Christmas Vacation - Part Two

After a few days in Alexandria, we loaded up all the loot, and headed to see Grandma Cathy and Uncle Daniel in Lake Charles. Soon after we started driving, both of the boys quickly fell asleep and Colin and I had some time to talk ... in quiet! That didn't last too long ... we got pulled over by a cop. Yep, on Christmas day. Colin was speeding ... it was a construction zone. As the cop approached our car I thought that maybe if we had a screaming baby that he would take pity on us and let us go without a ticket. After I tried gently tugging at his car seat and getting no response, I began poking his face. Still asleep. Ahh! So, we give the officer our information, and he goes back to his car to check it. Jackson is wide awake and fascinated by the cop. He ended up letting us go with a warning, and was actually very nice. Good thing, because it would have been a really really pricey ticket. Anyway, so much for a quiet drive, Jackson never went back to sleep.

Here is Jackson opening his first of many gifts from grandma Santa (with Elmo looking on).

Cooper is enjoying all of the festivities.

Jackson got a rocking horse, but wasn't so sure about it. So, I showed him how much fun it is!

Jackson LOVES the cats. He is fascinated by watching them eat. So, when he sees them come in to eat, he promptly sits down next to the food bowls and watches intently. Very cute.

My first cousin, Mariette, has a little boy named Ben -he just turned 1 yr. old in October.
They came to visit along with all the Henke family. Ben and Jackson happened to put on the same pjs! It was too cute. We tried to get a shot of the boys together, but getting to young toddlers to look at the camera - at the same time - was just too much to ask.
So, this is the best we could get.

On Sunday my sweet friends Emily and Kourtney came over. I was too scatterbrained to get a picture of the three of us, but we did get a couple of pictures of Cooper and Abby (Emily's little girl) together. Check out the cheeks on these two!
This picture was taken just before Cooper spit up all over Abby ... he really knows how to charm the ladies.

Christmas Vacation - Part One

We packed up the Routon and headed to Alexandria, LA on Monday. We made a pit stop in Shreveport to visit our friends the Speckmans. Peyton, who is my Godson, is about 6 months younger than Jackson. It was fun to see the two of them play together though they were both acting rather shy.

Peyton with tissue paper from a gift bag

After visiting and enjoying some hot chocolate with the Speckmans, we headed down to Alexandria. Cooper and Jackson did great the entire trip. Cooper slept the whole time, and Jackson seemed pretty content watching Elmo dvds. Once we got to Alexandria, Cooper turned into a complete angel. He showed no signs of unhappiness at all. It was like someone switched him with another baby. Jackson had a field day at his Mawmaw and Pawpaws. He played with the dogs the entire time. We had many wonderful meals and quite a bit of relaxation. It was so nice to get a little break.


Jackson's favorite part of the visit was making Christmas cookies with his aunt coco and aunt ali... and a little help from daddy, too.

It was tough for Colin to relinquish control over the cookie decorating process, but as you can see, Jackson ended up with complete creative control.



Our little Santa. It was rather tricky getting him into the outfit, and even more interesting trying to get him out. I almost had to use scissors.

Oh What a Christmas!

I guess the Christmas spirit got a hold of Cooper, because he was an angel all day yesterday. You would have never guessed this kid had reflux and colic and whatever else is going on with him. He is amazing! He ate at 8:30 pm, went to sleep at 9:30 without any screaming. Then, Colin and I went to bed at 10:30, and didn't wake up until 3:40!!!!! Yes, that's right! 3:40! For the last two months Cooper has gotten up to nurse 3 times each night to eat. And last night he slept for 6 hours! Holy Moly. All my Christmas dreams have come true! Of course, from that point on we didn't exactly sleep, but who cares! I slept for 5 solid hours in a row! Sweet Relief! And, get this, they are both taking a nap right now ... at the same time!
Jackson and Cooper decided at 6 am that it was time to start the day. They were both so full of smiles that I couldn't get frustrated. We all got up and let Colin sleep in a little. Then, Colin returned the favor by letting me catch a little nap later.
Hope everyone's Christmas is just as sweet!

2 Months Old

Here are some pictures I have been meaning to post. Cooper is two months old now, and weighing in at a little over 15 pounds. He's a whopper. Jackson has been doing great, too.

