Eye Update!

We went to the eye doctor today after our month long break and we got great news! Jackson's eyes are fully mature and both look great! This means our next appointment is 3 months away and we are finally finished with those terrible, painful eye exams! Now we will just go back to check his vision, which only involves drops and light! I have never actually watched what they do to his eyes- I always walked out of the room when he was in the NICU and they've always advised me to close my eyes even though I am holding him since we have been visitng the office. I do know it involves little clips that look like paper clips that hold his eyes open and the object of the exam is to look at the back of his eyes- sounds awful, right? It is always the longest three minutes of my life. Luckily today was our last one!!! Dr. Hoenhn also checked Jackson's vision today for the first time. She said he seems to be a little nearsighted, but nothing that would require glasses! This can get better or worse- like any normal persons eyes- so that is why we will continue to go back every few months. We feel extremely blessed to get such amazing news! Merry Christmas to mommy!
Jackson also became an eye model for the second time today. I guess I forgot to talk about this after our last appointment. We see two doctors every time we go for a check-up. The first one, a guy from Australia, is more concerned with the strength and alignment of Jackson's eyes. He also teaches at UT, and has become obsessed with Jackson's big baby blues! He always performs some test using light and prisms and he asked last month if he could video Jackson's reaction. I told him that was fine as long as he wasn't using Jackson as an example of what your eyes shouldn't do! Agreeing to this turned our hour long appointment into a two hour appointment. Mom was with us last time- he had her holding the light while he held the prism and a huge camera. Today he said Jackson's eyes were even better and he wanted to film him again. I couldn't say no even though I really wanted to. He also let me see the video he made from our last appointment. You see Jackson's entire face- big blue pacifier in his mouth- and all you hear is him angrily mumbling the entire time. This of course melted my heart- when most people would be laughing hysterically. Luckily- Mr. Australia is going back home for a few months so hopefully our next appointment won't take quite as long!
We go get Jackson's 3rd RSV shot tomorrow (poor baby) so I should have a weight update!

Happy "Half" Birthday Jackson!

Yesterday was Jackson's "half" birthday! I cannot believe he is already six months old! Jason told me that my friend Jill and I are the only ones who celebrate "half" birthdays- which I don't believe- but I decided we had to do something to celebrate! I tried to do the easy thing and call the bakery to get a cake made, but somehow they were all booked- so I took it upon myself to make a cupcake cake for our little man! I know it must seem silly to bake cupcakes for someone who can't eat them, but we always had some type of cake for everyone in the NICU for Jackson's 1, 2, and 3 month birthdays, so it just seemed like the thing to do. I've attached a few pictures of my work of art and Jackson taking a look at his cake.



We also put Jackson in this exercauser (thanks Ashlee!) for the first time this week! He had the best time watching Jason put all of the pieces together so I knew he was just going to love playing in it! He stayed in it for about ten minutes the first time- eyes wide- just taking it all in. When I put him in it the next day he was like a seasoned pro- playing with all of its bells and whistles!



Jason and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary on the ninth! Nona and KK came up to babysit and we actual left the house for a few hours and went to dinner. I honestly can't remember the last time we went on a date, and sadly I know the last picture we took together was at the Cotton Bowl last January.



These are two "after bath" pictures I just love!

Moving on up!

Guess what??? Jackson has moved up to size 2 diapers!!! For those of you who don't know a whole lot about diapers-like I didn't just a few short months ago- you have to weigh 12lbs to wear size 2 diapers! Yay! Check out the picture below- Jackson decided to hold his new diaper for everyone to see!


Jackson also started what I would call "scooting" yesterday! I definitely wouldn't call it crawling by any means because his little tummy was still flat on the ground, but he definitely used his little arms, knees, and feet to get to me! He is growing up so fast:(

My Gigi stopped by for a visit yesterday afternoon!

November and Turkey Day!

