January wrap up

Oh it's hard to believe January is just about over! I'm not sure where the time went. However, my days are pretty blended now and I'm not always sure of the date. :)

I think I got more sleep when Jackson was a new baby and he woke up every few hours. Now my sweet baby boy hardly ever sleeps. Post pregnancy hormones + no sleep + Jonathon working more = pure exhaustion. I've had some tears, laughs and some dramatic phone calls home. There's no job harder than being a mom, but Jackson is absolutely more than worth it.

I take more pictures of him than any mom I know - but he does too many cute things! He is always happy, even when he first wakes up. I wish I were that way. He's at the point where he laughs pretty hard and wants to play all day. He gets extremely excited when Jonathon comes home and it's hard to get him to sleep if he sees his dad. The job of putting him to sleep mine, since Jon can try but Jackson won't stop laughing and smiling at him. Silly boys.

Jackson rolled over for the first time on Christmas day. However, he's not such a fan of it now, and hardly ever does it. He will, however, turn himself in circles on his belly. I think he wants to skip ahead to walking, but for now, he's making progress on sitting up on his own. He does really well with it, until he gets too excited - then he just throws himself back. So, he won't be sitting on any hard surfaces any time soon. We stick to mom and dad's bed with pillows around him, just in case.

He's developed some new quirks. He refuses to have his feet covered at all while he's trying to fall asleep. I wait until he's out, and then cover him up so he doesn't freeze. He also wants me to sit next to him while he's in his swing with my hand on him. I can't do this often because I have house stuff to get done, but more times than not - he's in my arms.

Jackson hated veggies last week, but we tried again and he ate them! Thank goodness because I was worried he'd only be eating pears for the rest of his life. He sleeps a lot better now that he gets to eat food, but, as I stated before - the sleep thing is a work in progress!! Jonathon and I are so tired that he suggested I go to Colorado for a week so I can rest up. It's hard to not have any family around when we'd like our families to see all the cute things he does. Maybe someday!

Here are some pictures. Enjoy.

2010

Jackson, trying out his bumbo, and our Christmas dinner.













Happy New Year!! Let's rewind a bit first.

Christmas was pretty good. It was my first Christmas away from my family in Colorado but it was also my first Christmas alone with Jonathon and our baby boy, Jackson. Jonathon and I have been together for 4 Christmas' and yet we never did a celebration on our own. It was very mellow, and for a lot of time seemed like just another day. However, we have some good memories, too. We lit bacon on fire - on accident of course. We made a pretty good turkey dinner and we got some great gifts! I got Jonathon a GPS for his car and he got me a beautiful ring.

Jackson hit the jackpot, even though he doesn't know it. He got a bumbo (kind of expensive for what it is, but so worth it), tons of clothes, toys and books. Thank you to my Aunt Michelle and my Aunt Julie and Gma for sending wonderful gifts our way.

My parents and Jonathon's parents sent over boxes as well. We got money, gift cards, more outfits for Jackson, ornaments and he got a light up crib toy that plays lullabies and nature sounds. Thanks grandparents!

Jonathon admitted he had his doubts about my turkey cooking. I don't eat meat, so sometimes it's hard for me to know exactly how to do things. But, a few calls to my wonderful dad who is an amazing chef, I get it done! Jonathon said he was actually really impressed and he ate seconds!

We took a day trip to New York and although it was cold, it was fun!! It was the first time for both of us although I think I liked it more than Jonathon did. Being from a small town, he hates crowds and all those confusing streets. But, he thought it was fun - I just don't think he'll take me back there during the holidays. My favorite thing was the tree!!! It was incredible.

Jackson is officially 4 months old. That's incredibly hard to believe and he's already hit so many milestones that it's odd to think he's so big! He's trying really hard to sit up, but certainly isn't there yet. He can support his weight, but his balance is WAY off. It's cute to watch him try his hardest. He loves his bumbo so that he can sit up and see everything that is going on. He's very curious. He is starting his "1st foods" and honestly I love giving it to him because he doesn't throw it up and he stays full. He's always hungry after a bottle and spits up a lot. However, if we give him less, he screams because he's hungry. He only gets a jar of food at night mixed with some cereal, then a bath and some down time. He's such a good boy.

New Years was a little lame. I was so tired and Jackson was sleeping. I think I rang in 2010 by talking to my dad on the phone. Jonathon was working, so there wasn't any real excitement. I didn't even watch the ball drop like usual.

