JSD3

Two!

2012-01-03T09:07:00.000-05:00

Who knew age 1 till 2 would be so hectic! I have a lot to catch up on in this blog...but for now I will just post some of Jacoby's 2 year pictures taken by Lively Photography in New Mexico this past November. Enjoy and there will be updates coming soon!

One Year

2010-12-23T01:48:00.002-05:00

12/23/2010
Dear Jacoby, This is the last entry on your 1st year blog, and will be the last page of your 1st year album. I don't even know where to begin. You have brought so many wonderful things, moment, emotions, events, and joy into my life. I could never imagine my life without you in it. You have grown so much over the past year, mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. You started out at quite literally the bottom of the charts, and this week at your 1yr check up you were at 21 lbs 2 oz (25th%), 30.5in (70th%), and your head was 18.5in around! (70th%) It is simply further evidence that God has had His hand on you your whole life! You love to rock, cuddle, dance, sing, play with your trucks, balls, planes, trains, books, Mac, shred paper, take every wipe out of the container, unload the dvd/game shelves, pull all the ornaments off the tree, throw your food off your tray when you're done, ask me where your "dup" (cup) is, smell the trees and flowers, all Christmas decorations make your eyes light up...you are simply a busy joyful boy! Your favorite foods are bananas, blackberries, pickles, and chicken. You get so excited when I give you orange juice in your sippy cup. You have practically weaned yourself from breast feeding now, which I think we were both ready. You were ready for more independence, and I was getting tired of you biting me and getting up with you 9+ times every night. You started sleeping through the night the week you turned one! It was the best gift you could have given me! You are so much happier now too! You go to bed around 7:15pm, and get up at 8:00am play in your crib for about 10 minutes then head bang on the wall when you're ready for me to get you. I always open the door to find you've taken your pants off and are standing there blankie over your shoulder with your paci and showing me your mobile. I pick you up, we stop by your light switch to see the hippo, monkey, and lion, then head upstairs to start our day. Naptime is exactly like the morning. You always have to stop and says "whad dat" to everything...you love to point at your pictures on our walls and hear us say "baby Jacoby". BUT your favorite thing of all lately is to point at our nativity and hear us answer you with "baby Jesus". You get a huge grin on your face, and will usually say "Jesus" in a whisper. That more than anything has made every dirty diaper, sleepless night, and tear worth it all! Its still hard for me to believe your one. Sometimes I am watching you play and feel like someone came and took my baby and left me this little boy...but its simply because you've grown so much! You are very strong-willed. You push the "don't touch" things to the limit and beyond. Its exhausting...and you're not even two yet! Your daddy has to turn his head so you don't see him laugh at you quite often. As frustrating as you can be, you are one funny kid. This past weekend when daddy was home from New Hampshire he taught you to laugh after you burp or fart. I could have killed him for teaching you that...but it is pretty funny to hear your giggle across the room after you fart...and its like a warning that I am going to need to change your diaper soon. You still stop every time you hear music to dance, which looks more like head banging/booty popping. You even dance to the sirens and horns on your trucks. You got a CAT dumptruck from Uncle Gen and Auntie Chels for your birthday, and you load the bed up with toys and ornaments and push it all over the living room. You also got a push-toy from Nonna and Poppi and you balance your cup on it to keep it with you on your adventures. You are quite the character. You have taken your 1st steps...you do this scooting shuffle to test your balance then take a couple steps. Tonight you took 10! It was crazy! I'm so grateful I could be home with you to see them 1st hand.
I feel so blessed to be your mother. You bring joy to everyone around you. You have the most amazing smile and personality. And you have such a tender spirit.
Thank you for the best year of my life! I can't wait to see what else you have in store for us! We love you more than anything on this Earth precious boy!Thank you for all my hugs and kisses.

Mama

Oh Hello Sunshine :)

2010-09-22T21:10:00.000-04:00

Dear Jacoby,

We have had an insanely busy month! Labor day weekend was a blast! We had so much fun being our little family, and then spending time with friends and family! We went to the Zoo, the Lake, the State Park, The Beach...the list goes on and on!

You loved the monkeys at the zoo...I think because they moved so much. You couldn't figure out what the flamingos were, which is understandable. But over all you loved seeing all the animals!

Sunday we went to the lake like 25 min from our condo. You loved the water. Cousin Bethany drove up to visit, and my roommate from college, Thea Croce, came to visit too! So much fun!

On Monday, we drove into Mass to meet up with Poppi and Nonni. We went on a 2mile hike...on what we thought was going to be a stroller friendly path...BOY were we wrong! So daddy carried your stroller and we all rotated carrying you :) We had a nice little picnic and then after daddy and poppi napped, we headed home.

Then we went to Daytona Beach, FL this past week with Granddad, Grandma, Auntie Erin, and Uncle D.P. we had a ball! You woke us up every morning at 630am by peeking over the side of the pack and play and saying "Hey! Baf!" you called the pool, the lazy river, and the ocean a bath all week. But it was so cute I wasn't even upset you were getting up earlier than normal. You hated the waves. I think they overwhelmed you. But you absolutely loved the pool and floating on the lazy river. You have such a tender spirit. If anyone said "ouch" or splashed someone you would cry and need to check on them. So sweet! You are such a good baby! You had hundreds of dance parties with Auntie Erin while we were there. And you would stay with any of them without thinking twice about it. It was great to see you so comfortable with the person you are becoming! You were obsessed with the thousands of birds. You could be in a complete meltdown, but if a bird flew/walked by you were so still and quiet so it wouldn't go away. We may have to get a pet bird...

Well, since we've been home you have gone full force into a teething/acid reflux downward spiral. We (you and I) have not slept more than 4hrs in a night all week. Last night you only slept 2 hours. Tonight I'm hoping for the best...but I understand that you can't help but wake up with so much pain. You are cutting 3 molars. The pediatrician said all your gums are swollen, and not to be surprised if you wake up with a mouth full of teeth one day. You are now in the 40th% for height (you started in the 8th), and the 8th% for weight (you started in the 2nd). You weigh 17lbs 10oz, and you are 28 1/8in tall! You have really grown so much this month. You amaze me by the physical growth, but even more so by your mental growth. You are so handsome and such a joy to me. I am so blessed!

I love you peanut!

~Mama

To Train up a Child.

2010-09-01T11:09:00.002-04:00

Dear Jacoby,

So this may be another one of the letters I write you and you may just skip over, and that's perfectly fine! Because I don't know if I am writing this more for you to look back on, or for me to try and make sense of the millions of things running through my mind...but most likely its more for me.

Before I had you....

I nannied full families of children, found a middle ground of discipline which incorporated what the parents wanted and was best for those kids.

Had 2 siblings who were not excited about their older sister being home with them 24*7 while our parents worked.

Ran children & youth programs for all ages...

Thought I knew how to communicate with the "little adults" that others called kids.

Now that I have you....

I read, ask questions, research, and do lots and lots of praying about what parenting methods are best. And I have come to this conclusion. NONE of the "methods or techniques" are 100% right. I already knew each child was different and not everything works for every situation....but I didn't realize how much controversy there would be over letting you eat when I feel you're hungry or you ask for milk/bites, getting up with you 3 times a night on average, letting you fall over when you are climbing and not immediately picking you up, carrying you in your "bucket" car seat vs pulling you out and putting you in our moby wrap, pushing you in a stroller vs carrying you every where I go, feeding you all organic vs trying to feed you as much organic as we can monetarily, whether or not you take 2-3 naps or none some days...so much controversy and so many opinions from people who think they know best.

All I know to do is pray and ask God to guide me at 3:00am to have a heart filled with love and compassion for you. I have been told several times just to let you cry it out...but something in my heart says that's not going to work for you. We have tried letting you cry it out at 3am. And at 6am I couldn't take the 5-10 minute checks and you still screaming any longer. So I scooped you up, let you nurse...and you passed right now. Do I wish the EASY (eat, activity, sleep, you-mommy's time) method worked with you? OF COURSE! But no matter how rigid I am with it you are not a baby who works with that method. I have tried the babywise method...that didn't work for you either. So I pray about every situation with you as I enter into it. I don't believe an infant under the age of 1 can be spoiled with too much love...in fact...I don't believe any human being can be spoiled with too much love! If we could then why would God pour out His unconditional love on us with no strings attached? So that is how I want to raise you. I want to parents as God would have me parent. I want to raise you to have a heart for the Lord and Others. I want you to have a deep trust for your parents, so its easy for you to learn to trust the Lord. So many people don't realize that we as parents model what our little ones will relate to as God's nature. If we are overbearing, yell, discipline with anger, and too much physical discipline, you will subconsciously view God has the man with lightening bolts...not the God who disciplines because He loves. But if we are saps, give in to every wish and whine, and let you do as you please, don't teach you what consequences are, and just let everything slide, you will first off end up in jail, on drugs, or worse. and you will not have the respect for God that He deserves, and that's if you even give him the time of day! So much on my heart! And somewhere in between those 2 extremes is exactly what you need. You need us to love you unconditionally, but teach you self-control, goodness, peace, love, joy, mercy, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, hope, obedience, and respect.

