Daddys are going to getcha!

We all know that mom's work pretty hard. They feed the little dude, they probably change more of the diapers and get up more times in the night.

But...in the end the dads have it the hardest. They have to make the little guy laugh and have to play hard. Don't believe me watch this Thanksgiving clip. We are grateful for Jackson.

Oh the memories...

Remember When...
1. Add a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses.

In honor of Papa Larry

I am one of those who likes to enjoy Thanksgiving and tries hard not to jump the gun on enjoying Christmas in November. However, this year it has gotten the best of me and I am already diving in head first! We have started listening to Christmas music on the radio, shopped for a few people for Christmas and I'm going Christmas shopping with Grandma Pam today (which I am totally stoked about!!)
Papa Larry on the other hand has been listening to Christmas music since at least October, maybe earlier! So we decided to let Jackson start wearing a couple of his Christmas sleepers!! Last night Jackson was being so cute and I was dying because I wanted so badly for Papa Larry and Grandy to be able to see his good mood. I tried taking a billion pictures to try and capture it, but that didn't work. So we asked for a Webcam for Christmas:)!!! From what Grandy says, it sounds like there is a good chance we will have one in the future!!! These are for you guys--We can't wait for Christmas to come see you Grandy and Papa Larry!!!

"I really think I can fit my whole fist in my mouth if I just keep trying!"

"Can I play with that camera string please?"

"Excuse me, I have a question!"

Snowfall

Last night was the first snow of the season for Lexington. It was just a dusting but still stuck to the ground and the cars. I think one of the fun things I get to do as a mom is get excited for everyday things that Jackson is experiencing for the first time. There are so many things that are ordinary to me that are extraordinary to him. (I can't wait till he gets excited about fire trucks, dump trucks, and trains!) I decided Jackson needed to experience the first snow...Adam was hesitant and thought it was lame that I was going through the hassle of putting on his coat just so he could go out in the cold and see snowflakes. I admit, what is a 7 month old really going to do when I force him to get bundled up just to go see snow. To my delight he actually did stop to look at them and was content watching them swirl for a few minutes. If nothing else, at least I got a cute pic of him and his dad for Grandy to see:)

Sleep training continues...I have to hand to him, he's been a real trooper since his teeth have been cutting through his gums all week. However, to my dismay we are still waking up multiple times a night... Last night we woke up at 1, 4, and one other time I think to put his binki back in. For the part though he usually goes about 6 hours before he needs a binki put in--which is significantly better than 2-3 hours! It's also great because now I can send Adam in to get the binki since he doesn't have to be fed!

A new PR for Jackson

Jackson's new Personal Record for sleeping took place last night when he woke up for the first time at 5:30!! Incredible... to be honest I was skeptical about sleep training and wasn't sure me or Jackson would last and be able to make it work. But here we are on day 5 and he slept for 8 hours straight!!
Now my question is how do I train myself? I still woke up multiple times checking to see how long it had been, listening to the monitor to be sure he is breathing, and still got up to go to the bathroom...I wonder how long it is going to take me to adjust.

5 1/2 hours!

