Ok, hair you go...

Sorry it took so long to post pictures...I really meant to do it the day after my first post, but I just never got the pics on the computer and so here it is, finally...
I'm liking it more now, but I'm still not really sure how to do it. I think it needs a little more umpff but I'm not sure how to get that, or really what it even means. Any suggestions?
I think it looks a lot darker, too. I guess most of the blonde was at the ends and got chopped off. Maybe I'll keep it up and get it cut again in a month or two...we'll see!

Quick trip to Arizona

Our niece Jaqlyn was baptized this past weekend so we went to Arizona to be there for the event and to visit John & Mindy and fam. We left Friday afternoon

Aaakkkk!

Yikes! I'm not sure how to feel about it yet, but I suppose really it doesn't matter, because it is done anyway. I got my hair cut, and it isn't exactly what I was going for... Whenever I get my hair cut it ends up being pretty much a variation of the same style, but not this time! I guess it is good to have something different than what I've been getting for the past 7 years, right? Maybe I look more grown-up and stylish and cool...or maybe I just look silly. Who knows? It sure is short and thinner (at the bottom at least). No more pony tails for me for a while I guess! The trick will be whether or not I actually style it every day. Yikes, I wonder what it'll look like if I just wash it and leave it. That might be interesting. Anyway, it's done. I think I do like it...it'll grow on me I guess. And if not, it'll grow out!

A letter from Jackson at 7 months.

Hi, everybody! I am now seven months old. Can you believe it? And I am just getting cuter and cuter by the day. Unfortuantely my mom is kind of being a slacker when it comes to taking pictures of me...can you believe it? Maybe if you complain, she'll get in shape and take more pics.
I just wanted to keep you up to date on my achievements and milestones...
-I am great at sitting up. Most of the time I just kind of balance on my bum with my feet & legs off the ground. Folks say it looks like I'm always going to fall, but I've got it under control. It's talent, really. Just working on my abs at an early age. -I love to eat real food. So far I've had all the stage 1 veggies---carrots, peas, squash, sweet potatoes, beans (NOT my favorite) ...you name it, I've eaten it. I've also had bananas and applesauce. I had my first taste of guacamole last night, thanks to the guy sitting next to me at Los Hermanos. I didn't really like it though.
-I eat baby food twice a day and nurse about 4 or 5 times a day.
-I'm content to stay in one spot usually. I tried the rolling over thing for a while, but it always ended me up on my face, so I kind of quit doing that unless I'm in the mood and really want a toy that's out of reach. I can kind of work my way to it if it isn't too far. I prefer to just whine a little and then my mom or dad usually helps me out. -I am getting pretty good at using my hands and I put everything in my mouth.
-Speaking of mouth, I'm working on getting my third tooth, this one on the top. -I love to be held. All the time. When the moment is right, I'll sit and play by myself, but I'm a people person.
-I'd much rather sleep with my mom & dad than by myself in my crib. My parents usually trick me and lay me down in my crib after I've fallen asleep, but when I wake up 3 hours later, I let them know I don't like it. They're threatening to make me learn to sleep on my own after we get back from Arizona next week. We'll see about that.

-My Grandpa Shirts says it looks like I'm trying to look out of bifocals because I kind of tilt my head back and look down my nose at people. Not down my nose in a condescending (betcha didn't know I knew that word!) way, but just in a bifocal-wearing way. I guess it is easier to tilt my head than to open my eyes all the way. -I'm taking baths in the big tub now and I love to splash! I don't really like laying down to rinse my hair, but other than that, it is great!
-I'm making more noises these days. I like to just kind of yell in short little spurts to hear the echo in my new house. When mom & dad play along and copy me it's pretty funny. -I love to go outside. When I'm fussy, a quick trip outside or a walk around the block is a good way to calm me down. I was enjoying the warm weather we had for a week. What's with the cold again?
-I make a funny smile where I crinkle up my whole face. People think it's pretty funny. -I don't like it when my mom walks out of the room and I can't see her anymore. And I let her know it right away. Sure, it makes it hard for her to unpack or get anything done, but that doesn't bother me! -I love to see other babies and to grab at their faces, feet, and hands.

-I have a new cousin, Addison Kate Shirts. She's the first girl after 11 boys in a row on the Shirts' side of the family!-I like to drink water out of a grown-up's cup. I'm pretty good at it and usually don't even spill very much...unless I try to chew on the glass. I don't take a bottle anymore and I'm not so good with the sippy-cup.
-I'm pretty much just a happy-going guy with a smile that will melt your heart!

Ok, Ok, no more excuses

We've moved. We've gotten internet. We're mostly settled. I guess that means I don't have many more excuses for not blogging, other than that it seems the longer you go without doing it, the harder it is to start again. It's like that with a lot of things in life--have you noticed?
So we're in the new place and loving it. We moved in Feb 26th, and have just been unpacking and settling in since then. All the essentials are unpacked---kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom. It's just all the other stuff that is still sitting around in boxes. I should realize that it probably isn't that important if I haven't opened it yet, and even less important if it is still in the same box it was in when we moved 18 months ago. Unfortunately there are a few boxes like that. Here are a few pictures of the place...taken before we moved in. I might post more later. On the main floor there is the living room, kitchen, office, laundry room, bathroom, and spare bedroom. The master bedroom is also on the main floor, but she's put all of her stuff in there and locked it off. In the basement there is our bedroom, baby bedroom, her sewing room, family room, our bathroom, another half-bath & laundry room. And, maybe my favorite part of the house, a huge storage room. Finally, our food storage is not piled up under and around our bed!
We're mostly using her furniture---couches, tables, some dressers, extra bed, tv--- and some of our own---our bed, dressers, crib.
Come on over!

Until then, know all is

Until then, know all is well. Sincerely, natalie and co.

We have moved and do

We have moved and do not have internet yet, and before that i was busy packing. I hope to return to blogdom soon.

Dear adoring yet disappointed fans

Note: Natalie originally posted this to our blog in 3 different posts, all sent via text message. We should finally have home internet access later today (Fri. March 6)

Dear adoring yet disappointed fans and followers: I have not forgotten you. In fact, I too am having withdrawals. We have moved and do not have internet yet, and before that i was busy packing. I hope to return to blogdom soon. Until then, know all is well. Sincerely, natalie and co.