Looking Back

It has been a while since I last posted so I decided to recap some of the events. We had Jackson's second birthday in September. It was rainy and cool just like last year so we had an indoor play area for the kids to play on. We were so blessed to be joined by so many wonderful friends and family. Matt made Jackson's cake this year. I don't know who was more excited about it - me or Jackson! Since he did a such a great job, I decided he can be the official cake decorator in the family.

Makennah, Jackson and Kynlee

Jackson also started something new this year - Thursday school! We decided it would be good for him to be around the other kids. He was very brave his first day and even took a nap! He went through a spell where he cried every day. Thank goodness for the sweet teachers at his school. With their patience and my mom's (she drops him off) he made it through and really enjoys school now.

Jackson and my niece Aubrey

It seemed like September and October flew by. We got to celebrate with several special people as they celebrated their birthdays, and got to enjoy great weather for Halloween. Jackson was an elephant this year. He looked so cute. If you look at the picture you can tell that I didn't procrastinate in buying his costume. In fact, I bought it early enough for him to have a growth spurt and almost grow out of it before he got to wear it. I was really surprised when I put it on him the day before Halloween. I bit back the urge to rush out and buy another costume. After all, he was only going to wear it once and I think he looks really cute no matter what he has on!

Jackson loved the baby goats at the local Trunk or Treat!

Matt and I also got to take Jackson to the zoo. We couldn't have asked for better weather. We had so much fun. We let Jackson wear his monkey backpack (we laugh and call it his "leash"). He loved having the freedom to walk where he wanted to go, and we enjoyed the peace of mind knowing he couldn't get too far out of reach. He loved all of the animals but loved the train and carousel the most.

We celebrated with family and friends for Thanksgiving. We had lunch with Matt's Granny and got to enjoy her delicious dressing. We had dinner with my side of the family and went with a nontraditional course of finger foods and sandwiches. It was great because we were so stuffed from lunch still. Jackson also had a feast at his Thursday school. It consisted of turkey sandwiches, grapes, cheetos and cupcakes - the perfect feast for a two year old!

cousin Aubrey and Jackson enjoying their feast

We went to the park several times this fall. Jackson loves the park and has gotten really good at playing on all of the playground equipment. He plays on the "big kid playground" now. He makes me so nervous sometimes, but it is so fun watching figure out how to do what the other kids are doing.

We had a lot to be thankful for this fall. Jackson got released from his pulmonologist. She thought he was doing great and didn't need further monitoring. He also got released from his physical therapist. We miss Mrs. Gretchen! She was so great to us. She helped Jackson overcome many of his obstacles and gave our family great encouragement. Although we miss her, we were so thankful that Jackson was to the point that he didn't need physical therapy anymore. She started seeing him when he couldn't sit up. Now he is running and climbing on everything. We are so very thankful - I can't really say that enough!