Hitting the Sweet Spot! - 6.5 Months

Jackson is 6.5 Months Old

WE SURVIVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I SURVIVED!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well...this far:) I have hit the sweet spot! I'd hear people talk about it but wasn't sure what they meant. I just knew I wanted to get there!

Our sweet happy boy

"Things DO get better. I promise," is what I'd hear.

It's weird typing that because things were always awesome in hindsight, but becoming a parent is such a transition. And oh...man...the lost sleep!!! Ugh. That is killer. And you wonder if it'll EVER get better. Then you wonder HOW will it ever get better??? Because you worry. And you worry more and you sleep less. And the less sleep you get, the more delusional you become. Like borderline crazy. I remember thinking such goofy thoughts. One of them: My old life really wasn't so bad. What did I just do???

Sitting up at Gpa and Gma's House

I still remember how I didn't want to leave Kohl's a week or two after Jackson was born because I just wanted my old life of freedom and sleep back. And I was so scared my life would always be like that first month as a new parent.

It really isn't. Things really DO keep getting better and better and better. I mean, why else do people have more than one child? Ha!

Even though I'm away from my baby during the day, he's not far! Always on my mind and in sight.

I think hitting the sweet spot means, LIFE IS SO SWEET!!!!!!!!!! You really start to count your blessings. Someone at work even asked me if I was "on something" last week because I've been so happy and bubbly. I swear...it's the sleep thing. Jackson slept 12 blessed hours in a row two weekends ago. 12 hours. 12. Now...last night I couldn't fall asleep until 11 and then Jackson was up at 2:30...so little tired here. But I don't mind. Really. I know I can do it.

Some people hit the sweet spot immediately after their baby is born. Some it takes a few weeks. Some a few months. Me...took half a year!!! I'm not saying I woke up one morning just recently and felt I had it all together. I'm saying I love where things are at right now and I'm soaking each moment up as much as I can. I'm happy. I can't get enough of Jackson and he's so much fun to be around. I don't mind getting up in the middle of the night anymore (maybe because these times are fewer and far between). I have a system down. I'm more confident in myself. I'm stronger. I feel really good. I'm proud of myself and am not ashamed to write that. It was rough there, but I did it. I know deep in my bones that I'm in a good place and my life is going to keep getting crazy cool.

First Halloween!

But with those happy thoughts comes fear. Darn fear. The happier I feel and the more attached I get and the more I love, the more I have to lose. And that is scary. I can't even imagine a life without Karl or Jackson in it. It makes me sick and so sad to even think about that. So I'm not going to write too much about that...other than...that fear is there. And as much as things get better and greater, that fear sneaks up out of nowhere. I take it as a reminder to appreciate every second and moment I have with my boys and pray that I get to enjoy infinity seconds with them. 

I've also had to train my brain to lower my expectations (especially of myself) AND not be so hard on myself . If I shoot for accomplishing one thing a day for myself, the rest sort of follows. Karl will list off all the stuff he wants to do and has to get done and I tell myself, if I can get a walk in with Jackson, today is a GREAT day. Or...if I can spend an hour playing with Jackson, today is the BEST day. That's it. I try not to get down on myself if I don't cook up a fabulous meal, or get to clean an area of the house that's been collecting dust, or get out of the house to run a few errands or get a hardcore workout in. My first priority is getting time with Jackson in because I don't get a whole lot of that during the week.

Look mom! Just helping with laundry!

What's new with Jackson -

I woke up this past weekend to see Jackson up on all fours in his crib. Yes. And rocking. He lifted his arm as if he was going to crawl but instead leaped forward into a plank. It was pretty funny. But he got right back up on all fours and rocked again. I know it's coming. It's SO coming... He's doing it more and more on his mats too. Our house is so not baby proofed!!

We gave Jackson a sippy cup after his dinner last week. He took it and put it right in his mouth, but he couldn't quite figure it out. I gave him a little tap water to try. Dad had to help him but he wasn't so interested.

Why can't I get this crawling thing down?

Jackson was introduced to mangoes this week. He had to think about it but once he started making his "mmmm" noise, I knew he liked it. Tonight I'm introducing papaya! And later this week: pear. It's not that difficult to make his food. For instance, my brother was over so we could all watch The Amazing Race. He received a phone call, so in that time I chopped, peeled and pureed Jackson's food. Done.

Sunday Greeter at church with dad!

