Christmas with the cousins

Jax had fun playing with his cousin Mattie ... in between screeches of "MINE" and crocodile tears when she took a toy from him. :)

Jax and Mattie playing with one of the multitude of toys

Jaida (with Ryli), Mattie and Jaxon (who happened to be licking chocolate cookies off his lips when I snapped the picture)

Santa = FUN

This is the lesson Jax learned this holiday season. Before the receiving of Santa's gifts Jax thought the jolly old elf was a cool thing. He pointed out Santa whenever he saw his image (on anything). When asked if Santa was going to visit his house he would respond with a tentative "yesth" before looking up and shouting out that Santa is outside in the sky (not a God reference - just magical reindeer pulling the sleigh).

However, this all changed Christmas morning when Jax and Jaida came downstairs to find the loot Santa left for them. Now Santa may be the coolest person EVER in Jax's eyes!

Holiday fun!!

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Originally uploaded by gias_kids.

Excitement

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Originally uploaded by gias_kids.

Our kids personalities could not be summed up any better than this. Jaida is always kind of somber and everything she does is well thought out in advance. Jax on the other hand is very easily excited.

Oh Christmas Tree

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Originally uploaded by gias_kids.

It took some time on a frigid December afternoon but we finally found the perfect tree.

Ho Ho Ho

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Originally uploaded by gias_kids.

Jax was VERY excited to visit with Santa this year! Everytime we would ask him if he was going to sit on Santa's lap the answer he gave was "yesth".

Happy Holidays

My sweet sweet boy

Boo!!!

The kids dressed up as a fairytale witch and black cat this year for Halloween. They went trick or treating in their daycare providers neighborhood and had a blast.

The witches cat:

PeeWee World Cup

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Originally uploaded by gias_kids.

Jaxon made several goals during his final soccer game. He is VERY proud of himself!

Octoberfest

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Originally uploaded by gias_kids.

Jax enjoying the sites from a wagon ride along the river. His favorite parts .... the tractor (pulling wagon-of course) and also all the cows on the farm. He met bessy up close and personal.

A MOST excellent day for Americans

Work To Do

Disgusting

I simply do not want my children living in the same world as these completely and totally ignorant and hate-filled people. From the responses you would think these people are members of some radical fringe political group. Nope, wrong .... just normal everyday hate filled people attending a McCain-Palin rally.

I want so much more for my kids than this. After your stomach settles please donate to the Obama campaign.

Our little soccer player

This was the first season that Jax has been able to officially play peewee soccer. This means he got his own soccer shirt and shin gaurds. Also and most importantly, he gets a snack and drink after practice .... that he does not have to share with his sister. Up until this season Jax just tagged along with Jaida. His practice is every Monday at exactly the same time as Jaida's practice. It has worked out well that Joe and I are able to take turns taking the kids to their practices so that we each get some one on one time with Jax which is a rare treat for us. It is so cute on Monday afternoon when I ask Jax if he is ready to go play soccer and he yells out "yesth!" :) The picture to the left is a snippet of Jax's team picture. He is sitting next to his buddy Peyton (with the big cheesy smile).

A Last Minute Adventure

On Friday I received an email about a last minute Obama-Biden rally in Fredricksburg, VA. So on Saturday after Jaida played her soccer game we packed up and headed over to VA. I explained to the kids why we were going and Jaida was pretty excited about seeing the person that could potentially be the next President of the US. When we arrived we found a deli and had a nice lunch. After we were stuffed with food we started walking to the Mary Washington University campus where the rally would be held. We arrived several hours early and already the line to get into Ball Circle was about a mile long (I think it might have actually been even longer). We got in line and figured we would just play it by ear depending on the kids ability to hold it together. The kids did absolutely wonderfully ... we stood in line for several hours and during that time we played games like I spy, punch buggy, etc. Finally, volunteers started bringing tickets to the rally around ... this gave us a bit of hope that we were actually going to get in. However, there were so many people in line in front of us and people were still turning out in droves and getting in line behind us. From the turn-out I would have thought that we were in a deep blue state but not the case at all.

