Two-Month Check Up

I took Jackson to see Dr. Wilson this morning for his two-month check up.  I knew at the end would be something very unpleasant for everybody, and it broke my heart to hear him screaming like he was.  In fact, I was doing the nervous laugh just so I wouldn't cry.  (I did tear up a little bit because I couldn't soothe him).  He had 5 shots, and I do have to say the sweet nurse who gave them was quick. Praise God!

Jackson's Stats at 9 1\2 weeks:

• 12 pounds, 3 ounces
• 23 3\4 inches long - Holy Moly he grew over 2 inches in a month! 
• 15  1\4 inches head circumference
• 75% percentile for height and weight

So very very thankful for a happy and healthy baby. God has blessed us with Jackson far beyond than what we deserve. 

Playing Dress Up

Poor Jackson!  He has no choice but to comply with my desires to make him look as cute and sweet as possible, but most times he is a willing participant to us playing dress up.  I just have so many cute things and I want to remember how he looks in them.

So first up, is this little gingham bubble outfit with a white collar.  It's probably already too little and this is the only time he wore it.  I dressed him up a few Sunday mornings ago, but he was not having this.  The collar wouldn't stay down and I must admit that he looked like a pilgram. ha!  You can see here that he was not happy.

Isn't he sweet here?!? My mom smocked this little white outfit, and he's finally filling out enough to wear it.  Last Saturday afternoon after lunch, I decided to try it on him,instead of waiting until hectic Sunday morning.  He looked so cute in it, and I got some good shots of him in it.  

So after he'd had enough, I took a few pictures with his shirt off and he was just as chill as he could be. Look at those cheeks! 

Brent was laughing at me at my make-shift backdrop I made.  Silly looking, but it worked.  I was telling Brent about someone I knew who would put the clothes over the baby and take a picture instead of putting the actual clothes on the baby.  I just laid this outfit on top of him, and he had the funniest expression on his face.  Kinda like "How did I end up with these two yahoos?"  Of course Brent and I laughed even harder.  This outfit came with a shirt underneath it, but it was too big still, so he just work the overalls to church on Sunday.  It wasn't as big on as it looks in the picture. And of course I think he looked adorable!  

This coming weekend is the first Razorback game of the season, so we have some Hog outfits that we will be sporting!  

Dear Jackson, You're Two Months Old!

Dear Jackson,

You are two months old today!  And what a fun two months it's been.  You are a good baby, and I absolutely love being your mommy.  You started "school" this week and haven't really been bothered by it at all.  Your teacher is Mrs. Kim and she says that you're a good baby as well, so I'm glad it's not just me who thinks that.  I think you're going to be a people person because you can really turn on the charm with new people around. I imagine you will be able to work the room one day just like your Pops can!

Right now, you're eating 6 ounces of formula every 4 hours or so, and if we can time it just right in the evening, you will sleep from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.  Hallelujah!  The only time you get really mad is when you're hungry and we don't have the bottle ready.  We were giving you gas drops after every feeding, but your tummy issues seem to be getting better, so we're not doing that every time.  Only if you seem fussy and can't get settled.

As far as napping, you are a light sleeper during the day, and will get sleepy about an hour after eating.  Usually I can put you in the swing and cover you up, and it won't be long before you're asleep.  You just don't stay asleep for very long.  Maybe 20-30 minutes at a time, but as long as you're sleeping 7-8 hours at night, I'm not going to complain!  You usually take two or three shorter naps at school, but this weekend, you've slept with mommy and daddy in the chair.  I know they say not to do that, but I really wanted to snuggle with you today.

We try to have playtime in the floor, and you like laying on your back and kicking.  You're not a big fan of tummy time, but you tolerate it OK.  Last night, daddy and I were playing with you.  You were on your tummy and we looked down and you had rolled over!  We tried to get you to do it again, but you were too mad by then.

These days, you are so smiley and cooing a bunch.  You do it a lot when we talk face-to-face in your high chair in the kitchen.  You flash those big brown eyes and grin (that looks like your daddy's), and I just melt! And then you start cooing, so then your daddy and I start cooing too.  I know we sound like a bunch of idiots, but it's so fun listening to you get ready to talk.  We've even heard a couple of laughs.

All of the sleepy night feedings, dirty diapers, colicky crying, and major abdominal surgery was totally worth it to see you so happy and healthy today!  Daddy and I are thankful to God for you because we know He sent you to us.

We love you more than you'll ever know!

Mommy and Daddy

Two Months! 8-27-11

And just for fun, here he is at one week - I can't believe he was ever this little! 

7-4-11

One month old here!  7-27-11

And today!  

