Sick and tired of being sick and tired

Dear Jackson & Colt,

I've got beef with the month of January.  We've dealt with ailment after ailment over the past few weeks and, as I was looking through some old blog entries, I realized that we've dealt with this junk each January for the past 3 years!  So I say, "Welcome February!! We're glad you're here!"

Daddy's travel schedule was rough as he was gone just as much as he was home this month.  Earlier in the month we were worried about a little bug that you had, Colton.  But the real deal came two weeks ago when Mrs. Stephanie called me in the middle of the day to say that you, Jackson, were under the weather.  You looked pitiful with puffy, red, bags under your eyes and you sounded even worse with a cough that made you clutch your throat.  After a few days of fever, I took you to your pediatrician who ruled out strep, RSV, and the flu.  We were informed of a nasty cold virus going around and you fought it for over a week!  I stayed home from school with you one day and it was actually tons of fun just vegging out with you all day.

You finally got your spunk back and Daddy finally came home from his travels and then I ticked off my spine again somehow.  Oh, how I pray you boys aren't plagued with back problems like me!  I could barely move Thursday and Friday!  I was my old self again yesterday and it was great to know we were all on the mend. 

Until today...when you, Colton, got in a fight with a door.  Sheesh! 

(The camera captured the purple, but it didn't capture the lump that went along with it!)

(You didn't quite understand the concept of the ice pack.)

(Glad it didn't stop you from reading your favorite book!)

(Jax, you didn't like Colton getting all the attention so you just *had* to get an ice pack too.)

So let's all raise our ice packs to February and may we all stay healthy and happy!

Jackson Jabber

Dear Jackson,

I could literally have a blog called “Jackson’s Jabber” (or something along those lines) and post daily about the things you say.  You make us think constantly with your numerous questions, laugh often with your funny tidbits, and cringe sometimes with some of the foul language you’ve learned (“D@mn it” being your favorite).  Just a few examples:

You came to me and asked for a treat.  I told you that I’d think about it.  As you walked away, you said, “Please think about it really hard because my belly is hungry.”

I love our conversations on the ride home from school each day.  One day I told you that my school’s electricity went off and you asked, “Did you try using batteries?”

I guess you’ve heard me reprimand Colton a few times because the other day I frustrated you and you quickly scolded me with, “Mommy James!”

We saw two trucks on the side of the road and you inquired about what they were doing.  “They probably stopped to talk to each other.” I told you.  You started laughing out loud as you told me, “Trucks can’t talk, silly!”

And, in saving the best for last – I was telling you that you’re growing and that I noticed you’d gotten taller.  You proudly chimed in with, “My penis is growing too!”

I love your jabbering, Jackson!

Weird Week

Dear Colton,

This has been a weird week for you as we think you're fighting off a little virus or something.  It started on Sunday when you hit a total wall after dinner.  We knew something was up when you just wanted to cuddle in our laps instead of chasing after Jackson.  While we didn't keep you home from school, I did make sure to check in with Ms. Steph on my lunch break each day.  One day, she said you needed an extra nap - so that was another sign that your little body was fighting.  And your appetite has been the sign of all signs as you've eaten very little this week.  Mood wise, you go from playful and laughing to clingy and seemingly exhausted in a matter of seconds and then back again.  Totally weird! 

Totally fascinated during a special glow-in-the-dark bath

And then super clingy around 6:00 each night

And back to happy when you got a "boon"

Luckily, I have a 3 day weekend ahead of me and I look forward to cuddling you back to health!

One week in...

Dear J & C,

We're only 1 week into the new year but it's looking good so far.  The weather has been unusually warm and we've taken full advantage of it.  One of my goals in the new year was to use our camera everyday in order to better understand the various modes.  I did miss one day this week but I'm not beating myself up over it.  Here are a few shots from this week:

Feeding the ducks (and seagulls) at a local pond

Colt, you were confused by the concept and kept most of your share to yourself ; )

Then we played at the playground

Another goal in the new year was to eat more meals at home...which means more cute messes!

I liked playing with the Sports mode on the camera as it captured you running through the yard this morning

You boys are definitely my favorite photography subjects!