BA BA Update 12/17/09

Some of you know that we have had a very hard time breaking the habit of a ba-ba (bottle). We slowly cut him off in the mornings but he would want one before bed. Well Jackson has been sick for the past week and the doctor said to stay away from dairy products. Perfect opportunity! I am proud to say that we are ba-ba free for the past week! He hasn't even mentioned one!!!

Lovin the Weather!

Since Andrew worked from home yesterday we decided to start a fire in our fireplace. Jackson ate it up! He is ALL boy! He was very cautious and knows not to get near it! He helped Daddy by holding stuff that he needed and handing him the right thing! He wants to be like his Daddy so much!

The funny thing is this morning Jackson and I woke up (and let Daddy sleep in) and he came downstairs and held his hands up to the fireplace and said "Dada Dada" in the saddest voice. The fire had died out:( So when Dada woke up Jackson showed him the "died" and Daddy fixed it! Those two are too funny together!

This morning Jackson and Daddy are taking a tractor ride to get all the leaves out of the yard so Jackson is in heaven!

We are looking forward to MLM's birthday party (at a jump place) this afternoon! I keep telling Jackson he gets to jump around in a balloon and he is way excited! It will be interesting to see what he will do! I promise to take pictures!

Also we are very excited about Christmas at Grandma Dru's in Blairsville tomorrow! It will be so nice to be around family and Jackson can play with his "cousins"!

Story Time

Well we attempted story time at Barnes and Noble again this morning. The usual happened... Jackson runs up on stage, begins bowing, clapping and demanding attention from all. I pull a screaming child off the stage with 20 eyes watching me. He enjoyed the first 2 songs then was so over it. He would much rather play with the train table in the back. So thankfully Aunt Sarah came with us this morning so I had back up! It was great seeing some of our friends but Jackson could have cared less about story time. In the end they always color and Jackson loves that part! So maybe he will get use to it eventually!

We are now at home and while Jackson is playing I am trying to teach myself how to make bows to put onto Christmas presents. Here is my first attempt...


I hope everyone is having a great Thursday...I have a feeling tonight the Christmas tree maybe making an appearance in our front room!

Is that Christmas in the Air???

So I thought the blog could use a little update. For some reason our family is already in the Christmas spirit and it is only a few days after Halloween. We just love Thanksgiving and Christmas time because we get to spend so much time together with our family. So the blog face lift reminded me of Christmas and I love it:) We are holding off every night bringing up our Christmas decorations! You probably are thinking we are crazy! I think a big part of the excitement this year is the fact that Jackson is going to enjoy Christmas this year. We are thrilled to get to be a kid again at Christmas through Jackson.

So on that tangent I wanted to let you know that if you are in the area and would like to get in the Christmas spirit I am hosting my Mary Kay Holiday Open House! It will be Sunday, November 15th from 3-5pm. Come by and listen to Christmas music, snack on yummy snacks, relax with a free facial and do some Christmas shopping from your seat not your feet! I am offering specials so contact me if you are interested. You can also shop from my website 24/7 with free shipping at www.marykay.com/crystal.caldwell You can view this event on my facebook page under events. On this events page you can also view some pictures of some of the Christmas buckets:)

Fall

So again it has been forever since I have blogged. I love blogging but with an 18 month old I never seem to have the time. Any ways I would much rather play cars:) We have been having so much fun this fall! On the days it hasn't been raining Jackson could be out all day long! He is still obsessed with tractors so I think he is going to be a farmer for Halloween. Another reason for a farmer is because he won't wear anything on his head so he has some cute overalls and a bandanna. Oh well maybe next year:)

On Saturday Andrew had the idea to go to Uncle Bob's Pumpkin Farm. It was chilly but was well worth it. Jackson got to see pumpkins, farm animals...and his favorite....TRACTORS!!!! We rode the darn tractor hay ride TWICE! He LOVED it! We had so much fun making a memory together.

