TWO is better than one . . .

This is one of the many things Jackson has learned this year.  When I say that he can have ONE of anything, he says, "NO!  TWO!"

Speaking of 2, our little guy just turned TWO!  I can't believe how the time has flown.  This past year has been so fun watching Jackson grow and develop in his movement and language.

Here are some unforgettables (that I might forget so I need to write them down):

*Jackson LOVES to talk.  He is constantly asking where the people he loves are (Where daddy go?) and narrating the rest of our lives.  He is creating long sentences with only a few missing words.  We can understand 98% of what he wants (although we pretend we can't 50% of the time so we don't have to take him on a horsey ride, or give him candy again).

*Favorites: At this stage I have been reading from other friends blogs that their child has favorite toys or shows.  Maybe it is lack of exposure, but so far I haven't noticed any strong favorites - here is what I can surmise so far.
Movie/ TV show:  The only show he watches is Signing Time which he loves.  He can sign nearly everything he sees, but with speaking so well, he very rarely uses it anymore.  He sings the theme songs and knows everyones name.
Toys: Of course he likes the occasional ball, car, bike, tools, and other boys toys, but none seem to be a favorite.  A month ago puzzles were the greatest toy, but since moving in with grandma, he loves a little play kitchen with pots, pans and food.  He likes to prepare us meals and get us utinsils.  I love when he puts a pan in the oven, turns the heat up, pushes the timer button and then puts his hands together and 'waits' for 2.2 seconds before getting the food out again.
You do have your favorite Blankie (blue with stars) and several favorite stuffed animals (although most anything will work).  
Foods: Jackson is still a picky eater, but this past month he did eat (and swallow) MEAT for the first time.  He likes pot roast, bacon, pork and chicken nuggets.  His true favorite food is Macaroni.  He loves fruit of all kinds, esp. grapes, strawberries, and apples.
Books:  A few months ago all he would read is books with objects to point to and name.  In the last 2 months, he's branched out to storybooks, and even enjoy the occasional non-fiction book.  He isn't picky and likes them all.
Words: "hi,________" , "bye, ________", (He knows all 18 aunts and uncles, 4 grandparents (with their last names), 3 great-grandmas, 9 cousins and several friends and parents of friends NAMES. . . he loves to greet you enthusiastically by name as you enter the room)
"ya" (given in response to every question reguardless of if it is a yes/no question),
"no",  (I say "little bite, he says "NO! BIG bite!" He is very contrary.)
and "mine" (or my, me, any form of the word)   He is quite possesive of any toy/cart/object/person in his sight.
Song: I think this one has to do with exposure, but Jackson loves ABC's, Happy birthday, twinkle, twinkle, I love to see the Temple and I am a child of God.  He loves action songs like Wheels on the bus and Where is Thumbkin?  He LOVES his WEE sing music in the car.

Doesn't he look like a teenager here?

*Jackson is very mobile and active.  He has been jumping with 2 feet since 15 months and  now he can jump on the tramp with 4 year olds and hold his own pretty well.  He has great balance, jumping skills and can gallop, march, spin, dance, trot, run and squat.  He loves to find something high to jump off (if the something moves or is unstable . . . it is an even better challenge.) He can finally get over his head and do a perfect forward roll. 

*Jackson has taken the first few steps in potty training (recognition) and has made it to the toilet several times and gets to sing his victory song and get a treat.  I am not pushing this so I will just let it happen as it does.

*Jackson has been practicing his tantrums and is getting pretty good.  When he doesn't get his way he drops his entire body to the ground and hits it.   His emotions are constantly on his sleeve.  When he gets his mind set on something he is pretty determined, but can also be persuaded to do something else.  Usually he is a happy child.

(you think he wants to eat it?)

Lately, Dave and Jackson play a game where Dave says "Jacks _____" (Jacksarama, Jacksarific, Jacksonian) and Jackson will try to come up with something to say "Daddy_____"  (Daddio, daddirific, daddalalalado).  Usually he ends up copying what Dave said on the end of his word.  This game came about because hearing "hi, daddy!" 3000 times a day gets a bit old.  Anyway, the other day Dave said, "Hi, Jacks-puppy" and Jackson replied with "Hi, Daddy-bear!" (These are the names of his 2 favorite stuffed animals)

I feel like there is still so much more to Jackson and how he has developed, but this post is long enough.  We love our little buddy are thrilled to see his progress and learning.  This is such a fun stage of parenthood.

Here are some pics from his splash park party.  I was really out of it with a head cold and only got a few pics.  If anyone else got more please send them to me!!

We had cake in ice cream cones with whipped topping for frosting.  Jackson is so lucky to have wonderful friends and cousins!

June Re-cap

Since I didn't journal AT ALL this month (gasp!  I know!)  I need to blog about our experiences this month.  Please forgive the length!

The month started out with a WEEK with these cute twins! If I didn't have alot of respect for mothers of twins before I do now!  Dave was with me every step of the way and I still felt like we we busy changing and feeding and putting down for naps constantly.  How could a mom do it everyday all day??   Seriously, I am amazed.  These twins were very good natured, I can't imagine if they were tough!    Anyway, we didn't 'do' much this week, but Jackson was such a good helper and was gentle and loving. 

We did learn that our little boy is in fact a BOY and not a BABY like we had previously believed.  It is amazing how quickly they grow up!

Dave's birthday was celebrated at Liberty Park, taking Jackson on the Ferris Wheel.  Then we headed to Benihanna's for an amazing meal and show (pic above is NOT Benihanna's).  I am happy to have this man in my life.

Our parents also took us to Red Robin to get the free burger for Dave.  It is nice to have family so close by!

The second week was spent PACKING and MOVING away from the home we've enjoyed for the past 3 years!  We were both so sad to say good bye to neighbors and landlords that we love.  We had a Neighborhood BBQ the night we moved.  We have loved our time in Orem.  We are sad to move away from friends and from Jackson's friends. 

This is my next door neighbor Stacey.  She is amazing. I never did get a pic with Alissa, my upstairs neighbor.  We hang out almost daily.  I will miss her alot- especially since we are both pregnant with our 2nd baby (our firsts were born 4 days apart).

The boys play bocci, while the girls chat. 

We moved to Lehi with my parents and are enjoying new toys for Jackson, new people to get to know and lots of good food!  

Jackson's month can pretty much be summed up with 3 words . . . rides, rides and more rides!  We took him to our local carnival/fair. 

 

We go to Thanksgiving point often where he gets a horsey ride

Don't forget Trafalga

And we took him to Lagoon.  I don't know of many kids that are so loved that mom, dad AND Aunt will all go to Lagoon, not go on a single ride and pay for a DAY PASS for the kid and sit and watch him ride over 20 rides.  Especially when the kid just sits and stares on the rides.  He doesn't look happy at all, but he did beg to get on rides and he now begs daily to go to "A -GOOOON"  so I guess he liked it. 

Dave is always wonderful on my birthday and made this fantastic cake.  Apparently I have a subconsious facination with volcano's, which is why he made this cake for me.  

We went on an afternoon hike to a waterfall (it was bigger than the one in the pic)

We ended the night at Benihana's again and then saw "Night and Day"  We like the flick. 

Finally, we got to spend alot of time with the Cole's who were visiting from out of state.  

Jackson was thrilled to have friends around and learned all of their names 

"kaiman" = Cameron,  "AiDAN" = Aidan

Why do we always forget to take pictures of the adults?  It is so sad to look through all of the fun times and only see the kids (although they are the cute ones!)

That about wraps up the month!  

More excitement to come in July including a 4 day camping trip (hopefully!)