Erythema Multiforme

Yesterday afternoon I noticed a few red spots on Jackson's tummy. They were really flat with white centers. He didn't act like he felt bad at all and he didn't have a fever so I gave him some benadryl and decided to wait until today to see how he looked. This morning, he woke up and it was everywhere. What had started as a few spots on his belly had turned in to covering his whole stomach, and down his arms and legs. He still does not act like he feels bad or like it is bothering him at all really. We took him to Greenville peds this morning and as soon as the dr walked in Jackson pulled up his shirt to show him his spots. While the dr was washing his hands, he said, "well I know what that is from across the room, that's erythema multiforme." He said it should go away on it's on within a week and it was fine unless he got spots on his bottom or ulcers inside his mouth. He said the rash was his body's reaction to some sort of virus he had picked up and it wasn't contagious so he can still go to daycare. I'll keep you posted on how he does the rest of the week. Keep my strong little man in your prayers. Here are some pics from day one and two...

Dinner for One

Every Tuesday, I get off work at 2:00. Most everyday since we have been staying at Ritchie's parents, his mom has dinner made for us already by the time I get home but since I got off early I thought it would be really nice to cook dinner for everyone! I went to the grocery store and then went to kinston to pick up Jackson. We got back home and played outside for a little while and then I started cooking. It took literally forever. I cooked Baked Chicken, rice and gravy, broccoli and cheese and garden peas. Jackson drug every single pot out of the cabinets and banged on them and had a ball the whole time I was cooking. It took so long that Jackson was begging for a peanut butter sandwich, that he ate in his high chair while I finished cooking. Well Ritchie called to tell me he was going to be home late, ritchie's mom ran in and told me she was going to be gone to revival, and ritchie's dad came home a few minutes later to change clothes to go play basketball. So after over 2 hours of cooking, I sat down to eat dinner alone. I was not happy to say the least. Jackson was nice enough to sit with me while I ate but he was full from his sandwich. Ritchie finally got home from work after 9:00. I should have just gone to bojangles!

I don't want my birthday to end!

You may notice in these pictures that Jackson's cake is gone, yet he is still blowing out the candles. We lit the candle and sang Happy Birthday and when we blew out the candle we all started cheering and clapping. He loved that! He kept saying "again Daddy!" so we did it 5 times before he ate cake and at least 5 more after his cake was gone. He just didn't want his birthday to end!

Jackson's real Bday

My little man is 2 years old today. I cannot believe it. It seems like just yesterday I was at the hospital awaiting his arrival. I sure feel better today than I did this time 2 years ago! Since we had his party a week ago, I think Jackson is a little confused. I told him Happy Birthday today and he looked at me like I was crazy and said "Presents??" I said "No, you have already opened all your presents" I don't think he quite gets it. But Happy Birthday to my baby. Daddy and I love you so much!

Asheville Trip

This past Thursday, Ritchie and I got up early, took Jackson out to breakfast and then to daycare. We then set off to Asheville. It was a long drive! We got there around 4 and checked into our hotel. That night we went to one place and had drinks but their menu didn't look to hot, so we walked somewhere else to eat. On saturday I had a class on "What's new in Periodontal Therapy!" Sounds so exciting doesn't it?? While I went to class, Ritchie went to cherokee to the casino. I was worried about this and told him I would kill him if he spent/lost alot! Well he took $100 in cash and came back with $160 so I was happy with that. That night he took me to eat at the Grove Park Inn. It was absolutely beautiful. We got there at 5:30 and the bartender told us they hardly ever had openings to eat but we could check. They just so happened to have a reservation open at 6 so we said "we'll take it!" We ate outside and watched the sunset over the mountains. The food was the best I think I have ever had.

We were planning on staying Saturday night too, but since our hotel room had been less than we were hoping for and since I'm pretty sure I heard a mouse somewhere in there during the middle of the last night, we decided to come on home. We missed Jackson anyway. We went to the Bass Pro Shop before we headed home and ate dinner at the Macaroni Grill. It was a good weekend but I was ready to get back home to my baby. And of course after driving 5 hours to see him, he didn't even act like he cared when we got there to pick him up. Guess that's how it goes though!

An Early Birthday Party

Jackson's 2nd birthday isn't until next Monday September 14th but this weekend I have to go to a dental seminar in Asheville. Since no one else from my office is going with me, Ritchie is going to go so I don't have to drive so far by myself. Anyway, we decided to go ahead and have Jackson's party on labor day weekend since we will be late getting back this sunday.

We decided just do to family this year, so my parents and grandparents, as well as Ritchie's parents and grandparents were all there, along with our brothers and sisters of course. He had such a good time. We had been to walmart about a week before the party and he saw a blue power wheels four-wheeler and that is all he has talked about. Most things he sees he wants, by the time we are out of the store he has forgotten about them, but not this. He kept saying "Jackson have it," and every time we asked him what he wanted for his birthday he said "new four." He has had a little one since he was about 10 months old and he had rode that thing to death. His feet are too big now to even fit on the foot rests so he stands on the seat and pushes the button. He was so excited when he saw his daddy come around the side of the house with his "new four." He rode it all afternoon. My brother, Tee, also gave him a chainsaw and some safety goggles. Since then he has tried to cut off everybody's leg, cut down trees, and even cut up bugs outside. The goggles he loves and even threw a fit to wear them while he was eating dinner that night. Of all the things mama got him, he loved her card the best. It is a spongebob card that sings happy birthday and he has opened it a million times. All in all I think he had a great 2nd birthday!

Potty Time

As most of you know I really do not want to go through potty training Jackson. I know it probably won't be as bad as I think and that it has to be done sometime but I am just dreading it. Well yesterday I went and got his little potty out and brought it upstairs. As soon as he saw it he kept saying "Pee Pee in there" over and over. So I sat him on it and he did! He actually stinkied in it to. He was so excited with himself. He has peed in it several times but this was his first #2 so congratulations to my big boy!

Catching up

Ok I know I have said this before but I am really going to try to do better about this blogging thing. There is so much going on in our lives that I sometimes forget but I know if I don't write these things down, Jackson will be grown up and I will be have forgotten most of it! Jackson is turning 2 this monday and I just don't know where the time has gone! It seems like just yesterday he was born. Thank God he still wants to sit in my lap and let me hold him or I don't know what I would do. Here are a few of the things that are going on in Jackson's life as of right now:

Things you like:

Being outside! You would stay outside all the time if I would let you

Watching Spongebob, Blue's Clue, Handy Manny, and The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Singing! Some of your favorite songs to sing are "Jesus loves me," "ABC's," "Popeye the Sailor man," and now "Happy Birthday to me!"

Riding your new four-wheeler

Eating Yogurt...sometime 2 or 3 a day

Giving hugs and kisses and being held

Going to JuJu and Pa's to play in the sand pile

For me to sing you a song before you go to bed and after each one you say "nother one!"

Your paci and bank bank (I have to sneak your blanket away when you are outside to wash it)

Things you don't like:

Having the sun in your eyes (You always say "Go away Sunshine" when we are in the car

Bugs

For there to be any peice of dirt, grass, hair, anything in the bath tub while you are in there

Not having the attention of everyone in the room

You do so many funny and sweet things that I always want to remember. You make our lifes so much better just by being you!