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!