Jackson is blowing raspberries (i.e. making farting noises). It's the cutest thing. I read somewhere that he's getting ready for those first words!!! I can't wait.

Yo! You talking about my awesome cups?

Jackson went into a full out laughing spat when Mike (my brother) came over. We caught it on tape too. The greatest ever. I looked over at Karl. We both had tears in our eyes. Now that is PURE JOY. I couldn't help it. Jackson laughing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOXzxC4EBpQ&feature=plcp

Karl made the most creative Halloween Costume for Jackson. Mr. Mustache Man. Not a bird. Not a plane. But Mr. Mustache Man. Saving the world one whisker at a time. I could not believe Karl was getting out of bed at 5 a.m. to get to work so he could find time in his day to work on the costume. I mean, we're talking about a man who LOVES his sleep. My mind was blown when I saw it. There was fur. And edging. And pants. And suspenders. And a cape! And a monster-sized mustache. What a great dad. I love weird people. Maybe cuz I'm one of them:)

Mr. Mustache Man and the creator of his costume! Can't wait for next year!!

Jackson has more than just one tooth. A few days after he got his first one, another one popped up from his bottom gum. He's a bit feisty and is doing his major teething thing again, so I'm wondering if another is coming...

I know there will be plenty of ups and downs but when there is a good day - oh, it's SOOO sweet! The day even tastes sweet.

Mommy hood is rockin!

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Weekly Weight and Workouts - Week 4

Week of October 21

Height 5'10"
Weight 160 (oh phew! Back on track. Was getting nervous there with my bad workout week.)

Jackson and Bones just "hanging" out on our walk

I quickly learned that I need to start these fitness blog posts as a new week begins and journal as I go or else I forget what I did and I'm not as excited to go work out because I've lost track and I think I've already failed. Where is that positive attitude, Christie?

Blogging as I go helps me stay on track and motivated. I'm working really hard at getting one morning workout in on our elliptical downstairs, just haven't totally gotten there just yet. I'm usually already up, so it shouldn't be THAT hard, right? *cough*

It's just I can feel my body catching up on the 6 months of lost sleep.... Excuse. Excuse.

One other thing that helps, is if I take a picture of myself doing one of the workouts. I tell myself I have to workout to get a photo for the week! 

Sunday - 35 minute Run/Walk with BOB stroller. Weather was awesome. Jackson slept 12 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!! STRAIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it. Couldn't work out when I first woke up because my chest was engorged to the max. Like Pamela Anderson chest. OUCH! Needed relief ASAP and wanted Jackson to get up but refused to wake him. I learned that I would never be able to survive implants. EVER.

Monday - None

Tuesday - Stair Stepper at Life Time Fitness - 25 minutes. Steam 5 minutes (slice of heaven here!!!).

Wednesday - None

Thursday - None

Friday - None

Saturday - 25 minute elliptical and 30 minute stroller walk with Jackson

Spent Sunday making two healthy snacks that would last us all week: energy balls and Quinoa Egg BLTs (good way to get veggies and protein). These are great to have between breakfast and lunch! Also, tried out a new overnight steel cut oats recipe! Cherry. Yum.


Cherry Overnight Steel Cut Oats

My goal is to continue eating really healthy. Breakfast for me is and has been since Jackson was conceived either overnight steel cut oats with some kind of fruit and flax or old fashion oats with flax, peanut butter and raisins. I continue to eat oatmeal because I read it helps with milk supply and I really do love it...and it's healthy. Plus, I can't stand sugary cereal anymore. Ick. Eggs seem to take too long to cook up in the morning before work. Who knows if the whole milk supply thing is true, but I'm remaining steady pumping 16-21 ounces of milk at work every day. *knock on wood*

In an older post I wrote about my daily snacks. Those quinoa egg BLTs worked out really great this week. I'll be making these again for sure.

I pack both lunches for me and Karl in the morning and it's usually leftovers from dinner the night before. There is maybe one day a week where I will go grab lunch quick out of the office. I give Karl the one extra lunch left for the week just because he doesn't really get a lunch break, ever...and I don't want him going to Super America for a nasty tall energy drink and salty sandwich. Yes, babe....I'm watching you!!!!

Currently I'm spending about $100 - $150 on groceries a week between the three of us.

Most of our dinners come from healthy recipes I've found on Pinterest while I pump or are ripped from pages of my health magazines. I always try to make sure there is veggies or fruit in all that we eat throughout the day. And protein because that keeps me feeling full longer.