August

My wonderful family helped me celebrate my 26th birthday on Saturday. I had a super birthday weekend! If you didn't know I started selling Mary Kay this month. I started doing this for 1. extra money but most importantly to keep up my "style". I realized when I started grad school this past summer (BTW I got an A!) just how much I missed getting dressed up and putting on makeup. When I say dressed up I mean I got out of my PJ's before 3pm. So this is an excellent opportunity to do all the above. I am really enjoying it so far and enjoying the nice people I have met.

On to the buddy boy. He is so active! Also his vocabulary is increasing by the day! He keeps me laughing! We have been trying to keep a word list so here we go:
hi, bye, baba, momma, dada, pappy, mom momma (GM), dog, ball, tractor, car, Dora, backpack, plane, more, book, bird, ei, ei, o, banana, cookie, Sarah, Mark, shoes, keys, bush, nose, yeah, no, blocks...there are more but I am drawing a blank. He LOVEs being outside and his new favorite thing is Andrew's leaf blower. HE LOVES IT! I don't know what he loves more the blower or the tractor.

I am still enjoying my SLR camera and still learning to edit the photos. Here is one of my favorite ones so far:

Bubbles?

Here is a post that I have forgotten to post. ENJOY!

Jackson is learning new words everyday. His new word is bubble. He loves bubbles! He walks around looking for his bottle of bubbles and when he finds them he points and says, "bubble!"

At the beginning I was singing "Old Mac Donald Had a Farm" because Jackson has down the "ei ei"...and he just added the O today! But of course I couldn't get it on camera!

Wilmington Morning

If you didn't know Jackson and I tagged along with Andrew to Wilmington, NC for business. We were here back in February and had so much fun we had to come back. Jackson did very well on the 7 + hour drive. He took a nice 3 hour nap and was pleasant the rest of the trip thanks to the Wiggles:)

We arrived around 7pm and checked into our hotel and ate at a local pizza place that was awesome! After dinner we took a quick drive to the beach and once we got there we HAD to get out and let Jackson walk on the beach. Of course he grabbed a fist full of sand and put it in his mouth but all is good! We came back to the hotel and went to bed.

This morning Jackson thoroughly enjoyed the continental breakfast. He ate a strawberry yogurt, a blueberry muffin, 1/2 of a carton of milk, and a few Fruit Loops.

He had so much fun and I was so happy because if you didn't know our little man is still "on" the bottle. He has two bottles a day and this is the trip we are breaking the habit that has formed. So far so good. He hasn't asked for one since we have been here...maybe it is because he gets to have milk in a neat carton and drinks with a straw! I will definitely post more pictures as we have more adventures. I am kind of bummed since there is 40-50% chance of rain the entire time we are here but that won't stop us from exploring around! Stay Tuned!

4th of July

We had so much fun on the 4th of July! We ate an early lunch with my mom and dad and Sarah and Patrick. After that we went to the Drake Stadium to see the fireworks. Jackson got to ride in style in his red wagon, he really had it made. I was really worried how Jackson was going to react but he had a blast! He loved all the people and running around the track. Once the fireworks started he just sat in Daddy's lap and watching the fireworks. We had so much fun!

Also this 4th of July weekend Jackson started liking watermelon! He had fun squishing it and feeding it to Daddy!

Test Results

Thank you all for your prayers. I got the results to my CT scan this morning and everything seems okay on my right side. Now we think it is just scar tissue and I am still healing (slow healer I guess). Unfortunately, or fortunately they found a small cyst on my left ovary. The doc said there isn't anything to be worried about that these are common and may go away. Given my history it makes me worried because this is the only ovary I have left and I want more kids. The worst I think could happen is that next time I get pregnant it could increase in size like the other one did. We will see. I cannot worry about that. I know that God is in control and whatever happens I will still love Him. Continue to pray and keep me in your thoughts.

