Potty training, smotty training!!

I have heard it said many a time that potty training girls is much easier than potty training boys. And by hearing the stories, and reading the blogs of friends who have girls much younger than Jackson who are potty trained I am beginning to think that little tid bit of information is true!!  And if that is the case, SHOULD we (or rather, I) decided on a #3 I am already putting in an order for a little girl...(although, there is a trade off isn't there? Then I would be dealing with the hair doing, and the drama that comes from little girls, and the endless fights over wardrobe and all of that fun stuff. Hmm, there are still things to be considered on that matter I guess.)  Anyway, we have been working on potty training with Jackson for a long time, and when I say long time, I mean LONG TIME!!  Although, I guess it doesn't help to have a baby brother AND a big move in the process of said training!  However, I am happy to say that we have come to a point in our "training" (by the way, I have come to hate that word) that Jackson does a pretty good job. We rarely have any accidents, and he will go pretty much all day with no help at all, for which I am truly happy! But, there is one part of the day that he refuses to go, and without being too graphic or gory, lets just say it is the part of the day that I wish he would go in the potty the most!!  He REFUSES, to go at this time.....I even put him on the potty the other day, and he was screaming and kicking. I didn't want to scar the child, so I let him down put him in a diaper and WALLA...okay, I will end that story right there! Just as I have come to the realization that Charlie will wake up every three hours for the rest of his life, I have also come to the realization that Jackson will forever be half potty trained!  Ah, my life!!!!    

And we are mobile! Sort of.

Just a side note: I am sure you will see Charlie's red little cheeks! That is another battle we are losing.  The poor little guy has eczema and his cheeks are always red and irritated.  

And I am sure you are wondering if my voice could get any more high pitched and annoying, and I assure you, it can!! 

Charlie VS. Sleep

There is a battle going on in our home and I have to say, the good guy is losing!!  The battle is between Charlie and SLEEP! As a mom, it is interesting to note the differences between child #1 and child #2.  Child #1 (who, in this case, is Jackson) was such a melancholy, content child!  He would lay on the floor or in his bouncy chair for hours watching me cook, do laundry, or clean.  He would coo and giggle and entertain himself.  And if you put him in the swing, look out, he was asleep in 2 minutes and would sleep for hours, then wake up, eat, play, and sleep all night!  So naturally, with such a good #1 there was never any question about whether or not there would be a #2. And so, we come to Charlie (#2).  Now, this is not to say that Charlie is not a good baby, because he is, as long as he has proper attention.  Most of the time that attention has to come from mom, and a good part of the time it can come from Jackson (which is why it is helpful to have a #1.  Although "helpful" isn't a word I would use ALL the time with big brother, but he tries and that is what is important!)  Matt is quite offended that he really can't soothe him at all, and HELLO, keep him AWAY from Grampa (that's Bob!)!  Anyway, you put Charlie on the floor and watch out, he'll be screaming at cha, you put him in his bouncy chair, you can bet he'll throw a fit, and as soon as he is in that swing he is squirming his way down so that his feet hang over the edge and his whole life flashes before your eyes as you picture him flying out and landing on his head...but what is worse than all of that, the thing that prompted this post, is that he does not sleep at night. We have tried EVERYTHING to get this kid to sleep.  I fill his belly right before going to bed, we keep him up till nine so that I can at least get a good three hours in before he wakes up screaming! And we have let him scream it out (which is a horrible horrible thing for a mother and father to do to a five month old. Yeah, lets just say that one didn't happen too often after the guilt that came while listening to him through the monitor just cry and cry....oh my heart was broken) So, I guess I have just come to accept the fact that he will be up every three hours for the rest of his life!  He doesn't have to eat at those times, mind you, he just wakes up, screams (unless you are quick with a binky) and goes back to sleep.  But then of course, I am awake for two hours until my eyelids start to feel heavy and are on their way to closing for good, and thats when it starts all over!  I can't tell you what Jackson thinks of having a zombie for a mom..... but as for me, I can honestly say that there just may be reservations about having #3!!  

A whole new chapter!

I guess I should post about the recent goings on in our little family.  About two or three months ago Matt interviewed with a law firm that he really wanted to work for.  After waiting a couple of days, the guy called Matt and said they had decided not to fill the position, but that he would keep Matt's resume on his desk should any openings come up.  Well, a month later, he called and said, "Hey, we have an opening in Tucson." Matt told him he would talk to me about it and hung up, then immediately started laughing.  He then told me they had offered him a job in Tucson, after which I started laughing!  Tucson, YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!  However, the more Matt talked about this job, the more it sounded like we couldn't turn it down.  That weekend we hopped in the car and drove the hour and a half to Tucson, and let me just say I was NOT impressed!  I immediately thought I could not live in the middle of the desert. (Literally! This place is full of cactus and dirt!) However, despite my reservations about the landscape, we both felt really strongly that this is where we needed to be.  So, to make an even longer story short, Matt accepted the job. They gave us a month, so Matt gave his two weeks at the county, we packed up, said our good byes, and here we are in lovely Tucson!  And I have to say, I just LOVE it!!   We were able to find a house for the same price it would cost to rent an apartment so we went for it!  And I cannot tell you how much Jackson loves having space to run around in.  We live in a beautiful area and I have already grown to love the cacti and the dirt! Not to mention when we look out our windows we have a beautiful view of the mountains (yes I said mountains!)  So, that is where we are right now!  Life is good and we feel so blessed.  

Getting better

After spending Friday morning in the doctor's office we came home and watched Charlie pretty closely.  His breathing seemed to get better as long as we kept up with the breathing treatments and the steroids.  

