February and Early March

Oh my!!! I can't believe its been almost a MONTH since I last posted! Where does the time go?

Some excitement occurred in February as Lance Armstrong came riding into our neighborhood during the Tour of California ride. It was a sprinkly winter day, but we bundled ourselves up and walked 2 blocks to catch a glimpse of the riders. Here are some pictures:




Who is that little munchkin in the corner?!

Here's a video of all the riders:


It was a nice surprise seeing the racers that morning! I thought Jack wouldn't like being out in the cold, sprinkly rain, but he actually liked it. After we returned home, he enjoyed a nice, warm bath. What better thing to do on a rainy day?!

More News: Jack is learning how to sit up on his own. He's almost there! Here is a picture of the little cowboy practicing in his Bumbo chair:



and getting some tummy time:



Jackson is also test-driving the highchair! Here he is for the first time in the chair, taking it all in. Soon enough, he'll be eating with us and throwing his food everywhere! LOL.



Jackson just loves to "talk" and coo. Here he is telling us how he misses you all and wants to see you soon!

Giant Baby

Do you remember this picture from my pregnancy blog? Well, its not far off! Thankfully (for me), Jackson was not a huge baby when he was born. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 11 oz. and was 21.75 in. long. At his 4 month visit today, he is 16 lbs. 10 oz. and 28 in.! His weight is in the 90th percentile for his age and his length...well...that is off the charts. That's right, folks...it is above the 100th percentile (which makes me wonder, statistically, how that can be possible). He's the average length of an 8 - 9 month old - a baby twice his age! I thought it was interesting that his clothing labeled for a 6 month old was not fitting properly - tight from head to toe, but roomy otherwise. Guess he should be wearing 9 month old clothing now, but he doesn't really fill it out.

He also has 2 little swollen mounds in his mouth. Our little Jack is going to be sprouting a few teeth soon! Dr. said it would not be overnight, but probably over the next month, or so. He also said we can start feeding him solids. Starting out with rice cereal mixed in his formula and then adding one new vegetable or fruit every 3 days.

Solids, already?! Wow. I feel like he is just growing so fast!

I found this website for tall babies and will have to explore it more.

Laughing and the Superbowl

Its been so hard getting a new post up with the nice weather we have been having here in San Jo. Today it is a bit rainy, so Jackson and I are hanging around indoors and I'm able to finally post some new tid bits.

Over the past few weeks Jack has figured out how to laugh! Not only that, but he is exploring and experimenting with his voice. Usually in shrieks. Its quite funny. We're hoping to get a video soon to post, but everytime we get the camera out, he quiets down. We went to visit Uncle Mike and family last night and I think he was able to get a small video of our vocal wildcat.

Jackson spent his first Superbowl with Daddy at Mima and Poppas while Mommy went to SF to see a movie with Amanda. Who would know it would be the best game ever????! It was a good first Superbowl for him.

On Monday, we have Jack's 4 month wellness and shot visit with Dr. Trager. I'm curious to see how much he's grown! I'll keep you all posted.

Jackson having fun on the changing table:




Jack rocking out in his swing:

Inauguration Day

Jackson was up this morning with me as I drank my coffee watching the Presidential Inauguration. We were amazed at the number of people on the Mall. Jackson is as excited as we are about our new President! Here he is doing a little dance (I think it might be "the robot") in his pj's as Obama gives his inauguration speech:



We danced a little jig together afterwards and sang "Bye, Bye Bush - Hello Obama!". We were very inspired. : )

Vaccination Time

Jackson received his next set of vaccinations this past Monday. Only two this time. He did great - cried a little after the shots were administered and was a bit fussy the rest of the day, but that quickly passed.

Instead of the "standard" American Academy of Pediatrics' vaccination schedule, Jackson is on Dr. Robers Sears' (aka "Dr. Bob") alternative vaccination schedule. The AAP's schedule recommends that infants receive a combination of as many as six immunizations during each of their 2-, 4- and 6-month checkups. The same vaccinations are administered in Dr. Bob's schedule, just spread out a bit ---- one or two every month. I feel this schedule will be a little less taxing on his system.

As many of you know, I have an autoimmune disease that I feel was brought on by the hepatits B series of vaccinations I received 10 years ago. I had to get this vaccination in order to work in a medical lab. Because of this, I am very concerned about the vaccination schedule for Jackson and am keeping a close eye on his reactions.

While I hate worrying about vaccinations (do the ingredients include mercury/aluminum/ formaldehyde, fevers, breathing problems, etc.) I know, for the most part, the diseases they prevent are far worse than the usual reaction from the shot. I think people forget about this when they decide not to immunize their children.

In any case, I'll get off my soapbox now!

We've had Spring-like weather here in San Jose this week. Temperatures in the mid- to upper- 70s! We have taken advantage of the nice weather and spent as much time as we can outdoors. Jackson's been on trips to the park, to the East Bay to visit friends and their babies, playing outside. Its been great! Here is a picture of Jack enjoying some tummy time outside:





He's starting to hold up his head very well! Still a little bit wobbly, but he's getting the hang of it. : )

Mom/Baby Pi-Yo Class

Jackson and I went to our first mom/baby Pi-Yo (pilates-yoga) class yesterday. Last time I did yoga was a few weeks before Jackson was born, so it was great to get back into it. It was also nice to see the babies of a few mom's in my prenatal class and also from the hospital birthing class and to talk to the moms about how their labor and delivery went. And, it was good just to be outside of the house.

How does this mom/baby yoga work, you might be wondering? Basically, Jackson lays on a blanket at the top of the yoga mat and I will pick him up when doing certain poses. Kind of like extra weight. Sometimes he will lay on his blanket and I will bend over him and tickle or sing to him. About 1/2 way during the class, we did a pose that included gentle rocking and he completely fell asleep. So, I completed the rest of the class without him as he snoozed away on the blanket. He was the only one who fell asleep!

The only part I didn't care for was the hokey-pokey at the end of the class, but probably because I was doing it by myself and it seemed kind of silly. I will probably go back again, though!

Happy New Year!

Hope you all enjoyed the holidays and that your new year is starting off well!

Jackson had a busy past 2 weeks - visits from family and friends and spending time with daddy over his 2 weeks off.

Christmas Eve found us at Uncle Mike and Aunt Cathy's for the annual Stull/Mullen Christmas exchange. We had a wonderful time! Here is a picture of 4 generations of family from that evening:


Jason, Lala (Jason's grandmother), Jackson, and Dana (Jason's dad)

Here is a picture of Jackson and his "bottle":


He was a fantastic little sommelier!

On Christmas Day, we opened presents from Santa at home. That evening we went over to Mima and Poppa's for Christmas dinner. Delicious, as always!!



We were excited to see Omi and Opa (my parents), who arrived from Arizona on Christmas Day, a few days later! This was their first time meeting Jackson. We enjoyed a belated Christams dinner with them, my sister, and my brother's family the following Saturday.

Here are Opa and Jackson:


Jackson had a fun time ringing in 2009 at Omi and Opa's on New Years Eve. We enjoyed traditional German food during the evening.



Omi and Opa - come back again soon!