Movie Trip

Yesterday was Gracen's & Jackson's first time to go to the movies. They both did great! We saw "The Princess and the Frog". It was really cute. I thought the "spirits" (or whatever they were) were kind of scary. But they didn't seem to bother Gracen at all.

Jase, Sadie, and Lillie enjoyed it, too.

A little girl talk. Gracen wasn't heavy enough to weight the seats down, so she rotated laps.

I attempted a little photo shoot since they had on their cute little matching outfits (that I bought 50% off after last Christmas!). It was kind of difficult, but these were the best I got.

Gracen loves to latch the safety belts together and then apparently go for a walk.

Random Pictures & Stories

Addicted to the passy? What? The other day Stephanie saw her with a doll's passy in her mouth. It was the kind that only has a little hard plastic nub to stick in the babydoll's mouth. She was holding it with her teeth!

Toy idea for Christmas: plastic cups. Gracen spent at least 30 minutes stacking them. Then she used them as individual crayon holders.

This is the expression Gracen gives whenever she hears Jackson cry.

Gracen loves to "pump". She always asks for "her turn". The other day we were in the sunroom, and out of the blue, she announced that she was going to go pump.

Our little man's back is getting so strong! Check out the paws on this guy!

Just thought this one was cute!

This is how Jackson sleeps every night: swaddled with his alligator.

The other night I heard him cry when it was time to eat. I went in to feed him, but he had fallen fast asleep. I decided to go ahead and feed him instead of being woken up as soon as I got back in bed. He was sleeping so soundly that he didn't even budge when I unwrapped him. Hmm, wonder where he got that?

Jackson's Doctor's Appointment

Jackson's appointment went well today. We talked to a genetic counselor, the doctor, and a nutritionist. The genetic counselor asked several family history questions. The doctor explained a little more in detail about MCADD and looked Jackson over. He said that everything looked really good. They all gave us more information about feeding schedules, what to do if he gets sick and stops eating, and gave us several numbers to call if any of this happens or we have any further questions. They also collected urine and drew blood to send out for the next round of tests. These results should come back in about 2 to 4 weeks and should tell us definitively if he has MCADD or not.

They were all extremely nice and helpful. And Jeffrey and I walked away feeling a little better. They all stressed to us that they see several patients that have been flagged with abnormal readings during their newborn screenings, and nothing is wrong. So right now, we are hoping and praying that we fall in this category. Jeffrey definitely needs the 3 hour drive home to unwind his ball of nerves!

Jackson's stats from appointment today:
- 10.1 pounds
- 21 inches
- 37 cm head circumference
- Not sure about what his percentages were, but I'll check those when I get home.

1 Month Already?!

Has it really already been a month since this sweet little boy rushed into this world? Aside from the exhaustion, I really feel like we just got home from the hospital.

So here's some Jackson facts:
- He has a dimple on his left cheek. It's the cutest thing, but I haven't been able to catch it on camera. Jeffrey said he's proud of it because he knows he got it from him!
- He's going to melt the ladies' hearts with his half smile.
- He's very easy going and has a very pleasant personality.
- He doesn't cry very often.
- He does not like bath time or diaper changing, especially when I wipe his package with a cold wipe!
- He loves his passy. Probably not as much as his sister, but who does?
- He has long arms and big hands.
- He is a great eater, has been since his second meal in the hospital.
- He waits very patiently for me to get ready to feed him (unlike his sister).
- He sleeps really well, with the occasional staying awake at night. But overall, he's great.
- He inevitably tries to spray or squirt me every time I change his diaper in the car.
- He is wearing newborn diapers and 0-3 months, but his onesies are getting a bit snug.
- He grunts more than anything I've every heard. He sounds just like a little billy goat!

And now for some pictures.

I had to include some of Gracen! She loves to play "night night!" She made a bed on top of some plastic tubs in the sun room.



Gracen and Jeffrey having fun playing "airplane".

Gracen laughing at her "stinky feet"

Update on Jackson

As many of you know, we got a call from Jackson's Pediatrician when he was 1 week old and were informed that he had some abnormal lab values that were discovered during the routine newborn screening. The abnormal lab values indicated that he could have a Metabolic disorder known as MCADD, which is a fatty acid oxidation disorder. (Click HERE to read more about MCADD.) Dr. Stanley needed to see him that day and wanted to do further lab work.