First Day of School

Yesterday was my first day back at work and Jackson's first day at his "school".  (I don't like calling it daycare).  I was more nervous about getting there on time and getting the schedule worked out, than leaving him all day.  Brent and I rode together, so he helped me get everything in the car and ready to go.

Of course we had to take pictures on the first day, and my son is already "throwing the deuces."  Nice!

I think everybody thought I was going to have an emotional breakdown yesterday, but I'm proud to say that I did not.  I kept it together - only teared up a little in the car - but honestly I was excited to get back to work.  I had lunch with some friends and got caught up on all of the office gossip, and then all during the day I got to visit with friends at work.  And check email - all 800 of them!  I probably deleted 2\3rd of them, though.  Around 1:30 I called the school to check on him, and they said he was doing great, which made my heart happy.  I don't know how I would have felt if he had been crying.  By 4, I couldn't wait to get down there to pick him up!  When we walked in, he was smiling and in a good mood. Oh joy!  They said he ate good, and overall had a good day.  There were 5 babies there, and I can't even imagine taking care of all of them all day long!  His poor teacher must be exhausted every night, but she has been doing this for a long time and obviously has a gift! 

Overall, I am really pleased with the daycare and my choice to go back to work.  I've enjoyed the quiet time to sit at a desk and get tasks accomplished and to feel like a grown-up again.  I also have a flexible job where I can take a few days off in the coming months to be at home with him, so I feel like it's the best of both worlds.  Oh and the other good thing is that I'm entering my busy time of the year, so it certainly make the day go by quicker!

I love being a mommy too, and that will be my first job, but I'm glad to be able to help provide for my family.  I hope to send Jackson to OBU one day, so we have to start saving NOW! ha!

That Face!

How am I ever in the world going to say no to this face?  And those big brown eyes?  I'm SO in trouble in a few years.  ha!  This was my happy baby on Saturday afternoon, and today he was a little fussy.  Such as it goes in the life of a two-month old.  

I start back to work tomorrow and I'm taking a usually negative thing and making a positive out of it.  There are thousands of people out there who don't have jobs.  I will choose to be thankful for the good job that I do have, that allows me to put him in a good daycare, with money left over, and for an employer who is generous in their understanding when having a child.  It could be a whole lot worse.  

So tomorrow morning, the glass will be half full, but I still covet your prayers for an easy transition.  

Who Does He Look Like?

Since he was born, I've had most people tell me that Jackson favors me.  Before he was born, I just knew he would look just like his daddy, and he definitely has his eyes and widows peak, but from the nose down he is all me. Take a look for yourself.

And here's me at 6 weeks and his daddy at 6 months.  I don't have any of Brent at that early age

And here's my sister at 6 months just for fun. 

So what do you think???

The Night the Lights Went Out in McGehee

Well, today was a much better day!  I figured out that the little man was hungry, so we increased his ounces and he's been fun today. Plus, his gas has seemed to not be as much, so that's good too.  Anyway, I finally have some time to tell everybody about our last week we spent in McGehee.  Jackson and I packed up the car last Tuesday and headed south (after a quick lunch with Lindsey and Charlie), and we had the best time.  We had to make a detour in Pine Bluff to see Monkey and eat a snack, but he did great traveling.

We got to Mimi and Pops house and got everything in the house.  I really looked like we were moving in - bottle warmer, boppy, monitor, clothes for all occasions, breast pump, etc. You get the idea.  Nothing exciting happened Tuesday night, except that Jackson was getting some one-on-one time with Pops in the recliner.  Wednesday morning, we got up and started getting ready for the Mister's big photo shoot.  We were driving to Monticello to let Julie Petty take his picture.  I admit I was a little worried about how he would do, but let me tell you - he did GREAT!  In fact, this was the day that he has smiled the most.  I couldn't believe he let us dress him up and move him around for two hours.  We ordered some great shots and I can't wait to share them online.

The next day, Ma came to our house for lunch and to meet Jackson.  She wasn't able to come to the hospital when he was born, so she needed to get some loving from her third great grandchild! Unfortunately he was really fussy that day, which made me feel like a liar after telling her what a wonderful baby he was the day before.  Around 3 p.m., me, Mom, Jackson, and Ma were all sitting in the living room when we heard a pop and the lights went out.  Ruh-row!  Dad was at the hospital and called to say that the entire town of McGehee was without electricity! I must also mention that this past week was the hottest it's ever been - I think Wednesday reached an actual temperature of 114 degrees!  Luckily a cloud came up and while the house was getting warm, it wasn't as bad as it could be.  Entergy kept saying it would be another 2-3 hours before it came on, so we decided to go to Ma's house and have dinner.  So I packed up a few things, and we all got in the car (including Nannie), and went to Wells Bayou.  Well, we kept calling Entergy, and they said 2 a.m. would be when the lights were going to come back on.  Double ruh-row!  Mom and Dad drove back to McGehee to get more formula and the pack-n-play, because we were going to need to have a bunkin' party at Ma's house!  Ma had a blow-up twin bed that we put in the kitchen and I was able to get up with Jackson in the middle of the night.  In fact - the bed was were the orange Naugahyde couch used to be.  (Loved that dang couch!)

