September 11, 2011

It is hard to believe that it has been 10 years since the terrorists attacks! The tributes this morning were very moving.  I remember exactly where I was that day.  It was a beautiful day, and the sky was gorgeous blue.  I was in my second class on that Tuesday at Clemson when a girl came in and told us that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. We all assumed that it was a small plane and went on with class (This was before Facebook, blogs, and texting!). During my next class, some girls came in and said that the World Trade Center buildings had collapsed.  This was hard to picture, but we went on with class. The professor did let us out early, and we all went to the Tillman auditorium to watch the news. I still had 2 more classes to go to.  (Clemson of course did not cancel classes.) I did not understand the magnitude of the events until I got into my car to go home.  I turned on the radio, and every single station had the same newscast on.  When I got home, my mom was watching the coverage on TV.  I became glued to the news the rest of the night and the rest of the week.

Our world has changed so much since that terrible day. It is strange to think that the group of children I am teaching right now are the last ones I will teach that were alive September 11, 2011. ( Most of them were babies, and a few were not born yet.) As I watched the coverage today, I saw this video.  Even though it is a State Farm commercial, I still think it is sweet and worth sharing. September 11 is one of our fifth grade standards, and I am always amazed at how well my students handle this subject matter.

We will never forget.

14 Weeks Old

Jackson is now 14 weeks old! We were very busy today and enjoyed spending the day just the three of us.  We started our day with breakfast at Mary Beth's. Then we walked to the Chocolate Moose to get cupcakes.  Tim ate his cupcake there, and Jackson ate his too.  Then we took Jackson to O.P. Taylor's, the toy store in downtown Greenville.  It was his first trip to a toy store.  He loved looking around at everything!  We headed to Babies-R-Us to get a Bumbo seat. This should help him sit up and not lean on his head so much.  We also went to 2 kids' boutiques, and Jackson got some cute outfits for the fall.  He needed some Halloween smocked outfits. (He really did need them!) Later in the afternoon, we went to the Anderson Greek Festival.  The food was delicious as usual!

14 Weeks

My first toy store

My New Clothes!

I still have trouble in my Bumbo!

Max likes the Bumbo too!

We watched some football games too. It is finally starting to feel like Fall even if it is still in the 80s. It is funny to watch Jackson look at the TV like he is watching the game too.

I am little depressed because the past 2 nights Jackson has not wanted me to hold him while he was falling asleep. He wanted Tim last night and just wanted to lay on our bed.  Then he just wanted to lay by himself tonight too. I still want him to love to cuddle.  I hope this is just a short phase!

By the way, he found his feet today.  He was in his swing and kicked one leg up.  He happened to see it and was just fascinated.  He tried to grab them but couldn't quite get them. It was so cute!

This past week he has loved playing with his toys.  His bee is his current favorite.  He also loves to lay on a quilt on the floor and play.

So Sweet!

I love to play!

He has not liked doing his stretches this week.  He gets so mad, and his face gets so red.  I hate making him upset, but I don't want him to end up with a helmet! We have been spitting up a lot lately, so our laundry load has doubled!

Another Week

It is another busy week. Jackson went to therapy again today.  He was not on his best behavior and did not want to cooperate with Mrs. Kelly.  In fact, he was just stubborn.  He refused to turn his head and would not lift his head when she pulled up to a sitting position.  He whined the entire time.  He usually does so well and even enjoys playing with all of the new toys.

Jackson then went with me to the dentist.  Mrs. Patty and some of the other people there wanted to meet him. Mom met me there though and took him home.

I have to admit that I am obsessed with clothes for Jackson.  Who knew that they made such cute clothes for little boys?  I love smocked clothes!  They look so cute on him. Tim has said that I can dress him in smocked outfits until he is 2, so I intend to make the most of these 2 years.

I am excited to go to the store in Spartanburg to get him a cute Halloween one. I am almost embarrassed to post this picture of all of his smocked outfits! (This is why I work.)

