Monday, February 22, 2010

Jackson is now 21 months old. It amazes me that time has passed so quickly. He now looks like a child instead of a baby. He understands so much of what we tell him that it is scary. His words are still not many, but his comprehension makes up for it to me. For Valentine's Day, I told Jason I wanted to take Jackson to the circus. He had such a great time just watching and studying everything that was going on. I wonder how his mind made sense of it all. But he would just sit in our laps and stare. Then he would spontaneously clap if he liked something. I can't wait to take him next year! We also had our first real snow at the house. He has played at a local snow park but usually it is pretty much ice and way too many people to have free reign. At home though he had a blast running and kicking the snow. He would then hit at it with his mittens. His favorite things are to have us read to him (and no matter how many books I buy him it is always the same stories), dance around the living room and he has taken to just running and falling while making what we call boy noises like grunts. He still eats great and enjoys pretty much everything we give him. He has discovered dipping his food into whatever sauce is appropriate. He likes to dip his fries in ketchup, then he wanted sour cream for his quesadilla. He still goes to bed at 7 and sleeps till 7 in the morning if we let him. He usually takes a 2 hour nap in the afternoon. He is so sweet that he will give out hugs and kisses when asked and as a special treat on Valentine's Day for no reason (he must have known) when he woke up he gave me 2 kisses without me even asking.

The pregnancy is going well. We are just trucking along at this point. Our big doctor's ultrasound is scheduled for March 4th, but as an extra Valentine's Day gift Jason scheduled a sneak peek/gender ultrasound at an elective place. They have guessed girl for us!! We are so excited to be able to experience being parents to a boy and a girl! I can now feel her kicking and punching. The movements are still light and if I don't pay attention I will miss them.

I have been going through the house trying to prepare for a yard sale and the pending room swap. We can't take the crib out of the current room without dismantling it, so we have decided to move Jackson into that room which is also slightly bigger. I am terrified of this transition. I honestly have no idea that he will get in, stay in and fall asleep in a big boy bed. I am sure like with all things he will amaze me and do wonderfully. I just want to go ahead and get him moved so that he doesn't feel kicked out of his room when the baby comes. Then the ever looming potty training, which I honestly don't think he is ready for at all. He seems to show none of the ready signs- being wet or dirty doesn't bother him in the least. I don't want to push the issue just because a new baby is coming, because he will be ready when he is ready and not a moment sooner. He is after all my child.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

January

13 weeks today. Officially in my second trimester, which is great because that hopefully means morning sickness (read night sickness) should be gone very soon. I have greatly improved in my exhaustion department and only need a nap every couple days. I have broken down and started wearing maternity pants to work this week. They are still not quite necessary but I like to eat lunch and my regular pants were not so conducive to such things.

On January 11, we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time. I swear that sound is so beautiful and heartwarming. The amazingness of it never wears off on me. I am so ready to find out who is baking in here, so that I can start to plan for this little one. With your first pregnancy, you can spend hours researching car seats, strollers, pack n plays, cribs, and a host of other must have items. However we already have all of these things just waiting on this babe, so I feel as though I am not doing anything for this one. I have picked out bedding if this babe is a girl however and I really hope it is, because I just adore this bedding. Technically, Jackson’s bedding is gender neutral and I went that route with the intention of not having to purchase any new bedding for the second child. Silly me- I forgot how I am. I love bedding and if my husband would let me I would probably change ours all of the time. So the chances of me using the same bedding are quite slim. If this babe is a boy, then I almost feel that I would want new bedding because Jackson’s bedding is just that- his. I will always remember and associate his jungle bedding with him. If this babe is a boy, then he already has all of Jackson’s hand me down clothes, why not give him his own nursery? So in the mean time we wait to see who is hiding in here. I would say patiently but that would be a lie.

Jackson is 20 months and his usual awesome self. He now has all 4 canine teeth. So his mouth is quite full and I think he may be ready for a steak (or is that me?). Poor kid is still missing the bottom left side to the front teeth. And of course his 2 year molars. He amazes me all the time with how much he understands. Words are harder to come by but he understands all of our every day actions such as time for a bath, time to eat, time for milk. He can now point out most of his body parts- hair, head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, tongue, arm, hands, fingers, legs, foot and toes. My favorite is when he shows his belly- it is like he just had one of the best meals and his belly is all full and poking out and he justs rubs it with pride. He has learned to jump- ok really we jump, and then he bends his knees and falls to his bottom. He loves to dance and if he had his own iPod remix it would include Randy Houser- Boots On, Beyonce- Single Ladies, Lady Gaga- Poker Face. There is this show on called the Singing Bee- basically people have to finish the lyrics to all these songs- he loves this show. I mean way more than any cartoon/kid show. He goes crazy for this show- runs around screaming and clapping. I am sure this love of music has nothing to do with me blaring music every time we drove anywhere when he hung out growing in my belly. I love every day with him and I love the smile beams at us when he is so happy and content. It makes me feel as though we at least do something right!

