Seven Months

Jackson,
You turned seven months old on Friday, and I'm really wondering where all the time since June 27th has gone.  Over night, you have gone from a baby to an almost-toddler and it is so fun to watch the determination in your eyes.  Your little world has expanded and you're so curious.  The other night, I put you in the kitchen floor to play while I emptied the dishwasher, and Daddy's Gatorade was too cool for you to pass up.  You tried to pull up on it, but I had to stop you.

You're still a good eater, and you take four bottles of formula (about 6-7 ounces each).  You're also eating three "meals" a day.  For breakfast you get cereal and fruit, then for lunch you have veggies, and then at night you get a little bit of pureed meat (which you're not exactly thrilled with), veggies, cereal, and sometimes 1\2 a tub of fruit.  You've tried the quick-disolving Baby Mums, but I'm not sure how much actually makes it into your mouth.  We have a cup that has handles on it, but you're really not interested in drinking out of.  The cold water feels good on your gums, so you just gnaw on the top. You've tried Turkey and Rice, Macaroni and Cheese, Chicken Noodle, Garden Veggies, Harvest Vegetables, Beef and Gravy, Chicken and Gravy, and Turkey and Gravy.

I know you'll be ready for big boy food before long, because you officially have four teeth.  The top two have broken through, so hopefully we'll be good to go for a little while on the teething front.  You're still just a cat napper, although it has evened out.  Because of our work schedule, you typically sleep from 7-8 a.m. and 5:30 - 6 p.m., and two 30-45 minute naps during the day.  By about 7:30, you'll take the last bottle of the day and then go fast asleep.  Oh yeah - and you're sleeping 10-12 hours now, so that REALLY makes mommy and daddy happy.

You're also wearing 9 month clothes, and I think it won't be long before I'm having to buy some 12 month pants for the length.  You're wearing a size 3 diaper, and not really wearing shoes yet still.  I figure that once you start cruising, we'll get you some new kicks.  I'm not sure exactly how long you are or what you weigh, but we'll measure sometime this week.  I'm guessing around 17 pounds.

You look for both me and Daddy when asked, and believe me when I say your Daddy is smitten with you.  You are by far his best accomplishment. 

I can't imagine what life would be back without you two.  There would be no laughter and no fun. 

As far as your accomplishments, you are trying to clap your hands and you love patty cake.  Your favorite book is still Brown Bear, and the Sesame Street books I found in the dollar bin at Target.  If you aren't too hungry before bed, then we'll read four or five books and you will be so still and quiet listening to me.  I hope you always love to read. 

In the past week, you have learned to put one leg in front of the other and crawl.  The first time I saw it was on Thursday night when I picked you up from school.  You had your back to me, and I called your name.  You turned around (from sitting up), and crawled right to me.  It was the best thing ever!  Most of your crawling tends to be so that you can get to something to stand up with.  The ottoman in the living room is one of your favorite things to play with right now, and I know if you had some leverage, you'd be on top of it. I have a feeling you will be a climber. 

In your crib, you had started to pull on the bumper, but yesterday you figured out how to stand up.  So this afternoon we lowered the bed.  I honestly wasn't expecting to do it this soon, but you won't launch yourself over the side now.  

See what I mean - you are SO proud of yourself. 

I love you Little Man! 

A New Direction

Apparently the little man is determined to grow up completely in one week.  I have not been too sad about each passing phase, but I will miss being able to put him in the floor and come back to him being in the same spot.  Now, we can't even leave him alone cause he will try to climb up on the ottoman.  Yikes!

Our European bathtub had a "deep end", so I decided to sit him up and see how well he would do.  I think the word "swimingly" comes to mind.  He loves it, mainly because he can splash a lot more, which of course gets the bathroom and me all wet. He's also figured out that he can bit this toy butterfly and still splash.  Win win!

We usually sing "Baby bumblebee" during bath time.  

What a sweet boy! 

I never get tired of this face! 

Another Fun Weekend!

Mimi and Pops came to Jackson's house on Friday because they haven't seen him since Christmas!  That was way too long!  They also let Brent and I go on a date Friday night, which is something we haven't done since the weekend before he was born. We went to Chili's in Jacksonville, and surprisingly we didn't talk much about the little man. (Except to say how cute he is and how lucky we are). We did have a really good time and was home by 9:30.  They said they had a great time while we were gone, and he went to be pretty easily.

