Since Jackson came into my life, I view all children in a different light. Most recently, I've noticed how much more sensitive I am to news, movies, and t.v. shows with babies and children.
This week, Lee has been watching episodes of Breaking Bad. The main character's son creates a website for donations that will help defray the costs of his father's cancer treatments. (This detail won't spoil the plot for you if you haven't seen the show.) With each donation that comes in, the son alerts his family and because of all the hope he has in curing his father's condition, he stays glued to the computer screen for weeks. I became really teary-eyed at the amount of faith the son had in others to reach-out and support his dad and how happy he was to show his dad each little donation as it slowly added together.
Today I watched a documentary about children who participate in the golf world championships held in Pinehurst, North Carolina (it's called The Short Game). I found myself cheering--out loud--when the children did well, getting misty-eyed when they felt like failures, and smiling from ear-to-ear when their parents encouraged them, showing that they believed in them whole-heartedly. If I would have watched this before I had Jackson, then I know I wouldn't have seen the complexities of the parent-child relationships. I probably would've focused on the children working hard to be the best--and I might have judged them for not working hard enough. Having my own baby has humanised me in a way and made me a softer person.
Earlier this week, some terribly sad news came from my hometown. A boy in his mid-twenties passed away, leaving behind a little girl, his parents, and two sisters. In school, I remember that he had a really good sense of humour and he had a knack for making friends with everybody. Although I wasn't close to him, his death has been in the back of my mind all week. I feel so sorry for his parents and any parents who have lost a child. When I look at Jackson, I see and think about his whole life and all of my favourite moments so far. I can only imagine that no matter how old Jackson is, I will look at him how he is, but also see him as a baby and other stages of life. The fact that any new memories aren't possible and suddenly, sadly, a child's life was ended shook me up.
People do warn parents-to-be that their whole lives will change once the baby arrives. Jackson certainly makes me think in a completely different way and thankfully has made me a more tender person.
Our happy little chap
Finding everything hilarious this week
Trying to leap up and stand on his own
Developmental updates: This week, Jackson said, "Boobah." I'm not sure what he meant by this, but he looked me in the eye and said it with some conviction. He has been laughing at everything--even if we just hold up a book in front of him, he finds it hilarious. Jackson is still moving around by rolling and kicking his legs to travel backwards. If he sees something he wants, then he will figure out a way to get to it. His hair is getting longer and thicker and is a nice golden-brown colour. Jackson's eyes are still a greenish-blue colour with a tint of brown. We've found that he will eat any vegetable happily if it is mixed with mashed potatoes--this is the only way we are getting through all of the frozen swede. A small victory for us is that Jackson can make it through a whole day without using a bib or muslin cloth. There were days that we went through four of each, so we're happy about this change. Lee noticed that Jackson was a bit ticklish this week for the first time. When we eat out, Jackson gets to have mushy peas and he really loves them--it's his British side coming through.
If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.
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