Our Saturday

This morning we traveled to a nearby outlet center. The mission: to purchase a pair of Stride Rite walking shoes for Jackson. As you may have noticed in my last posting, Jackson is still not walking on his own. I honestly think fear plays a large part in the reason why he isn't letting go. However, I want to be able to help him in any way I can.

I have heard several moms say that these shoes are they best thing they could have ever bought... and to be honest, the only reason why I hadn't purchased them yet was because they aren't the most "stylish" shoes. I and Wayne both, just didn't think they were all that cute. This week, though, the daycare ladies were talking about this other little boy that started walking basically the same day he had the shoes on. They told me that he had gained much more stability because the ankles were being supported. So, I made the decision to buy some.

We arrived at the Stride Rite store and they had every single size imaginable... even extra wide. We found out that Jackson needed a 5 extra wide. However, when I actually put those on his feet, they seemed to be too big. So, we ended up with a 4.5 wide. Oh, and much to my surprise, Jackson did not fight me to try the shoes on. It almost seemed as though he was excited to try them on... all four pairs I put on his feet!

After his nap when we got home this afternoon, he pushed everything he could around the house. Did he ever let go? Not yet, but I can definately tell that he enjoys walking in them. We will just have to wait and see how this week goes.

Oh, and you ask, am I worried about his late walking? Um, some days. But most of the time, I am really okay with it. I joke with everyone by telling them that I am not expecting him to walk on his own until he is 2 and I think he is trying to not make me out to be a liar! However, we go to his 18 month doctors appointment on the 13th, so I am going to mention it to his doctor if he still is not walking on his own. Maybe he can offer up some advice on tricks in getting him to let go. We'll see.

We will definitely have a party when he does let go though! That will be such a happy day! :)

Dear Jackson

You've made it to eighteen months. It has definitely been fun watching you grow, learn and explore. I have noticed that you seem to have taken to a lot of my personality traits, but I can also tell when your Daddy's traits shine too. You are certainly a special little guy to the both of us and all of your family and friends around you.

At eighteen months, you still have managed to not let go of our fingers when you walk. However, I am sure that you will gain much more confidence in the near future and will be running in no time. I have peeked a couple of times and watched you take as many as 5 steps. Then, I guess you see me looking and plop back down to the floor. Please know, that I am not, by any means, trying to rush you into this thing we call walking. However, just think of the things you could explore on just two feet! Does that give you a little inspiration? Oh, and by the way, I did see you stand up the pantry this evening and try your hardest to grab those Goldfish that were on the bottom shelf. You little stinker!

I will have to say that you are a very picky eater. I believe this is one of those Daddy traits. Texture seems to be a huge priority in your food sampling. I just don't understand why you can eat mashed potatoes one night and a week later, you spit them out. So, the only conclusion I have come up with as to why you didn't like them, was because of the texture. The first time they were very smooth, as they were bought from a restaurant and the second time I mashed them and they were a little crumbly. Oh, and if it is not Cheerios, Goldfish, chicken nuggets and french fries, or Lunchable snacks, I can just give it up right? Does this frustrate me? Of course it does, but I am praying very hard every night that you "grow" out of this stage! Can this stage end next week? Please?

On another note, I find that you are very tenderhearted and timid as well. These are definitely my traits. Please know that these are not bad traits to have. They just are a small part of what makes you, you. I don't think I will ever forget the first time you tried to console me when I was crying. I was sitting on the living room floor and you crawled into my lap, turned your hands up and in your own little words said, "What's wrong, Mommy?". This happened just a few weeks ago. My heart just melted. You just wanted to make sure that Mommy was okay.

As each and every day passes, I find out something new about you. Whether it is something you have learned or just a new piece of your personality. My mom always told me that I would never know unconditional love until I had my own children and I am so glad I have been able to finally experience it. You are the greatest blessing God could have ever given your daddy and me. I am so excited to continue to watch you daily. To see you change into a cute little toddler and then to watch you grow as your life continues to unfold. Please always remember that I will love you forever.

~Always,
Mommy

Food Fun

wordless wednesday

Take me out to the ballgame!

Last night, we went to a minor league baseball game in Zebulon. The Carolina Mudcats are home to Zebulon and we had tickets to go with our Sunday school class. I have to be honest and say that I was a little worried before we left about how Jackson would do, but he was great. He seemed to have a wonderful time and really enjoyed the french fries. A boy after his mom's own heart! :)

We even got to see a really exciting game... The Mudcats were up against the Braves and they were tied at 0 for the 1st 3 innings but the Braves continued to have an average of a 1 run lead through the middle of the game. Starting the bottom of the 9th, the score was 3-4, Braves. And would you believe it, the Mudcats finally pulled through and got 2 runs. They were VERY close in not getting that second run but the batter hit the ball straight towards the short stop and the ball went right past him and the runner that had previously stole 3rd base, ran home! And the crowd roared! A round of fireworks were shot off.

Friday evenings are special at the stadium because they always do an OUTSTANDING fireworks show after the game. Jackson started out okay with the fireworks but as they continued to have several in a row, he just got a little bit too scared. However, this was expected as it was really the first time he had ever seen them... that close any way.

We had a very enjoyable evening with the group and between the 3 of us. The sport of baseball goes back a long way in my family and I would love to continue the tradition with Jackson. We will definately be back in the near future.

To end things, here is one of the shots I took of Jackson and Wayne.

Slow Fade

I am really not sure why this song has been on my brain so often lately ... but it has. There is so much truth to the words of the song. The words really make me think about the many decisions in my life, good and bad, and how those decisions have made me who I am today.

I guess it "pounds" on my heart even more because I have Jackson now. Although, I do not want to shelter him from EVERY thing (reality has to hit sometime), there are so many things that I want to keep out of his little "bubble". This world has become so much of the devil it is really scary. My prayer is that Wayne and I will raise him to plainly "be careful". Bad decisions are SOOO much easier to make than good ones. We just have to make sure that we are making the decisions that God wants us to make.

Well, I really think I am rambling. I am not sure if this made any sense as I am not sure really what to say. However, here are the words to "Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns.

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

An Accomplishment

And I SOOO wish I had my camera ready...

I am not sure what struck Jackson today, but he was just ready to try this whole walking thing. We walked circles around the house (on the inside of course) and he only held on to one hand! Oh, and he was very stable this time. He has been good about walking holding on with two hands, if I could ever get him to stand up and want to practice. I guess the saying is so true about them doing things when they are good and ready.

However, he was in the crawling position today after we had been practicing and he got to the squatting position. His back was to me and I am so glad it was because I don't think he would have stood at all if he knew that I was looking at him. But, he did. No hands, just stood straight up. All by himself! FINALLY!! For about 4 seconds... I think he could feel the smile on my face beaming through his back! I just wanted to run over and hug him, but I didn't. I let him do his thing and then when he sat back down and saw me, I just told him over and over what a good job that was. Then he kept trying to do it because he got a reaction out of it the first time, but wouldn't let his hands go. We are definately getting there. He walked around at chruch tonight holding one of my fingers and he walked back to the car with me.

I have just decided that he is getting just a bit heavy for me to carry all the time so I hope that the learning process on this whole walking thing goes pretty quickly. We will just have to keep on practicing.