Say What?

So Jackson went to his 18 month appointment today and we got good news and bad news. Good news, not autistic. Bad news, he will need to go to Primary Children's next week for a full audiology exam and speech therapy. His doctor is worried that he was talking and signing and then stopped after having an ear infection, cold, and getting four teeth at the same time. She said that from what she could see his ears looked good and but that doesn't show if his hearing is ok. She is hoping that with a little help from speech therapy he will start talking more. I am both concerned and a little relieved that at least I can do something proactive.
Physically everything looks good and except for talking he is doing great. Here is his report card:

Height: 33 in, 70%
Weight: 26 lbs 55%
Head circ: 51 cm >95%

Just for my own personal records here are a few things Jackson is doing at 18 months.

• Loves to climb on everything, especially chairs.
• Loves to be outside and play on the swing set and trampoline.
• Is wild and never stops running but is surprisingly cautious.
• Is a great sleeper, usually about 12 to 13 hours a night.
• Not a good napper.
• Is so ticklish and has the most contagious laugh.
• Loves cars, balls, and anything with wheels. Such a boy.
• Loves to go on walks in the stroller, be in his car seat, and go the the bike trailer.
• Is generally a happy kid.
• Takes your hand and pulls you to wherever he wants to go. Why talk?
• Loves his grandparents and aunts and uncles.
• Waves his arms up and down and freaks out when he gets excited.
• Says, "aahhh" when he gives you a hug.
• Loves books but flips through the pages as fast as he can.

Mexico Part Dos

Here are some more of our adventures.

Catamaran ride out to an island and went snorkeling, had lunch, and just hung out.

Mark fulfilled his rebellious dreams and got a hemp tat. If only he could have got dreds while we were there his his life would have been complete.

Since he was feeling so daring he also held the shark. I eagerly volunteered to be just the photographer on this one.

We also went to a theme park of sorts. It was so beautiful.

We were able to see some of our Lamanite brethren and their descendants among the foliage.

We crammed a lot into the little time that we had and had so much fun.

At the end of it all we found a tourist graveyard.

Mexico

Well, we made it back and just in time to enjoy the latest snow storm, perfect. Rumor has it it was eighty degrees while we were gone but I see no proof of that. We still dutifully dawned our winter jackets to head out today just like before we left.

Enough ranting and on to the good stuff. We had so much fun with our friendly neighbors to the South. It was mid to high eighties, our resort was right on the beach, cell phones didn't work, childless, and 24 hour buffets...heaven.

Here are some highlights.

Mark just chillin' in the hammock at our hotel.

This is what I did while Mark was having a siesta. I made myself a little sand friend to keep me company.

One downfall of going on vacation by yourselves is you end up with a lot of "take it yourself, arm outstretched" pictures.

We asked our waiter to take our picture (to avoid the double chin look, see above photos) and he brought props. "Shoot woman, shoot woman!" he kept saying and thought he was so funny.

You are probably asking yourself,"Is that on a remote tropical island with natural water inlets?" No just our hotel. Pretty impressive, huh?

More to come. Otherwise, picture overload.

Outta Here

This morning outside looked like this....

So I went inside and did this...

And tomorrow we will be here.......

Mexico!!!

Musings of a Mother

This past weekend I heard a talk in Conference that addressed some of the concerns and trials of mothers, especially mothers of young children. The point that really struck me was to just enjoy the moments that you have with your children and not be in such a hurry. Hurrying to get the house clean, hurrying out the door, hurrying through the day just to start another one tomorrow. Lately I was been worried about so many things concerning my family, some valid and others a little neurotic. The "if thens" and "when thens" build upon each other and it gets a little out of control. For example; "If Jackson would only start talking then he would be caught up with the rest of the kids his age and I wouldn't have to worry. If he starts talking more then I won't lay awake at night worrying that he is autistic and I am to blame. When he gets a little older then we can do so many more things. If we aren't' able to have another child then do we adopt? If so then from who and where and when?" The list goes on and on spanning into his adult life. Including, but not limited to, if he runs away to join the circus because of childhood scarring due to a neurotic mother.

So much to worry about and sometimes even more to feel guilty for, if you let yourself. Well, I have resolved to enjoy the moments. Cherish each stage and not stress about meeting milestones and comparing to other kids. Taking the time to play and have fun now because I will never have this time with Jackson again. (Don't worry I recorded the talk because I'm sure I will need repeated reminding and motivation.)

Jackson is always a good example of relaxing and enjoying the moment.

Goodbuy Old Friend

This week I said goodbye to a very dear friend. We have been through a lot together and our relationship has spanned over 10 years. Good times, bad times, social occasions or just when I needed a pick me up. Early in the morning, late at night, it didn't matter she was always there, no questions asked. She brought friends and strangers alike together and made everyone feel at ease.
I couldn't find any pictures of us together but this is how I like to remember her.....


Chilled, frosty, carbonated, caffeinated goodness......Diet Coke.

That's right, I quit DC. My friend that I am doing the triathlon with, and I decided that it was time and it may help our endurance and overall well being. I have known for some time that the carbonation, caffeine, aspartame, and other pollutants couldn't be good for me but I just love it so much. Seriously, everything about it, love.

I am on day four and of this endeavor and I still feel horrible. I have had a headache since I stopped and I feel so tired. I worry that over the last ten years my body has forgotten how to produce it's own source of energy and has been running solely on caffeine. This morning as I staggered from bed holding a ice pack on my head I asked Mark if he felt like he was married to a junkie. "Well, with hair like that you could pass for one." He replied.

My friend and co quitter isn't feeling nearly as bad but did say that last night she had a dream about Diet Coke and woke up mad because she couldn't remember what it tasted like. Classic signs of the grieving process.

Hopefully this is all worth it.

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter this year. It started off with a bang at the annual Drake family Easter egg hunt with all the cousins.



Look at the concentration. Plastic egg hunting is serious business in the Drake family. Actually he only picked up about two eggs and threw rocks the rest of the time. Oh, well.


Jackson in his Sunday Easter outfit. I have to say that boys are just as fun to dress as girls. Isn't he cute?


We also had an adult Easter egg hunt at my moms house this year. She went all out, it was complete with numbered eggs corresponding to gift certificates and cash prizes, cha ching! Thanks to our families for a wonderful Easter.