Day 237- is it friday yet?

Jackson was cranky on and off b/c teething is picking up again. He's getting really clingy to me, which I don't mind most of the time, but sometimes I just need 5 minutes! I only got pictures this morning before his bad mood set in. It was a long day at school and I can't wait for 4:00 tomorrow! I think it's going to be an early night for me tonight too- I'm beat. These 5 day weeks are rough.

Getting ready to come and get me

Silly kid

Day 236- Early to bed, late to rise makes mommy happy

Jackson has started going to bed earlier and earlier. He now starts his bath and bedtime routine around 7 and is sound asleep by 8. It makes it much easier for me to get some things done around the house. I was worried that it would mean that he would be getting up earlier, but he's been sleeping until I get him. He's a happier baby in the morning too.

We were home later tonight and got to have some yummy peppers from the garden with cube steak tonight. Jackson didn't eat much, but downed the milk. Brenda said he ate good for her so it all balances out.

I didn't get a whole lot of pictures tonight, but we had a fun day without the camera.

Yummy milk!

He just loves Little Quack!

Talking to the doggy

So confused by the dogs because they get "cleaned" in the water- I love them!

All done mama!

Day 235-Fall is in the air

I'm only going to say it once b/c I can't read one more facebook status about it, but Jackson survived his first earthquake. Ms. Brenda said he thought it was funny and when it stopped he went around trying to make all of his toys shake again.

Today it was in the forties when I got up- I loved it! Jackson had to break out his 18 month jackets which are still a little big, but did the job. We had a little scare with the baby today, but everything is OK, I just really need to take it easy until the baby makes his/her entrance. I know I can do it, it'll just be hard. I'll follow up with the doctor September 7th when I find out if Jackson's getting a brother or a sister and hopefully the doc will say all is good!

So, since I'm practicing this taking it easy thing and Jackson's asleep, I'm going to watch some TV and get to bed early tonight and not worry about school stuff until 8:00 am tomorrow.

I was busy with Jackson after school today and didn't get any pictures, so all I have are a couple from this morning before we left.

He was smiling at me, but then Super Why started and I lost his attention

Playing with his sesame street car

He loves to push it and chase it, he's not had a successful ride yet- ask the bruise on his face

Off he goes to get Elmo

Day 234- Favorite time of day

My favorite time of day with Jackson has become right before bath time when he's getting tired and he crawls over to his book bin. He pulls out book after book and throws them at me to read. He has about 8 books that he will listen to from start to finish, but insists I start all of the books he gives to me. I usually end up reading a page or 2 from many books before he gets to his touch and feel collection and his Brown Bear collection (Bill Martin, Jr and Eric Carle collabs). I love that he is such a reader and how excited he gets during each of his favorite books. We had a really nice night tonight- I made a point to leave school at 4:00 today, which I will continue to try and do. I still have some school work to do and some diapers to finish, but it was so nice out that I went outside with the dogs, the baby monitor and a book for an hour and enjoyed a cup of peppermint tea. I know it's not fall yet, but it's certainly started to feel like it and I'm loving every minute!

Showing off his new t-shirt from dad (and his new haircut from day)

Right after I told him "no, don't touch." Daring me to do something about it

Throwing all of the toys out of his toybox

He just loves shaking those two toys

He cracks himself up

Trying to free pluto from the crib

Reading his new book from Aunt Chris and Uncle Charlie- it's personalized and awesome!

Mad b/c his book is stuck

Brown bear, brown bear makes him a very happy kid :)

Day 233- PJ Sunday

We had a good, productive day today. I got my clothes switched around and my longer shirts and maternity clothes out and other clothes put away. I also put away Jackson's 12 month clothes and brought out his 18 month clothes. I also rearranged dressers and put warmer NB and 0-3 month clothes in the other dresser. It's hard to believe in 4 months I'll have a baby that small again.

We stayed in our PJs most of the day and had a fun weekend. I'm hoping to get to bed soon b/c it's going to be a long week!

Climbing on Joe

Look mama- gentle hands. Are you proud of me?

Rubbing noses with Joe Dog

He loves his new toy box!

