The Mulkey Family

So today I have made the executive decision that Jackson will be a cowboy for Halloween this year. Yes, I am aware that it is August and yes, I am aware that most people reading this already think I am neurotic and this will just confirm that even more. But I love Halloween and am so excited to get Jackson dressed up this year. I found the perfect cowboy costume at Gymboree and I am going to go get it next week. I like it because he does not have to wear a cowboy hat and you can still tell exactly what he is....this is great because J DOES NOT like having anything on his head and most costumes require some sort of head piece. Look, I just like to be on top of things, ok???

I know I am a little late posting Jackson's 12 month chair pictures. I had the hardest time getting him to sit still this time so we will just call these "chair pic outtakes". Jackson had his one year well-check yesterday and let me just say that he is growing like a weed! He is 24 lbs 5 oz (70%) and is 30 1/2 inches (70%) which means he has shot up. Dr. Davidson said it is great that he is evening out and will do so even more once he starts walking, which I would imagine will be within the next month or two. He is walking around all of the furniture and has started to let go so I think he will be taking off soon. He had a great check up but had to get 3 shots which was NO FUN :( I had really been struggling with the whole shot situation and whether to spread them out but I decided to go ahead and do them all and hope that I made the right decision. Here are some of the things Jackson is doing these days: Eating me out of house and home (this boy can put down some food), dropping things then saying "uh-oh", throwing mini tantrums if I quit reading to him or don't pick him up at his every command, still drinking 3 bottles a day (I know, I know), driving Bella crazy every day by climbing all over her and sticking his fingers up her nose, and best of all being the sweetest, most loving little boy in the world!!! So far, I am loving this age and I know it will just get better!

One year ago, Garrett & I welcomed our sweet Jackson Philip into the world and it is without a doubt the most special day of our lives. Jackson has brought so much joy into our lives and filled our hearts with so much love, I cannot imagine our world without him. I remember the day of his birth like it was yesterday, and I want to document it so that I can look back and remember every single detail of the arrival of our precious blessing! I had always hoped that going into labor would be just like a movie for me (drama queen that I am) and it turned out to be exactly that!!! On Monday night (the night before he was born) I showered and I NEVER shower at night (weird huh). Garrett really wanted Jackson to be born on 8/8/08 so I had been walking laps every single night trying to get something going. On that Monday night we ordered Campisi's Pizza and I ate a salad with mine which was FULL of garlic. I really think that might be what did the trick so I will definitely do that again next time around! At around 2:45 am a rolled over to go to the bathroom and heard a big pop that sounded like a water balloon and all of the sudden I turned into a human waterfall. My water broke and started gushing out of me big time all over the carpet. I woke up Garrett and said "It's time" just like in the movies....a bit dramatic, I know :) Even though we were totally packed and prepared we just stood there staring at each other in shock! I stared shaking, I guess because of my adrenaline rush, and called my parents to let them know to head this way. Then I called Garrett's parents and told them to head to the hospital. Luckily we live like a mile from the hospital and I walked in with my nightgown on and a towel wrapped between my legs...I was pretty embarrassed! They got me hooked up to the monitors and started my IV and after about 45 minutes I was admitted to my room. I only had about 4 or 5 painful contractions before I got the good stuff...from then on it was the easiest labor I could have imagined. All of that worrying for nothing...I did not feel a thing! I was so glad that I went into labor naturally and progressed really well on my own. They gave me a tiny bit of pitocin and finally at around 10:00 am it was time to push! My nurse Julie was amazing and I was so happy that Dr. Morgan was there to deliver Jackson. I pushed for 50 minutes and at 11:01 am Jackson arrived weighing 8 lbs 2 oz and was 20 inches. I cried alot...many tears of joy from this proud mommy! Garrett did so great during the delivery (we were all a little worried). From then on was the start of the most challenging and amazing year of my life. Jackson, I love your huge toothy smile, your old man faces, your wet kisses, your beautiful blue eyes, your hilarious facial expressions and the way you always seem to make mommy smile no matter what the day brings. I love you to pieces and look forward to a lifetime of happiness with you!!

Happy first birthday my darling baby boy!!! Today we had lunch with Nana & Papa at the Pompano Club and tonight will be Jackson's family party!

Tomorrow is Jackson's 1st Birthday!!! It is finally here and I have mixed feelings about it. I feel so blessed to have spent the past year of my life as the mother of, in my eyes, the most special, perfect, little boy in the world...every day with Jackson is amazing and he is such a miracle to me. However I find myself very sad that my baby is growing up and I have a feeling I will shed tears at least one time tomorrow :( I am currently in Port Neches at my parents house for the week so I will post Jackson's one year chair picture and some others when I get home next week. Tomorrow we are having a family party for Jackson with my Nana, Grandpa, Aunts & Uncles and I am sure it will be a perfect evening in honor of my sweet baby. Stay tuned.....

A sippy cup winner, that is. After spending somewhere around $100 on multiple sippy cups, I believe we have finally pleased the little man and found a cup that meets his approval. I was beginning to worry since he would not drink out of a cup, but these Munchkin cups with the flip up straw seem to work wonders. Thank you Erika for your great recommendation! He looks like such a big boy now...don't you think???