J Turned 4

This post is over due...by several months. But it is too important to not post. The only way to get back into the swing of writing is to start.

Jackson turned 4! 

On April 5th, his last night as a 3 year old, I interviewed my little monkey. The video is priceless. Here are a few of his responses:

Favorite Color: green

Favorite Food: french toast sticks (the ones from his school) - now it is apples 

Favorite Play Activity: Hulk smash games and sword fighting

Favorite Super Hero: Batman!

When he Grows up: he wants to be a Scientist! "I want to make a big machine that makes bubbles that will pop and turn into a ball that suck up people...but not scientist people, bad people"

Favorite Thing to do with Mommy: snuggle

Favorite thing to do with Daddy: play sticky hug

Favorite thing to do with Emmer:  play with mom

Favorite thing to do with Grandparents: build things, like Lego castles

Happy fourth birthday Jackson!

It's My Party & I'll Cry If I Want To

Emerson had a wonderful first birthday! It was not without tears however. Who knew how much trauma a cake could cause?!?

What is that coming?

Pirate Picnic

Finally getting around to posting this adorable event. After Jackson's first birthday I had said I would not have a kids party until he asked for one. Well, turning three, he asked.

Pirates, sword fights and Jake and Neverland have been favorites of Jackson's for more than the last six months. He also is a huge fan of the park and showing people his home. Trying to keep it simple I thought a Pirate Picnic would be perfect for him.

Needless to say, Jackson was SUPER excited that all his friends were coming over, and even more excited that he was going to get to show them "his" park.

Jackson helped me pack the lunches the day before; Pirates Booty, Goldfish crackers, alligator gummies and a juice box. Then the morning of I made PB&J sandwiches cut out in pirate shapes.

For an activity the kids went on a Treasure Hunt at the park. I (aka Captain Hook) made and left a treasure map to lead the kids to buried treasure!

These two and three year olds were at first confused then excited, puzzled and finally ecstatic about this hunt! We had to guide them a bit on reading the map. We pointed out the X was by trees, so they immediately tried to run to the tall skinny trees right next to them. With slightly more guidance they found another set of pine trees and the rest they did on their own.  

The treasure was a box marked well with an x that my husband hid under the tree. It was full of little foam pirate swords, pirate stickers, glow bracelets and ring pops. 

 Angelina spotted it first, alerting her friends, then Jackson helped "dig" it out.

The swords provided great park battles and the ring pops were great bribery to go home. 

Jackson truly had a great time! He was all smiles, said it was the best birthday ever, and ate way too much gummy alligators and skull and cross bones cookies.

This party was not hard to put together, but even if it was, the excitement in his eyes, his proud demeanor to show everything to his friends, and share his love for sword fights with others was more than worth it.

J Turns Three - Part 1

I can't believe he is three.

We will have to try this photo again because little man did not want to stop playing.

His day was filled with three trips to the park, a picnic lunch, and endless imaginative play. He found sticks that he quickly turned in to swords, collected rocks, played in sand, went down slides, had filthy hands, and dirty jeans. He devoured his purple birthday cake and played sticky hug with dad before bed. 

Shirt

I'd say it certainly was epic.

More on this three year old and his pirate party later when I can wrangle my thoughts through less tears. 

Introducing Emerson Marie

Emerson Marie!

On August 21 I dropped J off for his second day of school and went to work. I  had an upset stomach most the day but got as much done as I could. After school I got caught up in talking and had to head straight to my doctors appointment instead of stopping home. 

I drank lots of water, changed my clothes at the doc and started feeling contractions. They hooked me up to the non stress test and I tried to relax thinking about picking J up and dinner. 

The nurse wasn't liking the reading from the beginning. Water or crackers she asked. As I had both, the contractions were getting stronger. When I changed rooms to see the doc I had chills and shakes. She came in and very matter of fact said she will be sending me to labor and delivery, it's time to have the baby. 

An earlier ultrasound had concluded our baby girl was small, a predicted size percentage that was just inside the "danger zone." Although no medical concern as to why was found the size alone was enough for them to warrant induction in the 38th week. I was two days shy of this mark. 

Tears immediately filled my eyes. Emotions running wild of excitement, relief, sadness, and fear. 

My first reaction was for Jackson. I promised my baby boy I would pick him up from school. Did I really just have the last morning of just the two of us? He was so brave to go to school and now I wont be picking him up as promised. 

I couldn't believe though that after all these weeks the day was finally here. I would meet my baby girl so soon. Was it too early though? Will she be ok, weigh enough, will she need the NICU? Why was the non-stress test non reactive? 

They wheel chaired me to labor and delivery where I was placed in a holding room since all birthing rooms were full. I made several phone calls, sent some emails and tried to gather all my thoughts to tie loose ends. My husband arrived first with my hospital bag that he had to finish putting together and dinner, aka my last meal before child birth. Jackson visited a little later with my parents; they had picked him up from school, the last kid left. I could hear him in the hall before he came in, "my mommy is in there, want to see my mommy." 