Day 232- Jackson "the honey badger" Shepherd

So after a very long day of errands and chores, I'm officially back to work and getting ready to do paperwork and lesson plans. I hope tomorrow that I"ll be able to move clothes around and get my maternity clothes into my drawers.

Jackson doesn't seem to be bothered by the word "no" anymore. He thinks it's funny. I believe his molars are coming in and he was a bit whiny today. After seeing all the head butts (he went after Joe today), banging his head purposely for attention, laughing at the word "no" and just doing as he pleases- I have decided that' Jackson's nickname will be the Honey Badger. Inspired by this (one of my favorite) youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg b/c honestly- Jackson just don't give a shit :)

Despite all this, you can't help but love him. I think he's got a fabulous career in football ahead of him- I just hope to help him take his enjoyment in being tougher (no clue where he got that trait) and channel it into sports. The pictures today aren't very good, but he was attached to me most of the day, which made it hard to get pictures. I hope he cuts these teeth quickly and we can get a little bit of a break before the next set.

Remember how I said he was attached at my hip all day- it started when I took a shower this morning and he tore down the baby gate and crawled in the shower with me, getting water all over the bathroom. He wouldn't even sit still away from me long enough for a picture.

Taking a bit of break before dinner watching sesame street with me on the couch

Crawled to a new spot for a 30 second relaxation

Totally worn out watching Elmo

Second wind mama- let's go!

If I hide my face- she can't tell me no

Publish Post

See- I couldn't hear it :)

(This was immediately after I told him he couldn't pull the curtain down--see Honey Badger)

Day 231- 12 Month Old Bully

So we are in big trouble with Jackson. There is a 4 year old at the sitters that he's having issues with. When I dropped him off earlier this week, the 4 year old was up in Jackson's face talking to him. Jackson whined and shook his head "no". I told the little boy that Jackson didn't like that and Brenda did the same. He didn't listen and Jackson popped him in the eye. The little boy said "ow, ow" and cried and Jackson laughed hysterically. The more the little boy cried, the more Jackson laughed.

So fast forward to today. The little boy learned his lesson and sat far away from Jackson talking to him. Jackson crawled over and very kindly gave him a hug and a kiss. Then he leaned back and started to repeatedly headbutt him with all his might on the side of his face. Again, ouches and crying follows- Jackson laughs harder and harder. I tell him that's not nice, but he still laughs. I tell him "no" and he smiles b/c he still hears the boy crying. I'm in trouble.

I've also attempted to solve the problem of him trying to steal the dog food. I give him a bowl of animal crackers to eat while the dogs eat. It worked a little, but he had more fun with the bowl than he did with the animal crackers.

He's feeling much better tonight and ate a huge dinner, I'm looking forward to going to be early tonight- this back to work stuff is exhausting.

Playing with Joe Dog

Telling me how it is

Trying to be sneaky and taking the monitor

Dinner time with his brothers

He wanted to put his face in the bowl too!

Day 230- Too bad Mommy can't drink

Wow, what a crazy first day back at school. We had a ton of new kids. I'm going to spend the next week trying to figure out which ones have IEPs (I know of 3 already) how to fit them in the schedule, changing schedules, meeting with teachers about accommodations, writing amendments, and just trying to get on top of special education paperwork. I love to teach, but this part makes it hard. I wish I could just work with my kids already instead of burying myself with trying to figure out who goes with whom, who gets what services, and how my schedule is going to accommodate 22 kids!

I didn't get home until after 5 today, after trying to figure out bus stuff and make sure every child made it home. Then Jackson was tired, but we did have fun playing. I'm going to have to make his bedtime slowly earlier and earlier because I keep having to wake him up in the morning. He wakes up happy, but I want him to wake up on his own so I know that he got enough sleep. As long as I can get dinner cooked quickly enough, I think this will be a good plan so that I can get to bed early too!

Here mama- will this help?

Sad b/c I won't let him steal the dogs' food

He kept inching closer and closer- Joe wasn't impressed

This toy is evil. It is loud, he gets things stuck in it, and the songs are annoying. So of course- it's his favorite

Finding a random toy to get stuck in the track

Love this little guy :)