Jackson's first Christmas........

Jack with the cookies that mommy and grandma made

Jackson with grandma and grandpa on Christmas Eve

Family picture outside of church before Christmas Eve mas

Jack posing on his changing table

Looking at all the presents on Christmas morning

Everyone wiped out on Christmas night, except Jack looking at mommy take the picture

Like I mentioned below, we had a very busy, fun filled December. I only work two days a week yet I still feel like the other 5 isnt enough time to get things done around the house and also have as much time as I'd like to have fun with little Jackson.

One of the first things we did to get ready for Christmas was pick out our tree. Jack and I went with grandma and grandpa in their truck to Home Depot to pick out his first Christmas tree. The next night we had them over to help decorate it. The boys including Jack ended up watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and drinking nog with whiskey while us girls decorated the tree. It was a lot fun considering in years past I have decorated the tree all by myself. That weekend Toby also put up our lights. We now had a festive house filled with Christmas spirit.

The next week mom and I took Jack to see Santa at the mall. We ended up with a really cute 5X7 and a picture that I had taken on my camera. The picture that I took ended up being the photo for our Christmas card. Jack did so good with Santa. He didnt cry at all and looked at the camera the whole time!

The following week Toby, Jack, and I went out to McAdenville to see the famous lights. We walked down the streets with Jack in the carrier. Boy was it cold that night. We really had to bundle Jack. He slept through most of it which is what he usually does when we put him in the front carrier.

The weekend before Christmas grandma came over and we baked tons of cookies! We made roll out sugar cookies that we decorated as well as chocolate press cookies. They all turned out so well. Jack sat in his bumbo seat at the kitchen bar and watched us bake while we listened to Christmas music.

The week of Christmas I worked Monday and then I was off until the weekend. Mom and I went to get all the food for our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day feasts. The Wednesday before Christmas, Jack and I went with grandma and grandpa to the mall just to watch people scurry around for last minute gifts and enjoy the feeling of being done with all of our shopping. It was crazy and busy as we had expected. Christmas Eve morning Jack and I went to go see Erin, Todd, and Cameron so we could take Cam his gift and also pick up a gift from Erin's mom. It was the cutest red pj's with a drop butt that said "Jacks First Christmas". That afternoon we went home to get ready for mass. Jack started out fussy while waiting for the service to start but ending up sleeping through most of it. He looked absolutely adorable in his "Christmas outfit" from grandma Timmons. After church we went back to grandma and grandpas to enjoy our Christmas Eve feast of appetizers and open some gifts. We drank our beverages of choice and enjoyed the toasty, warm fire. I think Jack could feel the excitement of Christmas because he would not go to sleep that night until very late. Christmas morning was at our house. We enjoyed mimosas while we opened all the gifts under the tree. We put Jack in his bumbo seat with all of his gifts around him. He couldnt keep his eyes off of them. I think he liked all the shiny, bright wraping paper. Late in the morning grandpa cooked us a yummy breakfast. After a relaxing afternoon we had a wonderful prime rib dinner to top off a wonderful holiday. I was very sad to see it come to an end.

Back to the grind...

So I realize I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog. This will be my first post in December. Needless to say its been a busy, fun-filled month! I will start from the very first day of the m0nth, though, which was not so much fun.

December 1st, the day I had been dreading for many weeks...my first day back to work after maternity leave! I was originally scheduled to work a 12 that day but a couple weeks before this a prn person posted a need for hours on the employee bulletin board. I couldnt resist so I gave up a few of my hours, shortening my day to an 8 hour shift. I was now scheduled to work 11a-7p. I thought this may ease my transition back into work. The night before I did not sleep well at all. I kept having thoughts of how it was all gonna go down...leaving my new, sweet baby, taking care of patients, charting, finding time to pump at work, and trying my best to get out on time. It was all very stressful to even think about!

The morning of December 1st I woke up early so I would have time to snuggle with Jackson before dropping him off down the street at grandma and grandpas. I had a very heavy heart and was unsuccessful at fighting back the tears that morning. I was ready to get this whole "going back to work" thing overwith. I knew that very first day back would be the worst of them all. When I got to mom and dads the tears really started flowing. When I looked at Jackson with my tear-filled, red eyes he just smiled. That made me cry even more! Luckily I had gotten to their house early so I would have some time to pull myself together before leaving for good ol' CMC. Dad had to practically push me out the door in order to get me to leave.

