We had a fun Christmas Eve in the Deiderich household. Daddy got to come home early from work (and fix the once again broken Civic). But he also got to play with Jackson some. Jackson by the way has learned some new dance moves. He can now dance on one foot and get some rythm going side to side. We're not sure how he's learning these moves, but Uncle Don did visit recently so we think we've got a lead on a suspect.
We went to Outback for dinner (Jackson digs the bread dipped in potato soup). Then we went and saw a BIG Christmas light display. Jackson was way impressed by the warp tunnel. Now we're off to bed to give Santa plenty of time to drop off our gifts. Merry Christmas everyone!
Mike
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Christmas lights
Boy do I love Christmas lights! It wasn't too cold out last night so Mommy, Daddy, and I went for a walk. Well, they walked and I rode in my stroller. We stopped at all the houses in the neighborhood that had good lights. Daddy said there weren't as many houses with lights up this year as there were last year, but that's okay. I still really enjoyed the ones I DID get to see. My favorites were the ones that moved, like those little trains with the wheels that look like they're moving. At one house there was a blow-up display of the Grinch stealing a tree out of a chimney. That was great!! Every time we stopped so I could get a good look at the lights, I pointed and clapped and squealed. Then my hands got cold and I had to hold either Daddy's or Mommy's hand most of the way home. Eventually Daddy just carried me on his shoulders so he could hold both my hands at the same time while Mommy pushed the empty stroller. Hopefully it doesn't get any colder over the next few days so we can go again. I can't wait.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Trips and Jackson update.
Lots to update on, so here goes!
First the traveling:
My Aunt (O'Sheila) and Uncle Don came to visit 2 weeks ago. They stayed home with Jackson while I worked Monday through Thursday. Thursday night was my going-away for work, which was very nice. There were about 25 people there and we all had a good time. Sheila went with us, but Don stayed home and slept. When we got home from dinner, we changed and loaded Don, Sheila, me, and Jackson into the car for the drive to Ohio. (Daddy stayed home.) It's normally a 10.5 hour drive. Don made it in 9.5. Hmmm... how'd that happen? Jackson did very well--slept most of the way, and only fussed for about 2 hours on and off. Once we stopped and changed his diaper, he was happy again and went back to sleep.
That was Thursday. Saturday we went to Hacker (my mom's side) Family Christmas in Cambridge, OH. 2.5 hours each way. Jackson didn't do so well this time. He has a hard time when there's someone in the backseat with him (me this time) and they won't take him out of his carseat. The ride home was a little better because he was VERY tired and finally fell asleep. Christmas was good. It's always nice to see family that I don't get to visit with very often.
Sunday Jackson and I drove to my dad's house in KY. 1.5 hours each way. I timed it better and since it was just the two of us, no one in the backseat with him, he was fine to sleep. He slept the whole way there and back. Also had a nice visit with Dad, Grammy, and PaPa. Although he wouldn't go see any of them. He was very clingy. I think he was having a hard time since Daddy wasn't there. He's been fine since we've been home.
Wednesday Jackson and I flew back to AR. What an adventure. Pushing him in his umbrella stroller with my CPAP hanging on it, his backpack diaper bag on my back, and carrying his *not small* carseat through the airport. Security was extra fun. I didn't buy him a ticket, but there was an extra seat from Dayton-Charlotte, so I was able to put his carseat in the seat next to me and put him in it. Then he proceded to scream for the entire flight and kick the lady's seat in front of him. Joy. From Charlotte-Little Rock, I gate-checked the seat and held him on my lap. He fell asleep about 10 seconds after we took off and didn't wake up until after we landed. YAY! Much better!!! We had to get up 3 hours early and I was exhausted, so when we got home, Jackson and Mommy took naps while Daddy went to work!
So overall, we were travelling 25 hours over the course of a week. That's a lot for a 14-month old, but he did well overall. He's a trooper for sure!!