In any case, I'm really looking forward to this year. 2009 was the first full year Jonathon and I lived together and there was so much to learn and so much to adjust to that I'm excited we got through all of those bumps and experiences and this year we can just concentrate on solidifying our family here. I'm excited to see what 2010 has to bring!

Hooah!

They may look different and each is wonderfully unique

But they have THIS IN COMMON!
Lots of moving---
Moving
Moving
Moving far from home
Moving two cars, three kids and one dog----all riding with HER of
Course

Moving sofas to basements because they won't go in THIS house

Moving curtains that won't fit

Moving jobs and certifications and professional development hours

Moving away from friends, moving toward new friends

Moving her most important luggage; her trunkful of memories

Often waiting-
Waiting, waiting, waiting for housing; waiting for orders; waiting
For deployment; waiting for reunion; waiting for phones calls;
Waiting for the new curtains to arrive; waiting for him to come home
For dinner----AGAIN!

They call her 'military dependent', but she knows better
She can balance a checkbook
Handle the yard work
Fix a noisy toilet.
She is intimately familiar with drywall, anchors, and toggle bolts.
She can file the taxes, sell a house, buy a car, or set up a move, --
--all with ONE Power of Attorney

She welcome s neighbors that don't welcome her.
Reinvents her career with every PCS; locates a house in the desert,
The arctic, or the deep south and learns to call them all 'home'
She MAKES them all home.
She is fiercely IN-dependent

Military Wives are somewhat hasty
They leap into decorating, leadership, volunteering, career
Alternatives, churches and friendships
They don't have 15 years to get to know people.
Their roots are
Short but flexible.
They plant annuals for themselves and
Perennials for those who come after them.

Military Wives quickly learn to value each other.



They connect over coffee, rely on the spouse-network and accept offers of friendship
And favors and record addresses in pencil.
Military Wives have a common bond.
The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands his commitment
Is unique He doesn't have a job, he has a 'mission' he can't just
Decide to quit he's on-call for his country 24/7 but for you, he's
The most
Unreliable guy in town!
His language is foreign

TDY

PCS

OPR

ACC

BDU

And so, a Military Wife is a translator for her family and his.
She is the long-distance link to keep them informed the glue that
Holds them together.

Military Wife has her moments----

She wants to wring his neck, dye his uniform pink, an d refuse to
Move to Siberia.
But she pulls herself together.
Give her a few days,a few drinks, a travel brochure, a long hot bath, a pledge to The flag, and a wedding picture.


And she goes.
She packs.
She moves.

She follows.
Why?
What for?
How come?
You may think it is because she has lost her mind.
But actually it is because she has lost her heart.
It was stolen from her by a man
Who puts duty first
Who longs to deploy
Who salutes the flag

And whose boots in the doorway remind her That as long as he is her
Military husband,
She will remain his Military wife!!!!

Pictures!

Busy, busy and BUSY!

Wow! We've been busy! There has been so much to do, and to add Christmas shopping on top of it - - Jonathon feels like he didn't even get any days off.

We had his squadron Christmas party already. It was pretty fun to get out of the house for a while AND have a babysitter. I was SO nervous, but the babysitter handled everything just fine (although I hear Jackson threw up on her face. Not sure how this happened, but - I'm sorry!) and he was asleep when I got back. That's a good ending! I got to meet a lot of the people Jonathon works with that I hadn't met yet. We went with another couple - BJ and Ashley. They also took a day trip to New York with us. FUN!

New York isn't that far away - only a few hours - so we planned to go see the big Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza. We stopped halfway to drop one of the Steve's kids at Ashley's mom's house. (They live down the road from Jon and Kate Plus 8!) After that, we all got in one car and drove up. For being semi unplanned - it turned out really well. We took a boat tour. We got to see where the Twin Towers were, the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty among other things. I LOVED IT. I always said I'd move there and be a writer or in public relations. Now being married and having a young child, that's out of the question - but I absolutely loved walking the streets of Manhattan.

BJ drove - thank goodness because it was stressful!!! Thanks to Ashley for letting him drive her car up there. It was a madhouse! We ended up in China Town - not sure how - but that was cool to see, too. We ate some amazing pizza there and I think we walked enough to burn off a weeks worth of dinners! Jackson couldn't have been better! I honestly think I have the best child in the world. He didn't cry or fuss. He just wanted to look around. He stayed bundled up in his stroller for the first half of the day, but surprisingly that night it wasn't cold. Jonathon and I were actually warm in our coats. So, anyone who is worried about Jackson not having a coat on by the big tree - believe me, he was completely covered all day, but by night time there were so many people that he was totally fine to take a picture without all the layers. We were quick.

