Home Sweet Home

On Thursday, December 21st we headed home with Jackson for the first time. We had gotten an unusual heat wave in Indiana so it was in the 60's when we left the hospital. Jackson started sleeping in his crib in his room from that very first night. We were up a lot and found that the best way for all 3 of us to sleep was for one of us to sleep with Jack on our chest in the recliner.

Todd and Tracy were our first visitors at home, as well as Dan's friends from work and a few neighbors. Mostly we just took it easy and drank lots of coffee. We became very familiar with the Starbucks drive-thru!

"Everything Changed"

One of the first things Dan said after Jackson's birth was, "everything changed". It's amazing how in one moment, your life is different. We found that to be the case after Jackson was born. We had no idea what to expect and we had no way to really expound on how life changed, but it did, for the better. We were immediately drawn to this little boy and were ready to take care of him and to give him whatever he needed.

The first time they brought Jackson to us, he looked so cute in his litte Christmas hat. Volunteers at the hospital knit hats for the babies and since Jackson was born so close to Christmas, he got a cute little red and green one with a gold stem on top!

Jackson Daniel

On December 19th at 9:38 p.m. Jackson Daniel came into the world. It was a very long day for us, but it was also a very rewarding day. Jackson weighed in at 9 lb, 11 oz. - a big boy!! Grandma was there to witness the whole thing, and Grammy and Grampy were patient enough to wait all day as well. They were all there to hear his first cry and to greet him. We are so blessed with a family full of love and we're thrilled to pass that same love to our little guy.

December 2006

December finally came, but Jackson was in no hurry to arrive. On December 13th (my due date) we went to the dr. to schedule an induction. We decided to wait through the weekend and if I hadn't gone into labor, we'd go to the hospital on December 18th to be induced. While I was impatient and frustrated, it actually worked out well because my mom was able to fly in and be there for the birth. So we checked in on the 18th, a Monday night.

November 2006

In November we got ready for Jackson! We finished the nursery, which had been referred to as "the box room" since it still housed boxes we hadn't unpacked from our move. But we emptied it out and Dan painted it atmosphere blue. We are so blessed that Joli handed down Ava's crib and changing table, and my parents gave us a new dresser. Now Jackson has a sweet little room all his own!

October 2006

October was so special because Gigi and Sarah threw me the most beautiful baby shower. And my mom, sisters and closest friends were all there. Michelle, Karen (and Eli), Amy and my mom all flew in and we spent the weekend at a hotel. We shopped at Oakbrook, went out to eat at Cheesecake factory, and spent some time at our house in Valpo. My cousins from Iowa even made the drive so they could join us. It was a wonderful memory and a beautiful day. Jackson was loved before he was even born!

September 2006

In September we took a week off and went to Georgia to visit Steve, Michelle, Jacob, Jonah and Luke. Luke kept asking if there was a baby in my tummy and they started calling him Jack-Jack. Unfortunately, I didn't take too many pictures, but at least we documented our trip!

August 2006

In August we ventured into Chicago for Dan's first Olympic distance triathlon. He did great!! He made better time than he expected.

Dan had planned to run it with Brian, but early that morning Brian had something much more important to attend - the birth of his little girl Ellie. We still can't believe that just a few hours before she was born we were out to dinner with Sarah and Brian, still planning to go into the city that night. We went straight from the race to meet her for the first time.

Catching up

Finally! I've been so busy that I haven't been able to keep up with this blog, but I want to make it a priority; we want everyone to join in the fun of watching our little boy Jackson grow up. Good grief, he's 6 months old, it's about time!

At this point I think I need to go by month just to catch up, then I'll try to be more consistent. Bear with me!