He appeared in the room with a big smile that immediately evaporated into a worried and confused expression. Mommy looked different to him, he could tell this was not all normal. He coiled back to Grandpa when I reached with open arms and all the excitement in my voice I could muster to ask him to come sit with me. Tears immediately filled my eyes. My heart ached that I let him down by not picking him up from school. I felt a little guilty for being so excited to welcome baby girl. And sad that so many things I cherished so deeply between Jackson and I were inevitably going to change. He warmed up to me being in the hospital bed enough to sit by me and smile for a picture. When I saw him next we were a family of four. 

We stayed in the holding room a while before moving to a birthing room. My contractions continued strong on their own till about 8pm. Because of the baby's predicted size, the doctor was going to induce slowly. Throughout the night I had pitocin and by 8am Friday I had made just a little progress. The doctor broke my water at that time, speeding things up for sure. An epidural was ordered just in time and by 11am I was finally feeling comfortable as contractions were increasing. A little before noon I was ready to push. Things were frantic for a bit as nurses were running in and out. They were waiting for NICU and neonatal to come in, and the doctor! As I could feel the urge to push and meet baby girl become overwhelming, everyone was finally in the room at noon. One contraction and five minutes later baby girl was crying loudly. 

It was a huge sigh of relief to hear her yell. I couldn't believe she was here...and ok! All initial signs showed a healthy baby but they whisked her to the back of the room to be checked out by neonatal and NICU. By the time my husband could come over to me the doctor and the nurse checking on Emerson were saying there best wishes and good byes. Almost comedically they left as fast as they came, saying she was strong and healthy. 

She was a gorgeous 5 pounds 4 ounces and 18 inches long. She was wide awake and alert when I was first able to hold her. It all felt surreal as she was placed in my arms. Tears filled my eyes and I felt my body and my mind relax for the first time in a long time. 

Emerson Marie was here. She was healthy. She was bigger than expected.

She has Finke ears and a Lee chin, soft lips and a head shape the same as Jackson's. I swear I see hints of grey blue in her eyes. Her hair is dark brown and her skin is gorgeous. She squeaks something so innocent and soft to your ear. She is so tiny but yet so big. However she is strong, fighting her first bath by the nurse and moving her head all around while being held. She was perfect. 

Jackson turns TWO

Little man turned 2! This post is two weeks late, but he had the best birthday! Leading up to his birthday we talked about his party and kept asking how old he was. By his birthday, he would respond with "TWO" and even try to hold up two fingers. 

Two year chalkboard

The birthday boy started his day by opening some cards that came in the mail. He eagerly opened each one, looked at the cover and anxiously opened it up. He would pause a second and wait for some sound, then sincerely explain that the card did not sing. Since his first birthday he has loved cards that make noise when you open them. We have saved each one he gets so he can sing and dance along to them whenever he wants. This morning he went through a few cards, repeating the process, and then spent time going back through all of them, being sure to state (several times) that they did not sing. Although he missed the sound, I was pleasantly surprised at how interested he was in the pictures on the front and wanted to know what they said (or at least the front). 

Birthday breakfast tradition

Jackson enjoyed Mickey pancakes with Mom and Dad for breakfast. Then we all got ready for family to come over for his party.

Jackson had a wonderful time playing with his grandparents, aunt, and uncles. He was a lucky birthday boy too, getting some great gifts! He received a play kitchen of his own after being obsessed with playing in the kitchens of all his friends. He was so interested in the pots and the cabinets, opening them each up and placing the pans in and out. The stove "turns on" with a red light, keeping him busy with putting items on the hot surface. 

Play kitchen

He also received a toy drum set of his own! Matt had introduced him to drumming back when he was maybe 9 months old and has kept him interested and excited about it with a drum set for a video game system we have upstairs. He immediately understood what to do with the cymbal and two drums but needed a little help with the foot pedal for the base drum. He banged away with the sticks, stomped his foot and overall impressed us with his coordination and ability to multitask a little with the different options. I think the kid has more rhythm than me! The cutest part though....every time he sits down to play, he has to have his sunglasses on!

Jackson is still in love with Mickey. So I decided to make him a Mickey cake for his birthday. I followed a picture of Mickey from Pinterest and then improvised a little from there.  

Jackson helping to put the first layer of frosting
on Mickey the day before

Using only one cake mix box, I split it into two small rounds and one 10" round. Jackson helped frost the first white layer then the next morning I worked my magic to make Mickey appear. I used green, red, and yellow food coloring to make the skin color and a black frosting spray for the ears. The eyes and mouth were squeeze decorating frostings. 

When Jackson first saw his Mickey cake he lit up with excitement! He was in complete awe of the character in front of him!

We sang happy birthday and Jackson sang right along! He then made a valiant attempt to blow out his two candles. After a little help and some cheering, we started to cut the cake. Jackson was very adamant that he wanted Mickey's eyes. He got so excited to have both Mickey eyes served up on a plate for him to enjoy (and boy did he do so quickly). 

After everyone left we asked Jackson if he had a fun birthday. He was quick to say yes! I always want to make his birthdays special for him and I think this one was a success. He has a blast all day!

Happy birthday sweet boy. We love you!

Time Flies

Baby boy is 15 months and I have finally finished his first birthday album. Shutterfly has been my go to for his whole first year and I have loved everything. Check it out!