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!