We have been very busy these past few weeks- playing, laughing, growing, and doing new things everyday! We have two very exciting accomplishments since our last post: (1) Jackson hit double digits (10lbs) on the 19th of November! I actually weighed him on Wednesday at Nona's house and he weighed a whopping 11lbs!, and (2) Jackson can now roll over from his tummy to his back (I would give anything to figure out how to upload that video- there is a reason why I usually let Jason handle the video camera)!!! He changes everyday! He is such a happy little boy- always laughing, giggling, and wiggling! He is also beginning to teethe- we realized this with the help of his pediatrician and my older sister- we are constantly reminded that we are first time parents! The chewing on his little hand, drooling, and fussyness didn't strike a chord with us at first- I probably shouldn't admit that- we really just thought he was too young to teethe! Another thing I love is Jackson's always improving head control- it is such a joy when he wakes up from a nap and lifts his little head looking for me and actually smiles when he sees me (see picture below)!


We celebrated Jackson's first Thanksgiving at Nona's house (my mother). Gigi (Jason's mom came), and Jackson was able to meet his cousin Grace for the first time! Grace couldn't touch him (since he really isn't supposed to be around children at all)- which she was okay with because Erica explained to her that she couldn't yet- but she still kept inching closer and closer to her new little cousin. She spent the night drawing him pictures and putting together puzzles for him (what a doll)! Grace actually gave him the name "baby Jackson" which has definitely stuck- as she prayed every night I was in the hospital to please not let today be baby Jackson's birthday. I cannot wait for next year when they can have so much fun together- with the newest addition to our family- Erica's second baby that is due July 4th! It was so nice to spend time with family- especially since Jackson and I spend the majority of our time just the two of us at home- luckily he doesn't seem to have gotten sick of me just yet! However, holidays will always be bittersweet without my daddy, but we are determined to be happy and smile because we promised him we would. We truly have so much to be thankful for this year- the obvious being the health of our precious little Jackson- something that we thank God for every single day. We also have been blessed with wonderful families who are always there for us and have helped us get through even the toughest of times this year. I've attached a picture of Jackson in his Thanksgiving outfit and one of him in his winter coat!


You can tell he was a little confused by the coat!

The rest of these pictures are just little snapshots from the past few weeks!
These are the turkey cookies I made using Jackson and Grace's handprints! (Now everyone can see why I am an accountant and not an artist!)

This is just a close-up of our little man!

Check out these big baby blues!

This is Jackson after a bath one night last week- he looks huge!

These are some pictures of the most precious little smile!




I just love him in this little outfit!


I promise I will update more often!

Health Update....

This post is for all of you that followed Jackson's progress in the NICU and might be wondering how he is doing "health" wise since coming home. We have been following up with his pediatrician, tummy surgeon, and optometrist since leaving Lebonheur a month and a half ago. Since leaving the NICU we have gotten used to having a week full of appointments and then a week off- this has been our week of appointments for sure. We went to see the tummy surgeon on Monday after not seeing him for a month. This has been strictly to follow-up in regards to his surgery and the surgeon said everything looks great and we won't have to come back for three months! He even called Jackson a little fat kid- music to his mommy's ears! We saw Jackson's optometrist on Wednesday and got great news there too! One of his eyes is fully developed and looks great- the other is maturing nicely and she doesn't need to see him for a month (this might not seem like a long time, but for a while we were seeing her every week) and she thinks that will be the last time he has to have and in depth exam! Who knew eyes don't mature at the same pace? Today we had a developmental follow-up at Lebonheur. We met with a developmental pediatrician, speech therapist, physical therapist, and dietician- all at the same time. I kind of felt like we were both on trial. I was worried Jackson would be tired and not very active since it was first thing this morning and he usually naps after his first bottle- but oh boy was he a little ham for all of the doctors/therapists. He just smiled, giggled, and cooed the entire time. This really was a great appointment for me because I have struggled- after hearing many different opinions- trying to figure out if I need to be treating him like a 2 month old or a 5 month old and I finally got my answer- a 2 month old. They said that Jackson's age will self-correct by the age of 2 so I really don't need to be pushing him to eat cereal, sit up, etc. After evaluating him they said that his speech skills are well beyond that of a 2 month old- he shows quite a few characteristics of a 4/5 month old. His motor skills are right on track for a 2 month old and they gave me literature so I will know exactly what he should be doing and when. We also got an updated weight- 9lbs 11oz!!!!! The dietician said he is gaining over an ounce a day- I believe it because he weighed 9lbs 7oz at the surgeons office on Monday! We are about to hit double digits- I wasn't sure we would ever see the day! So all in all we are extremely blessed and still cannot thank everyone enough for all of their thoughts and prayers for our precious little man.

