Unbelieveable Feats Of A Toddler

As a first time mom I am amazed at what my child learns and is capable of on a daily basis.  This one is the most unbelieveable thus far.  Jack has been walking less than a month, I have to remind myself of that sometimes.  This only makes it more unbelievable though.  Yesterday Frank, Jackson and I were hanging around the house when Jack decided to climb onto the couch, which is not abnormal.  What was amazing is that when he wanted to get down he sat down on the couch, scootched his little bottom to the very edge and then jumped down landing on his feet.  It was like...no big deal mom, I got this.  He is ONE!  I was shocked and Frank just laughed.  You never cease to amaze us kid. 

Some other random happenings:

Saying Hi, or actually Haaaaaiiii into any phone, remote (or anything thing the remotely looks like a phone -or remote-)

Jack's ability to find his nose, your nose, Zoe's nose, any nose and say Noooos Nooooos Nooooos. 

Tantrum throwing (not my favorite although very commical at times).  All I can say is we have a very strong willed boy and I am getting really good and finding any distraction.

Jack's unquenchable facination with sticks, stones and mulch.  He will choose over any toy anytime.  And parting with it is true sorrow. 

Ahh the life and times of having a boy!

Playing in the mulch

Multitasking

Happy Easter!

From the time I was a very small child, I really loved holidays. The diversion from routine was very exciting especially if visitors and most especially if gifts were involved. I used to get so excited, much like most children, to find something special just for me in my under the Christmas tree or in my Easter basket. I didn't understand the nature of the holidays but I did understand that someone paid extra attention to me. As each year passed the way my family celebrated holidays changed. There was rarely a feeling of togetherness (not for lack of trying) and it was even more rare that I was made feel "special". I always thought that when I was an adult and had children of my own I would embrace not only the meaning of the holiday but also make a fond memory for our whole family. As I think about raising my son 'the right way', that is not spoiling him too much, taking the focus off of gift giving...yada yada yada, I wavered for a moment and I thought to myself who am I really doing this for, him or me? Does a one year old really need chocolate or a new toy or even an Easter basket? I was almost swooped back up into the practicality of it all, thinking I will be the logical parent. Thank God, that I didn't. They day was all I could have asked for and more! I realized that not only did I love making a big deal out of the day, but Jackson seemed to love the special things we did too. Here is the story of our Easter...

We were greeted Easter Sunday morning with a beautiful bright and sunny day! Exactly the way Easter should be! We woke up with plenty of time before church to have cinnamon buns and make an easter banner (I taped a big piece of paper to the kitchen floor and Babci, Jack and I tried our hand at coloring easter bunnies, eggs, baskets and crosses). After a lovely (but extremely crowded) mass, we spent the day with Babci, Uncle A.J. and Aunt Maggie and our new doggie cousin Lilly! Zoe was ecstatic! Jackson had a great time opening up his Easter Basket and eating Peeps. He especially loved the donald duck bunny from Babci....which by the way Babci, he can't stop picking it up by the ears! We then headed outside for an egghunt and some playtime. (days later we are still finding plastic eggs outside filled with goldfish crackers, half eaten by ants and soggily swollen that Jackson still think make a perfectly good snack). We then headed to Uncle Dennis and Aunt Betty's for a delicious Easter dinner. The day was special, family filled and.....perfect.

 finding the eggs

Peeps

Yum!

Spring Has Sprung!

Ahhh Springtime......fresh air, sunshine, warmer temperatures and now.....rain. I'll take a little rain though now and again with the knowledge that warmer weather and outside playtime has arrived. This weekend we were blessed with beautiful 70+ degree days and a trip to the playgroud was in order. We met up with my friend Alison and Jackson's buddy Zachary for some park time yesterday and then after we treated ourself to Ritas! YUMMY! It was Jack's first taste of water ice and he REALLY seemed to enjoy it. We split a very small kids size which he ate the majority of. That's my boy!

Enjoying the swings

examining a blade of grass

first taste of Rita's

YUMMY

climbing on our lawn chair

As the days go by Jack is also becoming more and more independant and mobile. He is easily walking across our entire house (and now yard), still doing the Frankenstein walk though with his hands over his head and making the noise too. AGGGGHHHHHHHHH. It is so much fun yet so much more challenging now that he is able to walk. He wants to be down on the ground constantly (not so fun when it is wet and sloppy outside). His new favorite thing.....laughing when you say NO. What am I going to do with this kid!

Can You Tell Me How To Get To Sesame Street?

We celebrated Jackson's first birthday party with a Sesame Street theme, featuring Big Bird, Elmo, Bert and Ernie, Snuffy, The Count, Telly Monster, Oscar the Grouch, Abby Cadabby, Zoe, Rosita and......COOKIE MONSTER!

The week prior to the party was spent drawing, coloring and cutting out the awesome Sesame Street Muppets that my students helped create!  During the process we were also inspired to create a Sesame Street Trivia Game (vintage for the adults and a little bit easier one for the kids).

We had such a great day and packed about 60 people into our  house (which I feel like we are outgrowing in general).  I am reminded again what amazing family and friends we have and had so much fun playing games with the kiddies and catching up with everyone!  We ate delicious food and topped off the afternoon with a Cookie Monster cake and "chocolate cookie" cupcakes and a mini Elmo cake for Jackson.  Which, if I do say so myself, turned out pretty great --my first cake decorating attempt!!!!  (Um....I had no idea what I was thinking giving him red frosting.....it looked like a scene from a horror movie rather than a first birthday party....) It really was a first birthday to be remembered! A huge THANK YOU to Grammy and Babci who slaved away in the kitchen all day and to everyone who brought food/drinks/gifts...etc and helped us to celebrate Jackson's big day!  WE LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

 Frank even surprised me with birthday cupcakes!  I have a great husband!

Happy 1st Birthday Jackson

Happy 1st Birthday Jackson!!!!!!

Frank, Jackson and I celebrated Jackson's actual first Birthday on Thursday as a family with birthday cookies, a visit from our neighbor, a few presents, and a celebratory glass of wine for Mommy!    Jackson LOVED his cookie and even tried to lick his highchair tray when he was finished.  It was a perfect little birthday celebration!

He even shared with Daddy!

It is WONDERFUL and AMAZING and PERFECT to have this one year old in our lives.   We Love you so much!

The Final Days Of A "Baby"

So the countdown in on...in two days Jackson will turn one! He will "officially" turn into a toddler. More and more and day by day we are seeing his independence, decisiveness, mobility, understanding, communication, and affection. He is growing up...too fast for my liking, but it is such a joy to have him in our lives and to watch him grow and learn. This year has been the fastest, and by far the best, year of my life! I love you Jackson!

No No Nose

A picture really is worth a thousand words.

Obviously Jackson has "found his nose" or more specifically his nostril.  He seems to enjoy the fact that there is a hole there that his finger fits perfectly into.  Such the little boy!

The countdown in on....10 days until Jack turns one and I am in denial.  I can't believe that this year has gone by so fast...flown by.....flashed by......gone!  Our little baby seemed to grow into a child overnight and is becoming more independent by the day, exploring and learning and remembering.  He now says "Mama, Dada and Bebe" (our beloved babysitter) with meaning.  He also says "yeah" and his favorite "NoNoNONONO" (often seeming to forget the meaning......hmmmmm???)   He is taking more and more steps each day and soon will be running around outside.  Hard to believe.  I am trying to soak up every minute of this amazing child.  Aunt Tara....he will be RUNNING down the isle at your wedding!