Sleep is also a HUGE contributing factor to my overall health and I have been getting more sleep. Ahhhhh! I love you sleep! Granted I'm crawling into bed around 8:30 every night (feels soooooo good and it's already dark out) but Jackson is more times than not, sleeping past 4:30 a.m.!!! As long as I get more than six hours in a row, I'm good!!!

That's all for this week. More next week!

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Why Do I Have So Much Trouble Saying No?

Ever have those days where your brain is on FIRE? I’m not talking raging headache here. I’m talking… you have a million thoughts running through your head and you can’t focus on one of them? You don’t know where to start? You write out lists but never get through them? Then your brain feels foggy and this vicious cycle of getting nothing done progresses? Yep. There right now.

OKAY, Dove! Sounds good to me!!!

 

We finally made it to church last Sunday (Jackson made it through a solid 30 minutes before fussing) and it was Mental Health Awareness Sunday. I loved what the Parish Nurse reminded us because I could resonate with it. Most of us focus SO much on doing things for others or we put all our attention in one area of our life that we forget about ourselves and we become unhealthy. We’re too busy to eat healthy. We have no time to work out. We’re sleeping less. But we keep going and going and going. And things get messy.

We need to find balance.

Speaking of this… I also read that doctors are actually prescribing blog therapy to patients with crazy lives, depression and internal issues (especially to new moms!!!). I LOVE THIS. I can’t tell you how much blogging has helped me through everything. I never knew how controlling I am (and you kind of have to give up the control part when you become a mom). Well throw thirty-three years of being controlling into the mix, of course it’s going to be hard!!! Some of you are probably like…DUH!!! We *knew* you were overly controlling, Christie. HA! More to come on that in a later post.

I just don’t know how people mentally survive when they keep everything inside and to themselves and pretend everything is fabulous. I also realize I kind of stay away from those people. They make me nervous…

With that said, I’m in need of a random post so I can get it all out. Here we go…

A friend I grew up with in Roscoe, Illinois, passed away last week. From ALS. He was 34. 34. 34. 34. What is wrong with this picture??? That is WAY too young, especially to be faced with ALS. The news shook me to my core. I couldn’t think of anything but that. What were his final days like? What was going through his head? Did he do everything he wanted to? What did he wish he did differently? Did the small things that seem so big to someone like me even cross his mind anymore?

It’s not like we were close friends. Yet, I knew him fairly well. My high school days were very sacred to me (yep, one of those!) and my friend who passed away was part of those sweet memories. PLUS, we both ended up in Minneapolis and reconnected via email and our blogs. I would invite him to dodgeball and finally he wrote me, “CHRISTIE…my hand isn’t capable of throwing a dodgeball these days. I’m not like I used to be.”

Huh? How is that possible? I didn’t get it. What did he mean??? He was Mr. Soccer Man. Mr. Energy. Mr. Sarcastic. How could he not throw a ball??? Then I finally sat back and listened to him. OH…

LIFE IS SO NOT FAIR. Colin was SUCH a wonderful person. Breaks my heart to see him go. BUT…I have this feeling he’s kicking a soccer ball AND throwing that dodgeball in heaven now.

Is it weird that Boyz II Men, End of the Road just came on the radio as I’m writing about Colin??? This makes me think of my high school days SOOO much!!!!!!!!!!!! WEIRD!!!!!!!! They never play that song on the radio anymore.

I will say he had one of the coolest obituaries I’ve ever read….

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I’ve ALWAYS been someone who juggles a million things at once. I’m a “YES” gal. And I think a lot of people know that about me. I don’t like telling people “no”. A lot of us have this problem, don’t we? BUT…after becoming a mom and heading back to work full time, my time means everything to me right now. So I HAVE to say “no”. There is no way around it, and that is hard.

My mom keeps reminding me: “Focus on Christie, Karl and Jackson right now.” But it’s HARD when so many people reach out and one of my favorite things in life is to make other people HAPPY.

There has to be another way!

I just read an article in Women’s Health about technology and how it has made saying “no” impossible for women. We are so easy to get ahold of these days and we (women) are people pleasers, so we keep agreeing to more and more to the point we forget about ourselves.

I can relate.

The article also states we need to be aware of those people who KNOW our weakness because they will suck the time right out of us. The advice was to say “NO” to everything first and if it comes back to us as a real interest in our minds, then maybe it’s worth looking into. I like that! I also took the test in the magazine and failed miserably. I really do have a problem.

