Puzzle problems

I checked out this puzzle from the library even though Jackson isn't great with puzzles yet. But he learned to do this one and absolutely loved it. He came down with the croup, but would sit on our laps with his head laying on us and do this puzzle OVER and OVER again (he is active even when he is sick!) I love that he was successful and enjoyed this activity. I didn't love that he wanted me to watch him put in all 12 pieces over 40 times a day . . . that is 480 times he wanted me to say "good job" or "you did it!" PER DAY! (not including how many times a day I say these words during PE classes). Just hit replay on this video 40 times and you can see how my life was the past few weeks (but this is in fast mode for you!)

But really I am thrilled that he is doing so well solving problems, using his fine motor skills and sorting sizes, shapes and colors. I couldn't be more proud of him!

Surviving and sometimes thriving

I had a first-time-mom freak-out the other night. I played with Jackson on Tuesday evening. He was happy, completely healthy and cute as could be. His play is getting really fun, because he can actually do puzzles and he is able to keep a train of thought for alot longer. Anyway, Dave and I were going to bed at about midnight, so I went in for my nightly check on Jackson and noticed the blanket wrapped around his head. This is not the first or the 10th times this has happened so I calmly unwrapped it, but then I noticed he was really wheezy and struggling for breath, even after the blanket was gone. I listened for a minute and hoped it got better, but the more I heard the more nervous I got. I pulled him out of bed and woke him up. He was alert and talking, but still wheezy, especially when he tried to talk. We tried a drink, vapor-rub, at various other idea, but he was still struggling for air.

I called the hospital and they said we could take him to the ER or call 911 and have the paramedics check his oxygen levels. Hmmm . . .what do you think I picked?
Looking back, I'd like to say that I called 911 out of financial reasons . . . since an ER bill is not in the student budget. Anyway, at 1 am 8 paramedics, police officer and various other personel enter the premises (scaring our neighbors to death) and check Jackson out. Didn't I feel silly when they suggested he had . . . croup?

I didn't think he was sick because he was fine 4 hours earlier. But I guess it comes on strong at night. Anyway, we happen to have his "re-check" for 18 months the next morning at 8 am (inspired?) So we slept ok for 5 hours.

On Jackson's "re-take" of the 18 month test, he did GREAT! His head circumference leveled off. he is 34 inches long (75%) and 24 lbs(15%). He has only gained 1 pound in 6 months! but he is just so darn active . . .and such a picky eater! Anyway, after his sickness this week, I'm sure he's lost at least a pound, so we have some work to do (Dave enthusiastically suggests ice cream!)

The doctor was impressed with his talking, drawing, overall health.

Speech: We estimate he can say over 75 words and has at least 10 strangers can understand. The tricky part is learning how he says things ('mun' for run, "balk" for walk, box, truck, block and rock- determined by context, 'un noh" for tunnel, etc). He has learned off (ought) and on, open and close. The hard part is know what he wants ON (music, TV, on the table,etc). Anyway, probably too much info for the average blog stalker, but I thought it would be good for me to remember how he started learning to talk

The great part about Dave being a student is he has a somewhat flexible schedule, which means he gets to be the stay-at-home one day a week. He took Jackson to the park last week and they enjoyed playing together (this is morning before it snowed). We love our little Jacks and can't wait for him to be back to healthy and happy!

Growing up so quickly!

New Blog

I have been accepted to be a Creative Team (CT) member for a scrapbook designer, so I have started a scrapbook blog to display different products as well as my layouts, those of you who are interested can check it out . . . if not, I won't overwhelm our family blog with layouts :)

jamiesscrapblog.blogspot.com

Get-away

Sorry to leave on such a downer for so long! I am feeling much better (as long as I don't workout). I am re-defining who I am (for now) and will hopefully have it figured out soon. In the meantime, I wanted to thank Jim and Lori for hosting a night away for us at the Hilton in Salt Lake and to thank my Mother in Law for watching Jackson for us. It was so nice to take some time alone. It was even nicer to sleep in. We got to go to the Salt Lake temple and remember our marriage. It was a great weekend to be with Dave and enjoy some marriage time. Thanks again for making it happen!

Disappointment

How does Lindsay Jacobellis deal with falling off course after practicing for 4 years to get back to the olympics?

How do those who can't have children and so desperately want them come to grips with the reality that they might never bear their own child?

How does one give up a part of who they are and try to recreate what defines and motivates them?
When life changes forever, how do you recreate the image and goals you have for your life?

Questions like these have been running through my mind this week.

I know that life hands each of us disappointments. Some are small (I really wanted to go to the park today and it is raining). Some are big (not landing that job you really wanted) and some seems too big to handle.
This might not seem like a big deal to you, and maybe I am over reacting (What? JAMIE? over react??? NO . . .) But on Monday after a stationary bike work out, my back started hurting and got worse and worse. By Tuesday I could barely walk. The bad part is that this has happened twice in the last 9 months . . . all after different events, but pain in the exact same location. I have a bulged disc in my lower back. This shouldn't be a big deal, except that I tried SO hard to rest for 4 months so that it would get better. It about killed me to stop running, stop competing and try to wait for it to get better. I decided if I was feeling good I would start working out again in January. I started to train for a triathlon so that I was only running a couple time a week. I started slow, tried to stretch well and listened to my body. Apparently, it was enough.
The doctor and Chiropractor have both mentioned that this could be a life long problem. Being in pain and having to put training on hold is difficult, but thinking that I may NEVER train for anything again, or that I may never be able to run again is almost impossible to get a grasp on.

Like I said, it might not mean much to you, but take the one thing you feel defines you. Something that motivates you and when people ask what your hobbies are, they are all in this category. The top three words that describe you all are defined by this activity. Then say you could never do it again. You were forced to give it up . . . forever. How do you grasp this new reality and re-define who you are?
I love being active, athletic, energetic and a do-it-all type. Now I can't even lift a box to set up for my PE class.

Once again, I realize there are MUCH worse things that could happen. I follow a blog about a woman (Stephanie) who was in a plane accident and burned most of her body. She will never look the same again. Although she is grateful to be alive, she is daily trying to come to grips with her new "look" and all the things she may never be able to do again (like hold her children).
she has had to recreate her entire life and dreams for the future. I know it was a process for her (and still is).So I pose this question to you:
When you are disappointed, big or small, how do you accept the reality that life has changed? What do you find to give you motivation to keep going?

Jumping JACKS

He might have failed his fine motor skills, but this puppy is AMAZING at his gross locomotor skills- LOOK AT THAT HEIGHT!

Sorry about the very silly noises I am making, but it made him laugh really hard and I have realized that as a mother, you do anything to hear that happiness!

Body Parts

Sorry the videography is SO terrible, I was holding the camera at arms length. But once again, the ending is great!