Dear Drew...

It was one year ago today that we brought you home from the hospital. We both remember that day like it was just yesterday. For me, it was a day of mixed emotions. I was so happy to be leaving the small room we lived in for 2 short days. But, leaving meant that I would not be returning to Northside again as a new mom. And that's a hard thing to feel...even as I type this. It was a beautiful sunny day, still cold and still white from the snow that had fallen the day you were born. For daddy, coming home meant things were on track. The day you arrived in the world was slightly overshadowed for him by nurses rushing in the room and stopping my contractions because your heart rate kept dropping and they needed to stabilize you quickly. It lasted just a few minutes, but for Daddy, it felt like an eternity...a time where he was helpless to you and me. But, going home was a step in the right direction for him...and it was the "be all" sign that you were a happy, healthy baby boy.

There are so many things we think about when we see you. We think about all of the things we have seen and been a part of this first year. The sleepless nights were over in just a few short weeks. Your bout with RSV scared us, but ended without a hospital stay. Your milestones came and went...smiling, laughing, rolling over, first foods, sitting up, a first tooth, first words, and the list goes on and on. But, more than memories, we think about everything that the future holds for you and how excited we are to be a part of it. From simple day-to-day things like learning to walk and talk...to exciting new adventures like your first day of school and the day you graduate from college, as a Gator, of course. There are so many adventures coming your way. And as excited as we are to be a part of those adventures, there are anxieties that go with them. Worries about whether or not we did enough to help you make the RIGHT decision when it comes to tough choices. Hoping we raised you to be a gentleman...polite and understanding but strong and courageous. As a parent, there is a balance you try to achieve in helping a child become a well-rounded person and we will do all we can to help you become the man you will one day be.

As I close this letter, it is the end of an era. The end of your first year. The end of this blog. But, it is the beginning of so much more. It is the beginning of your life in our family. You have wedged yourself in to out hearts and our souls. And we are so thankful for the happy little person you are. You bring joy and laughter to each day. You make us smile with all your silly faces. And we will always remember you as the precious baby boy who came in to our lives and filled our hearts with love we didn't know was missing. We love you!!!

1 Year Well Check

We had our 1 year well check appointment and aside from the 4 shots Drew had to endure, the appointment went very well.

As always the most fun part of visiting the doctor is finding out how much this guy has grown since the last appointment. For his 1 year visit, Drew weighed in at 24 lbs. 3 oz. and was 29 1/2 inches long. He is the perfect Thanksgiving Butterball!! He had only gained 2 pounds since the last appointment, but there was no reason for concern. Now that he is completely on table food and moving all over the place to keep up with the girls, he's bound to stop gaining so much weight at some point. The doctor said his eating should nose dive in the next few months because he won't require as much food as he used to. But, we hope that he continues to want to eat all the healthy fruits and veggies he can't get enough of right now.

Other than the 4 slow motion teeth he has coming in right now, Drew is completely on track. He is developmentally perfect and we continue to enjoy watching all the new things he does every day. For now, he is learning how to pull up and get up on those chunky legs. He doesn't like to be there long because it's way too much work to stand up. So...we'll be waiting for a few months on those first steps. I am sure by the time summer rolls around and he has a choice to sit in the hot sun or walk to the pool...he'll choose the option of running!! He's a big fan of playing ball. Seems he'll be a righty when it's all said and done. He loves to throw the ball, crawl for it, and then throw it again. The girls continue to be his favorite entertainment. There is always something they do or say that make him smile and laugh. The 2 of them fight over him all the time. But, they love him tons and that's what important. Enjoy the pictures from the past month!!

Happy Birthday Drew!!!

Happy Birthday to our little baby boy!!!

We love you Drew!!

We had our own little family celebration on February 28th. After all...it was the official day we went in to the hospital, and Monday birthdays aren't the easiest to coordinate with everyone. So, we opted to celebrate a day early with the family here in town. Drew spent some time opening presents and got lots of fun new things. He got a bunch of cute little clothes, which he needed desperately, from Aunt Jenny and the Messicks. The girls made him a Build-A Bear Frog to go with his room and included a sound clip of them singing happy birthday to him. It was very cute and I am glad we will always have that reminder from his first birthday. Grandma and Grandpa Jackson got him a cute birthday bear for us to put in his keepsake box and a birthday shirt for him to wear on Monday. The Blums got him a beautiful frame with his name embossed on it and a small window for a picture from each month of his first year. Jackie had one of these done for Ian at his birthday party and I LOVED to frame. So glad we have one for Drew. And, mom and dad got Drew the Cozy Coupe to ride around the cul-de-sac in and a fun beach ball sprinkler to play with this summer. Of course, we had to get the boy some clothes as well. He's just growing way too fast!! After we opened presents, we headed outside to ride in the Cozy Coupe for a minute and then it was back inside to eat cake. Drew was not shy and loved eating every bite of his cake.

Enjoy the pictures and visit the Shutterfly site to see all of them.

http://therealjacksonfive.shutterfly.com