St. Augustine Beach Vacation & My First Mother's Day!

Chris, Jackson, myself, and Chris' family just returned from a week long vacation in St. Augustine. We had SUCH a great time! We stayed in a condo that we rented with Chris' parents. It was a two bedroom/two bath condo that worked out really well for all of us, and his grandfather and uncles rented one right next door. Uncle Hal & Tommy are a BLAST, so we had plenty of good times sharing drinks with Uncle Hal (well, Chris did) and dancing the night away with Tommy (I did!). The first day we got there, after having lunch at the Sunset Grille (the BEST), we took Jackson for his first dip in the pool and his first time on the beach. The pictures do not do it justice, it was soooo cute to watch his reaction to everything! He absolutely LOVED watching the waves and the feeling of digging his toes into the beach sand. He also enjoyed the pool and splashing the water in his face. He did not, however, enjoy the soggy feeling of his Little Swimmer diaper. So as soon as he got out of the water, off had to come the diaper! I was pleasantly surprised at how well he did spending the day on the beach. Of course he chilled out under the umbrella all day, plus I splurged and bought him the cutest swim trunks and matching wet suit shirt from Baby Gap, which had 50 upf protection. We also went to Chris' cousin's wedding, which was beautiful outdoors by the beach. I have decided that 48 years down the road, Chris and I will renew our vows on the beach! :-D

On Mother's Day, Chris made me breakfast and we went to mass at the Cathedral Basilica downtown, which is like hundreds of years old. Then we were supposed to have lunch at the Columbia Restaurant (my fav), but they were only taking reservations, so we all ended up at Scarlett O'Harah's instead, which was just as fabulous. Then we shopped around St. George street for the rest of the afternoon. I ended up getting a really cute Vera Bradley mini backpack with my initials monogrammed on it. For my present from Chris, he bought me the E.T. dvd (my all time favorite movie) and the cutest picture: he took a picture of him and Jackson by the grape vine, framed it, and took Jackson's hands dipped in blue and orange paints and put his hand prints below the picture. It was sooo sweet! I had an amazing Mother's Day. I can safely say that I am sure I will feel that way every Mother's Day from now on!!
So our trip was wonderful and filled with so many memories that we will never forget. Enjoy the pics. There are a lot more on myspace and Facebook. Jackson will be five months on Monday so I will blog again then.

Love, The Turners

Silver River State Park

Today Chris, myself, Jackson, and Chris' dad ("Pa") went to the Silver River State Park. We had such a great time! Chris and I were looking for something cheap and fun to do outdoors today since it was such a beautiful day, so we decided on the Silver River park. It was only $4 per car load to get in. We brought the stroller of course and put Jackson in it facing foward for the first time. (Before, he had to be in the car seat which snaps into the stroller) He LOVED it! He was able to look at everything and was smiling and laughing and kicking his legs. We hiked the trail through the forest down to the silver springs river. Chris and Pa pointed out all the different plants along the way. We even saw a baby deer! The ride was kind of bumpy, but Jackson loved it! Once we got down to the river, we took Jackson out and dipped his feet in the cold, crystal clear water. He really liked that because by that time he was sweating! It was also the first time I had to use plenty of sunblock on him (though he really wasn't IN the sun). We rested there for a while and Jackson had a little picnic on the bench :). It was a really great day, and we plan on going back there often. Who knew such cheap fun existed right around the corner........ :)
Love, The Turners

Jackson's 4 month checkup- 4/23/09

So this morning Chris and I took Jackson to his 4 month checkup at the pediatrician's. He weighs a whopping 16.9 lbs and is 25 1/4 inches long! He is in the 90th percentile for weight and the 60th percentile for height. I was happy about the height part especially, because at his 2 month check up he was measuring on the short side! LoL but that's okay if he's short like his mommy! :) The shots weren't as bad this time around compared to last, but he is extrememly fussy this afternoon from them. He had some tylenol, nursed, and conked out! Everyone says the shots are harder on the parents than the babies, but my heart still broke for him! OH and very exciting news- he has two teeth buds about to pop through!

All in all the doctor says he is perfect and healthy! She was very impressed with him. He can roll over, hold toys, reach for things, laugh out loud, smiles all the time, and FINALLY is sleeping in his own crib. (I had trouble with that, not him) He still wakes up at least once a night to nurse but its not that bad.

Four months later, Chris and I are also doing well! We have settled into parenthood quite nicely. Work is going well (thank God) for Chris, and I am loving staying at home and watching Jackson grow. Jay and Corona have also adjusted well to having another person in the house. They are very protective of Jackson and follow him everywhere! I am so proud of our baby boy. Everyone was right- the time does FLY by!!!

Until next time.......
Love, the Turners

Getting started/Jackson 4 months old!

So because a lot of my friends blog and we have family members that live far away (and some close who we don't get to see as much as we'd like), I have decided to start the Turner Family blog. Hopefully I will get a chance to post quite frequently and let everyone know how our little man is doing! (Oh yeah, and Chris and I...)



Yesterday Jackson turned 4 months old. I can't believe it! Right now he's sitting on Mommy's lap hitting the keyboard and making me hit the wrong buttons :). He goes to the doc on Thursday for his 4 month checkup. So far his new favorite things are: applesauce, rice cereal, and sweet potatoes (which thank God do not make him gassy like everyone said they would!) He also started "razzing" which is where he blows wet bubbles and makes a razzing sound. It is so cute! He still HATES "tummy time", which the doctor says is normal but I'm wondering how he's supposed to build his upper body strength when he screams histerically when I put him on his tummy?! He also sleeps like a teenager! I had to wake him up at 11:00 this morning! As long as I am in the bed with him he is content to nurse and sleep all day I think!



We are going to the beach for a week the first part of May. I am so excited because we haven't been to the coast in like 2 years (though we live an hour away.. how does that make sense?) I can't wait to see Jackson's reaction to soft beach sand and waves!



Well that's enough for now...

Love, the Turners