Saturday morning we got up and started playing.  And oh boy was there a lot of it!  The little man is now very good at sitting up on his own, and has started going from his tummy to sitting up.  He wants to crawl, SO BAD, but as soon as he tries to move forward, his legs give out.  He has realized that he can grab on the carpet and pull himself forward, and he's doing a little bit of army crawling.  I think in a couple of weeks from now, he'll be on the move and then the game will be on!

Isn't the point of having grandparents is having them give you things you're parents won't?  I'm pretty sure my Pa gave us candy before we were supposed to.  He didn't actually drink any of the Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper, but he was fascinated with the straw.  

It won't be long before he will be saying "Mimi, can you take me to Sonic?"

We played in the floor a lot, and he is also trying really hard to pull up.  We waited forever for him to rollover, and now he wants to crawl and pull up all at once.  I can also tell that he is going to have that "I can do it myself" personality.  

I love reading to Jackson, and he really does listen and pay attention most of the time. Mimi always brings a new book to read, so our library is growing quickly. 

He is also loves his Pops.  When they got here on Friday, he just studied both of them and tried to figure out who they are.  It wasn't long before he was grinning at them.  Also, anything that has buttons he wants to touch then taste.  For instance, Pops' iPhone.  ha! 

He kinda looks like Pops here (I think he's starting to look more like me). And his hair is very light. 

  

Saturday evening, Mimi and Pops went home and we enjoyed another Saturday night at home.  This morning we got up and went to church, and I swear that the Devil is really working on me on Sunday mornings.  I get so aggravated that we can't get it together to be on time, and spent the first 30 minutes of Sunday School trying to chill out and re-focus.  We had nursery duty during worship service, and ended up in Jackson's room.  There were 11 babies in there and 5 adults, and it was chaos!  If Jackson is full and happy, he plays with the other babies and with toys very easily.  But when he realizes that I'm there, he wants me to pick him up.   And of course he never takes a nap at church, so by the time we got in the car, he was out.  And he slept in his car seat for an hour and a half, so I know he was worn out! After nap time, he ate lunch (yes, we are now eating veggies mid-day), and went to Walmart for grocery shopping.  We usually go back to church on Sunday nights, but we were both worn out from nursery duty earlier, we stayed in.  I was so tired and my back was a little sore, plus I hadn't been with my little man at bath time the past two nights.  We needed a little family time before starting another work week.  

Next week, we'll celebrate his 7-month birthday! I just can't believe we're on the downhill slide of his first year, and the older he gets, the more fun he becomes.  I don't know if I would say that I "miss" those first few months, but I wouldn't have traded them for anything.

Splish Splash

We are having so much fun with this little man. I know this little stink is going to keep us on our toes (already is), and I can't imagine what it's going to be like when he starts talking.  If he's anything like his mama, he will be in trouble for smarting off.  (I know that's hard to believe). ha! God has blessed us far beyond what we deserve, and for that we are eternally grateful.

Can't you tell that he feels a lot better?  He's been such a happy baby lately. 

I'm sure we will see this face a lot more.  He's like "Hey Mom, listen to this!"  I just love his little personality, and think he's going to be very outgoing, which is like both his dad and me. 

And here's the sweet smile. Getting home from the day is my favorite time because we change clothes, laugh, play, and basically waller around the bed or floor.  Then it's eat, bath, books, and bed by 7:30.   I think his favorite book is "Brown Bear, Brown Bear."  

So here he is in the bath.  He's SO LONG!  When did he get so big?  

And just for fun, here he is trying out the bath back in September.  Four months ago!  

Third Tooth!

Jackson's third tooth has finally broken through!  It's the top front left, and I know the right one will be close on its heels.  It's been bulging since Christmas, and was super sensitive.  He wouldn't even let me rub on it most of the time, and when I would he was just cry.  Poor baby.  And then on top of that, he had an ear infection, but as least the IB Profen that he had last week helped with the teeth.

We've had a good weekend at home, but I can definitely tell my little man feels so much better.  He has been so happy everywhere we go.  Even today at church as we were walking to the car, he was smiling and cheesing at everybody.  I seriously have a little Ronnie on my hands.  (Anyone who knows my dad, knows that my dad can work a room!)

We're looking forward to another busy, but healthy week!  

What a busy week!