Now we're just recovering from our busy schedules. Jackson is now officially old enough for cereal and the middle of Janurary we can *try* food if we want to - I'm still undecided. There are reasons for and against - and we still have time to see if he wants it or not.

I'll end with some pictures of NY.
This is where Titanic was supposed to dock.

Me and my love

His beautiful blue eyes. He looks exactly like Jonathon, but got the Dusdal blues!

Doctor visit and Christmas plans!

I have to tell you about Black Friday. So my friend Mindy and I set out to do some shopping. We didn't leave at 3am, but we were out by 6am. We hit the store that I was getting Jonathon's gift at first. It wasn't crazy at all! Apparently everyone came and left in one hour! Anyway, we went back to get his gift, and the guy INSISTS they sold out an hour ago. So Mindy and I sulk and walk away and discuss going to the same store in different locations to find this thing. Well, an employee infront of us turns around, asks what we had been looking for...when I tell him, he says, "no, we aren't keeping those in that spot because they were popular. Go to the counter and ask for one." I told him the guy insisted they were gone an hour ago, and this new guy insisted they weren't. We walk back there, wait in this long line and then we were asked (before our turn) what we needed. We could hear others inquiring about this product, so we were worried. After all of this, a lady behind the counter says, "Oh, we have one left!" Are you kidding me?! She hands it to me, I pay, and all is well. I couldn't believe that guy was wrong! I'm so happy that my complaining got me somewhere and another employee heard it. Thank you, mystery angel!

On Tuesday, (December 1st), Jackson had his 8 week check-up - three weeks late. We had been calling forever to get an appointment. Finally, Jonathon was already at the hospital so he just walked down there and worked his magic. Jonathon kept telling Jackson he'll do fine, it's his mom that will cry. I didn't for the record.

They said he's absolutely perfect and his development is amazing. He is a little ahead, but we knew that all along. :) He is 14lbs 6 oz and 24 inches long. (50th and 75th percentiles) He got three shots and an oral medicine - he barely cried, and it was only because he was so annoyed that the tech had to hold his legs down. I only know that because he made the exact same face and sound when they were measuring him. Daddy picked him up, and he acted like nothing happened. Then...our baby turned into a narcoleptic. He fell asleep whenever, wherever. He slept for 3 days this way, only waking up to eat and get a fresh diaper. He never did get a fever though, which I greatly appreciated. The knot on his leg is gone, and everything is normal. We survived it!

Jackson has had his days/nights mixed up, but I think that's because Jonathon works nights. He'll get back on track. Either way, he sleeps a good chunk of either one and I've never been happier.

We also went to see Santa. The mall Santa's around here aren't amazing, but we were at Bass Pro Shops, and believe it or not - they had a whole winter wonderland. We decided to let him see Santa there, and if we didn't like the picture we'd take him somewhere else. He didn't cry, but he wasn't smiling either. They made us stand too far away to attempt a smiling picture - but he didn't seem to care that some crazy man was holding him. While we were there, we fed Jackson in a camouflage recliner. Tacky! But, I'll admit there was this solid brown one that was probably the most comfortable thing I've ever sat in. That store even has a massive fish tank with huge fish in it. Don't tell Jonathon, but I think that store is pretty cool.

Jonathon is going for a job in the armory. It means better hours (3pm-11pm, rather than 4pm - 4-6am) and more awake time with us. He has his interview Monday, so we're hopeful. His friends aren't happy though - they are getting their wives to tell me I should talk him out of it. It's ok guys - we'll still see you! He may have to agree to stay in Maryland for another 2 years to take the job - which is ok with me.

Christmas is coming up and I'm so excited. This is my first Christmas away from the family, and I was really worried about it. However, I'm not anymore. We put up our tree, (although it only has the lights on it right now..) and we did some buying already - but we still have a ways to go. Some friends of ours are also staying here this year so we decided to do Christmas dinner with them to make it more of a crowd. Jonathon and I are still trying to find a Bumbo for Jackson that isn't a nasty sea foam color. Other than that I think our buying for him is done! Next year will be so much fun buying all of those obnoxious toys. I am excited, and I know Jon is, to pick that stuff out. But for now, we love him being a baby. He's already getting too big!