A Couple of Videos...

Here are a couple of videos for your viewing pleasure. We finally got some giggling and a squeal on video. What I wish we caught on video was Jackson petting Lucy (our cat) for the first time last night. It was so sweet. He talked to her and got so excited. Lucy wasn't really into it, but she wasn't mean to him, so that's a plus!!

Cereal - Part Two

For part two of cereal time, I didn't follow the instructions and just made it how I thought it should be. He liked this thicker variety even more... can't wait to try some vegetables!






Twice in one day - YEAH! Give me some more!






I'm slurping it up!

Cereal... cereal... cereal!




I am so proud to have my own chair at the table now.





All done - boy was that yummy!

When it Rains it Pours

Well, this has been an eventful week and that's putting it mildly.

First and foremost, we lost my grandmother ("Nanny") on Sunday, February 14th. Thankfully, she is in a better place now where she is no longer in pain and can watch down on all of the rest of us. Please pray for my grandfather ("Poppy") and mother. I am thankful that the last time I saw her, Jackson and Grace were able to bring her some joy and that I can feel good about that last memory of her. We buried her on Wednesday. My mom, dad and sister all stayed with us. It was so nice to spend the time with them, even if it was under such sad circumstances.

Secondly, Jackson did not have a stomach bug. He had bronchitis. Thank goodness for our pediatrician's office having weekend hours. He spiked a fever on Sunday morning of 103.6, so we took him to the doctor after a very long weekend. He was so sad and sluggish. It just breaks your heart. But, we survived. And, after some antibiotics, he is on the mend returning to his normal self. We even survived several sleepless nights on top of that and have since seemed to get him back on track at night. After he so graciously passed on the germs to me (and probably my mom, dad, niece, and sister), I have been very thankful for three nights in a row where we didn't have to get up with him.

Thirdly, we had a very big snow event the weekend that Jackson got sick. Even though we did not take Jackson out in it, my niece, sister, mom, dad, Justin and I all got to play in it a little bit. It was beautiful.

Fourthly, Grandma and Grandpa (Justin's parents) came to visit yesterday. It was a fun visit. Jackson was just perfect! We went out to lunch for Justin's birthday and then played at home. Grandma and Grandpa even got to here a few laughs out of my little joker - their first time hearing that sweet little laugh.

Fifthly, Justin's birthday is today (the big 32). Happy Birthday to Daddy and Husband! We sure do love him!

Sixthly, we decided it was time that Jackson had his first taste of rice cereal today. It was so much fun. He seemed to take a liking to it - I don't know how. It looks terrible! It was quite soupy based on the instructions for the "first" feeding. Later on today, we will try again and make it a little less soupy. He smiled for us and did rasberries. He is so so sweet.

A Different Friday

This week has been a tough one for us all. My grandmother who has been recovering from hip surgery took a very sudden turn for the worse and was taken to the Hospice House in Greenville. Please pray for my family - most specifically my Mom, Grandmother, Grandfather, and Uncle. I know this will be particularly tough for them. Today, at the request of my Grandmother, I took Jackson to see her. It warmed my heart to see how happy it made her to see him.

As a result of the week's events, my sister, Dad, niece and Mom are all here staying with us. I am thankful for my baby and my niece. I think they have brought some comfort to my mom - and have enjoyed playing together! I have attached a few pictures below.

Jackson has contracted his first stomach bug. He is sleeping in his carseat in his crib as I type this. I hope he can get through the night without too much discomfort. I do think his fever has gone down at least - let's hope it stays that way!

Fun Day Friday

I can roll over! from Heather Gray on Vimeo.

Evidence of his newest accomplishment... I barely caught it. And, Ms. Nora Jean from Daycare said that she was so excited that he rolled over for the first time today. Ha! Justin and I did see his first time!

I have coined the phrase "Fun Day Friday" for Jackson and I. On Fridays, I am fortunate enough to get home at lunch time. Although it may be smart to take this time to run errands without him, I can't resist going to pick him up early and take him home for some fun time with me. Our Friday afternoon routine somehow always manages to include lots of play time... and the following:

I am happy to report that I laid him down awake in the pack n play. He went to sleep on his own.... not to say that he is used to it, but it's progress. He started crying after 40 minutes. I thought he was just ready to get up, but apparently not. He went right back to sleep when I picked him up and sat down on the couch with him.

A couple more pictures to finish... When trying to wake Jackson up (which is hard to do when he has been cuddling with mama), if you tell him you love him and start talking sweet to him, he smiles with his eyes closed. So, I finally got a picture of him smiling because he can't see the camera (i.e. the alien as he sees it).

So Strong

Jackson was perfect tonight. We are working on getting him to sleep in the crib or pack n play during the day (as is the daycare). For some reason, he protests sleeping in the crib during the day. As a result of our efforts, he really hasn't been taking very good naps during the day. He hasn't been his cheerful self the past few nights - he hasn't been awful and I am definitely not complaining. He sleeps so good at night (in his crib) that trying to get him on track during the day is not a big deal! But, this afternoon, he took a good nap at daycare, so he was all ready to play until bedtime. He was so much fun. He was born strong and lately he is really showing us how strong he is. He has started doing little mini push ups when he is laying on his stomach and stands up with very little support. Of course, he's still just a baby, but I am so proud of him. Here are a few pictures of him standing... thinking he is just something. Of course, we know he is something... something so special.

Something new...

Jackson finally rolled over for the first time tonight (from his back to his stomach) - twice without assistance. I am betting he already did it at daycare, but I am going to pretend like it was his first time for my own happiness!