Our Little Man

I can't believe Jackson is already 18 months old. Jason and I longed for the day he'd finally be old enough to go to nursery so we could finally have a chance to really pay attention to the talks and lessons given in church. Now, that day is here and I can't help but feel a bit nostalgic looking back over the past year and half and ask "where did the time go?" When I do that I remember all that has happened and am so grateful that Jackson is at the stage he is. Jackson is our "Curious George." He already is climbing out of his crib, on top of dressers, over his security gates, etc. I think you get the idea. Jackson's favorite direction is "up." I'm told that's just like Jason was when he was this age. Jackson loves to be organized. He likes to put his shoes on the proper shelf and organize his books and his toys. He also likes to be clean. He doesn't like when his hands are dirty. Jackson's love of music has only intensified in recent months. He loves to be the conductor, to play the piano, and to dance. I hope his interest in music only grows and is magnified in the coming years. Jackson loves all kinds of food, but especially comfort foods like chicken nuggets, hot dogs, tater tots, watermelon, and his new favorite: fruit snacks. Jackson prefers to be outdoors. He loves his "nature walks" to pick up sticks and has a knack of finding things that are better left on the ground then heading for his mouth. He's a very sweet boy who has a special connection with his Dad-dy. He says Dad-dy about 25 times a day. He can't wait for Jason to get home so they can play together. I love my Jackson. He's my miracle baby and I'm so grateful for his adventurous spirit which helps me to be a more spontaneous mother and person.

Kate, the Great

I love my little girl. She is growing up so fast. She's already starting to coo and is very alert. She loves to smile and each time she does that she melts my heart. Kate is a patient little girl. I think she knew she'd have to be as her big brother Jackson is let's say a "very active boy" requiring constant attention. She rarely cries and when she does it is only because she wants to eat or just wants to be held and hear your voice. I am so grateful for this special little girl who has blessed my life so much. I always come up with a nickname (or several) for people and the only one that has stuck so far for her is Kate, the Great. Love you!

Sweet moments with my kids

I want to remember little things my kids do each day that make a big difference in my life. I'll list a few of them here. One morning I was really tired and Jackson came over smiling and bent down and gave me a kiss on the cheek. It was as if he was saying, "Mom, I know it's rough being up all night with Kate and then taking care of me when I wake up at 6 a.m., but I love you and thanks for all you do." And, that same day, Kate decided not to nap while Jackson was which meant I didn't get any rest either. But, I did get to cherish seeing Kate smile for the first time. What a precious little girl! My heart also melts seeing the close relationship Jackson is developing with his Dad-dy. He loves spending time with Jason and doing boy things like playing "Oooh" (a Brinton family tradition of being tossed on a bed), having stick fights, and wrestling on the ground. I also love seeing Jason hold his little girl and tell her how beautiful she is. I enjoy seeing Jackson smile when I gave him his first taste of a cookie (a big deal for this cookie monster) and see how protective he is already becoming of his little sister whom he calls with affection Beb-bee. These are the precious moments that make all of those more difficult mom moments so worth it.

Des Moines

Jason's currently on a two-month rotation at in Des Moines. So, Jackson, Kate and I decided to spend a week at the apartment there and explore another part of Iowa. Our adventures included going to the Des Moines Botanical Center where Jackson enjoyed exploring the different textures of leaves and the foliage there; going on lots of walks searching for treasures (i.e. sticks, pine cones, and unfortunately, dog poop was part of that); going out to eat at the Cheesecake Factory; and spending more time with Jason than we've been able to do in months. Despite a brief bout of a nasty flu bug that helped me shed a little of my pregnancy weight, we had a wonderful time in Des Moines. So happy for this week which allowed us the chance to create so many wonderful memories!

Kansas City

Our trip to Kansas City to search for housing for the next year was full of fun and a great learning experience for all of us. After five hours of packing and cleaning, I loaded up Jackson and Kate and drove to Des Moines to meet up with Jason who is currently doing an eight week rotation at two hospitals there. Jackson had a few breakdowns on the way. So, in search of a way to find solace for him and sanity for me, I stopped at the famous golden arches (aka McDonald's) and bought him some chicken nuggets. Boy, did he love them and it gave me time to position his DVD player and get directions to the place to meet Jason. Once Jason finished work we drove to Kansas City where we learned how difficult it can be to travel with two children under age two. A lot of screaming that night and not a lot of sleep for us, and I would bet those staying the rooms nearby. Saturday was filled with searching for a place to live. We toured all sorts of options - house, villa, condo, apartment, townhome - both old and new. Boy, there sure are a lot of options out there. Jackson was so tired he had a lot of tears as he had to be patient as we went through the places and he had to sit for long stretches in his car seat. But, we survived on Baby Einstein movies, lots of treats, and playing "Hello, Boo" - his version of peek-a-boo. Saturday night he slept so much better. Thank goodness. Sunday morning we went to church at a nice ward in Olathe, Kansas. Later that day we headed back to Des Moines when the check engine light came on in our car. This is like the seventh time it's came on in the two years we've owned the car. We decided to chance it in getting to Iowa. I think I prayed the entire time we wouldn't get stranded in that long stretch from Kansas City to Des Moines with two kids on some remote part of the highway. We made it safely to Des Moines that night. We look forward to living in Kansas though it will mean saying good-bye to our life in Iowa. And yes, we found a place to live that's close to Jason's work and close to COSTCO for me.

Kate's surgery

Early Sunday morning while changing Kate's diaper, Jason discovered an unusual, hard mass on her left groin. We took her to the emergency room where it was determined she likely had a hernia. Hours later, surgery was scheduled for Kate on Monday. Kate was a brave little girl going without food for eight hours before surgery. The surgeons found she had hernias on both sides of her groin. The left side was worse than the right side but both are fixed now. Kate and I spent the night at the hospital. It wasn't one of those mommy-daughter sleepovers I care to repeat. Kate was screaming due to the pain and wouldn't eat. Once she got to sleep, I tried to get a few winks on the harder-than-a-rock sofa that screeched and moved sideways whenever I shifted. We were discharged Tuesday afternoon. Since then, Kate has been doing better at home though she doesn't sleep as much (sigh) and eats more than ever (a good thing). So grateful to have my little girl on the mend and for a wonderful medical team at the U of I.

Mommy's little helper

Jackson loves to help me clean. He likes to put his toys away and doesn't like when his hands are dirty. Today, I told him it makes his mommy unhappy when he throws food on the floor because it doesn't show his gratitude for his food and then I have to vacuum the floor...again. So, when he got down from his high chair today he went and picked up the vacuum, turned it on, and started vacuuming the kitchen floor. What a sweet boy! Thanks Jackson for helping mommy clean the house!