Our Family of Four

We have now been home with Baby Jackson for just a little over 2 weeks. Transitioning a new baby into a home with a 20 month old toddler certainly has its challenges. However, we are enjoying this time with our new bundle of joy and have been working with Dustin to ease his adjustment during this time.

I don't think that I had a true appreciation of having two young little boys at home who each need their own time and attention, even if in different ways. Fortunately, my mom came to visit and help out for the last ten days. What a godsend! It's amazing how helpful having meals prepared and laundry washed is to our expanding family.

A photo of the boys with Mom and Aunt Kathy:

It has been an exciting time of transitions and enjoyment of our growing family. Just a few highlights:

• At first, Dustin was upset with mommy--throwing objects at me and hitting me. He seems to have moved past his anger with mommy! He loves his baby bubby, but we have to protect him from over-loving and flying objects!

• We had Jackson's two week checkup with the pediatrician last week--he has gained 19 ounces since his discharge from the hospital!




• Jackson is such a wonderful sleeper (mommy is soooo very thankful, as Dustin is not a strong sleeper).





• Jackson wakes up every 3-4 hours to feed at night.

We are all tired, but are greatly enjoying this time with our new addition!

Jackson Tyler Anderson makes his debut

Jackson Tyler Anderson made his debut yesterday, March 3, 2010 at 10:56 am!

I arrived at the Hospital in time for my scheduled induction, to begin at 6 am. Labor begin around 8:30. I thought (as it turns out, wrongly so) that we were in for a long day of waiting for our precious one's arrival.

Little did I know...

As the contractions came closer and stronger, I delayed the epidural, thinking 'd be getting it too soon and it would wear off by the time Jackson would come.

By the time I requested the drug of choice for us not so fearless moms to be, it was too late! And so, my child birthing experience with Jackson was less than expected in terms of the absence of a pain numbing concoction that would get me through the "push".

Make no mistake about it, this was the most painful life experience! This is not the route that I would choose, should the path be laid clearly before me!

But, alas, my recovery seems to be quickening (as compared to that of my birth experience with Dustin), I have been more alert, Jackson has been more alert and Tim says I just generally look better overall than I appeared after birthing Dustin.

And so, without further ado, some photos from Jackson's Birthday:

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Move Toward the Light

Today, I am 9 days from my due date for Jackson!

Tim had predicted that I would have Jackson on or prior to Valentine's Day. The Saturday right before Valentine's Day, he and I went to see the show Camelot and to a nice dinner at A la Lucie here in Lexington. Since it was the first night in a long while that we'd had to ourselves for a date, he predicted that Jackson would make his debut prior to our date night.

Sure enough, Jackson did not come for Valentine's Day and we still wait for his arrival!

This past week brought a bit of excitement, as we learned on Wednesday that Peanut was breech! We had a good laugh over the nurse who told me to use a flashlight to get Jackson to turn into the correct position!

So, Thursday afternoon I went over to the hospital for an external version--the OB physically moves the baby using her hands on the outside of my belly! This was not in any respect a pleasant experience. The OB had to move Jackson twice. Right after the first turn, he slipped away and moved back into a breech position. Needless to say, after being monitored for about an hour and grabbing some yummy Mexican food for lunch, I went home to sleep it off.

Toward the end of Friday afternoon, I was in such pain that I thought I was in labor and Jackson would soon make his appearance! Needless to say, I was just having minor contractions. Now, we continue to wait for the little guy to make his appearance!

EIGHTEEN MONTHS

Dustin turned 18 months old recently! My Little Man is growing into quite a Big Boy...so fast! So, what's he been up to lately?

