My Big 1st Grader

It's crazy how the time has flown by these past few years! Jackson has been such a blessing to our family. I can't imagine my life without him. He's the cutest, sweetest child a person could ask for. Today was the first day of school. He's in first grade this year. It blows my mind to think that he'll be SIX years old soon. It seems like we just got him! He's so big. Weighs right at sixtly pounds...so much for the tiny Asian theory! Here's a few pics from today. Raegan

Jackson Playing in Our Backyard

Below are a few pictures of Jackson that my sister took at our house on 10/19/08. I'm a little embarrassed since Jackson was dressed pretty crappy that day, but, you would know that's day she brought her camera and snapped about two thousand pictures... I think he liked it though. He poses like he's a celebrity. Sha baby.

Raegan

Jackson's Birthday Bash

As most of you know, Jackson's birthday party was Saturday, 9/22/07. We had such a good turnout and for the most part the weather was perfect. Jackson got so many great gifts; our toy room is now busting at the seams! He's loves playing with all his new toys and we've already bought him some cute winter clothes with the money he was given. I hope everyone had a good time; we sure did.

We finally got in to see Jackson's ENT last Thursday. He has a bad ear infection. We've scheduled a procedure to have tubes put in and his adnoids taken out for next Friday. Hopefully, this surgery goes smoother than the last. Other than that he's the picture of health. He's always so happy. As a matter of fact, I couldn't even tell that he had the ear infection. He just isn't a cry baby at all.

When I got home from work today Brad was pulling Jackson down the street in his new-to-us wagon (hand-me-down from D. Collin Carrier). It was so cute. He sat so still and held on like a big boy. I should have taken a picture. He looked like a little man, especially since he was wearing his cool Levi's jeans.

Thanks to everyone who came to the party. We hated that some of you out of towners couldn't be there. Maybe next year... Enjoy the pictures.

Raegan

Jackson's Birthday Party

Baptism Pictures

The Jackson Chronicle

So much has been going on with Jackson these last few weeks. Let me start by saying that he is perfect in every way and that Brad and I couldn't be any happier. With that, though, comes a bit of bad news. Kosmo moved out last week. We were getting freaked out by Jackson's suspected medical problems (asthma, allergies, exzema) and felt that we couldn't continue to have a house dog. Anyone who knows Kos knows he is no "outside" dog so we felt that placing him with another family would be our best option. A very nice family from Rayne took him. I spoke with them again tonight and they said how awesome he was doing. They said that he follows them everywhere and loves to ride in the car with them. It's so good for us to hear that. It was really, really hard for us to give him up.

Now for the good part... Jackson went to his pediatrician two weeks ago for tons of blood work, a urine analysis, three stool samples, and a chest x-ray. All in all, everything came back really good. He was put on breathing treatments for his asthma and an antibiotic for his bronchitis. He went back for his follow up on Friday and apparently the meds did their job; he was taken off of both. We were referred to a ENT specialist for the remaining noise in his throat. We had that appointment today - the Dr. said that she suspects that he has a little reflux that is irritating and causing swelling to his vocal cords. She put him on Zantac for the next six weeks. The ENT also examined Brad. He, on the other hand, didn't fare so well. He has a pollup in the left nostril, an obstruction in the right nostril, and swollen tonsils. She couldn't even see his adnoids so he had to do a CAT scan. I think we'll get the results tomorrow. I'm no psychic, but I see surgery in his future!

I had the cutest adoption announcements printed up. I handed some out at the baptism and will be delivering the rest shortly.

Above are pictures of the baptism, the after party, and a few miscellaneous shots. Enjoy.

Raegan

Pictures At Home

Getting Settled In

We're home and boy are we glad! We loved our stay in Vietnam. We appreciate the experience more that anyone will ever know but it's still so good to be home.

The flights went so smoothly. Jackson was an angel. We didn't have any problems or any delays. We were nervous about going through immigration with Jackson but the process took maybe 7 minutes and we didn't have to answer any questions. We didn't have to go through customs since we had nothing to declare. The only hard part was being in the air or in an airport for 30 hours straight.

We arrived in Lafayette at 10:15am on Wednesday as planned. Several family members met us at the airport with signs and posters. It was too cool. They all came back to our house for a couple of hours to visit and eat. It was so weird walking into our house. It is so nice and fancy. It's really not a fancy house but compared to the homes in VN, ours is a mansion.

Jackson took a couple of days to get used to the time difference but I would say that even that was a success. We slept a lot during the day Wednesday through Friday but on Saturday and Sunday we kept him so busy during the day that he pretty much slept through the night both nights. He's such a good baby. He rarely cries. He's more of a complainer than a crier. It's so cute the way he talks all the time. He gets shy around new people so not many people have seen his true colors. We've slowly transitioned him from the formula he was on in VN to an american brand without any gliches. He just doesn't vomit at all - it's great. He still has a little trouble pooping some time but we are seeing his pediatrician today so hopefully she'll address that for us.

Kosmo is so in love with the baby. It's cute. When Jackson is on the sofa, Kosmo will sit next to him and put his paw on Jackson's leg. Yesterday, I had Jackson in his bumbo so Kosmo went lay in front of him for Jackson to rub his belly with his little foot. It was too funny. Kosmo even goes check on Jackson in his room when he starts to complain.

Thanks to everyone who supported us throughout this journey. It's been such a roller coaster ride but things couldn't have turned out any better. Jackson has fit right in to our family without missing a beat. We feel so truely blessed to have him and you all in our lives.

Raegan

We're coming home!!!

Well, today's the big day. We are packing like crazy right now. I didn't realize how much stuff we had bought until we started trying to fit it all in our bags. And that's including the new bag we bought here!

We're ready to be home but are dreading the flights. I hope Jackson doesn't cry to much on the plane. Hopefully he sleeps okay. He's usually not a good sleeper when not in his bed so I brought some Tylenol Cold just incase.

We'll arrive in Lafayette at 10:15am Wednesday on an American flight from Dallas.

Can't wait to see you all.

Raegan