Jackson is one week old!

It is so hard to believe that Jackson is already a week old!  This week has flown by!

We went back to the doctor this morning for a weight check.  You now weigh 7 lbs 11 oz.  We are getting closer to birth weight!

At one week:

• You are eating 2 oz of formula every three hours.  We are getting ready to up it to 3 oz.
• You love to sleep on your Boppy pillow or in your rocker.
• You are a night owl and love to be held at night!
• Our cats Abby and Max pretty much leave you alone.  Max is more interested than Abby.
• Now that we have you on formula, you hardly ever cry. You do whimper when you want to be held.
• You wear newborn clothes, and even some of those are too big!
• You now weigh 7lb, 11 oz!  We love that you are gaining weight!
• Overall, you are a happy baby (especially now that you are eating)!

Noni brought me a cake!

I am 1 week old!

We have enjoyed a lazy Saturday at home. Tim has been catching up on work, and I have been resting as much as possible.  I didn't realize how much rest I needed when I first came home, and I did too much.  Now I am paying the price.  Note to self- You have to rest more in the beginning next time!

Things I Love About Jackson

I have already fallen in love with this little baby.  He is absolutely precious, and I can't imagine my life without him.

I love....
- how Jackson curls into a little ball when he is laying on my chest.
- how Jackson opens on eye and keeps the other one closed.
-how he loves to go up and down the stairs (thanks Daddy and Noni)
-how he has the most precious little nose
-how he sucks on his lower lip until it disappears
-how he sounds like a little puppy dog
- how he loves to be held and cuddled

We are so blessed to have to such a precious little boy!

Friday, June 10, 2011

Wow!  It is hard to believe that Jackson is almost a week old!  Tim and I were talking this morning about how it is really hard to remember what life was like before Jackson.  Putting Jackson on formula has really made a difference.  He is eating and sleeping and is less fussy.  I know we probably didn't give breastfeeding a chance, but when you see that your baby is not thriving, you will do whatever is necessary. I have felt guilty about stopping, but I think this is the best thing for Jackson right now. I ran into a friend at the doctor yesterday who had the same issue with her first child.  He just couldn't get enough from her, but she successfully breastfed her last two kids. We go back to the doctor tomorrow.  We have to be there at 9:00-that will be a challenge!

We have had a lazy day today. Jackson and I have chilled upstairs while Tim has been a cleaning machine. Aunt La La (Lisa) and Auntie Ga Ga (Alexa) came to visit and brought us lunch.  Jackson enjoys spending time with all of his cousins of different generations!

We are so thankful for all of my mom's help.  We would not be able to do it without her.  She stayed again last night, so that Tim and I could both sleep. It was wonderful.  I didn't realize how tired I was.  Thankfully, Jackson had a great night, so Noni got some sleep too.  Jackson bought Noni some beautiful flowers from Electric City Blooms.  

We are Skyping with Tim's parents tonight, so this will be the first time they get to meet Jackson.

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Sweet Smile

I love when he just opens one eye!

Beautiful!

Thursday, June 9

I got some sleep since my mom was here.  Jackson still has not been interested in nursing, so I am calling Dr. Hart. Unfortunately, Tim had to go to work today.  Thankfully, my mom is staying.  We took Jackson to the doctor around lunch, and Dr. Hart said that he is a "lazy eater."  He has not learned that eating will give him energy and what he needs.  We are not supplementing with formula.  We have to go back for another weight check on Saturday.

As soon as we got home, we gave Jackson a bottle.  He inhaled it!  It made me feel so bad because he was so hungry and wasn't getting what he needed from me.  As soon as I saw him drink that, I made the decision to stop nursing and just go to formula.  I know that nursing is best, but it is not worth stressing about how much he is eating, going in for daily weight checks, and him not actually getting what he needs.  The decision became easy in that instant.  I was going to have to go to mostly formula anyway due to school.  There would be no way for me to pump at school.  I just have to do what is best for Jackson, and I really think this is it! (I was formula fed, and I turned out all right!).

Jackson has still been very sleepy, so hopefully as he gets more nourishment, he will be more alert. He had several more visitors today.  Whitney and her mom came by.  Then Kristi and Tu Tu came over.  Kristi brought him a huge teddy bear!  We have decided to use it with his monthly pictures!  When I say huge, I mean huge!

My new friend!

Luvi gives me good stuff!

Meanwhile, I have realized that getting up all the time when I was pregnant and not being able to sleep has prepared me for this.  I used to have to be in bed by 10:00, but now I kind of enjoy being up past midnight!  We will see how long that lasts!

Now that I have caught up on posts, I will add pictures tomorrow!

Wednesday, June 8

Today we took Jackson to his first doctor's appointment.  Needless to say, he did not like stripping to get weighed.  His scream could be heard throughout the entire office.  Jackson's birth weight was 8 lbs, 2 oz.  He weighted 7 lbs, 13 oz when we left on Monday.  Today he weighed 7 lbs, 4.6 oz.  Most babies lose around 10% of their body weight, but Jackson has lost 10.7%.  Dr. Hart is a little concerned about that, so we have to go back for a weight check on Friday. Otherwise, Jackson is doing great!

My first visit to Dr. Hart

Jackson was not interested in eating the rest of the day.  In fact, he didn't care about it all.  He did not want to nurse and got really fussy if I tried to make him.

Murphy and Maria came with Brent and Whitney to visit tonight.  Murphy was very intrigued with Jackson.  He wanted to hold his hand and sit beside him.  Maria was not impressed.





Thankfully, my mom spent the night with us to help with the baby.  Jackson was awake for over an hour and really enjoyed American's Got Talent.  He was really impressed with the girl impersonator of Justin Bieber. He fell asleep around 11:30 and then his night really began around 12:30.  He would cry and whimper.  Just when you thought he was asleep and put him in his rocker, he would wake up again and get even louder.  I know one day when is reading this, he will hate me, but Jackson has had the worse gas.  It is so hard to imagine that that smell comes from that little baby!  My poor mom dealt with that and walking him while I tried to get some sleep.  Again, Jackson was not interested in nursing.  I have decided to call Dr. Hart back to discuss this with him.  I don't want to wait until Friday.   Jackson is really fond of walking up and down the steps and circling the downstairs!  It is a great way to get your exercise in!

Tuesday, June 7- Day 4

I know that Jackson was technically 3 days old on Tuesday, but this just works better when listing my entries.

I decided to climb the stairs Tuesday because I needed the noise from the TV.  Jackson slept most of the day. TuTu came over and brought us a wonderful dinner of pork  chops, veggies, and yummy shrimp and rice.  She also brought cupcakes from the cupcake store!  Mom and Dad also came over.   It was nice to have more hands to help with Jackson who by the way, is an angel during the day!

Jackson had his first bath at home tonight. Tim and I were too scared to do it, so Noni and Papa J helped.  He did not like it all. He screamed and shook.

I did NOT like my bath!

This is more like it!

Tuesday night was another long night.  We decided to stay upstairs and at least the TV could keep me up and entertained.  The night was still long though!  Nursing Jackson has been harder than I thought.  Jackson is just not that interested.   It is also exhausting!  We will see what happens with that.