Allergy Update

Ugh. Sigh.

We had Jackson's allergy appointment yesterday for testing. We got there and the nurse asked if I brought food..I did not 1. Because they didn't tell me to 2. What would I bring egg? Soy? I THOUGHT we were redoing the skin test. After a lot of confusion we finally saw the doctor who told me since it had only been 5 months he did not recommend a skin test. And he won't do another one until NEXT SUMMER. NEXT SUMMER.  Meaning we have to continue NO egg or soy for basically until he is almost two. I had really high expectations that we were coming in today for him to say we could at least start trying soy. Nope. AND absolutely no nuts of any kind until he is THREE. THREE. ************ And we have to start using another cream ya da blah blah more stuff to put on him at night which is already torture. And he said the words of well I don't want to limit his milk intake since his proteins are very limited without egg and soy.. basically because he isn't doing that great with milk either.

I love our allergist. He is very nice and I respect him professionally. So none of my feelings are towards him, it's just the situation. I think I have kept thinking well in a couple months he'll be fine or a couple more months. I guess I wasn't being realistic. Or maybe I was just hearing what I wanted to hear. But this is upsetting to me. Another year of fear of him ending up in the hospital for accidentally eating something (you should have seen me last week when a kid left his pretzels on the floor and Jackson was lunging towards them totally a crazy mom moment), more days of making food/freezing/prepping, no taking him out to eat, etc. Traveling is getting to be impossible because we can take a bunch of baby food and I can only prep so much and take it in the cooler. We want to go to Disney but I already know I have to call and make arrangements for his food. It's just a lot to do on my part. He is completely fine! He's happy, healthy, at a perfect weight, developing perfectly, and he has no idea what he's missing. It is sad to me that when he reaches for our food we have to say no. I've thought about making us all soy/egg free but we really can't afford it at the moment. Native Sun already gets a pretty penny out of us for Jackson's food!

I know I have no room to complain because I see kiddos that have serious issues. And I thank god everyday for Jackson. But sometimes I can't help but to get frustrated. When I'm looking at the bright side this kid eats way healthier than any other kid!

12 Month Foods

12 Month Foods

I know we have been MIA recently but life has been crazy!! I'm working 28 hours a week but with drive time it's a lot more..exhausting but great. And then Jamie was out of town for work and we went out of town the two weekends following... so just crazy busy. 

12 month foods are much more exciting!! I had to write them down so A. I can remember them for Jackson B. When we have future kiddos this will be helpful

Breakfast: Always with fruit and milk, never with syrup, and always egg/soy free

• Waffles
• Pancakes
• Donuts (left over from his birthday)
• Need to try oatmeal again
• Trying to find a muffin recipe...
• I even mix it up sometimes and make blueberry pancakes :)

Snack:

• Water and graham crackers (soy/egg free)

Lunch: Always with veggies and milk, sometimes cheese

• Quesadillas (cheese, chicken, beans, veggies, you can be creative)
• Hummus on bread
• Lunchmeat with bread
• Chicken salad
• Sunbutter on bread
• Tacos
• Chicken nuggets occasionally (free of everything)
• Turkey hot dogs occasionally
• Going to try Mac N Cheese and tuna salad soon

Snack:

• Fruit, milk, raisins

Dinner: Always with milk, veggies, sometimes fruit

• Spaghetti and meatballs
• Veggie lasagna (mushrooms, peppers, onions, tomatoes, everything!)
• Tacos
• Quesadillas
• Chicken
• Going to try chili, veggie pizza

He has an amazing appetite and pretty much loves everything except plain chicken..who can blame him? I love the variety of foods he is eating and yes we are trying some kid friendly foods (we don't want him being that freak that has never had mac n cheese ;) Jamie's words not mine..). We have been pretty successful with dairy so that has really opened our food world! I'm loving cooking for him and finding new recipes. The best part is I can freeze everything so it lasts awhile. 

Our newest goal is have a family dinner with Jackson. It's really hard during the week because he eats at 6 and Mon/Wed I don't get home until 6:30 and Jamie gets home late. Our goal is Thursday/Friday/Saturdays. And boy let me tell you the first time was a disaster. Because I have to start making both dinners at 5 that leaves Jackson to... hang on my leg and cry for an hour because all eyes aren't on him. Then by the time I get everything on the table and sit down he has inhaled his food and is signing "all done." Over all he was pretty patient while I inhaled my food but it was not relaxing at all. I think have two parents on board will help next time! 

