Six Month Stats

We saw Dr. Wilson on Thursday for Jackson's six-month check up.  He weighs 16 lbs, 1 oz, is 26 3\4 inches long, and his head is 17 inches around. He is still in the 50 percentile in his stats, and as Pops says "The picture of health."  And for that we are very thankful!

She also said it's time that he sleeps through the night, so we've started doing some sleep training this week.  The first night, we woke up about 4, and cried off and on for an hour, then slept until 8 that morning.  So basically that was 8 hours, but I knew it couldn't be that easy.  Last night, he ate a bottle and went to bed at 6:30.  We tried to feed him again at 10:30, but he wasn't having it, so we put him back down.  I think he cried from 3-4 this morning, and we decided that he'd been 10 hours and was really hungry.  So he ate and went back to sleep, only to wake up at 6 with a blow-out diaper.  Not sure how much he really slept from then until he got back up at 8.  So I felt like last night was a bust, and not sure how tonight will go either.  I think the key is a later bedtime, but when he doesn't take a nap in the afternoon, bedtime has to be earlier.  I'm sure it'll get a little easier once we start back going to school and have more of a regular routine, so I'm trying not to worry about it.

I've always said that having a baby is a big science experiment, and the project continues! All in all, I couldn't have asked for a more healthy child.

Jackson's First Christmas

Last Friday, we headed down to Mimi and Pops house to celebrate Jackson's first Christmas.  We weren't opening presents with them until Monday with Aunt Sarah and Uncle Josh, so that gave us plenty of time to really celebrate the "Reason for the Season."  We played a lot with Mimi and Pops, and showed off our new skills (sitting up, pulling up on our knees), sang some Christmas carols, visited with our friends at FBC McGehee, and did some eating. It was a really good first Christmas for J, and I can't believe it went by so quickly.

Here's Jackson's stocking for Mimi's house.  We all have one with our name on it, and I need to get one for our house. 

At Ma's on Christmas Eve, we had prime rib for lunch, and Brent was chosen to cut the meat. We've always had steak and shrimp, so it was a tasty lunch. 

This is my dad's brother, Sluggo, Jackson, and my dad.  Jackson really liked him  - I wonder if it's because he looks like his Pops. 

Aunt Snooks and Jackson

There is really nothing better than to see your child with your grandmother.  I only wish the grandparents who've passed on could have met him - they all would have been smitten. 

He did like opening presents, and was really interested in the paper and bows.  

He got a toy tool set from Ma and a toy butterfly from Reza and Sharon.  He also got an ornament and a toy octopus from Aunt Snooks, and a tree swing from Aunt Kay.  He definitely racked up! 

Dad, Aunt Snooks, Uncle Sluggo

These are my dad's siblings and first cousins.  

Four generations! 

There was lots of playing in the floor with Mimi and Pops! 

He really wasn't interested in the Christmas tree this year unless you put him right up next to it, then he wanted to touch.  I'm sure next year he'll be trying to yank it down.  But I'll worry about that then. 

Jackson and Santa on Christmas day 2011

Sweet boy

Nannie (my grandmother) and Jackson.  

Can you tell they are crazy about each other?  

Jackson's first Christmas! 

Four generations again! 

We came back to Cabot on Christmas night so we could go to Brent's mom's side of the family dinner.  We always have dinner then throw the famous Fireball, but this year I couldn't watch.  Jackson and I had to go home by 7 because he was sleepy and mama was worn out! Brent stayed and threw the fireball with his cousins, which I was glad he got to do.  (I enjoyed the quiet, alone time at home). 

On Monday morning, we had company at our house!  Aunt Sarah, Uncle Josh, Mimi and Pops came to our house to have our Christmas.  Sarah and Josh spent Christmas weekend in Benton with his family, so it was fun to stretch out the Holiday over a few days.  Jackson LOVED Aunt Sarah.  She has a gift with kids - it's really amazing to watch.  She also looked around in his mouth, and he was totally cool with her doing that.  