We have to some how balance your selfish human nature with discipline. But what kind of discipline? Is is spanking? time outs? "no"? crying it out? walking away? talking about it in length? groundings? Truthfully, there is NO right answer. After having prayed, and prayed, and prayed, I have come to realize that it will take moments of different forms of discipline to teach you along the way. Right now picking you up showing you what is not right and saying "no" is about as far as discipline can get. When you are old enough to understand time out will be a first option. If you are like me...light spankings will work best...much better than getting grounded....but if you are like auntie Erin....spankings won't do a thing and grounding you will really get your attention. However if you are like your daddy...it will take every ounce of my energy and patience. And that's OK too! Because I don't want to break your spirit...I don't want to change who you are...I want you to be 100% of who God created you to be. I just want you to acknowledge your sinful nature, and learn to put that to death on the cross...and live the life God has for you.

I know that when you are between 2-3 and refusing to eat your pb&j and you are having tantrums...you will be laying there on the floor and I will be praying for patience and for God to help me parent your heart and child-like faith in the way he intends. I'm sure I will hear about it from everyone. Even now all of our family has opinions...but I have learned to graciously accept their advice and ponder it in my heart praying over it, before I change what I feel the Lord has lead me to do. And if God tells me to get up 3 times a night because you are teething, or having growing pains, or your acid reflux is having a rough night, then I will get up 3 times a night with you. At some point those symptoms will be gone, and then you will be at a point where full blown sleep training may be in order...but I will address that when we get there. Right now, I can only pray and take things minute by minute.

In the end...whether you co-sleep, crib sleep, get picked up every second of every day, or got carried in your car seat from time to time...whether I nursed you around the clock, or chose to let you cry it out in length....isn't going to be the deciding factor on where you spend eternity. In the end its going to matter if I showed you grace and compassion and shared with you what God has done for you. How He gave His one and only son so you could have everlasting life. That is what really matters.

All that being said. I pray God guides me along this path of parenthood. I pray He helps me day to day minute by minute to lead you down a path of righteousness. Not filled with material things, but filled with a love for Jesus, Others, and then You. Only then will you find true JOY.

I love you so much sweet son. Hang in there...We are learning together!

~Mama

:)

2010-08-26T22:38:00.001-04:00

Jacoby...

Today we went with daddy to VT to work! I think we will do it again soon...because we found a certified organic blueberry farm! And lots of natural parks :) It took almost 3 hours and several mountain ranges to get to where Daddy works when he is testing the bridges. But it was so fun! We rocked in big chairs while daddy negotiated with hotel managers for his rates when he stays there, and the maintenance guys had out leaf blowers and you thought they were so funny! After that we ate at a yummy local diner called "Rosies" It was delicious!!!!! Then we drove around looking for other inns and hotels for daddy...that took about 2 hours. After that we headed home. On the way home we stopped at a national forest park and took pictures with our timer on the camera. You thought it was the funniest thing ever when daddy would run from the camera to the rock to with with us. You laughed and laughed! The camera caught you a couple times :) After the break at the park we went blueberry picking! It was so much fun! We let you crawl around in the grass at eat berries...but you just wanted to stand up. So you started crawling on your hands and feet, and then laid down because you were so frustrated. You are such a ham these days! I love you! You make me laugh at least 100 times a day right now....probably more like 400 times a day realistically. We took a mini photo shoot the other day with a blanket, football...and then you tried to eat dog food...you keep me so busy! I barely have time to do laundry and dishes, and when you take a nap I"m so tired I can't get up to do anything! You finally got in 2 of the teeth you've been working on. You can see them on the bottom in the 1st picture if you look really really closely. :)

Well I am headed to bed baby!

I love you!

...Mama!

<--Teeth!!!

TEETH!

2010-08-22T22:32:00.001-04:00

Dear Jacoby,

The past couple weeks have been very trying. You have not napped, or slept at night for more than 2.5 hrs at a time. You were nursing on both sides every time you got up, so I was guessing it was a growth spurt. But it seemed like it was more than just your normal growth spurt that was keeping you awake. Today was rainy outside so we just came home after church and planned on playing inside. You only lasted 30minutes inside after we got home, and then you were asking for a nap. I put you to bed around 1:30pm and you slept until 4:30pm! It was great! Because it was the 1st real nap I've gotten to take in months! After you woke up you were in a silly mood, but very curious. We had to help you when you got stuck as you crawled into the bookcase's lowest shelf where your toys and books are. You are into everything! You do this thing now where you smile and snort at us. It makes me crack up every time! I have no idea why you do it, or where you got it but its so funny!

Your Daddy was letting you chew on his finger this evening because you were so whinny. He was excited that he could feel all your bumps from where you have been teething. So far you haven't had any actual teeth, except a little poking through with your right eye-tooth around 6 months. But that tooth hasn't done much its very slowly coming in. When I checked your bumps tonight to see how swollen your gums were I realized that you had started getting some of the teeth in! They have just broken through, so you can't really see them very well but they are very sharp little guys! You have both the front 2 bottom teeth, and it feels like your canines on the bottom. Whatever the other 2 are, you have 4 teeth coming through on the bottom now, and the one eye-tooth on top and then it feels like you have a 2nd one opposite that one on top. No wonder you haven't slept at all!!!!

Thursday afternoon you woke up from your nap and you were covered in poop. You were mortified! I was gagging, and your daddy almost puked! After we got you all cleaned up, you were sitting on the bed between us watching Mickey Mouse on my laptop and leaned over to see what your daddy was looking and and busted your nose on the edge of his metal Mac laptop. Ugh! I felt like a terrible mother :( But you are ok... you only cried for a minute...and I cried for 5 minutes.

This is Jon Lester warming up

And this is Tim Wakefield warming up because we were losing 14-0

This weekend was our last weekend with your Daddy before he starts his 6+months of work in VT. So we surprised daddy Friday morning with tickets to the red sox game! He was really excited to go. Our family loves going to Fenway. We seem to never get sick of it. And of course, anyone there gets excited when we tell them your name! You were awake the entire game. We left in the 7th inning because the red sox were getting creamed and we wanted to head home before the traffic got ridiculous. But we had so much fun!

Friday Morning I was drinking part of my left over iced coffee and you were in your walker. You were throwing a fit because you wanted a drink from my straw. I have never given you coffee before, and usually just hand you a sippy cup with water when you want our drinks. But I decided to let you see what was in my cup, so I gave you about 2 drops of coffee out of the straw. You made the worst face ever! Then you laughed and fussed for more. I gave you another drop of it, and you looked at me like you were so offended that I would give you such a nasty drink again. (I guess the 1st time you thought it was a joke). Then I offered you one more drop, you gave him an "I'll show you!" look and grabbed my straw and threw it across the kitchen. You are so rotten. But it was really funny! I love how expressive you have become with your face! There is never a dull moment with you!

Saturday we went to "old days" in Londonderry, NH. Its kinda like a bunch of local businesses who have little tents/stands and there's Hawaiian ice, fried dough, sand art, ect. We got a green apple Hawaiian ice, and let you try it. You loved it! I'm sure the ice felt really good on your teeth! Then we walked around the mall for about 10 minutes because I had a return to make. When we got the car I thought your diaper had leaked...but it was another lovely teething diaper...your 3rd one that day! Good thing we use cloth as much as we can at home because you would be going though a pack a day right now! Then we went and hung out at a friend's home who lives 5minutes from us. It was a great day. We just took it easy and enjoyed being a family! Tomorrow Daddy starts his 3 1/2 hr commute to VT again. He will come home at night/weekends when he can, until it starts snowing. Then he will be in VT for the majority of his time. It was nice to have a laid back weekend filled with family time.

Well I'm headed to bed! I love you!

~Mama

July to Present

2010-08-15T16:14:00.000-04:00

Oh man Jacoby! I have so much to catch you up on. Over the past month we have been in NY, CT, RI, MA, NH, and I think that's it...oh wait! And NJ. I already told you about your Grandma's visit the 1st week in July, and about that trip to NJ. Then last night I told you a little bit about the past week. So I'll just try to figure out what I need to start with.

