Happy Birthday Jackson!

Jeff & I met on October 12, 1995.

We got married on April 7, 2001.

We talked about having kids for a long time. We dreamed of the day we would become parents. We cried when we thought that day might never come.

But God knew just when we should become parents.

He was saving us the perfect little boy.

On March 23, 2006, our lives changed forever. Jackson Orian Bachman entered the world at 8:04 am, weighing 8 pounds 6 ounces. We were in love.

From the time he was little, Jackson has always been a sweet little boy. His big blue eyes and precious smile makes you instantly fall in love with him. He didn't like to sleep as a baby, but he made up for it with smiles.

About the time Jackson was a year and a half, we began to realize that his development didn't seem to be keeping up with his peers. After some testing, we found out that he had delays in speech, fine & gross motor, social skills, along with sensory issues. We didn't know what all of that meant, but we knew that we wanted to do everything we could to help him. Even though he couldn't really talk, he still managed to show his love for life in his sweet spirit and funny little laugh.

When he turned 2 years old, Jackson began going to a toddler intervention class called CITI Kids through Clovis Unified. He received speech services and spent 2 mornings a week with other children with similar developmental issues. He worked so hard, and over the course of the year we were amazed at his development. He started CITI Kids with about 6 words and his own little language. A year later he was able to say 3 word phrases and made amazing progress in his motor & social skills. All his teachers loved him :)

For the past year, Jackson has been in SDC preschools in Clovis Unified. He currently attends Copper Hills, and we LOVE it. Having him in school 5 mornings a week is difficult, but to see how far he has come can bring you to tears. He is a hardworking, smart little boy. He loves letters, singing, and playing games. Even though he is constantly faced with situations that make him uncomfortable or scared, he is a brave little boy, and trusts his parents & teachers to step beyond what he knows. We could not be more proud of him.

But far more important than his developmental growth is how he has grown to be such an important part of our family. We would be incomplete without those twinkly blue eyes, his silly little laugh, or that knowing smile. I cannot get enough of his post-nap snuggles, his little hand in mine, or watching him sleep. He will often just walk over and say, "I love you, Mommy" and give me a little hug. He is precious.

He is adored by his little sister (and soon by his littlest). Watching Jackson & Isabella play & laugh together is adorable (until they start fighting....) Anything Jackson does- Bella wants to be a part of it. And he is so kind to Charlotte; giving her a binky when she cries and kissing her goodnight. These girls will be lucky to have him for a big brother when they get older.

I cannot believe it has been 4 years. It scares me to think of how quickly it has gone, knowing that the years will only continue to fly by. I am not ready for kindergarten & loose teeth. I still look at Jackson and see my little baby boy. But I also see a little boy that has come so far. It will be exciting to see where this life takes him.

Thank you, Lord, for Jackson. Every minute we have with him is a gift. Thank you for making him special and unique. Help us to love, encourage, and support him in all he does. May he always know just how wonderful he is, and how very loved.

Happy birthday sweet baby boy.

posted by Mommy

professional pics courtesy of derksen photography