Testing the Stander

On Thrusday at therapy, we got to try out the stander. Jackson LOVED it, so much so that when it came time to get out, he threw a royal run away---so I guess pretty soon I will have a standing Prince! You can see the joy in his face and the relief in our PT's! Gayla has been working with Jackson since he was 5 days old and she could have not been more proud then at the moment she put him in the stander and he did so well and neither could I! He is doing so great and is a real trooper. We should be hearing about our new AFOs and stander sometime this week. I will keep ya'll posted. Meanwhile, keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

All our love,

DJJ

A Weekend of Trick or Treating

On Wednesday evening, we joined Braden and his mom, Kodi for trick or treating on sorority row at LSU. We had a great time and the boys were of course a hit---Jackson as a monkey and Braden as the one and only Dog, the Bounty Hunter. Then on Saturday, Jonathan and I took Jackson to the pumpkin "patch" at University Methodist Church. And let me tell you this boy loves hay! We had to pry it out of his hands after he sat in the wagon! On Sunday, we once again joined the Wilsons for Boo at the Zoo and then pictures at Sears. We all had a great time!

A Bunch of Updates

The past few months have been a whirlwind, hence my lack of posting and picture updating. Jackson is progressing so well, that I can't tear myself away from him to post because I want to see what he will discover next. Recent accomplishments includ rolling over on to both sides and onto his belly. And sitting UNASSISTED! (FYI: he's not crying because he is sitting but instead because he wants the toy in front of him). When he rolls over on his stomach, Jackson is trying to "push" off and crawl on his belly. I think it won't be long until he gets it!

On the medical front when we saw Dr. Accousti last week, he gave us the approval to make Jackson wear his braces only at night. This is amazing and very positive news, it means our feet are not regressing, which can be the case with AMC kids. We do still have some hypotonia in the legs and will be ordering hip helpers to hopefully assist in correcting this. And the most exciting news---we are getting a stander! Here is what it will look like: http://www.alimed.com/ProductDetail.asp?style=82040&fprd=EasyStand%26trade%3B+7000+Magician%2Aei&oid1=&oid2=

The stander and our new AFOs (ankle feet orthotics) should be here in the next couple of weeks and let me tell you this boy is ready to stand!

And to top it all off this weekend, Jackson said his first word and it was...MAMA!!!! I can't tell you how excited I was!

Keep us in your prayers as we await our equipment and next month's trip to see the hand doctor and geneticist at Shriners.

All our love,

Doris, Jonathan and Jackson

Hanging Out

We have hung out with Braden and his family recently and the boys can't seem to get enough of each other! Jackson is in love with Braden's beautiful curls and could play in them for hours. Braden is quite smitten with Jackson too! Here are some shots of the boys hanging out!

We are taking them trick or treating this week, so be sure to check back for those pics!

YumYum in my TumTum

Jackson has been on solids since the middle of August. When we started getting close to his 6 month birthday, I started researching making our own baby food. Kodi (Braden's mom) put me in contact with a dietician friend of hers and she helped me figure out the basics. It is so much fun and Jackson always appreciates my effort! I have made all of his foods thus far, except the yogurt and rice cereal. And to date, we have not found a food this boy doesn't like! He is a great eater! Here are some shots daddy caught for us...

My First Parade

Jackson attended his first parade in Morgan City during the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival. We had a great time hanging out with "Aunt" Kelly and her family. Needless to say Jackson was a HIT! And let me tell you this kid loves a good parade---just like his mama!

Mike's Coming Out

Like any good LSU alumni parents, we want Jackson to know Mike the Tiger. So when the University announced that Roscoe (the newest Mike) would be put into his habitat, Jonathan and I jumped at this "once in a lifetime" opportunity. Jackson was a little unsure of Mike at first, but soon warmed up and was "yelling" at him!