Well, you and I drove to RI to see Ashley at Misquaimicut Beach one week. Its a big beach, more like a FL beach than ours here in NH. You love the beach. My legs are always sore beyond belief the next day from standing at the edge of the water with you for hours so you can stand in the surf. You have eaten sand, and love to dig your little chubby toes in it. We go to North Hampton Beach here in NH the majority of the time though. Its only like 45 min from our condo, and it costs us about $5 to park for as long as you will last. We are going to Daytona Beach in a few weeks!!!! I am so excited! This will be our 1st vacation since your daddy and I got married in '07. We got you a few new swimsuits at old navy for $3! I LOVE CLEARANCE!!! You and I shop a lot. We don't spend a lot, but we always browse through all the clearance and sales looking for those "can't pass it up" deals. TJMaxx/Homegoods/Marshalls is a regular part of our weekly routine. We find all kinds of deals there! Like today we got Daddy a pair of swimming trunks for the beach for $7...that's so good for grown up clothes. We also went to the purse market. Its a big flea market here where they have every knockoff purse ever made. We got one for Grandma, Auntie Erin, and Auntie Eleisha. Very fun! I figure I will shop with you while I can...because soon enough you will be just like daddy and just want to see the toy aisle and then ask "how much longer" for the next 30 minutes.

We spent July 4th at home and just had some family time. We grilled out on our charcoal grill and made smores. You were past out before the smores though. Daddy and I burned some papers that I found, and well you will hear that testimony later on when you are old enough to understand it. But for now, just know it was perfect for Independence day!

Later in July your Great Aunt Tammy and cousin Samantha flew to CT to see Poppi and Nonni. So we drove down and stayed the night with them. You ate fresh blackberries right off the bush in Nonni's garden! You LOVE them! Such a boy after my own heart :) You also had garden fresh green beans that Nonni had cooked that morning! Such a healthy meal! Poppi and Nonni watched you for an hour so daddy and I could have some baby-free time and go get Rita's. But you were not happy about that. You screamed the whole time we were gone. We think you just weren't acclimated enough to the house and all the new people there. We will try again later on, but for now you will just stay with us. We felt bad for you when we got back, your teething didn't help any either. The next day we drove 5 1/2 hrs to see Aunt Eleisha at Camp of the Woods in upstate NY where she is working for the summer. After your meltdown the night before I was really unsure of how you were going to do that day...but you did great! you slept most of the time in the car, and most of the way home...which was also 5 1/2 hrs. Aunt Eleisha was so excited to see you! We took you down to the lake beach there and you were so frustrated with me for not letting you get further than your calves into the water. And every time I would walk you out of the water you would dig your feet into the sand to turn back around. You are quite the water bug! You love playing in your baby pools and in the bath tub!

Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle DP came to visit the 1st week in August! They came up for your baby dedication. You were so excited to see them. We took them to Poor Boy's, Mel's Funway park, and then the guys went to Ikea and got us chairs for our kitchen table as an early Christmas gift!!!! At Funway Park the big guys got some time on the driving range and then they drove go karts. It was very entertaining. We didn't have time to play putt-putt because daddy had to go to work that night. (He's been on nights for a while now) But we still had so much fun! We also went shoe shopping for grandpa and got him some really nice new tennis shoes and dress shoes. Your daddy and Grandma put one of the footie hose things on your head while we were there. You looked very silly. They do it to you all the time. You got to read lots of books with Grandpa and played in the floor with him a lot. Like I told you last night, you decided to learn to really crawl while they were here. And you have been on the move ever since! Your Dedication was at the end of their visit. It was beautiful! Such a sweet time!

So there you go! That's what you've been up to the past few weeks!

I love you!

Mama

From the heart

2010-08-15T00:02:00.001-04:00

Dear Jacoby,

I know its been too long since I last wrote you a love letter on here. Its not because I haven't had tons to say to you, or because I haven't thought about my desire to write down your life for you...its simply because our little life has been so busy lately. Right now it's headed towards midnight. You, your daddy, and Mac are all past out, so I am getting the very few minutes of alone time that I will get this week. Normally I spent this time in prayer and then try to fall asleep before you get up again and need me. But tonight I read my bible some and realized it was the perfect chance for me to write to you.

I want to tell you now not to think that life will be "perfect" by the world's standards. You are going to face so many struggles in your lifetime, but I hope that I can teach you how much God loves you and will be there for you during those times before you encounter them. Lately a lot of things have been going on from a spiritual war that is constantly battling against us as Christians. Its so different for me to enter this battle as a mother than just as a woman or a wife. I am so ready to take on the enemy, and yet so aware of what he will try to destroy that I an in constant prayer for the protection of your spirit and heart. There will be times when you will not have any desire to listen to your father or I about the struggles we have faced in our lives, but right now I want to tell you that if God is willing to have brought us through the situations and trials we have faced then you will be even more comforted by the Holy Spirit as you grow and learn. There will be a time when you have doubts, and you will question everything that we have taught you and what you grew up believing. I want you to know that is normal. I cannot think of one Christian that I know who has not had a season of doubt in some way shape or form. I have had them, and God has used them as the Refiner's fire and brought me through them and made my heart as pure gold. There will be a time when you wonder where God is...and does He even exist? If He does then why can't you hear him? My child...those are the times when you need to cry out to Him with everything you have. Ask Him every question, tell Him every doubt, express every emotion...and then listen...not for a few seconds, but for minutes, hours, and even days. He will speak to you. It probably won't be in a burning bush, or in a pillar of smoke...but you will know when He calls your name. I have been praying since I found out you were being knit together inside me that you would grow to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when He calls your name. Satan is deceptive. He will use anything and everything he can to draw you away from the truth. He will use friends, family, colleagues, and even text books and professors to confuse your mind. Be on your guard as you grow. Gird up your loins....this isn't like putting on suspenders, but rather drawing in everything that you know is truth and surrounding yourself with it, so when that time comes and the enemy attacks, his arrows of deception are useless against the knowledge and truth you are surrounded by.

I pray you will have a heart for others. My grandmama taught me as a young girl that JOY was Jesus, Others, You. That has more truth to it that you will even be able to understand. Jesus must come 1st in your life. If you are obedient, even in times of distress and turmoil, He will protect you and guide you. Where God Guides He will Provide! This is so true! I thought I would never be able to have a child of my own, and now I have you. There are days when I worry about a need for me to return to work and help your daddy with the income, but God continues to provide for you. You were His before He ever let me have you as part of my life, and He will provide your needs. He has been faithful in doing so thus far. Don't be afraid to love others, even those who are against you. The more love you pour out onto those around you, the more the Lord will pour into you. Even when you feel like you have nothing left to give, keep serving. God will bless you tenfold for all you do whole heartedly.

You are so filled with Joy! You have been such a blessing in my life. Today you tried to say "flower" several times. Your daddy brought home flowers last week, and for some reason you wanted them all day. I tried to teach you to smell them. But you would shake your whole body and make a horrible face like they smelled awful and then reach to smell them again! haha! We skyped with your Grandpa and Grandma tonight for the 1st time in a few days. You were so excited to see them on the computer. The joy that beams out of you is so contagious! I love it! They came to visit last week. On Saturday August 7th, I picked out up out of your crib and went to change your diaper on the floor upstairs. You proceeded to roll over and crawl away! You were so proud of yourself for figuring out how to crawl finally that I got very tickled! You have been rocking back and forth for months, and now you are on the move!...so that means I am too! Your Grandpa helped us by baby-proofing the kitchen while they were here...which was wonderful because you have tried opening every cabinet and drawer since then! Grandpa barely set you down during their visit...Grandma spoiled you like always...and Uncle DP learned what is like not to be the baby anymore! haha! It was a great visit!

The other night your daddy and I were eating a pizza for dinner. I gave you a pizza crust (about 4 inches long) to chew on since you are teething. You were sitting in your walker at my feet. You daddy stopped me mid-sentence to ask me where the pizza crust I gave you went. I looked right at you and your little cheek were both huge out to the sides, and you had this "I didn't do it! I'm so innocent" look on your face. You brought your little hands together, laced your fingers and slowly lowered them into your seat...all while making this "la la la I'm so innocent" face and trying not to make eye contact with me. Your daddy exclaimed that he thought you had the whole thing in your mouth...which was slightly obvious by the huge cheeks. So you gave him the "hush it dad!" look, and I proceeded to pull the entire pizza crust out of your mouth...which was still in one piece. It was so funny. I still laugh when I think of your little cheeks all poofed out and the way you laced your fingers and acted like nothing was wrong.

Sunday August 8th, we had your baby dedication at Bedford Community Church. Your Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle DP, Poppi, Nonni, Grammie, Uncle Zach, Auntie Jane Ann, The Greenfields, Auntie Chelsea, and Oma Kiernan all came to join us. Grandpa was able to do the dedication prayer over you and our family. It meant so much to me. He loves you so much. He is an amazing man of God, and to have him able to participate in your service was more than I could have ever asked for. You wore the little hat Grammie made your daddy for his baptism, and it was adorable! You behaved so well, and when you realized you had everyone's attention you did not want to get down from the stage! It was so funny!

