Where did December go??

It seems like it was just Thanksgiving and now we are preparing for our first Christmas as a family!  I cannot believe how quickly December has flown by! 

Early December was exciting this month as Jake got his first haircut on the 2nd.  He did amazing and let Ms. Marybeth trim his hair up.  I just loved seeing him get all fixed up but then he looked even more grown up than he already was!!

The rest of the month has flown by ever since.  We visited with John and Cathy when they came into town with their church one Saturday.  The rest of the month was have been busily decorating for Christmas, shopping for presents, preparing to see family, and trying to relax some. 

Last weekend we went to go visit with Santa at the Enchanted Forrest and he loved it! Santa rocks!

It seems like every few weeks we have a cold or some type of sickness in our household though.  As soon as one of us gets over it some one else picks it up and it is a never ending process!  Jake went in for his 6 month checkup on Tuesday and we found out that he has an ear infection.  Once we realized that, things started to make more sense though.  He is almost always a very happy boy but sometimes he just starts screaming and the only thing that seems to sooth him is tylenol and nursing.  I just hate seeng him that way.  He is on antibiotics now so hopfully it helps!  Other than the ear infection Jake seems to be doing great!  He is 18lbs 13oz (75%) and 27 1/2 inches (80%) and very happy!

Tonight we are in Lewisburg and getting ready to go to the candlelight vigil at church then we'll head back to make waffle cookies and wrap presents!  YAY!  Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

Jake's first Thanksgiving

Well this year was Jake's first Thanksgiving and his first multi day away from home trip all at once.  I will admit I was a little nervous just because it was so new but he did great!  We left Wednesday after work around 4:30 and made it to Paducah a little before 8.  We were so glad to get there and Jake's cousins Alli and Katie were super excited to see him too!  We got some great pictures of them loving on him!  Katie was so gentle and Alli made sure to show that she is a big girl (5) and so maybe she can babysit soon.  :)

We had a great time visiting with the Heacox side of the family all day on Thursday.  Jake did wonderful, but he was so interested in everything that was going on that he just didn't want to take a nap.  That made for a sleepy and a little fussy baby by bedtime, but nothing too crazy.  :)

Friday was going to be a hectic day as I planned to venture out to do some Black Friday shopping with my sister in law Sara but my mom called to let me know she got the things on my list so I headed back to bed which was GREAT!  We enjoyed a relaxing day on Friday with the exception of Brad not feeling well. 

Saturday we made our next trip as we ventured down to Lewisburg to see my family.  We normally would only go to one side for Thanksgiving but my grandparents from Michigan came down so we had to go see them.  Jake still hadn't met his great grandparents!!  It was great to see them and let them hold him.  Even though it was brief because they were dealing with colds and didn't want to give it to him which we appreciated.  Then Jake also got to meet his Great Aunt Barb and Aunt Ari.  He met so many people that weekend!  He just loved it AND he loved the attention!  He was the life of the party. 

Jake traveled so well to Paducah and Lewisburg so we should have known it wouldn't be as perfect on the way home.  We left by 1:00 which should normally be enough time to get back here to pick up Oscar at the vet but we had to make a few stops on the way.  Jake was a little hungry when we stopped for gas so I fed him a few ounces and he fell asleep so we got back on the road.  Well 30 minutes later he was hungry again so we had to stop again and feed him another 3.5 ounces AND he had the BEST (extreme sarcasm here) dirty diaper ever to change in the car.  It was a memory to say the least.  We were pressing it pretty close but we got back just in time to pick up Oscar by 5 when the vet closed. 

All in all it was a very eventful and productive holiday weekend.  Now I'm ready for a vacation!!!  

Is it REALLY almost Thanksgiving??

People told me that time would fly once Jake arrived but there are no words to describe just how quickly time is passing!  Next week will be our first Thanksgiving with Jake!  I have always been thankful for my family, friends, animals, place in life, and much more but this year I have so much more to be thankful for!  I could not imagine my life any differently! 

So in the last few weeks we have experienced our fair share of sickness in the Heacox house.  Just after Halloween I came down with the flu and was out of work for almost a week (I was getting better the weekend of 11/6/10), then Jake came down with a cough and the following weekend we were fighting a fever of almost 102 all night (weekend of 11/13/10).  We were up almost every hour giving him a cool bath to try to stop it from rising because we had already giving the max dosage of baby tylenol in a 24 hour period!  It was very scary!  I also learned the next day that we may have had the bath a little too cold because Jaker started to shiver which can make the body work to warm up and that is NOT what we needed.  Now this weekend (11/20/10) Brad is sick from either a stomach virus or some bad food and hasnt gotten out of the bed since Friday afternoon AND Jake has fever again! 