Now on to the Jackson news:
He was evaluated the Monday before we left for possible delays in any area. He tested okay in all but one, ranging from 11-month level to 13-month level. But in one area (receptive communication) he only tested at a 6-month level. Receptive communication is how they react to sounds around them, like someone talking, or a noise, etc. He had a hearing test yesterday which he passed with flying colors. So now it's on to speech therapy. We're hoping to get something started SOON since we'll only have about a month before it'll be time to move to Japan. The therapist that tested him wrote a very thorough report and at the end she gave us a list of things we can be working on. I'm trying to do those whenever I can. I put it on the fridge to remind me! Some are common sense, but some are things you wouldn't think to do. Hopefully with a little therapy he'll be caught up to his age group sooner rather than later.
On a side note, I'm *almost* officially a stay-at-home mom. I have 3 more days of work, plus one day of out-processing, but basically I'm done working. It's a little strange! But I have a checklist of the things I'd like to get done each day, so it still kinda feels like work a little. I'm planning on cooking every weekday and that will be a BIG change for me! I'm also planning on exercising, but we're on day 2 and it hasn't happened yet. I'm just going to have to figure out where it works best at. Probably the morning between breakfast and nap? Who knows?! Well, Jackson's going to be waking up any minute, so I guess that's all for now.
First the traveling:
My Aunt (O'Sheila) and Uncle Don came to visit 2 weeks ago. They stayed home with Jackson while I worked Monday through Thursday. Thursday night was my going-away for work, which was very nice. There were about 25 people there and we all had a good time. Sheila went with us, but Don stayed home and slept. When we got home from dinner, we changed and loaded Don, Sheila, me, and Jackson into the car for the drive to Ohio. (Daddy stayed home.) It's normally a 10.5 hour drive. Don made it in 9.5. Hmmm... how'd that happen? Jackson did very well--slept most of the way, and only fussed for about 2 hours on and off. Once we stopped and changed his diaper, he was happy again and went back to sleep.
That was Thursday. Saturday we went to Hacker (my mom's side) Family Christmas in Cambridge, OH. 2.5 hours each way. Jackson didn't do so well this time. He has a hard time when there's someone in the backseat with him (me this time) and they won't take him out of his carseat. The ride home was a little better because he was VERY tired and finally fell asleep. Christmas was good. It's always nice to see family that I don't get to visit with very often.
Sunday Jackson and I drove to my dad's house in KY. 1.5 hours each way. I timed it better and since it was just the two of us, no one in the backseat with him, he was fine to sleep. He slept the whole way there and back. Also had a nice visit with Dad, Grammy, and PaPa. Although he wouldn't go see any of them. He was very clingy. I think he was having a hard time since Daddy wasn't there. He's been fine since we've been home.
Wednesday Jackson and I flew back to AR. What an adventure. Pushing him in his umbrella stroller with my CPAP hanging on it, his backpack diaper bag on my back, and carrying his *not small* carseat through the airport. Security was extra fun. I didn't buy him a ticket, but there was an extra seat from Dayton-Charlotte, so I was able to put his carseat in the seat next to me and put him in it. Then he proceded to scream for the entire flight and kick the lady's seat in front of him. Joy. From Charlotte-Little Rock, I gate-checked the seat and held him on my lap. He fell asleep about 10 seconds after we took off and didn't wake up until after we landed. YAY! Much better!!! We had to get up 3 hours early and I was exhausted, so when we got home, Jackson and Mommy took naps while Daddy went to work!
So overall, we were travelling 25 hours over the course of a week. That's a lot for a 14-month old, but he did well overall. He's a trooper for sure!!
Now on to the Jackson news:
He was evaluated the Monday before we left for possible delays in any area. He tested okay in all but one, ranging from 11-month level to 13-month level. But in one area (receptive communication) he only tested at a 6-month level. Receptive communication is how they react to sounds around them, like someone talking, or a noise, etc. He had a hearing test yesterday which he passed with flying colors. So now it's on to speech therapy. We're hoping to get something started SOON since we'll only have about a month before it'll be time to move to Japan. The therapist that tested him wrote a very thorough report and at the end she gave us a list of things we can be working on. I'm trying to do those whenever I can. I put it on the fridge to remind me! Some are common sense, but some are things you wouldn't think to do. Hopefully with a little therapy he'll be caught up to his age group sooner rather than later.