I rambled on to Karl the other night of everything I’ve been asked to do:

1.      Attend a book study on Thursday nights

2.      Play volleyball on Monday nights

3.      Play volleyball on Thursday nights

4.      Sub for volleyball on Wednesday nights

5.      Help find a volunteer opportunity for a neighbor

6.      Get a training session in before my personal trainer leaves

7.      Send my revised manuscript off to two agents

8.      First revise my 300-page manuscript STAT

9.      Be a wedding set-up coordinator for a wedding in February

10.  Sell skin products, or at least find some people who might be interested in selling skin products

11.  Help a friend find a good woman

12.  Help a friend find a daycare for her infant son

13.  Help a friend with web stuff

14.  Figure out why my tailbone hurts SO bad and schedule physical therapy

15.  Call the billing department about Jackson’s screwed up hospital bill …

16.  Get high speed Internet so we can Skype with my parents without getting kicked off every ten seconds so they get to see Jackson more.

And that doesn’t include all the daily chores, or working full time, paying bills and running errands and cooking and all that stuff. Baaahhahaa. It’s no wonder I want to be left alone after work is over with and avoid my phone all together. I’m kind of jealous of my friend who told me her family has banned technology one night a week from their lives. I LOVE THAT IDEA!!!! I told Karl about it and he kind of laughed. He told me I wouldn’t be able to do it. Wanna bet?

But maybe this list of mine is normal for all women? And now that being a mom has become a priority, I simply can’t handle all that other stuff and those people will just have to understand. Must focus on us right now. Kind of like my mom says… Those moms sure do know best.

I don’t even want to know what it’s going to be like with more kids and sports and clubs and activities and all the other stuff in between.  Yikes! I get it now why you really MUST marry your best friend, lover, cheerleader and the best person possible for you because that is the one person you will be leaning on and seeing the most. You want to be sure to love them but also make sure you will LIKE them for….well…EVER.  SO be SMART choosing the right one!!!

Getting back to things, Karl didn’t really say much when I listed off everything, other than look at me like good luck with that and kind of softly said, “screw all that!” So to me, that was his way of telling me I needed to decide what is MOST important to me right now.  So I’m going to write it out:

1. Obviously my time with Jackson and Karl is most important. That will always come first. I get about 1-2 hours with Jackson after work and maybe an hour with Karl. He is working INSANE hours (and every weekend). I want to do FUN stuff together. I want TIME together. This makes me HAPPY just thinking about it.
2. WE NEED to get back into the rhythm of going to church on Sunday. I know there are all these great activities going on at church right now but my first step is to go to church as a family. Church is important to me and I want it to be a priority in our lives. A staple. I know what it did to my life. Baby steps. Church first, activities to come.
3. I really want to revise my book and send it off. That is one of my dreams and it’s not going anywhere if I keep putting it off. I need to make time for it. I need to KNOW if there is hope for my dream and that means trying one more time. It’s impossible to find time for this when I start getting involved in all this other stuff…. I must use my time wisely. And right now my mind is on fire and I’m going in circles because it’s full of clutter.
4. I’m going to get back to volleyball AFTER the first of the year. Right now, it’s not possible with Karl working as much as he does. He gets home well past 7 p.m. So I’m working on finding time to get a quick run in or a work out in the best I can. Physical activity makes me feel GOOD. Holding myself accountable through this blog too!

I’m JUST getting about 15-30 minutes back in my night where I can maybe Skype my parents (if it works), upload and organize pictures of Jackson and go through mail. Stuff like that. So the only real time I have to do anything is on the weekends. And I pretty much want to enjoy family time, do laundry and cook up some healthy meals for the week. That’s where I’m at right now. My head spins throughout the week, so the last thing I was to do is add more!

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Ever have a great friend who you’ve lost touch with? You know it was your fault and there isn’t really an explanation? That’s just a random thing that’s been on my mind.

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My Dove chocolate I’m savoring right now says, “You are exactly where you are supposed to be.” I like that!

