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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You Are Two

Jax you turned 2, and I got to see you for a short amount of time at your birthday party.  You are so very popular that people demand your attention.  Plus there were balloons, and I'm pretty sure they were the greatest thing ever that day.

Please notice that Mickey is in the background, diapered (shaking my head).  

I snuck back the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to hang out with you before you guys left for Ohio.  We watched Mickey, and I gave you your Birthday/Christmas present.  We played with it for awhile before I put it back in its bag.

I am a terrible aunt because I gave you a present for your birthday wrapped in a Christmas bag, and I absolutely plan on giving you that same present again this Friday.

Glad I get to see you for Christmas.  Hoping to hang out with you for a bit.

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Mickey

I just don't get why you're so obsessed.

Anyway.

The last time I actually saw you was exactly a week ago.  I walked in the door at Grandad and Grammy's (is that what you're calling her?  I don't even know), and within the first minute, I just had to see the new thing you're insisting on doing.

I guess we won't even get into why Mickey is a vampire (although... what the HECK Disney?!).  But for whatever reason, you are insisting that Mickey is now pooping and needs diapers.  Maybe this is a good transition for you; you could actually become house trained.  I have my doubts as to your sanity (or imagination) though because they showed me that you're insisting on diapers for your other stuffed Mickey doll, but that's it. 

If Mickey's pooping, why isn't Minnie?  This is the 21st century Jaxson!

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Writing

I honestly meant to post something every time I saw you.  But I didn't.

One of my favorites from this past summer though was the day you and I ate Oreo cookies. I showed you how to take them apart and lick the frosting. 

You insisted on standing beside me instead of in front of me so I could watch you. 

It took awhile, but I convinced you to go look at the dogs while we did this so I could secretly get some pictures of you.

You were serious for a few moments, making me contemplate what was going on in your brain. 

You turned suddenly and flashed that grin that made me laugh, but I only caught on to what happened once you moved away from the door.

You licked the window.  What the heck goes on in that brain!?  I cannot wait for you to start talking.

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Confession

This article made me cry a little bit.

It's a good one.

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Painting #1

I encouraged some really terrible painting today.  

You don't feel well today Jaxson, and you are considerably less fun.  High five to all moms and dads out there for dealing with the frustration I'm feeling today on a daily basis; I don't know what to do to make you feel better or how to get you to understand that napping, eating, and drinking water are all good ideas.  Hoping that you can start to feel better soon.

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First

I came to visit for Father's Day last Saturday night, and that was the first time you and I had a conversation.

At least... I think it was a conversation.   You tend to use yes and no interchangeably right now.

Since the day you were born, I have been impatiently waiting for you to start talking.  Jaxson, I am not a baby person.  I am not excited by babies, have no interest in holding babies, and in general, do not find babies cute.

Babies in A Song of Ice and Fire onesies are better.

For the first time since I've met you though, you look like a little boy, and the fact that we had a conversation blew my mind.  You are almost 19 months old, and you seem to understand a lot more than I figured.  I honestly thought I was going to have to wait until you were... 5.  Or 7.  I don't know.

You and I were on the deck at Grammy and Grandad's house when we heard a tractor going.  I asked you if you heard it, you said yeah, I asked you if you wanted to see it, and you answered yeah again.  I told you that you couldn't walk in the grass because you didn't have shoes on.  I asked you where your shoes were, and you said you didn't know.  I explained that I had shoes on, that I could carry you around to the front of the house, and asked if it was ok.  You said yes and put your arms up so I could pick you up.

This may not seem like a big deal, but EVERY TIME I saw you before that, I was not allowed to hold you.  I snuck it in when you were only a few days old.  (nice gloves by the way) 

...but after that, you were not a fan.  I'm pretty sure you weren't remembering me since we don't see each other all the time (confession... I grabbed you when you were already mad about something else for this picture... I have always wanted one for some reason).

I'm "on vacation" this week at Grammy and Grandad's, and yesterday, I took you outside after a huge rainstorm.  You ran down the driveway, through a stream of puddles.  It was obvious that you didn't realize the puddle existed because as soon as you splashed through, you turned around and said "uh-oh" in a concerned tone. 

Sidebar - You say "uh-oh" a LOT.  Like, ALL THE TIME.  At this point, I am pretty sure you're saying it because something happened that wasn't supposed to, but you definitely throw your sippie cup on the ground and say uh-oh or you throw your bottle out of your pack and play (some fancy name for a baby cage... don't worry it seems nice).  I'm pretty confident you're throwing these things out on purpose and that the uh-oh part is all lies.

Anyway, you were concerned about splashing, but then I stepped in and splashed around.  We splashed in puddles all over the place for 25 minutes before your dad said you guys were going to leave.  I had to clean your feet off so your mom wouldn't be too mad at me, but also, you are pretty certain that you don't want stuff on your feet.

Today, Grammy asked me to dig through some of your dad's old toys and clean them up for you.  You're supposed to come back on Friday so we'll see how dirty we can get you then.  I'm looking forward to it.

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