The Journey: One Month Old

Well, a month has come and gone. I have to admit I'm posting about our first month a little late, but hey I'm a new Mom I can do that. This month has been a busy one for our family, so we will start at the beginning. The week after Jackson was born Jason had his residency match and we found out that we are moving to Pontiac, Michigan for him to continue his medical school career. I am so excited that he's going to continue on the path to become and Anesthesiologist, which is something he has wanted to do since he was about 5. The same day we had the match was also Jackson's one week appointment. He weighed 6lbs 9 oz and was still 19 1/2 inches long. So only lost a few ounces the first week.

Jason and I had a little time to ourselves at my request we didn't have visitors from back home come until he was 2 weeks old. That way Jason and I had time to get adjusted to being parents and get settled back home. My parents were the first to visit and boy oh boy were they proud grandparents. I don't think Jackson took a single nap in his crib and I think Jason and I only held him during his late night feedings when Grandma and Grandpa were back at their hotel room. It was great to have them here though, they were a big help with cleaning, cooking, laundry and taking care of Jackson. Although at this point the taking care of Jackson was really easy because he slept all the time. It was really nice to take a few naps too in those early weeks. I was really sad to see them go though, considering the next time they will get to hold Jackson he will be 3 months old. That is the hardest part about living away from your family is that they don't get to see the changes in your children, or spend as much time with them.

A few days after my parents left we had Jackson's one month appointment. Jason and I in true style for us made bets on how much he had grown. I thought he was now in the 7 lb range and 21 inches and Jason thought 9 -10lb range at 23 inches. He surprised us greatly at 9 lbs 10 oz and 21 1/2 inches long. He grew so much in a month I couldn't believe it. Dr. Shaw was very happy with his progress and just said that we need to keep doing what we are doing...which seems to mean keep feeding him all the time! Some changes we have noticed in Jackson other than his growth spurt are that he is extremely strong. He likes to cuddle up on your chest but be cautious because he will randomly decide that it's time to lift his head and he will end up throwing himself back. He is starting to sleep a little more at night but it takes a few tries to actually get him to sleep in his crib (I blame all the grandparents for letting him sleep in their arms! I guess that's their job though to break all the parents rules and spoil him.) And now my favorite thing he likes to stay awake more and he will follow Jason and I and our voices. His favorite things in the world though is to hang out on the couch with Daddy and watch the basketball games and cuddle up with Mommy and listen to stories. He still likes to sit in his bouncer more than he likes to be in his swing, but he will spend some time in his swing. Cooper is obsessed with Jackson. If Jackson cries Cooper will run over to wherever Jackson is and then look back at Jason and I with an expression that reads "Help him! He's not happy! Why are you just sitting there staring at me, get my brother!" It's really cute as to how protective his is. I'm happy that Cooper has mellowed out around Jackson and really has been pretty good with him. He still likes to get into a little bit of trouble and is having a hard time staying away from Jackson's things (like his bottles and pacifier), but I'm sure that he will learn what items are his and what items are off limit and Jackson's.

Jason's parents were the next to come out a week later. They were able to see Jackson awake which I think my parents are a little jealous of, but oh well. Again, they were extremely proud grandparents, and just like before Jason and I didn't have to worry about Jackson until Grandma and Grandpa when back to their hotel for the evening. We were very sad to see them leave knowing that they were the last of our visitors from back home, and now we are really on our own.

Overall, it has been a crazy, wonderful, exhausting and exciting month in our household and I know that this is the beginning. Like I said before I'm posting his one month update a little late so already Jackson has made some new developments, but you will have to wait and read about them next month!