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So I went in to get my tailbone looked at because I can’t stand how bad it hurts when I sit (especially when I’m driving!!!). I have no idea what is going on. Basically it feels like there is a 10 pound rock sitting on my tailbone and anytime I shift, that ball pulls everything around my tailbone with it (and my bone) and it hurts like crazy. Kind of feels like it’s curling under too. Like a real tail!!! And it doesn’t help that I SIT all day at work. I wake up and it feels great, but I sit down to eat my oatmeal and it feels like it’s stretching beyond belief. Sometimes it feels like the bone is growing longer… Does that make sense??? All I know is I can barely sit! So I went in to the doctor last week. Had an X-Ray and found out everything is fine. Karl freaked me out and said the X-Ray probably killed my eggs. Thank you for that. All I know is my tailbone doesn’t FEEL fine. So I sucked it up and called for physical therapy. That starts next week. But I also went in to see a woman chiropractor this morning who totally understood my body. She gave me a GREAT adjustment and POOF. RELIEF!!!!!!!!!! As of this morning, so far, so good…but I want to make sure it sticks.  Problem is when does one find time for something like physical therapy and appointments between working full time and pumping three times during the work day, and immediately going to daycare after work to pick up??

Also got the flu shot. For the second time in my life. Ugh. Didn’t want to but they kind of made me. Karl also got the flu shot and Tetanus so he could be protected against Whooping Cough. His arm totally blew up for a few days. YIKES!!!

BUT…here is the kicker. As I was leaving my appointment, the nurse gave me a sheet saying I was overweight. It was a BMI sheet. SAY WHAT!?!?!? She said she knew I just had a baby but she had to give it to me. SAY WHAT!?!??! I’m 7 pounds away from where I was at before I became pregnant. I mean, I know there is cellulite now and I am soft around the edges, but OVERWEIGHT????

After I gained my composure and waited for my X-Ray, I looked at the sheet and connected my height and weight and I was spot on in the healthy range. What was the nurse talking about!?!??! Not sure. Kind of annoyed by it. So I hopped on Medica’s website and did a health assessment test. TOTALLY HEALTHY!! Take that nurse lady.

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My second dove chocolate says, “Your smile is your best accessory.”

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My THIRD dove chocolate says, “You’re invited to relax today.”

I think I’ll do JUST that!

Any tricks to saying NO and not feeling guilty about it?

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Weekly Weight and Workouts - Week 3

Week of October 14

This week was a rough week. Lots going on. Little time. Tried my best. The weather was a bit nicer over the weekend!

Height 5'10"
Weight 161 (scale going the wrong way!)

Some quick 6 month photos!

Sunday - Long walk with Karl and Jackson - 45 minutes

Monday - Took Jackson's 6 month pictures (no workout). Thanks MEEGAN!!!

Tuesday - Had to get tailbone checked out at doctors. Couldn't go to gym. But ran 12 minutes outside before Karl and Jackson got home. At least I can still run....

Wednesday - None. (bad!)

Thursday - None. (naughty)

Friday - None. (just getting lazy...)

Saturday - 25 minute eliptical! 30 Minute walk with Jackson! Weather was awesome.

Pics by good friend, Meegan!

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Weekly Weight and Workouts - Week 2

Week of October 7

Not the best workout week but better than nothing. Keeping at it...

Height 5'10"
Weight 160.5

Racing all over Minneapolis and St. Paul, trying to catch Jenna and Jill.

Sunday - Chased Jenna and friend Jill around as they ran the Twin Cities Marathon. Got in and out of our car with stroller and would run up and down streets and hills. My guess is 20 minutes total of good heart pumping (I'm counting this as a workout because I was huffing and puffing and sweaty!). Then we got home and I had to run around the house in order to make it to a shower (was an hour late). Had to pump in-between marathon and baby shower. Crazy life.

Monday - Nothing.

Tuesday - Didn't get to work out at Life Time:(. Karl had patients until late so I picked up Jackson.

Wednesday - 15 minute walk outside over lunch.

Thursday - 15 minute walk outside over lunch. 25 minute walk with Jackson after work.

Friday - Nothing

Saturday - 25 minutes elliptical (we have one in our house - need to start using more) and weight training with light weights (have these at home too).

Go, Christie, Go!!!

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Baby's First Tooth - Month 6

We have a tooth!!

Jackson's first tooth at 6 months old

For my own records (First tooth: Thursday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m.), I have to most definitely write a little post about Jackson's first tooth! We knew it was coming with him chewing on EVERYTHING (and standing on his own just to chew on things), but here are some other signs we noticed:

1. Last week Jackson had a cold (or at least was getting over a cold) but during the night I'd hear him let out a yelp here and there. Not sure if it was his tooth breaking through or sinus pressure? He was waking up around 2ish yelling, but eyes were closed. I'd scoop him up and nurse him and he'd go back to sleep.