The next morning, we had a quick breakfast, and then loaded back up to head back to McGehee. Mom and I ate lunch and I went to take a nap.  When I woke up a few hours later, I realized that we were once again without electricity! Except today there was no cloud and the house was getting HOT quick!  Apparently something major broke the day before at a substation, and the fix had not worked.  We could not take the chance to see how long it would be out, so we loaded back up in the car and headed to Monticello to spend the night in the brand new Hampton Inn.  Sarah was on her way home from Memphis, so she met us there.  I really wanted to go on vacation this summer, but I didn't realize that the Hampton Inn in Monticello was going to be it.  FAIL!  Actually the room was very new and nice, and Aunt Sarah helped me during the night.

After another night away, we packed up and headed back home.  We had to get ready for the Sip and See at First Baptist!  Our friends wanted to throw a shower for us before J was born, but we couldn't get a time.  So the next best thing is having a shower where everybody can see the baby!  And he was quite the charmer - except for the major spit up he did on Melissa - he was an angel!  Everybody said how cute and pretty he was, and we got some cute things.  That afternoon, we were all a little gun shy about the electricity since there was a huge rumor that it was set to go out again that afternoon.  Luckily, the lights and AC stayed on, and we got to have some fun family time. I'm pretty sure Aunt Sarah held Jackson all evening!

Sunday morning, I was able to take Jackson to his first "big church"!  He even got introduced by Bro. Ed to the entire congregation!  He did great during the singing, but he got really fussy as soon as the preaching started, so I walked around with him in the back until church was over.  I wanted a few people to see him, and afterwards we went home to have sandwiches.  After lunch, a sweet friend from our old church in McGehee came to see us, and we had some other gifts dropped off.  Pops grilled hamburgers and we just relaxed at home.  I knew though that the fun was coming to an end.  The next morning, we loaded up the car, had lunch at the hospital with Pops, and then came back home to Cabot.  I know Mimi and Pops were sad to see us go, but Jackson's daddy was really glad to have us home!

Brent has been making fun of me for this novel I've been writing, but I wanted to document all of the fun times we had this past week! Here is the photographic evidence:

Meeting Ma for the first time.  (Jackson's great-grandmother). 

When the lights went out, it got warm, so that means the little boy got to take off his shirt. I'm sure it won't be the last time he'll be without a shirt at Mimi and Pops house. 

Mimi's crepe myrtle. 

Having a "bunkin" party at Ma's house.  I slept good that night under the window unit! 

The pallet we made Jackson - he didn't stay there long though. 

Meeting Mrs. Vashti, Mrs. Glenn, and Mrs. Mona! 

By the end of the shower, Jackson had gotten fussy, so we just did a family picture!  Ma, Me, Jackson, Mom, Nannie, and Sarah. 

Sarah, Me, and Melissa.  Wish I was that tan! 

I bought these cute little jeans, but they're still too big, but that didn't stop Sarah and I from dressing him up and trying to take his picture.  He was not happy. ha! 

Four generations.  I am so blessed to still have both of my grandmothers here, and I hope I can be as sweet and lovely as they are! 

I swear he did have clothes on at some point! 

Here's Jackson and his Pops.  They were hanging out watching the Hunting Channel and talking about guns.  Pops said he can't wait to go 4-wheel riding with his buddy! 

All in all, it was a great time in my hometown - regardless of the "current" going out.  I hope Jackson knows just how much he is loved by these sweet friends and family. 

One of those days....

I can't believe it's 4 p.m. and I'm still in my night clothes.  Seriously - it's been a tough one.  Jackson has been fussy since about 4 a.m., and I'm at a loss at what to do.  I think it's tummy issues, and thank goodness for gas drops or I think it would be a lot worse.  Basically he will get settled down enough to snooze for a few minutes, then he'll wake back up and be fidgety and fussy.

I have so much other funny stuff and pictures to post, but I just can't get my mind right about it.  Maybe tomorrow will be better!  I definitely want to see my happy baby back soon!