I am so behind

I got a new job back in June, and apparently, I can't keep up with posting things.  However, I will say that Jaxson... you are definitely a terrible 2 year old.  I accidentally made you cry last weekend at Owen's baptismal luncheon.  We argued whether or not something was yummy (you) or gross (me).  I made you cry, but I don't know who won that contest.

Owen... you are so calm right now.  You didn't even cry when the pastor poured water on your head.  All I can think is that you must just be stunned by the whirlwind insanity that is Jax.

Anyway Jax, we have made some crazy monster faces this past summer, and I just downloaded an app tonight called Prisma that turns photos into "paintings."  A total lie, but I like how they look.

We look amazing.

The next time I'll see you two is Labor Day weekend.  Grandad and Grammy are adding on to their house so lots of things will look different the next time I'm there!

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Dinner and the Zoo

Auntie G and I came to your parents' house for dinner Saturday night, and Jax, you were hilarious (of course).  You woke up cranky and whiney but after a little while, you got over your 2 year old self and came outside to play.  One of the toys you wanted to show me was your water table.

*side note*
We didn't have a water table when I grew up; I'm not sure they even existed.  We had a creek which was WAY cooler, WAY more unsanitary, and we were NOT allowed to go there so we did almost every summer day.

Anyway, you proceeded to throw water at me, and when I just stood there, trying to decide if I was allowed to have a water battle with a 2 year old, you walked over and poured water directly onto my pant leg.

It was on.

I'm not sure who won because I think you were wetter than I was, but I will say that every time I thought we were done, I was wrong.  The only thing that saved me is that your dad came and grabbed you because it was dinner time.

During dinner, you were saying your name for the first time which I thought was fantastic.

Some after dinner pics:

I'm so glad I'm the mature adult in this relationship.  I have to mention that your mom made you change your clothes because you were so soaked.  I think this means I win. 

I took a timeout while Auntie G played with you, and I got to hold Owen for awhile.  He was wearing the onesie I had gotten you which is still so cool.  However if you were the Stallion, that means Owen can't be.  I have to get him something else!

We went to the zoo Sunday, and Owen was a CHAMP!  He lasted 3 hours without getting too fussy.  I certainly couldn't do that.  We saw lots of animals and walked around a lot, and almost the entire time we were there, you insisted on holding my hand and no one else's.  I don't know why I was the winner that day, but I'm going to take advantage of that every time I can.  I don't know how many times I'll get to see you, and I don't know how much time you'll want to spend with me as you get older.  I'm hoping you two can spend time at my house over the summer for a bit, and I'm hoping we can go on adventures some day.  Like I said, I'll take whatever you guys give.

Last picture is of our whole group.  Jax, you were so excited to see the elephant, and I thought we were good as I walked close to it holding you.  As soon as it moved toward us though, you were trying to jack knife out of my arms because you were so afraid.  You talk a big talk kid.  You'll have to learn to back it up someday, but I guess I can wait a bit more.  Maybe when you're five...

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New Brother

Jax you are now a big brother!  I didn't get to see you very much because a lot of my time was spent at the hospital talking to your mom and dad.  I took pictures of your new brother Owen Michael.  Here are some:

He seemed simultaneously very tall but so small!  Whenever I arrived, he was about 14 hours old.  I never got a chance to see you at that age, and I couldn't imagine seeing something smaller than you.  I was surprised to be so wrong.  I have another picture of Grammy holding Owen, and I'm happy to report that you both make some ridiculous faces for photos.

I also saw a large bug and took a photo, but I won't get into that (it was HUGE).  

A colleague told me about a book titled Owen, so I found it online and am having it shipped to your brother.  I remember that you received dozens of books at your mom's baby shower, but I am not sure if you are supposed to share them or not.  I figured Owen can have at least one.

Anyway, I think I might see both you boys this Memorial Day weekend.  I think your aunts and I are joining your family at the zoo on Sunday.  It might thunderstorm though, and to be perfectly honest, I'm hoping it does.  It's supposed to be hot and humid, and I can't think of any place else I would have less desire to visit on a day like that.  THE SMELLS

ok... here's the bug

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Heidi's Birthday

Hi Jax!

Today was Aunt Heidi's birthday brunch, and as usual, you stole the show.  You are even funnier than I remembered.  When I got to Grammy and Grandad's house today, you immediately wanted to show me the ninja turtles you had.  Both of them were Donatello, and at one point today, you named them both Sui and Gus (which are the names of both of my dogs).

Today's reason I'm a Terrible Aunt: I let you find your Easter Present from Grammy early.

It was an accident, but she definitely gave you a yellow ball with Mickey and some of his friends on it.  I had no idea that it was "hidden" in her room (in the open on the floor, beside one of her dressers), and we found it when we were touring the upstairs.  We played catch with it on the steps which was ridiculous.

We ended the day by watching Mickey AGAIN.

I really can't wait until you are watching better cartoons.

I'll be back at your grandparents' house on Friday.  I hear you're spending the day there because your folks have to work.  I'm looking forward to it.

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Jax Music

Almost forgot, but the following songs are ones that were created with a recording from Christmas 2014.   Both were made some time during early 2015, but I'm terrible because I just can't remember when.

Song 1

Song 2

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Moving Up

Jaxson, you are hilarious.  I don't know how it happened, but you are a funny little kid.  You know when you're being funny, and you can joke.  How does this happen when you're two?

You're demanding that I drink out of your sippy cup.

We're watching Mickey... again.

I keep saying things like "oh boy, oh geez, holy cow, oh no" etc, and you repeat them back.  That is hilarious.  I recorded several things you were saying including something no one could figure out, and then put them into GarageBand.  This is the result..

We also had fun playing with my dogs this time.  You got a bit comfortable and were even petting them.  Why am I a terrible aunt?  Both of my dogs growled at you at different moments, and I was nervous.  However, you thought it was hilarious.  I'm VERY GLAD I was able to control the situation and that you were not even scared by them, but now I know where the limits are.  I'll have to be sure to socialize my next dog(s) with kids.  I just didn't think about it much when these guys were young.

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Christmas This Year

Today you played with Auntie G for awhile.

Made some progress these past few days!

We hung out Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and even today for a bit.  You and I spent lots of time together on Christmas Eve actually.  I think you got used to my dogs, but the next two days, you didn't even ask about them.

Speaking of speaking, it's amazing to me how much better you're getting at talking.  There are times when I don't have a clue still, but we are able to have real conversations.  It's also obvious that you genuinely remember something that's happened and are able to comment on it.  Such a difference a month makes!   I am excited to hear you in another few months when you'll be doing even better.

Christmas Day, your parents had you pass out the Christmas presents.  I almost wish I had filmed it because you were hilarious.  Aunt Heidi sorted out the gifts under the tree as your mom told you who to give it to.  You got it right most of the time, there were a couple times that you wanted to stop and open gifts, but you finally passed everything out to everyone.  The funniest part was to watch you try and handle the heavier presents.  You kept making this ridiculous noise as if to let us know just how heavy they were.

One of my favorite things about that day was discovering that you knew how to take selfies, and I'm pretty sure you LOVE them.  My phone automatically put together a video which I naturally uploaded for posterity.  I'm a terrible aunt this time because I definitely encouraged you in a certain pose (I'm sure you'll figure it out).

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