oh how you've grown

More than how you've changed and grown over the past 10 months, you have changed me completely. You've won my heart and captivated me. As you now begin taking your first steps I hold my breath and wait as you walk towards me with that big two teeth grin. When you laugh I laugh, and you do it quite often, so it keeps me smiling. No matter what kind of day I have, to come home to you absolutely makes my day worth it.

I sit back watching you. I think you know, I can't help but smile. There's no way I could have known what a responsibility God placed in my arms. Amazing to think how much he thinks of me, and all of his children for that matter, to bless me with such a beautiful, precious, little baby.

You are growing up so fast. Sometimes I wish time would just slow down and that you could stay in my protective arms forever. You are on the go mister. You had no sooner started crawling, and then you were pulling yourself up on anything within your reach.

Every night as I rock you to sleep, I pray for you. I pray for your Dad. For our family and that we would together listen attentively to God's plan for you. Jackson, it's much easier to get caught up in what the world thinks of you and wants from you. I hope you always listen to the voice of truth. It will always let you know how smart you are, how lovely you are, and how loved you are. There will be times down the road when you question that. Remember.

I love you today, tomorrow, and always.

Mommy

Hey sweet boy! You really need to slow down! You are growing up way to fast for me. Daddy and I watched you play around in the floor of your room tonight. You want so badly to crawl, but you're just not there yet. You will be soon! This morning you woke up at 5:30 a.m. and were not in the best of moods. You didn't want to eat and when I tried to give you medicine, you didn't want that either. I think you may have an ear infection. Next week we are taking you to the gastroneurologist (you can sound it out, buddy) to check and make sure everything is okay in that belly of yours. i'm sure you'll hear about it when you get older, but you spit up all the time, lots. So they just want to make sure it's all good. Then we have your six month checkup next week too! i'm seriously freaking out that you are six months already. Where did the time go? I'll tell you this though, I love you more and more everyday. It's hard not to...

Your first zoo trip

We just got home from your first trip to the zoo. I know you won't remember, but you had a great time. You slept through about half of it, had a major meltdown at the lion exhibit, and then Daddy carried you the rest of the time we were there. You looked around in wonder and amazement.

On a side note, you also held your bottle all by yourself today through your entire feeding. I was clapping with joy as you did it, and yes, you looked at me with that "why is she clapping?" face. I was so proud of you!

You're just growing up so fast and it's so wonderful for me to see you learn and change.

I can't believe you said it, but you finally did. Those special words coming right out of your mouth.... Mama and Dada! You said Mama twice and Dada once and i'm not so sure if you even knew what you were saying but the point is, you said it!

Sleeping

You've really been giving your mama a scare lately. You now have realized how much better you like to sleep on your stomach than your back. From all the books I've read, I know it's okay for you to sleep on your stomach as long as you can roll back over which you can, but it still scares me. I've been creeping up the stairs in the middle of the night just to make sure you're okay. Which of course you are just fine and sleeping peacefully.

I came home from work yesterday and as I was pulling into our neighborhood, I saw your Daddy holding you in the baby carrier, and walking Daisy. I parked the car and ran up to where you were and walked the rest of the way with you and your Dad. You were in such a good mood and were laughing really loudly. It was hilarious!

Today I'm taking you to see a specialist about your reflux. It's very normal for babies to spit up, but oh baby, you spit up A LOT, and all the time.

We started you on solid foods two weeks ago and you love them. Especially squash! I hope that continues in later years.

love you!

Your progress

I went in the kitchen to make your bottles for daycare and when I came back into the bedroom, this is what you were doing.

Just for the record, when I left the room, you were in the bouncy seat.

Of course as you can see, you are underneath it. You were laughing and kicking it.

We got snowed in today. It was very exciting and you love to look at it. We got about 7 inches at our house. I got this picture of you today.

I now know how you managed to get under the bouncy seat.

You are almost able to sit up on your own. You are very proud of yourself when you sit up.

Your dad and I are too.