The past 3 weeks...

The past 3 weeks have literally flown by.  The weekdays went by SO fast, and the weekends went EVEN faster. We had good days, we had great days, and we even had a few rough ones -- but with everyday, I fell more and more in love with our new little guy.  Here's a glimpse of just some of what we've been up to...

As a 4-week old, Jackson unfortunately had his fare share of rough days.  On Monday, he was fussy and gassy and wanted to be held ALL DAY LONG.  His baby acne was pretty bad that week, too, and if he's anything like me, his flare-ups definitely didn't do anything to help his mood.

His crankiness made for a very long day, so when Ben got home that night, the three of us spent the evening just vegging on the couch.

The rest of the week was pretty touch-and-go.  He was still a lot fussier than normal, but thankfully, he wasn't quite as fussy as that Monday.

Allowing me to take a quick shower

 Snuggling on the couch

Not smiling but thankfully not crying either ;)

 A relaxing nighttime bath

 Looking like a big kid in his Disney PJs

By Friday, things were going much better.  So much better that my mom and I decided to take him to run a few errands and even went to Chick-fil-A for lunch before heading home.  Thankfully, he slept pretty much the entire time.

Modeling his new sunglasses

We spent the afternoon just hanging out and waiting for Ben to get home.  We rocked in his chair...

...and he even helped me with a few things on the computer. ;)

Life as a 5-week old was much better.  On Saturday, we spent the day just hanging out.  We lounged around in our bed...

...did some tummy time...

...and spent most of the afternoon watching movies.  Jackson is so good at multitasking -- he can burp AND watch TV at the same time. ;)

That night, Ben and I went out without Jackson for the very first time {except for a couple quick trips to Buy Buy Baby} to go to the Wheeler Brothers' CD release concert.

We were only gone for about 3 hours, but as soon as the concert was over, I was ready to get home and see Jackson.  We had a lot of fun, but the whole time we were out, I just felt like something was missing.

Thankfully, we left him in good hands though -- 3 sets of hands to be exact.  We had asked my mom to babysit, and of course, Holly wanted to come over, too.  Nelson didn't have anything else going on, so he decided to join the party as well.  Nelson was asleep when we got home but woke up as soon as I snapped this picture.

3 babysitters for 1 baby.  This kid is so loved. 

Because Jackson missed his bath on Saturday night, Ben gave him one on Sunday morning instead.  He had no idea Jackson had pooped all over his lap until I pointed it out. 1 point Jackson, 0 points Ben. ;)

That afternoon, we loaded Jackson up in his car seat and took him to the CROP Hunger Walk.

This was the second year that our Sunday School walked it as a group {at a snail's pace since we had toddlers with us that preferred walking over riding in their strollers}, and afterwards, we all went over to one family's house for a cookout.

On Monday, we got all dressed up to go meet Avery who had been born the day before.  He was a little nervous...

...but very excited, too. ;)

We first went to my follow-up appointment.  Of course, my doctor and all of the nurses thought Jackson was adorable, and he was so good.  He slept the entire time and didn't make a peep.

After my appointment, we wandered over to the other side of the hospital to see Avery.  I knew that she was going to be small {she weighed 6 pounds 4 ounces when she was born}, but I could not get over just how tiny and precious she was.  She looked like a little doll and made my baby seem huge!

I wish I had taken a picture of Cheryl, too, because she looked great for just having had a baby, but this one of her with Jason is pretty cute. :)

Jackson did't wake up till I took him out of his car seat when we got home, and after he ate, he slept all afternoon.

That next morning, we hung out in bed.  He woke up every time that I tried laying him down in his co-sleeper but felt right asleep as soon as I laid him next to me.  Apparently he thinks our bed is more comfortable than his co-sleeper, but don't worry -- we won't be inviting him into our bed anytime soon -- or ever. ;)

Later that day, we headed over to my mom's house.  She had invited us, Mary, Dallas, and Morgan over for a grandmother-mother-daughter/son lunch date.  Lunch was delicious {especially my mom's homemade Italian cream cake}, and we had a great time catching up.

Unfortunately, Jackson was super fussy the entire time that I was trying to get us both ready and out the door, which apparently wore him out because he slept almost the entire time that we were over there.

