Lovin' the weekend

I love Friday night. Some people love Saturdays because you might get to sleep in or you don't have to work. Sunday is the Lord's day so it is a day that reminds you to count your blessings, pray, go to church and to take a break. But Friday nights are so much fun to me. It means (usually) that the work week is over and relaxation is finally about to begin. It means I have my family surrounding me for the next two days without interruption and we can plan for anything!  I love thinking about all the fun we could have and planning something special for the kiddos.  I love coming home to have movie night or pizza night or both lol.  I love to let Bri stay up a little longer to eat popcorn and snuggle with us.  I love staying up late with Stephen laughing at the latest dumb comedy and drinking soda at odd hours. I love that it's our time to just talk and forget about our worries for a few days.  I would rather save that for the weekdays. :)  Here I am... already looking forward to the next Friday... I just can't wait!

Jackson: 7 Weeks Old!

So, Jackson, you now weigh in at a whopping 11 pounds!  Woohoo!  You have no trouble eating anymore.  You are my little piggy.  You love nothing more than to snuggle up with mommy and eat and eat and eat lol.  Your doctor should be proud of your weight gain next time she sees you.  You have been so alert lately and giving us all sorts of looks.  Your face is always so full of expression.  Normally you look quite serious, but this time I caught you smiling... and not just a little smile, a HUGE GRIN for mommy!  Talk about melting your heart... this was the first time you really smiled like this.  Can't believe I got it on camera.  

Your shirt says Beach Hunk... Maybe it should say Beach Chunk Hunk?  You are definitely getting a belly little man!  :) 

You met Aunt Jenny for the first time this week.  She couldn't believe you are so tiny and sweet.  She fell in love with you instantly of course.  Aunt Jen got you a bouncer and you have enjoyed spending some time in it while watching the Baby Einstein Baby Noah DVD.  You and your sister love seeing all the different animals! 

You are starting to sleep a litte longer at night.. sometimes even 5 hours, but it's still quite inconsistent.  You like to keep me guessing for sure.  It's okay... this mommy knows how to function on next to no sleep so we will manage.  :)  

You love to lay in the floor on a blanket and cuddle with Miss Brianna.  You like to flail your little arms and legs about and get a little exercise.  Bri holds you at least once everyday - she would have nothing less!

You are already getting accustomed to our summer routine - grilling outside!  Mommy will sit with you on the patio while Daddy cooks something yummy and Bri plays in her pool and sandbox.  We can't wait until next summer so you can play outside with Big Sister Brianna.  She can hardly wait for those days! 

Jackson: 1 Month Old!

One Month Old! 

Stephen Jackson Strawder - born June 1, 2012, weighing in at 7 lbs., 3oz. and 18.5 inches long at 8:31 a.m.  I can't believe it has been a month since you were born.  Your life started out a little rough.  You were three weeks early and spent the first 2.5 weeks of your life in the NICU.  Words cannot describe how difficult those few weeks were for me and your father.  All we wanted was for our baby boy to be healthy and at home.  They day we finally took you home brought us so much joy and relief.  Your big sister Brianna was thrilled.  Our first ride home was so fun just knowing that our family of four was finally all together.  This past week was the first week that I was home with both you and Brianna on my own.  It has been a really fun experience so far!  I have loved finally getting to know you - all your facial expressions, the things you like and don't like, the noises and sounds you make - which, by the way, are a lot!  Frankly, I've never heard a noisier baby lol.  You love to grunt, squeal, stretch, and wiggle in your sleep.  So I have recently called you 'Grunt' as a nickname.  Your other nicknames? Baby Bear, Little Man, Bubby, and Little Buddy are just a few.  And Brianna calls you Baby Jackson.  She also called you 'her brother or sister' in the beginning... blame your parents for that one!  Since we didn't find out you were a boy until you were born, we told Bri she would have a brother or sister.  Obviously this caused a little confusion :)  However, I think she understands now.  

So what have you been up to your first month?  Mostly you like to just eat and sleep and lay in someone's arms.  You have become a snuggler nearly overnight.  You just love to be held!  I can't say that we really mind all the cuddling that we get with you :). 

Even though you protested your first bath at home, you now seem to really enjoy your bath.  You are so peaceful and calm during the bath.  It seems like you will love bathtime just as much as your sister! 

So far you have taken trips to several stores, including Starbucks and Cici's.  You have been to several parks and watched Brianna play outside.  You enjoy lounging and watching movies and cartoons with Miss Bri.  I hope you love Caillou and Curious George because you will be watching those a lot... your sister is a big fan! 

How do you act?  Your demeanor has been so calm.  You're not a very fussy baby and even let Brianna hold you without a fight.  I think you two will be great friends one day.  Bri is totally obsessed with you right now and always makes sure you are included in anything that we do.  She is going to be a great big sister and you will be a great little brother. 

Your daddy and I couldn't be happier right now.  We are just overwhelmed with joy at having two wonderful kiddos in our lives.  We are so looking forward to watching you grow up... just don't do it too fast.