Today you put together your 1st word combo...you were crawling after your daddy saying "adadada up! adadada up!" you said it over and over and over! So CUTE! Your favorite word is "ayia ayia ayia..." I have no clue what it means, but you get very excited when you are telling me about it. You also love mickey mouse. You consistently recognize Mickey on clothes, stuffed animals, TV, you name it you can find the mouse!

Well sweetheart...I am going to head to bed now. You will most likely wake up within the next hour thinking that you are starving. But you need the rest, so I hope you sleep for a while tonight.

I know this post was extremely long, and didn't contain as much about your life as normal. But other things are on my heart for you tonight. I will update you on your past month tomorrow hopefully!

I love you more than life itself!

~Mama

Grandma Jeana comes to visit!!!!

2010-07-07T00:16:00.000-04:00

Dear Jacoby,

Grandma Jeana came to visit us the last week in June! We had an amazing visit! We went to local restaurants, the Robert Frost farm, North Hampton Beach, Wallis Sands, shopping, the movies, played in your pool, had our trip to NJ, you name it...we did it! You LOVE your Grandma. She spoils you big time too. You look at something and smile and she gets it for you. Your most random prize from her visit is a plastic plate shaped like a fish. You chew on it constantly. As much fun and as busy as we were...two parts of our trip really have stuck with me. One being your melt down in the restaurant...and the way you devoured every pickle in sight. And the 2nd being how much you love your Grandma. Seriously kid, she just says "Hi" to you and you get all excited. Its so funny! We think it might be due to the fact you two skype all the time...maybe you recognize her! But whatever it is...you adore her.

She taught you to drink from a cup while she was here...so now you grab every glass, mug, bottle, and cup in sight. And you also through a tantrum if you don't get what you want. I have thanked her for that several times since she left. Now my meals have to wait until you are fully distracted or napping. Otherwise you think what's mine is your's.

We did get some great pictures though! You are a full 6 months old now, and you are catching up to the charts faster than I can keep track. One night I put you to bed in a 3-6 sleeper and the next morning I couldn't get it snapped because you had grown so much over night. It amazes me how fast you grow. You are now in 6-9m pants/shorts and 12m everything else.

During your Grandma's visit. You said the following words clearly and with full meaning. "Hi", "MaMa", "DaDa", "Mac", "Milk", and " I LOVE YOU" which sounded more like I La Lou...but it still melts both your Daddy and I every time you say it. You said it to me 1st in a store when you woke up from your nap. I told your Daddy and he didn't believe me at 1st, but when we got home you looked at him and said "Dada, I la lou" and he was a big mushy gushy mess with the rest of us! You haven't said much since your language explosion that week, but I love hearing you discovery new sounds and try to say new things.

You are still a handful and very wild. You are learning to Army Crawl right now, so your knees and elbows are almost always red. You are no longer content in your bouncer because it is not mobile enough for you. You would rather be sitting down so you can fall over, roll, or scoot to get whatever your little heart desires. You also started walking with large strides on Monday. You hold on to our fingers and take off walking through the house. Your favorite is to chase down Mac. Boy is he in for it when you get mobile solo! This morning you were sitting in your walker and started whining. I told you to come to me if you needed something and stretched my arms out and your walked right across the living room!!! It was crazy! Usually you just cruise around backwards, but not today. You're getting the hang of this being independent and moving around thing.

(this is part of the pickle melt down)

Needless to say...you are wild, mischievous, funny, precious, busy, opinionated, and wiggly!!!! We cannot believe how big you are already. Time has flown by, and it makes me all the more grateful that God has provided so far for me to be able to stay home with you right now. Hopefully He will continue to provide and I can keep soaking up all your lovin'!!!! You are amazing little man! I love you so much!

Love,

Mama

NJ Weekend

2010-07-06T23:50:00.000-04:00

Dear Jacoby,

At the end of June we traveled to NJ again for cousin Jeff's graduation party. You got to meet your Great-Grandpa Dickson. That's Poppi's dad...and since Poppi was there too we got a 4 generation picture of you Dickson Men. It was a great visit! You hung out with everyone that day! You drank probably 4 cups of water...and that's not counting what you spilled all over yourself. You teethed on carrots and berries all afternoon. You also teethed on whoever was holding you at the time. The most exciting part of the day was when Grammie smiled at you and you clearly said "HI!!!!" She was so excited that you chose her to be the 1st person you said "Hi" to spontaneously. It was a great moment! You played with cousin Bethany for a long time too. You gave her lots of kisses...which is really more like being attacked with your drool.

After the party we spent the night at a hotel, and you passed out. We wore you out with all the fun and games all day. Sunday morning we went to the Chapel on the Lake with Grammie. You sat with her and Cindy for a while, but then you were ready for a nap! So I carried you outside and we sat in a patch of grass by the water and listened to the water. You have such a sweet spirit. You love to cuddle and just be with me and daddy. Its the best feeling in the world to be loved by you.

We love you so much!

Mama

4 Generations of Dickson Men

Wayne, Jacoby, Jeremy, Eric

Nonna Donna and Jacoby

Bethany Greenfield and Jacoby

Happy Daddy's day!

2010-06-20T21:08:00.000-04:00

Dear Jacoby,

Today was Daddy's 1st Father's Day! And we had so much fun! We spent from 10:30am-3:15pm at North Hampton Beach. You love the beach. I don't know if its because of the sound of the waves, or because there are so many people to watch. Either way...I'm glad you like it :) You also tan very fast...I put sunscreen on you but you are quite the sun lover :) Wonder where you got that from? :)

You love it when let you stand at the surf's edge and the water washes over your toes. You will jump up and down and laugh. Daddy decided to take you into the water to see what you would do...you were not happy about that. Probably because the water is icy cold still.

But over all you love everything about the beach. When we got home you nursed and then I tried to give you solid food. Lately you've been spitting it back at me no matter what it is...and that's so not like you. I added oatmeal cereal to it to thicken it, and you LOVED it. So it must be a consistency thing...you ate 8 oz. of food and then the 6+ oz of oatmeal I mixed into it. You still wanted more, but I was afraid you were going to make yourself sick.

Well, I am absolutely wiped out...so I will write you more love letters later :)

I love you baby boy!

Love,

Mama

Dino Baby!

2010-06-11T21:43:00.000-04:00

Dear Jacoby,

So...you can thank your Grandma for these :) She bought you this dinosaur outfit before you were born. It's a 3-6mo...and it's been too warm for you to wear since you've been in that size. BUT this morning it was a little chilly from all the rain we've had!!!! So I got to dress you up! Can I just say you were ADORABLE!!!! Daddy and I laughed every time we looked at you. You totally made our day! I love you!!! ~Mama

Happy Half Birthday!!!!

2010-06-10T21:06:00.000-04:00

Dear Jacoby,

You are 6 months old today. You now sleep on your stomach, eat anything we'll give you, sit up alone (but you still topple over pretty often so I stay close), almost sleep through the night, try saying Mac all the time, LOVE your daddy, let us know when you don't like something, and so many other fun things. Your personality is just getting stronger and stronger. You are such an amazing baby though. You are loving, joyful, patient (for an infant), laid back, and LOVE life.

Its rare to see you without a smile. Even with teething pains and acid reflux you still laugh and play like its nothing. You discovered your feet big time this week. You are trying to eat them all the time. And you have these monkey jammies from the Bakers and they are definitely your favorite. You lay there with your feet way up high in the air and stare at the monkey's on your feet.

You are starting to look more and more like a little boy verses a baby. You love anything with wheels. You can be completely engrossed in something and if a vehicle of any type goes by you stretch to see it. Such a boy :) You are at an age now where you've started really playing with your toys. You throw them, push them over, chew on them, shake them, roll them, and anything you can think of!

You are just amazing. You spent the morning with Daddy for the 1st time since you were born, aside from my surgery. I put you down for a nap, and went to the chiropractor and to run a few other errands. You slept over an hour for your daddy! Then, when I was at the grocery store you apparently woke up and your daddy got stressed. So I rushed home. You were so adorable. You just cuddled and snuggled with me. It was the 1st time you've woken up without me there, and you could tell you were so grateful I was home. Don't get me wrong...you LOVE your daddy more than anything!...so it wasn't like you were upset he was there. You were just getting hungry, and I wasn't there to fix it for you. But anyway...you made me feel so important and loved when I got home and you just wanted me to hold you. It was amazing.

This afternoon Daddy left for work...and I was bored we decided to goof off with the camera and try to get some decent 6 month shots. We tried taking some in the floor, some on the couch, some in your walker, and finally I just stuck you in your toy box. You were so excited!!!! You squealed and gathered up all the books in the bin 1st. You had them all in front of you and it was so funny. You do the same thing with your stuffed animals and bath toys. It cracks me up. You played in there for a good 20 minutes. Which is awesome, because things normally only hold your attention for 10 minutes...and that's if I'm lucky.

