The Wilson Family: October 2009

Halloween Sneak Peak

>> Thursday, October 29, 2009

I know I am going a little crazy with Jackson's first Halloween, but it is his first Halloween! He won't remember it, but I will. When Jackson was a t-tiny thing, he always slept with one eye open, earning him the nickname of "One-eyed Jack". When we were thinking of ideas for Jackson's first Halloween, it seemed fitting for him to be a pirate. A Captain. Captain "Jack"son Sparrow.

Here's a little sneak peak:)

What did you dress up as for your first Halloween?

Family, Friends & Football

>> Monday, October 26, 2009

Long overdue updates -
Jackson had his 4-month well baby visit and vaccines last week and he's such a little bruiser. Seriously he grew one inch and gained a pound in 13 days! At 4.5 months he weighed in at 17 lbs. 2 oz, 26.5 inches long and 16.5 inch head circumference. He is feeling so much better from his cold and is full of smiles for everyone, even when the nurse came in to give his shot. He laughed and "talked" to her without a flinch! I guess all those fat rolls are good for something:)

We had a slew of family in friends in town over the weekend for the LSU vs. Auburn game. Mr. Wilson and I were happy to see our Tigers win! My sister and her friends all graduated from Auburn, so we had a house divided for the weekend. We had a nice visit with my dad and his girlfriend, Grandpa hadn't seen Jackson since he was just a week old. The weekend went by way too fast, but we'll see my family again for Thanksgiving so that made saying good-bye much easier.

Yesterday we had big plans to go to a Fall Fest, Dr. S's party (our RE has a birthday party once a year for all of his babies) and then to the Pumpkin Patch with Jackson's cousin. We made it to the Fall Fest, but as I was putting Jackson back into his car seat I noticed that the back of his shirt was all wet. I couldn't figure out how his drool soaked his back... and then I caught a smell of poop. Jackson was literally covered from head-to-toe in poop, it was even down his arms. He has been having some explosive blow-outs lately, but this by far was the worst. Needless to say, we missed the party and the pumpkin patch.

I couldn't help but look at Jackson all weekend and feel completely overwhelmed with joy. One year ago on Friday I peed on a stick and my life completely changed. I don't know what I did to be so blessed, but I am thanking God for answering my prayers. Jackson is my little gift from God.

Happy Fall Y'all

>> Monday, October 19, 2009

It's the middle of October and Fall finally decided to show its face here in South Louisiana. Like much of the South, it has been hot, humid, and rainy for what seems like a month. But, this weekend we finally had some cool weather, the most beautiful blue skies and some much needed sunshine.

Jackson also decided to sleep again, and my goodness we had a wonderful weekend. Jackson was in the best mood, full of laughs, coos and smiles. This was just what Mr. Wilson and I were in desperate need of. It felt so good to lay on blankets in the yard and listen to our little one babble away, he has so much to say these days. We went for long walks, nice dinners and even made our first family trip to the Pumpkin Patch.

I am still smiling from ear to ear and feel more refreshed than I have in a long time. I could go on and on about our weekend, but I think I'll let these pictures do the rest of the talking.

Mommy and Jackson after a nice long Saturday morning walk

Playing outside

All that fresh air made Jackson so sleepy

Sleepy Boy

All smiles:)

Saturday Date Night

Where's Jackson

Jack-o-latern

So much fun at the Pumpkin Patch

Sleep Boycott

>> Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Yes folks, that right, the boss of the house has decided that sleep is totally overrated and would much rather be carried around the house, bounced up and down, while having his back patted. His other preference is nursing, nursing and nursing a little more. I'm not sure if this is the dreaded "4-month wakeful period" or what, but Jackson is getting up more at night now then what he did when he was a week old.

For the past three nights Jackson will go down for bed and wake up between 11-12AM screaming. No amount of comfort will put this little man back to sleep. So what is a sleep deprived mama to do besides nurse her little man back to slumber land. All is great for another hour or so, but like clockwork, he's up again. We repeat this cycle all night. All night. I feel like a milk machine, shoving my breast into his mouth in hopes of another hour of sleep.