Playing in the bed a few days ago.

Don't worry - he's had a haircut since this picture. It's a bit out of control.

Playing with his new train set that the Buckleys gave him. He is officially obsessed with it. He wouldn't get up from it the first morning to eat breakfast until 10:15.

Found his hand!

Jackson with Cooper's blanket, in his chair, and sucking on his pacifier (that Cooper won't take).

Five years and Counting

So, this is my third entry today. a record i think. I'm such a procrastinator ... i don't wanna pack! We have all day tomorrow to get the kids clothing and all their paraphernalia together. Today is a special day because it has been FIVE years since Colin and I got married. It's hard to believe. And we have two children already. We celebrated by ordering food to be picked up. (Very exciting I know). We rarely order food or go out to eat - usually only when we have friends in town, or are meeting up with friends here. We're pretty cheap when it come to food, and we try to cook every night. 0r heat up leftovers. Anyway, we "splurged" at got some "cajun" food from a little place called Dodie's. It was pretty good ... could have been more enjoyable if Cooper wasn't screaming his cute little head off throughout the whole meal. I don't understand ... he was SO happy until 6:15, and then he has been screaming until about 20 minutes ago. I guess that is why colic drives everyone crazy - you just can't make sense of it.
Anyway, back to the point of this blog. I love my husband. He sometimes drives me absolutely crazy, but I love him. The things that drive me crazy are so ridiculous and not really of any importance. They don't even compare to all the wonderful things I love about him. But, just for fun, let's list them. (And I am fairly sure that they are true of all men)
1. He is terrible at estimating time or distance. I recall walking over 20 blocks in the cold in Chicago when our destination was "just 10 or 12 blocks" away. "I'll be home around three" : translation: "I'll be home at six."
2. He self-admittedly cannot do two things at once. When on the phone with anyone he must sit or stand still. He cannot perform even the most mindless tasks like wash dishes, or fold clothes. Not that those are much fun to do, but I can't imagine being on the phone without doing something else. I talk on the phone quite a bit, but I can hardly stand to JUST talk on the phone. The fridge can get cleaned out, shelves in the laundry room rearranged, and beds made during that time.
3. I have to nag him to get haircuts, and it gets all unruly and fuzzy on his neck .
4. He can't read my mind.


Reasons I love Colin:
1. He is terrible at estimating time or distance
2. He can't do two things at once.
3. He is amazingly compassionate and wants to take care of me and our boys.
4. He is great at finding things on the internet ... like where I can purchase my face wash, or the cheapest site for a collection of books I want for Jackson.
5. He talks to me with respect, and is never condescending or rude.
6. He's so smart, and knows all about physics and stuff. It's way above my head.
7. He is a great gift-giver and puts so much thought into what he gets for me or anyone he is shopping for.
8. He listens to me. Not much of a talker in groups of people - pretty quiet as most of you know - but he is always listening and taking to heart what others are saying.
9. He helps me with projects like getting the announcements done, or sending out Christmas cards. He even pretends to show interest when I ask his opinion about something I'm making - like curtains for JAckson's room, or whatever the project.
10. He is an amazing father. He tickles Jackson until he cries, and plays with him like a little kid himself. This year they have spent many hours with the train around the Christmas tree.
11. He goes to work everyday to provide for our family, and he wants me to be home with the kids. He appreciates the little things I do each day that seem so mundane like laundry and dishes and vacuuming.
12. He is a dreamer. Always talking about our future and all the little children we will have (we will have to see about that).
13. He has made our backyard look really good by planting flowers, putting in beds, and fertilizing the grass.
I'm too tired to write anymore, but the truth is that I don't deserve Colin. I'm overly critical most of the time, and often look at the world in a very sinical way. I am so blessed to have him in my life.
Happy anniversary Colin. One day soon, after we are finished having kids, and they are a little older, we will get to take an amazing trip together, or go to dinner and not have to be home in time for me to nurse the baby. As for right now, we can savor the few minutes we get together when the kids are not needing our attention. We can appreciate the everyday moments.

