Monday, June 23, 2008
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.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
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. :)
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!
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!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
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.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
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. :)
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. :)
Friday, May 02, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Dolphins and the little boy
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
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.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Beach Bum
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Tooth
Jax also cut his upper left eye tooth ... you know, the pointy one. I think it cut through around March 18th. I say "around" because I really try to avoid getting too close to Jax's mouth or ever having to put my finger in his mouth because he bites. Have I mentioned the biting before? ;)
He speaks ... (finally)
Jax is an odd little bird. At a year old he was saying more than a handful of words .... pretty clearly. Then he started walking and climbing and opening drawers and doors and all other sorts of mischief and the talking stopped ... more or less.
Now at 21 months old he is starting to pick back up on the talking. His speech is not all that clear but he is making an effort. Jax is such a busy kid that any talking to him has to be VERY deliberate. When I say deliberate I mean we must grab him and hold him still and make him look at our face while we speak to him. I suppose this is paying off as he is starting to mimic the words we say to him.
He has picked up probably about ten words in this last week alone. Not all of them are said consistently yet but he has used them in appropriate situations.
Now at 21 months old he is starting to pick back up on the talking. His speech is not all that clear but he is making an effort. Jax is such a busy kid that any talking to him has to be VERY deliberate. When I say deliberate I mean we must grab him and hold him still and make him look at our face while we speak to him. I suppose this is paying off as he is starting to mimic the words we say to him.
He has picked up probably about ten words in this last week alone. Not all of them are said consistently yet but he has used them in appropriate situations.
Friday, February 29, 2008
20 months old
It is hard to believe that my squirmy little baby is now 20 months old. It seems like just yesterday that he was a tiny little thing that could do nothing for himself. Now though he is becoming quite the independent little guy. He must do everything for himself ... especially if he sees his sister doing it. He brushes his teeth, eats yogurt and oatmeal with a spoon (neatly), tries to put on his own shoes and jacket, and will go down the steepest and tallest slides HEADFIRST. He loves to run as fast, fast, fast as he can. Jax LOVES diggers of any sort and if he sees one while we are in the car I swear the shrieks of Digg-uh are probably heard for miles around.
He is so much fun. I swear we laugh every single day ... either with him or at him. :) He is just such a character. He loves to clown around and get a reaction out of those around him ... he seems to be a born entertainer. This does not bode so well for his first teachers in a school type setting. His favorite is to do something he knows from experience is funny and then as he is laughing he wiggles his entire body (like he is doing an upper-body only version of the twist) and shake his head all around at the same time. It is simply the cutest thing EVER!It has been a great 20 months my little stinker-boy!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
A little Houdini
I have never considered myself one to get totally worked up about something one of my kids does. Especially Jax .... there is just a certain amount of monkeying around that I have come to expect from such an adventurous little boy. However ....
The events of yesterday afternoon left me feeling a bit ... well un-nerved. Joe was off at ice skating lessons with Jaida. Jax was roaming about the upstairs .... mostly raiding all of Jaida's most prized belongings since she was not there to scream at him and slam her bedroom door in his face. I was also upstairs cleaning the bathroom. The power was out due to a wind storm. The power came back on and I left Jax upstairs briefly while I ran downstairs to re-start the washing machine. I have left him upstairs unattended many times ... there is a baby gate on both set of stairs, the bedrooms are kid-proofed enough that there is not much need to worry. Plus I was only going to be out-of-site a couple of minutes.
As I was getting the washing machine situation sorted out I heard Jax grunting and huffing a bit. I immediately ran back to the stairs and guess where I found Jax? On the outside of the railing that runs across the hall balcony. He was holding onto the spindles and walking along the ledge on the OUTSIDE of the railing. Basically standing on a 2 inch ledge ten feet above the foyer floor. Nothing other than the hard wood floor below him to break his fall. I was terrified ... especially since I could not reach him until I made it half way up the stairs. I ran up the stairs and grabbed him by the ankle and then made my way up to where I could grab his squishy little body and haul him down safely. My brain was running a mile a minute. The baby gate was locked in place and there are no foot holds on either the gate or the balcony railings for him to get him self up and over. Plus they are both just too tall.
As I surveyed the area and watched Jax as he grunted, pointed and lifted his shirt to show me the scrapes across his belly I realized he must have wedged his big Charlie Brown head between the highest point on the newel posts at the top of the stairs (where stair railing and balcony railing meet) and then he forced the rest of his body through the rails until he escaped onto the ledge. Seriously, do toddlers his age actually experience fear? Because looking down should have been enough to scare the living crap out of him.
