Jackson update!

Jackson went to see Dr. Witte on Friday for his latest check-up and shots. As of Friday, he was 18 lbs. 5 oz. (65th percentile) and 28 1/2 inches long (off the charts-95th percentile +). We are going to give soy formula a shot next weekend at her suggestion, so that should be an adventure. We are also going to visit the pediatric neurosurgeon (don't freak out yet) because of Jackson's warped head (also called plagiocephaly). She wanted to be cautious and have us go now. Should he need a helmet, it will be quick and easy now rather than later when his bones have calcified more. His head has quite a slope to one side, so we've been expecting this for a while. We'll see how that goes. If he does need one, it should only be for a few months at most.

Jackson continues to be a very happy kid and just loves being outdoors, taking baths and eating. He watches in earnest as we eat, wanting so badly to have some. He did have a little taste of cake, frosting and ice cream a week ago Sunday at Aunt Nancy's birthday party. He also had some toast at breakfast the same day and managed to get butter in his hair. He's pushing himself up with his arms quite well these days and Gran said just today that he managed to get up on his knees. Here we go! It's all downhill from here. Jackson hates lying down and wants to sit up or stand up all the time (I think so he can see everything). We have switched him out of his infant car seat into his convertible one because having him in "the bucket" was just way too heavy! He can sit up a bit more in the convertible seat as well, which he seems to like.

All is well here...we're just very tired.

Not sleeping...again

Jackson broke his four-night streak on Friday and hasn't slept through the night since. Ugh. He is waking at 2am and is taking a full 7 oz. bottle, so we are certain he is hungry and not just waking out of habit. I did try giving him some baby food that has some cereal in it for his dinner tonight. We'll see how that goes.

Had a nice weekend. Jack and I went out with my mom on Saturday to the mall and then went out for lunch. We had dinner plans with Randy's boss so Jack and I got home and pretty much turned around and went to Adam and Sue's for dinner, which was awesome. Pork chops with yummy cherry sauce, asparagus, carrots and carrot cake for dessert (belated for Randy's birthday). So tasty!

Worked in the front yard on Sunday and hacked down the hibiscus plants out there, which was long overdue. Trimmed the crotons and the elephant ear plant and they all look much better.

Not much else going on here besides the daily grind. I've started running again, this time at work with my wonderful co-workers Jenn and Alison. This is their first go at the running thing, and they are doing awesome and are such troopers. I really hope the three of us can make it to the end of this running plan, as I think it's so much fun. I'm glad to be getting back into it for both the exercise and other health benefits. My ob/gyn suggested I get back to running to help build my bone density, as our sweet little babies tend to suck calcium right out of our bones as they get big and strong while in utero.

Speaking of sweet little babies again, Jackson will be six months old tomorrow. Amazing to think that six months ago, I was gazing out the window at the full moon at the hospital, with them just starting my pitocin. I had no idea what I was in for...ha! He's so much fun now and we just couldn't imagine life without our Jackson. Crazy stuff. :) And again on the baby front, I'm still waiting to hear if baby Atchley #3 has decided to make an appearance yet. I believe he/she is due on Friday, so we are all anxious to see how it turns out. Thinking good thoughts for Amy and baby for a quick, easy, painless birth....

Three in a Row!

Ok, so I'm probably jinxing myself...Jackson has slept through the night for the last three nights in a row. He was up REALLY early this morning (4:30am) but who needs sleep? Keep your fingers crossed for us...

Weekend update

Ok, so not as funny as the Saturday Night Live Weekend Update, but whatever. Casa del Burch was busy this weekend.

Jackson was a complete turkey in the early hours of Saturday morning and kept Randy up. When he woke me up in the morning, I decided that we needed to get out of the house and run some errands, so we went to Publix and Target and let Randy sleep in some. We got home around 9am or so. Amazing how dead Publix is at 7:30am on a Saturday and Target at 8:15am. It was great-I got my errands done and Jack even took a little nap. I can't remember what we did for the rest of Saturday; I'm sure Randy will remind me and I'll update later. I have no brain anymore-the baby fog has taken over.