That's right, I got to stay in my bed for nearly 5 1/2 hours in a row last night!!! After 7 months (plus the last few months of pregnancy) I have been getting up multiple times during the night and have rarely slept for more than 3 hours in a row! I've been doing alright and haven't been overly tired, but last week Jackson decided to start getting up 4 times instead of 3 times each night and I decided it was time to draw the line... the line of sleep training! I realize the picture should have been of me sleeping, but Jackson is much cuter. I risked waking him up for it (stupid me) but I only startled him as you can see from his hand, but he did stay asleep.
I'll admit, I didn't do any book reading and just talked to a few people about their experiences and decided to play it by ear to see what worked for us. This made me a little nervous because I'm usually a by the book person and "winging it" is not my cup of tea.
The hardest part for me was the anticipation and the mental preparation. Sunday night came and at 8:00 I was still saying to Adam "I don't know if I can really do this." I finally committed after he said he would be willing to get up every other time. Knowing I didn't have to do it by myself made it seem more bearable.
He had a long day Sunday without his normal naps so I knew he was totally exhausted and I had fed him baby food 4 times and nursed him a few times as well so I knew he had enough substance to last him a while and I didn't need to be worried that he would be hungry. He feel asleep at 8:30 and was completely out.
Adam and I went to go work on some things in the study and at 9:30 I hear him stirring and crying. I immediately thought this is going to be the longest night of my life...is it really worth it? I went into the bedroom and gave him his binki and Tigger. He threw both of them away and he was obviously upset. I felt his stomach and it was pretty tight so I gave him some gas medicine and continued to massage his belly. I gave him Tigger and his binki back. He continued crying and I tried to push on his legs to get some gas out but nothing game. I tried once more to give him Tigger and binki and this time he took it. I didn't pick up at all and once he started sucking on his binki I sang him a song and left. He was out pretty quickly. I knew that would be an easy one since it had only been an hour.
10:30 rolls around and Adam and I are just getting into bed, again I thought "this is going to be the longest night of my life," as Jackson began to stir again. Adam went in and within a minute or two he was asleep again.
I didn't hear from him again until about 1:00. I knew this round would be harder. He was already crying a bit when I went into his room. He cried a bit harder once he could see him. I gave him his binki and Tigger as we had done before. He threw both away and was obviously bugged. I started singing a song and gave it to him again. He took the bait and started to settle down. I sang a few more songs, gave him a kiss, and left the room. The crying started again. However, there were no ear piercing screams, or crying that said "YOU'RE THE WORST MOM EVER." It was just normal baby cries. I let him cry for about 20 or 25 minutes before going in and giving him his binki and singing another couple of songs. I gave him a kiss and left again. After 10-15 minutes he was asleep again. I got back into bed and shut my eyes. I was wide awake by this point since I had spent my time looking online for Christmas presents and emailing my mother-in-law.
Before long I heard Jackson again. I looked at the time and it was only 2:10. Since I was already awake and the first round of crying was doable I didn't wake up Adam and went in again. I continued the routine and wiped his tears. It only took about 10 minutes this time. I got back in bed and was still wide awake with my mind racing and couldn't fall asleep.
I begin to settle and there is my little boy again making himself known with some whimpering. I look and the time is only a bit after 3. Good heavens. Although at this point I realize I'm nearly halfway through the night and know I have the will power not to wake him up or feed him until it's time to get up. Again, I'm already awake so Adam gets yet another by. I go in and do my thing and leave. Only a couple of minutes pass after I leave and I don't hear a sound...
Until 7:15!!! Alright, I did it! The first night is over and it is not nearly as painful as I had anticipated or as the stories I had heard... why did I ever doubt that my little Jackson wouldn't pull through for me. I decided that since he did so well he and I were both ready for sleep training and Night 2 would commence on Monday night.
We followed the same eating routine and put him down at 8:30. He was out like a light and heard him give a little cry at around midnight. Which is to be expected since he normally went about 3 hours before eating. Adam popped his binki in and he was fine. 3:00am rolled around and he gave a cry. I got up and sang one song and went back to bed. I heard him again at 4 gave him one song with a binki and went back to bed. He got up at 7:15. Another night down and we made more progress!
Last night was AWESOME!!! He again went to bed at about 8:30. Whimpered at 11:30. I didn't hear him until 5:00am! IT WAS A MIRACLE!!!!! I could tell he was getting hungry because he was really crying but I still just gave him a song and it settled him down. I heard him talking and whimpering at 5:45 and decided to feed him. I knew he was still tired so I fed him and got him up like it really was morning knowing full well he wouldn't be able to stay awake long but I didn't want to confuse him and let him think that I was going to feed him and put him back to bed. He was out again by 7:00, and then got up for good at 10:00. What a treat!:)

7 Months

I swear it was just barely his half birthday!!! It seems in life that when you want to capture time it flies by, and when you want it go by fast it drags. Where is the justice?

At seven months Jackson...

...dressed up as Indiana Jones for Halloween.
...learned to stick out his tongue.

..started cutting teeth and had a runny nose for weeks and became a "drool monster".
...learned to sit up.
Jackson developed a love for the mirror. He loves the full length mirror in our study because he can kick, hit and slobber all over it. He thinks it is great, he'll look at himself for a while and then glance at whoever is holding in the mirror and just gives the biggest grin because he thinks it is sooo cool.
He started his fruits this month and has eaten bananas, pears, applesauce, and mango's. He always finishes his pears no matter how much he has already eaten.
He chews on his toes every chance he gets, he can listen to Scripture Scouts for 45 minutes and be totally entertained while laying in his crib.
I think it so cute that he knows how to turn pages in books now and he thinks it is pretty nifty. He likes sitting up and playing now more than being in his exersaucer.


...and had his first night of sleep training--last night. That is a whole other blog entry for another day! I'm too tired to write it!!

Trick-or-Treat!

We started tick-or-treat out by going to the Carlson's for a little get together and were greeted by the the White Witch, Susan, Peter, Edmond and Lucy! So cute!

Then we headed over to Jason and Erin's neighborhood for even more fun! This is the second year I have gotten to go trick or treating with these cute kids! Maren, Joshua and Brittany led the pack the whole way, but Christopher and Lindsay definitely had it figured out and were so cute! Jackson and Ashley were just along for the ride this year... but look out next year!

Christopher showing me his Jack-o-lantern face!

I'm just a Snow White Wannabe

Although he doesn't have his airplane pumpkin, Jackson was our little aviator for the evening. It was pretty chilly once the sun went down and I knew he would be bundled up most of the time so I didn't dress him in Indiana Jones. I totally regret it because he looked soo cute in his costume, but I know his little ears would have frozen with his Indiana hat.

Picture perfect!

Jackson showing me his best Nija move...random I know.

When we were done we went back to Jason and Erin's house to evaluate the loot. It reminded me of Christmas morning.

Sorry Jackson...maybe next year I will open it for you!