A Few Snapshots!

These are just a few pictures from the week!

This is a picture of Jackson watching Baby Einstein in his room. First of all, his optometrist says babies shouldn't even watch tv before the age of two- so I don't think she would approve of this picture. Secondly, I promise I would never let him sit that close to the tv, but it was the only way to get him and his tv in the picture. Lastly, his tv will not be on the floor forever- we just got it last week and haven't found the perfect piece of furniture to sit it on. I just thought the picture was too cute not to share!


This is a picture of Jackson's huge smile! All he does is smile now- it melts my heart! Never did I think a little bald man would be the absolute love of my life(or at least the second)!

Yummy in my Tummy

I really wanted to upload the video from this joyous occasion, but for some reason it wouldn't upload. So sadly, these pictures will have to suffice- of course I still think they are precious! This was Jackson's first time to eat cereal. I didn't taste it, but judging from the look on his face, it must not have been very tasty! I promise he actually got a little more in his belly on our second try this morning!

A Bumbo First

Yesterday morning I decided to put Jackson in his bumbo seat for the very first time. I really didn't think he was big enough and honestly I'm still not sure he actually is, but he seems to always let me do whatever I want with him (I think this comes from being in the NICU for as long as he was). I snapped a picture of this joyous occasion. The first picture is the very first time I put him in it- you can tell he really wasn't that thrilled to be sitting in it. Determined not to give up, I put him back in it a few hours later and he didn't seem to mind nearly as much- see picture number two!

Thanks Jill!

My very dear friend Jill has been driving me crazy about how she tagged me on her blog to post a list of ten things about me that no one knows on my blog. Feel free to check out her blog- www.wearethelamars.blogspot.com- she is a blogging machine- she has themed days and you might even pick up a good recipe while you read! So here goes:

1)I don't really think I am that interesting of a person so I don't expect these ten things to make anyones jaws drop.
2)I wore braces for four years- yes, I was in the tenth grade before my dreaded braces were removed. I also thought it was very cool to get blue rubber bands and my retainer glowed in the dark. I promise it had to be cool back then.
3)In addition to number 2, I still have a permanent retainer. I think it was eventually supposed to fall out, but 11 years later it is still hanging in there.
4)I prefer to brush my teeth with hot water- I don't think this is strange at all, but Jason thinks it is beyond weird.
5)I hate wearing shoes-you could ask anyone at work and they would tell you that I rarely have my shoes on. Not very professional I know.
6)I won the speed walking award in the 5th grade. Big accomplishment I promise!
7)Growing up every step I made was accompanied by a cheer or dance move. We are talking cheering and dancing up and down the aisles of the grocery store. Anyone in my family will vouch for this.
8)My grandparents call me "yo-" now that I think about it I can't recall why they started calling me that. I never listened to rap music- my parents didn't really approve. I'm guessing it's because out of the three of us I was the most out there or at least the loudest. Actually- it makes no sense what so ever!
9)I am wonderful at picking things up with my toes- I promise I can pick anything up-even open doors. This talent has really come in handy now that my hands are always full.
10)Contrary to popular belief I did not live in Pope my whole life. I have always been termed the Pope girl, but I in fact was born in Jackson, lived in Clinton until I was six and a few other random places, including Decateur, Alabama before settling down in Pope when I was in the third grade.
11)I'm adding a number 11 because Jason said my number 1 makes no sense. Jason and I drove to Bowie, Texas to get our "miniature" beagle, Oscar. The kennel we got him from has since been raided and shut down due to them mistreating the animals. Never did I think I would not only have a Texas dog, but a Texas baby.

So there you have it Jill- I hope I have completed my assignment to your approval. I am new at this blogging thing so I don't really know many other people with blogs so I can only tag two people to continue the task- Grace and Ellen. Have fun!

Manic Monday!