Joe will be fixing the stairs tonight. Yesterday I would have never even imagined that a small human being could fit through such a tight opening.
This is the best picture I can find quickly of the area. Jax squeezed through that small area to the right of Jasper. The small gap between the two large posts with knobs on top.
The events of yesterday afternoon left me feeling a bit ... well un-nerved. Joe was off at ice skating lessons with Jaida. Jax was roaming about the upstairs .... mostly raiding all of Jaida's most prized belongings since she was not there to scream at him and slam her bedroom door in his face. I was also upstairs cleaning the bathroom. The power was out due to a wind storm. The power came back on and I left Jax upstairs briefly while I ran downstairs to re-start the washing machine. I have left him upstairs unattended many times ... there is a baby gate on both set of stairs, the bedrooms are kid-proofed enough that there is not much need to worry. Plus I was only going to be out-of-site a couple of minutes.
As I was getting the washing machine situation sorted out I heard Jax grunting and huffing a bit. I immediately ran back to the stairs and guess where I found Jax? On the outside of the railing that runs across the hall balcony. He was holding onto the spindles and walking along the ledge on the OUTSIDE of the railing. Basically standing on a 2 inch ledge ten feet above the foyer floor. Nothing other than the hard wood floor below him to break his fall. I was terrified ... especially since I could not reach him until I made it half way up the stairs. I ran up the stairs and grabbed him by the ankle and then made my way up to where I could grab his squishy little body and haul him down safely. My brain was running a mile a minute. The baby gate was locked in place and there are no foot holds on either the gate or the balcony railings for him to get him self up and over. Plus they are both just too tall.
As I surveyed the area and watched Jax as he grunted, pointed and lifted his shirt to show me the scrapes across his belly I realized he must have wedged his big Charlie Brown head between the highest point on the newel posts at the top of the stairs (where stair railing and balcony railing meet) and then he forced the rest of his body through the rails until he escaped onto the ledge. Seriously, do toddlers his age actually experience fear? Because looking down should have been enough to scare the living crap out of him.
Joe will be fixing the stairs tonight. Yesterday I would have never even imagined that a small human being could fit through such a tight opening.
This is the best picture I can find quickly of the area. Jax squeezed through that small area to the right of Jasper. The small gap between the two large posts with knobs on top.
Friday, February 01, 2008
My boy Jaws, umm I mean Jax
Yesterday while at work I get a call from Nancy. Apparently, Jax got pissed at his little friend Dillon and for no apparent reason bit him (fairly viciously). He bit him through his sweatshirt and still left a full ring of teeth marks and broke the skin in a few places ... THROUGH THE SWEATSHIRT, did I mention that part? Nancy admitted that she wasn't watching them that close at the moment since they seemed to be playing well. She heard the screaming and went running.
I was at work so there wasn't much I could actually do other than suggest she put Jax in time-out or remove him from the playroom. It weighed heavy on me all day. I am one of those parents that fully believes when you put your kids into daycare or any situation where they need to learn inter-personal skills at a young age you have to expect a certain amount bonking on the head, hitting, pushing and even biting ... it just goes with the territory. I do realize though that many parents are VERY protective and get a bit riled when their kid is biten or whatever. I guess I am just not one of them. Anyhow, later in the day Nancy calls again. I was not looking forward to her telling me all the horrible things Jax was up to. I picked up the phone anyhow. Apparently, when she went to change Jax's diaper she pulled his onsie up and right there on his back was a nice big bite mark ... no broken skin but a definite bruise left by a small set of chompers.
Is it bad that I feel better knowing that in at least this one instance Jax was likely biting out of retaliation and was not the aggressor?
I was at work so there wasn't much I could actually do other than suggest she put Jax in time-out or remove him from the playroom. It weighed heavy on me all day. I am one of those parents that fully believes when you put your kids into daycare or any situation where they need to learn inter-personal skills at a young age you have to expect a certain amount bonking on the head, hitting, pushing and even biting ... it just goes with the territory. I do realize though that many parents are VERY protective and get a bit riled when their kid is biten or whatever. I guess I am just not one of them. Anyhow, later in the day Nancy calls again. I was not looking forward to her telling me all the horrible things Jax was up to. I picked up the phone anyhow. Apparently, when she went to change Jax's diaper she pulled his onsie up and right there on his back was a nice big bite mark ... no broken skin but a definite bruise left by a small set of chompers.
Is it bad that I feel better knowing that in at least this one instance Jax was likely biting out of retaliation and was not the aggressor?
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