The Shot Heard Round the World

Yesterday our little man had his 1st round of shots and we survived! I think I was more panicky and upset than he was. Yes, he cried louder and harder than he ever has in his whole life, but he stopped crying a few minutes after I picked him up. Poor little man! After the appointment, he slept A LOT and I was sure that he would not sleep last night. He did sleep, but not well. He tossed and turned a lot and wiggled quite a bit! I woke up more than he did though to check to make sure his fever went down. His fever ran pretty high yesterday, but it was gone by this morning. He was so brave and I was so proud! I wish Justin could've been there....

Anyway, at the doctor's appointment we found out our little man is one really big boy. He's now 23 inches and weighs 12 pounds 3 ounces. He's growing like a weed making him in the 75th percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight. My 10 week old little man is just too big! Right now, he's eating 5 ounces at each feeding. He's eating about once every 3-4 hours (closer to 3 hours), which is about 5 feedings a day. He sure does like his food and as long as he keeps growing, I'll feed him as much as he wants!

Well, I better get back to life before the little spud wakes up. He's having a really really rough day and I'm hoping it gets better from here...it sure can't get any worse!

Sweet Home Chicago...Jackson's 1st Trip Home

WOW what an absolutely wonderful and overwhelming trip home. It had its good moments and its bad...but more good than bad. Started off a little rough with Justin blowing a tire and not being able to fly in for the weekend. Not so much fun for him that day! On Friday, Jackson got to meet his Auntie Dorothy and Erica and I was so glad to see them. I miss them so much and it's so hard being so far away from them! Then, on Saturday we had a get together with some of my high school buddies. It was so good to see everyone and show off my kid. I was so glad to get to catch up with them all and I wish we'd had more time. Next, was family day on Sunday. Jackson met almost every member of my Westfall clan. I think he may have been a little overwhelmed by everyone b/c he really hasn't been around that many people all at one before. He was just adorable and such a good boy, which he for the most part always is. His sleep schedule got completely messed up by the last few weeks of travel, but we'll get him back on track! The rest of the week went by too fast: Jackson got to meet Shannon, Caroline, and Meri. Also, got to hang out with my grandparents some more and got to see Harry Potter on Thursday with my cousin Stephanie. I had such a good time and it was so nice to be able to get out of the house. Jackson had a really good week in Illinois and I think he was mesmorized by all the things he could look at. It was like information overload for him :0) Overall, it was a nice trip home!

As far as Jackson goes, he's just getting so big so fast. I can't even begin to wrap my head around how different things are now. He's been sleeping through the night for a while now and he will usually sleep from between 9:30-10 p.m. to about 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. I finally got him sleeping a little longer by bundling him in his baby burrito and I've decided that's the best invention ever! As far as eating, he's taking about 5 bottles a day and eating about every 3 hours...thank goodness. He will nap, but never for very long and he fights sleep like no other. I just want to be like let yourself sleep little man...let yourself sleep. Before we left for vacation, he would nap in his swing, but now he won't nap long unless he's in your arms. This is both good and bad b/c it's great to cuddle, but I don't want him to not be able to sleep anywhere but in someone's arms. Jackson is getting to be one strong fart. He loves to stand up and look around and he's holding up his head better. He still hates tummy time, but we're working on it. He can see better and is smiling all the time now. I love his smile and love making him do it...now if only I could get more pictures of it.

I go back to work soon and I'm kinda looking forward to it. I've loved spending this time with Jackson, but I have to admit I get a little bored when I do the same things everyday. I'm looking forward to being able to get out of the house more and having some more adult interaction! BUT I will miss getting to hold him and cuddle him and feed him and love on him whenever I want. I will probably cry for awhile when I drop him off, but I have no choice right now. I also can't wait for Justin to be back home full time. It has been the worst ever with him being gone and I look forward to having him home. Only a few more weeks...

Well I guess I should get back to reality. I take Jackson for his shots on Monday all by myself and I'm not looking forward to it :0( So sad for my little man.

Here are a few pictures from our trip:

Home Sweet Home...NOT!

Coming home from vacation is always AWFUL! I just hate coming back to reality and knowing that my everyday life is waiting for me. YUCK! So let's talk vacation...

North Carolina was GORGEOUS! I just didn't want to leave. The beach house was amazing and the trip was just awesome. I couldn't have asked for a better vacation! The plane ride there was a little rough b/c we had to leave the house at 3:30 am, but getting there was quite smooth. Jackson did EXTREMELY well and I was so proud of my little man. He didn't even really need a bottle or a binkie to help him with his ears. He woke up once to do a little bit of a screech b/c I moved, but then he went right back to sleep. In fact, he slept most of the flights. I was so glad that Justin was there with me....things are so much easier and so much better when we're together. When we finally got to the beach house we just settled in and relaxed. The next day began the fun. We got Jackson dressed to kill in his beach gear and took him to swim in the ocean. It was kinda funny b/c he had on 1 diaper, 1 swimmy, and his swim trunks...he must've weighed an extra 10 lbs! I also had to laugh b/c the boy fell asleep on the 3 minute walk to the beach and slept for probably an hour. When he finally woke up, we fed him and took him for a swim. I think he was a little weirded out by the water, but he didn't cry not even once and he was so happy in there. The 3 or 4 times we took him swimming, he was all smiles! I think he'll be a water baby like his momma! Other than a few occasional trips off the island to eat and play mini-golf, the week was spent by the ocean in our swimgear and with family.

It was so nice to see everyone! We always have such a great time when we're all together. It was fun watching Max, Jackson's 1 1/2 old cousin, run around and play with Jackson. He would look at Jackson and say BABY and then point to him. When we asked him where the baby was, he could find him and he always tried to point out Jackson's body parts. It was adorable! I wish I could've gotten it on video. It was also nice to see Maddie and Salomon, Jackson's 8 year old cousins. It was amazing how much they've grown up in the last year and I'm so blessed to have them in my life. They are just so funny and adult-like...I just love them to pieces! I very much wish we all lived closer to each other. Hopefully someday that'll happen!

The trip was awesome and I can't wait to see the pictures everyone else took. North Carolina is my dream and maybe someday we'll finally live there...or at least closer to there! Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the trip:




PS - One 2 different side notes:
1 - My baby is 8 weeks old today. Can't believe it!
2 - My cousin Stephanie got engaged! YAY...can't wait for her wedding :0)