Monday, January 4, 2010

A New Beginning

Jackson had a truly wonderful Christmas. He was so excited to open up his presents and get toys. He had us cracking up, cause he would tear the paper then say “oooohhhh” like it was the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. Once he opened one, we had to take it immediately out of the box, so he could try it out before he would open the next one. His big present was a tricycle, which his feet still don’t quite reach the pedals, but he uses his feet to move himself all around like a Flintstones car. We spent the morning at our house, then went to my parents for breakfast and round #2. Later that day, we drove to spend the weekend with his other grandparents, which makes round #3. He is a very lucky kid.

Earlier that week, he had gotten a stomach bug and it is so hard to watch your little one get sick like that. Luckily this one didn’t last near as long as the one he had last winter. Only a couple days of the yuckies and he was back to his normal self.

For New Year’s,we had a low key evening at home with his cousins, C and T, our friends and his buddy, S, J and J and Mimi and Papa. Unfortunately for me, I got sick thanks to the wonderful thing known as morning sickness. Yep, that is right- we are expecting our second child. We are due at the end of July and I almost 11 weeks along. So far this pregnancy has been a lot nicer to me in the morning sickness department. Like Jackson, I suffer at night and am completely fine in the morning. But on like Jackson, I have not spent weeks on end hanging out in the bathroom. My nights are usually spent being a bump on a log on the couch. Doing basically absolutely nothing and spending only a couple evenings in the bathroom. Other than morning sickness, I have been completely exhausted to the point of needing (not that I get them but I sure need them) daily naps.

While we both wanted and were trying to get pregnant, it has taken some mental adjusting for me to come to grips with the idea of being a mother of two. The hardest part for me is the idea of how it will affect Jackson. And how in the world can I possibly love another child as much as him? All mothers of two have told me these thoughts are normal and there is no question that I will love and adore this child as much as Jackson. As I begin to feel better physically, I also feel better emotionally and I am truly looking forward to meeting this little person and learning all about them.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

19 Months

Ok, so little did I know that the one molar had brought his friends-- all of them. 3 molars have broken through and the 4th is just hanging out and waiting. If I didn’t know it was a molar I would think his gum had a weird growth – it is so swollen and red. Oh and I didn’t have to do the peanut butter trick- it was the tickle monster attack that allowed me to take a peek.

In other I am a big kid news, he tried to climb a grown-up ladder the other day. He walked right up to it and climbed a step before we could get to him. Had we let him continue I am sure my dare devil would have gone all the way to the top.

I am so excited as today I think we are going to let Jackson help us decorate the tree. This was mostly Jason’s idea as I had thought that Jackson would be much more into playing (aka breaking) the ornaments, but I can’t miss the chance to see if he will actually try to place them on the tree. He doesn’t say the word, but I have a Santa pillow and I ask him where is Santa and he points right to the pillow. My smart boy! My house is completely decorated in Santas. Old, wooden and country looking. Now I don’t love the “Santa who brings me whatever I want for Christmas” image, but as my mom explained to me once: There are people out in the world who are Santas to someone. They help and care when they need it most. That idea along with the true meaning of Christmas helps me to focus on what is important during this holiday season. It also has me thinking of ways I can show this to Jackson. Whether it be through volunteering or another means. I don't want him to ever feel a sense of entitlement. I want him to take his gifts and to share them with the world.

That is my 19 month birthday wish for my boy.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Holy Molar!

Holy Molar!

We have a molar! This is big news in Jackson’s mouth. He seems to be slow in getting teeth. Most of his younger friends have a mouthful but he has been making it with 4 teeth for a long while. He can eat like a champ so we weren’t concerned. But in the past month it seems like he has gotten 2 sides on the top and one on the bottom. Now he has a molar! He may even have or be getting another one but the little stinker isnt so keen on mommy trying to examine or feel around in there. I may have to stick my finger in peanut butter.

His vocabulary is growing- he now can say (and act out) ‘hot’ for food temperature. He can recognize bananas which he lovingly refers to as nanas. I used to worry because he never liked to be read to- at all. I mean you could get through about a line before he wanted to get down and run along his adventure. Now he brings us books to read and will sit in your lap and just listen to you.

