Feet in the Grass

I love watching Jackson's face fill with excitement and joy. I really never knew how expressive the human face could be until I had my own baby and formed such a tight knit relationship with someone who doesn't talk back to me yet. As a mom, I get to live life over again through the eyes of a fresh human. One of those wonderful priceless moments happened again today.

Today we went back to the park for a little walk/jog. This area really is magical. There are big tall trees which contain their own distinguished character. You can't help but to feel away from the world for a brief time. Just when you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere, you see the ocean. 

I took Jackson out of his stroller and put him on a little blanket, assuming he would pull the grass. As a Mamma, I don't want him to get dirty or sick or bit by bugs. I realized I have to let him explore and feel this grass with his own two feet. Jackson stood up, and started walking on that grass. His face filled with this smile that was priceless. He could see the ocean, he could see the trees, grass, and feel the breeze. He took a deep breathe and he was walking on the grass !

This moment is one I truly will never forget. I won't forget it because it defines an  adventurous attribute of his character . Not only does it describe the way he takes in the world, but how happy he is doing it. We as adults don't remember these first experiences. Lucky me! I get to re live all of these special moments. We have to slow down and put our feet in the grass. We have to feel the earth on our feet and appreciate it. This is a wonderful world.

 

Soft Spot

 This past Wednesday was Jackson's first day of Gymboree class.  As we walked in I was wondering what his reaction would be and how he would interact with other children.  Jackson got a huge smile on his face once he saw a room full of mats, tunnels, slides, and most of all other kiddos. Of course, he started saying "da!DA!DA!". I set him down and he was off! The excitement in his voice and his face was ridiculously heart warming.  He was overwhelmed and didn't know where to walk first! What to touch? What to push? This was just all too cute.

We started playing with some of the eqiupment and Jackson gravitated towards the big mats that he could "pat". He sat down and looked around at all the other babies with their mommies at one point and took a big breathe. This was just all so epic to Jackson.  I captured this cute picture of him taking it all in...

There was a little opening circle time with the teacher, parents, and babies. Jackson had found a big bucket of balls and was bringing them to other babies and mammas right before circle started. He noticed everyone gravitate towards the big mat, and I brought him over. I know that babies don't sit well for long (Circle time is all too familiar for me). My child was the child that didn't want to join circle and would rather go grab all the balls...this was his first experience so I had a feeling this would happen. I kept bringing him back to the group and he eventually caught on. The theme of the class for that day was climbing through tunnels, so I encouraged Jackson to do so.. we did one tunnel but that was because he was bribed by a ball at the other end! The teacher had a little cat puppet she was using to get the babies to crawl through tunnels and he blocked up the line of babies do to his deep love for kissing a kitty! At one point we got him to climb up a little stairway to the top of this jungle gym, and once he was up he smiled at his victory!

This experience was one of many that I will have as a Mamma. I felt overwhelmed with joy as I saw my child take on his own world. His personality was apparent as he goofed around and played with other babies.(Not to mention that he was the BEST and FASTEST walker) There was one point when I had to hold back tears as I looked over at him staring at other  Mammas and babies while clapping, giggling and  enjoying life.  Yes Jackson, I love you more.

Determination

 

 

 

Sometimes, I feel like I am losing my determination and drive to do something I know I can do. I always look back at a story my dad has related to my nature throughout my entire life. When I was about 5 I was excited to go to Kindergarten and be like Aubrey, but my parents told me that I had to stop sucking my thumb. We ( mostly my parents) had tried everything! I did NOT want to stop sucking my thumb, so I wasn't going to . Good luck getting ME to do something I don't want to do. I stopped sucking my thumb because I wanted to go to Kindergarten and kids don't suck their thumbs in Kindergarten. This is such a silly story , but I promise I will tie it to my day.

I want to be healthy, fit , and look good. I am tired of starting the "workout" routine I do, and then falling off of it.  I have been jogging every morning lately with Jackson and I feel good. I feel like I cant keep this up. There is something wonderful and satisfying about getting outside and just going. My goal is to be fit, feel good, and be happy doing it.

 My perspective is that life is all about balance. Balance it all .. health, happiness,time, and love. We often get caught up in the big picture of life, when it is simple. When I see how much Jackson loves being outside it warms my heart and reminds me that we are meant to be outdoors! We had a wonderful jog at this beautiful park and will continue to do so!

Cheers to the night

 

It all started when Jackson was a fresh newborn. He was colicky and only slept well once he  nursed and was placed on my chest to digest his food. This progressed into him sleeping in his swing and bouncer, then sleeping in his bassinet. When he was around 2 months we would rock him to music and dance him to sleep. From here I started a more scheduled approach to napping which was around his routine.  Then, I tried to rock him to sleep and lay him in his bed once he was asleep. Finally, I went through a stage of him falling asleep in his bed with me patting his belly ( around 8 months). When Lacey was here, we got him falling asleep in his crib for all naps without me.  

This brings me to the point of my blog... 

Jackson has been fighting his sleep for the past three nights EVERY night. Screaming at the top of his lungs. Was this from the excitement of Aubrey and Tricia being here? Was he over tired? Was he testing me? Well, yesterday he napped once at 11 and once at 3, then he stayed up until 9:30. I was hoping  that maybe if his sleep was spread apart further before night time he would go to sleep smoothly. This worked like MAGIC. I'm not sure if it is because of the nap adjustment or if he is just over the crying for 3 nights in a row. 

Congratulations for

FINALLY going to sleep before 10:30 Jackson! 

Oh, and tonight we had a blast as usual playing with his four little teeny wooden cars and balls. I just love the giggles, kisses, hugs, and late night games with my J.

Capricious

ca·price  (k-prs)n.1.

a. An impulsive change of mind.

b. An inclination to change one's mind impulsively.

c. A sudden, unpredictable action, change, or series of actions or changes:

I figured this would be the perfect introduction to me, Caprice Deanna. I must say, the name fits me pretty well.  As my new and most recent impulse is writing a blog! Lucky YOU! The one thing I have learned most about myself over the past 25 years of living has to be that I am impulsive, and love it. Life is impulsive in general so why not roll with it? 

The most significant and exciting "unpredictable" change in my life has to be this gift of life Devin and I were given last  August 12, at 12:20am. I am so blessed and lucky to have the life I currently have. Thank you life! This blog will most definitely be full of Jackson Ray, my cat, Bella, and my lovely other half- Devin. ( Oh and of course all aspects of my family)

The best way to kick of this CAPRICIOUS blog is to start by defining why I will be blogging. Here are my reasons:

1. I need a hobby (let's be honest)

2.Freezing time and never forget the most amazing moments of my life

3. Recording  my feelings

4. Sharing the moments BIG and Small with all of YOU

5. Tracking all of the cuteness of Jackson Ray Patten

About Me

*My family has always been a priority

*  Mother to my sweet Jackson who brings joy and excitement to my life every day

* I live impulsively 

* I love candy and  hate the dentist

* I am crafty at times

* Cats will always have a special place in my heart

* Yes , I enjoy spending money and suck at saving

*Often, I feel myself being too emotional

* This list could go on for days .. so lets end it here .

I find something exciting about starting this blog. Not only can i record all these moments for once and for all, I can enjoy doing it! Please join me for this very Capricious ride.