Finally, at about 3:30 the line started moving. We wound our way through the campus and really enjoyed seeing all the people and feeling such a sense of community with people we didn't even know. We talked a lot about the inherent differences in the Democratic and Republican parties with the kids. We also spoke about the specific differences in Obama and McCain with the kids. Jaida had a lot of good questions. As we kept winding our way through the campus there was such a buzz of excitement in the air. It was easy to tell that Jaida was picking up on it also because she kept asking if Obama was there yet. I have to say the entire event was pretty organized and everything went smoothly. We finally arrived at the security screening area and then made our way into the rally area. It was a lovely grassy area flanked on all sides by huge historic buildings .... quite pretty.

Unfortunately, the weather had been a bit iffy all day. At first it was really hot and humid and intensely sunny. Once we were in the rally area though the skies became more ominous. Because of security issues we were not allowed to have umbrellas, food or water inside the rally area (near the stage). Because of our hasty departure from the house that morning I didn't think to bring rain jackets, ponchos, or much of anything else with us. At about 5:00 (just as Obama was supposed to take the stage) the sky opened and it poured rain. Not a little rain .... a HUGE thunderstorm. There was no shelter so we just stood there and got wet with everyone else. Luckily, the kids thought it was pretty funny to be standing out in the rain ... they didn't seem to mind it one bit. The amazing thing was that no one left ... everyone just stuck it out. After about 30-40 minutes of rain it finally started to clear up ... a bit. At one point the sun came out and there was a beautiful rainbow in the sky ... Jaida thought this was pretty cool.

At a little after 6:00 Biden came out on stage and got the crowd all riled up. He gave his stump speech and talked a bit about the debate the night before. Then to tremendous roars of the crowd Obama started speaking. Shortly after speaking the skies opened up again and Obama stood there and gave his entire stump speech during a torrential downpour. We enjoyed hearing him speak. It was nice that this was his basic stump speech where he reinforced points I heard him make in other televised speeches but more than that he did tailor it a bit to the crowd. He talked about the debate the night before, he worked the lousy weather into what he was saying, and talked about turning VA blue from red. All in all it was a very inspiring night. Jaida was really feeding off the crowds excitement and was so insanely excited when she saw Obama come out on stage. Someone had given Jaida a blow-up Obama banner which she happily waved around when the crowd started cheering. I think Jaida & even Jax left the night feeling like this process is something they can be a bit more involved in which I think is so very important. A few pictures and a link to the speech below.


Jaida and Jax patiently waiting in line


The line to get into the rally from my spot in line



Jax enjoying a snack inside the rally...

One of the buildings near the rally area


The back side of the stage area


Jax showing off his shirt


Lots of loves for daddy


A nice lady gave Jax a football to play with


Soaked after down pour number one


Senator Biden on stage


Senator Obama listening to Biden talk


Giving the stump speech during a torrential down pour

Beach Bum

Jax started out his trip to the shore being a bit apprehensive of the big waves. It had less to do with his own fear and more to do watching Jaida be little frightened of the waves. By the end of the trip he was running close to the waves and then running away while shrieking and having a merry old time. Jax really enjoyed his trip to the shore and here is a bit of photographic evidence.

The little merman that washed up on the beach ....


Taking a little mid-day snooze on the beach ...


Boy with dunes ...

Sun, Sand and Margaritas

(Although the kids will not be enjoying the Margaritas)



We will be on a road trip .... More to come shortly

Hey Mom!

After waiting so long for Jax to really start talking we are really enjoying hearing him come up with more and more words and phrases. Lately his favorite thing to say is "Hey Mom". Whenever he is not sure where I am at I can hear this little voice saying something that goes like "Mom, mom, MOM, mom, HEY MOM". For some reason it just cracks Joe and me up. He also says outside, stick, tree, leaf, pool, daddy outside and cool. He says lots and lots words and three word phrases now but I am just listing the ones he says clearly so that all can understand.