At least this time Jake still seems happy.  You wouldnt know he had fever this weekend to look at him, but last weekend...that was a whole different experience.  Last weekend we knew Jake didnt feel well because of his cough and congestion but also because he was fussy and wouldnt smile at all AND he wouldnt eat!  That was the first time ever our little man pushed away food.  Needless to say when he finally started to eat again I was one happy mommy.  Thank goodness for Brad.  He keeps me sane and remindes me not to freak out which is very difficult for me!  I just get so worried!
In the last few weeks Jake has hit some great milestones too!  He has started to sleep through the night regularly.  He generally goes to sleep around 9:30 or 10:00 and we have been waking him up around 7 or 7:30!  That is so amazing to me!  Unfortunatly with his wonderful fevers and whatnot the all too perfect sleep routine hit an abrupt stop about a week and a half before thanksgiving.  Hopefully we'll get back to that soon.  Also, he is working on sitting up!  He sometimes forgets or gets distracted and falls over but he has gotten pretty good at sitting for about 30 seconds or so.  He also LOVES to play with his toys and pass them back and forth between his hands or drop it on his blanket and inch his way to get it.  He really really wants to crawl too!  He is scooting around and trying desparately to pick up his booty and army crawl.  The other day he had his stomach totally off the floor and it looked like he was doing a push up!  I have a feeling we wont be enjoying this immoble Jake for too much longer.  My guess is by New Years taht he will be army crawling pretty well to get around.  We'll see if I'm right soon enough though!

Chewbacca anyone??

We have been a busy family in October and that is also true for Halloween! (as you can tell my posts are a little behind!)  It was so fun for Jake at school the week of Halloween.  Each day was themed and the baby's got to dress up for school!  :)  Some days were easier than others but it was a lot of fun.  We went to the KidTech Fall Festival on the 28th.  We got there a little late but thats ok.  It was still geat to see everything going on.  Then we went to Missouri to spend time with family and celebrate Derek's birthday.  Jake had such a great time playing with his cousins and meeting Will and Jackson for the first time!  It was so much fun to see them all together! 

We drove back to Collierville on Sunday and my parents ended up coming into town to help Brad work on his Explorer.  They had some issues but eventually they fixed it all up.  Mom was a huge help to us for handing out candy since the guys were working on the car and I was feeding Jake at first.  It was too fun to see all the little kids dressed in their costumes, smiling, and saying "Trick or Treat!".  I'm not a fan of Halloween but that make it all worth it to see the joy in these kid's faces.

Here are a few pictures from the parties!  Isnt Jake the cutest Chewbacca ever?!?  :) 

  

 

  

          

Mr. Smiley

Well I didnt know it was possible but Jake has become even more smiley and happy.  Even though he has been kinda sick with a cold and had nasty crusty eyes for a few days he has stayed his happy self.  He started rolling over this week too (week of 10/17/10)!  He has rolled from his belly to back before but this week was the first time that he went from back to belly.  We were/are so proud.  You can tell he is really really working hard to get onto his belly.  Its so cute!

Here are a few video's of his happiness. :)  I'll keep working on getting these video's to upload.  Hopefully it will be posted soon!

Here is another

Jake's also learning how to use his hands much more effectively.  When we bring out a bottle he sees it and smiles and reaches for it.  Once he gets his hands on it  he pulls it right to his mouth.  It is the cutest thing!!

So much is going on this month!  Jake has been making crafts like bat wings with his footprints during "school".  They are so cute!  Jake is looking forward to meeting more family and especially his's cousin's, Will and Jackson during Derek's birthday party on October 30, 2010.  We can't wait!!

Fall is here!

My how the days and weeks are flying by now! It seems like just yesterday we were preparing to have Jake and now he is almost 4 months old!  How does that happen!?!  October is upon us.  I'm loving the cooler weather (when we have the cool days) but a few of the mornings have been pretty nippy.  The leaves are starting to change and fall just like all the changes in our lives.  I was thinking the other day that this time last year I was just about to find out we were pregnant.  It is amazing how life has changed in one fast year. 

