1 Month

This is SUPER past due, but I still wanted to post a few pictures from Jackson's 1 month photo shoot. 

Jackson is getting HUGE!  I honestly do not know what he weighs right now (we are guessing around 13lbs) but my arms are getting tired by the end of the day, that's for sure!

A Few Facts About Jackson

Jackson is already wearing 3-6 month clothes!  We will be opening our first package of size 2 diapers tomorrow and he is starting to out grow the swing.  All of this due to the fact he LOVES to eat!  Jackson would (seriously) eat every 45 minutes if I were to let him.  Yes, I actually did let him do this for a while, but this mommy was going crazy.  We are working hard on spreading feedings out and also working VERY hard on trying to get Jackson to drink out of a bottle.  Jackson is working on holding his head up on his own, starting to really love the bath (just like his brother) and the smiles are officially underway!  

Sleeping has been a learning experience for all of us.  We started Jackson in our bedroom and planned to have him there for a few months.  Well, that has not gone as planned.  First of all, he needed to be elevated to sleep due to acid reflex, so the co-sleeper was not going to work.  Thanks to our fabulous neighbors, Jackson slept in the rock-n-play for a few weeks.  LIFE SAVER for this mommy and daddy...  He then started to not sleep well in that and we figured it was just best to try the crib.  BEST DECISION EVER!  Jackson LOVES his crib!  He is sleeping for roughly six hours after his last feeding of the day.  Tends to wake up for a quick feeding sometime between 2-3 and then wakes up again around 5:30/6.  Mommy and daddy are pretty excited about this!

Overall, the first month has gone well.  Lots of learning, lots of snugs and most of all, lots of brotherly love!

We have a 2 year old?!?! Really?

Yes, yes... that is correct... our precious Jameson turned 2 on July 25th!!  CRAZY!  I say it all the time, but where has the time gone???  He is growing up so quickly and becoming such a smart little boy!

J's birthday fell on a Thursday this year which was perfect because Luke has Thursdays off.  We made the entire day about Jameson... no weather, crankiness, nothing was going to stand in the way of making his day special!

Birthday morning cartoon time

We started our day at the Sioux Falls zoo.  Honestly, Jameson is not the biggest fan of animals, but he LOVES to run around the zoo and smiles from ear to ear when he rides the carousal.  So, yes, you guessed it... We followed J around the zoo, wherever he wanted to run (yes, he did stop to check out a few animals along the way) and made sure he got to ride the carousal before we left.

He may not be smiling in the exact picture,

 but he was having so much fun!

After the zoo we headed out to lunch...  (more for mommy and daddy being as though Jameson's diet is so limited), but he had fun and enjoyed entertaining everyone in the restaurant.  After lunch, normally it would have been nap time, but we blew that off for a while to head to the splash park.  Most of you know how much Jameson A) LOVES water and B) LOVES to play at the park... best of both worlds at the Sioux Falls splash park.

I was pretty surprised that Jameson did not fall asleep on our drive home since we were on the go and running around all morning, but in true Jameson fashion he was wide awake when we pulled into our driveway.

So, a little about Jameson...  He is talking up a storm!  He says something new every single day!  The BEST thing he says is: I LOVE YOU!  The first time I heard those words come out of his mouth it brought tears to my eyes!  He may be a little wild, not listen (most of the time) and scream at the top of his lungs when he doesn't get what he wants, but when those three words come out of his mouth, my heart melts.

Jameson is running (not walking) everywhere.  He is trying to be independent, but is always paying attention, out of the corner of his eye, where mommy and daddy are at.  He LOVES to jump on our neighbors trampolines, loves to play bubbles and anything that has to do with some sort of ball.  Jake and the Neverland Pirates is his favorite TV show, but will stop anytime he sees a TV on.  (takes after his father and uncle Adam for sure!)  Elmo is a VERY close second!  Jameson loves to read books, but only likes to read the books HE picks out.  His all time favorite food at the moment is chips.  (tortilla chips).  Jameson will stop everything he is doing if he sees "CHIPPIES" (as he says) and will not eat anything else on his tray if chips are in sight.

I can't believe our little man is 2!  Each and everyday I thank God for bringing Jameson into our lives.  He lights up a room as soon as he enters and puts a smile on every ones face.  I feel so privileged and blessed to call Jameson my son and I absolutely LOVE being his mommy!  

