Jackson update

Anytime I meet someone new and they hear that Jackson was a former 24 week micro preemie, jaws drop open and they aren't sure what to say. That is okay to me because before Jackson I had no idea about the world we are in right now. I am proud to say now that I have learned so much through Jackson that I couldn't be prouder to be a part of something so awesome! That isn't to say I don't have days where I am mad and upset that things aren't where I feel they should be but all in all its pretty freaking amazing!

Jackson turned 22 months old yesterday and I seriously feel like it was just yesterday that I was bringing home this 9lb 3oz baby. Currently he is 22lbs and 11oz and boy has it been a battle to keep the pounds on him. See, Jackson loves to get up and go. He doesn't like to sit around for too long. He loves to take walks at the zoo, park, and around the neighborhood. Lately he believes he is mister independent and I am chasing him around everywhere saying, " No no Jackson that's not for babies." He looks up at me like really Mommy, I am no longer a baby. I joke with my family all the time saying Jackson is an adult stuck in a tiny body. There is so much he wants to learn and explore.

Right now our toughest battle with Jackson is drinking anything besides formula. We have offered him everything and he still has no desire to drink anything else. Which also leads me to what we drink our formula in. A bottle! Argh I hate the darn thing. However he is drinking the formula and not using his gtube! One full month since we have used that bad boy and now we just have to wait three more months to get it removed!

His favorite food in cheeto puffs and lucky charms. I should mention he picks all the marshmallows out and eats those just to leave the rest to be thrown a way. That is fine by me because we are counting calories folks. Also in the last month he has picked up a habit with apple jacks and the multicolored gold fish. He picks the green colored ones first and eats those up quick. So I've just decided that that will be his favorite color. Well I hear a little mister moving in his sleep. Thanks for stopping by!

Its been a while!

I haven't blogged in a while because I checked out. Not from people, places or things. I just plan checked out from the blogging life of a preemie. I felt sometimes that I just put too much thought into Jackson being a preemie that I nearly drove myself nuts. I know that our preemie journey isn't over but I am in a better space about talking about Jackson's journey. As of lately I am still amazed by Jackson's progress but sometimes I find myself still disappointed that he isn't like other kids his age. For example Jackson hardly says any words.  Basically it consists of "go, mama, dada, baba and neigh neigh(my mom)" I know I shouldn't be disappointed in anything Jackson does because lets face it this little guy has come a long way. He was recently reevaluated for his first steps program that he receives his therapies through. The women that came were so amazed by how well he is doing. Yes that makes this momma very proud of her very tough guy. Before Jackson entered this world Robert and I were given such grim circumstances about Jackson. The doctors reminded us that he may never talk, walk, or feed himself. Now I sit next to a little guy eating a frosted animal cookie who couldn't be happier in life.

So now I've checked back in folks and I do hope that I begin to have more followers. Our journey is so fresh and I look forward to starting over in telling our story.

Time flies when your having fun

Where do I begin. Sometimes I am really bad at blogging aren't I? Jackson is changing everyday and its hard to believe just how far he has come. He finally sits all by himself with no assistance. Sometimes he is a little wobble man but that is due to him being really excited about something. We are formula free which I was total nervous about switching to milk but Jackson has almost doubled his liquid intake so that's wonderful! Which leads me into the great news of......NO GTUBE FOR 14 DAYS!!!!!!!! I have been overwhelmed with excitement because I thought the gtube would be part of our daily feeding lives until Jackson was at least two. No Jackson had other plans for himself. He was and is a determined little boy. This now means two things, feeding therapy is being discharged and fine motor skills will be the main focus and we wait four months for the gtube to be removed. That's all I can think of at the moment so I will leave it at that. Next time I will have a ton of summer pictures! Thanks for reading!

What would it be like

Today I have been thinking what it would be like if I had carried Jackson full term. Would things be any different for me? Well of course the obvious stands out that I wouldn't have a son that doesn't require such special attention. I can almost bet that I would be working full time at a place I hated and didn't respect me or my ideas. I wouldn't be living in my parents home looking like some sort of a bum. I may have even started back in school. I wouldn't feel like I have aged ten years.

I  find myself in a rut every once and a while. I like to talk a great game that everything is so easy but sometimes its not. I sometimes get angry when I see babies that are the same age as Jackson doing so much more than him. Maybe its not even anger but its more jealous. Jealous that he works so much harder. That at the end of the day I am excited if Jackson eats four pieces of soft carrots and a half a jar of peaches. That is two scoots across the floor makes me tear up. Yes I am very proud of my son and I don't ever want to take away from all the progress he has made.

So today is a bummer day and I wish it wasn't. However writing about it makes it better.

Lazy Saturdays

Not much has been going on with Mr. Jackson lately which is a relief to say the least. His physical therapy has been a slow and steady progress and I am so grateful for his therapist Lisa because she pushes Jackson even when he feels like giving up. He now sits unassisted for about 5-10 seconds and tummy time is a breeze now. He is starting to roll around the house and just starting to scoot very slowly. Feeding has started to become a struggle because Jackson now doesn't like anything with thickness to it. However he loves to eat soft carrots, potatoes and his favorite is tapioca pudding. I have a feeling everything will just be a slow progress with Jackson. He does everything on his own time.
We went to his hearing doctor yesterday and has his hearing tested. The hearing loss is still there but it hasn't gotten any worse so that is a relief. Until next time!

Sweet Alice

Today my niece, Alice was brought into the world at 11:45am, weighing 5.8lbs and 18 inches long. Its a strange thing....pregnancy. At least for me it is. This past year I have watched people have babies and watched in amazement how beautiful it is to see babies be carried full term. I must admit I spent most of the time feeling so jealous that I couldn't provide that for Jackson.(that is for another blog) I remember when Mandi, my sister-in-law turned 24 weeks and I thought to myself, that little girl in there looks like a real baby. That is when my sweet boy began life. Mandi and I have a very sisterly bond and yes sometimes we haven't always agreed on everything but like sisters we care and love each other. I've known Mandi since she was in middle school. I have seen this little girl turn into a mommy and it is such a precious thing. I have been to weekly ultrasounds and sat in waiting rooms for hours just to make sure everything was okay with Alice and Mandi. I have been worried sick that my niece would come into this world too soon. I have babbled Mandi's head off with things she will need when Alice gets home. So to finalize I am soooo glad my niece came into this world safe and healthy. I love her tons and I can't wait to spoil her! 

Alice Jean Laverne and her FAVORITE Aunt Kristi 

So HOT

This weather has made it nearly impossible to even step outside to enjoy the sun. Yesterday is hit 104 degrees and today it is up to 103 degrees. So we have been just hanging in the house enjoying the nice cool air. Jackson has FINALLY started a crawl. Now before we get excited it is a very slow crawl. Its kind of amazing to watch my son do things that in the beginning of his life we thought may never be possible. So yay to Jackson! I am sure there is more that I could write about but honestly the heat has me too tired to do it. So I'll leave you with some pictures.

One Year Old

Sweet Jackson

so serious

How could you not love this face?