We'll Sing The Butler War Song!

Once upon a time there was a small baby boy. His name was Jackson and he was 48 weeks old.


Jackson was a very cute baby and he was learning a lot about the world. This week he:

Played with his friend Mel so his Mommy could work on her Masters. They had a really good time. So good that he fell asleep before Mommy could come out for lunch! (This delighted Mommy as she thought Jackson could only fall asleep if he was breastfed. Problem solved!) (As a side note: Mommy wasn't able to complete her entire chapter in one day so Mel is coming back next week so things can get wrapped up. She's so close she can smell it!)

Went to the beach with Bianca and Julian. The two friends had fun playing in the water.

Played his favorite game, Peekaboo, with Mommy.

WHERE'S JACKSON??


PEEKABOO!

Learned how to roll and throw a ball, and then chase after it.



Looked at pictures of his Nana, Bapa, Aunt Holly and Myles back in Indiana.



Read lots and lots of books. Like his Mommy and his Bapa before her, Jackson loves to read books.


Tried some new food including toast with strawberry jam and Gloria Jean's banana bread.

Snuggled with his Mommy while watching a DVD before nap time (this happens to be Mommy's favorite time of day).



Learned what a tree is and points to it when asked. He also learned how to say "tree". Though not consistent, Jackson can now say "mama", "dada", "tree", "book", and "birdie". He calls his teddy "tay" and his cookies "tan". He also points and says "sat" (short for what's that). Jackson's Mommy didn't discover this until swimming lessons this week where they sat for a good 10 minutes near the edge of the pool looking at the fishies on the wall while Jackson said "Sat" and Mommy said "Fishies" and Jackson said "Sat" and Mommy said "Fishies", etc...

Jackson also laughed a lot at his Daddy.

His Daddy is funny. Mommy and Jackson play a game every night before bath time where Jackson takes off all his clothes and then sneaks up on Daddy. Mommy and Jackson scream "naked baby!!!!!" and then they all dance. Jackson gets excited too early and gives it away most times though.

Jackson and Mommy went to the shopping centre and got some impromptu photos taken. The photos don't come back until April 15 (happy tax day). While there, Jackson wanted to say hello to the ladybugs.



On Friday, Jackson had a bad day. First, his Daddy gave him a bodgy haircut. Jackson was a little too wiggly in his chair and the snip snip went bad bad. Not 30 minutes later, Jackson fell and hit his lip on his sippy cup causing a busted lip. There was blood, but between Daddy holding a cloth on it and Mommy putting a piece of ice in the fresh food feeder, the bleeding stopped quickly and there were lots of cuddles. Poor little baby boy!



On Tuesday, Jackson got his 8th tooth. It came through virtually unnoticed (thank you amber teething necklace).

And Jackson and Mommy took LOTS of walks this week. Mommy is desperately trying to regain her pre-pregnancy figure. Only 15 more lbs to go!
Before Jackson:


After Jackson (after already losing 22 lbs):


Go Mommy, Go!

Jackson, Mommy and Daddy had a great week! Did you have a great week?

PS - Go Butler!

One Step At A Time

My baby turned 11 months old yesterday.


11 months old!!



11 MONTHS OLD!!

Tell the people "hi", you 11 month old big boy!



My baby will be 1 in less than a month! We have decided on a theme for his birthday party - dinosaurs. He likes to roar. He stole a dinosaur in his first year. I feel like a dinosaur. It's fitting. I have ordered the invites and have started looking around for other supplies. The date of the big par-tay is April 18. Hold that date. And then we will be celebrating again with Mickey in June.

This week has been fantastic! It was my first week off. Well, I did teach one lesson, but I suppose in the grand scheme of things it wasn't significant.

What did we do this week you ask?

Well...

Monday and Tuesday were "are you for real" days... Jackson has been up a lot at night with teething pain. We tried everything. Panadol and teething tablets. Teething rusks. Cold clothes. Teething rings. Vibrating teething toys.