On a side note, I'm *almost* officially a stay-at-home mom. I have 3 more days of work, plus one day of out-processing, but basically I'm done working. It's a little strange! But I have a checklist of the things I'd like to get done each day, so it still kinda feels like work a little. I'm planning on cooking every weekday and that will be a BIG change for me! I'm also planning on exercising, but we're on day 2 and it hasn't happened yet. I'm just going to have to figure out where it works best at. Probably the morning between breakfast and nap? Who knows?! Well, Jackson's going to be waking up any minute, so I guess that's all for now.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Babysitting
We're babysitting tonight, so I'm using my neighbor's computer to post this blog. I'm sure she won't mind. She needed to go to a Christmas party and her babysitter flaked out on her at the last minute. So we're watching them for her. But it's really not a big deal since we were only here for 2 1/2 hours before they went to bed. Oscar is 5 and the twins Emma and Lucy are 4. Yeah, a handful for sure. Not sure how she does it everyday. They were really good and easy tonight. Mostly because Mike didn't rile them up before bed as I expected him to do.
Jackson is doing well. He's blowing kisses like a champ. Every now and then he runs into things when he's running/walking. It's hilarious, but not really nice to laugh, cuz it always looks like it hurts. He usually doesn't cry, though.
His last day of daycare was Friday. Hard for his teachers. One cried when we left. She said she'd been dreading that moment all day. I wonder if it's always that hard for them when a kid leaves, but I'm thinking not. Jackson's just so cuddly he's easy to get attached to. Such a sweet baby!!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
The Wonder Place
We went to the Wonder Place today after lunch. Lunch was at Firehouse Subs.
Mmmm.
It was me, Mommy, Daddy, Mimi, Grampers, and Uncle CamCam. We had LOTS of fun! First, I ran straight to the water table. No one was surprised. I'm too little to reach, but they had stools for me to stand on. Here's a video of my playing at the water table:
Until I fell off the stool, that is.
After the water table, we played on a bunch of other toys.
Uncle CamCam and Daddy were playing almost as much as I was. Even when I was in a different room. We should've had to pay admission for them, too!
Then I went back to the water table. This picture was taken right before the kid on the very left in the striped shirt with the full bucket in his hand turned and dumped the bucket on the head of the kid next to him who is happily playing by himself and not bothering anyone. Quite possibly one of the funniest things that Mommy and Grampers have ever seen. No one else was looking.
I eventually discovered the air tubes. You put stuff in the beginning and it goes through all these tubes and shoots out another hole. And there was a table that shoots air straight up and you can put balls on it and they stay. I was fascinated!
Daddy and Uncle CamCam made guns out of the pipes and shot balls at strangers. And Mimi. And Mommy. No one really liked that, but they thought it was hilarious.
We had a lot of fun, and I sure was worn out! I fell asleep on the way home. We will have to go back there some more before we move away from Arkansas.
Mmmm.It was me, Mommy, Daddy, Mimi, Grampers, and Uncle CamCam. We had LOTS of fun! First, I ran straight to the water table. No one was surprised. I'm too little to reach, but they had stools for me to stand on. Here's a video of my playing at the water table:
Until I fell off the stool, that is.
After the water table, we played on a bunch of other toys.
Uncle CamCam and Daddy were playing almost as much as I was. Even when I was in a different room. We should've had to pay admission for them, too!
Then I went back to the water table. This picture was taken right before the kid on the very left in the striped shirt with the full bucket in his hand turned and dumped the bucket on the head of the kid next to him who is happily playing by himself and not bothering anyone. Quite possibly one of the funniest things that Mommy and Grampers have ever seen. No one else was looking.
I eventually discovered the air tubes. You put stuff in the beginning and it goes through all these tubes and shoots out another hole. And there was a table that shoots air straight up and you can put balls on it and they stay. I was fascinated!
Daddy and Uncle CamCam made guns out of the pipes and shot balls at strangers. And Mimi. And Mommy. No one really liked that, but they thought it was hilarious.