Anyone have any great (allergy free) food suggestions?! I would love a more savory breakfast for him but I'm struggling with the no egg part. I'm not especially into bacon or sausage either. I don't want to do toast because that takes away from our bread stash that I homemake. 

Two years!

We have been married TWO years! What an amazing two years it has been. Our first year was a lot of change- moving to a different state, two new jobs, and first pregnancy.. to our second year of having our first baby! In case you forgot the first year :) I'm so lucky to have found my soul mate and my best friend. This year has had it's ups and downs but we always make it through stronger than ever. From a baby with colic to getting a new job, moving (apartment to rental house), and tons more we have had one heck of a year.  This year was the year of finding balance and learning to communicate through those sleepless nights. It was figuring out how to be a family and not just a couple. Trust me being a selfish couple of two- sleeping in late, staying out late, spending too much money on stupid stuff was much easier but not as fulfilling (meaningful, fun in a new way, I can keep going)!! 

A look back on our second year:

September 2012: Jackson was born!

October 2012: Halloween with our little lion and the "sugar daddy"

 November 2012: Thanksgiving Jacksonville Beach

 December 2012: Christmas and trip to Roanoke

January 2013: My birthday dinner and date night

 February 2013: Our first half marathon together! The Donna Half

March 2013: Jackson and I took a trip to Indiana (sorry hubby)

 April 2013: Having fun at my brother and sister-in-law's baby shower

 Jamie's surprise 30th!!

 30th birthday in VEGAS! We had an amazing 48 hours :)

 May: First Mother's Day/ TPC/ Plaid Party fun/ first family vacation to Long Boat Key

 June 2013: First Father's Day and a month of pool, beach, and park time!

 Trip to Atlanta to visit my brother and his family. Also a trip to the aquarium!

July 2013: Celebrated the 4th at the beach! 

 August 2013: Jackson's first birthday party

September 2013: Jackson's First birthday, Weddings in DC and Indiana

While this year was focused all on Jackson, we did have some alone time (need to take more pictures of the two of us..). I already know that our 3rd year will be even more amazing!

Birthday Weekend/Labor Day

Labor Day weekend we had lots of family in town, so it was a bit of an adjustment for Jackson. Too many people, off of his routine, and a baby in the house ahhh :) But he survived :) Friday we went to lunch and hung out with family. Saturday and Sunday we went to the beach!

Playing with Lexie!

Wagon rides on the beach!! 

Monday was Jackson's real birthday so I got up early to make him donuts...and couldn't find the pan. Grr!! So he got mini donut muffins with sprinkles. He loved them!

Yum!

The rest of his day we took several wagon rides, played, and saw more family! 

12 months

Happy 12 months Jackson! Oh where has time gone?! I am so sad that this year has flown by.. my baby is now a toddler. Get used to me crying over these things. I can already see you saying, "Geez mom are you crying again?" Too bad it's just because I love you so much!!!! I can't believe that a year ago you were a tiny little peanut and now you are a wild thing! Running around, climbing, babbling, laughing wild man. You absolutely never stop moving, not even for a second. You love pushing things around the house, even furniture. You love being thrown or being upside down. You have no fear of falling or getting hurt which gives me a heart attack. However, you have the sweetest cuddly side too. You love being held, hugs, kisses, pats you name it you love it! You have really become quite the daddy's boy this month which is hurting my feelings but I also love seeing the two of you together. You love laughing and being in the center of attention. In fact you are the best behaved in public. You are very hot tempered and will throw tantrums whenever you don't get your way which has been testing our patience but the pediatrician said this is normal....

Your favorite toy is monkey. You drag him around, kiss him, and hug him. A close second is the WAGON. You could ride in this for hours. Anytime we turn towards the house you cry and if we get the driveway you really cry. We are meeting all the neighbors and dogs :) You are a fantastic eater and love just about anything. You are a terrible sleeper and I will remember this one day when you are 16..just wait. You always wake up at 5 no matter what. And you take 1 nap about 2 hours long..even though you are extremely tired for the second nap you just lay there talking or crying. Supposably this will get better. hopefully.

At your one year check up you weighed 23 pounds (75%) and 30 inches (55%). The pediatrician said you are physically advanced. Her words not mine :) And because I can give the Rosetti in my sleep I would say you are above average for play, interaction attachment, gestures, and receptive language... average on expressive language.. If I had to guess average fine motor skills too. You follow directions, can point to two body parts, imitate animal noises and say a few on your own, use 3 signs, fantastic pretend play and uses one toy for more than one purpose, and you can point! You inconsistently say mama, dada, and bubu for bubbles. You will not say uh oh and I have been working on that one forever. You imitate everything we do! We are very proud of you!!

