Crazy People Live Here

Playing around with my new pocket camera. Picture quality is so-so, but the video is pretty sharp. I'm sure you'll see it some time in the near future....

Seems Things Like This ALWAYS Happen at Bedtime, Right?

Um, yeah, 2009 is definitely ending with a bang for Jackson.

Last night, he was monkeying around on the recliner and fell off. He sort of leaped and tried to jump onto the seat of the chair and land on his belly, I think. I'm not real sure as I was trying to attend to Luke at that moment and only saw Jackson out of the corner of my eye. He landed on the seat fine, but he immediately tried to scoot up or roll over or something and he slipped off instead. Landed right on his left shoulder with a thud. It was all kind of one motion. Of course he cried immediately and, as usual when he is hurt, he told me not to touch him, so I didn't and just kept attending to Luke. I figured he was fine, just shocked and embarassed and maybe a little hurt. I let him try to shake it off for a few minutes but he it wasn't working. He kept moaning and crying, so I really just figured he was over-tired. It was the end of the day, he hadn't napped, and he was ready for bed. So we took him upstairs, but he was still crying. I knew something was up when he still hadn't moved his arm, was refusing to move it, and screamed when I tried to take his shirt off to get the PJs on. Then I also saw that I thought was a bump when there wasn't an equal bump on the otherside. So we took off for the emergency room and 2.5 hours later we were back home, broken clavicle and all.

Jackson was great at the hospital, despite the fact that it was pretty busy. Is there EVER an ER that isn't busy? He let the nurses and doctors touch his shoulder much more than he would let me so I was beginning to think nothing was wrong. Plus the ER doctor said he didn't think it was broken after examining him. He just said that he did see a bit of a dip on the should and saw that Jackson was favoring one over the other. I knew he was wrong about the broken collar bone though. Just one of those "I know my kid and something ain't right" things. Plus, it would have been an Oscar-worthy acting job by Jackson for something not to be seriously wrong with his shoulder. Word to the wise, they don't do anything for a broken collar bone. They tell you to take some Ibuprofen and go home. Put your arm in a sling for a week. That's it. So, really, unless your bone is poking through your skin, you might as well just not bother with the emergency room.

He's being a good trooper. Sleeping last night was a bit difficult as he woke up once or twice crying. I guess he tried to roll over? He wants me to do everything for him, but I can't say that I blame him for wanting that! So, he'll be spending the rest of his Christmas break watching lots of movies, I think. Coloring too.

Jeez, I'll have to think of a few more things to do with him!

Mmmm, Frozen Blueberries

Photo taken before he got the black-eye...

Shiner

It's dangerous work learning to walk.

Drink a V-8 First

This was Jackson's first ever Christmas pageant. He did great. I thought that he might freeze-up, given all the people, cameras, and lights, but he handled it like a pro.


Here's some video of his tour-de-force performance, so you can see some of it for yourself if you'd like. Just note: it will be pretty clear when I hand over the video duty to Chris. Suffice it to say, he has offically been relieved of any future videographer duties. And the bill from your chiropractor can be sent to Christopher Maples c/o Dads Inc.

Finally, the Luke is Walking

The background cartoon music from the TV is an unplanned, but fitting soundtrack to Luke's wobble, don't you think? His walk is slow, ugly, and unsteady but my arms are getting a "second wind" at the mere prospect that they won't have to carry him around forever. I guess we can thank Luke's second cousin Keira for the motivation to walk at the Kelly Christmas party. He doesn't want her get away when he sees her again in a few weeks!

Kelly Family Christmas Party 2009

During the week, I prepared Jackson for the fact that he was going to meet Santa on Saturday. I got him prepared to tell him what he wanted for Christmas, to sit on his lap, and to say thank you if Santa gave him a gift.

Then, while we are at the party waiting for Santa to arrive, Jackson did a little preparation of his own too. He colored a picture to give Santa. And, he poured Santa a cup of Chex mix for a snack.

A few minutes later, Santa arrived. When Santa had gotten about two steps inside the room, Jackson ran up to him and handed him the dixie cup full of Chex mix. Then, he grabbed Santa's hand and led him the way to the back of the room where the tree and Santa's chair were. No one asked him to do that and Santa didn't need the help - considering he had been there last year too - but Jackson didn't care. He sat Santa right down where he belonged and stood right in front of his face. I guess he wanted to sit on Santa's lap RIGHT THEN because that was what he did next. He sat there until Santa's helper gave him a candy cane and I told him to get down and wait for Santa to call his name.

It was very cute and very funny to witness. But, I will definitely be able to tone down the Santa preparations next year - Jackson TOTALLY gets what is supposed to happen! Luke, on the other hand, could still use a little more work in case you couldn't tell from the picture.

Jackson showing Santa the way.
Jackson monopolizing Santa's time mere minutes after his arrival.
Jackson hanging with second cousin Colin.
My mom trying to get a good picture with her three grandsons, but Luke refused to cooperate. Luke better learn where his bread is buttered and cooperate with Grandma, if he knows what's good for him.
Failed attempt to get a good picture with the boys with Santa at the same time.