Jackson's reweigh and check up

The last time we were to see Doctor Biglow she was a little concerned with his weight. He has always been on the smaller side, which is just fine seeing that neither Scott nor myself are big people. But this time he was lower on the scale then she was comfortable with. He is still gaining weight with is a total positive, and he is an amazing eater so we knew that wasn't a problem. Our guess was that his metabolism has just sped up with all this new activity of crawling and now walking. But just to been on the safe side she wanted us to come back and have him reweighed when he was in the office for his second flu shot.

Yesterday was his appointment and it went GREAT! We were to see a different doctor because Dr. Biglow is still on maternity leave (she had a little girl by the way- Allison Grace... awwww.) We got to see Dr. Karyn Abdalah, who is not only in the same practice as Dr. Biglow but also a good friend to hers outside of work. Good to know they are on the same page as far as their doctoring goes. So first off we measured him and in 6 weeks he grew 2"! He is now 29"long and his head is measuring the same at 17". Next was off to the scale. Jackson now weighs 17lbs 11oz- he gained just 2oz shy of 2lbs. Definite progress and also definite proof that his lower weight last appointment was indeed due to his new found independence and activity. Dr. Abdalah sent us away with a good bill of health and told us not to be concerned- he is one happy and healthy baby boy! Yay! --Although we could have told them that ourselves!

Jackson is Officially a Walker Now!!!

How cool is that?!! At about 9 months Jackson started cruising furniture pretty good and started taking one or two independent steps before plopping on his butt. So we knew that walking wouldn't be too far off. We just didn't know just how soon it would be!

Last week we spent a lot of time with Bonnie and the girls playing of course and just enjoying each other’s company. Jackson and I even got to baby-sit Sophie while our Anna had a photo shoot to be in Highlights Magazine! How special that is for her. We are so proud! Well like I said in my last journal entry, Sophie is a pro at walking- she is so sure of herself and FAST! We think that spending so much time with her and trying his darndest to keep up gave him inspiration to walk. Because all of a sudden last week he went from taking about 5 steps at a time to walking across the room! Go Jackson Go!!!! He's not solely walking yet because his "Wounded Knee Crawl" and one legged scoot is so much faster. But he is on his way. It is so exciting! Good job little man, we are so proud of you!


**On a side note, Jackson got this adorable rocking horse from Aunt Debbie, Uncle Bob and Sara. He loves it! When Sophie was over the two of them played with it forever. They love making it sing and Sophie can't just help herself from dancing along. I have posted pictures, so be sure to check them out- too cute!

What a Wonderful First Christmas!!!!

I know it has been a while since my last update. We have been so busy the past few weeks with all of the holiday excitment, parties, and we have even decided to take on a repaint/switch around of rooms in our house. So I have been a bit preoccupied. But things have been great with all of us!

The Saturday before Christmas, Grandpa and Grandma Kanengeiser came over to our house for our own little family exchange. Jackson got his first taste of opening gifts and made sure to help us tear up tissue paper and chase bows around the room. He got so many cute clothes and this awesome wagon. I can't wait for the weather to be nice enough to use it. It will be so great with all of the walks we go on. It was a relaxing afternoon, and Jackson had so much fun crawling all over Grandma and Grandpa- and I am sure they loved every second of that too!

Jackson's first Christmas was just as special as we thought it would be. Christmas Eve we went to church with my mom, dad, Grandma, Bonnie, Neil and the girls. Afterwards we all headed to my parents house to celebrate. Sophie is a pro at walking now and Jackson scoots like crazy to keep up with her. We had to actually put up baracades to keep the kids where we could see them. Sophie loved looking at the Christmas presents and wanted to pull off all of the bows and tags. And well, if Sophie thought it was fun then Jackson thought he better get in on the action too! They are the Dynamic Duo! What one doesn't think of the other already is doing it. We had a very special dinner and opened all of our gifts. Santa even came to see us- we must have all been VERY good boys and girls this year! Jackson and Sophie were so much fun to watch- although they seemed to love the tissue paper, boxes and bows much better then the actual gifts (at least in the moment!) Anna also had a great Christmas, "the best Christmas ever" actually. She performed many of her special "Shows" and danced and sang us all of her Christmas songs. It was a great night!

On Christmas morning Jackson woke us up bright and early- I am sure it was due to Santa excitment ;) We all sat infront of our pretty Christmas tree and exchanged our gifts to eachother. Jackson again had a blast and loves all of his new toys. After we cleaned everything up he had so much fun discovering all the new things he can play with. Jackson got to take a great nap and then it was off to the Kanengeiser Family Christmas at Great Grandma K's. Jackson played with everyone, smiled at all the family and even let everyone hold him. Even though he hadn't seen this side of the family in a little while- Jackson wasn't the least bit afraid! He had FUN! Also, he showed off and even took some real steps in front of EVERYONE! How cool is that?!