Cooper's Crankiness

Jackson, Cooper, and I returned to our pediatrician's office on Friday after trying out the medicine for a little over a week. We had switched from Zantac to Prevacid, and Cooper was doing much better during the day ... very happy and smiling. But, come 6 pm he is a different kid. Screaming, even while he is nursing. Loud toots, lots of burps, and at sometimes completly inconsolable. It lasts until he goes to sleep for the night - around 9:30 or 10. This was also happening before we started the medicine ... but, he was having fits like this throughout the day, too. And nights are still hard. I usually am up three times to nurse him, which isn't terrible. he wakes around 12:30, 3:00, and 6 am. (on a good night). He nurses in like 10 minutes, but I spend about 30 minutes trying to get all the burps out ... he has to burp at least 4 or 5 times, and usually spit up. Then I can actually put him down without him grunting. But, sometimes, I can't get him to finish burping, and I give up out of exhaustion and go to sleep. He is still asleep through all of this, so I just put him down and listen to him grunt until he wakes screaming, and lets out a huge burp or spits up everywhere. It's just no fun. Anyway, I have complete faith that he will grow out of this. And I don't expect it to be easy, but I just wish that I knew what to do differently.
So, I talked to the dr. about all of this, and we are going to adjust his medicine a bit (give 1/2 in the morning, and 1/2 in the evening). She also suggested I try to stop eating any lactose - which means no icecream!!! I won't worry about changing my diet for another week or two though, because we want to see if the medicine change is effective. Dr. Frank then told me that the fact that he cried at the same time - the witching hour -means colic, not reflux. So, it seems we haven't gotten the reflux under control (except at night), but the colic of course remains.
Finally, the doctor looked in Cooper's ears, and what do you know - an ear infection! I swear, when it rains it pours. And it is so true that each child is so different. I am still learning that. I would never have expected an ear infection, simply because Jackson didn't have a single one until he was 20 months old. So, I guess it pays to bring him in to the dr. even though I am close to being considered a crazy mom for always being there.
Anyway, this too shall pass. At least that is what I keep telling myself. I want to appreciate these moments, but I also can't wait for him to be 6 months old! hopefully he will be happier by that point!
Despite his fussiness, he is amazingly cute. He's been waving his arms, and cycling his legs and smiling alot. And sucking on his hand. He really is a gift from God... and I keep reminding myself how lucky I am that he is healthy - especially getting such a scare during my pregnancy. Cooper must have some angels watching over him. I like to thank that Mawmaw Frances (colin's grandmother), Mawmaw Bea (my grandmother), and my dad are close by keeping both of our boys safe.

Hannah Grace Photography

We recently had some pictures taken of Jackson and Cooper, and I think the photographer is so nice and takes wonderful pictures. So, I wanted to share them with everyone. Her name is Vanessa and her business is called Hannah Grace Photography. A friend of ours, Suzy, told us about her (Thanks Suzy!) Here's the link to her website and the pictures of Cooper and Jackson.

Goooooood Morning!

I am able to actually use the computer this morning - usually it's after everyone goes to bed. But, Jackson is snuggled up on the couch eating cereal and drinking milk, and Cooper is, get this .... sitting in his bouncy seat vibrating away! He actually woke up HAPPY! and SMILED! Wat break through! I guess it could be a coincidence, but he also had a wonderful night last night ... no grunting or spitting up in his sleep. Yippeee! We shall see how the next few days go, but so far, so good! Thanks to you Suzy, who helped us with an advance on our medicine!!!
We're all snuggled up with blankets because our house is FREEZING downstairs. It is 24 degrees outside. Yuck! We're not going anywhere anyway, so oh well!
What a great day!!!

Diagnosis ...

Acid Reflux. Well, at least my pediatrician strongly believes it is. All the symptoms matched and Cooper also gave her a little sampling of his grunts of misery while we were there. She laid him on his back and he grunted away ... just like he does all night long. Anyway, we started Zantac tonight, and will try that for 4-5 days. If he isn't a totally different baby by Friday, she said we would try prevacid which has a much higher success rate, but zantac is quite a bit cheaper and insurance will pay part of it. Prevacid is around $50 a month with our insurance. Truthfully, I'd pay $500 a month if it works. Prevacid is also approved for babies a little older, but Cooper's weight helps him out there. I really hate to put him on medicine, but I think he really needs it. I hope he is less miserable and can actually get some rest.
It was interesting getting out with the two of them, but jackson held my hand through the parking lot and didn't dart out in front of any cars (which is of course my fear of going anywhere alone). It wasn't so scary.
I really appreciate all of the prayers for Cooper. I do have many moments of doubt when he is so upset. It's so hard not to blame yourself and go through a million ideas in your head of what it could be. I just need to remember that this time will pass. When Jackson was napping today, Cooper was wide awake. We just looked at each other for a long time. I can't believe that Jackson used to be so little - and now he is all grown up. It really does go by quickly. I want to enjoy each day ... and hopefully this medicine will make that a little easier! I'll keep you posted on Coop's mood. Very exciting topic, I know! : )