2. Big time drooling. Always has been a drooler but kind of took it to another level... Almost puddles of drool on his play mat.

3. Anytime I'd hand him a teething ring, he's drop everything and lunge for it. He'd get so excited for it and chew down. And chew. And chew.

4. When I'd get him from daycare, I'd hug him and he'd open his mouth and start chewing on my shoulder.

5. Jenna said when she'd change him, he'd lean his mouth into her arm.

6. When I picked him up from daycare, he was all about getting everything and anything into his mouth. My coat strap, the car seat strap, the little toys hanging from his car seat. When I got him home, he'd try to lean into anything he could so he could teethe...the bottle warmer, pillows, our drinking glasses. ANYTHING. I'd hold him back but then he kept grabbing for my hands and sticking them into his mouth. And then he bit down before I could take my finger away... WHAT WAS THAT?? SOMETHING SHARP!! Granted he wouldn't let me peek in there, but I just knew!!! TOOTH!

7. He started sleeping 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the past two nights. Something was up... He never does that. He had shorter naps at daycare yesterday. What was going on?

8. I noticed this week when I'd nurse him, he'd get a little rash under his eye all the way to his ear. After awhile it'd go away but thought that was interesting...

9. Karl took him up for a bath and I heard..."WE HAVE A TOOTH!" I ran upstairs and peeked in. SURE ENOUGH!! A TOOTH!!!

10. Just a titch nervous how nursing will go now...

Our little guy is growing up! *tear. tear*

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Happy Six Month Birthday Jackson!

Jackson is 6 months old!!!

I can't even believe how fast time has gone. Really. I can only imagine how fast the next six months are going to go.

Jackson wearing "My First Birthday" Shirt...even though he's only 6 months! Hey... it was $.97!!

Here's what's new with Jackson...

He's getting better and better at sitting. Yes, he needs to hold on to something to stay sitting for longer periods of time, but he can do it. Still a bit wobbly. For example, I let him sit by himself for awhile (as he held on to the jungle gym for support) and a few minutes later he fell forward into a bit of a gymnastic flip. He looked shocked, but soon was smiling. We'll get there!


Just hanging out here...sitting with my friend Gerry the giraffe. (Karl has names for all Jackson's toys! Super fun.)

Gerry and I are buds!

Jackson was born with super strong legs. When he came out of me, he was practically standing and could hold his neck really well. It's no surprise he'll stand if we hold his hands and walk behind him. Now, he's dead set on being walked over to the jungle gym where he can hang on to the bars and chew on the plastic top in the middle. He loves doing this. I can let go and he'll go to town...all on his own! Big boy.

Working on my leg muscles!!!

Tall man standing

Give me something to chew on!!

Oh, and one area I AM SUPER PROUD OF MYSELF in is NURSING!!!!!!! I DID IT FOR 6 MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND WHILE WORKING FULL TIME 3 of those 6 months. HUGE accomplishment in my eyes because breastfeeding is a big time commitment. BIG. HUGE. I would not back down as much as I wanted to at times because I was so exhausted. I kept going. AND I DID IT!!! And I am damn proud of myself. I feel like we're getting a good system down too. I never know how much Jackson is getting from me, but after 10 minutes he seems satisfied and then I let him go play. He can go a few hours without wanting to eat again, so I assume he's getting enough. ??? No issues with production as of right now, so something must be working.

I noticed Jackson was squinting and blinking his eyes more, especially after he ate. I was super nervous there was a neurological issue or something going on so I went straight to Google. It sounds like this is common and we have nothing to worry about. Still...I plan to bring this up in his 6 month appointment.


Mr. Blinky

And then back to smiling!

And then right to hamming it up like usual!

Did I mention my dad is SO FUNNY??

Speaking of Jackson's 6-month appointment... His pediatrician cancelled so he'll be almost 7 months when he goes in for his third round of shots and weight check. Curious where he's at now that we introduced food. All I know is those size 2 diapers are getting tighter and tighter!

Speaking of food, Jackson has had whole grain organic oatmeal, barley, rice cereal and homemade sweet potatoes, bananas, avocados and apples. The face he made while eating apples was priceless!!! All these have been super easy to make and prepare. Now...wondering if I should introduce a second meal of the day? He seems pretty happy with eating once a day for now though.

Those apples were pretty tart! But I like!

