0 Winding down...

Oh my poor neglected blog...

We have been busy soaking up every last second of this summer and the time I have had off from school.  This week ends that time off and judging by the size of the four books I have for my classes this semester I'm not sure I will see time off again in my near future. 

Jackson and I topped our summer off with a little impromptu trip to Nebraska to see my family.  We soaked in the sun, lounged, shopped, and went for long walks in the park all weekend.  It was amazing and relaxing.  No where to be and no time constraints. 

We spent an entire day lounging out by the pool and playing in the water.  My little fish has grown quite fond of the water and is getting so comfortable.  There were a few times I had to rescue his brave soul in the baby pool but otherwise he and his arm floatie friends did an awesome job. 

Everything we did all weekend was a family affair.  Great Grandma loved getting a little spoil in here and there.  She was brave enough to do something I haven't even done yet.  She trotted right over and got him an ice cream bar and sat with him to eat it. 

He had a blast making a huge mess eating that ice cream.  When it was all said and done Grandma had chocolate and ice cream running down her legs.  She was such a good sport to let him indulge while we all watched. 

In my Grandparents town there is a horse racing arena and in August and September you can go bet on the horses.  I have never been to anything like this because we are never there at the perfect time of year to go.  I was so excited to see the horses race but I didn't think I would ever bet on the them.  I ended up betting on a few races and had a lot of beginners luck!!  It was so fun to look at the horses before the race, pick out the one I liked the most and then go place my $1 or $2 bet.  Then we would sit back and cheer. 

I love my family and weekends like this really rejuvenate me.  I returned content, well rested, and so happy. 

This weekend Jess and I top off our summer with our annual canoe trip.  We are super excited and so happy that the weather has gotten a little cooler this week. 

Hope every one's summer is winding down well.  Take a little time to take it all in and relax.  Have a great week!!

XOXO,
Jenn

0 Playing Catch Up

Well it has been almost a month since my last post and needless to say I am waaay behind.  My computer got a nasty bug and spent several weeks away getting fixed.  Then when I got it back I had to take some time to re-install a few things.  I am up and running again but I have missed a lot of blogging.  I missed my little man's 14 month post all together and here we are just about at 15 months.  I am going to do my best to catch you all up on what we have been up to around here. 

Today Jack and I took a little time to get some sun with a water play day.  He is too funny these days.  I love everything about this age right down to his temper tantrums.  Life can be rough around here some days but I always go to bed exhausted and with a smile on my face because well he just really cracks me up. 

So far this summer we have enjoyed play dates with friends, celebrating our Daddy, popsicles, sidewalk chalk, sprinklers, swimming lessons, and lots of family time.  Jess and I have been so busy too.  We have been working on getting our house ready to go on the market.  Long days and nights of organizing, painting, and sprucing things up for the day we decide to finally sell this place.  All that was put on hold this past week when we got word that Jess will need to spend some time off work.  Hopefully it won't be for too long and we will be able to get back on track.  I managed to finish up school this past week and should have about a month free from that during which time I have a HUGE project I would like to accomplish...

Remember this...

Before Jackson got moving and grooving I used to spend an hour or so a day working on his first year scrapbook.  That was long ago and I am way behind.  It is my goal to finish this puppy up before my next semester starts and I get to busy to remember my own name. 

Things have been going well otherwise, just livin' life.  I have gotten some much needed work days with my bestie on the business as well and we should be rolling out some new products as well as a new website in the next month.  All of this has been very exciting and a dream come true for us both.

Since I didn't have my computer this past month I took most of my photos on my phone so here is a little photo dump from my phone...Enjoy!!

1. Jack's new rocking chair: an antique find rehab 2.  Love my sleeping baby 3.  Fabulous home mani 4.  Daddy's yummy gift for Father's Day 5. Homemade popsicles on a hot summer day 6. Crusin' with my babe 7. Zonked out after a trip to the zoo 8.A full day of cooking with the bestie 9. Water baby!!

P.S. I haven't forgotten about my weight loss goals and I promise to get you up to date on those exciting changes this week too!!

Happy Weekend!!!

-XO Jenn

0 Mommy's Day Re-Do

This year on Mother's Day I was in no condition to celebrate.  I love my little boy and he treated his Mommy so good on Mother's Day but this year was horrible.  I was so sick I barely made it through the breakfast the boys made for me.  They did such a good job getting me fresh picked flowers, hand making a card together, and texting me at work to get my breakfast request.  It was all set up cute when I got home from work but I was just not feeling well.  Shortly after eating I had to go to bed and get some rest. 

