Bedtime

We have started a new bedtime routine. We both felt bad for taking Jackson upstairs and rocking him for awhile and then putting him into bed. We wanted a little more out of are night time. So, Craig looked on the Internet for a book that we could use as his bedtime book and nothing else. Boy did he ever find an awesome book for Jackson. He loves trains and the moon, so what could be better than this book? Nothing, at least to Jackson. The book stays upstairs next to the rocking chair and he will tell you night night train when you sit down. You know, in case we forgot that we are supposed to read the train book.

Now the night time lasts a little longer and is not so anti climactic. It gives Jackson a little bit longer to wind down from the day and it gives us a little more cuddle time. I can use a little more cuddle time. It seems like night time is the only time now that he allows me to cuddle with him. During the day he is way more interested in playing or reading. Jackson just cannot be bothered with cuddle time anymore, he has got important stuff to do.

Since Craig has been gone this week, I have added a new addition to the routine. I let Jackson turn out his light. However, as the week has gone on it has progressed from turning out the light to turning out the light and telling me it is dark. Thanks kiddo, I did not realize the room was now pitch black. The kid cracks me up.

We're Still Here, sort of

It has been a busy month for us! First Craig and I went to Hawaii. Then I went to Florida. Now Craig is in New Jersey. There has been some serious traveling going on here.

I have not been to Hawaii in about seven years, and I was itching to go back. There is something about life in Hawaii that I love. The people (for the most part) are so friendly and laid back. Life seems to go at a slower pace, and I needed that. Having Jackson has made me realize how quickly time flies. I feel like I only have a moment to catch my breath during the day before it speeds up and is gone. So when the chance for me to go to Hawaii with my sweetie pie husband came, I leapt at the chance!

It was so nice to be "us" again. No Jackson. No Buddy. Us. I loved every moment of it. I sometimes forget how much I like Craig. He's funny, sweet, caring, loves an adventure and really loves me. These were nice things to see again, not that they have been gone. With Jackson and other responsibilities around I do not take the time to notice these characteritics. It was nice to take a time out for us.

Then it was off to Florida for my cousin's bridal shower. All three of my cousins were there, and it was so nice to see them all in the same place. The last time that happened was in Jackson Hole. This time there were tons of kiddos around, except for Jackson who needed some one on one time with Daddy. (In reality, his Grammy said he could not miss school.) I am so excited for my cousin who is getting married in December. She is going to be a lovely bride and the party is going to be outstanding.

As of now, life is back to normal. By normal, I mean Craig is traveling and I am keeping the ship afloat at home.

We Have a 2 Year Old

Jackson had his 2nd birthday last week, and we were really low key about the day. No big party this year, only one present from us, and a dinner with his Aunt Andrea. Craig's mom said he had to have a party, so we let her put something together. It was us, both sets of grandparents and Craig's sister and her husband. I figure when he's older and asks for a birthday party we will throw him one, until then I figure we will keep it low key. I want to keep the birthday about him, and not the 'stuff' normally associated with a birthday. I cannot see future birthday's where we are trying to have 'the best' birthday party. I am all about throwing some burgers on the grill and a grocery store cake. I do not want to be one of those parents who hires a professional party planner for a 5 year old's party.

A lot has happened leading up to the 2nd birthday and now following Jackson's birthday. He is going to school 3 days a week (this week he starts going all 5 days). Just in this past week it seems like he is trying to say more words, which Craig and I LOVE. We were worried with the fact that he was not saying a lot. I think being at school around other kids his own age and with the wonderful teachers he has, he has caught on to this whole communication thing. Thank you to my loving family for telling me this would happen. (You people know who you are, and you mean the world to me.) I think I should listen to you more often.

At school Jackson is playing with the other kids. He is actually interacting with them! It's so awesome to see this when I pick him up, it took a couple weeks for him to play with the other kids. He was so used to playing by himself that he really was not sure what to do. It really reinforces why we made the decision for school. His teachers are just as excited as we are to see him learning and growing. They always share the exciting things he does during the day. I am really happy with this place, yet I am looking for a place for him to go next year when he is 3.

The change in schools has more to do with wanting him to go to a pre-school with the kids that he will be going to school with, than anything else. Most of the neighbor kids go to pre-schools, and I want him to start forming friendships with the kids that he is going to grow up with instead of ones that live on the other end of the county. This sounds silly, even to me. But in some ways I want Jackson to have a different childhood than Craig and I had. The main difference being, growing up with the same people. Craig and I are both military kids. I don't even know if we could tell you who we went to elementary school with, come to think of it I do not even know what school I went to. I know I lived in Camp Lejeune and I walked to school, and school was four blocks away. I remember walking by myself when I was in Kindergarten. Whoa! What parent lets their kindergartner walk by themselves to school?! I guess those that had kids in the 70's. Oh, and that whole living on a military base thing, it was probably safe.

