Jackson Arthur Turns 1

Last year on April 3rd, I was so upset because I felt like I was checking into a hotel room to have Jack (since I had to be induced).  This year, on April 3rd, that is a distant memory as I have an ornery, funny, loving baby boy who is on his way to being a toddler.

One week old

One year old

In his first few months, Jack was such a difficult baby.  Nonstop crying paired with no sleeping.  I was so thankful that he was my second baby because I understood that the phase would pass and get better.  When Jack was around four months old and was exhibiting sleep regression, I started to question how long this would last.  I don't remember for sure when he started sleeping through the night but he was much much too old!

Now at one year old, Jack is still not what I would call "easy".  He displays extreme highs and lows.  Jack is either the happiest baby in the world or the maddest baby ever.  Jack goes through our house ransacking EVERY. SINGLE. THING he can get his hands on.  As he does this, he laughs so loud in his strange demented way that we made sure we got on video.  If he is not doing this, he is going as fast as he can for the dog water, dog food, toilet water, or climbing on really tall objects.  Jack LOVES taking baths and will dip his head all the way under without a care in the world.  He also loves Kathryn so much.  He will crawl up to her and just throw himself on her for hugs and kisses. He is an affectionate kid who loves physical attention. Those are all wonderful things about Jack!  On the other side of things, when you take something away that Jack wants or move him away from an object, he throws his body back and screams/cries loudly.  He is soo persistent and stubborn.  You can move him to the other side of the house and he will immediately head back for his original destination.  Hopefully these character traits will cause him to be very successful in life. :)

Some current facts about Jack:

Mode(s) of transportation: Still primarily crawling.  He has been taking steps for months now and has the ability to walk.  In fact, just today he walked all the way across the Library Station.  When we have to drive somewhere, he still screams bloody murder every time I put him in his car seat.

Teeth: He already has seven and one more is beginning to poke through.

Sleep: Two naps a day, bedtime around 8 and wake up around 6:30.  Rarely does he make a sound during the night but rarely does he take a nap without some fussing.  He has not used a nuc for months so I don't have to dread the day that we take it away like I did with Kathryn.

Food: Still nursing two to four times a day (two times during the work week, three to four on the weekends). He gave up his bottle this last month without too much of an issue. Jack has started being more picky in regard to his eating.  He almost always loves cheese, peaches, olives, crackers, whole milk, cereal, and juice.  The best way to calm him down in the car is to give him food :).

Favorite activities: Pulling on cords, taking baths, splashing in water, destroying the house, being tickled and turned upside down, clapping.

Social Interactions: He is great with kids that are quite a bit bigger/older but he is a nightmare for kids close to his age.  Poor Susannah cries when she sees him coming!  Jack cries when we leave him at the nursery or gym childcare but typically does fine after a few minutes.  He and Kathryn are playing together more and more.

Everyone comments on Jack's dimples and just like the other Dodson's (Hills) he has blue eyes.  He is the perfect addition to our family and we feel beyond blessed to have our baby girl and boy.