After your toy box fun, we went down stairs for a bath, and then got ready for bed. We played a little bit more, you nursed, and then you giggled when I laid you down in your crib. I listened to you talk over the monitor for a little while...then daddy came home and peeked into your room to say goodnight. Then our sleep training started...we go check on you about every 5 minutes when you are upset in your crib. Every time I went in you were upset because you either had pulled your blanket up over your face, or you had rolled onto your tummy and got stuck. You finally fell asleep on your tummy and you're still passed out.

So, now I am sitting here thinking about how scared I was to have you so early 6 months ago. You were born in one hour at 10:00pm on Dec 10th, 2009. I love that you were born on the 10th at 10pm. Not 10:01 or 9:59...but 10:00 on the dot. You have been a miracle since the very beginning. I am so grateful God let me be a part of your life, and gave me such a precious gift in you. I love you so much!!!!!

~Mama

Food Food Food!

2010-06-08T20:01:00.000-04:00

Dear Jacoby...

You are such a piggy!!!! You have been eating an entire banana and half an avocado every time we offer it to you. You also ate an entire container of pears this afternoon when you were playing with Daddy. My favorite part was when you blew a raspberry with your mouth full and got pears all over your daddy :) He squealed like always and we laughed. Whenever you see a spoon or food now you open your mouth in hopes we'll share. I have a feeling my diet is going to be changing to baby friendly foods for a while. But that's ok...teaching you to eat is worth it :)

You have also tried our Popsicles lately. And I think you are more in love with the coldness on your gums than anything. I just have to watch you because as the pop starts to melt you get bigger chunks in your mouth, and I don't want you to choke.

Well...Like I say every single post...I think you grew AGAIN. You are filling out more now that you are eating some solids and getting older. Only 2 more days and you will be 6 months old. I really can't believe it. It is bittersweet to watch you grow up so fast right before my eyes. I just keep thanking God that I am able to stay home with you right now, and that He has blessed daddy with this great job to provide for us. You are so filled with the Joy of the Lord it amazes me. My entire pregnancy I prayed and prayed you would be filled with joy. I worked with negative people in a negative environment and I prayed you wouldn't be affected by it. But you, my little friend, are so joyful!!! I am so grateful God has filled you with so much joy. You are a constant reminder to me of how great our God is. God has been so faithful to daddy and me. We have had our own tests and trials, and God has been there for us every step of the way. God has been faithful with your growth and health. I can't thank Him enough for all He has done already in the 6 months of your little life.

You are such a pure and precious gift to me. I am so glad God picked me to be your mommy. I can't imagine my life without you! I know when we're in the heat of a tantrum I might think different for a split second...but in all reality I would endure 1 million tantrums for that one giggle and smile I get when everything is ok again.

I love you sweet boy!!!!

~Mama

Rolling over champion!!!!

2010-06-06T16:43:00.001-04:00

Dear Jacoby!

You can now roll over whenever you want! You were getting stuck last Wednesday because of your arm...but by Friday you were a rolling over pro!!!! You can only roll from your back to your tummy...so hopefully you will learn to roll from your tummy to your back soon. Because I'm getting tired of rolling you over every time you get stuck :) You can almost sit up all alone now. You can balance for a couple minutes already, but then you topple over and stretch out onto your belly. You are in love with a book we bought for our car trip last week. Its a Lamaze Baby Book. Some pages crinkle, some have a squeaker, and one has a rattle. You LOVE it. Its so funny because when you're actually just looking at the book you turn the pages from right to left...just like you're really reading. But most of the time you're making it crinkle and eating it. You are chewing on everything now. I'm hoping those teeth will be coming through soon so we can get these over with. Last night you screamed for an hour while we rocked, walked, nursed, and sang. Finally we gave you tylenol as a last resort and you passed out! I think it was teething pains, but it could have also been your acid reflux. Yes, my dear...you have acid reflux. You've had it since you were born but we were hoping you would grow out of it so we didn't make a big deal out of it. But a couple weeks ago you started having these screaming painful fits and I realized it was probably your reflux. So our wonderful pediatrician called you in a script for Zantac. It seems to be helping now.

June has been a great month so far. You will be 6 months old on Thursday. I can't believe it. Its gone by so fast. I look at you every day and wonder when you got these fat rolls, and when you grew 10 inches...I'm in complete awe of how much you're changing. I am so glad you're catching up with your growth and that you're really healthy...but I still have that little bit of sadness that my baby is growing up so fast.

I love you so much!

~Mama

Wonderful Weekend!!!!

2010-06-01T12:59:00.000-04:00

Dear Jacoby,

Man oh man oh man!!!! We were big time travellers this weekend! 1st on Friday we got up super early to pack the car and get everything ready to go by the time Daddy was home around noon. So noon came around and Daddy was still in VT at work....he didn't get home until after 3pm. BUT we were ready to roll as soon as he walked in the door :) We dropped Mac off at the Doggy Hotel, and headed to Mystic, CT to stay the night with your Poppi and Nonna. They have been so busy that we haven't had a chance to meet up with them in almost a month! We went to the baseball field where Poppi was umpiring as soon as we got there, because he was afraid you would be in bed before he got home. (this was at around 6:30...and you normally go to bed by 7pm) Then we got to the house and you were so excited to see Nonna that sleep was not an option. You played with her till at least 7:30...then had some yummy banana and cereal. But you were still so distracted and excited to be out of your carseat and playing with Nonna that I soon gave up on the solids. For some reason Daddy and I both forgot we had the camera, so we don't have any pictures from that night :( Anyway...you then got all cleaned up and we headed to the bath tub...which you LOVED...until you pinched your finger in your tug boat. Then bathtime was over and it was time to get warmed up and Jammies on. Poppi got back home during your bath, so he and daddy started a fire in their firepit for us to cuddle by. We went outside and you said night-night to everyone and nursed...but as it got darker you were amazed by the flames in the fire. You did good with staying calm and just resting, so I wasn't worried about you getting to wound up to sleep. You sat with Poppi while the rest of us ate. When I was inside making my plate, I could hear you laughing outside with Poppi. Apparently he found your tickle spot! After Nonna was done eating she snatched you up from Poppi so she could have some cuddle time too! See, Poppi loves you so much he doesn't like to share you :) Which is the best "problem" we could ever have! Poppi and Nonna absolutely adore you, and love having you visit! Nonna rocked you to sleep and you were passed out. You slept from 10pm-530am without making a peep! The next morning you played with Nonna and Poppi while Daddy and I got everything ready to go again. We said our good-byes and loaded up for our drive to NJ to see Grammie!

Grammie had not gotten to meet you yet because she lives in Ft.Lauderdale during the winter. Needless to say she was VERY excited to see you. She ran out and scooped you right out of Daddy's arms and you didn't even think twice about it! It was so wonderful! Grammie has a big golden retriever named Bo...and Bo was very excited to meet you too! But you've never really been around big dogs so when Bo jumped up to say hi it really scared you. So for the 1st 20 minutes of our visit you would just look at Bo and start crying.

But then I got down in the floor with you so you could see Bo on your level instead of her jumping up to say hi. I explained that Bo was a doggie like Mac and you seemed to understand. So then you were perfectly fine with Bo. In fact from then on you watched her everywhere she went and smiled every time you saw her. She would come and give you kisses and you would giggle. It was too cute!

You loved on Grammie for 3 days! Grammie loves to laugh and you would get a huge smile and laugh really hard every time. It was adorable. You absolutely LOVE your Grammie! We drove down to meet Aunt Cindy, Gus, and Brad! Brad and daddy played for hours with the Frisbee and the lake...and when I went to go stick your feet into the lake water daddy through the Frisbee in and Brad jumped in and almost knocked us over...you started screaming. So we decided that was a bad idea...so I let you play in the puddles on the patio for a while. You loved watching Brad jump into the lake after the Frisbee. Brad would bring you his Frisbee and bark when you couldn't throw it. It was so funny.

Aunt Cindy came up to Grammie's the next morning to see you again. And you gave her huge kisses on her cheek. She and grammie LOVED it. You are very loving. And your kisses are very slobbery and wet. We went to The Greenfield's on Sunday for Lunch. That is Poppi's sister Aunt Kim, her husband Uncle Scott, and then cousins Bethany, Dan, Josh, and Andrew...you didn't get to meet Jeff because he was working at Camp Taconic. Bethany had bought these yummy blackberries and you ate 4 of them with your mesh feeder. You had blackberry juice everywhere!

Grammie rocked you for a while in her rocking chair. It was absolutely precious. During our trip you outgrew your Moses Basket so you ended up sleeping with me. Its crazy how much you grow in a matter of one night. You are almost out of your 3-6 month size clothes. I am always telling your daddy how much you've grown...and he laughs at me...because its all I talk about.