What happened to my sleeper? I know I complained about the initial bedtime wakefulness, but I'd much rather ten minutes of that to the all night sleep boycott we're having now!

I have tried Tylenol in case the ever present drool is an indication of teething. I've tried gas drops in case his tummy is upset. We've changed countless dry or slightly damp diapers. I've rocked, I've sang, I've bounced around the living room. Please tell me this phase will pass, soon!

Show Us Your Life: Tailgating - Geaux Tigers!

>> Friday, October 9, 2009

Football has always been an important part of my life, I was even a cheerleader from middle school through college. But, when I moved to Louisiana from St. Louis I had no idea just how important college football would become in my life. If you remember the story of us post, I set the hook with Mr. Wilson when I asked him to be my date for the LSU @ Auburn game back in September of 2004.

Since then we have been to every home game and almost every road trip. This year has been a little different with Jackson, we hope to make a few road games next year. We're lucky that Jackson is such a laid back baby, he has made it to every home game so far this year!

It's Saturday Night in Death Valley!

2004 SEC Championship in ATL

Damn Strong Tailgating Krewe

Our first game as Mr. & Mrs. - 2007

Field Game 2007 (Mr. Wilson is on the Tiger Athletic Founation Board, so we get to go on the field for pregame once a season)

LSU @ Kentucky (Me & my dad)

LSU @ Old Miss

LSU vs. Auburn - 2007

Pig Roast for LSU vs. Arkansas

On set with Coach Miles

LSU @ Auburn - 2008

Jackson's first LSU game - LSU @ Washington

Jackson's first trip to Death Valley, LSU vs. Vanderbilt

The Wilson's - Field Game, LSU vs. ULL

On the field with the Tigers

Jackson dreaming about the Tiger's win, Gggrrr!

Jackson with Mike the Tiger

Future Tiger

Geaux Tigers, Beat the Gators!!!

4 months!

My little peanut is 4 months old! I cannot begin to tell you the joy and love this little man has brought into my life. He can truly light up a room and melt your heart with his smile. His coo and laughs are so contagious. Jackson is quite the cuddler and I hope he stays this way forever.

Jackson rolls from his belly to his back, and is working on his back to belly. He will sit for a few seconds, if you put him in that position. His most favorite thing to do is "stand" on your legs or a flat surface.

I am still nursing, but Jackson takes 2-3 breast milk bottles with the sitter while I am at work. He still eats 4 oz bottles, but with his size you would think it was double that! Jackson is a pretty good sleeper, he goes down for bed anytime between 9-10 and sleeps anywhere between 6-9 hours, eats and goes right back to sleep. I have a sitter that comes to our house to watch Jackson, so he naps when he wants. He normally takes a morning and afternoon nap.

Jackson is starting to drool a lot and is bubbly all the time. He loves to chew on his hands or your finger:) He prefers this to his pacifier. When he can find it, Jackson will go to town sucking his thumb. It is pretty cute:)

He loves his exersaucer, we put a pillow under it and that has made him able to enjoy it longer. Jackson still LOVES his bath and could stay in the tub all night. It is adorable! Jackson hates to be craddled and will fuss even harder if you do. He likes to look over your shoulder and if you shhhh in his ear it calms him and puts him to sleep.

I can't remember what life was like before this little came and stole my heart. Everyday he gets older is so bittersweet.

4 months, 16 lbs. 4 oz, 25.5" - 75% for height and weight, 50% for head circumference

All Better:)

With a quick trip the the pediatrician yesterday and a prescription antihistamine, Jackson is doing so much better! He was back his smiling self by last evening and even wet down to bed without a problem. It was also the first night he slept in his crib, not with me, since he got sick so I was worried this wouldn't be easy. To my surprise Jackson did great. He only got up once to nurse and went right back down. He's starting to nurse for a shorter period in the night, so I am hoping he will ween himself completely of the middle of the night feeding soon.