In other news Jackson is feeling much better thanks to the wonderful prescription. He is now up and running and back to his "normal" self:)

A puppy, A Plane, a Prescription

Sorry it has been a while. With Jackson running around now makes things a little more difficult (especially to write in the blog) but also makes things really fun! Mom and Dad got a new puppy a few weeks ago. His name is Scooby and he is a cutie! Jackson loves Scooby and they are going to have fun growing up together.

Last Tuesday I started Graduate School. I am working towards a masters in Early Childhood Education. My first class is amazing. I have a wonderful professor and the subject is very enlightening. It is Critical Issues in Education. What I love is that the professor isn't caught up in feeding us information to later spit back to him, instead he leads class in a discussion setting. He has really formed the classroom into more of a community. I really enjoy my time in class each week.

On Saturday we went to the Falcon Field Airport to see a Hurricane plane. Jackson really enjoyed seeing the plane. He also got to see a small airplane take off and a helicopter do a fly by. Now if you ask him where is the airplane he points up to the sky.

Jackson's words are now: Momma, Da da, dog, ball, bye, hi, backpack (from Dora), ba ba, no, he calls my mom: mom momma (grandmomma) he is getting close to saying Granny and is making out pappy. The other night Sarah spent the night while Andrew was in Canada and Jackson walked up to her and said Sarah. But he has yet to do it again. I am sure his vocab is going to pick up as he is dying to talk. Right now what he says sounds like Chinese. He gets frustrated I don't understand but it is so cute!

Also we finally got the camera I have been wanting forever! My first Canon DSLR! I LOVE IT! There is so much to learn but I know that I can do it and learn to make some amazing pictures to capture these memories. Little Jackson is growing up too fast.

Yesterday we had to break the streak we had going and Jackson made his first sick visit to the doctor. He has had a really high fever and lethargic so I took him in. Fortunately it is only a sinus infection and we have antibiotics and so far so good! I hate having my little man sick! On top of Jackson being sick (I haven't slept in days because of this) I had to go in Monday for a CT scan of my pelvis area. I have been dreading this b/c of three things: Barium drink for breakfast, IV (i hate needles), the results. The Barium drink I cringed down, Jackson thought it was hilarious to see me gag after every swig. The IV and test wasn't bad at all, not my favorite but God got me through it. We are now just waiting for results. So keep praying! After drinking all of that and having the IV stuff in my system I have felt nauseous. So thankfully yesterday I had the Grandma brigade (Grandmomma and Granny) were here for reinforcements. They are the best! Jackson started his meds today and seems to be feeling better. Me on the other hand still hasn't slept and I am still nauseous.

May 2009

May has been great to us! We spent a week in Florida with my parents and sister and Patrick. We had a blast and Jackson really enjoyed the water! I have way too many pictures to post so here are a few and the rest are on facebook.com.

On Friday Jackson went to his first Braves game. We were right behind the dugout. Jackson had sooo much fun! He loved all the lights and all of the people. He clapped along with the crowd! His favorite was walking down the row of seats behind us...what ever kept him happy!

Uncle Mark went with us and bought Jackson a tomahawk for a souvenir.

Saturday Jackson started walking and now it is full blown walking... Keeping me really busy! It is so cute seeing him walk around the house! I will try to get a video up soon of him walking.

Appointment Day!

Today doctor day. I had an appointment this morning and Jackson had his 1 year checkup this afternoon.

I went to the doctor as a follow up on some complications I have had from my surgery in December 07. She did an ultrasound and said that everything was looking okay but since I have been in pain and I am still swollen she would like to further investigate to make sure there isn't a small hernia or something else she couldn't see. So I am going to be going back in a few weeks for a CT scan. When I hate because I have to drink that nasty stuff and on top of that have an IV put in for the contrast solution. ( For those of you who don't know this I hate needles to the point I throw up or pass out). But I know this is something that needs to be done to get to the bottom of the pain. I am very optimistic that things are going to go great. Plus I have an amazing doctor!

