new baby

Our 2012 Review {Thoughts From Me}

December 30, 2012 by Dana

2012 has been a busy year for us. The year brought us joys and sorrows. Overall, it was one of the best years we could have.

This week in 2011 we discovered we were expecting a new addition to our family. Jackson Lucas Lee was born in August 2012. 9 months of morning sickness, heartburn, headaches and exhaustion brought to us the sweetest joy we could ask for in one tiny, sweet little boy.

The older kids were thrilled to have a new sibling. They look forward to helping to raise Jax and loving him, playing with him and sharing in every joy he brings to us. Their world circles baby brother right now.

School wasn’t nearly as structured as I had wished for us this past year. Thankfully, we had reviews for the Schoolhouse Crew which kept us going, filling in as we passed through the year. Many items we stuck with, using almost daily and many others gave us the change we needed to keep us going. Needless to say, we look forward to another year with the crew as we continue to adjust to having another baby in our home.

This year we upgraded items in our home too. The kids got new Televisions for Christmas. We got new living room furniture at tax time.

We have a new-to-us Tahoe. Most recently we purchased a new washer and dryer, which was much needed with washing 6 peoples clothing. Baby things had to be purchased.

I must say my favorite purchase this year was my Nikon camera. I’ve been able to work on my photography business this year and provide memories for my family and friends throughout the year. Photos that have blessed those I love most.

I can only hope as we head into the new year, that next year will be as good to us as this one has been. Our lives have been so blessed throughout this past year. I’m hoping to accomplish much in 2013, all while watching my babies grow even more. It’s the first time in a long time, I can say I’m actually looking forward to the new year.

Happy New Year to all of you. I pray you have the best year you can too!

New Baby Adjustments {Thoughts From Me}

October 29, 2012 by Dana

Grabbing a quick minute to post an update today while Jackson is relaxing in his bed and the bigger kids are cleaning in their room. It’s Halloween week so this week is extra busy with outside activities for us. Any opportunity to dress up and socialize is an event we are attending.

The kids are ultra excited for Wednesday night to get here so they can don their costumes and go spend time with the other kids. Trick or Treating isn’t for everyone but it’s something we do really enjoy as a family. Dressing up and spending time together bonding is a favorite thing to do for our family.

The kids have all chosen their costumes and all is ready to go. Winston is going to be Darth Maul. Emmalee is a Witch, along with Grandma and Laycie’s sweet little best friend Makayla. Laycie and Jackson are Bumble Bees – Watch out or Laycie will sting you! I am dressing like the 80’s this year. Even my best friend is in on the fun, dressing in a 70’s costume that totally fits her style! I already have a few pictures from a recent event in town but I plan to take a lot more.

Jackson – Jax is doing well. He’s 8 weeks old now. He’ll be two months on Halloween. His next checkup is Thursday and we will find out his weight and length then. He’s already stretching across the narrow side of his pack and play and he fills the bassinet length-wise. And he’s certainly becoming a chunky little one too.

Breastfeeding is going amazingly. Jackson eats every 3-4 hours now and finishes both sides. He’s gaining weight. He’s peeing and pooping lots. I am so glad I didn’t give up in those first few weeks. I’m even pumping a little and he’s enjoying having a bottle here and there. He’s doing well with it all and I’m totally thrilled.

Jackson can see across the room now. He notices people he knows: Me, Grandma, Laycie, Winston, Emmalee. He smiles. He laughs. And most recently he’s discovered his hands. He tries to suck his fingers and thumb. He coos too. It’s the cutest and sweetest thing!

The kids are still totally in love with him. They are enjoying his smiles and do as much as possible to make one happen so they can see it. Laycie has been blowing bubbles on his tummy and he laughs at her.

Having Jackson has made each one of the older kids grow up just a bit. Laycie wants to be “big sister”, not little one. Emmalee is helping more with the baby, little sister and even around the house. Winston is just older overall. It’s amazing how much change a new baby brings into a home.

Well, my sweet boy has awakened and is not happy. So blogging time is over. Hope everyone is well. We are praying for those in the path of Hurricane Sandy. May God bless everyone and keep them safe. <3 p="p">

Adjusting to Baby {Thoughts from Me/Jackson’s Birth}

October 11, 2012 by Dana

Wow! I didn’t realize how long it’s been since I posted something other than a blog post here until I filled out my 2013 Crew Review form. Things have certainly been busy around here for the last few months. Preparing for our newest addition, preparing for my c-section, welcoming our sweet boy into the world, bringing him home and adjusting to life with a newborn has kept our days filled. Even keeping up with the Crew has been a struggle for me these past few months.

And yes, you all read right. Our newest addition, Jackson Lucas Lee Lambert has officially arrived!! Jackson was delivered via scheduled repeat c-section on August 31, 2012. He weighed 8lbs and was 20.5 inches long at birth. He’s now over 9lbs and 22 inches long at a month old.

Jackson has had a rough month adjusting to the world. For the first few weeks, we had to battle Jaundice that did not want to go away. In fact, he’s just now getting better from that, though we are truly thankful he didn’t require a hospital stay under the bili lights to correct it.

Breastfeeding was a challenge at first, too, but every day we get a little bit better at it. Jackson has an excellent latch and is very good at eating. And now that we are past the first few weeks, breastfeeding has become enjoyable for Mommy too!

The kids have adjusted well to having a new baby in the house. Everyone around kept commenting how worried they were that the kids would have trouble adjusting to him, especially Laycie, who has been the baby for the past 4 years. I’m happy to say, I was right – Laycie LOVES her baby brother and isn’t jealous of him at all. She’s adjusted as well as Emmalee did before her and Winston did when Emmalee was born.

I’m actually really proud of how well she has adjusted to being a big sister at just 4 years old. She loves to help out with Jackson. She brings me diapers and wipes. She talks to Jax when he’s fussy. She loves to touch him and sing to him. She sits beside him in the car and gives him his Paci when he cries and sings to him then too. She amazes me at how much she does to help out with him.

All of my kids have been a great help with their baby brother. Emmalee was a bit shy about helping at first, simply because Jackson was sooo very tiny to her that she was afraid she’d hurt him but now even she is helping out. She enjoys doing anything to help with Jackson so long as it benefits him and doesn’t require her holding him. His care is one of the few things she does without argument and it’s really helping her grow up more and more.

Winston, as always, had no problems helping out right away. He voluntarily changes diapers and holds Jax as much as he can. He is going to make some woman an amazing husband one of these days.

Having a new baby in the house doesn’t allow much time for anything other than loving on baby but every day we are becoming more adjusted. It’s been hard even finding time to write this post. In fact, I’m going to have to cut this short because my little sweetie is crying for Mommy. So until next time…. <3 p="p">