He still has moments where it sounds like his lungs are full of mucous and that still makes us a little nervous, but it never lasts for very long.  You can tell how much he loves his breathing treatments!  
Throughout this whole ordeal, he has continued to be his cute, happy, little self.  
He even found time to try out his new toy, and he loves it....although you wouldn't know it from the picture.  I tried to get him to smile, but gave up after about 10 pictures with this same face!   

Thank you to everyone who has kept us in your thoughts and prayers.  We are truly grateful for all of you.  

A plea for prayers

Please pray for my Charlie.  He has been sick lately, and the doctor's think he may have RSV. Luckily we dodged going to the hospital today because the doctor was able to get his breathing under control by doing two breathing treatments...now we just have to watch him....please pray that he will get better.  Despite being sick, and not being able to breath very well, he is still a happy little guy! Wish I could say the same for his worried mom! You had better include me (and you might as well throw  Matt in too cause I know he is worried)  in your prayers as well..I'll keep everyone posted.  

Some pictures of the boys!

We had Matt's parents come out this last weekend and Carol is much better at taking pictures than I am lately! So, here are some from gramma! 
So cute!
My sweet big boy!
Elvis lip!
Silly face!! 

On Monday night, we met up with some friends at Xtreme Play.  It took Jack a little while to feel comfortable but once he got the hang of it, he was climbing up huge stairs to go down big slides!! He spent a lot of time going through this little tunnel, after which he would stand up and jump half way down the slide only to go head first into the soft wall.....silly kid! 
Charlie had a good time chewing on his bee.But he thought it was more fun to bounce on the outside of the bouncy house!!  It was a fun night had by all.

I guess it's time to update.......

We had Matt's parents come out for New Year's and Jackson had so much fun.  Between no naps, running Grampa ragged, and going to bed after 11 every night, this kid not only lacked sleep but, at times, he lacked his sweet disposition.  
Old man face
My little Chunk!  Look at all those chins!   

Faux Gingerbread

We spent the evening making a "gingerbread" house out of graham crackers.  Jackson was so excited when I asked him if he wanted to make one.  He had no idea what it was he was just thrilled to get to "work" with so much candy!  (The kid has a sweet tooth like you wouldn't believe).
He did a great job, and didn't eat too much candy.  
I think he was proud of his creation.  Now, the hard part is keeping him from helping himself to little treats throughout the week....hmmm, would it be bad to throw it away after he's asleep?  Having it around could pose a problem....

A true blessing

Well, last weekend we had both sets of grandparents out to celebrate Jackson's third birthday (yes my baby is three!) and Charlie's blessing.  But me, being the dope that I am, forgot to get family pictures after church.  So, this Sunday, before we changed our clothes, I ran over to our neighbors house and asked them to take our picture.  Keep in mind that Charlie was starving and we had pushed him past him limit, otherwise the child never cries.  So, this is our family the week after Charlie boy was blessed....we just love him and he truly is a blessing in our home.  

All I want for Christmas is.....

 Last night we packed up the kidlets and braved the windy, cold weather (what was it like 60 degress??) and headed over to the outside mall and had a visit with Santa.  I wasn't sure what reaction Jackson would have to him, because the kid is still so shy.  But I am happy to say he jumped right up on Santa's knee and smiled for the camera! 
  He then proceeded to tell Santa the long list of things he wants to appear under his tree this Christmas, some of which included a bike, cars, (of course) and  a ball....what can I say, he is a true boy! "Santa" has already taken care of the bike and boy it is a cool one!! I can't wait to see his face when he opens up that one.  

This is what I get to wake up to every morning!

I just love this boy!

The Birthday

    His favorite bday present.  This kid loves cars!  

My baby boy turned three today..

Three years ago we welcomed little Jackson Matthew into the world.  He was such a good baby, he hardly ever cried and he slept all the time.  
He grew up so fast and with each new month he showed more and more of his silly personality...
As he grew he just kept getting cuter and cuter......
He now has a personality all his own....
And today we celebrated the past three years of his life.....We love this little guy, he brings so much happiness into our lives.  I can't wait to see the little man he will turn into.  Wow, three years goes by fast.  

Growing up too fast!

Charlie is getting so big. I can't get over how fast he is growing.  And yes, he is still a scratcher.  If I take those gloves off, the first place his hands go is his face.  

  He is such a good baby.  He sleeps all day still,  hardly ever cries (unless hungry), and sleeps pretty well thru the night. He usually gets up around 4 or 5 for a feeding and goes back to sleep.  Jackson still loves him a lot and says things like "you're my best friend" and "it's okay little buddy".  I can't wait till Charles is old enough and they can play together.  

The Boys

Just hangin' out with dad on a Friday night. There is nothing Jackson would rather do.
What a bunch of handsome boys! 

I was tagged! Darnit!

I couldn't avoid it any longer, I was tagged.  In this tag you have to post the fourth picture in your picture file and then tag four people.  This is Jackson, not Charlie, although they look strangely identical.  He must have only been a couple of months old.  We lived in Syracuse and it was winter, hence the big fluffy pajamas!  I tag Lindsey, Rachel, Jessica, and Amy and whoever else wants to go back to their past!  

Baby Shower

Some girls in the ward threw me a shower and I was amazed at their talent. Look at those burp rags!!  I don't want to use them because they are so cute.  One of the ladies has a business making and selling burp rags so let me know if you want her website address.
My friend made these wipe covers for me.  What  a great way to accessorize your wipes!! 
They look like a wallet or purse or something.  Cute! Cute!

Chunk-a-munk

He's such a happy little guy. 
Look at those chubby cheeks.
Having a good time with mom.
Both of my boys had/have big bellies......it looks like his pants are way too tight, but I can assure you they are not!  There is a little bit of room in there to grow...but not much! This kid is a porker for sure.  And he is quickly growing out of his clothes.