He is learning so much from us that we don’t even know. Yesterday, he got a cup and proceeded to try and get water from the refrigerator. He would stand way up on his tippy toes and try and make the cup push the lever. Then he would check his progress by pouring the cup back into his mouth. When he finally got some water in the cup, he started to choke on the water and then decided to spill it all on the floor. It was pretty funny cause I was able to watch him (and capture video) and he had no idea I was there. Then the other day, he opened up my bath cabinet and pulled out my make-up brush and powder and proceeded to try and apply it like mommy. He is like this awesome sponge that soaks up the whole world around him. He is a great helper and tried to help me mop the floor. He took a tissue used it to cover his mouth while he fake coughed then used the same tissue to try and clean the table. We said he was trying to be green. I am so in love with this awesome little dude.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

18 months

Today my son you are 18 months old. You have accomplished so many things, but yet I hope and pray you have many more to come. You can walk and you can talk. You can express your likes and dislikes. You can show love which just melts my heart everyday. Our new thing is that I will lean my head to yours and tap just slightly and you will repeat it back to me while laughing. You know by my million kisses a day when I say I want a kiss to show me your cheek. You are brave and tough. Even more than most children you show no fear, which is something that causes mommy a lot of heartache. Just the other day you decide to fall off the couch and got right up without a complaint and went about your way. I pray that when life hits you hard times you maintain your ability to keep moving on with grace. You have mommy and daddy days, which is very generous of you. There are days where only mommy will do then the very next day may be daddy’s day and you guys hang out all day. You love to be outside and we can hardly go out the door without taking you with us. You love to things on your own and in your own way. You are a great eater. You will try anything and there are very few things you do not like. One of those is green beans. You love broccoli and peas and all of your fruits. You have started eating apple slices by yourself and taking the big boy bites. As of today you have 6 teeth- 4 front teeth and your right bottom side and top left side tooth. Though I am thinking you are working on several more. You weight about 25 pounds. You can wear 12-18 month shirts and usually 12 month pants for the length. You have pretty much worked down to one good nap a day and still sleep through the night. Your favorite things to do include running, dancing, playing at the playground and helping us. You aren’t much for cuddling or sitting still, but you will let us hold you and if you are drinking your milk before bed you might sit in our laps.

18 months- you no longer look like the little baby we brought home, but like a toddler. You are still the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. You and your daddy are my world.

Love,
Mommy

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Random

So I have all of these random thoughts about what to write in our blog, but they never seem to culminate into a great post. This I feel is the story of my life- a whole bunch and random that really doesn't make any sense, but it is our life!

Jackson has a cheese smile- you know there is his regular smile and now when he is really happy or thinks something is really funny he 'cheeses' meaning his smile gets bigger and he squishes his face until his eyes are almost closed. It is super! You should see it.

He has a new dance. For awhile, I can tell that Jackson has my appreciation for music. He has either done a head bang along with the beat or a little bottom shake or if he is in his car seat he will clap his hands and get happy feet. All of these are so funny, but his latest his Indian dance. You know how Indians will stand in one place and raise their feet up and down really fast. That is what he does now. It is not even a week old but it cracks us up every time.

Yesterday, I actually placed Jackson on his potty seat and he went pee-pee in the potty! Oh I was so excited. Now we aren't running out for training pants or anything but hey anytime I don't have to change a diaper is great for me!!

He still eats and sleeps like a champ- people are always amazed at how much and what he eats. He loves most all veggies- he doesn't care for green beans though but loves peas and broccoli. He loves his fruits except for melons. He LOVES berries-blue, black, red and straw! Poor kid since they are going out of season. Luckily he likes oranges. He sleeps about 11-12 hours at night, then takes either one or two naps for about a total of 3-4 hours. My guess is that he weight right at 25 pounds, but we should find out in about a month at his 18 month appointment.

He had his first plane ride to visit our family in Washington state. He did so awesome! On the way out there we lucked out and was able to get a 3 seat row, so Mimi and I sat with him. On the way home though, he had to sit in my lap as I sat between 2 guys, but he did great. One guy even shared his chips with Jackson.

In the lives of Mommy and Daddy, we are just enjoying our little man and starting to think about remodeling the house. We really want to paint the walls and now I am starting to think of lots of other things I would like to do.

I am also toying with the idea of starting a photography business. Several of our friends have asked and/or commented about us taking their pictures, but usually they mean for free. So it will be a struggle to find someone who actually wants to pay for our time and new camera we bought :)

I am excited for the holidays coming! My dream would be to go and actually have a white Christmas this year, but I don't think we are in driving distance of snow and plane tickets cost too much!