Jackson you are the most amazing baby and we are so lucky to be your parents. We cannot even describe how much we love you. It's just crazy how much we love you! Although you are one tough cookie and we could use some more sleep we wouldn't trade you for the world! Like I say every month we can't wait to see what next year brings!!!!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Jackson's First Birthday Splash!

Today (September 5th) was my due date last year aw! How crazy to think it's already been a year. Jackson's birthday (suppose to be pool party but the weather was gross) was the weekend before his actual birthday. It began like this...

Helping put together his wagon..that he is obsessed with

The favors! Homemade bubbles

The Jelly Fish made by me :) and adult Tiki bar

The dessert table! I used instaprint for the ONE pictures.

Jackson's "free" cake. The banner is from Oversoul on Etsy. 

Sharks and surf board cookies. Cookie cutters from amazon

Oreo cake pops in graham cracker (sand) 

Flipflop twinkies

Sliders this was a really great and easy recipe I will have to share later

Cups/straws: Cherished Blessings from Amazon or Etsy

Hang 10 salad which was actually oriental salad.

Watermelon with umbrella tooth picks

Fish laterns

The birthday boy!! Loving his cake!

It was a great day filled with lots of love! We had about 40 people and 10 kids to celebrate with. Jackson was running around like a wild man with Mac..so cute! And he loved digging into his cake. I think he actually loved the icing (who wouldn't). He was pooped afterwards. 

Cake outfit: Adorable Delights (Etsy)

Birthday Romper: Etsy

Bringing up Bebe Book Review

On the Today show, I saw the author being interviewed (it's been a while) but I remember being very intrigued by the concept. At the time I wasn't pregnant but I still managed to keep it in the back of my mind until just recently. I was needing a break from my Sookie Stackhouse books (yes I love trashy books it's just fun to read fun books) and I didn't really want to read another parenting book that makes you feel bad or think you need to redo everything you've been doing.. so I thought I would give this one a try. LOVED IT. I wish I would have read it when I was pregnant. Pregnant ladies get it now!

The author is an American journalist who is raising her kids in Paris. She quickly learns that they do things completely different which leads their children to be well behaved, patient, independent, and great eaters. The French think we are helicopter parents (and we are) where they let their children discover and explore with boundaries. Their life "focus" or what they live by is equilibrium. Living life in a balance. Mothers don't only focus on their children but their husbands, careers, and children equally. If they parents aren't in a happy marriage then that will affect the children. They don't even have "date" nights because it is expected that they parents do things away from their children. All mothers work in France, it is very rare for women to stay home. All the children go to school, although, their daycares/preschools are much different over there. Children are expected to eat real dinners/foods, they don't even have kids meals. I could continue you on but it's a pretty long book. 

I found it fascinating! I feel like it was similar to what my parenting style is but it gave me some great ideas too. It also helped me become more confident in the approach I want to take with our children.. because most parents here do things differently. I have always been very big about Jamie and I having our time to keep our marriage healthy (I am absolutely no marriage expert and we by no means have the best relationship but it's what we strive make it better all the time). While we hate leaving Jackson, it's always refreshing to go out and just be alone like we used to. The second thing I have found is that I need to work part time for ME. To have something just for me and feel valued. I love my job so it's important that I can continue doing what I love AND spending part time at home with Jackson. I know most people do not agree with this... but I come from a long line of working mothers (my mom, grandmother, and my great grandmother, who was a teacher even went to college which was a huge deal back in the day) and I really respect them. And they are great mothers!! We can all cook, clean and are extremely nurturing. Talking to my mom this week, I realized that she is the reason why I am very goal oriented, driven, and independent. I have the best mom! But I regress... My other focus to have a well behaved, great eating (no kids meals), smart, independent kid.  I think he's doing really well on all of it except maybe that well behaved part.. it's a work in progress. He's really into tantrums if he doesn't get his way (I wonder where he got that from). 

With all of that being said, I will be starting a new job in a week! I will still be working part time but with a few more hours. And we have decided in January, Jackson will start a Mommy's Day out preschool program at our church for 1-2 mornings a week. We want him to be around other kiddos and I think he needs to start learning some structure/sharing. We are extremely concerned with his allergies but they assured us they deal with this all time. So very exciting time for all of us!!