First of all, the older Jackson gets the less he sleeps during the day! I was in awe when I awoke around 3:45 this morning and realized that my precious child had been sleeping soundly since 10:00. That is a record for us- I don't think I have had five hours and forty-five minutes of uninterrupted sleep since he was born. This is a huge accomplishment for our little man! Now I have become pretty dependent on knowing that Jackson will at least sleep for a few hours a day. This gives me time to get myself clean and get the house straight- sadly I am one of those mommies that won't let more than one whimper come out of his mouth before I swoop him up and console him so his sleep time is my only free time. Today has been a whirlwind of a day- I think Jackson has maybe napped for 30 minutes all day long. We have had tummy time, back time, reading time, rocking time, bottle time, bath time, bouncy time, swing time, and any other time you can think of! I thought he might go to sleep after his bottle and bath tonight, but as I type he is sitting in his bouncy seat bright-eyed as I hold his pacifier in for him- I'm such a pushover! We did have a nice visit from Jackson's great-grandparents, Memaw and Papaw today. It was very enjoyable. Papaw got to hold Jackson for the first time- he had been scared to until now and sadly hasn't had many opportunities because we have to be super careful with germs. Jackson loved his Papaw- he smiled and cooed the entire time! We also had our first experience with a spoon today. Jackson's pediatrician told me to try to get him acquainted with a spoon now so we can start eating cereal next week. Jackson seemed to enjoy drinking his milk from a spoon- I'm not sure how much of the milk actually made it down his throat, but he didn't seem to mind it all the same! I think we will definitely make some hillarious memories when we try cereal! I've attached a picture of Jackson with his Memaw and Papaw below. We hope you all have a blessed night!

Jackson's 1st Photo Shoot!

Scott Burton was nice enough to come to the house a few weeks back to take pictures of Jackson- a plus to having a great photographer live in the neighborhood. He posted the proofs last night. Feel free to take a look at our 41 favorites! Go to www.scottburtonphotography.com, go to the bottom left hand corner and click on "click here to enter," then click on "clients" in the bottom right hand corner, and the password is "pressgrove." We hope you enjoy! I should have a few more Halloween pics to post later tonight!

Check-Up Day

Today we went to the pediatrician for a check-up. This is our second pediatrician, but actually the first one we met with and loved while Jackson was still in the NICU. He said Jackson is absolutely perfect(we of course already knew that)! We should start eating rice cereal sometime in the next two weeks and them move on to baby food a few weeks after that (that should make for some entertaining pics)! Jackson weighed a whopping 8lbs 8oz!!!! He is gaining weight so quickly on milk alone that there really is no need to rush to get him on the cereal or baby food. I took a picture of Jackson and Dr. Gillespie- the doctor is showing off Jackson's excellent head control! His big blue eyes always tell exactly what he is thinking and check out those precious little ears!!!

Lazy Sunday!

Our Sundays are pretty lazy these days since Jackson sadly can't go to church until he is a year old and we definitely can't go anywhere else. So this Sunday I snapped a few pictures of Jason and Jackson lounging around watching football. I took the first picture because I was amazed when I walked by at how long Jackson has gotten (he is 23 inches long now)!

Breaking News....

Breaking news... Jackson is now wearing size 1 diapers! To most parents I'm sure this is no giant feat, but when you start with a baby weighing 1lb 14oz wearing diapers you can't even buy in the store- fitting into a diaper that you have to weigh 8lbs to fit into is reason to celebrate! In perfect mommy fashion I snapped a picture of this joyous occasion! This also gives you a chance to see how excited Jackson is to have his diaper changed at 5am!

Happy Halloween!

Here are a few pictures of our "boys" dressed up for Halloween! Jackson is obviously a monkey and Oscar, although not quite as obvious, is a banana. We tried very hard to get them to take a cute picture together, but believe it or not, Oscar was the one being difficult. I've included the last one just to show how hard it was to get the two of them to cooperate at the same time!

Home Sweet Home!

The next few posts are little snapshots of what we have been up to since bringing Jackson home.

Our Family!



This is sadly the only picture the three of us have taken (or at least that I would post)since we came home from the hospital. I will get mom to take a few more this afternoon when Jason gets home from the game.

Jackson at Home!