Jackson is a huge fan of being on his belly. He doesn't stay on his back for long and before we know it, he's flipped over.

On my belly like always!

He kicks those legs of his and jumps with them a lot. I'll pick Jackson up to nurse and he's constantly pushing his legs against me so he's jumping off my lap or pillow. Then he'll keep bouncing. And he smiles and laughs when he does this. When Karl gives him a bath, he kicks like crazy!!! Non-stop kicking. Michael Phelps anyone? Oh, and his eyes are getting browner...

Me? Cute??? DUH!

Jackson is super observant right now. If I'm nursing him and he hears Karl come home from work, he's looking for him. If I'm nursing him in the family room and he hears the washer or dryer downstairs, he has to pause and look around. If I turn the TV on for even a second to DVR a show, he stops and tries to find where the voices are coming from. So I don't even bother. I guess it's good for all of us to watch very little TV, if any... Karl and I will catch up on a show or two over the weekend if we can after Jackson is in bed. Also, Jackson will sit in his stroller for hours and watch everything going on outside. We turned our fake fireplace on and he stared and stared at the lights.

These lights are NEAT! (Don't worry...I don't EVER leave him unattended!!!)

When I pick him up from daycare and am holding him, more often than not, he'll bury his face in my chest and push off with his legs while he's doing this. Trying to figure out if this is him wanting food or telling me he's tired. Or...maybe that he's just happy to see me:)

Jackson is still teething. Chewing on EVERYTHING! No teeth yet!

I chew on everything!

He's been saying "ba-ba" and just started saying "ca-ca" the other night. When I say it back, he smiles like crazy. Like he thinks I understand what he's trying to say. It's so cute.

He's starting to laugh more if I kiss his belly while changing him or his neck after I've fed him or pick him up to cuddle. He will start laughing. LOVE this sound. LOVE IT.

We have a nice nighttime routine down. We have learned THE HARD WAY that we have a window of time to get Jackson in bed by. Jackson MUST be in his jammies and eating between 6-8 p.m. If I haven't started nursing him in his nursery before 8:00 hits, HOLY SCREAM FEST. And I mean...no stopping the SCREAM. Like...I had to bring him downstairs and put him in his swing just to settle him down...(yes, tried the whole crying it out for quite awhile but we're talking SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM). Right now his bedtime is between 7:00-8:00 p.m. and works great. Karl is reading to Jackson every night so they have more bonding time since Karl has been working so much. ONLY hard part is not everyone understands why I can't hang out at night... It's still hard for me to do this especially with nursing... I know. I know. Give Karl a bottle and call it a night. But I LOVE THIS TIME with Jackson. This is MY time. And with working all day. I MISS HIM!!! Hang tight!

Dad and Jackson enjoying story time!

With Jackson going down between 7-8:00 p.m. (sometimes he still nurses until 8:30 but he's in a dream feed), he gets up around 3/4 a.m. I can totally deal with this. Though 4/5 a.m. would be ideal. We're getting there! He will get up sometimes between 12:45-2:30 but we try and let him whimper it out some. He's not really full out screaming around this time. If he is, something is up and I go get him and nurse him. Usually we can go until 4 though and I'll feed him at this time and put him back down. Karl wakes him up at 7:00 and brings him to daycare.

I cleaned out his closet and said goodbye to most ALL his 0-3 month clothes. SAD. Tucked them away for the next one... Sad because some of the clothes he never even wore!!!!!! What if we have a girl next??? Maybe we'll have to have three kids:) :) :)

LOVE when he wraps his arms around me and presses his face to my cheek. I know he's really trying to chew my face off but I pretend it's him wanting to kiss me. The kiss and hug feel amazing.

A kiss??? Maybe... He loves chewing on my cheeks. HA!

I try my hardest to get Jackson outside for a minimum of 10 minutes (much longer if we can!). I bundle him up and off we go!!! He even had a bit of a cold in this picture but fresh air is GOOD!

On a quick walk after work! Little chilly but we bundle up!

Speaking of cold...Jackson had his second one of the year so far. They last about 10 days total...three days being pretty rough.

Being a mom is FUN STUFF!!!! It really does keeps getting better and better and better... And it has only begun! WooHOO!!!

Oh, and last, but not least...here is a video of mom and dad waking Jackson up before daycare wishing him a HAPPY 6TH MONTH BIRTHDAY!!! http://youtu.be/LQhGC60_dgs

WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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