Jameson, mommy and daddy love you with all of our hearts!  You mean the world to us, and Jackson is so lucky to have such an amazing brother to grow up with and look up to.

Jackson Lucas Hansen

Well, as you all know, our second little man joined our family on June 17, 2013.  Jackson Lucas Hansen did NOT want to make his grand entrance on his own, so I was induced the morning of the 17th.

So, here's how to day went down... (in a nutshell)  

Midnight (Sunday) - Yes, I should have been sleeping at this time, but who can sleep knowing the next day they were going to have a baby... no matter what!  My mind was racing!  I was going to be changing Jameson's world forever, how would labor go this time (after our crazy adventure with Jameson) would I be able to do it naturally, how long would it take for me to actually go into labor this time, how long would I have to push (after pushing 5.5 hours with Jameson)... the mind game went on... and on... and on... until I actually turned my alarm off at 430 in the morning and decided to just get in the shower... no need to lay in bed anymore!  We got up, got ourselves ready and headed to the hospital... 

But not without a couple last minute pictures as a family of three

and the BIG belly!

I was ready... "Let's do this" is what I kept saying...  Bring on the contractions and let's get this baby OUT!  7:30a.m. and the pitocin was flowing...  and I was waiting... and waiting... and waiting to feel that very first painful and "meaningful" contraction...  tick-tock, tick-tock..  It's now noon and still no contractions!  GRRRRR  not only had I lost the family bet on when the baby was going to be born, but I WAS STILL PREGNANT!  So, whats next?  Well they finally broke my water just after noon and BAM...  Bring on the CRAZY contractions!  Wow!  They were intense and coming super fast!  I went from a 4 to an 8 in just about an hour!  (all you mom's out there get the idea of how that could have felt)  Now, as most of you know, my epidural did NOT work with Jameson, but I was willing and wanting to try again...  They asked if I was ready and there was NO WAY I was saying no!  

So, bring on the meds and please let this pain go away!  Well, yes, you guessed it...  No such luck again :-(  It actually did take the edge off for a little while, but not for long and I back to feeling everything.  (this coming from a girl that can hardly stand getting a shot!  Yes, not ideal and I was not a happy camper!)  Anyways, I was finally ready to push around 4p.m.  That last cm was a doozy!  

Although the delivery was not as dramatic as Jameson's, it was still tough having felt everything along the way... Not to mention, once they weighed Jackson and found out he was OVER 10lbs... Everyone was in total understanding as to why I was begging for a C-section halfway through my delivery!  haha.

But yes, Jackson arrived at 5:52p.m. weighing in at 10lbs. 2oz. and 22in long.  He lite up our world immediately!  That initial scream brought tears to my eyes and I was overjoyed to hold my baby boy as soon as he arrived (Jameson was taken to the NICU right away, so it was so much different this time).  

He has been a joy ever since he entered our world!  Although he wants to eat ALL THE TIME, he brings so much happiness and joy to our lives each and every day!  Our family is complete!  

Love you Jackson Lucas!

A visit with a dear friend... Maria!

So, one of my dearest friends came to visit me the weekend after Memorial Day.  It was SO wonderful to have girl time and catch up; just the two of us... well actually three of us, to including Jameson :-)

First, I just have to say THANK YOU to Maria for making the 9 hour drive to "the falls" to visit!!!  We had such a great time!  Luke had to work that weekend so us girls had the pleasure of entertaining little Jameson all by ourselves!  haha

Friday evening, we took Maria downtown for dinner.  It was an absolute gorgeous evening, so we were able to sit outside and enjoy some fresh air... the 4 of us :-)  (well 4.5 at that time - Jackson was still in his nice warm, quiet, cozy little home)  After dinner, Maria and I were able to get some "catch up" time once Jameson went to bed.  Again, so great to have that time together!!!

Saturday, I talked Maria into braving the Children's museum with me!  Honestly, it truly is just as fun for adults as it is kids.  The weather was not-so-nice, so it was a perfect way to spend the day.  Let me tell you, it was complete entertainment just watching Jameson.  I think Maria had more than her share of laughs just from my child alone.

**Side note**  Anyone that knows the Brookings, SD museum, knows there is the "oh so wonderful" water room.  Oh yes, an entire room filled with water... no doors... and oh so eye catching to (almost) every child.  You guessed it, Jameson (the fish that he is) is ALWAYS all about that room.  I have learned to bring extra clothes with me because he HATES to wear the water aprons and naturally tends to splash himself soaked..

