0 19 Months

A post from November...

When I started this crazy year I told myself I would go with the flow, take pictures of our life as it came and continue to document Jackson's growth and progress with the compilation of photos.  This may have been a bit of a mistake as I have been so slow to get these posts updated.  Something more formal may need to be in the works for his next year or I will continue to lag behind. 

This month the shift from baby to toddler was felt in this Mamma's heart.  He is so BIG and the reality of the baby days being over are upon me.  His independence astounds me and makes me so proud as a Mother. 

Jackson is talking with more ease and picking up words left and right.  He mostly repeats what we say and has been gaining a bit of comprehension as the months progress.  He understands our routine, and flows from one thing to the next, never missing a beat.  That being said he doesn't much like his routine changing lately.  It's usually not like him to be upset at a change in plans but this month especially he has been hooked to his routine. 

As usual Jackson is mobile as ever.  He loves climbing, and hiding, building, and crashing.  He will climb up in a chair to sit down and have a snack, look at me and say "Big".  He too is proud of his growth and accomplishments.  We are getting ready for the holidays around here and he is liking having new things to explore and play with. 

Blocks are a favorite toy this month.  He and Daddy will build some elaborate tower of blocks and then Jackson will come swooping in to knock them all down, only to rebuild them again.  We have made many visits to Chik-fil-A this month to give him an opportunity to climb the play place while I watch.  That place is so clean and designed perfectly for his age.  I have a feeling we will be there many times over the winter months because I am not a fan of playing in the freezing cold. 

Jackson is growing quite a bit lately.  As I put on his clothes and see the pants are too short or the top is too tight I am reminded that as this season changes over I will need to buy him a new wardrobe in 24 month sizes. 

We spend our days relaxed, staying in our PJs until lunch when we can.  I so enjoy getting on his level and playing with cars and trucks.  He loves to drive his cars around his Little People garage or put together a puzzle.  Seeing him learn before my very eyes makes me want to stay home even more.  Jackson also enjoys 30 minutes or so of television each day.  I try to restrict it but some days he sneaks in an extra 30.  He enjoys watching Sesame Street, Toy Story, and Finding Nemo. 

Well I suppose after the holiday it is time for this Momma to begin birthday party planning, or at least get a theme in mind.  I can't believe in just a short 5 months he will be a two year old.  I will miss referring to him as so many months old.  He will just be 2...

XOXO,
Jenn

0 Halloween

I wrote this post months ago and never did post it because I didn't have the photos uploaded.  Here is Jackson's Halloween...

Jackson's costume stems from his insane love for animal noises these last few months, especially the lion. He can see a lion anywhere and he will start roaring. It is one of our favorite things he does and we both felt like he just had to be a little lion. I wanted to make his costume so badly but when I was presented with a very nice Babies R' Us coupon, realizing it would be more expensive to actually make it, we resorted to buying one. I think it is super cute and several people at Jackson's school actually asked me if I did make it. Not sure if that is a compliment or not but I'll take it. 

Halloween has always been very low key for our little family.  We usually end up vegged out on the couch waiting for a small group of trick-or-treaters to come our way, watching movies and eating most of the candy from our treat bowl. 

We both knew with having Jackson our Halloween adventures would take on a new dimension but we have still managed to keep it low key around here.  My camera was on the fritz so of course I only have a few, somewhat blurry, cell phone pictures to document the night.  These days I take what I can get with Jackson.  He isn't always the most cooperative toddler, but then again who is at that age. 

We started the day at Jackson's school for his Halloween party.  He had snacks with all of the other children and it was so cute to be a part of his class for an hour.  Just seeing him interact with the other kiddos and his teachers makes me feel so good about where he is when Jess and I are at work. 

Our trick or treating was a little sparce but not to worry we still had plenty of candy to go around.  He totally got the concept of trick or treating and saying "thank you" but he did get a little grabby with the candy.  He so enjoyed putting stuff in his bucket that he just wouldn't stop.  It was very cute and very funny. 

At the end of the night Jack snuck one piece of candy.  Unknown to Jess and I Jackson was slipped a mini candybar.  He loved it!!  Good thing it was only a mini because boy was he on a sugar high!

Holidays are such a blast with our little man and I know they just keep getting better and better.  Judging by his love of Halloween this year, next year is going to be so much fun! 

XOXO,
Jenn

0 HOHOHO!!!

Today I prepared all day for a late night visit to Santa's workshop.  We talked about Santa all day, snuck in a second nap for a rested little one, and pressed a mini man outfit for the cutest little toddler. 

I tried to get a few snapshots before taking off but without bribery, staged photos are impossible to get with Jackson.  He did do a few spins for me and gave me a good laugh or two.  We tell him to turn around and let us have a look and he spins in circles until he is dizzy.

Here he is doing the GQ spin around and look over the shoulder thing.

Then we ventured off to Santa's play land.  We LOVE Santa's play land!!  So much to see, so much fun to be had.