I'm so glad this week is coming to an end!  It's been full of new beginnings sprinkled with sickness, so we're all tired.  Brent started his new job at Dillards on Monday, and bless his heart, he's been sick and felt bad all week.  He's in a lot of training right now, so it's basically like all-day school, but he likes the people who are in his training group and his trainer.  In fact, she's invited all of the people in the group along with their families to her house for a Sunday, and I am so excited to go to a company function that I don't have to be in charge of!  whoo hoo! 

As for the sickness part, it started back last Saturday with a cough that Jackson had.  It sounded a little chunky, but he acted like he felt fine. That night he woke up around 10 crying and he sounded hoarse.  I knew it was all of that drainage, and he definitely didn't feel good then.  So on Sunday we stayed home, and he did have some low-grade fever. The cough continued, but after staying home on Monday, he seemed to feel better.  He went to school Tuesday, but on Wednesday I called the doctor because his cough was sounding more raspy.  And after five days, it should have been gone if it was viral.  Jackson and I went to see Dr. Wilson yesterday morning and sure enough he has his first ear infection.  He didn't start pulling at his ears until Wednesday, so I know if we had gone to the doctor on Monday, the ear infection would have been there. 

So now, he seems to feel a lot better, and his coughing has reduced a lot, but his daddy and I now have some crud.  Brent got it earlier in the week and felt feverish, sore throat, etc.  He sounds hoarse and I can tell he doesnt' feel good.  Yesterday I woke up with sinus pressure, so I knew what was coming.  Last night, I felt achy and had a lot of drainage, so I took a benedryl and went to bed.  In fact, all of us are taking Amoxil right now, and hopefully this crud will be gone by the time Monday rolls around. 

Oh and I must tell my vaporizer story.  I had this warm mist one that was super cheap and wasn't doing anything for Mr. J, so I went to Target and bought a new cool mist one.  That thing could moisturize the entire house!  In fact, I'm pretty sure his room was still moist when we got home yesterday afternoon. But that first night it ran, Jackson did not cough much at all.  It was amazing!   

I realized today that I haven't taken any pictures of the little man in a few days.  It's so hard to do when it's a regular day, but here are some I've taken with my phone.

That's right people.  Lock up your daughters!  ha!  I told Brent the other day that we will have all of these little girls swarming him in about 15 years, and then watch out for mama!



This was his first time to sit in the buggy.  We went to Best Buy for a few minutes during the New Year's holiday, and he did so good.  He loves to look around, and I'm glad he's easier to transport in stores.




As you can see, he's always in constant motion when he's awake.  Apparently his daddy used to do the same thing.



This was us in the waiting room yesterday to see Dr. Wilson.  He was so cute in his hat (it was super cold yesterday), and you can also see that hand moving.



While I'm getting ready in the mornings, I drag the exercaucer over by the bathroom so he can play.  He does pretty good and has the funniest face when I turn on my hair dryer. 



New Year's Eve Fireball

Brent finally learned how to make the famous Fireball this year, so we thought we'd try it out on New Year's Eve with some friends. Unfortunately it was not very cold outside, and the flame was really hot (shocking, I know). But the guys really enjoyed it, and the girls/babies enjoyed watching. I kept laughing about how having babies has changed our social lives. I can't believe that we made it to midnight to see the new year, but we did - also thanks to the neighbors who were shooting fireworks (better than they have at Pops on the River).  Luckily they stopped soon after midnight.

Jackson, me, Sarah, and Adam.  I say that the boys were friends before they were born.  Adam is about 6 weeks older than J, and they'll be running buddies before long. 

Sarah and Jeremy's daughter Lucy Jewel was very entertaining to Jackson.  He just laughed and laughed at her! 

The Fireball is something you just can't believe until you see it.  I know that I didn't.  

All of the newbies did good and we didn't catch anything on fire! 

Brent is carrying on this family tradition, and one day Jackson will do it.  (But not until he's about 10).  

Today we've stayed in our PJs all day and napped and played.  This is random, but back when I was about 7 months pregnant, I fell at the community center and hurt my ankle.  Since then, it just hasn't been normal, and I've had trouble with it the past few days, so I felt like I needed to stay off of it as much as possible today to see if it will feel better tomorrow.  Either way, I'm probably going to have to see a doctor about it next week.  Oh, and there will be no black-eyed peas at the Haywood house.  We don't like them and we're not superstitious, so that's that.  I'm not even sure what we're going to do for dinner, but whatever it is, we will thank the Lord for it and for His blessing.