Cayden Turns 5!!!!

Five years ago today a sweet little baby boy was born. I still cannot believe how quickly time has passed. Cayden had a wonderful day today filled with love and joy. We kept it very simple since Jackson technically could not go out. Some cupcakes and presents and he was happy as could be. Cayden is such a sweet person and loves everyone. He will talk your head off. It is so sweet to see him with his baby brother. He loves to help change diapers (no poops please). He is a pro at making Jackson smile from ear to ear and you can see the excitement in the both of them when they play together.

Cayden loving on Jackson 

More loves!!!!

Both these kiddos can't get enough of a good walk.

Cayden Happy 5th Birthday. Daddy, Jackson and I love you to pieces! 

Thankful Thursday

So today I am thankful that the sun shined bright! It made for a beautiful day to walk! Jackson almost expects his walks almost nightly. So the last couple of nights with rain has caused him to be a super cranky boy. Today Godmomma, Michelle, took some really sweet photos of him. Looking forward to posting those pictures soon.

I should also mention that my big boy has been off oxygen for 16 days folks! Minus the fact that I put him back on it a week ago for about 12 hours. Sometimes I just have such anxiety about the oxygen tanks leaving us. Oh and the monitor leaving us keeps me up at night. For those that don't know what the monitor is, it is a little black box that connects to a stat prob. Two little numbers blink on it, one to show how he is breathing and another to show his heart rate. This monitor has always been apart of his life. Making sure that I know he is ok. I have now taken him off of the monitor during the day and learned that he is ok without it. Now during the night is a whole different story. The monitor stays on him from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am. I know that he can't always live with this monitor but I am sooo scared of being without it. Cross your fingers that I find some strength.

Thanks for reading!

Holding my Breath

Last night we had to put Jackson back on his oxygen. Really for reasons unknown he just started to destat and needed the extra help I suppose. He did well throughout the night, with the oxygen of course. This morning I took him back off the oxygen to see how he would do. So far its been about a half an hour and he is doing fine. He went a whole nine days without oxygen until last night. Yes I cried about it. I cried because I thought I was finally rid of all the stupid equipment. I cried because it seems like it never ends. Mostly I cried because Jackson has to work so hard everyday to do the most simple things that you and I do so easily. Back to holding my breath. So here is to round three of no oxygen. Third times a charm, right?

Thankful Thursday

While Jackson was in the NICU I was very lucky to have such a great family to throw me a baby shower! That day was very much a blur for me now because to be honest most of the time all I thought about was being in the hospital with my sweet baby boy. However that will never change the fact that everyone that came made me feel very special. I mean lets face it, I am by no means a typical mommy of a full term baby. So I am thankful today that I had such a huge support system during the most difficult time of my life.

I want to show some pictures from this wonderful baby shower. I won't include all of the pictures because there are sooooo many. So thanks Michelle for all the pictures!

I LOVED my shower cake. It was super yummy.

A party isn't a party without cupcakes!

Diaper cake, Thanks Michelle ( I still have it up in Jackson's room)

Another shot of the diaper cake!

Unwrapping some gifts( don't mind my super pale skin, I didn't see the sun all summer)

My family made a picture board full of Jackson's picture. It was beautiful.

Lets cut some cake.

My Grandpa with Jackson's tiny foot prints ( Thanks for looking over Jackson, Grandpa!!!!)

My wonderful cousin Michelle!

My In-Laws, from left to right.

Brittany, Becky, Me, Keegan(nephew), Brandy

One of my dearest friends, Shallon!

                           

Andriana, with her sweet baby boy baking in the oven. Our due date was two days apart.  

The whole gang!!!!

Again thank you everyone for making my day so special!!!

Moving on up

Today Jackson has been off his oxygen for....are you ready for it...wait for it.....drum roll please...ONE WEEK. My little boy is amazing!! I still can't believe that my little guy has come so far. I still hear it all the time, that people can't believe he is a former 24 weeker. We still have a very long road ahead of us. However, at the end of the day, I know my my boy is a fighter!

Thanks for love and support....and reading!

Happy Friday

Well here in Jackson's world not a whole lot is going on. Minus the fact that its been three days NO OXYGEN. I hold my breath as I say that because I am so nervous that we will have another set back to cause Jackson to go back on the oxygen. Tonight will be our first night with sleeping with the helmet. I don't think it will be as bad as I once thought it once would be. Jackson seems to be adjusting very well to his new head gear. Next week we go to the Audio doctor to get his new hearing aid molds. Thank God for that because this current set is seriously way too small for him. Overall all is good today in our world. As always, thanks for reading!

Happy Friday!

Is it already April?

I cannot believe that it is already April. Jackson turned 10 months old on Easter!!! We had a very laid back Easter just hanging out at home doing a whole lot of nothing. Grandma sent me home some Easter dinner and it made me feel like such a special lady. Its amazing how different your holidays can be so different when you have a little one that can't go out to join in the holiday occasion. Now I just want to say first and foremost that I would sit out on all holidays if that means its keeping my baby safe and healthy. However I don't get to join in visiting with all the family that you haven't seen since the holiday before. I think the last time I was a part of a holiday was 4th of July, holy moly that's a long time. I am sooo looking forward to the day that I get to take Jackson to my grandmas on Christmas and Easter. Oh and I should mention Jackson is slowly growing into his helmet. Its not a huge enemy.

Thanks for reading!