Jackson Turns 3!

Saturday, April 25th was an exciting time here at the Netzel residence. We had a bunch of family and friends over to celebrate Jackson turning the BIG 3!! I still can't believe he is already three. It seems like just yesterday he was born, screaming and crying, puking all over my clothes and carpet. :) I miss being able to just hold his tiny little vulnerable body. I miss his first crawl, steps, and his first word. I have to admit though, I love hearing him tell me out of nowhere "I love you Mom!" Yes, we have moved away from "Mommy" and onto "Mom!" It saddens me, but one day he just started calling me "Mom" and it shocked me. It shocked me so much that I called Jey crying because I guess at that very moment I realized that he really was growing up and I really couldn't call him a "baby" anymore. I think for Jey its a much more exciting time because he can't wait to go play ball with him, take him fishing and do all those boy things that fathers always dream of doing with their sons. For me, it's an extremely hard transition. I really thought I would have at least until he was 6 or 7 to have to realize how fast he is growing up....but to have to go through it now at 3 is shocking to me. Now, back to the birthday party. We rented a big monster truck jumper and had it placed in the backyard. I was worried about Jackson actually using it but as soon as Hayden arrived the two boys went right to jumping in it! They really have a great time together. I have to add though my mother-in-law, Cathy actually went in the jumper with the two boys and they had a great time!! My parents and brother drove down from Virginia and actually stayed with us!! We were happy to have them and enjoyed their company. Jackson loved having them to wake up to every morning. They will be back down in July when the baby is born, which we are grateful for!! Other bits of exciting news that was shared with family and friends was the SEX OF THE BABY and the Godparents! First, we are indeed having A GIRL! Jey and I are really happy and excited. Her name will be Julianna Kate, and it was the only name that Jackson could pronouce when we were trying out different names. For months he would say he did not want a sister and that he wanted a boy! Finally, when Julianna's nursery was completed did he realize that she was infact a little girl and that he was going to have a sister. Now he walks in her room and points out everything that is for Julianna and makes sure that I know he has a big boy room and its down the hall! The Godparents we chose for our little Julianna are Stephanie and Mike, Jey's sister and her husband. We are thrilled that they accepted and are excited to be Godparents, we know they will be great Godparents!! An update on our niece, Aubrey because I'm going to post some pictures of the peanut. She is I believe just at 8 weeks and doing great, sleeping wonderfully and weighs a little over 11lbs!! It's amazing how much she changes over the weeks. I posted on an earlier blog post when she was first born that I thought she was going to have brown eyes. Now, her eyes are turning blue but her hair is still dark brown and she's as cute as ever!! Enjoy all the birthday pictures below!!