After the Kanengeiser bash it was off to the Lepley Christmas for a lovely dinner and gifts. Both Granma Lois and GiGi were there to party with us too. The little man showed off lots and was doted with tons of attention- which he loved every second of! It was a wonderfully relaxing and fun way to end the Christmas celebrating.

This Christmas was definatly a special one and Jackson was such a good boy. By the time Christmas night came he was zonked out! So much fun and excitment, but he took it in stride and partied like a champ. Everyone was so generous to him!!! (to us too of course!) Thank you, thank you!

And for all of you family members out of town that we didn't get to see- we miss you guys!!!!!! I don't think we can say it enough- Come home already.

We love you!

Before I Was A Mom

Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous

I never thought about immunizations

Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on
Pooped on
Chewed on
Peed on

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts

I slept all night

Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests
Or give shots

I never looked into teary eyes and cried

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep

Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put them down

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much

I never knew that I could love someone so much

I never knew I would love being a Mom

Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy

Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom

Before I Was A Mom

Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous

I never thought about immunizations

Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on
Pooped on
Chewed on
Peed on

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts

I slept all night

Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests
Or give shots

I never looked into teary eyes and cried

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep

Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put them down

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much

I never knew that I could love someone so much

I never knew I would love being a Mom

Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy

Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom

2 Days Until Jackson's 1st Christmas

We have been so busy in our household getting everything ready for Jackson's 1st Christmas. Christmas is my favorite holiday in the whole world. It is just so wonderful getting together with who is most important in your life and sharing in the meaning of the day. Watching the excitment of the children will make it 100 times better. I absolutly can not wait to see what Jackson and Sophie think of their 1st Christmas. I am already guessing that they will be more excited about all the paper then the actual gifts! Today I was wrapping my gifts and Jackson got ahold of a shiny red bow. That thing provided him entertainment for forever! And whenever he would find interest in something else, that bow would catch his eye- and back to it he would be! It was so cute watching him fling it and chance it around the house.

Jackson is moving right along with his vocabulary. So far he can say "Mom", "DaDa", "itty" (for kitty), and his newest words are "Anna" and "PaPa". I also think he is saying "meow" when you ask him what a kitty says. He is definately mimicking the noise if nothing else. It is so fun to see all of the changes that he makes daily!

Well, I have to get back to wrapping- I am almost done! If we don't see you in the next few days we hope you all have a beautiful Christmas and a safe New Year!

I am going to leave you with my favorite scene from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Lots of love!

Charlie Brown: I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn't have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about.

[shouting in desperation]
Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.
[moves toward the center of the stage]
Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please.
[a spotlight shines on Linus]

Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

[Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown]
Linus Van Pelt: That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Jackson's 9 month Doctor's Appointment

On Thursday, December 6th I took Jackson to see Dr. Biglow (formally Dr. Wagner- she got married) for his 9 month doctor's appointment. It went really well. He is still a peanut weight wise, weighing in at 16lbs 2oz. His height is 27inches and his head is 17 inches- all right on for his stature. His doctor was very impressed that he is cruising furniture and even taking 1-2 steps unassisted every now and then at 9 months. Also that he is saying "Mom" and "Dad" and knowing who to call what at this point. His milestones are a bit ahead of the game so we are on the right track for sure. She couldn't get over how much he has changed, looks-wise since when he was born. She even commented on how much he looks likes his cousins- Anna especially. But we have been hearing that from eveyone lately! There is no denying they are related, that is for sure!

I decided to have Jackson get a flu shot at this appoitment. Dr. Biglow said that the AAP recommends it for all children 6 months of age and up, but it was up to me to decide if I wanted to. Jackson has such a tough time when he isn't feeling good, I couldn't imagine him suffering through the flu. Especially since now all the cold medicine has been pulled from the drug stores, there wouldn't be much to help make him feel any better. The shot really didn't effect him too much. He woke up more then usual in the middle of the night, but other then that he handled it well. We go back in a month for the second dose of the vaccine and also for a reweigh. We will see a different doctor at that appontment becasue Dr. Biglow will be on maternitiy leave. She is due in 15 days! How exciting for her. I am very curious as to how she will change as a doctor once she has a child of her own. She is extremly overly cautious about things, which I don't necessarily mind. Better to be that way then to blow things off when it could turn out to be serious. But I wonder if it will make her a little more relaxed about somethings- or at least a bit more realisitic once she is dealing with a baby every moment of her life. We shall see!