Well we got Jakes school pictures in a few weeks ago.  They are just adorable!  I was amazed that we got a DVD with all the proofs.  It was so hard to choose.  I'm glad that i was able to be there and jump in a few.  :)  I just love the shot with his feet and my hands!

We have been getting out and about more and more in the last few weeks but it is so tempting to stay at home and just watch my little man.  Brad has to work late with softball, football, and volleyball lately.  I cant wait until he gets a break and cna come home to see Jake and I after work more often!

Jake has really found his hands and feet recently!  He just loves to look at them and stick them in his mouth.  A sure way to make him smile is to play patty cake or to make his toes touch his cheeks.  He just loves that!  But he is a happy baby so you will often get quite a few smiles if you just give him a little lovin.  He is gaining weight and growing like a weed!  He is 13lbs 14oz as of Saturday! 

We had to take him in to the Lebonheur urgent care Friday night because he had a cough that sounded horrible.  His teachers were concerned and so were we.  They did a chest x-ray and tested for RSV.  Everything came back normal so they think it was just a cold and the drainage was causing the cough.  Poor little guy.  When we got there Brad and I made him a bottle because we knew it was about time for him to eat...but we quickly realized we forgot the nipple on the bottle.  I felt so bad!  How do you bring a bottle with no nipple!?!  Apparently I'm the one that does that sort of thing.  So Jake and I went to the car to nurse while Brad waited for them to call us back.  At least we still have that option.  :)  We got bored in the waiting room once they took us back so we took a few picutures. 

We went to Dexter for the Heacox family reunion yesterday it was great to see everyone!  Here are a few pictures of the fun!

12 weeks and 12 pounds!

Jake has been growing non stop and learning lots of new things.  He had a huge growth spurt and grew from 10lb 10oz to now 12lb 3oz in a week.  He's been averaging around 4 or 5oz a week so more than a pound like that is huge.  Jake really started to find his hands in the last few weeks too.  He is enjoying sucking his thumb.  :) 

Jake had his first school pictures just a few days before he was three months old!  Brad usually drops him off in the morning but i happened to bring him that day.  Luckily I did because they were starting pictures for his class when I was there and she actually let me get in a few!  I was so excited!  I cannot wait to get them back!

We also experienced Jake's first cold.  I felt so bad for him!  Jake's teachers at KidTech called around 4 on Thursday because he was running a fever.  We took him to the after hours clinic and they were not concerned. After some baby tylenol the fever broke and he was just congested.  He wasnt able to go back to school because they have to be 24 hours fever free before they can go back.  Brad stayed with him in the morning, our awesome neighbor Maryfrances watched him from 10:30 to 11:30 when I got home, and then I stayed with him the rest of the day.  By Saturday he was feeling better but still not 100%.  All I wanted was to be able to make him feel better.  :(

Sunday Grandma and Grandpa came to visit and they brought Uncle Ryan!  Yay!  Jake was so excited to see them and meet uncle Ryan.    

Labor Day Fun

Well this past week flew by.  We all had a great Labor Day.  We grilled out with a few friends at our house on Sunday.  Here are a few pictures...  We had a great time and Jake LOVED visiting with everyone and playing with Harrison

On Monday we had a great time with our awesome neighbors: Mary Francis and Steve.  They grilled ribs and had the neighbors on either side over.  It was my first time for ribs and I absolutely loved them.  Usually everyone puts BBQ sauce on ribs so i never try them, but steve cooks them dry it was awesome!  While we were ther Jake had his first dip in the pool.  We couldnt find little swimmers his size so we just put him in up to the diaper but he loved it.  I think he would've been happy to totally jump in.  He was just so happy!  What a great way to spend the Labor Day weekend!

Mommy Mistakes...

It is so easy to see all the wonderful parents out there and assume they've got it all down.  Now I know that isnt true and mistakes happen to everyone, but sometimes it is hard to imagine.  We are definitely not the parents who have it all figured out yet, but we really are trying. 