Jackson's appointment went great. He is now slowing down in his growth. He is now 29 1/2 inches tall, 20.12 lbs. According to the doc Jackson is below average and his head is still in the 25th percentile. His soft spot on his head still hasn't closed either. All of this is not "normal" but for Jackson it is and he is still growing at a normal rate for him. He did great with his shots.

Jackson also had to have a blood test and this was pure torture. As soon as we were called back Jackson started waving and saying "bye bye". They pricked his finger (which he then started screaming) and then continued to "milk" the blood out of his finger, drip by drip to half way fill up a small tube. After five minutes of pure screaming torture the nurse decided to stop because his finger started clotting and threw away the sample. This was a test to see if he was anemic. Maybe we will try again at his 15 month appointment. After that we took him to get ice cream. He was in heaven! He came home, took a ride in his wagon and then passed out!

Overall it was a great but tiring day!

Good Week

We have had a great week. Jackson's new favorite thing is "walking" to the side door and pounding on it. This means that he wants to go outside. Going outside is his new favorite thing. He LOVES it! Even if I am just taking the dog out he gets excited! He loves taking a ride in his wagon or pushing his mail cart around the yard.

On Wednesday he took his first steps alone. My sister Sarah was over for dinner and she was playing on the floor with Jackson. He was standing up playing with toys in his toy box when he picked up a big car with both hands and just started walking towards Aunt Sarah. He soon sat down and looked stunned. I don't actually think he knew what had just happened. I am sure he will start walking after the doc gives him the okay ;0) ( For those of you who don't know or remember when we took Jackson for his 10 month checkup the doctor told us he was holding out on us. A few days later he started crawling. He just needed the doc's permission).

Tomorrow we go for Jackson's 1 year checkup. He has grown alot since his last checkup. I hate it that he has to get shots but it is for the best. I also am going to the doctor to get my side checked out again. I still have pain in my stomach/side where I had surgery a few years ago to have a cyst and ovary removed. So I figure that I shouldn't have pain since there isn't anything there so I am going to get it checked out again. So be thinking about me tomorrow (since going to the doctor makes me nervous).

I can't wait to update you all tomorrow on Jackson's stats! Pray he doesn't cry too much with the shots!

The Toddler Times

Jackson went to Ella's birthday party on the 18th. He had a BLAST! Ella's Kindermusik teacher came to do a lesson and Jackson loved it! He loved playing with the drum. He also loved Ella's ball pit. We all had so much fun at the park for Ella's party.

Sunday the 19th we had a huge 1st birthday bash for Jackson. We had almost the whole family here and a few of our friends. We had so much fun eating and celebrating Jackson's first year. I did make an attempt to make his birthday cake and it came out great! There was plenty of cake and cupcakes to go around! Jackson got some really nice presents. We are moving from baby toys to toddler toys! Ella let us borrow her ball pit for our party. They had so much fun! This is Jackson and Ella trying out some of Jackson's new toys.After his party Andrew and Jackson out voted me and they got a ball pit. Jackson LOVES LOVES LOVES it! Can you tell? If he suddenly disappears you'll find him in the pit!

Since the weather has advanced from late winter to early summer we have been able to get outside almost everyday! Jackson loves walking around in the yard!
Jackson also got a cool sandbox for his birthday from his Great Grandma Beverly and Uncle Steve. I have a feeling this will be one of his favorite spots!

This past Saturday we went down to Columbus to spend the day with Uncle Mark. We had so much fun. We went to downtown Columbus where they were having a family fun day. We walked around, ate lunch and got ice cream.

Oh and we got to meet Sponge BOB

After we went to downtown Uncle Mark took us to see where he worked (AFLAC). Jackson sat on Uncle Mark's desk and there was a quack attack!

After Aflac we drove around Columbus and then we went to Target where Uncle Mark bought Jackson a wagon for his birthday. When we got home we put the wagon together and Jackson just loves sitting back and relaxing while we pull him around.

Yesterday Jackson went to the library for the first time and got to pick out his own books. Since he loves books this was a blast! We are going back Wednesday for story time.