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My Baby is 1!!!!!

Jackson is 1!   It was such a happy time celebrating his birthday with our friends and family.  Wow, so many emotions this past month...I have to be honest, I was struggling with him turning one, which I know is a natural thing.  Actually, I think I was struggling with the realization of what he went through a year ago.  It just hit me.  Of course, I often think about his time in the NICU, but especially now, since it was a year ago.  I just can't believe it!

Then...

...Now!

He is truly a miracle.  I spent a lot of time (probably too much time) reflecting back to last year: the fears, uncertainty, and sadness that we were faced with.  It was such an overwhelming time...watching your baby boy stop breathing and realizing there is nothing you can do to help him, but stare at the monitors and just pray that his alarms would stop going off as you hold your breath with him and then step aside as a nurse assists him.  It was awful to watch...waiting....waiting....waiting, until, finally, his oxygen levels rise. I guess there are some things I just can't get over, and I still catch myself watching his chest rise and fall.  And the guilt of being apart from him while we slept in the Ronald McDonald House and he slept in the hospital. 

I don't know how we did it.  That's not true. I know how we got through it.  It was all God.  And it was all of you who are reading this.  God and our family and friends got us through it. We were surrounded by love and God's grace.  In light of the Christmas season approaching us, I challenge those of you who are reading this to have a personal relationship with Christ if you don't have one.  When Jackson was in the NICU we surrendered everything to Him. There was such an overwhelming sense of peace.  You, too, can experience that love and joy.  Although I am no expert, if there is anything I can do to help you in that journey, I am here for you.  Seriously though,  I don't deserve such a wonderful baby.  I am so HAPPY!  I love him SOOOOOOO much!!!!

And look at Jackson now!!!!  He is AMAZING!!!  He is the most fun, energetic little boy EVER!!!  Everyday Jackson learns and does something new.  He cracks us up.  He is hilarious!

Here are his weekly pictures:

50 weeks old, and getting into everything!!
His favorite thing to do lately is to get in the kitchen cabinets and drawers.  This is his ornery face!

51 weeks old in his cowboy boots!  Love this picture!
Such a silly boy!  He pulls up on everything now!

Little cowboy is 52 weeks, one year old!

G-Mo hosted Thanksgiving.  We have so much to be thankful for!  I am extremely grateful for my wonderful family!  Jackson loved G-Mo's turkey, mashed potatoes, and green beans!  YUMMY!

Mama's Lil' Turkey!

Thanks for my riding toy, G-Mo and Grandpa B!

A day after Thanksgiving was Jackson's first birthday!!

Opening presents the morning of his birthday.

That evening we went to Krug Park to see the Christmas lights and Santa was there!

Jackson and Daddy at Krug Park.

Giddy Up, it's my Birthday!!!  Thank you Aunt Kate and Uncle Wes for my rocking horse!  Thank you Heather Davis for making my shirt!

We had Jackson's birthday at Papa and Baba's house.  Thank you Baba and Papa!  We had a cowboy themed party.  Thank goodness for Pinterest. That gave me so many ideas to make things for Jackson's party!!!

 

Happy Birthday banner I made using burlap!

This was my high chair as a little girl!  I am so happy my parents kept it.

I LOVE this cake!  Thank you Lisa Steffens for making Jackson's birthday cake!  He thought it was so yummy.  He even cried when I took it away...he wanted more!

We had a Trail Mix Bar for party favors.  We filled Mason Jars with little snacks.  

Jackson had so much fun with his friends and family.  Thank you for coming and showing your love to our little cowboy!  Yeehaw!

Playing with Quinny and Clara.

Tiff, Cortney, Coop, and Andrea watching the kiddos play.

Opening presents!!

Someone is spoiled!!

Playing with my gifts with my friend, Clara!
Music is one of my favorite things to do!!

I love my maracas!

I love my G-Mo!  Thank you for all your help with Jackson's party, Mari!

I love my Baba!  Thank you for all your help with Jackson's party, mom!

My buddy Ben made me this busy board!  Thanks Ben!
I play with it all the time.

My friend, Andrea.  Jackson's future mother-in-law?!?!

Cheryl and Brett came all the way from Arizona!  Look out Brett, you might have some competition.  Jackson was flirting with Cheryl all night!

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Brenny!

Lots of love from Baba and Papa!

We love you guys!  Thanks for everything!!

One spoiled little buck-a-roo!

Jackson LOVED his birthday cake!  YUMMY!

Jackson is all tuckered out after his party.  

Jackson had his 12 month Dr. appointment and is doing great!  He still weighs 21 pounds (50%) and is in the 7th% for his height.  Come on little buddy, grow grow grow!  We still have to be careful with how much he eats.  Because he is on the short end, his BMI is a little high (like last month's blog).  But he does great with his 3 meals a day, and isn't hungry in between meals.  The Dr. said Jax can now have whole milk, so we will do that transition soon.  Jackson still loves to eat!  He loves everything we feed him, which I am sooo thankful for!  So far, he is not a picky eater.  YAY!  

I love this stage that Jackson is in.  He is very inquisitive, smart, active, and tender-hearted.  He is going through this bashful stage, where he tilts his head down and raises his eyes towards you.  Oh my gosh, it just melts your heart.  He is so stinkin' adorable!  He is still very interested in books and music.  He kisses everything!  It is so cute to see his mind working.  New things he is doing this month are pointing to things, dancing, talking, playing by himself, mimicking sounds.

My new riding toy!  Thanks Baba and Papa!  This is how Jackson points.  So cute!

This blog was a tear-jerker!  Time for bed.  Night night!  Before I go, Jackson wanted me to share his latest dance moves.  Hilarious!