I realized yesterday that I made my first big mommy mistake and it just tore me up!  We have started supplimenting one bottle of formula each day for Jake because I've been having some milk supply issues.  Well, at first we were using the premixed formula that is easy and ready to go, but in the last few days we switched to powdered formula.  I was so concerned that I would mix it wrong so I ready carefully...so I thought.  I read the side and it says 2 fl oz formula / 2 fl oz water / 1 scoop.  Well I apparently read with sleepy eyes or something and thought it said 2, 2, 2.  So for the last few days Jake has gotten a 4 oz bottle with to much powder!  It is no wonder he was acting hungry afterward.  He was just thirsty for more water.  I figured it out yesterday and we made the fix immediately, but I felt horrible.  Luckily Jake is only getting formula once a day and not all the time so he wasnt dehydrated.

It is just so easy to make a mistake and immediately feel like a failure of a parent.  I have learned my lesson and will be so much more careful in the future!  I'm thankful that Brad was supportive and reassured me that Jake is fine when I started to beat myself up because I could've hurt him.

I just felt so bad!  I'm glad my little man loves me unconditionally and isn't holding it against me. 

Jake likes KidTech...

Well this week was hard to prepare for.  Sunday night I spent so much time getting everything together for Jake at daycare.  I just knew I was going to forget something or I was going to wake up late or something.  Fortunately Monday morning went well.  I got up early to get ready while Brad fed Jake and got him ready.  We planned that Brad will drop him off in the mornings and I will pick him up, but we both went on Monday since it was the first day.  I knew I was going to be "that mom" and I was.  I did ok at first but then I couldnt help it I just started sobbing.  I wanted to make sure she knew everything that Jake needed and it was so hard to leave him. Luckily it wasnt too busy of a day at work so I could come see him during lunch.  When I came in Jake was in the swing asleep.  I was amazed because he will only stay in the swing for short periods of time at home.  Apparently he did great with naps and eating!  I was so proud.

Each day of the week got easier.  I went to see Jake on Tuesday for lunch again and again he was doing great.  Wednesday Brad had a half day so he picked up Jake early and brought hin up to FedEx to meet everyone.  My coworkers have been asking all the time when I was going to bring Jake up.  It was great to show him off to everyone.  And of course they all thought he was just adorable.  :) 

Thursday Aunt Jenn came to visit before her soccer game and then Jake and I went to a Pampered Chef party at Kim and Bugsie Corum's house.  It was fun to get out with Jake and he did gret until he started getting pretty hungry.  Jake was so happy to meet all the new people!  Friday flew by and before we new it it was the weekend!!  Yay! 

My milk supply definitely started to significantly decrease throughout the week.  I think it was a combination of stress from sending Jake to daycare, stress from our crazy dogs having a spat the previous weekend, and the fact that my pump was old and slowing down.  I tried to calm myself to aliviate the stress of daycare.  We worked diligently to walk the dogs each night and run them lots until they were so tired. We also bought a new pump to help with milk collection during the day.  We had to start supplimenting with formula once a day to ensure Jake is getting enough.  I still pump when he gets a bottle so my supply doesnt diminish further but I just wasnt making enough milk for him during the day.  He has started taking 4 oz each time now!  He is a growing boy!

Jake weighs 10lbs 10 oz now!  The fact that he is pushing 11 pounds amazes me!  Each day he smiles and laughes more and becomes increasingly alert.  I just love watching him look at things for teh first time and absorb all the many things around him.  He just LOVES taking walkes around the neighborhood and watching his mommy and daddy.  :)

We are so glad it is the weekend and we can enjoy an extra day off with our family!  We are grilling out with some great friends at the house today and then going to see our awesome neighbors the Hoffman's tomorrow.  Jake might even dip in the pool for the first time!

I"ll post more pictures soon!

Back to work...

Well Tuesday the 17th was my last day home with Jake and Brads birthday.  It was such a great day as I got to spend it with my guys!  I wish that day couldve lasted forever.  Unfortunately it didnt.  Mom and daddy came into town late on the 17th so they would be ready to keep Jake on Wednesday.

My first day back wasnt as bad as I expected because it was a half day and I knew Jake was safe with my parents.  We enjoyed the next day with my parents and then daddy went home Thursday to take care or things at home.  

