A year ago from yesterday, I made my way to the Southport Hospital on the bus for a check-up to see how things were going and the doctor decided that it was time to go to the maternity ward in Ormskirk as soon as possible. So I got a taxi to Ormskirk and called Lee on the way. We didn't know that it wouldn't be until four days later that we would finally get to meet Jackson, but each day passed with great anticipation and growing discomfort (for me).
When Jackson arrived on Sunday, October 4th at 12:29 P.M., we knew we had something very special and precious awarded to us and it was the best feeling in the world to finally hold our baby in our arms. Some people say they miss being pregnant, but during the nine months I was carrying Jackson, all I wanted to do was to hold him and cuddle him in my arms.
After having spent a year with the most precious little baby I could have asked for, I can officially say that this was the best year ever. Being away from work responsibilities didn't mean that there wasn't work to do, but spending every day with a baby is much different than regular employment since everything is on your terms and deadlines don't exist for paperwork or menial tasks put forth by the educational powers that be: Ofsted.
Every day was perfect even if it was challenging at times. Jackson allowed me to live each day and enjoy the hours we spent together from morning to morning (sometimes it felt like there wasn't a minute to sleep, but that was fine). He also expanded my social circle through his play groups and allowed us both to make friendships that we will have for life. And taking this year off also gave me time to learn how to drive a manual car on the left side of the road and the right side of the car. Now I can drive to visit my friends and take Jackson to nursery and various play dates. What a life-changing year!
When people say that the first year flies by, I can see their point, but for me, it feels like I've had Jackson for a long time and that somehow, he has always been a part of my life. Even remembering past trips with Lee, I can imagine Jackson there, but I know it was impossible that he was. He's in my dreams and every decision I make depends on his happiness.
So, Happy Birthday, Jackson! You are the smartest, funniest, most loving--best--baby in the whole world!
To celebrate Jackson turning one, I started a webpage that will chronicle his home videos. You can watch them if you would like by clicking on this link: https://vimeo.com/user57091275 I will be adding a few videos every week to try to catch-up with all of the videos I've recorded back to when he was born. We will also be having a birthday party for him next week with all of his friends.
Entertaining us with his new hat which he wore for quite a long time. Such a trendsetter!
Resting with Daddy after a hard day fighting off another illness. Our Peaceful Dreamer.
Developmental updates: Jackson decided that he loves chocolate mousse at nursery so much that in order to get seconds, he tried to steal his friend's serving by reaching his hand into her bowl. At least he knows what he likes! (We did have a talk about being greedy, though.) Jackson only cried one day this week when I dropped him off at nursery. He seems to have a crush on one of the key workers named Sarah and he will let her hold him right away when we go into the room. His undeniable charm has won over all of the nursery teachers and they all seem to dote on him now. Yesterday, he had to leave nursery early (around Noon) because he caught another bug which seemed to affect his stomach and diapers in a bad way. The poor thing! He's still recovering from his virus and now this. This new bug seems to be going away already, though, so it must have just been a 24-hour illness. Jackson loves life and this week, his key worker said that out of all of the babies, he is the one that takes the most risks. Whenever they do a new activity, he jumps right in while some of the others keep their distance and are a bit timid. This could explain how he got a bruise on his forehead in the outdoor area, but when his teacher tried to put a cold pack on it, he swatted her hand away and kept playing. He's a tough cookie, in training for his role as James Bond.
If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.