Playing with my bee

I love this outfit!

Happy Labor Day!

We have enjoyed a lazy day at home.  We were supposed to get a lot of rain from what is left of Tropical Storm Lee. However, we have just gotten some drizzle so far.  It was very humid yesterday, but the weather is a lot cooler today. It is windy though.

Jackson had a great night.  He slept from 9:30 until a little after 5:00.  He has never slept that long!  He only ate about 3 ounces and then went back to sleep until 8:15. It was nice to get that uninterrupted sleep!

I am one happy baby!

Nothing sweeter!

Jackson is 3 Months Old!

We have been very busy during the last month, and Jackson has had a lot of "firsts."

Jackson:

• Is still a very happy baby.  He only cries when he is really hungry or really tired.
• He is eating 4 1/2 to 5 oz every at every feeding.
• He is now wearing size 2 diapers even though they are a little big.  ( Size 1 is too tight!)
• He is still not sleeping through the night.  We had some teaser nights where he would sleep 10:30-5, but lately he has been getting up at 2 and then 5:30! However, he wakes up in such a sweet mood and always has a big smile on his face.
• He likes to sit up more now and is using his Boppy to help him.
• He has been to therapy 5 times now and is making great progress. Last week he did great for Mrs. Kelly. She works with him for about 30 minutes.  She stretches his neck and makes him do "work" like turning his head and holding his head in the center.  He gets mad at her sometimes, but he is enjoying all of the new toys he gets to play with.
• He is still wearing mostly 3 month clothes, but some are getting small.  He can wear some 6 month sizes.
• He is now sleeping in the Pack and Play.  He actually made the switch very easily. He also likes to play in his crib for short periods of time.
• Jackson loves to look at lights and the fan.
• He loves music.  "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" is his favorite right now. He also likes the "Bumblebee" song.
• His favorite toys are his keys, links, soccer ball, bug, and Glow worm.  He likes anything with lights.
• Jackson is talking and laughing all of the time!
• He still loves to cuddle.
• I have gone back to work, and Jackson stays with Nonni during the day.  He loves getting all of that attention!
• I love that he still likes to nap with me on the couch.
• Max and Abby are starting to pay more attention to you.
• We try to take a walk every night.  I usually carry you to try to strengthen those neck muscles.
• You still love your swing and bouncy seat. 
• He loves to take a bath.  We are no longer using the newborn tub.  He has moved up to the infant tub.
• Jackson is very observant.  He loves to go outside and look up at the sky and the trees.
• Jackson also went to the First Friday Parade and his first tailgate.
• He went to church for the first time, and he loved Mrs. Amy!

Getting ready for church

At Church

Jackson's First Tailgate

The weekend is finally here, and it seems we are just as busy as we are during the week.

We had planned to go to this store in Spartanburg to buy Jackson some fall smocked outfits, but we discovered they were closed today when we were halfway there.  We would have no luck if we didn't have bad luck.

Even though it was 1000 degrees today, we still took Jackson to tailgate for the first Clemson game. We had to park in general admission since I gave away our spot and tickets.  The walk wasn't bad, and Jackson slept the whole time.  We enjoyed eating with everyone, and Jackson loved getting passed around.  He met Briggs for the first time.  Berkley held him, and Snooki made him laugh. Cookie and Kristi got to hold him too. We spent about 2 hours and had to leave.  It was SOOOO HOT!  Jackson was all sweaty and was getting fussy. Tim and I were both all sweaty and getting fussy too. We headed home to take naps and watch the game on the internet.

Eating at my first Tailgate

Berkley and Jackson

Kristi "Luvie" and Jackson

Talking to Nonni

Cookie and Jackson

Tailgate Fun

Nonni and Jackson

We are so over tailgating!

Can you believe that Jackson is 13 weeks old?  He will be 3 months tomorrow!

I am learning to sit up.

My head is not midline!

I love to chew on my hands now.

"Head, shoulders, knees, and toes."