Thursday was also a busy day for us as Jake was 2 months old and he had to go in to get his shots.  I was so sad and worried for him!!  We took this picture with his bear from Uncle Ryan just before we went to the doctor.  When we got to PedsEast Brad noticed Jakes ring finger was super red and swollen.  We were pretty worried because we knew it wasnt like that when we left the house.  We were seeing Dr. Guinther that day because Dr Hayes was out.  Dr. Guinther took a look and didnt know what it was.  He said it was red and swollen like a bee sting but the finger wasnt warm to the touch and it wasnt stiff.  He prescribed antibiotics just in case to make sure the swelling didnt continue into his hand.  He did great witht the shots...the nurse was awesome and did them all so quickly.  By the time we got home Jakes finger was already doing much better.  We gave him the antibiotics and learned very quickly that it was going to cause major diareaha!  Needless to say we were up several extra times changing diapers that night. :)

By Friday my first full day at work I was exhausted from getting up with Jake at night and going to work during the day.  When I was getting ready for work I guess I was rushing and when I finished pumping my milk I accidentally spilled one container almost 2 ounces.  That truely brought new meaning to the old saying "dont cry over spilt milk".  I really did want to cry...it is just so hard to produce enough milk that it is a horrible feeling to lose any of it.  

Sunday Brad and I went to dinner at Texas de Brazil for a belated anniversary dinner.  We had a great time...it was our first time to leave Jake for something fun like that.  We've left him to go to the grocery store or run a vew various errands but that was the first dinner out.  As much fun as we had we were ready to get back to our little man and prepare for the upcoming work week.  Here is a picture of the three of us before Brad and I headed out.  

My first full week back to work seemed to fly by.  I made it a point to come home for lunch to see Jake, Brad and mom and that really helped.  I cant imagine how it will be now that Jake wont be at home anymore.  We did start to get into a pretty good routine in the mornings and for eating during the day which is awesome.  Hopefully that will help for the week ahead.  We are so thankful that mom was able to stay with us for the last week and a half!  Jake had the best time with grandma all week!  They played and visited with Mary Francis and played some more.  Brad and I enjoyed a few nights out and mom helped us ease into the transition of me being back to work.  Thank you so much mom!  

This weekend Jake seems to be going through another growth spurt...hes been eating nonstop and sleeping more than usual when he isnt eating.  Well...off to work on things around here before it gets to late.  Gotta get everything together for Jakes first day at Kidtech tomorrow...I'm sure Jake will do great but I pray that I hold up ok.  :)

Almost work time

Well the last week and a half with Jake just flew by after John and Cathy left!  Saturday Brad and I found the car that we've been contemplating buying and got it.  After several hours at Sunrise Chevy & GMC we came home with a mocha steel metalic GMC Terrain.  I've NEVER had a new car before so it was an experience.  We love the Terrain though!  It is so much easier for getting Jake in and out of than my old Monte Carlo!  It was a great car but i'm glad to have the new one now.  And the Terrain still has a lot of get up and go for a 4 cyllinder. 

Sunday we drove to Jackson for Alli's 5th birthday party.  It was so much fun to visit with the family and suprise them with our new car!  Jake did great on the drive.  He slept the entire drive up and was ready to eat once we got there.  He was so happy to meet Aunt Debbie, Uncle Gary, Aunt Brenda, Uncle Derek, and his cousin Nate!  I couldnt have been happier with how well he did.  We ate dinner with Nana and Papa and then headed back to Memphis.  Jake did so well on the ride home too!  We stopped once to get gas and I fed, but then he fell back asleep the rest of the way home.   It was a full day but we had a wonderful time.

During the last full week home it was crazy hot so we didnt get out too much.  We had excessive hear warnings everyday.  The most Jake went outside was to walk with me to the mailbox or to go to the car.  I hated taht too because he really loves being outside.  Oh well hopefully it will cool down soon.

Thursday Jake and I went to the consignment sale in Southhaven MS.  It was fun to go out there but it was a long drive.  Jake did great and he was excited to shop with me.  We got him some adorable winter/fall clothes.  He got a few sweaters, two coats (one is a precious baby blue pea coat), two sleepers, and some more Dr Browns bottles.  I love getting great deals! 

Friday we went to visit Cindy Earle, the lactation consultant at Peds East.  She made me feel so much better about nursing and going back to work.  I've been stressed about going back to work and I know that has been impacting my milk supply.  I worked on building up more over the weekend, but she reassured me that if I had to suppliment with formula on occasion that Jake would still prefer my milk.  I think I knew that, but i've just been putting so much pressure on myself to not have to feed him any formula.  Hopefully we wont have to much, but at least i'm prepared now just in case.

Ugghh only a few more days and then its back to the grind of work.  I cannot believe how fast 8 weeks have flown by!!!!!!