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.