So many words

Jax is finally really starting to communicate verbally. Don't get me wrong ... Jax has no problem communicating his needs and desires at all. Up until this point he has mostly relied on non-verbal communication. He picks up sign language quickly and uses it often. In fact Jax rarely throws temper tantrums which is odd because so often we hear of non-verbal kids getting easily frustrated by not being able to communicate. This is not the case with Jax at all. Joe and I were much more likely to not understand Jaida (at the same age as Jax) because she did rely on verbal communication but her words were not always easily recognizable if not in the right context. With Jax he points, motions, uses a sign or speaks the word (clear as day for the ones he uses) ... so we easily understand what he wants. He is also much less likely to sit around waiting for us to do/get something for him. That is what step stools are for! This is sometimes a good thing but often a worrisome thing as he tries to do stuff that he probably shouldn't be doing.

Anyhow, Jax is saying a bunch of new words and all pronounced very clearly. It is fun to see Jax picking up so many new words. My new favorite is that instead of calling Dinosaurs by the word Dinosaurs he calls them all "growls". Said with the cutest little growl in his voice. ;)

My baby boy is TWO years old!

Jax turned two on June 30th. This was a bittersweet day for me on so many different levels. Mostly though I just felt tremendously proud of what a wonderful little boy he is turning out to be. Since we had the big birthday party the weekend before his actual birthday we had a pretty sedate birthday for Jax. We got up in the morning and Jax opened his pressies from us. Jaida gave him a little push lawn mower. Joe and I gave him a few puzzles, a dinosaur puppet and a car carrying truck. Afterwards we went to the park and then went to an indoor play area when it became too hot outside. Then in the afternoon while Jax napped Jaida and I made him cupcakes. Jax blew out his two candles and we called it a day.

Yesterday Jax had his two year well baby check. He is perfectly healthy and right on track if not a bit ahead in his development (especially the gross motor skill stuff). Jax continues to be a tall skinny boy. His stats are weight: 27lbs3oz (45-50%) height: 35.25 inches (75%) and head circumference is 50.5 cm (95%). He is our tall, skinny big headed boy! :)

A Bouncing Good Time

Jaida and Jaxon had their joint birthday bash on Saturday. This year we decided to have the party hosted outside of our house. We chose a play arena called Bounce About. It is a large warehouse that has several very large inflatable play areas ... a moon bounce, two obstacle courses, a large slide and smaller slide and then a contained moon bounce slide structure for the under three set. The kids ran and bounced for a solid hour. After that we had pizza and fruit and then strawberry short cake and ice cream. I think all the kids had a great time and were totally exhausted afterwards. Jaida invited several of her friends from dance, some friends from school, and then her best friends Jordyn and Peyton. Jax's little friend Faith also came. They all had a really good time.

Companionship

There are times having two kids feels like a tremendous amount of work. For instance getting them ready to go in the morning, getting them to share toys, getting them to agree on what they want to eat, etc. But these times are so overshadowed by the friendship we see blooming in our kids. While they still bicker on occasion and each seems to derive great pleasure from pestering the other they absolutely adore each other. It is so nice to see them getting to the age where they actively seek each other out for companionship. It is also really nice to see that they are both very protective of each other against those they perceive as outsiders. I know they will have times where they drift apart and then become close again but I hope this love they share as little ones stays with them forever.

Some pictures of our two little monkeys.

Hanging out at the Awakening statue at National Harbor


Climbing up the hill at the zoo


Sharing a sandwich, curb and some giggles at the zoo


Feeding the geese at the park


Showing us the daisies they picked while at the dog park


Playing a computer game


Enjoying a late afternoon popsicle. Look at how they squeezed themselves together.


I am going to post this on both kids blog to serve as a future reminder that once upon a time they really did like each other. :)

Total mischief

Jaxon is such a fun little guy these days. He is still into everything but he is very blatant about it so at least we know where we stand with him. There is not a single day that goes by that I don't just crack up at one of his antics or goofy facial expressions. He is such a little nut at times and he knows it and just cracks himself up. I really am going to have to apologize to his future teachers because I think we have bred a class clown!

Here are a few pictures ...

This is Jax up to no good .... just look at the expression on his face.


This is Jax's *I am very suprised/shocked by what I just saw* expression. He will make this face and hold it for the longest time while making little huffing noises until one of us notices and smiles and then he crumples under the weight of his own goofiness.


This was Jax's get-up the other morning. He takes the business of being a cowboy VERY serious!

