6 month well-baby

On Monday we had our 6 month well baby check-up.  Jackson could not stop wiggling around...You know that paper that they always stretch out on the table...a complete disaster, crinkled and torn.  All he wanted to do was roll around and play.

So another healthy trip to the doctor's.  He's 17lbs and 26 1/4" long (both 45th percentile on the "normal" chart).  Jackson has been officially diagnosed with plagiocephaly (AKA flat head) and has an appointment at Johns Hopkins to be evaluated for a helmet.  The very next day we have his cardiology appointment...they might as well set up a cot for us!  If I've spoken to you about his flat head, then you know that I was predicting this.  Due to his low tone and preference to one side, his poor dome is definitely flat on one side and now because of that flatness tends to roll that way when he's sleeping.  Our PT wanted us to sleep him on his side, but how in the world do you get him to stay that way (see above comment about paper at doctor's office).

Of course we may have issues with insurance...but we are keeping our fingers crossed that it gets covered and if not, we are ready to go to battle.  But if all fails, we are certainly going to dole out the moolah for this.  We are not naive that we live in a world where we judge people based upon appearances...he is already "different" according to most people and we as parents aren't going to add to his "differences" based upon money.

So long story short...get prepared for adorable pics with helmet included.  If anyone can make a helmet look good, its our man.

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On a (or is "an"...English teachers help me out...I think its "a" because it's referring to "note"...right?) exciting note...did I mention that Jackson has a tooth coming in?  Well...now his 2nd tooth is coming in.

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So we are continuing to work on rolling over at PT.  He's a champ at going from his back to his front, but tends to get stuck while on his tummy.  I call this his "beached whale" moves.  Karen said that I had to get a video of this as she had never seen this approach before.  So here is Jackson's attempts to roll back over.  Its highly amusing...so its okay to laugh.

We are really trying to get him to put his arms up and show him how to roll over, but he just does not want to put those arms up.  I'm convinced that once he figures out that he can push up on his arms that it will be a matter of time before he crawls.

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Did I mention that I'm on summer break?  I am...Its awesome.

A year later...

A year ago for Father's Day weekend, I could not stop crying and I didn't want to get out of bed.  I was scared and I was sad. I was scared that I wasn't going to have the "perfect" baby and I worried about what our lives would be like.  If only I knew how I would feel a year later when I get to hold his little body near to my heart and stare into his starry eyes.

If I could, I would go back in time and tell myself not to be scared, not to be sad...there's no need to mourn not having the "perfect" baby...because he is perfect.  He is who he was meant to be and you're going to love this little man like you never thought you could.  You're going to hang on every smile and babble.  You're going to cherish every moment you can hold him close.  You're going to feel like something is missing when he's not around.  You're gonna love him.

So this Father's Day there are no tears...we are celebrating...

And swimming...

And playing...

And smiling...

 And sleeping...

 

 And loving...

 Happy Father's Day...Nighty night.

What a weekend!  Busy weekend in the Bennett household...

Jackson turned 6 months old:

 So we're trying new things...like this old-school exersaucer. 

 He doesn't have complete control...so add a few blankets and he's propped up just fine.

Today we spent the day over at Brian and Meg's who treated us to pool time, yummy food...and some torrential rain.

 Trying to check out the ceiling fan...

 One of my favorite exercises...

Giving "kisses" to his lion...
 
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend...

Progress and a weekend away

Last Thursday was a busy day for both Jackson and Adam.  I went to work as usual while Adam took Jackson to his reevaluation with Infants and Toddlers.  Overall, the group was happy with Jackson's progress; he's presenting at 3 months in all categories (Cognitive, Communication, Social/Emotional, Adaptive, Fine motor, and Gross motor).  Adam reported back that Jackson performed like a champ and felt the session was less intense than our first evaluation. We will report back in 9 months and we've been approved for more PT (1 hour/week as oppose to a 1/2 hour a week).

After Jackson's evaluation, Adam took the little man to get his blood drawn again to check his thyroid levels and a CBC analysis.  Little man is tough and Daddy did just fine too.

So after all that, Jackson had PT with Karen.  And when I came home from work, I found them like this:

I love how his face gets all scrunched up against your body.  He had a busy day.

We're on a roll with trying new foods...in fact, Jackson has liked whatever we've given him.  He's definitely a fan of sweet potatoes and he tried string beans this weekend.

We took advantage of the long weekend and high-tailed it South to visit with my parents.  We enjoyed some good food, good company, sun...and did I mention good food.  I think I gained 5 pounds back.  Jackson "enjoyed" his first time in the lake and minus near heat stroke, (I exaggerate) he did great on the beach in his little peapod.

Our first trip to the lake was a little nutty with the new baby, but this time was much smoother.  Even though Jackson doesn't nap regularly, he's much more adaptable than he was in February being away from home.  We got him to nap (a little) and he still slept like a champ at night.  Mr. Man is smiling away and we just can't get enough. 

Happy June to you!

5 months

On May 11th, Jackson turned 5 months old.  I know that all Moms tend to say this, but seriously, where has the time gone.  This past month seems to have gone by even quicker than the previous one. 

Physical therapy is going well.  About a week and a half ago, when Karen left our house, I felt so overwhelmed with worry and guilt that we weren't doing enough for Jackson.  We made sure to spend extra time with him on his tummy and practicing rolling over.  A week later, Marie told us that he rolled over from his belly to his back and that when she picked him up from his nap he was on his belly!  Our next appointment with Karen went awesome and she was so amazed at the progress that he made in only a week's time.  All those neurons are making some strong connections!

We had an impromptu twin day with Uncle Josh...don't they both look handsome in their seersucker?

With the way my days have been going, this next month is going to fly by just as fast.  I'm hoping for a bit of a slow down with the summer break approaching so I can take advantage of every possible moment with him.  And as for today, my eyes are telling me that the day is over and I need to recharge my batteries.  Nighty night.  (Hugs and kisses to Daddy in Cleveland)

Just Keep Swimming

 Yup...we did it.  First Mommy and Me swim class.  And you know what, Jackson did pretty well for his first time in a pool.  He did great initially...bouncing in a circle getting used to the water.  He even went underwater...twice! 

But he eventually grew tired of trying new things. 

 And we spent most of the time in our comfort zone...on Mommy's shoulder and thumb in mouth.

 But overall, a success.

 Don't be fooled...this is not a smile. 

And we're done...I think his favorite part may have been getting "bathed" in the shower.  Little guy was asleep before we got pulled out of the parking lot. 

Thanks to Grammy for taking some photos for us!  And hi to Daddy who wanted some pics of our adventure.  Mwah!

Mother's Day

A little over a year ago, I found out that I was pregnant.  At Mother's Day only a small handful of people knew - Adam and I kept our secret to ourselves since we wanted to wait until our first appointment to confirm the pregnancy (I can't tell you how many pregnancy tests I took between the first one and our first appointment at 9 weeks...just to make sure I was still pregnant). 

And now...this year, I have an almost 5-month healthy baby boy.

When I was younger, if you asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would have said stay home with my kids...Having parents who made a lot of sacrifices to allow my mom to stay home with my sister and I greatly influenced my desire to stay home.  I truly value the time that my mom spent with us (even though I'm sure my sister and I didn't show or tell her enough) and while that is not in the cards for us at the moment, I feel blessed by the gift that Jackson is.  

 So this Mother's Day what I'm most thankful for is this handsome little man who made me a Mommy.  I love him.

A lean, a lean, a lean... (For all my SPHS cheerleading friends)

 

Apples!

  

 

Happy Mother's Day.