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!

2011

Dear Jackson and Colton,

2011 was a confusing year.  While we adjusted to life as a family of four, we spent a lot of time in prayer over some major life decisions.  We both felt God preparing us for change but we couldn’t (still can’t, actually) pinpoint where that change (those changes?) need to happen.

We thought the change was coming in the way of a new house.  We did a lot of prep work to put our house on the market and then it sat there for 6 whole months without receiving a single offer.  This was the most exhausting chapter of 2011 and we’re not sure when to reopen this book.

We also felt called to new jobs.  I was blessed with a transfer to a new school while your dad is back into the groove at his job and now feels like staying for a while longer.

Thinking that maybe our change was supposed to be a spiritual one, we began attending a new church in September.  While we loved their worship style, we weren’t impressed with what they had to offer you boys so it’s back to the drawing board there, too.

I know that you boys won’t even remember the year 2011 but I will.  More than all the uncertainty mentioned above, I will remember it as the year that you two became best friends.  I’ll remember it as another year of fabulous health and happiness.  I’ll remember it as a year of extreme growth.  We are all so different from January and I know we’re ready for a fabulous 2012! 

Happy New Year!!

Traditions

Dear Jackson and Colt,

I really like traditions and I'm not even sure why.  Even when your dad and I were dating, we would talk about the traditions that we'd like to do with our future family.  Living in one of the largest cities in the US, there is a ton of stuff I enjoy doing around the metroplex -- but these are a few at-home favorites for this time of year:

Holiday Stories -- wrap each book and put them in a special spot.  Then, have someone unwrap one book each night leading up to Christmas and read it together.  Thanks to some fabulous gift givers, we almost have enough books to read one every night from Thanksgiving through Christmas!!

Another tradition is putting up the "memory tree" together and sharing stories that go along with the ornaments as we hang them.  In my "forever home", I plan to have trees galore - 4, 5, or maybe even 6 trees - but, I think the tree that holds our memory ornaments will always be my favorite.  The ornaments are actually a tradition of their own.

Baking and decorating cookies for Santa is a fun activity to do each year!

Not pictured, but equally as fun is watching Christmas movies together.  You boys are still a little young to sit through full-length movies - but, when the day comes, we will totally be snuggling up with a few...Polar Express, Christmas Vacation, Elf, Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street...

Checking the mail & displaying the cards!!!  I get seriously giddy when we get a stack of cards in the mail!  Someone recently told me that they pray for each family as they receive a card from them and I thought that was delightful -- might be a new spin to add to this tradition.

Another non-pictured tradition is Christmas Eve service at church.  Daddy and I liked to attend the last service of the evening at our "home church" back in Indiana.  They would dim the lights as we stood singing in candlelight and the energy in the sanctuary was moving every time.  For now, we take you boys to the Children's Service and candles are safely kept out of reach ; )

Last, but not least, is the tradition of giving you matching pajamas on Christmas Eve.  I think y'all look absolutely adorable as you run around like twins on Christmas day. 

I hope you remember these fun times fondly.

30!

Dearest Boys,

Another good thing about having the whole week off together was that we got to celebrate a momentous occasion - Daddy's 30th Birthday!!!  His special day started by us letting him sleep in until 8:30.  We woke him up by bringing him breakfast in bed complete with the "Happy Birthday" song.  After that, we had him open presents while watching your favorite show (Phineas & Ferb) together. 

Then we took him to the hobby store so that he could have a little birthday shopping spree.  Afterwards, we took him to lunch and then went home for a big, family, nap.  Ms. Deanna came over to babysit you boys so that I could take Daddy out on a date that evening.  It was a special day for a special man.  You boys should feel pretty special as well since he's yours.  On his 30th birthday, here are 30 reasons that your dad rocks:

1.  He prays for you.

2.  He prays with you.

3.  He is smart.

4.  He is a hard worker.

5.  He shares his ice cream with you.

6.  He pushes you on the swings.

7.  He pitches you the ball.

8.  He lets you ride on his shoulders.

9.  He sings silly songs while changing your diapers.

10.  He reads books to you.

11.  He assembles your toys.

12.  He reassembles the toys you manage to take apart.

13.  He takes you to church.

14.  He pulls you in the cart behind his bike.

15.  He plays “don’t shake the baby/big boy” after bath time.

16.  He cooks food with your tastes in mind.

17.  He picks restaurants with “play areas”.

18.  He keeps your air filters clean.

19.  He gives thoughtful answers to your questions.

20.  He shows you how to be a loving husband.

21.  He lets you be his assistants on house projects.

22.  He calls you on the telephone when he’s on a business trip.

23.  He skypes with you on the computer when he’s on a long business trip.

24.  He is proud of you.

25.  He tells you he loves you at least once a day.

26.  He plans for your future.

27.  He “steals” extra hugs and kisses during your bedtime rituals.

28.  He brags about you to others.

29.  He is your ultimate wrestling opponent.

30.   He was picked by God to be your dad!

So excited for the next 30 years!!!