This weekend we did a re-do and it was wonderful!!  We spent the morning getting Jackson's pictures taken and he was so funny and cute!!  He jumped into the fountain at one point which was hilarious; never a dull moment.  We all snuggled up for a nice nap after lunch and then headed out to Crown Center.  We decided to go to the new Sea Life Aquarium since Jackson loves to explore new things.  Here is our day in photos...

(Please excuse some of my photos.  There was no flash photography and I am not the best at low light photography.)

He stood in amazement the entire tour.

Fun at the touch pool.

This little guy swam right over to say hello to Jackson.

This amazing octopus is color blind but able to sense the color of its surroundings and change its own color to camoflauge itself.  Can you see her?

I love jellies!!  So majestic.

Jackson loved how these rays would swim over by him and then up to the top of the water to flap one side out of the water before diving back down.  At one point these two startled him a bit and he turned around and ran shking his head. 

Beautiful, amazing colors in all of the exhibits.

Mommy and Jack inside the fish bowl.

I love my boys!! Handsome fellas...

The day wouldn't be complete without a fountain picture. 

Love this one!!  It was so windy we kept getting our backs soaked with water as the wind blew.  Jackson and I both made the same face in this picture which just cracks me up. Good job capturing that one Daddy!!

 I've always known I wanted to be a Mother but never knew how much it would mean to me, and how it would change me.  This little boy and my little family are what I live for.  We have more fun than I could have ever imagined and my life feels so full with these two by my side.  I am so happy, I am so blessed to have Jackson and Jess to share in my life.  I thank God for these two guys every single day. 

Off to bed now...My little angel is still up at midnight...don't ask me why??  Have a wonderful week, and if it has been a while since you have had a day of family fun, pick a day next weekend and do it!!

1 Thank You

Postponing my weigh in tonight to talk about being thankful...

Thankful that my baby boy is home and hopefully on the mend...

Saturday night Jackson was restless all night and started to run a fever overnight.  He peaked at 103 degrees Sunday morning when we were finally able to get it to come down with some Motrin and Tylenol.  He seemed ok during the day Sunday, playing, eating, and drinking well.  Sunday afternoon and evening he began to run a fever again and it had worked up to 105 degrees.  He was miserable, wouldn't eat or drink, and Jess and I thought it best to take him in to urgent care. 

Honestly I thought we would see the doc, get an antibiotic, and be home.  When they hooked Jackson up to get a set of vitals his oxygen level was 93% and his respiratory rate was in the 60's.  We were concerned but he was running a fever and exhausted.  We tried to get his fever down and see if his condition improved and when it didn't the Doctor recommended some breathing treatments and some suctioning. 

NT Suctioning used to be one of my favorite things to do at work.  I know it sounds just wrong but I really did like sucking all that junk out of people so they could breathe well again.  I don't think I will ever see that the same after I saw that happen to my child. 

Halfway through the evening Jackson was so terrified of anyone who walked in the room that when he heard the door knob he would whip around to see the door and latch onto me tight.  After two breathing treatments, suctioning, and a chest X-ray showing some thickening in his lungs the Doctor came in to talk to us.  At that time I really thought we were just going to go home with an antibiotic.  When the Doctor said he is just working to hard to breathe for us to let him go home I felt like someone kicked me in the stomach. 

I can not imagine what parents of chronically or critically ill children undergo.  I knew Jackson would be fine, I knew the physicians were being cautious, and yet I was a mess of emotions.  I felt bad that I waited all day to take him in, that he was so miserable, and most of all I wanted to take it all away.  He was so very scared.  I have never seen him scared of people; he is always so friendly.   I just kept telling myself; I rather him be scared and fighting than too weak or sick to put up a fight. 

We settled into the hospital around 10pm hoping that Jackson would start drinking again and that his fever and breathing effort would improve.  His oxygen levels had improved after the breathing treatments at the urgent care center.  Overnight Jackson required some suctioning and spiked another 105 degree fever.  It was a long night of little sleep but by about 3am I could tell he was turning a corner. 

My snuggle bug trying to sleep in his cage bed.

After a few hours of sleep for our little man he woke up hungry, thirsty, and fever free.  As soon as the doc saw Jackson this morning she was confident we would be able to manage at home!   He has run a fever tonight and developed pink eye in both eyes this afternoon but he is in much better spirits and playing again.  It is just a matter of time until this little boy is up and running again. 

So thankful to be home, for the love of my family and friends, for everyone who said prayers for us, for all the kind words people sent us, for all the sweet nurses who cared for Jackson, for the strength of children, and for the cuddles my little boy has been so generous with these past two days.  I feel so blessed that my son is happy and healthy most days.  Tonight my prayers go out to children and their families that deal with illness everyday, please pray for these little angels and all that they endure.