Showers-A-Plenty

Little Jackson has been the star guest of not one, but two 'Welcome to the World' parties in the last couple of weeks. His social calendar is just so jam packed at such as early age that sometimes I feel like his social coordinator and personal assistant.
While visiting Grandma & Grandpa P, Aunty Joy and Grandma hosted a wonderful 'Welcome to the Family' afternoon. Aunts, cousins, friends and family, gathered to cuddle and celebrate Mr. Jackson's entrance into our lives. It was a relaxing afternoon of chatting and catching up with family that I rarely see and friends with which I only communicate via the net. And of course, his highness was spoiled with gifts galore from all our lovely, thoughtful visitors. That boy is building up quite a wardrobe to last him until his third birthday and gadgets & accessories that rival his daddy's collection.

Then not one day after his return from Grandma & Grandpa's visit, he was off to another shower from Mommy's wonderful co-workers. More cuddling and catching up and even more gifts were received. We have such generous, giving friends and family of which we are greatly appreciative to have in our lives.
Now we just have to find room in his closet and shelves for all this new gear...

To Grandmother's House We Fly

I have often heard that it is difficult to travel by air with children let alone a newborn, so you can imagine my apprehension of travelling with Jackson at just one month of age. We received lots of 'Oh, is that safe for so young a baby?' or ' His poor little ears will be hurting, make sure he is nursing the whole time.' After lots of 'helpful advice' for fussy babies was shared with us before the big day, we felt prepared for our first place ride. So with travel documents in hand, his birth cert arrived just 3 days before our departure, and the doctor's okay, we were set to visit Grandma & Grandpa P.

At the airport we were greeted by light snow flurries and slight winds. Not a good sign for perfect flying conditions to an already nervous first-time mom for her newborn's first flight. But with just a 20 min delay, we were loading into the plane on our way to completing yet another first in little Jackson's long list of adventures. Scott was yet again more than happy to take advantage of the perks of having a little guy as we were admitted to pre-boarding priviledges, he loves the 'Pregnant Mothers/New Parents' parking at malls. Once settled into our seats, we started to get anxious about Jackson's reactions to our upcoming takeoff and how we would handle his cries and/or fussing. But our little man surprised us both as not a peep came from him as we started off on the journey. First hurdle tackled, now just the descent and adjusting to cabin pressure during the landing. Mommy & Daddy were anticipating some squacks and sqeaks from Jackson, but once again our little traveller slept right through as ears were popping and the plane touched down. We are so proud of our jet setting Jackson. But then again, we is our little warrior and has always been such a good baby with very little fussing, so it shouldn't have been such a big surprise. And as you can tell from the somewhat grainy cell phone pictures, Jackson is still proving to be the best baby ever... as per the most biased opinions of his parents.

Our Special Storytime

While nursing Jackson today, I decided that we needed to take advantage of this special time that we spend together. I was inspired by a friend's recent blog about all the books she had received for her newborn daughter and all the reading they do together. Jackson too has a very extensive library thanks to a mommy who previously worked in a bookstore and her love of children's books that she has had since childhood. So enough said, I have decided that during our feeding times together, Jackson and I will read one of his numerous books.
We started with a very special book from a very special 'aunty'. A very good friend of my mom's, whom I have always referred to as Aunty Carol, sent Jackson a very touching book, The Gift of an Angel by Marianne Richmond. It is a very beautifully illustrated story with an amazing message. I didn't realize how wonderful the story is until I found myself tearing up as I read the simple verse with the powerful meaning. It was a wonderful start to a great routine that I have started with my son. We can't wait to get into our next book during our special storytime.

Hockey Night in Smalliver

It's a New Year of firsts so bring it on...
Our first born went to his first hockey game yesterday. And what better game to go and watch but your own daddy's first ever hockey game. Now bear in mind that Scott has only been on skates about 5 times this season since being a kid and he has never played a full game of hockey on ice in his life. And this game was for charity for the local WHA team against the volunteer fire department of which Scott is a member. He was a little apprehensive on how he would do on the ice considering he just taught himself how to stop properly last week and he still hasn't quite mastered the art of skating backwards. And of course the fear of falling as he didn't know how he was going to get up once down on the ice.



But those fears aside, it was a great small town night of entertainment for all who attended. We are very proud of our local fire department, especially for bringing their game to the ice and slapping the puck around with the with this much younger, more experienced team. And Jackson and I are proud of Scott for lacing up his skates and showing us that he gave it his all and had a lot of fun in the process. Way to go #20 Daddy Scooter!

The Long Awaited Photos of Baby Jackson

THE BESTEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER...

An early Christmas blessing has arrived in the Schaffrick home.
At 8:07am Wednesday December 19, 2007, Jackson Ronin Koa Schaffrick entered our lives and our hearts.
Ronin - master less samurai; Japanese
Koa - warrior, strength; Hawaiian
He was a healthy 6lb14oz. for 2 1/2 weeks early.
I started contractions and trickling 'water' about 11:30pm Tuesday, just shortly after 'Daddy' had left for work. After a call to our amazing stand by, Brenda, we were off to the hospital where it would only be a short 4 more hrs until it was 'push' time.
Being Scott's son, he was a fighter and had to come into this world on his terms. After two and a half hours of intense drug free pushing, Jackson was still in the wrong position to deliver so a forceps delivery with a cesarean standby was ordered as I was wheeled into the operating room. It's a good thing that our son has been able to stand up to his chosen middle names after his big entrance scene. Jackson looked like a little bruiser from the forceps marks on his head, to the squashed cone head from the pushing and his poor little fracture in his clavicle from his shoulders getting stuck in the pelvic bones, not to mention the intense bruising on his head from the overall ordeal. But he is doing great and gaining weight, definitely his dad's boy with his appetite, everyday. We did take some pics in the hospital and such, I just have to get them into the computer that doesn't want to cooperate, but they are coming...Stay posted for more details and how our new little man is changing and growing everyday.

Four Weeks and Counting Down...

So this is what week 36 looks like on me...

I have dropped a lot over the last week or so and can feel the head 'engaging'. It is not the most comfortable feeling but it is exciting to know that the 'bean' is progressing as needed to make it's big arrival.

We still do not know whether our baby is a boy or girl, but we love imagining what life will be like as we sit and watch the nightly belly bumping that occurs on a regular basic. Some names have been picked out but nothing set in stone unto we meet our new family member.

It has been more difficult do accomplish the little things lately. Like tying my shoes or just getting my shoes on in general. And then there is the issue of trying to find a pair of shoes that still fit as my poor tootsies have been swelling up like little piggies. Not a pretty site when I do get to see them. And my poor ankles and calves are competing to see who will get the biggest faster. But I keep saying that I am very blessed to have had such a healthy pregnancy without major complications. And the reward in the end of all these new and strange changes will be worth every swollen moment. We can't wait to meet you little one...