As I approached the parking garage I realized the only thing I missed about this hospital was the day I met my precious baby boy on the best night of my life by far, Seotember 3rd, 2009. Once I got up to the unit and saw some familiar faces I almost felt as if I had never left. Everyone was so welcoming and seemed genuinely happy to see me and the pictures of Jackson that I had brought with me. This place wasnt so bad afterall. Although I could not wait to get home to my adorable baby boy!! I seem to look at babies in a whole new way now that I have my own.

When I got home that night Jackson was waiting there for me in his swing. He gave me a huge welcome home smile. I immediately ran to the bathroom, took the quickest shower of my life, and then snuggled and fed that sweet, little baby I had missed so much! Boy did I look forward to two whole lazy days at home with him. It would feel like maternity leave all over again.

My next scheduled shift was a 12 that Friday. The best thing ever had happened, I got called off!! What a dream come true. I was now off until the following Tuesday!!! Sometimes you gotta love being a nurse!

First road trip

Jackson with his grandma Timmons on Thanksgiving day

Tailgating with grandma Reid for the Florida game

Jackson sleeping in his carrier, where he spent most of the day

Last Wednesday we spent the day packing for Jackson's first road trip. We were going to Gainesville for Thanksgiving and staying through the weekend for the big FL/FSU game. We decided that it would probably be best to drive in the middle of the night for two reasons....1. to avoid Thanksgiving traffic and 2. for the hope that Jackson would sleep the whole time. We left Charlotte at 9 pm on Wednesday and arrived in Gainesville around 3 am. I did most of the driving since Toby worked all day. Jackson slept the entire way without a peep!! We were amazed. When we arrived we transitioned him into the pack and play where he slept until about 8:30 a.m. We stayed at the Gainesville house with grandma and grandpa Reid. They had been down there for about 2 weeks already just hanging out and enjoying the Florida sunshine. Grandma and grandpa Timmons as well as Aunt Jane also came into town for the holiday and game.

On Thursday we had a Thanksgiving dinner catered from Publix since everyone was away from home and really didnt feel like cooking the big feast. It turned out to be pretty good. Jackson got to meet so many friends and relatives during this trip starting with Aunt Jane on Thanksgiving Day. That night Dennis and Bess who live in Gainesville stopped by to meet Jack.

On Friday we had lunch did some shopping for Gator gear to get ready for the big game. After that we took Jack to meet Dianne, Kyle, and baby Ryland who is 6 months old.

Saturday was the big gameday. We packed up the car and diaper bag then we were off for Jacks first tailgate. Once again he amazed us with his great behavior. We tailgated and then watched the game so were out from about 11 am until 8 pm. At times he got a bit fussy but other than that he was a perfect baby. He got to meet Amy and Tyler at their tailgate although he slept through the whole thing!!

Sunday, our last day there, we went out to breakfast with everybody before grandma and grandpa Timmons and Jane departed. After breakfast we took a walk around campus where Jack got to meet Warren, Stephanie, and Krista as they were driving through town. After our walk we had our last meal in Gainesville. Before leaving town we made one last stop to meet Ruben, Zach and Katies baby who is only about 10 days older than Jackson. While we were there Jackson also got to meet Mary and Aaron. Wow, that was a lot of people to meet in one weekend!!

We departed Sunday night and again Jackson did great!! Actually he was a great baby the entire weekend. He slept well and really only got fussy a few times. We are so lucky to have such a good baby. The first road trip proved to be very successful. Hopefully there will be many more in the future!

Meeting Aunt Kara

Jackson with Aunt Kara

I realize I have some catching up to do. We have had a fun and busy past week and a half. Aunt Kara arrived last Saturday, the 21st. She came up to visit and meet Jackson for the very first time. We had such a fun time but it sure did go by fast like most good times do. Saturday evening we grilled out and watched football. Aunt Mary and Kelly even came down for a little while from Boone. They had never met Jackson either. Unfortunately I did not get any pics of them with him though:( On Sunday daddy watched Jack so Kara and I could go to lunch, do some shopping, and get our nails done. We had a good time. It was very cold and rainy that day so it was good that Jackson stayed in. On Monday Jack and I took Kara up to Concord Mills, one of our favorite places to shop. We were probably out for about 6 hours total by the time we drove up there, shopped, and then met Toby for dinner. Jackson was such a good boy. He never really got fussy. Tuesday we just laid low and hung around the house until it was time to drop off Kara at the airport. Im so glad Jackson finally got to meet his Aunt Kara. I'm pretty sure she enjoyed meeting him too.

