8 week stats!

Jai is 8 weeks old as of last Wednesday! Yesterday we went to his 2 month Dr. appointment. I definitely spent a lot of time worrying, needlessly. Everything turned out just fine. Jeremy took off for the afternoon so he could come and help lend moral support (more for me than Jai). It made the day so much easier having another set of hands...plus Jeremy did a great job of taking care of Jai's needs most of the afternoon!

Back to the Dr. appointment...Jai did really well. He slept all the way over to Lubbock and most of the time while we were in the waiting room. He was great while they did all of the preliminary checks.  He can hold his head up pretty well while we hold him, turn his head from side to side, follow objects, smile (just a little-he's like his dad), and my favorite....laugh when he 'plays' with some of his toys.  I love it!

8 wks in bouncy chair

The first time his laughter unfurled its wings in the wind, 

we knew that the world would never be the same~ Story People

Here are his 2 month stats:

Height: 23.5 inches

Weight: 12 pounds 13 ounces

Head:  16.5 inches

Clothing size: 3 months

 get your guns up!

 sleeping in the waiting room

waiting for the Dr. (2 months)

By the time mom (that's me!) stopped asking the Dr. questions, Jai was ready to eat! Unfortunately he had to wait 'til after his immunizations. So he was already pretty upset before the nurse gave him all three of his shots. But the nurse was fabulously fast and skilled and Jeremy did a great job of holding Jai still and comforting him afterward. And of course, it was very helpful to have a soothing bottle at the ready! All of that to say, I worried a lot for nothing. We really love our pediatrician, nurses, and office staff. 

After leaving the Dr. office, we headed to Wal-mart to buy some baby supplies, but I won't go into the details of the trip. It wasn't a pleasant experience. I always forget that while Wal-mart offers cheap prices, it also offers crummy customer service (especially when using coupons). Or maybe my cashier was just poorly trained. Anyway, it was bad....especially for the cashier. 

On the upside, we experienced our first outing to a restaurant since Jai was born! It was also his first experience in a restaurant. Mom sent me a coupon for Chili's so that's where we went (plus we like chili's). I needed a margarita after the Wal-mart incident to help me unwind.  Once I settled down, we really enjoyed our time. Our server, Justin, was fantastic and he helped us to document our first restaurant experience.

I can definitely see why parents need to take the time to get out of the house. We really enjoyed stepping away from all of our 'to dos' and just talking about lighter subjects. Going on dates need to be more of a priority now that we are kinda getting the hang of being parents. 

Jai slept all the way home and finally woke up around 6. After that, he was kinda fussy throughout the evening and needed to be cuddled. However, he did not spike a fever and we didn't have to give him any Tylenol. I was worried that it would be a really rough night, but it was the same as always....waking up every 3 hours ready to eat! This morning has also been a typical morning with his regular schedule and temperament. I'm very thankful that our little guy is growing so well and recovering awesomely from his immunizations.

 Frog drummer...like his daddy

Mom and Jai, 8 wks, chillin' at home (plotting to take over the world)

Easter Sunday

Jackson experienced several firsts this past weekend. It was Easter Sunday and Jeremy was playing percussion at Christ the King so that's where we decided to go to church.  Jackson experienced his first church service and first Easter...when I say experienced I mean slept through. We had a great Easter weekend.

Isley Family at Christ the King

Grandma Jean came for the weekend and gave me and Jeremy the best Easter gift ever...a whole night of sleep- an Easter Miracle!!! She also helped out on Saturday so that Jeremy and I could get some stuff done around the house.  I had taken using two hands for granted. Now I realize how nice it is to use both of my hands when doing a task.

 

I cut Grandma's hair. I think it looks pretty good!

On Sunday Jeremy was playing at the church, so it was very nice having mom help me get Jackson ready for his first church outing. She helped me get him dressed, fed, and gather all of his equipment. I thought he looked so cute in his little blue, collared outfit.

We made it to Lubbock without any problems (other than being late) and enjoyed our Easter Sunday service celebrating the resurrection of Christ. Grandma Jean, Jackson, and I sat together in the overflow section. Jackson was awesome! He just slept through the entire mass! After the service we took a few pics of our family and friends and then headed back to Littlefield.

 

 Our friends, The Alcayagas

When we arrived at home, Jeremy surprised us with a few Easter gifts! My flowers are still beautiful and smell wonderful! He remembered to get a little gift for all of us, including Grandma Jean! After the Easter gifts, Jeremy grilled out and we enjoyed a tasty Easter dinner. While Jeremy was out grilling, Grandma Jean was playing with Jackson. He has started smiling and Grandma is claiming the first smile! I guess she deserves it since she is such a good Grandma! Overall, we had a wonderful weekend. I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful husband, mother, baby, and of course- SAVIOR, Jesus Christ! Happy Easter, indeed.

7 Wks

Jackson is now 7 weeks old, and we are still getting to wake up three times a night to feed him. I have to say that I'm exhausted and don't know if I can keep up with all of this lack of sleep. Thankfully Jeremy helps out with the night feedings, but we are both running low on energy. I don't know how he is functioning at school. My brain can barely focus long enough to watch mindless t.v.  Speaking of t.v., when I do have a moment to watch (usually during feedings) I've been watching The Big Bang Theory. I think it is hilarious! There is nothing like a quick 30 minute, laugh out loud show. It perks me up after two and a half hour stints of sleep.

Other than sleep deprivation, we have been trying to figure out how to keep Jackson from crying for what seems like no reason. At three weeks he seemed to have developed colic. Since then we have tried a million different options in order to soothe the little king. What seems to have helped the most is the natural nurser bottle. I feel like we tried every bottle and nipple out there, but the natural nurser works the best for Jackson. I have definitely noticed that his gas is better, and the bouts of crying (more like screaming) have diminished. We are still using gas drops and gripe water as well.  I've also discovered that he sleeps best in his car seat! That seems so crazy, but for now it's working so I'm not questioning it!

All in all, I do love being a mother. It has really changed my perspective on life and things that are important. Each day is a new adventure, and I'm trying to focus on the positive and keep a joyful attitude despite the many challenges. I'm definitely thankful for the women in my life who are willing to share their experiences (good and bad) as well as words of encouragement. I'm really appreciating this community of women! In fact, last Thursday my sweet friend Ashley brought her little guy to Littlefield to hang out for the day! It was so refreshing to spend the day with a friend. Not only did she come and offer her amazing company, she also brought us dinner and helped me clean my house! I'm so blessed!

We went for a walk with our little men!

In other news, here are a couple pictures of JAI...he is growing so fast!

6 wks!

 

All worn out after lots of pooping!

7wks!

Being so sweet after having a huge blowout diaper and peeing all over the wall, his changing table, his mom, the floor and anything else in his path. In those moments, you just have to laugh!

Working on his dance moves!

Please go to sleep! We were so tired, but he was not having it!

5wks

Family walk.

So this week we've tried to start going for a family walk in the evening to help get JAI to fall asleep. This way we get a little exercise and time together, as well as some peace and quiet! I think we all enjoy the sunshine and fresh air! I've also started teaching again this week. I'm doing two evenings so far, but I'm enjoying it. Jeremy has been home in the evenings to watch JAI. I think having a little break from teaching has helped me to enjoy coming back to it. 

And finally, a quick update... Thumper survived his surgery and is living it up in the backyard, his domain!