More words

Jax is now making bunches of animal sounds. He says cow, cat, doggie, fishie, outside, ashes ashes down, tree, leaf, sister, Dillon and Caeden. I think he might be on the brink of a big language explosion. Fun stuff! It is so fun to watch as Jax figures out way to communicate what he is thinking. The look of satisfaction on his face when we *get it* is priceless.

Finally!

That last canine tooth (upper left) has finally poked its way through. Talk about torture ... for all involved. There was a fair amount of biting last week so we are all very happy this is over.

Jax is really starting to talk a lot. Yesterday he said outside as clear as day when he wanted me to let him out on the porch. There are many other words also and several short phrases. I am very happy he is finally starting to speak. :)

22 Months Old

It is so hard for me to utter the words "he is nearly two". In so many ways he still seems like the little baby. But in so many other ways he is anything but a little baby. I suppose he will always be MY baby though.

At times it feels as though the world is just waiting for him to grow up while I am sitting here clutching to any little scrap of his baby-ness that he still exhibits. His daycare provider cannot wait for him to talk more, get potty trained, be less frustrated and mischievious. She will be glad when he can walk with her and the other boys without trying to wander off. His sister looks forward to him growing up so he can talk to her, play more complex games, stop ruining her stuff, stop knocking her block castles over or messing up her puzzles. His dad is really enjoying Jax's new-found independence, his love of dad, his ability to focus and play games a bit longer.

I just want him to snuggle for long periods of time without the need to get down and run around. I want his hair to smell like baby fluff instead of sweaty little boy. I want him to think I am the most wonderful person on the planet no matter what I am doing to him instead of screaming stoooop at me when he sees me nearing him with a diaper in my hand. In a weird sort of way I even miss his night-time wakings when he would lay in my arms nursing while the rest of the house was quiet and asleep. I am really not in a rush for him to grow up.

A boy and his dogs

Jax loves his new dog Raven but his favorite will always be Kaiko.

Another tooth

and not a moment too soon as the biting is pretty out-of-control. Fortunately he has not been biting at home. Unfortunately the other kids at daycare have not been so lucky. Anyhow yesterday I noticed that his lower left canine tooth finally broke through. No runny nose, no crankiness ... nothing.

Term of Endearment

I have always called Jax little bubs. Not sure where it came from other than a friend of mine when he found out I was having a boy started referring to Jax (while in utero) as the little bubba. Not seeing myself as the mom to a bubba I suppose I just sort of shortened it to bubs. Not that that is really any better. :) Over time the nickname has sort of morphed into something that sounds more like ba-ba and now Jaida as well as myself call Jax this and he responds to it. I don't use this as his name all the time it is mostly reserved for snuggle time.

Anyhow, I have noticed over the last several weeks Jax calls me ba-ba when he wants to snuggle or wants a hug. Last night we were in the living room and Joe and I were pointing to everyone and getting Jax to name us. Joe is dada, Jaida is yay-ya, Jax is baby and I am ba-ba ... said with the biggest cheesiest grin you can imagine.

Jax really loves his mama

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Originally uploaded by gias_kids.

and Jax's mama really loves this quality in him. :)

Dolphins and the little boy

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Originally uploaded by gias_kids.

These dolphins really did seem to be interested in Jax. Several times they would swim by in the opposite direction and then suddenly the three of them would turn and basically float right in front of us as if they were watching us. Jax made his come here kitty sound at them and then offered them his sippy cup. :)

Cousins

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Originally uploaded by gias_kids.

During a recent visit to Aunt Noa's house Jax had lots of fun being pushed around in this laundry basket with his little girl cousin Mattie. At one point Jax was wearing Noa's shoes and HE was pushing Mattie around.

Beach Bum

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Originally uploaded by gias_kids.

We recently returned from a week and half long trip to Florida. It was sort of a thrown together trip that involved staying in Orlando for a few days. While there we went to Seaworld and Aquatica. Both were a good time. We then headed to St. Augustine for the rest of our trip. Very relaxing!

The kids turned into total beach bums and enjoyed exploring the lighthouse, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Old Jail, the Spanish Quarter, and Castillo de San Marcos (the fort). The slower lifestyle of Anastasia Island was much more in line with what we were looking for in a vacation.