Monday we had breakfast with Aunt Anne. She's one of Grammie's closest friends. It was so funny to hear them talk about how rotten your daddy was as a baby. You are so much like him! You are the happiest when you're with him. You gave him kisses first, you will grab his cheeks and pull him in with your mouth wide open and drool pouring out. He gets so grossed out by the drool, but laughs and loves every second of it! You guys are my world. You are both such a blessing to me. My life is never dull!!!!

I love you!!!!

~Mama

Distractions

2010-05-25T12:53:00.000-04:00

Dear Mr. Jacoby,

Right now you are playing in your bouncer...hopefully this will last a little while. I signed on to write you a little note this morning, and now its 12:47pm...I also found 2 entries that I never really finished or published. Oh dear...that is the story of my life right now. You are such a distraction :) I can never seem to get anything done. If you're not fussy from teething, you're bored with the toys you have around you, hungry, or just want to be cuddled. Yesterday was a great day for me to get things done! You took an amazing nap from 11-1:30, then a mini nap from 3:30-4:15. So I was able to clean the living room...until the bookshelf decided it would like to collapse. So my plan for today was to finish cleaning and organizing the living room during your morning nap...but you had other plans!!!!!!!!!!! You have decided that a nap this morning will NOT happen. You screamed through 45min of sleep training...all while so tired that your eyes were closed and you kept drifting off. But no nap. Now you are extremely cranky...so we will try for a mini nap right now. We have dr's appts later, and I don't want to have a cranky cranky baby at the office. We will see what happens! You crazy boy :)

Love

-Mama

Just Pondering

2010-05-25T12:46:00.000-04:00

Hi Sweet boy,

Right now you are taking a little nap down stairs in your room. I can hear you yawning on your monitor, and its so precious. I logged onto here thinking I would write you a little note about how silly you are and how much fun we are having with you, but then I started reading some of the older blog entries. There is one from the day I went into labor with you and a picture of my belly that day. Its so crazy to me. You are such a miracle. You were 5 1/2 wks early...you had us terrified. But you were so healthy and so perfect! You had the perfect features and rarely cried. You were so laid back and content just to be cuddled and loved on. I love all those precious memories

Thank you so much for sharing your little world with me :)

Mama

8 wks

2010-05-25T12:45:00.001-04:00

9 weeks

2010-05-25T12:45:00.000-04:00

Dear Jacoby...

9weeks

You are so precious! You are possible one of the best behaved babies ever. You only seem to fuss when something is actually wrong, and you are so happy the rest of the time. You have started playing with your toys now and laugh at me and daddy. My favorite part of the day is right when you wake up or get done nursing. You always are laughing and have huge huge huge smiles for 5 minutes or more. You also think you can talk to us now. Its very entertaining. You have started mimicking our faces and think its so funny to stick out your tongue.

The 1st weekend of the month you had a huge weekend! We went with daddy to drill and you got to see your Grandpa & Grandma D 2x!!!!! They came up to meet us for dinner in Hartford, and then we went to their house the next day on our way home for a super bowl party. You definitely up-staged the football :) Grandpa D can't get over how much he loves you and loves when you hold onto his finger. You pooped all over your poor Auntie Eleisha though. She was so excited to finally get to hold you and you ruined that for a few minutes. But she didn't hold it against you...she was very eager to hold you as soon as we were done changing you.

I love you sweet boy!

Mama

SPRING!!!!!

2010-05-18T13:57:00.000-04:00

Hey Little Buddy!

It's springtime in New Hampshire!!!! And that means beautiful weather that is very unpredictable, lazy rainy days, and fun in the sun days, mosquitoes every where...and this new irritating little bug called a black fly. I have 10 bites already...and thank the Lord you have NONE. Maybe its because you're a boy! And let me tell you...you are 100% boy all the way!!!!! You love to get messy...play with daddy...and blow raspberries!!!! You are amazed by how things work...and the remote. But even with all that going on you still will cuddle with me and snuggle up with blankets. I love it! And I am treasuring every second I get to hold you and soak up that time. It won't be long and you will be taking off and running around...and I will have the joy of observing...but cuddling probably won't be the 1st thing on your mind. So for now I will take every second I can get with you.

Last Saturday we went to a BBQ at some of our new friends' house, and a Japanese Student named Kazuya took amazing pictures of you. He also got the best picture so far of your daddy, you, and me. It was such a blessing to have him take some sweet pictures of us. Of course you were more interested in the camera than anything else. We had to keep wiping the drool up off your face and clothes from where you are obsessed with blowing raspberries 24*7 now. But its fun...you woke me up this morning by giggling and blowing raspberries. I loved it! I also loved the fact that it was 8am...You are doing a little better at sleeping at night...but last night you had teething issues so you were up every 90 minutes. You didn't want to eat you just needed cuddled and a paci. So you ended up in our bed at some point and would just lay there and stare at your daddy who was drooling like a mad man all over his pillow.

Have I mentioned that you absolutely adore your father? Because you do...your favorite thing is to fuss until he says "what buddy?" and then you squeal and tell him everything in your little mind while blowing raspberries, holding your arms up, and jumping and wiggling everywhere. You are my little wild man. I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Last thing and then I have to go tell your dad we have to leave shortly. You starting eating solids this past week...you LOVE pears!!!! HATE peaches....and tolerate the oatmeal :) You ate 3 ounces of oatmeal and 2 ounces of pears for us the other day all at one time! That's a lot for a little guy! I love watching you grow and learn about new things.

I love you so much Jacoby! You are such a blessing!

Love,

Mama

Mother's Day

2010-05-10T17:03:00.000-04:00

Dear Jacoby,

Yesterday was my 1st Mother's Day, and you and daddy made it wonderful. You guys got me a beautiful pandora bracelet with a little boy charm and 2 clasps. I love it!!!! I am so excited to have all the memories around my wrist that we will share with the charms as we collect them. You are so precious to me. I cannot even put into words how much I LOVE being a mother. You are so precious and so much fun! Your daddy and I love spending our time with you. Daddy does silly dances and makes silly faces at you all the time and you laugh so loud! You giggle like crazy and your whole face is consumed in a huge smile and your eyes sparkle. I LOVE it. I was getting ready for church yesterday and you were laughing so loud I could hear you from the bathroom. When I snuck into my room daddy was marching in place and then acting like a pirate to "shipping of to boston" by the drop kick murphy's. He did look really silly...but the best part was seeing your little face covered with pure joy! After church we ate at Panera Bread (yum!) and then spent our afternoon cuddled up on the couch together. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!!!! Daddy took a couple pictures of us out on the porch too. They are wonderful!!!!

I love you sweet boy!!!!

Love,

Mama

Finally Some Sunshine!!!!!

2010-05-04T12:01:00.000-04:00

Dear Jacoby,

We had such a great weekend! A busy weekend, but a great one! We had really warm weather for the 1st time in forever! I mean like in the 90's warm :) So we went to babies r us and got a little inch deep swimming pool for $5 for you. At first you seemed very offended that I would put you in water in the middle of the day, and in water that wasn't bath-warm for that matter! Your water wasn't cold at all...but it was cool because you were sweating like crazy in the heat. After a while you realized that the water could splash so you got me soaked at that point. Mac sat inside on the rug and watched us. He is not a big fan of water. I didn't get any pictures of you in the pool :( but we will later on when daddy's home. BUT I got several pictures of you playing in your bouncer from Poppi and Nonni. You LOVE your bouncer :)

On Sunday morning we went to Bedford Community Church with the Whitney's :) You loved sitting with Mrs. Stephanie during the service and you had great behavior! The service was really good, and we're excited to take daddy there since he had to go to drill this weekend.

Speaking of daddy...He is done with the Guard now!!!! Since his unit is being deployed again they are letting him out early :) Isn't that awesome!?! That means that daddy will be here for all your 1st holidays, when you learn to walk, and all those irreplaceable milestones! Daddy said he wants to take the 1st weekend of every month from now on to dedicate to family time. I think this is a great idea! Especially since its getting into the summer and daddy will be even busier at work.

Well you and I have to go mail Auntie Bug some clothes for her growing belly :) And you are talking up a storm right now so I need to pay attention! lol! I love you sweet boy!!!! You are such a joy!

Mama

May 1st

2010-05-01T21:25:00.003-04:00

Dear Jacoby,

I know I am always saying this, but you have grown so much! Time is flying by and I am just trying to soak up every second with you right now. You are much more interactive now, and let me know what you want. Your personality is starting to show and you are an absolute handful. You love to stand up and yell at Mac. He comes running and you throw your arms out and open your mouth to eat him. He loves it because you always have drool running off your chin from teething...and he's always willing to clean that up for you. It grosses me out, and you think its so funny.