Ok, so on with my story..  "Splash himself soaked" was an understatement this trip...  Yep, I am not joking.  He actually climbed up on one of water tables and put his ENTIRE head under the little waterfall.  No, I am NOT exaggerating one little bit...  SOAKED...  Not one area of his clothing was dry by the time we left the museum.  Although EVERYONE was looking at my little man with a little weird smirk, he had SO much fun and I knew we had extra clothes so no big deal at all!  We then headed across the street to my favorite little cafe for some delicious lunch!  (dry clothes and all)  :-)

This was only the beginning!  One happy little boy!

Yes, that would also be the waterfall Jameson was putting his head under

That evening Maria and I, once again, had a little girl time!  I took her on a little tour of Sioux Falls, we had our McDonalds run (no, no Diet coke this time... but YES to ice cream!) and then we headed down to see "the falls" (I mean you can't visit Sioux Falls and NOT see the falls!)

Bring on Sunday and naturally, our weekend had to come to an end.  I always hate to say GOODBYE to good friends, but it was time for Maria to head on out.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for visiting Maria!  It meant the world to have you here and to get some girl time!!  Love ya!  xoxo

Where is Abby????

Wow!  I can't believe it's been two months since I have written anything!  Life has been... well...  BUSY, CRAZY, NON-STOP!  Still, I am sad I have been so behind because SO much has happened in our lives in these two months!

Yes, as most of you know, our new bundle of joy joined our family, we've had MANY visitors, we started celebrating Jameson's second birthday and much much more!  I am going to try my best to do as much catch up as possible, but I am currently writing this post at 2:34a.m. (feeding time) and I have a feeling it will be times like this that I will have to sneak in as much writing as possible.

So, here's to TRYING to catch up on whats been going on in our lives and hopefully not fall behind again.

Can't wait to show you all many, many pictures!!!

BIG BOY Bed Update

Oh the Big Boy Bed!!!  What a transition (to say the least).  For those of you that saw the few pictures I posted in Facebook, you have a little idea of how our "adventure" began.  Yes, this has been the hardest transition with Mr. J-$ to date.

Jameson was not only transitioning from the crib to a bed, but he was also moving bedrooms.  His new room is in our basement, and honestly, I think that has been the hardest on me.  BUT, Luke and I put our "big boy/girl panties on" and ready-set-go we were ready to make this transition.

WOW!  this has been one heck-of-a roller coaster ride.  We started our training during nap time so Jameson wouldn't wake up in pitch black, middle of the night darkness and be scared.  Here is how big boy bed day #1 went.  (this picture was taken during nap time and bed time was exactly the same)

Now, I am not going to go day by day, but I do have to show a quick picture of how we found Mr. J the following evening.

Yes, he is actually SLEEPING on the chair.  I think Luke and I sat and giggled over this for an hour.

One thing I have to say, this defiantly has been difficult for all of us.  Jameson has been a GREAT sleeper since day 1.  By moving to the big boy bed, we have had some sleepless nights, loss of many hours of sleep, some great/normal nights of rest and pretty much everything in between.  We almost gave up about a week ago and just about bought another crib.  BUT, I have to say I am proud of Luke and I for sticking it out.  Jameson still tends to fall asleep at his door, but he is definitely sleeping longer, falling asleep faster and understanding that he has a new bedroom.  (oh and yes, he has fallen asleep in his bed.... twice!  - yes, only twice... but it's better than nothing) :-)

Although this has been a transition for all of us, it surely has taught all three of us a major lesson...  

PATIENCE!

Mother's Day 2013

Mother's Day 2013 = RELAXATION! 

and yes, I was A-OK with that!

We originally had all the "normal" Mother's Day traditions planned...  Go to brunch, open cards/gifts, pick up flowers to plant... you know...  BUT... the plan quickly changed early in the morning when we all felt pretty lazy and comfy in our home.

Luke kept asking me if we were doing everything I wanted and seriously, just hanging out around the house was perfectly fine with me.  We actually got a little yard work done and spent some quality time with our wonderful neighbors. 

One thing I am a little sad about is I never got a picture with my little man!

To my Jameson - 

You are the reason I am able to celebrate Mother's Day.  You bring absolute joy to my life and I love you with all my heart.  I could not imagine life with out, your energy and your heart-melting smile.  I love you more than words can express and you will always be my "Mr. Man"!

LOVE YOU!!!!!

Mommy