October 2010 Pictures

Go Gamecocks!

Found matching shirts at Old Navy in Spartanburg and could not resist...matching shirts are awesome.

Backpack, Backpack

My fun girl loves presents, dresses, coats, etc. Last week, after cleaning out Abigail's closet we found the backpack that Grand and Gigi got for her last Christmas. She was very excited and said, "I have a backpack!" She proceeded to wear the backpack everywhere last week and really wanted to sleep with it on. We got this backpack at http://www.kidstravelzone.com/ (the smallest one). She is growing up so fast!

Go Cocks!

Here is Jackson yelling "Go Cocks." He gets so excited when we say "go cocks," (I even do hand motions.) It really is hilarious and I am glad we are in the process of changing his room to a Gamecock themed room... at least he already loves saying gamecocks. I need to get video of this soon so you can see his entire reaction.

Video of Jackson Eating Yogurt

Here is video of Jackson eating yogurt with Charlie last night while I was at the Dream Dinners with a group from First Baptist. We were given a "sneak peak" and able to make a free meal (six servings if you wished). Many of us are going back next Thursday night at 6 pm where I will be making four three serving meals and one six serving meal. ...I am really excited. Go here for more info: http://www.dreamdinners.com/main.php?static=index
We had the best time, and I will have to blog about it tomorrow Enjoy!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Update on Jackson 22 months

Jackson is doing well but we had to go back to the doctor last Monday morning. For the last couple of months, Charlie and I have noticed that Jackson has regressed in his speech. When he was a year old he seemed to speak clearly and could say "mama." Now, he can not say any words that start with an "m." So, our doctor told us about a month ago to write down all the words he says within a 24 hour period and call her back in one month. I thought Jackson might still have fluid in his ears so we went to see the doctor on Monday to discuss his speech. I know that boys are not as verbal as girls, but it just alarms me that he cannot say words that he used to be able to say (if he had never been able to say certain words I probably would not be as concerned). So:

1. The doctor said if he had any fluid in his ears at this checkup then he would need to have tubes placed in his ears. He had zero fluid so no tubes for Jackson for now.
   
2. The doctor is concerned that there was damage done to his ears when he had his last double ear infection that lasted four weeks (from the end of May till like almost July).
   
3. So, we are going to get a hearing test at Lake Murray Hearing Associates in a couple of weeks (August 19th - the same day I have my glucose test...pray for us on that day!).
4. Also, we have a Babynet coordinator that has been assigned to us. I think a woman will come to our house and help Jackson with his speech for free until he turns three years old. We have someone at the church that works for them so I am going to have to give her a call soon.
   
5. He is developing noramlly with everything but his speech. In fact, she said he was advanced when it came to problem solving skills. Have any of you dealt with speech issues with your toddlers?
6. He still has a night bottle and a morning bottle and we have to get rid of those which will be difficult, so pray for us. The doctor said she did not care if he drank any milk during the day, but that she just wants the bottle gone because of his ears (studies are divided on if prolonged bottle usage can cause ear issues).
7. Jackson has lost almost two pounds in the last month, which is a concern as well. He just refuses to eat certain foods, and meal time is a huge challenge in general.
   
8. Just pray that we can figure out what is going on and why he cannot say his "m" words (labials). He can say "Bible book," and a host of other words, but he still calls me "daddy"...sad. Also, many words that he tries to repeat come out "ga ga."

The Latest

We have had a busy and fun week:

Monday: We went to the gym in the morning, and then I decided to clean out my entire closet and put all my winter and summer clothes in bins and get all my maternity clothes out and hang them up. This took from like 5 pm to 9 pm...exhausting but rewarding to get it all organized and cleaned out.

Tuesday: In the morning, we went over to the Northeast side of town and went shopping with Mimi. We have this huge white wall and I could not look at for another week. Charlie's mom, Mimi, is very creative and talked about putting floating shelves on the wall above our desk. I want to make the entire white wall just pictures of our family in chronological order. I hope to post pictures of the these shelves and the new frames I got and hear your opinion on how I should decorate the huge white wall. We had a great time with Mimi. Jackson had fun at Chick Fil A (he even got brave enough to climb up the playground equipment). Tuesday night we stayed up late trying to install these new floating shelves that we got at Lowe's and put them above our desk (I got all the great frames at Michaels).

Wednesday: Gym in the morning, church at night and again trying to install the shelves and we again did not get to bed till late

Thursday: In the morning, I cleaned and vacuumed the entire house, cleaned out the guest room. Then, our great friend from Sumter, Carol, come to stay with us and we had a great time. This picture is of Carol and Jackson and Jackson loved saying her name and seeing her.

Friday: Carol and I went shopping to Marshall's, Once Upon a Child, and back to Michaels for me to exchange this one frame that had a mark on it. At Once Upon a Child Jackson found this golf club and ball with it and was not letting go of it. He pushed this little plastic golf club around the entire store...so of course we had to get it. I have a feeling I am going to be going to a lot of ball games in my life. Jackson loves any game that has a ball with it.

Not to many people's surprise who know me, but I have already bought Abigail three bows at Once Upon a Child (for $1.50 each which is the best price I can find) and I have only known that I am having a girl for like 11 days. Two white bows and one pink one. I am pretty obsessed with bows (bows are even our our everyday china) and so me having a girl is very dangerous for our budget. I need to learn how to make these bows, pronto. Abigail's theme will be bows and her monogram initials. Right now, the plan for her room is to have bows as the border of her room and then Charlie is going to paint the room a light pink color and then we are going to try to paint her monogram initials on the wall. I am so excited about her room! Carol bought Abigail the cutest little outfit...I have no idea how to shop for little girl outfits but I am quickly learning.

Friday afternoon/night: We dropped Jackson off at Clinton (halfway to Spart.) to spend the weekend with my parents. He was excited to see my parents and he does not even want to be with me when my dad is around...he just wants my dad to hold him. Crazy, but this is such a blessing. I am so blessed that they want to keep him once a weekend a month...it is a great break for us especially now that I am pregnant. Finally, tonight we went to the Rhinehart's house for the deacon family picnic. We had a great time fellowshipping with everyone and really being able to talk to everyone without worrying about Jackson. We have absolutely no plans for tomorrow and I am so excited about that!

Just thought yall might like a update on our busy fun week (this is definitely not our typical week).

Video of Jackson playing at Funzone

We had another great preschool playdate with First Baptist Preschool ministry at the Funzone in Irmo last Friday. Jackson had a really great time. He even went on the giant slide and got into a big bouncing basketball court (if you are ever near Irmo, this is a great and fun place to go with your kids...I think it is $6 for toddlers and $8 for children...no charge for adults - and do not forget to bring your child's socks!). This is video of him in the toddler room going down a "toddler roller coaster." Fun times!

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Jackson Got to Particapte in VBS

Our preschool coordinator was so great to move a couple of the older 1's (whose parents were working VBS) to the 2 year old room so they could learn some of the material. Jackson also got to go outside for the first time and play with the wheel toys which he loved. However, he got pretty tired and even feel asleep on some of the adults' laps some days (he is not used to 4 hours of activity time in the morning). Everyday, they sent home material he learned and one day they had a great song that yall can teach your toddler.

Here is the song:

Thank You, God, for Jesus

Sing the words below to the tune "Are You Sleeping?"

Here the good news; Here the good news:
Jesus was born; Jesus was born.
Thank You God, for Jesus; Thank You, God, for Jesus.
Thank You, God; Thank You, God.

Overall, VBS went better than we could ever have imagined it going. We had so many great teachers and God gets all the glory. I think Charlie said there were definitely 30 decisions made for Christ..that is amazing.