Back to the 2 year old. So, I am pretty excited about this little kiddo and his future. I can actually picture him talking as I walk him to school.

Now, if we could only stop these pesky temper tantrums and figure out a way to get him off the pacifier ...

A Moment

There is a moment each time I put Jackson to bed, where he has his head on my chest or shoulder. We have started to relax. He has reached up to gently touch my cheek or reached around my neck for a gentle hug. I feel complete. At that moment I know why I am his mother. Why he was chosen for me. I am thankful he got here safely. In this moment I do not feel I could love another person more fully or completely. I know in my soul why I am here. I will take those moments with me where ever I go for the rest of my life.

Florida

Jackson and I made it back safely from Orlando. There were only a couple moments when I thought Jackson may have to take a time out on the side of the road. There is only so much hand holding that can happen while he is screaming his head off because all four pacifiers have been thrown at Momma. I do not understand why after the hundredth time he did not catch on to the concept of throwing pacifiers equals Jackson has none. Cause and effect is a hard concept for many people. Hopefully he learns some day soon. Maybe before December, you know the next time we drive down.

I honestly cannot complain. Jackson has proven to be an excellent little traveler thus far in his life. We are very lucky that we have a child that does so well. I cannot imagine what it would be like if he were truly disgruntled while traveling. I like being able to go places with him, and now I know I can do it on my own. I feel empowered knowing that I could pack him up and drive someplace by myself. Maybe I can tackle flying with him ... oh wait. Maybe not. I'll stick to flying with the Craig.

On to some of the fun stuff.

There was a love connection made while at the Ryan's. It started out as a three way love and ended up being a love between two. Bear and Jackson are totally BFF's. After the novelty of Jackson wore off Toby was happy to pass on the torch to Bear. Bear would try to get in the room when Jackson cried out during nap time. Bear wanted to always be near Jackson. He did not even mind it when Jackson would dive bomb him while he laid on the couch. I think Bear and Jackson may have had a couple sad moments on Saturday when they realized their new pal was not around.

Here is Jackson checking out Bear under the table.

Jackson was so sweet with all the dogs. He wanted to hug them and snuggle them. There were of course kisses. One of the sweetest moments to see was Jackson placing his little hands on each side of the dogs face and leaning in to look at the dog. So sweet. I wonder what Jackson was thinking.

I highly recommend the Zoo in Sanford. It is a great place for little ones. It's small, there's a splash park and very easy to get around. (I'll do another post tomorrow regarding the Zoo. Suffice it to say, Jackson loved it ... maybe it was all the monkeys.)

I got to check out Erinn's wedding venue. BEAUTIFUL! I cannot wait to see how her vision comes together. I got the perfect shrug to wear for the festivities. Now I need the perfect dress.

This face sums up our trip perfectly.

Happy.

Jackson Loves the Outside

Jackson would prefer to spend all his free time outside. Since he is only 21 months, all he has is free time. Thus, he wants to be outside all the time. QED. Hey! Look at that, my math degree is useful.

When we take Jackson out of the car he will bolt out of the garage, if he is not carried into the house. So most days, we will play outside for a couple minutes. Then we trick him, I mean pick him up and carry him into the house. This action will set off the water works and tantrum. It's kinda funny, some days. Jackson will throw his little fit and once he figures out we are not paying attention to him he moves onto something else. I find it amazing how he does all this just to get a reaction out of us, and when we will not give him one, he shrugs it off and moves on.

Luckily, we live in a wonderful neighborhood. There are tot lots, trails, tennis courts, lots of things for families. We try to get Jackson to the tot lot near our house as often as possible. He loves it. He would spend all his free time there if we would let him. However, these pesky parents have other things that they need to do. Like cook dinner. Work. Clean. Yard work. All the usual responsible adult stuff. That responsible adult stuff cuts into Jackson's free time on a regular basis.

I wish we could spend all day at the park, because Jackson really does LOVE it:

No! This is not kiddie jail, it is the jungle gym. (Is the play equipment still called a jungle gym?)

He's in the 'bubble' window.

There's a Buddy in the Tunnel

I find it hysterical when we can get Buddy to go in one of Jackson's tunnels! I try almost every time to get him to go in, it usually doesn't happen. I am not sure if he doesn't like to be in there or he knows deep down the tunnels are not his toys. Who knows.

When we can get Buddy inside I always try to get pictures. This time it worked! It's always easier to capture a moment when there are two adults around. I think we need to start leaving cameras strategically placed around the house, we might be able to capture more of Jackson's and Buddy's lives if we were to do that. Or maybe not. We would probably still ignore the cameras.

Above is Jackson lifting the tunnel to get a better look at Buddy, or the ball. Who really knows. I mean if the kid would talk already I am sure we would know what he was doing. (I'll have to write about our visit to the speech therapy place later.)


Here is the Super Bud looking through the tunnel, most likely at Jackson.

I really like this shot that Craig got, Buddy's face says about a million things.