We have started using Skype. You talk to Granddad and Grandma McGregor, Auntie Erin and Uncle DP, and your favorite person in the world...DADDY. You love skype. For a long time you were really confused on why you could see the person and hear them but couldn't see their body in person. You would lean to look behind my computer and have the most confused look on your face. But now you've learned to lean into the screen and squeal. When you see your daddy you get so so so so so so so so so so excited. I knew you would love him when you got big enough to really play. He absolutely adores you. We've started slowly sleep training you. I usually try to let you fuss 3-5 minutes before I come help you get readjusted in your crib. But your daddy on the other hand waits around 30 seconds and voices his frustration that I'm "letting you cry" and rushes to your room to save you. He has however gotten better about not bringing you back to bed with him every time. So I guess we are making progress :) You were waking up 4-7 times during the night...and you and I both were absolutely exhausted!!!! But last night you only woke up at 1:15am and 4:45am!!!!! It was amazing!!!! You slept 8-8...and only got up those 2x!!!! Hopefully this is the beginning of a new cycle for you! We both need it! Your puffy eyes are starting to go down the more consecutive hours of sleep you get. AND you're starting to take naps again!!!! You took 2 naps today that were over an hour long! That never happens! YAY!!!!

You're doing better than I would with your teething. You aren't too fussy. You just have a short fuse at times. The Hyland's Teething Tabs seem to be working well..and the baby Motrin has been a life saver for us both at times. You chew on everything though. And I mean everything. Your favorite things are Adrian the Alien, your fire truck, the picture book I made you, my cell phone, and the TV remote. You have also starting eyeing my food. You are starting to process that I eat food and you are amazed by it. You tried a bite of my applesauce tonight and didn't know what to do with it :) but I was very entertained.

Well little friend...I am going to head to bed for tonight. You have been asleep for just over an hour...and hopefully you will continue to rest well :)

I love you little man!!!!

Mama

My How You've Grown!!!!

2010-04-15T14:18:00.001-04:00

Dear Jacoby!

You are 17 weeks old today!!!! I can't believe that my tiny little peanut is now in 3-6mo clothes and has a huge personality. It seems like just yesterday when you fell asleep on my lap your entire body would fit...but right now your head it on one of my legs and your little legs are stretched way out and reach the couch cushion on the other side. You are going to be so tall! Just like your daddy. We are anticipating getting your 4mo shots tomorrow...I'm dreading it. I hate seeing you in pain, but last time you were a pro! You just let out one good yell and then seemed fine. Hopefully tomorrow will go just as smoothly.

You are a huge flirt. If anyone smiles at you and tells you that you are cute...your face lights up and you get a huge smile that takes up your whole face. I love it! You are just a precious little boy, and you have the sweetest personality. You love playing with Mac. You have been caught saying "ma-ac" several times now...and of course he comes running over and you are consumed with giggles and smiles. You also LOVE to stand up. You've always enjoyed being on your little feet but now you aren't happy unless you're up where you can see every thing around you :) Your Poppie and Nonni got you a fun bouncy entertainer. You love spinning the frog on one of the sides. Best part is your feet just now touch the ground so you are in heaven! Your favorite place to sit in it is by the sliding glass door so you can see outside and watch Mac run around in circles on the porch.

Well sweetie, you have woken up now. So back to my favorite job I've ever had...getting to be your buddy!!!!

I love you bunches!

Mama

7-8 weeks

2010-02-08T12:47:00.000-05:00

8 weeks

5 - 6 weeks

2010-01-22T09:46:00.002-05:00

6 weeks

5 weeks

4 weeks!

2010-01-07T18:24:00.003-05:00

Happy 4-weeks old day Jacoby!!!!!

So Far...

2009-12-31T20:24:00.002-05:00

1 Day

One Week

2 Weeks

3 Weeks

Reflecting

2009-12-31T13:01:00.002-05:00

Dear Jacoby,

Today is the last day in 2009. I have spent most of the day reflecting over everything that has happened over the past year. Most of the year I was pregnant with you, which was its own surprise. Your daddy and I learned lots of things the hard way this year too. But they were things that we needed to learn, and I am so glad we did. We moved from Connecticut to New Hampshire the week after we found out I was pregnant with you. We started new jobs, and a new life up here. Your daddy consistently says its the best thing he thinks we've ever done for our family. All I know is I'm so glad you're daddy is happy here and we had an amazing hospital to have you at :)

Right now you're sleeping on my chest in your little fuzzy pajamas. Everything is still too big on you because of your decision to arrive 5 1/2 weeks early. You had your 2wk check up yesterday, even though today you're actually 3 weeks old. That's what happens when you are in the hospital for the first 10 days of your little life. You were 5lbs and 14 ounces...and now you're 20 inches long :) I'm so glad you're growing! The Drs are so happy with your progress. It is such a relief to know everything is finally on the right track and you are healthy. I cannot tell you how much I prayed for every bone and muscle in your little body while I stood by your bed in the nursery at the hospital. When they finally let us hold you again I could barely see your through the tears that filled my eyes while I looked down and your precious face. I remember being terrified that I was going to hurt you between the monitors, the iv in your poor little head, and the feeding tube. You mean so much to me and to see you laying there in pain was the hardest thing I've been through. When the nurses cleared out the extra room in the nursery so I could be in there with you whenever I wanted, I don't think they ever realized how much it meant to me. I was in there every second of the day. I only left when I was told to. I was afraid to leave your side to be honest. I was afraid you would wake up and be in pain and not be able to calm down, or that you would wake up starving and no one would hear you crying. Even though you were usually the only baby in there I still worried. That's what mom's do.

I'm so glad to have you home with me now. You are amazing.

I love you...

Mama

He might kill me later

2009-12-23T19:53:00.003-05:00

Dear Jacoby...you may want to kill me when you get older for these...but I had to have some blackmail pictures sooner or later :) And you're just so cute! Your daddy has already taken the pictures of his helmet and you and made them his profile pictures and background :)

2009-12-20T11:51:00.000-05:00

Jacoby Is Born

2009-12-11T19:07:00.003-05:00

2009-12-09T11:15:00.002-05:00

Dear Jacoby,

I know this 1st picture is out of focus...but it really shows how HUGE you are!!!! I can still see my small ribcage which rests on top of you and your warm belly for a home :) I have to wear your daddy's boxers for pj's right now because nothing else fits around the bottom of my belly with you. All of my shirts are now too short. This one is a medium...and it used to be a little big on me :) But you've changed all that lol!

You've become quite the basketball look lately :) You also have decided to work your way down even further into my hips now. We went to the Midwives yesterday and you have pushed your head all the way down to on my actual bone and you are ready to go! You have also pushed enough to get me to 1.5 centimeters dilated now. You have to stay in there for 3 more weeks little boy! Then we're safe and your lungs will be fully developed and they won't have to try and stop labor at that point.

Today it has snowed all day. Your daddy is out plowing parking lots and roads...so Mac and I are just hanging out at the house. The snow is deeper than Mac is tall now. So he has made himself a little path on the edge of the porch so he can go peek over the side of the porch without going into the deep snow. He's not much for snow...he just looks at me like I'm the worst person ever for putting him in a situation where he would have to get his paws wet.

I can't wait for you to get a little bigger so we can go outside and let you play in the snow :) You're daddy is excited to have someone to build forts, snowmen, and snowballs with :) And I'm excited to share my addiction to hot chocolate with whipped cream with you when you come in to warm up from playing outside with daddy. You are going to be one cool kid :)

We love you with all our hearts!

Mama

O' Christmas Tree!!!

2009-11-28T17:47:00.006-05:00

Oh Jacoby....today was quite the adventure...We went to go get a Christmas Tree at the tree farm...and well...it was far from boring :) I took lots of pictures...so here you go!

Yes...your daddy vacuumed off the tree...

The little nest I found in the middle of our tree

The man at the tree farm shaking off the leaves on the tree

Charlie Brown's tree!

Our beautiful tree!!!!

Your daddy cutting down the tree

Still trying to figure out the best angle

Daddy and the tree guy getting ready to cut down the tree

Our handsome tree before it was cut to bring home

November

2009-11-28T17:23:00.002-05:00

Dear Jacoby,

This month has been crazy! You have grown so much over the past 4 weeks. You have gone from doing all kinds of flips and having room to wiggle, to now where your head is all the way down and your little butt is right under my ribs. You don't have hardly any room to wiggle around. Your tiny feet move every now and then and I can feel how big they are if my hand is resting on my tummy. You move with more strength now, so your daddy has become very fascinated with feeling you kick. He sits beside me and I will feel his hand move over to my tummy and he will just sit there and wait on you to move. He's very obsessed with you :) He is so excited that you are almost here. Everyday he checks to see how we're doing and talks about you. He also has to check the toy section at every store and every sale flyer to see what they have for you. You are so spoiled already little man!

The girls from my work made you this cake and brought lots of presents over for you :)

It was homemade! Even the icing! And it was so tasty!!! We ate almost all of it!

The baby booties were made from Marshmallows :) They were so cute!