With my family, we always have brunch on Christmas, so I prepared the traditional meal.  Breakfast casserole, cheese grits, cinnamon rolls, cheese danish (that mom made), and fruit.  Don't forget the egg nog, OJ, and coffee.  It was yummy! 

Of course the Mister had to be the center of attention  - literally, he was the center piece on the table.  He didn't stay like this for long though. ha! 

We moved the ottoman out so that there would be enough room for the presents and for the J-Man to play.  We open one present at a time, and always say "What is it" (like Aunt Bethany did in Christmas Vacation).  Jackson got the most presents of course, but some of them were from Aunt Kelly, Gamma, and Grandpa Gary. 

What is it Mommy?

Mimi got an iPad2! 

Aunt Sarah and Uncle Josh brought Lyla and Max, but they had to stay out on the patio.  They were super cute in their jackets though, and I think they like Jackson too.  He just stared at them, and they licked their face.  Lyla was really excited and we think she remembers us from May when she stayed with us for a week.  

Overall it was a great first Christmas for Jackson.  I've been off all this week, and we've had a busy one.  We had six month pictures made at Sears, a doctor check-up, hair-cuts for Mommy and Daddy, lunch with friends and family, and now we're getting ready to celebrate the New Year.  We are very blessed and thank God for all of those blessings!

Look What I Can Do!

That's right - Jackson can sit up all by himself now! Of course we're always close by so that he doesn't clunk his head, but he's taken to it really quick. He wobbles some, but has learned to steady himself.

Why yes, I am hot stuff. 

He's also started pulling up on his knees...the race is about to start! 

Now if I can just get these legs to move while I'm up here, then I'll be gone! 

Look at me Pops! 

Six Months Old!

Happy Half Birthday Jackson!  I seriously cannot believe that just six months ago you came into this world, and my how things have changed!  We are spending this last week of the year at home together, and it's been so much fun to play with all of your new toys and read your new books.  Unfortunately, you are also very fussy because that top tooth is bothering you.  It's not poking through yet, but you can tell it's definitely making you uncomfortable.  I'm hoping you'll sleep good tonight and will feel a lot better tomorrow.

And speaking of sleep, you're still not making it 10-12 hours yet.  We'll wake you up around 10 for another bottle, and then that'll get you until 4-5 a.m. the next morning.  Over Christmas weekend you woke up every 4 hours and ate 8 ounces!  It must have been a growth spurt, so I'm expecting you to be over 16 pounds at Thursday's visit to see Dr. Wilson.  You are wearing mostly 9 month clothes, especially pants for the length.  I've had to retire all of your 6 month pants because they look like capri pants. ha!

You're still eating cereal, fruits, and veggies really good, and we're going to try some new things this week to see how you like it.  You still don't like green peas, but we laugh at the faces you make.  It's almost like you're gagging (not choking though).  I think the hardest part of this whole baby thing is figuring out schedules and feeding.  You mommy is a schedule person, and I've had to learn to go with the flow a little more.

As far as your personality, I think you're going to be a social butterfly, but only after you get warmed up.  Over Christmas you were in several new places, and you really studied everybody.  I could see the little wheels turning in your head trying to figure out who all of these people were.  But once you got going, you were all grins and smiles for everyone who talked to you (especially the pretty girls).

I also have to tell you that after much prayer, your daddy has both found a new job and graduated from college!  He has been dedicated to finish school, and it will be something that he will have forever.  When we first met, he was going back to school, so we're looking forward to Daddy being around without having to check school work.  God has also blessed him with a new job in January.  He'll be working on computers at Dillards, and I know he's ready to meet new friends and show off your cute pictures!  He couldn't have done either of these without Our Almighty Father answering the prayers of our heart.

You, My Little Man, are the best thing that has ever happened to us.  Even after a long, exhausting day, when you're in your bed asleep and dad and I are watching TV in the quiet, we say how much we love you and couldn't imagine life without you.  I am reminded of the verse that I've prayed for you:  Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  We pray that as you get bigger that God will prepare us and help guide us so that we can point you to Him.

We love you more than you'll ever know.
Mommy and Daddy

If this isn't Brent, I don't know what is. 

Go baby Go!