We had a lot of fun, and I sure was worn out! I fell asleep on the way home. We will have to go back there some more before we move away from Arkansas.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Not much
There's not too much going on. Mom, Matt, and Camden drove from Ohio and got here late Tuesday night. I was at Wal-Mart buying a new air mattress pump when they arrived. Jackson has been soaking up the attention. He got to stay home from daycare on Wednesday with Mimi and Grampers. I'm not sure who enjoyed that more! I got home from work early, which NEVER happens, so that was a nice change. We had fried chicken (from the deep fryer, not breaded) for dinner last night. We'll be doing the over-eating Turkey dinner thing tonight. In preparation, I'd like to not eat all day, but will get a headache if I do. So I'll eat something this morning I guess. See? Lots of rambling. Like I said, not much going on.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Forced Blog Entry
I've never blogged before and feel I should let you know that I'm doing this under duress (Jenni's making me). Ummm...we spent a good chunk of the evening trying to catch one of Jackson's jigs on video. He's got a pretty good routine down, but he immediately stops doing anything that could be considered cute when he spots a camera nearby. He then heads for the camera and whines until you give it to him, which doesn't make for especially good snap shots. Jenni went covert on this one while I attempted to motivate Jackson to dance by demonstrating some moves of my own. I tried my best to keep these "moves" out of grasp of the camera lens and it looks like I succeeded (no need to thank me).
I love bananas
I love bananas. Very very much. I had a whole one for breakfast today. Then while I had a snack, Mommy was eating her breakfast . She gave me animal crackers to snack on, but SHE was eating cereal with... you guessed it! A banana. Did I want to eat my animal crackers? NOPE! Not until she gave me half her banana. When it was all gone, THEN I ate my animal crackers. Mmmmm.... bananas!!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Not at work
Nope, I'm not at work. I'm home. Because Jackson had a temp. today. It got up there (almost 102), so they said I had to come get him. You mean, I have to LEAVE work, and spend the WHOLE day home with my baby. Oh. Darn. SEE YA'! So I thought it would be all fun and games being home with him all day. We've been home for over 4 hours, and he's slept for like 3 of it. BOR-RING. So I'm blogging. I should be cleaning. But all that's left to clean is the baseboards and kitchen cabinets. YUCK. I hate doing that stuff. Maybe I'll go read for a while until lazy baby wakes up.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Inhalers
Jackson has had to use his Albuterol inhaler (his asthma's been acting up and he's been coughing) a lot the last few weeks. So we put him back on his Flovent (preventative) inhaler. In all, he gets 4 puffs twice a day. And we have to wait a full minute between puffs. i.e. 3 minutes of hell for him. Did you know that it takes 2 grown adults to hold down a 13-month old who does NOT want a mask held over his face while he breathes in and out at least 6 times. I can do it on my own if I have to, but he usually doesn't get his full dosage if it's just me. Luckily this is only a fall/winter type thing. The doc said we can take him off of it in the spring. Unfortunately, "spring" comes much later in Japan than in Arkansas!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Jackson's latest trick
Jackson likes to surprise me with new things. Here's what I found today. It had been quiet for a long time (like 30 seconds). I went to see what he had managed to get into. I had left him in the living room, blocked in by the baby gate and his toy box. Went to the bathroom. Came back, and this is what I found:
Yes, he went out the doggy door. He had to squeeze between his toy box and the wall in the living room. (I had it about 2 inches off-center leaving him just enough room, I guess.) Then outside he went.
Then he spotted me with the camera and suddenly wanted to come back inside.
Yes, he went out the doggy door. He had to squeeze between his toy box and the wall in the living room. (I had it about 2 inches off-center leaving him just enough room, I guess.) Then outside he went.
Then he spotted me with the camera and suddenly wanted to come back inside.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Teeth suck
I got 2, yes TWO molars in today. I've been cutting them all week, and boy was I cranky! Ms. Deann, my daycare teacher, said on Wednesday I followed her around whining all day. And that's not like me at ALL. They finally came through this morning, but my gums are still a little sore. I'm gonna look a little funny with just front teeth and molars, and nothing in between. Everyone told me the molars would be the worst, and boy were they right!!
Jackson's First Post
I'm really asleep right now. But I wanted Mommy to let everyone know that I had a fun day today. Except that I'm getting some molars in. OUCH!
Our First Blog
Welcome to our blog! I figured with the "Big Move" coming up, this would help us keep everyone informed of what's going on in our lives. Some blogs will be written by Jenni. Some by Jackson. Every now and then Mike might throw one in, too. I guess there can be pictures and stuff... maybe I'll get fancy later.
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