But nothing - NOTHING - helped. He was really out of sorts all day. Very clingy and whingy. I felt so bad for him. And me. Cause I was tired. Out of desperation, last Sunday I ordered an amber teething necklace. Apparently:
"Natural pain relief provided by Amber works by placing the necklace on your body, this allows your skin to warm the amber beads, releasing healing oils which are then absorbed into the blood stream. The active ingredient is succinic acid which is fossilized resin produced by plants 40 – 50 million years ago. In nature the resin would have been used by the tree as a natural antibiotic against infection, viruses and physical attack. The tree would use the resin like a plaster or wound dressing. Now the resin has been fossilized, its healing properties have been captured in the resin which are release once the amber has been warmed. Nobel-prize winner Robert Koch (1886) was the pioneer of modern bacteriology proved that succinic acid has a very positive influence on the body."
I know it sounds very new-agey, but I was willing to try anything. We got it in the mail on Tuesday and it appears to have helped. A lot! Ever since Jackson has been wearing it he has been less whingy, less drooly, and has started sleeping through the night again! Coincidence? Maybe. But I'm not taking the necklace off of him (at night he sleeps with it doubled over around his ankle - I'm not stupid enough to leave it around his neck at night. Bad mommy)! And he looks cute in it.



On Wednesday, we went to the lake to have a picnic with our friends Bianca and Julian. The boys loved playing together.


At one point, Bianca was feeding the seagulls. They would all dive for the little piece of bread and make a squawking noise. Julian was ready to dive in as well, but Jackson just wanted to observe. Everytime they dove and squawked, Jackson jumped! Scary seagulls!



On Thursday, we had swimming lessons as normal. When we got home, Jackson found that the baby in the mirror plays a good game of peekaboo:


On Friday, we went to daddy's work and then came home, had a nap, then went shopping. I have been taking Jackson on a walk every evening. Sometimes down to the shops; sometimes along the track. This evening, we went to the shops. I wanted to buy a drink caddy for the stroller.

Friday was the first day that Jackson started only taking one nap. For about a week prior, nap time had become a struggle. It would take 45 minutes to an hour to get him to go to sleep. So on Friday (after a good night's sleep, thank you amber teething necklace) we stayed busy till about 1:00. Then, voila... easy naptime. Slept for about 2.5 hours. Then fresh as a daisy. Added bonus: no bed time struggle either! We also discovered that he needs about 15 minutes before nap/bed time to wind down. So we lay on the sofa and watch one of his DVDs and snuggle. He did have a 30 minute catch up nap this morning. I think he was woken up too early this morning by the stupid birds on our tin roof. In any case, we'll try just the one afternoon nap from now on. It gives us much more freedom during the day. It also cuts our nursing sessions down to only 4 a day. My boobs, they doth protest. They'll get used to it though.

Saturday David looked after Jackson all morning while I locked myself in my studio to work on my Masters.

I got a lot done, but still need a couple more days to finish up the Gershwin chapter. Mel is coming to look after Jackson tomorrow so I can do just that. I hope my brain is switched on tomorrow! After Saturday's nap, Jackson and I headed to the Ocean Baths for a swim. Yes, it has gotten very hot again. But am I complaining as much? No. We have air-conditioning. And the baths were lovely.










We had so much fun that we went back today! And we took Daddy!




New foods this week: Goldfish. I had them ordered in especially for Jackson. And he likes them. Why wouldn't he? Goldfish are yummy!



Jackson is so close to walking. He can stand by himself really well now and has been trying to take steps. He can get one in before he falls over. He is a pro with his walker toy though. Just that pesky turning around business...



I also managed to catch his fake laugh on video purely by accident. Where does he get this?



I think that about covers it for this week. We love you! Thanks for reading!

Walking On Sunshine

Upon speaking with my mother last week, I asked her "did you read the blog". She responded with "there weren't any videos." And that was that. So this week there are three. Jackson must've known he should up the ante as far as doing video-worthy things are concerned or Nana might lose interest. That and simply lots of interesting stuff happened this week!

So here we are, week 46..


I'll start with the food. I think it was the most predominant part of the week. We indeed went to the Farmer's Market last Sunday where we picked up lots and lots of Organic Produce (and some Banana Bread...which I let Jackson try).

I spent the entirety of Monday afternoon cooking. I made corn, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, apples, peaches, pears, and millet. Now we're stocked up for at least the better part of a month! Go mommy! We also bought a watermelon for Jackson to try. After a few minutes of studying the thing, he wolfed it down. It was very messy, but delicious.


We also stopped by the Lolly Shoppe this week. They sell a lot of American foods. If you have been with me since the beginning, I am sure you remember the blog about craving American food and discovering the Lolly Shoppe. Well, we went there this week with the intention of buying Dr Pepper, Peanut Butter M&Ms, and Reese's Cups for my girl's group class (I promised them an American themed party on their last class of the term). While browsing the shop, I saw a box of Graham Crackers. The price tag said $9 (this place is EXPENSIVE... imported food, bah), but they were going for $4 so I bought them as a snack for Jackson. Score! He likes Graham Crackers, too!


