a little lighter...

Yes, I’m a little lighter (still have pounds to lose to be at my pre-pregnancy weight…but at least I can wear most of my clothes again!)…but that’s not what I’m talking about.

My last post was deep…this one, much lighter. :)

I’m sort of freaking out that Jackson is almost one. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t ready to even talk about it until very recently. He’s become such a big boy, and yet, is still my sweet baby.

He’s talking…
Look out, people…it’s begun! Added to his repertoire of “Daddy,” “Mommeeee,” and “Haaaayyy,” Jackson now likes to say, “what?!” My favorite is that he over enunciates the “t.” We’re working on words that end in the letter “t.” But when I say “hat” 100 times, he looks at me like I’m crazy. I’m pretty sure he’s close to saying, “Uh oh,” especially when he drops food off his highchair or dumps toys out of the bath tub (yes, we’re playing those games). He sure babbles about everything and waits patiently for you to respond to him…generally, that’s followed by a sweet cackle likes he’s said something quite hilarious.

He’s NOT walking…yet.
Jackson’s loving his walker. Andrew swears he’s trying to tear up his ankles because he runs straight for them and squeals with delight when Andrew does the “not my ankles again” dance. I just think Drew hasn’t quite mastered my strategies of avoidance. J-man still loves to walk while you hold his hands, and pretty much hates for you to let go of him (and boy, does he let you know he hates it). His balance is a little shaky, but he’s starting to “walk” holding on to the side of the bed or sofa.

He’s crawling…sort of.
He still doesn’t like it, but will do it to get what he wants. Only in the last couple of days will he crawl on anything but carpet…crazy kid. He doesn’t use his hands. I think Andrew secretly taught him the army crawl because that’s more what it looks like. At least he’s getting around, which makes him happier. Between that and the walker, it also means Andrew and I have to do some serious child-proofing to do…and fast!
Jackson still loves his bath time, adores being outside (even chased a bee the other day in his walker), and is still a good eater (vegetables are back on the menu…yess!…but we don’t ever even try baby food anymore). His favorite thing to eat is still any kind of protein…especially if it’s on my plate. He also likes to eat apples and pears off the core, which is highly entertaining. He is about to cut tooth #5 and we’re all ready for that (1:30 wakeup calls are NOT fun).

Andrew and I are busy getting ready to move…again. AND, we’re getting ready to celebrate Jackson’s first birthday. We so excited to celebrate the joy he brings to us all with our friends and family. :)

Pray for Payton though…
It looks like she may not be promoted to 1st grade if she doesn’t improve her reading and math skills pretty drastically (and fast considering it’s March). My personal opinion is that she can learn anything if she is given consistent opportunities to practice what she’s learned at home. Part of it may have something to do with her mid-year move, but she’s pretty behind right now – and I can’t work miracles every other weekend. Although she’s young (won’t be 6 until June), repeating Kindergarten would not be a good idea for her – she’d be that kid who’s bored and therefore a behavior problem. Just pray…