such a wonderful blessing and he didn't make a peep!! We were blessed to have lots of friends and family that were able to be there for the blessing.

Here is a picture of most of the people that came - some people had already taken off before we could catch them but this was most of us. We didn't include any of our friends from the ward in the picture because they were busy doing their callings during Sunday School!!

This is Alicia (Jackson's birthmother) and her beautiful daughter Verity - we were glad that they were able to make the blessing

Here are some pictures of Jackson in his blessing outfit. Thankfully there were no puking or diaper accidents while he was wearing it. Sis. Maggie Burns from my ward made Jackson the nice white blanket that he is laying on!! I was so excited when she told me she was making it for Jackson.

What a cutie!!

Of course we had to get some pictures of him with me and Cody!!

Our perfect little family!!!

We are so thankful for all of the people that came and made this such a special day for me, Cody, and especially Jackson. I am so thankful to Heavenly Father for choosing us to be Jackson's parents. He is the sweetest baby and we love him so much. I check on him so many times at night because I love just watching him sleep and knowing that he is my baby!! I am back on board with Mother's Day again so that is good as well!!!