Jackson also started on diluted Apple Juice in his sippy cup for afternoon snack. Loves it. So far, lots of winners this week, eh? And finally, we may or may not have let him try a McDonald's french fry... and he may or may not have liked it. That's all I'm saying.




Movie time. Jackson has been clicking his tongue for a while. But we just now managed to get it on video. So for your entertainment, Jackson clicking his tongue (followed by him eating a Cocoa Pop..certainly not a staple in his diet, but we thought it'd be fun to see him try it. It was. Fun, that is).




Yesterday, we finally turned his car seat around. He is over the required weight limit (9kg here - he is 9.5kg) though not a year old yet, but we figure close enough. He seemed to really enjoy being able to look at everything from the other angle and he likes being able to see David and I as we drive.


Apparently, it was too much excitement. So he slept.



We had a couple of rough nights this week due to teething. Tooth number 7 came through on last Sunday. It seems to have calmed down though tooth number 8 is still not through. I think maybe it could have been his molars starting to journey towards the surface and bothering him. He just wasn't himself for a couple of days... very clingy and whingy. He is drooling A LOT even for him, and bites everything. Everything. EVERYTHING. David's nose included. Drew blood. Not pretty.

We have taken to walking in the evenings when I don't teach. I need the exercise and Jackson needs the fresh air. On Friday, we went out... it was a bit overcast, but didn't look menacing. So I pushed the stroller up the hill to the track, started to take some pictures (because I am sure I have the most well documented baby in history)...

when rain. Lots of it. And wind. So I start heading home... and as the cars are passing me on the street I am sure they are thinking "that's one crazy lady taking her baby for a walk in the rain". But who got the last laugh? The rain stopped when we neared home and though we were completely drenched, we caught site of not one, but two gorgeous rainbows.


I have been trying to take Jackson outside to play a bit more now the weather is nicer. We spent Wednesday morning at the park. I meant to go to a park with toys... this particular park had no toys. But it turns out we didn't need toys. Jackson was OBSESSED with leaves.





Swimming lessons on Thursday morning were great. His usual teacher, Miss Paula, was at a funeral so we had Miss Alicia instead. She was really impressed with Jackson's water confidence and ability to get to where he wanted to go by himself.

On Friday, we heard a knock on the door, and the nice post lady delivered us a package from Nana and Bapa! YAY!


We opened it up, and guess what Jackson immediately recognized...

Yup, the cookies. Went straight for them, the little stinker!
There were a lot of goodies in there for us. Thank you Bapa and Nana for sending it! (And yes, we definitely LOVE those cheeks!)


This week brought some major progress to some up and coming milestones. Jackson has been working very hard on standing by himself. He is definitely getting better at it every day.


He is also practicing walking! He walks holding someone's hand:


And he enjoys walking with his walker toy:



As always, there were some beautiful moments this week.
Jackson listened as Daddy serenaded him with the guitar. And then tried to play himself.


And I finally caught a picture of Jackson's biggest "I'm tired" cue - playing with his ears. This is especially poignant because my sister played (plays) with her ears when she is tired.



Jackson has developed a gorgeous smile that looks more and more grown up every day.

I can't believe how quickly this has all gone! Tomorrow we are going out to the party supplies shop to see what we can find for Jackson's first birthday party.

I have two more lessons to teach next week and then I am on a 4 week break. I am looking forward to the break for several reasons. Firstly, I desperately need to work on my Master's thesis. And secondly, I can't wait to spend some QT with Jackson without having the afternoon interruption! There is always so much to do and so little time to do it in! I am looking forward to evening strolls. And morning snuggles in bed.

So from our house to yours, thanks for reading! And we'll talk to you again next week!

Happy Days

Sorry for the lack of a post last week... it was so hectic here with the move and all. There's lots to catch up on this week so buckle in... here we go!

Week 44:



The week started off normal...
Mommy and Jackson played the Chasing Game. That game pretty much consists of Jackson chasing me around...we're both crawling by the way...and then crashing in one big tickle heap in the middle of the floor. It wears me out. I think I'm getting old.


We had Bianca and Julian over for a lunch/playdate on Thursday:


Julian has just started crawling so the boys enjoyed playing with toys and chasing each other around. It was fun to finally see them start to play together. I think Bianca and I have been waiting for this since they were born!



Jackson learned how to climb. His favorite "mountains" are me and anything he can find to use to reach what he is not supposed to be reaching (i.e. papers on my desk, in this case).

