7 Month Old Flying

I was offered the 2nd grade teaching position in Grand Coulee on June 4th.  I happily accepted the position and Alex and I started planning the big move from Alaska to Washington.  We had already purchased airline tickets to fly down to Grand Coulee for vacation leaving on July 1st, so we decided that the best plan of action would be to keep those tickets, fly down, and change my return ticket to my father-in-law's name.  They would then fly back up to Alaska, pack the Uhaul, and drive all of our belongings and our two pups down to Washington.  This meant, that between June 4 and July 1, I was packing nonstop (that is, at least whenever Jackson would let me).  Everything needed to be packed by the time that we left for Washington on July 1, and thus, my house started to look like this:

 

 

We finished pack just hours before we left for the flight on July 1.  I was really worried about Jackson on the plane.  He did really good in the airport, and even fell asleep in his stroller while waiting to board for our flight.

Once we got on the plane, Jackson was wide awake, and I was stressed.  But he really enjoyed looking out the window at the clouds.

He finally feel asleep about an 1 1/2 hours into the flight.  Thank goodness, because he was getting very fussy and I was getting very stressed.  Once he fell asleep, he was out for the entire flight and woke up only once we were on the train in Seattle and a group of flight attendants all burst out laughing.  I hope to never fly with a baby again, way too stressful!
  

Sleeping through the Night? Is this a Joke?

For about a week now, Jackson has been sleeping through the night (minus the occasional need for the plug).  My mom says that 7 months is about the time that my sisters and I started sleeping though the night, but I am still skeptical.  This isn't the first time that he has slept through the night.  Back when he was about 3 months old he started sleeping through the night, but then Alex left for a 2 week business trip in Haines, Alaska and Jackson got sick all on the same day.  Ever since, he hasn't slept through the night, that is until recently.  Not only has he been sleeping through the night, but he is going to sleep so much easier. I really hope this is not just a phase, but that it is here to stay.

The funny thing is, that I am still waking up at the normal times that he used to wake up.  I lean over and turn on the baby monitor (not sure what I am checking for, not like he will just get out of the crib on his own), then roll back over and try to get back to sleep. I admit that I am feeling much more refreshed than the previous 7 months of my life (and more if you count the "sleep" you get in pregnancy).  

By the way, I just love watching him sleep.  I recommend to all parents to invest in a video baby monitor.  I love that I can check on him without disturbing him.

First Blog, Bear with Me!

So bear with me, this will be my first blog (minus the ones I had to do as an assignment in my college class).  My intention with this blog is to just write about what I am going through as a new mom.  I will start by introducing you to me family, starting with me.

 

My name is Jessica.  I work full time as a 2nd grade teacher for the Grand Coulee Dam School District in Eastern Washington but first and foremost, I am a full time mom to a wonderful 7 month old boy.  I graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage in May of 2013 and just moved back to my home town of GCD as of July 1st. I am so happy to be home and excited to start my new job in the fall.

 I married my husband in December 2011.  We had a beautiful wedding with a Christmas theme (my favorite holiday).  Alex is my rock.  He is always there for me, no matter my mood.  He understands and knows what I need many times before I even know.  The stupidest things make him laugh, but it just makes me love him more.  He is my rock, my soul mate, and my one true love.  Alex supports me in everything that I do, including quitting his job and following my career to Washington.  Currently, he is driving with is dad somewhere between Glennallen and Tok, Alaska in a uhaul loaded down with all our belongings and two dogs, while I stay in Washington relaxing. And, must we not forget that beautiful baby boy he gave me!

Meet Jackson Alexander Tufts, born on December 5, 2013 at 2:29 pm.  He weighted 8 lbs, 2 oz, and was 21.5 inches long. He is now 7 months old, and at his 6 month check up, he was 19 lbs, 3 oz, and was 27.5 inches long.  He is growing like a weed.  I feel like he learns a new skill everyday.  He is currently working towards crawling.  He can do it, but he still has some learning to do.  He has also just started lifting his hands into the air when he wants to be picked up.  I know that Jackson is not an easy baby, but I wouldn't trade him for any other baby.




If you made it this far into the post I congratulate you and feel pride that I was able to engage you long enough to get to this point.  So, the goal of this blog is for me to talk about life as a full time mom.  The name of the blog comes from the fact that I am noticing how much I am like my mother.  The things I say, and the things I do all make me feel like I am watching an old recording of her.  Whenever I have a question about how to take care of Jackson, she is on speed dial (do people still use that??).  Without her, I am sure that I would have ended up hiding in a corner crying while Jackson screamed (well, more than once that is).  I hope to use this blog as a tribute to my mom and express my extreme gratitude towards her!