Weekend Events

Well, Cooper is still fussy. But, I am planning on calling the dr. tomorrow to see if they can see us. Hopefully she will have some insight. He did have some happy moments today, though. I should print this picture and hang it up somewhere, so when I am walking him around and he is screaming, it could remind me of how great it is when he is feeling well.
Jackson spent most of the weekend helping his daddy clean out the garage and put up some shelves. We are trying to make room to park both vehicles. Anyway, at some point Jackson came across his helmet and he insisted that Colin help him put it on ... and then he found Colin's helmet and insisted that Colin wear it. So, I went out to check on them and found them hammering away looking like this:
One of my favorite parts of the day is taking a walk. It's actually the one time I get out of the house right now. Unfortunately it has been so cold and windy that the double stroller hasn't gotten much use lately. Since Colin was home today, while Cooper slept Jackson and I took a walk together. It was almost 6, so it was getting dark, but here are some of the things we enjoy on our walks:

Little birds


Our friend the kitty cat that comes out to visit with us almost every day. Jackson loves to hop out of his stroller and play with him. Or her. I don't know.


Our neighbor's Over the Top Christmas decorations. Yes, I know, it's a little overkill.


And our favorite part, a Christmas train! It is on a platform that the family puts out each year at Christmas. The train goes all the way around their front yard, and then behind the shrubs near the house.
And here is Jackson after our big adventure

Collic? Reflux?

I am having a moment. a moment of quiet - Cooper just went to sleep, and jackson has been in bed for a while. I am exhausted and should be in bed too, but its so hard to go to sleep at 9 pm. the longest cooper ever sleeps is 3 hours, and that is usually just once a night. as the night goes on, he sleeps worse and worse. After he nurses he burps and goes peacefully back to sleep. However, after we put him back in the pack&play he will start grunting after about 10 minutes --- just as we are slipping into la-la land. So, then you have to pick him up and hope he burps. If he does, he usually relaxs and gives up the grunting. but, sometimes he doesn't burp, so you put him back down after trying, and then he begins to grunt again. I just don't get it. He will only sleep for about 30 minutes during the day before he wakes up. He wakes up grumpy and I usually can't get him to go bak to sleep because he just roots and cries. On the weekend we are more successful because Colin is here, and one of us can entertain Jackson. It's so frustrating during the week because Cooper is finally asleep, and Jackson and I get all bundled up to go play in the back yard, and then cooper wakes up and we have to go in. I prayed that Cooper would he be easy to burp, and that he would nurse quickly. Both of which he does. He almost always instantly burps after he nurses, an it only takes a few minutes for him to eat. He's quite efficient. I can'tsay the same for Jackson. He usually took around 40 minutes from start to finish nursing, and would NEVER let out a burp easily. The issue with Cooper is that he burps really good, but needs to do so 3, 4, maybe even more before he can sleep well. And he spits up quite a bit. It's not unusual for me to nurse him every 2 hours for most of the day, and I thnik most of the reason why is because his little tummy or throat is hurting from all the spit up and burping. I can't be sure, but after the last week with many screaming fits I know something is bothering him. On Friday, from 2 pm - 6 pm I held him. .. either walking him, rocking him, nursing hime (3 times in that period because he was so hysterical it was the only thing to calm him). Only 20 minutes out of the 4 hours did he sleep. so, I think we are going to try and talk to our doctor on Monday. we might try out the Zantac and see if that helps. I just wish he could have some restful sleep (and me too of course). The biggest problem is that during the day I have to hold him so much and keep going back in his room while he naps to burp him, that Jackson just gets the short end of the stick.
Anyway, please say a little prayer that Coop works this out. I hope he will just outgrow it, or that the medicine will help. I need prayers for patience though. After an hour or so of that screaming and crying where I can't console him, I feel like crying myself. It is overwhelming and exhausting.
I can barely keep my eyes open - better go to bed.

