First week back to work & the sitter's

I don't know about the rest of you, but this past week was hard. After almost two straight weeks without bedtimes, alarm clocks, and 24/7 emails it was back to reality.  During my time off I did some "unplugging" and soaked up my time with my boys. I feel like Jackson has grown up so fast and I'm missing it. Every time I turn around he's changing!

Speaking of change, the new year meant back to work for Momma and new arrangements for Jackson. Amidst our crazy unsuccessful search for a new nanny our neighbor offered up her services to us. Like I've said before, she has three children of her own and has started watching a couple others as well. So, the situation was perfect! Jackson loves her and her kids, they are all sweet blond babies as well:) Anyway, I was really happy that Jackson would be able to interact with kids his own age. He is such a social little boy!

I packed a box full of food, toys, diapers and wipes to take with Jackson so that we wouldn't have to bring that sort of stuff everything.  Monday came early, and I was running around like a crazy woman.  Mr. ended up walking Jackson over to the sitters so that I wouldn't be too late for work.  He said that Jackson never looked back and was ready to play.  When I got home that evening, Jackson was so not ready to come home.  I know that he missed me, but it made my heart so happy to know that he was having fun!

Tuesday was a little crazy, which was all my fault.  Jackson had his follow-up appointment with his ENT and I totally forgot to set my alarm.  I woke up at 7:45, brushed my teeth, put on some sweats and we ran out the door.  Jackson's appointment was at 8:15! After his appointment we dropped him off and I ran through a quick shower before heading to work...I'm sure my co-workers appreciated that:)

Wednesday and Thursday went pretty well.  Jackson is cutting all four of his eye teeth which has given his little bottom the worst case of diaper rash I've ever seen.  He has also caught a little cold, so my poor boy was a mess by Friday.  I got him in to see his pediatrician Friday morning, oh how I thought these days were going to be in our past! He gave him some medicine for his butt, the diaper rash has turned into a yeast infection?!? He's also on medicine to dry up his nose and breathing treatments as needed...Jackson just can't catch a break.  I'm tried, really really tired.

Did I mention that I weaned Jackson down to just nursing before bed over the holidays?!? My sick boy just woke up from his nap...more on that later.  Happy Saturday loves:)

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Wordless Wednesday: Cousins

My sister-in-law took this picture on Christmas Eve...I think Jackson was thinking that he and his cousin scored big time with Santa at Nana & Papaws! And boy, did they ever! I can't wait to break out the fun jump:)

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Three men & a toddler: Playing in the snow

Growing up in St. Louis meant that I had my fair share of waking up to a white Christmas and snow days. And I had more than my fair share during my college days in Des Moines, Iowa. My boys on the other hand, have not. So while I certainly don't miss the slush and mess of the snow, watching my boys enjoy it's beauty and fun just warms my heart.

When we were in St. Louis for Thanksgiving, the weather teased us with about 30 minutes of heavy flurries. Jackson was unsure of the cold, white, fluffy stuff falling from the sky and certainly did not like the cold.

But, this trip Momma came prepared with fleece lined coats, hats and mittens. I did learn however that just because you pack them doesn't mean that your Mr. can find them when the time comes:) St. Louis was covered with snow on Christmas, just in time for us to enjoy it this trip!

Mr. was so excited to go out and buy Jackson his first sled. Actually, it was Mr.'s first sled too! It's hard to believe that my husband had never experienced the thrill of scoping out the best hill, building the perfect ramp, and sledding the snow-day away. Luckily, my brother-in-law was able to change all that!

So, during the week we were in St. Louis Jackson spent many afternoons with "the guys" {Mr., my brother-in-law, my dad, and my step-dad} sledding and playing in the snow.  No matter how young or old - boys will be boys!

Pop & Daddy "making it snow"

Hey this is pretty cool stuff!

What's this?!?

Hey Daddy, my hands sure are cold?!?

Look, snow!

uh oh, I can't feel my fingers!!! Where are my mittens???

Not so sure about this...

Let's try some more...

Back out and ready for a sleigh ride!

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Surgery Day Recap

All of your thoughts and prayers were definitely felt y'all, thanks so much!!! Jackson surgery was a complete success and everything is going as well as to be expected. We arrived at the surgery center at 7:00AM on Monday and were on our way home at 10:15AM!

In case any of you have this in your future, below is the time line of our day so you'll know what to expect!

Sunday night I packed Jackson's bag with diapers, wipes, button down pj's to come home in, a sippy cup and his hippo. One last thing to worry about the day of:) We also pre-registered the week before.

5:35: Momma and Mr.'s alarm went off and it was time to shower for the day

6:35: Loaded car.  Woke Jackson up, changed his diaper, grabbed his blanket and put him in the car

6:55: Walked in the Surgery Center doors

7:00: We were sent to the Surgery Waiting Room

7:15: After watching some Mickey Mouse, we were called back to another room.