We DO NOT however love Santa... 

I'm proud of my brave little man for at least meeting Santa Claus and even giving him a high five.  Santa didn't seem too hurt.  Actually I think  Santa may get that reaction a lot and he knew just what to do. 

After telling Santa what he wanted for Christmas we got to eat at the train restaurant and Jackson was in awe.  He is train obsessed!!  Even woke once in the middle of the night to the sound of a train and needed to tell the world all about it.  At Fritz's he sat patiently and watched as each train delivered food to others waiting and his eyes lit up when the train finally delivered our food. 

He is serious business about this train stuff!

The night was such a blast and a reminder to me that this season isn't about the hustle and bustle I have been feeling lately but about taking time out to just enjoy a night with the ones we love.  The giant Mayor's Christmas tree was our last stop.  It is a magical sight all those lights, the fountains, and the music.  Puts me in the Christmas spirit and makes my heart happy. 

Jackson has become quite a fan of Christmas as well.  He loves our tree and hanging ornaments, looking at each one carefully and smiling with excitement.  We read his Christmas story book every night and have been learning the real meaning of Christmas.   I am so thankful to have him and to see him light up like he does with Jess and I amongst all of these new discoveries.  It is just a magical season...truly magical.

 

Merry Christmas!!!
XOXO,
The Ryans

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0 18 months & The Pumpkin Patch

Warning: BE PREPARED FOR A PHOTO BOMB!!!

Today we abandoned the mile long to-do list and retreated to the country for an afternoon of fun.  The afternoon quickly turned into the evening and bedtimes were added to the list of things we abandoned by the time we made it home.  It was a wonderfully perfect day and oh so refreshing, like food for the soul. 

This picture is one of my favorites of the day.  It describes our little man perfectly.  He is so crazy these days, all over the place, making his mark on the world. 

And we can't forget about this photo either.  Totally defines him!!  He is just too busy for this picture taking business...he has places to go and things to see!!

He is soooo in love with trains!! The pumpkin patch we went to has a train and he was so very excited to ride this with his Mamaw B and his Great-Grandma. 

Waiting to get on the train...

 

He moved from place to place soaking up all the fun, nudging in next to the "big kids" and then spotting something else he liked better, only to take off running again. 

It was such a beautiful day and we soaked up every last second, catching the very last hay ride of the day to see the sun set.  Our little independent toddler insisted on sitting alone like a big boy. 

This place had it all and although our families had decided to visit a new pumpkin patch every year we all decided we would be returning to this one year after year for quite some time. 


 

 

oh yeah, and no I did not plan our outfits because if I had we would not have been
wearing three different uncoordinated plaids, LOL!!!

Our little boy loves trikes and jumped on this little trike first thing.  We are thinking of getting him his own little trike for Christmas this year. 

Jackson was in love with this little cow and kept petting him and then saying "awwww" with his little head tilted to the side.  So cute!!

Most of all we just enjoyed being together, watching him run from place to place and be so very happy to be outside. 

I am sure it is the same for all toddlers but he is always so incredibly happy to be outside.  I'm not sure what we will do this winter when it is cold but I guess I will have to brave the temperatures. 

Watching the pig races...he was a little nervous about the pigs...

I love the fall and all the fun it brings like playing in the leaves, carving pumpkins, and dressing up in costumes but I am so looking forward to Christmas this year.  I can tell he is going to be a blast and I have already started thinking about all the traditions I want to indulge in this year. 

@18 Months:
-You are growing like a weed.  You wear all 18 month clothes and a few 18-24 month items. 
-You can be a picky eater but you love all fruit and you really love pizza just like your Daddy.
-You continue to learn at an alarming rate.  You have started to piece words together into little short sentences.  You really like to say "Go school!" when we are leaving for your school in the morning.  We are trying so hard to get you to say "I Love You"
-You are so funny and make the cutest faces.  You are a ham and love to make others laugh.  You will do just about anything to get someone to laugh and it gets you giggling so loud. 
-We are playing lots of games these days.  You like to play hide and seek, catch, and bowling.  You also have a little mini cart Daddy gave to Mommy to use for the post office and you like to put some items in a basket on the cart and wheel it around the house.  Always a little busy beaver!!
-You weighed in at    lbs 15 ounces and were  inches tall.  I was so glad to say good bye to the last shots you will have to get until you are five years old and though you don't realize it you are glad too!!
-You are getting good at counting and love to practice when we are playing. 
-You make some funny faces!!  Your surprised face is the best!
-You like to climb on anything!!  You scare me and I can not leave you for a second because you will climb on chairs, desks, bookcases...you name it you will find a way to get on top of it. 
-You are still my little sweet boy and you will come over just to give me a hug or a sweet kiss.  You are very choosy about your love but when you dish it out we soak it up!!  I love those little moments and they make me feel so proud that you love me so much you have to take a pause out of your play to tell me about it. 

Love you baby toddler boy!!

Thanks for reading!!

XOXO,
Jenn