We Have Corrupted Him Already!

I am very aware that it makes me sound old but, I LOVE JEOPARDY!Especially teen week when I can actually answer some of the questions. We watch it almost every night. This particular night I was in the kitchen making dinner and came out to see Jackson watching. I think it is the first time he has even noticed the TV. But hey, I guess there are worse things he could be watching. We moved his swing so that he didn't have to strain his neck to watch. Maybe his first words will be in the form of a question!
Don't worry he hasn't been too corrupted. He had no interest in Wheel of Fortune......YET!

3 years down...eternity to go!

Today is our 3 year anniversary. On one hand it seems like the last 3 years have just flown by, and on the other hand it seems like we have been together forever. Either way the last 3 years have been awesome. Here is a quick recap of "Joel and Darci".

2005- Met in the singles ward in Claremont.
I went to one of his concerts at the high school where he teaches. I was very impressed.
I told Joel "I think I'm going to marry you!"
Most guys would have run screaming, but without missing a beat he replied "I'm free on Saturday!"
He asked me out for our first date right after that.
We dated from M arch-September
Got engaged in September.
Bought a house in October. I moved in.
Planned a wedding.

2006- Married 2/11 in the Redlands, California Temple
Joel moved in.

2007- Married =)

2008- Married =)
Jackson born 11/3

2009- Living happily ever after



A couple of my favorite wedding pics.






And here we are today. Happy as can be!




I really love my husband and my life with him. I am so lucky to have him. Everyone who knows him just adores him and he really is my best friend. Since it is our 3rd year anniversary, here are just 3 of the many reasons I love my Joel.

1. He makes me laugh every single day. I mean it, there has not been a single day since we started dating when he hasn't made me laugh. He is the funniest person I know.
2. His testimony. He has such awesome faith and is such a good example to me and for Jackson. He truly makes me want to be a better person to be worthy of him.
3. He does everything in his power to make me happy. He is always thoughtful and considerate and puts up with my sometimes difficultness. What more could a girl want!

He really is the best!! And we are genuinely happy. And I know that this is just the beginning. I look forward to every day and more happiness to come.

Thanks Chelsi

So apparently, having a blog has made me a member of the "Blogger Family". There are some wonderful people in this family. Like Chelsi. She is my sister-in-law's friend, who I've never even met, but she made me the new header for my blog. She is so awesome to do that for me. See...there still are plenty of nice people in the world.

Parenting Preemies

Every Tuesday Jackson and I go to a Preemie class that is sponsered by the hospital. Different nurses come and talk about things to expect and not expect with a premature baby. Sometimes I wonder why we even go at all. He is doing so great, and often the topics and concerns don't even apply to him. But there is a free lunch and I'm always up for that!! Even the other moms there say that he doesn't even seem like a preemie. This day Jackson was smiling and talking to me and everyone was loving it. I think I need to get a faster camera though, I always seem to miss that perfect smile.


Darci: Who do you love the most?
Jackson: MOMMY!!
(I know that is what he is saying)

Life at Home

I have been off of work since Jackson was born and don't have to go back until mid-March. I am loving every minute of being home with him. Since sometimes I get a little bored we starting going for walks every day as long as the weather is nice. This day it was just a little cold so I bundled him up and out we went. This is what he looked like at the end of the walk. I just love this picture!

Jackson's Blessing

Here is our happy family on Jackson's blessing day. Even though I didn't really have to do anything I was so nervous. I felt like I had been waiting for that day for forever and I just wanted everything to be perfect. And of course it was. Joel gave Jackson such a beautiful blessing, and the rest of the day was great. I will never forget it. We had about 30 people (family and friends) all come out for our big day. We were so glad that everyone could make it. After the blessing we invited everyone to our house for a little brunch. I wasn't sure we would all fit in our little house, but thank goodness for California weather, we were able to open the house and hang out on the patio too.

I feel horrible because I didn't get a picture with all the Wilsons that were there, but these are my wonderful in-laws. With all of my family out of state, we are lucky to have Joel's parents nearby. Marietta made most of the food for the party. I was so thankful that that was one less thing I had to worry about. Baby blessings are a lot of work!

Not only did my big bro from Utah come, but my two substitute big bros, Mike and Greg, also came with their families. It was so good to see them. They still tease me as if I was 15 but I love them. Sometimes when we get together I feel like I'm back in high school..only now we all have spouses and kids. Man, we're getting old!

I pretty much have the cutest neices in the world. Kennedy finally got to hold him at the party. Cassidee held him a lot but I didn't get a picture. She's like a little mama. And Sicily wouldn't stay still long enough for me to get a picture.

After everyone left Jackson just crashed. Parties are exhausting!

The Banks' come to Cali

I was so happy that my brother Joseph and his family could come to California to see Jackson get blessed. They have driven all the way from Utah twice in the last couple of months to be here with us. I love them so much.

They were all so excited about sunny weather in January that we decided to have a picnic for lunch. After eating the girls wanted to play with uncle Joel.

This is how Jackson enjoyed our picnic. The SoCal sun is nothing new for him.

Play Time

Jackson loves his activity gym thingy. It has a star that hangs upsidedown on it so that when he is laying underneath he can see it. When the arches that it hangs on move, it lights up and plays music. As soon as Jackson figured this out he started kicking the arches to make the star work. I'm pretty sure he's a genius!

When he does get it work he squeals with delight!!

Holiday Season

Of course Jackson had no idea what Christmas was but still he got more presents than any kid I know. I have always loved shopping for myself but now I love shopping for him even more! (and that is saying a lot) We can't wait for all the many Holidays to come and to watch him enjoy each one.

Coming home!

Jackson came home on November 20th after 2 1/2 wekks in the NICU. We were a little nervous but once we were all home everything was better than ever.

Life in the NICU

Having to leave my baby in the hospital was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. But we were so blessed to be at such a great hospital with the best doctors and nurses. We visited Jackson multiple times a day and called all hours of the night to check on him. We even got personalized baby training on how to give Jackson a bath, check his temperature, change diapers, burping, nursing, and any other question we could have possibly had. And being first time parents we had plenty. Everyone there loved Mr. President (as they called him) and we know that their wonderful care helped Jackson to come home sooner.

Jackson has arrived!!

Jackson has been full of surprises from the very beginning. We were very surprised to find out that we were having a boy after 8 months of planning for a girl! He surprised us again by joining our family 5 weeks early. I had to have an emergency c-section due to some pregnancy complications.

He was born on November 3,2008, weighing 5 pounds 12 ounces and measuring at 18 1/2 inches long. Because he was a little early he needed a little more time for his lungs to develop before he could come home, but our tough little guy got stronger every day and came home not too much later and before the NICU nurses thought he would! Joel and I were so excited to start our family and were so blessed to be entrusted with such a sweet little boy.