I'm not sure what to call this, but there were a dozen hospital beds separated with curtains.  ALL were full of people getting in there elective surgeries at the end of the year since they'd met their deductible.  Seriously, it was crazy busy!

7:30: Jackson was given some happy juice, Verset.  And he got loopy fast! The timing was perfect, as it was hard to keep Jackson on the hospital bed and not crawling under the curtains to the next patient.

We changed him into his hospital gown and a fresh diaper.

The anesthesiologist came and talked to us and played a little with Jackson so that he'd be comfortable with him.

We met the two nurses assigned to Jackson, they were all so very nice.

Jackson's doctor also came to meet with us to make sure we were all good.

The "happy juice" made Jackson so incredibly cuddly, it was precious.  He was giving hugs and kisses out like crazy {and actually hasn't stopped}.  The hospital have him a surgery bear and he loved that as much as his hippo!

8:45: The nurses came and got Jackson and said they'd call in the waiting room once he was put under.

9:00: The phone rang and my heart skipped a beat.  Mr. took the call and said everything was great.  They were ready to start...

I took one sip of my coffee, ran to the bathroom, and met Mr. back in the waiting room.

9:12: The waiting room phone rang, and it was for us.  They were ready for us to meet with the doctor.  I was certain that something had gone wrong.  I mean it had only been 12 minutes! But, the doctor came in and said that everything went beautifully! Jackson didn't have infection, but lots of fluid left from previous infections.  His adenoids were large and in charge, so she was very happy that we got those out.  She said that they were probably the root of our problems.

As we were walking out of her office, the surgery nurses were looking for us to come back with Jackson.  He was in a private pediatric suite (sound proof).  The poor nurse was almost the same size as Jackson, and was 5 months pregnant.  I felt terrible, as Jackson gave her a run for her money! He looked so pitiful with puffy eyes, hooked up to an IV.  I wasn't expecting to see that, but they wanted to make sure he didn't vomit before they took it out.

Jackson pretty much fussed and cried the whole time were were in there.  He drank some water and kept it down fine.  Finally, we asked the nurse if we could just take him home.  There was no way he was going to calm down in there.  And sure enough, we barely got out of the parking lot before he quit crying and was fast asleep.  We pulled out of the parking lot at 10:15 and went home. 

Jackson has been pretty good since we got home.  He slept on me most of the day on Monday and was just very clingy yesterday.  He's been running a low grade fever, so I've been watching him closely to make sure it doesn't spike due to infection.  Jackson also wanted to nurse pretty much all day on Monday, which was hard, but it made him feel better.
 

I had no idea the volumes of pee Jackson would have over the next 24 hours.  He exploded a Pampers Baby Dry during one of our naps.  We woke up soaked after about an hour!

He got two black eyes from the adenoid removal, but they are fading today.  He's rubbing his face and tugging on his ears still, so I know he feels something.  Mortrin has done wonders though!

And...Jackson has been sleeping through the night, hallelujah!!!

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prayer request

I cannot believe Jackson's surgery day is here, well almost. I'm a ball of emotions right now, praying that this routine surgery will be just that.

Tonight I let Jackson play in the tub until his hands looked like raisins. All the while, knowing that this would be the last care free bath he'll have for the next 12-18 months. I know keeping ear plugs in his ears and the water out is going to be a struggle.

He also may or may not have eaten the entire jar of homemade cookies at Loli's today, just because:)

I have much to blog about, but for now I just ask that you keep our sweet Jackson in your thoughts and prayers. Please pray for his doctor and the nurses with him during his procedure. I know that tubes and adenoid removal is such an easy surgery, but that is also what makes me the most nervous.

Please pray for Jackson to have a speedy recovery and relief from his ear pressure. Please also pray for this Momma, as I'm feeling as any mother would the night before her child gets put under anesthesia.

Hopefully, tomorrow will bring lots of new updates and some pics of our little man in his new Pajamas and cuddle toys...one that happens to be red and laughs when you tickle his tummy:)

I'm looking forward to what tomorrow brings for us.  I'm dreaming about what his little voice will sound like and hearing him say Momma again!

Loves

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Pampers vs. Target Up & Up Diapers

For the past 18 months, I've bought nothing but Pampers diapers for my sweet baby J. We started with the Swaddlers, oh how I miss those tiny, soft, little ones. When I was pregnant we were given a package of Huggies and Pampers. But, there was just something about the smell and feel of Pampers that locked me in from day one at the hospital.   I actually never opened the Huggies and donated them to a shelter.  Is that brand loyalty or what?!?

When Jackson started to get bigger and sleep longer, we bought Pampers Baby Dry diapers for nighttime. Eventually, as Jackson outgrew the precious Swaddlers, we converted over to Baby Dry for day and night.