We worked in the yard on Sunday. We finally dug out the planter in the backyard, so it looks like some respectable adults live in our house instead of lazy, unruly college students. Randy mowed and was going to use the weedeater and edger and discovered that the motor had been stolen out of our garage. I know the neighborhood had some thefts around the holidays, but neither of us knew it had been stolen until yesterday. We'd had a lawn service for about six months and hadn't needed to use the contraption, so I'm guessing it's been gone for some time and we just didn't know. We're both pretty ticked off about that-we think maybe some kids took it to power up their scooter and drive us crazy by running it around the neighborhood. It could be worse-some of our neighbors had a ton of power tools stolen from their garage in broad daylight while they were mowing in the backyard. We had been much better about keeping the garage door closed since the rash of thefts around the holidays and apparently it didn't make a difference. I swear we don't live in the ghetto-I think someone found our that our neighborhood is nice and a pretty good target since we are all usually comfortable and crime-free.

I had the day off today and Randy decided to take the day off, so we spent it with our boy. We hung out at home, met my mom for lunch and walked around up at The Avenue this afternoon before we got home and had the exhaustion hit us. Randy made a really good pork loin for dinner and I have been doing laundry all day while we've been home. It just mounts up like crazy. Anyway, another pic of our gorgeous baby boy...have a good week, everyone. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here's our little boy all dressed up for Valentine's Day! Is he a hunk or what? He spent the day escorting Gran and Gran Great to the doctor's office and of course charmed all the nurses as Papa paraded him around. With a face like that, how could you not?!!

Update on the development front...Mom said today that Jack was pushing himself up onto his arms today and even rolled from his belly to his back several times. I am an insane worrywart and know it has probably already taken several years off of my life. At least, that's what Dr. Oz says (he has a very interesting show on the Discovery Health Channel, by the way). So, we put him on his belly and I witnessed the pushing up, which is a huge plus. He didn't roll over, but I've actually seen him do it by accident several times before. Progress!! Hurrah!!

And while I'm here, I should mention that he did not sleep through the night last night, but boy was he hungry! At 1:30 am, he took an entire 6 oz. bottle and then went right back to sleep. We'll get there!

More sleep!

I am quite pleased to announce that Jackson slept in until 6am today-hurray!! I am hoping he continues this trend, particularly this weekend. As I get up for work sometime around 5:15am, sleeping in until 6 would feel like forever.

I am a bit concerned with Jack's development. He's 5 1/2 months old and still isn't rolling over onto his belly on his own (at least not on purpose). He does roll from side to side to play when lying on the floor, but he just doesn't make it all the way over. He's quite good at sitting up and is beginning to need much less support. The picture from yesterday of him with the hat was taken with him just gently leaning up against Randy's leg. I guess the fact that he not only hates to be on his stomach but also spits up profusely nearly every time he's on his belly has something to do with him not wanting to be there, but he's only rolled from his tummy to his back by accident. Maybe when he realizes that there's locomotion to be had on the belly, he'll choose to be on it. Can't say I blame the poor kid-his reflux is just terrible. On the bright side, he just loves his exersaucer and loves to stand up whenever you hold him. Unless he's very tired, he wants to either sit up or stand up. Yes, I know I worry too much. We'll see Dr. Witte on March 7th, so I'll ask her about it then. She didn't seem too concerned last time, saying that he had the muscle tone to roll over, just not the will to do it. Wonder where he gets that slightly stubborn streak...Randy, perhaps? :)

Randy's birthday

Randy turned 35 today-happy birthday! Jackson gave him (us, really) a great present by sleeping through the night and until 5am. Sure beats 3:30-4:30am like he's done lately. I think the trick was just keeping him up a bit longer. He went down at 7:30 tonight, so we'll see how it goes. Randy bought himself a lovely new stainless gas grill a couple of weekends ago for his birthday and Jackson got him some shirts from L.L. Bean that are no-iron oxfords. Not the most exciting, but we are clearly in the days of practicality now.

I am still working up at the Cape and am tired of the commute. Realistically, so many people that live in big cities have a much worse commute than me, but I would just rather work at Patrick, as it's so much closer.

Here are a couple of pics of our boy to round out this entry. He's so hilarious-I just can't get enough of him!