A grandmother-daughter-son self portrait ;)

That evening, we decided to take Jackson for a walk in his jogging stroller.  While Ben was putting the leashes on the dogs, I was talking to Jackson.  Just as I asked him if he was excited about taking his first walk in his jogging stroller, he flashed me the biggest smile!  I was so excited that I got the first {real} smile, but Ben later confessed that he actually got the first one right before that while changing his diaper.  Dang it!  Oh well -- at least I got the second one. :)

The walk in his jogging stroller went so much better than the one that we had taken him on a couple of weeks ago in his other stroller.  He stared at his elephant and caterpillar the whole time, and the fact that we bundled him up and gave him his pacifier probably didn't hurt either.

We stopped by the Sotos' house before heading home.  5 weeks {and more than 5 pounds!} difference.

The next morning, Jackson and Amos got better acquainted during tummy time.

He seriously held his head up and just stared at Amos for the longest time.  And Amos just stared right back. ;)

Check out that cheesy grin!!!

Seriously -- it doesn't get any cuter that that.

The bouncy chair definitely comes in handy and is a life saver at times.

Especially on this day when he was super fussy and I was in desperate need of a shower.  Bouncer + pacifier + swaddle + lamb = a few minutes to take a VERY quick shower. :)

That afternoon, I put him in his crib for the very first time {up until this point, it had been piled high with gifts and other random things that still needed to be put away}, but he couldn't take his eyes off the quilt hanging above his bed for a picture.

That night, Ben's parents came over and brought dinner from Carino's for us and for the Sotos.  Apparently Ben is no longer afraid of holding babies {even itty bitty tiny ones like Avery} now that we have Jackson.

That Friday, Jackson and I met Kathy and Ralph for lunch at Hyde Park Bar & Grill.  I had a great time catching up with them, and Jackson slept the entire time.  Unfortunately he woke up as soon as we got in the car though, and because we were in stop-and-go traffic {he doesn't like it when the car is not moving}, he cried the whole way home.  He's the only person I know that hates traffic more than his dad. ;)

That afternoon, he played on his activity gym and did a little tummy time.

After telling Cheryl about how much longer Jackson would nap if I was holding him or if he was in the baby carrier than when he was in the bouncer or the swing, she suggested that I try putting him in his crib.  I tried it for the first time that day, and he slept for over 1.5 hours.  Success! :)

This baby loves his baths now that we've figured out how to do them.  He likes to be submerged in the water with his playlist going on Ben's phone.  Yes, really. :)

Life as a 6-week old started out great.  Jackson and I woke up early and played in bed...

...while Ben did his best to sleep in just a few more minutes.

He eventually woke up to join in on the fun though, and I fell in love with both of them all over again. :)

We played in his room for a little bit...

...and then he took a nap in his crib.

Later that morning, my mom and Holly came over.  In case you can't see it, his shirt says, "Cool like my auntie".

My mom, Holly, and I went to the mall to find an Easter outfit for Jackson, and I was quickly reminded why I don't usually go to the mall on a Saturday.  Especially a rainy Saturday.  It was packed!  Thankfully, Holly had already gone and scoped out all of our options, so it was a relatively quick trip, and because Holly is such an awesome aunt, she ended up buying the one that we liked the most.

The next morning, we took Jackson to church for the very first time.  We went to both Sunday School and the worship service, and he slept right through both of them.  We initially sat in the "cry room", but as Ben pointed out, he's too good for the "cry room", so we ended up sitting in the balcony right outside of it, and he never made a peep.

After church, we headed up to Round Rock to hang out with Ben's family and ended up going to Kevin and Molly's house for burgers.  It was so good to see them, and it was fun getting our boys together.  Neither one of them really cared about the other one {I'm not even sure Jackson noticed Rory -- haha}, but one day, they are going to have so much fun playing together!

Rory is so cute and is such smiley baby. I wish I had gotten a picture of Charlie, too, but he was napping when Molly snapped these pictures, and I was so lazy that I never even pulled out my camera.

On Monday, things took a turn for the worse.  Jackson woke up grumpy, and things pretty much stayed that way all day.  I'm not sure what it is about Mondays, but this face seems to be a common theme. :(

Monday night was a rough one, too, but thankfully, I was able to trick my baby into sleeping just a little bit longer that morning by pulling the curtains and laying him back down on my warm side of the bed.  Seriously -- the things I have to do to get a shower.

That day, we just hung out around the house and watched Law & Order SVU in our PJ's.