• 33 inches -- in the 50th to 75th percentile in length;




• 24 lbs. and 15 oz., in the 25th to 50th percentile (you are long and lean);




• You are a fairly good eater...most of the time;




• You absolutely LOVE your mile (you're working now on your third 7 ounce sippy cup and it's only 10:30 am!);




• You sometimes get frustrated by your toys when you are unable to make them do precisely what you want. (We had to put a few toys away this morning to keep you happy);




• You greatly enjoy playing outside and the outside play helps to keep your frustration with inside toys minimized;

• You take one 2-3 hour nap each day, usually right after lunch;




• You still wake up some in the middle of the night for different reasons--teeth coming in, cold, stuffed up nose, very full diaper and other reasons that mommy and daddy just can't quite figure out (we're exhausted);




• You are such a daddy's boy lately! You prefer being held by your daddy;




• You are using all kinds of words. We've noticed several new ones this week, including "up" (which you use when you want held);




• You are so good at using sign language, especially the words "please" and "more";




• You wear size 5 diapers and we use nighttime diapers at night;




• You are wearing size 18-24 month clothing;




• You like your shoes and will bring them to us when we ask;




• You are a very social little boy and love playing with other boys and girls;




• You seem to be very popular with your friends at daycare--they all circle around when you arrive in the mornings!




• You are such a healthy little boy and for this, we are blessed and immensely grateful!

You are loved beyond words and we think you are the most adorable Little Man EVER!!

Heartbreaking

The news during the past two weeks has brought such sorrow. Depictions of individuals who had so little worldly possessions to begin with have lost loved ones, everything they own and their fundamental way of life.

An earth-shaking moment in time that changed everything.


I read a story this evening that was on ABC news last night. The story is related to the adoption of a Haitian child by a couple in South Carolina who are leaders of a ministry in which I used to participate -- Engage. The story of this couple going through a two year adoption process brought tears to my eyes. Fortunately, the government recently made the decision to grant humanitarian parole to those families currently in the process to adopt a child from Haiti. This couple's story can be read in more detail at http://www.afamilyforfrankie.wordpress.com/.

There are many organizations that are providing relief effort to the Haitian people in their overwhelming time of sorrow and struggles. We are partial to an organization called Worldvision, which we recommend as an organization through which we'd recommend providing funds to assist the Haitians to rebuild their communities, to obtain much needed food and supplies and medical assistance to sustain lives.

We are praying for healing for the people of Haiti and most importantly, that the world will see God's face in the healing process and recovery of Haiti.

Snow Days

We had a good bit of snow in Lexington last week, so my boys were able to enjoy a little bit of snow time!

One of Tim's presents for Christmas included a nice snow tube. He and Dustin were able to try it out at the park last weekend. Here are a few fun photos:

I don't think that Dustin knew quite what to think about the snow tubing! He did not enjoy the snow flying up into his face. Brrr....Cold!! But, he did seem to enjoy the final last very small hill that he was able to navigate all by himself (daddy was at the top and mommy caught him at the bottom).

Thanks to Little Man's friend, Adam, Dustin had a pair of snow boots to keep his little feet warm! Before the next snow, we will be finding him a pair of boots and some waterproof mittens!

Next winter, Mommy will also be able to enjoy the ride!

Fun times!

Goals for 2010

Happy New Year!

Since the New Year, I have thought much about a few "goals" that I have going into 2010.

I try not to set the tried and not so true traditional resolutions, since they seem to only last for a brief period of time and are ultimately lost to only be revamped and reconditioned for next year's list of resolutions. However, I find that when I establish a few goals, when steps to achieve those goals, my goals are typically much more attainable!

And so, my 2010 goals:

1. To grow closer to God in 2010.

Steps to achieve this first goal:

Read my bible daily
Pray
Journal
Observe God's creation in all things

One additional step that I hope for my family to take in early 2010 is to become members of and involved in a local church.

2. To spend more quality time with my wonderful husband! Tim tells me that 2009 was the "year in the kitchen"--I spent a lot of time trying out new and usually complicated recipes. So, 2010 needs to be the year of simplicity so that Tim and I can reconnect.

3. To continue to spend time with my boys and while doing so, teach them new words, numbers and introduce them to new, exciting and fun adventures!

4. To work on authentic friendships.

5. To eat healthier and exercise. (We need to include more fruits and vegetables in our diets!)

Those are my goals for 2010. Here's to hoping that I'll be able to maintain and achieve them!