I thought I'd teach him a lesson by letting him climb and then he'd realize that he is stuck up there and can't get down. He showed me... climbed down like a pro. Nothing's safe anymore!

Jackson also start this fake smile thing.

He also has a fake laugh. It's hilarious! Where does he learn this stuff??


Friday we signed the lease for our new place, and Saturday started the long task of actually moving. Side Note: I was sick during all of this... a bad head cold, ear infection, and sore throat. Nice timing, cold! David was wonderful over the weekend. I can't tell you how much furniture and how many loads he packed and moved BY HIMSELF! And he did it all with a smile and pleasant demeanor. Jackson was such a good little guy during the move. He played in his new room and with whomever was there looking after him at any given time without complaint.

Saturday night was a late one. Jackson didn't eat dinner until 9 and wasn't in bed till 10:30! And Sunday was much of the same. We stayed at the old house cleaning until 9 (David stayed till 11 by himself), and Jackson wasn't in bed till 10. We are so lucky to have such an easy and good humored baby.

Jackson surprised us on Sunday by all of a sudden "getting" his sippy cup! I had been trying to get him to use one for a while now, but he couldn't quite get the hang of the whole sucking on the spout thing; he'd just chew on it. So I had been giving him a bottle of water with handles on it. On Sunday, after looking at his cup curiously...


BAM! Perfect sippy cup technique and he hasn't looked back at his bottle since!


I love that he was just like "Mom...in my own time...don't force me" and then he just did it! In the midst of being sick and dead tired, I was SO happy! He probably thought I was crazy the way I was cheering him on!

So now that brings us to week 45. March 1. A mere 51 days from Jackson's first birthday. Our first full day in the new house.


We like our new house better than the old one. The old one will always hold a special place in my heart because it is the house to where we brought Jackson home. It was his first house. I was a little teary upon leaving it for the last time after the inspection on Monday morning. But it passed quickly!

The new house is smaller and more cozy, but Jackson has free reign over most of the house. I invested in two baby gates. One goes at the front entrance and blocks off the front door and my studio. The second one goes at the back of the house and blocks off the laundry room and kitchen. So far, Jackson is highly entertained by these gates.


And as he does with so much, he tries to put them in his mouth. But seeing as how they are HUGE, he just ends up licking the bars.


The new house also has gigormous mirrors in the bedrooms. Jackson LOVES the baby in mirror and stops to say hello...


and give that cute baby a kiss...

every day!


In the new house, my studio is up at the front. It is a smaller room, but has excellent acoustics for singing. All of my students seem to be very happy with how they sound here! Jackson likes to come into my studio during breaks and serenade me.


Jackson's gross motor skills are developing more and more every day. He successfully can now cruise by using anyone or anything in his path. He also is working on standing by himself. When he lets go and stands by himself, he smiles big and is so proud. Then he falls on his diapered bottom and tries again. He is so close! Next comes walking. Am I ready for that? Where did my little newborn baby go who didn't even know he had hands? Why does this go so quickly??

Jackson also has mastered his ring toy. After a lot of practice, he can take off and put back on his rings. Granted they aren't in the right order, but you've gotta start somewhere, right?


The beginning of the week was quite chilly. I got to dress Jackson in some of his cuter autumn wardrobe.

I can't say that I was sad. But we are air-conditioned in the new place and I was hoping to get to feel the luxury during the annoying Australian humidity. Luckily, Australian weather doesn't disappoint and the air-con has been getting a good ol' workout the last two days. And while the outside world is sweltering, we are sufficiently chilly.

We were able to enjoy some of the nicer weather outside in the backyard. Jackson loves being outside and I can't wait for the cooler weather (and my 4 week break) to come along so we can play at the park!


On Wednesday the 3rd, tooth number 6 popped through. It is the bottom right (looking at him). Tooth number 7 will be here any day (top left). Watch this spot...


We went to the shopping centre for some household essentials and as Jackson is now too big for the Baby Bjorn, he rides in his stroller. As we were shopping, passers-by were all peering in the stroller and giggling. I started to get a bit paranoid... why are they giggling?? I should've known. Karma.



I've been pretty slack on introducing more foods. Though Jackson will now eat a piece of cheese so I suppose that's something. Tomorrow we're off to the Farmers Market to pick up some fresh (and hopefully new) fruit and veg.

All in all, we are doing quite well. Jackson had no problems adjusting to the new place. David is slowly recouping from all of his hard work. And I have gotten over my cold and am slowly getting through my to-do list and unpacked boxes. We're happy here in the Bennett household! See ya next week!