Your nursery is all set up and ready for you now. We are doing the last load of your little clothes and blankets tonight. You gave us quite the scare on Wednesday. I was leaking and apparently having lots of contractions and the Doctor couldn't figure out why. They finally decided that it was from me working so much. So I had to take a few days off and go on bed-rest to try and help you stay in there just a little bit longer! You only have 5 weeks left anyway little buddy! Stay in there! We need those lungs to develop as much as they can! We want you here in our arms very bad, but your health is much much much more important to us!

Even Mac is getting excited to have you here. But he wants you to be healthy too!

You can come out as early as January 1st and be full-term...so just stay in there a little while for me :)

Love,

mama

Surprise!!!!!

2009-11-09T19:06:00.008-05:00

Dear Jacoby,

Your daddy and Auntie Chelsea are so sneaky!!!!! I am very hard to surprise...in fact I don't think many people ever have been successful with surprising me. BUT your daddy and auntie Chelsea got me yesterday! I thought we were going to go eat with Auntie Chels at the Olive Garden, and your daddy was being is usual self and wanted to stop at the Old Mystic FD to see keith, kevin, and ben....I was so worried because we were running late and was telling your daddy how we needed to make our visit quick because we were hungry :) I was even tellin him to hurry and find the boys as we were walking up the stairs to the hangout room at the FD. But much to my surprise....there were lots of blue balloons and streamers and lots of people who love you waiting inside that room!!!! Everyone was so excited that you are almost here!!!! And I was in shock that I didn't figure it out before! Auntie Chelsea got you a cake with lots of fun animals on it! It was like madagascar!!! Which you will love when you get older :) There was lots of food...and SOOOOOOO many presents!!!! Everyone was so surprised at how big you are making my belly...and they all are so excited to hold you when you finally are on this side of my tummy :)

We got everything we needed! Auntie Chels and her mommy got us your stroller and carseat :) And all your other aunties got you clothes, diapers, hats, shoes, sleepers, and so much other stuff! You are one spoiled and greatly loved little boy already

One of my favorite things was that we got to see your Auntie Eleisha!!!! I have been waiting to see her because I know how much she loves babies and kids and has wanted a little nephew for a while! She was so excited beyond words when she got to see us and see how big you are! It took all day but you finally moved around before she left and she got to feel you move. She was so excited :) She got you lots of fun clothes and even brought us gifts from your Great-Grammie...who is also one of the most excited people that you are almost here! Great-Grammie got you the most adorable little coat to keep you warm in the snow here! Jacoby...you are so loved and adored all ready! I have been praying for months that you would feel how much you are wanted, loved, and adored...and after yesterday I don't know how you could think you weren't. Everyone loves you!!!! And you're not even here yet! You are going to be surrounded your whole life by these wonderful people and your family and they are just going to always pour out their love on you.

OH YEAH! Your daddy got super excited about you almost being here today :) So excited that he went toy shopping for you :) He got you the biggest firetruck toy I have ever seen!!!! You will probably be able to sit on it. He also got you a car-carrier truck, 2 dump trucks, a push and go fire truck, and bath toys, and fun toys like building blocks and rings!!!! You are going to have so so so so so so so much fun playing with your daddy. He's kinda crazy sometimes but its a good thing :) He always finds ways to make me laugh and smile even if it's something that would make me cry...he can always help me get through it with a smile.

He's so much fun. I really wish I could describe how your daddy makes me feel, but I don't think there are words to explain it. He makes me so happy, and I feel so loved by him all the time! He's just amazing. You are really really going to love him! He's going to teach you everything! He's so smart! He's a fire-fighter, a construction guy, a mechanic, a soldier, my best friend, an amazing man, and he can do anything!

Only 2 more months precious one!!!!!

Love with all my heart!

-your mama

30 wks and 4 days :)

2009-11-04T11:24:00.002-05:00

And just think...there 9 wks and 3 days more to grow and stretch! At least we're all baby still!

Good Morning

2009-11-04T08:56:00.003-05:00

Good Morning Sweet Boy!

You have been moving like CRAZY the past few days. It so funny when you move now because you literally make my entire stomach move! Since the majority of the weight I've gained is all baby you are very easy to see move around. It looks those people that dance around in the full body bags because all I can see is an elbow or a head and sometimes a foot pushing against my belly. You're getting VERY tall. Which is no surprise with how tall your Daddy and Uncle Z are! My Great grandfather was super tall too...so I think you are definitely going to be a tall boy :) Now I can feel a foot under my ribs and your hard head against my hip bone. That is when you stretch out though. Most of the time you just rest your head on the right side of my belly and then you wiggle your feet everywhere else.

You move enough now that your Daddy can see you easily. He likes to "talk" to you...which is more yelling into my stomach. He is getting so excited to have you here. He even cooked us dinner the other night :) Since its football season now he is always talking about watching the games with you and going to games and playing football with you...I hope you're ready. He is going to be your best friend. He's very silly and goofy but has a good heart and is so loving. He's going to be such an amazing daddy! He has a lot to teach you! He knows everything...well almost :) He can teach you how to work with tools and built cool things, he can teach you how to work on the cars, and how to carry out the trash :) And of course he can teach you all those man things like sports, guns, dirt, and how to make huge messes. You two are going to have a blast! Your uncle Z texted Daddy the other day to say he got you lots of things and was so excited you're almost here. Uncle Z is a great guy! He plays guitar and his wife Auntie JA plays piano! They both can sing and uncle Z is a youth pastor so he will be fun to play with too! We can't wait for you to meet everyone!

Your little dog

2009-10-29T13:35:00.002-04:00

Dear Jacoby,

This is your dog Mac. He weighs less than you will when you are born! Your dad thinks he's a very silly dog...and likes to aggravate him. The other night Daddy put him in the bucket on the washer and took lots of pictures. Mac was not amused but your daddy was! Mac already likes to sleep under your crib. I wonder if he'll change his mind in a couple months at the early hours in the morning when you are up. He loves to curl up beside my belly and lay there like he's cuddling with you. But you are quite the little stinker and love to be really really still until Mac starts to fall asleep and then kick and squirm as much as possible to wake him up! :) He just looks at my belly and tries to figure out why you're kicking him. We are excited to see you play with him as you get older. He's going to follow you every where. Only a few more weeks and you will be here!!!!

I got all your little boy clothes and the sheets for your crib washed and put away yesterday. So you have nice clean and fluffy sleepers now to wrap up in when you are here. It's so crazy to think you will be in our arms in just a matter of weeks. You could arrive anywhere from 8-11 weeks from now. I am so so so excited that we will get to see you soon. You have been perfectly healthy this whole time and I can't thank God enough. You were quite the surprise in May when I went in for other problems to the Drs. But You are the best surprise we've ever had. Because you are so healthy the Drs don't see a need to have any more tests or ultrasounds done before you are born unless we have some trouble somewhere. So we won't get any more pictures of you until you are here. Its pretty exciting to think that the next time we see you it will be when we get to hold you! You have been super wiggly today and when I talk to you it seems to calm you down. But when your daddy walks into the room or talks to you he has the opposite effect and you get super excited!!!! Daddy came to bring me food the other night at work and as soon as he said "hi" you started flipping around like you were ready to go with him to play. Your daddy is so nervous about everything, but he's getting excited to have you here. Everyday is one day closer!

I love you!

Jacoby

2009-10-27T17:48:00.004-04:00

Jacoby's Face at 18wks

Profile at 18wks

Jacoby at 10wks

Jacoby at 6 wks

Trying to stay connected

2009-10-27T13:29:00.000-04:00

So this is our 1st attempt at a blog. We were thinking it would be easier to share the last few months of Jacoby's pregnancy and then his little life with our friends and family if we had one easy location to put it all!

Right now we are 29 weeks and counting...only 11 more and the little muscle man will be here in our arms if everything goes well. He is VERY active now...seems to get more active everyday. I guess he's going to be just like his mom and dad...and sitting still will be a struggle. We are so excited that he is healthy and pray that God will keep things that way. His full name will be Jacoby Seth Dickson. Jacoby is just a name we liked...and Seth is Jeremy's middle name. Jeremy wanted to keep the JSD theme going with Jacoby...so his initials will be the same as Grammie's, Jeremy's, and Mine :)

We have lots of preparing to do...and it seems like we have no time to do it in. With Jeremy wrapping up another season of construction and prepping for a NorthEast winter again, and me working at least 50hrs a week right now it seems like we have no time to do the simple things like laundry. We have been blessed by our friends and family with gifts for Jacoby and help gathering the things we will need. He has an adorable nursery that Jeremy helped me paint and fun curtians and pillows that my mom helped me get the material for. We still have LOTS to get...but we are trusting that God will provide our needs again like he has done so many times before.

Fall in New England

2009-10-27T10:35:00.000-04:00

My wonderful husband, parents, and Grammie got me a camera for my birthday/christmas so I can take LOTS of pics of our new little guy...I still am not very good at using it...but I'll get the hang of it soon I hope :)