I tried a Pampers Cruisers once, and only once. I wasn't a fan of the way it felt, and they didn't fit Jackson well. He actually peed out the one and only Cruiser he ever wore.

I have terribly sensitive skin. Like to the point that I can't change my soap, detergent or hair products - ever. Even different types of water can make my skin quickly break out into a high school "pizza face". My parents said that the only diaper I could wear was Huggies, and if they switched my behind would be raw from diaper rash almost immediately.

Jackson's skin isn't as sensitive as mine, but it is still very sensitive. We have to use the Lansinoh wipes and Aveeno baby products. Pampers sensitive skin baby wipes and Johnson's baby wash ate his skin raw. So you see, if something works for us, like Pampers, I have a hard time switching!

But, after 18 months of shelling out $35 every two weeks for diapers {Target is the cheapest place for us to buy diapers.  Wal-mart is $2 more and never has Baby Dry in our size stocked in stores} I decided to give the Target Up & Up brand a try. The savings was $0.08 per diaper, $19.99 a pack of 108 vs. $35.99 for a pack of 136.

The Up & Up diapers are not as soft as the Pampers Baby Dry, but they're still soft. I actually think they fit his chubby behind and thighs a little better than Pampers. He's worn them for the past couple of days without getting diaper rash.

Last night was Jackson's first time wearing them to bed and he woke up at 5AM - screaming and soaking wet.  Maybe it was just a coincidence, but it seems that the Baby Drys are able to keep him dry a little better... I'm going to finish up the pack and see if it happens again. If so, the cost savings isn't really saving me enough. I gladly pay the extra 8 cents to not strip a bed at 5AM again!

What have your experiences with diapers been? Are you brand loyal or do you buy whatever is on sale?

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One year and 6 months ago...

@7:45p.m. our lives changed forever as our son was placed in my arms. I had no idea what life was about to be like. I was in no way shape or form prepared for the love my heart was about to explode with. Today my baby is 18-months-old, just 6 months shy of his second birthday, and my heart is bursting at the seams.

This next month is going to be so full change and transition, as they all are, but this is different. I'm confident that Jackson will flourish, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little terrified.

I'm pretty sure this is the last month that I can refer to my son's age in months. He's no long a baby, he's a year and a half old. How did this happen so fast?!?

Jackson's surgery date, the 20th, is coming up on us so quickly. I find myself questioning whether or not we're making the right decision. Putting your child under anesthesia isn't something to take lightly. It was much easier to look forward to when he was sick and I could tell he was in pain. However, he's been healthy for a couple of weeks and now I question if the fluid has magically drained from his ears. I doubt it, but I'm being honest here:)

Jackson is nursing for shorter periods of time, and I think he's about ready to wean. I won't start this until after he's recovered from the tubes and adenoid removal. But, just knowing this phase is coming to an end makes me sad...and my uterus start to crave another baby.

We weren't able to find a suitable nanny replacement for our Fee, so Jackson will be going to our neighbors for "daycare". We're actually thrilled about this solution and think it's the best of both worlds. When Amanda offered up her services, it just felt right. She has three kids of her own that Jackson loves, so she clearly knows what's she doing:) She'll have a couple of babies during the day, so they will all get social interaction from one another. I really hate waking Jackson up in the morning and packing him up, but walking next door isn't bad. And, if I forget something, Amanda can always walk over and grab it. Not that I want that to happen, but it's one less thing to stress over.

Another transition we're going through right now is that Jackson wants to do everything himself. He wants to brush his own teeth and feed himself completely. Jackson loves to use his fork and spoon, and wipe his hands and mouth. He also LOVES to eat bananas. And by love, I mean that if we let him, he'll eat 3 in one day.

I'm hoping that Jackson will sleep better and start to talk more after his surgery. As of right now, Jackson only has a few words that he says consistently:

oh shit (yes, my son has his momma's potty mouth, and he knows when to say it)
all done
momma
dad-da
woof
uh oh
nana
yes

Jackson can point to his eyes, nose, ears, mouth and belly button. He loves to give knuckles and blow kisses bye. His favorite pass time is to move furniture or push anything he can. Sometimes his strength amazes me. Jackson is a climber. He climbs the kitchen island, the cabinets, the stools, chairs, the table. I swear he's like a little monkey.

Jackson also loves to sit in his rocking chair and watch his shows, but he always makes sure you're watching him. Yes, he's cute and he totally knows it:)

Jackson still wears size 5 diapers, size 6 extra wide shoes, and 18-24 months - 2T clothes. I'll have update with his height and weight tonight, but he's getting taller and slimmer. Jackson is still solid, but his gooey rolls are trimming down.

I ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers this month, especially as we get closer to his surgery date!

Loves:)

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