Jackson was taking a nap when Ben got home that evening, but because he couldn't wait to see him, he went back there to check on him.  He's been known to wake Jackson up too early from a nap just to hang out with him {he really is like a little kid sometimes}, so I was sure to remind him not to talk to him.  He said that he wouldn't, but I guess I should have said to not touch him either.  He forgot about the baby monitor and got caught in the act.  

Thankfully Jackson slept right through it though and woke up on his own not too much later.

Wednesday morning started out good.  We hung out in bed for a little bit...

...and did some modeling in his Under Armour outfit later that afternoon.

I'm no fashion expert, but with a belly like that, I don't think the fitness magazines will be calling anytime soon. ;)

That evening, we went over to my mom's house to celebrate Audrey's {belated} birthday.

My mom made a roast, which was of course delicious, and although Jackson was super fussy and was more interested in crying than taking his bottle, the rest of us had a great time catching up and celebrating Audrey.

Unfortunately, Jackson was pretty fussy again that next morning.  We had made plans to get together with Abby that day since school was out for Spring Break, and thankfully, things were going much better by the time she came over.

We ended up going to P. Terry's for lunch and then went for a walk to burn off the burgers and fries. ;)  Neither one of us had ever been on the trail that loops around the Shops at Arbor Trails, but it's really nice.  We ended up making two loops, which is almost 3 miles total.  It was such a beautiful day, and we had such a great time catching up.  We are definitely going to have to do it again soon!

I love this little boy so, so much.

On Friday, Jackson woke up in a good mood, but unfortunately it didn't last long.

He was pretty fussy again that day.

That afternoon, I took him on another 3 mile walk, and he slept the entire time.  I made sure to cover him completely so that he wouldn't get any sun {or wind}, but I didn't even think about myself.  Oops.  My arms got a little red, but thankfully the redness has already faded.

Later that afternoon, Steve stopped by to see us and held Jackson while I tried to get a few things done around the house.

That evening, Ben and I decided to go out to dinner, so while he got ready, Jackson and I killed some time with a mini photo shoot.

Aaaaaa.....

...choo!!!

Apparently he thought that sneeze was funny. ;)

We ended up going to Casa Maria for dinner {their migas are amazing!}, and Jackson did so good.

He started to fuss at the very end of dinner, but other than that, he either slept or just sat there so peacefully listening to the mariachi band.  It helps that he likes music -- apparently all types. :)

Yesterday, we spent the day just hanging out around the house and playing with our favorite little guy.

Ben's parents came over yesterday evening and brought a ton of food -- hot wings, chips & queso, steak, chicken, cheese potatoes, corn, and peanut butter kiss cookies for dessert.  We invited the Sotos over to join us, and we had a great time sitting out on the back porch while Steve grilled.  Unfortunately, I didn't think to take any pictures, but I did snap this candid one of the guys and their babies.  So, so sweet. :)

Unfortunately, we woke up in the middle of the night last night to Jackson coughing.  It was a horrible mucousy cough, so we did everything that we could think of {and that we could find using Google} to help him breathe better.  We put saline drops in his nose, sucked out what we could, sat in the steamy bathroom with him, turned on his humidifier, and then put him back to bed in his bouncer so that his head would be elevated.  I also texted Cheryl in the middle of night since I knew she would be up feeding Avery.  I was a little nervous that it might be croup, but she agreed that it was probably just because of the barbecue smoke.  I called the doctor this morning to see what else we could do, and he suggested that we give him some Baby Tylenol in addition to the things that we were already doing.  He also said that he didn't think it was because of the barbecue smoke, asked if anyone had been sick {I couldn't think of anyone}, and told us to bring him in tomorrow if he's not any better.

His face says it all though -- today has been rough!

Thankfully, he has still given us a few smiles though...

...and still seemed to somewhat enjoy his bath tonight.  Ben has started letting him "swim" after he bathes him, and he loves it!

We also had a few visitors today after church, which was definitely the highlight of our day.  Both Cheryl and Bev came over to meet Jackson, and of course, my mom jumped at the opportunity to come over, too. ;)

 Cheryl

Bev

Hopefully Jackson will get a good night's sleep tonight and feel better tomorrow.  Cheryl suggested that we put Baby Vicks on his feet tonight while he sleeps, so hopefully, that in combination with everything else will keep him from coughing and help him to breathe.  I realize that this is just his first of many sicknesses and that I shouldn't blame myself {although it's really hard not to}, but I just hate feeling so helpless when I know that he feels so bad.  My poor baby.  Hopefully he feels better soon!