We were notified about a week later that the additional lab work was also abnormal, but we had to wait to hear from the geneticists office for the next step.

We were called yesterday and were told that Jackson's lab values were still slighly elevated. They scheduled an appointment for him on December 9th with the geneticist, and they will do more specific testing to rule out MCADD. We won't know the results from these tests for 2-4 weeks after the appointment.

We are all pretty anxious to know the results and are praying for the results to come back as a false positive. But we know that whatever happens, God is in control. We appreciate all your prayers!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone had a great Turkey day! We went to Jeffrey's parents house with his brother's and sister's families, and ate the BEST food ever! Gracen enjoyed playing with her cousins and swinging the most!

Gracen loves her baby brother! We haven't had a bit of trouble or jealousy out of her. Anytime she hears him make a sound, she gasps and says "Baby!" and then she runs to him, strokes his head and tells him, "shh, shh". But if he doesn't stop crying, she asks for his passy. She feels his pain! She loves to hold him, kiss on him, and talk to him. When she holds him, she says, "hey baby" over and over. She will say his name when we ask her, but he is usually refered to as "Baby" by her. She loves her "Baby" and is a great big sister!

Gracen and Jackson

Jeffrey having a little fun with the girls!

My parents came Friday and couldn't wait to see their grand babies again! I am so thankful for my family! I love them all so much! I am so blessed to have such a loving family, for 2 healthy children, and a wonderful husband! God has blessed us beyond measure!

On a little funny note...

Today about an hour after I put Gracen down for her nap, I heard her in the hallway. I rounded the corner to quite a surprise. She had stripped down to the buff and was wiping the floor with one of Jackson's blankets. When I asked her if she tee teed in the floor, she said "uh huh." Apparently she had stripped down, played in her room, and wet the bed. I found 2 diapers, wipes, and Desitin in the floor in my bedroom. I guess she tried to take care of the situation herself before calling in the reinforcements. I got pretty tickled, but I'm hoping this isn't the next phase. I believe potty training is just around the corner...maybe after I get a little sleep!

Oh, today is Jackson's due date. Kind of funny to think about!

Pictures

Here's a few pictures until I get a little time to post more.

Bringing Jackson home from the hospital! My mom smocked his gown. It is beautiful!

Daddy with his new pride and joy!

Gigi and Jackson

Gracen lovin' on her baby.

I just thought he looked so cute and so tiny!

Jeffrey, Jackson, and Gracen

Jeffrey decided to have a little fun and put Jackson's diaper on Gracen. This was the pose she would assume whenever we asked to see her diaper. After a few minutes she walked around like nothing was out of the ordinary, but we just couldn't quit laughing at her!

Peek-a-boo

He's Here!!!

Jackson Lane Thornton

November 5, 2009

6lb 15oz

20 inches

5:00am

Jackson decided to make his appearance about 3&1/2 weeks early. We're all doing great. I'll give more details later. . .time for the little man to eat.

Trunk-or-Treat

This year for Halloween, Gracen is our fairy princess. The only way she would willingly put on the costume was when I told her she would look like Tinkerbell but the wings were out of the question! When we got her dressed, we got her to look at herself in the full-length mirror. She would twirl and then step out of the mirror and lean back in to see herself one more time. It was so cute! Gracen and Gogo girl Sadie

Our fairy princess!

Charlotte: aka, the cutest little bumble bee I've ever seen!

Ella Claire - aparently Lady Bugs love chocolate!

Gracen & Kali - this was a close to as "pose" that I could get from these two.

Gracen lovin' on her Daddy!

And now, for the happiest baby and cutest LSU cheerleader ever. . . Emerson!

Gracen's favorite game was taking all the ducks out of the water, lining them up on the table, and then putting them back in. Whenever the girls would give her a prize, she would put it back in the basket and resume taking the rest of the ducks out of water.

She also loved hiding in the "hay stack" after everything was over. The only prize she would keep from the games were the cross necklaces. She put back numerous slinkies and rubber ducks but was very excited to see the necklaces and took all she could find.

It's Not a Tumor

Last night after I changed Gracen's diaper and put on her pj's, I was cleaning up the area but couldn't find the diaper. I thought I had probably dropped it and would go back later to pick it up. As I was putting things away, Gracen became a little aggitated. I nearly peed my pants when I discovered why. I had zipped the diaper up in her pj's. I of course, had to take a picture for the blog before I fixed the problem.

And no, we do not usually match bows with our pj's.