Milestones

About a week or two ago Cooper rolled over from his tummy to his back - and we thought it was a coincidence. But, since then he has continued to roll over (both directions). I wish I had pictures of him doing it, and I also wish I could remember the date he first accomplished this great task. Somewhere around 4 weeks - maybe a little sooner. Crazy! However, I guess since he is the second child he just wont have the same details recorded that Jackson did.
Cooper woke every 2 hours to eat last night (bummer!). I don't have much of a brain left. Can this be normal? He is so big, I don't understand why he wants to eat so often...
Jackson also reached a milestone today. He puts his pants on for the first time! He has never shown any interest in getting dressed himself, although he is quite good at removing his clothing. This was quite cute since his jeans were on backwards.

Backward Pants!

Playing in the flower bed in the back yard

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

The last few days have really been crazy. My mom and brother left yesterday, and we had a wonderful visit. Thanksgiving was a success! The gravy was perfect! Jackson woke up in the middle of the night crying, and we waited a little to go in there, and he stopped crying on his own and went back to sleep. This morning when I went into his room he had a nasty scratch across his cheek ... I am guessing his nail must have gotten him. Anyway, we have a photographer coming tomorrow to photograph both boys - so it should look really cute in the pictures. And his cheeks are all red because he and Colin were outside in the cold wind yesterday - they got a little chapped.
Let me start off the next event by saying - Cooper is happy and healthy. However, this morning I was carrying him up the stairs, and Jackson was following behind. Somehow when I turned around to take a toy from Jackson I slipped and fell on by back. I was holding Cooper upright on my chest, and when I fell back he hit his head on two stairs as I fell. I held on to him tight, and luckily didn't drop him. Anyway, it was terrifying to say the least. Jackson and Cooper were both screaming. After I nursed Cooper he went right to sleep, and I got my neighbors to come over and sit with Jackson while I took Cooper to the Doctor. Luckily he is just fine - he hit his forehead just above his right eye, and it is a little swollen and red. I am so thankful that he wasn't hurt any worse.

In other news - we got our Christmas tree up and decorated. JAckson helped by putting the bells on the tree - and then also taking them off - and putting them on - and taking them off. It was fun. And on Friday we (My mom, brother, Colin, Cooper, and I) took our new vw minivan - yes, you heard right - a minivan - to "A Dickens of a Christmas." Downtown McKinney has artificial snow, and horse drawn carriage rides, and all the shops are open. It was downright cold and windy. But, we had a good time. Here are some pictures from the past week.

Taking the ornaments on and off the tree. And, yes, I am aware that Jackson has no shirt on. I try to keep them both dressed ... really, I do. But someone is always missing tops or bottoms after pooping or spitting up or spilling lunch.

Cooper trying out his Santa Hat. Cute, eh?

Trying to get a good picture of Jackson and Daniel together - it is close to impossible. One or the other usually makes some crazy face.

Jackson's first pony ride - he did great! And it only cost $5 for three or four times in a circle. 45 seconds of fun! I think this is how I could make some extra money - buy a pony (how much can they cost?) and charge for rides from the neighborhood kids. I bet I could start making a profit very quickly. I'll look into getting Jackson a pony for Christmas.

I can't believe he did it - we all suspected that he would cry and change his mind.

Here we are - Daniel, Me, and Grandma Cathy - Freezing At "Dickens of a Christmas"! Not a good picture of any of us - but we wanted to try and capture the moment : ) Colin was pushing the double stroller.

Daniel, Jackson, and Colin - replanting some Hawthorne bushes in the front of our house. Nothing like a little manual labor to work up an appetite before Thanksgiving dinner.

Jackson was quite dirty after "helping" Daddy and Uncle Daniel. He had a blast.

Hanging out together. Jackson loves to hold Cooper's hand, and kiss him on the head. He is also quick to grab a burpcloth and wipe C's face when he has some spit up. It's quite cute.