Pitiful Baby Boy

>> Wednesday, October 7, 2009

I thought last night was going to be a good night... we got home from work and Jackson was in a great mood. We went for a walk, played, talked and cooed until bedtime. Jackson's nose was runny, but he was in good spirits. Bedtime routine was great, Jackson went straight down to bed. About 30 minutes after my tired head hit the pillow my little man was awake and screaming. I tried everything, but between the drool and the snot running down my little man's face he was pitiful! The harder he cried, the more his nose ran, and then he would cough and panic because he couldn't breath very well.

The booger/nose sucker (what are these things called???) and orajel were my good friends last night. I kept Jackson in bed with us, so we got a little bit of sleep. I just felt so bad for him! What do you do when your little one seems to have a cold?

I haven't posted pictures in a couple of days, these are from last week. We're so ready for fall!

Bedtime Troubles

>> Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Like I have said in previous posts, every time we have a few good nights of sleep the following are sure to be not so great. We took 2 steps forward and 5 steps back! Jackson slept completely through the night on Thursday and Saturday and the nights before and after that were pretty good. But last night was back to the newborn days. We have established a bedtime routine, which consists of bath, boob, bed. I am a very ritualistic person by nature, so we literally do everything the same order every night. However, some nights (like last night) I have a hard time getting Jackson to stay asleep.

He always nurses until he passes out, usually after 20 minutes. Then I am able to carry him to his crib and he's good to go. On the bad nights, he wakes back up as soon as you lay him down and either cries or is wide awake and eventually starts to cry for you to come get him out. The cry it out method doesn't work. I know, I know, some of you are probably thinking that he will eventually cry himself to sleep - my child does not, he's like a freak of nature. The harder he cries, the more awake he gets. I usually wait a little while, nurse him again until he falls back to sleep and we try again. When he wakes in the middle of the night, he eats and goes right back down. I don't understand (but am thankful) how the middle of night feedings goes so well, but the initial bedtime can be so hard?!?

Last night I went to lay him down in his crib at bedtime and he was instantly wide awake. It's like he takes a catnap when he's nursing and gets a burst of energy. I was completely exhausted so I laid down of the couch with him and we were both out within minutes. Mr. Wilson woke me up at 11 to come to bed. I went to bring Jackson to his crib and he woke up screaming. It has been a few hours since I nursed him, so I fed him again and he went to bed. Then around 2:30 he woke up screaming again. Mr. Wilson got up, changed him and tried to get him back down with no luck. So, Jackson ended up in bed with us until 6:30 this morning. I fed him and couldn't get him to go back down. He usually goes back down at least until 8:30.

What is your bedtime routine, has this happened to anyone else? Do you think this could be signs of teething? He hasn't had fever, but his chewing on his hands and drooling like crazy. Christine, my sitter, called and said he has been wanting to sleep a lot again today...

A not so lazy Sunday

>> Sunday, October 4, 2009

It was a great weekend at the Wilson household, the Tigers won and Jackson slept for 9 hours on Saturday night! I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful it was to completely sleep through the night. Jackson has been going down between 9-10 and wakes up around 4 to eat and goes right back down. We are very lucky that this routine is easy, but when I woke Sunday morning for his feeding it was light outside! I thought my chest was literally going to explode and that I needed to somehow protect my starving son as he was latching on, but that's for another post.

Sleeping through the night gave me quite a burst of energy for Sunday chores. I cleaned out Jackson's closest, packing away all of his tiny clothes and spent the morning in disbelief that these long sleepers actually fit my child. Then I cleaned my house, and didn't skip out on mopping the floors. After that I decided it was time to redecorate a little.

Saturday after the game the girls packed into my car and we went to check out a new store that just opened. Paul Micheal CO., ladies if you have one near you - Wow is all I can say. The prices are amazing and you could literally spend hours there and not see it all, we did!

For $200 I took my sofa table from this:

To this:

What do you think? How was your weekend, did you tackle any fun projects? Next on my list is my entertainment armoire, any thoughts?