While Kara was here we noticed Jackson reaching for and batting at his car seat toys. He is becoming so aware of his surroundings. He is also alot more vocal these days!

Visitors

Grandpa Timmons feeding Jackson a bottle before bed

Jackson in his "future Gator" shirt all ready to watch the Gators play South Carolina.

Jackson meeting Brian and Jessie when they stopped through town on Sunday

afternoon.

This weekend was busy with visitors, fun times, and gorgeous weather!! After a gloomy, rain filled and windy week the sunshine and 75 degree temps were a welcome change. Friday evening grandpa Timmons flew into town. Jackson sure was happy to see him again!! We did miss grandma though. Friday we had a nice dinner at Bonefish. Gotta love that Bang Bang shrimp Columbia, SC to watch the Gators play!! I bet Toby cant wat til Jackson is old enough to go to aappetizer. As usual Jackson was such a good boy! He pretty much slept in the carseat next to me the entire time. Saturday morning daddy and grandpa left for game. Jack has so many fun times ahead of him. After they left Jack and I did a little bit of shopping before heading over to Erin and Todds to watch the game with her and Jacks best little buddy, Cameron. The Gators had another victory. Yay!! Sunday morning we went to mass and breakfast with grandpa then it was time to drop him off at the airport for his flight home. Shortly after we got home Brian and Jessie came over for an afternoon visit on their way to the airport from Chapel Hill, where they had been visiting for the weekend. It was their first time meeting Jackson and they just adored him!! Now Jack and I are looking forward to a very lazy and relaxing week at home together, just the two of us. Aunt Kara arrives Saturday so we will be looking forward to that. Only a little over two more weeks of maternity leave left :( I wish time would stand still for just awhile, or at least slow down a bit!

Two month check up

We went for Jackson's two month check up this morning. He is exactly two months old today. I cant believe it! He had another great check up today. He weighed in at 10 pounds 8.4 ounces (25th percentile), length was 22 3/4 inches (50th percentile), and head circumference was 15 1/2 inches (25-50th percentile) The doctor said he is growing very well!!! He commented on his hair, as people usually do! At the end of the check up he got the dreaded two month vaccinations. He was so happy and playful throughout the whole visit. Little did he know what was coming. Poor baby!! It turned out to be 3 shots and one oral vaccination (rotavirus). He did very well!! He only cried a little bit and stopped after I picked him up. I'm so proud of him for handling it so well. Its now been a couple hours and he doesnt seem to be bothered by them but I will keep giving him Tylenol today to prevent soreness in those little legs. Now he doesnt have to go back until January, for a 4 month visit with the same shots all over again.

Also, for an update on Jack's sleep habits....he is still sleeping through the night! yay! Now instead of fussing in the middle of the night multiple times for his pacifier, the last few nights he has only done that once, if at all. I think we may also be able to start putting him down earlier too rather than 10:30 or 11 pm. The last two nights Toby said he had to wake him up to feed and then he has fallen asleep during the bottle (around 9:30 pm). He has forced him to take all of it and then put him down in the pack and play. After that Jack has only woken once in the night just for the pacifier and then has gone right back to sleep until about 7:45 a.m. How wonderful is that? For a long time Toby was having such a hard time putting Jack down at night. It was sometimes taking up to 2 hours after his bottle to get him comfortable where he would sleep. Maybe, just maybe, those days are over! We will keep our fingers crossed.

First mass

Jackson all ready for his first mass. This is one of the first shirts I bought after I found
out I was having a boy. I just love it!


We took Jackson to church for the first time this past Sunday. We put him in his Sunday best and off we went!! He was such a good boy the entire time. He basically slept in his carseat during the whole service. He looked so handsome too. His dress up clothes make him look about 6 months older than he really is. After church we went to grandma and grandpas for corn chowder. It was perfect for such a chilly night.