18 months old!!

I can't believe that it's been a YEAR and a HALF since this buddy came to live with us. As I write, he is now closer to being a 2 year old than he is to being a 1 year old. But if you were to ask him...he's 18mo going on 18years! If you haven't been lucky enough to experience/enjoy/stare in awe and amazement (or horror) at Jaxon's new found independence--let me tell you it is something else! What ever the task at hand he wants to do it himself!! And if you offer your help before he is ready or wants it--watch out! A melt down is sure to ensue. (he does an excellent impression of the Exorcist)

But I kid. Although he is fiercely independent, Jax is also very sensitive and most tantrums end with his embarrassed cry that it happened in the first place! He showers us with hugs and kisses, along with his High-5's and knuckles. Dance parties (hilariously entertaining!) and pretending to cook have become his favorite indoor activities.

Jaxon is also in a fun phase of mimicking you. From the way he sits at the table minus a high chair now (arms crossed and elbows on the table) to the way he dances or bosses the dogs around (No! NO! dogs) EVERYTHING is copied from someone else. This has made all of us hyper aware of our actions (and words!)

Life with an 18mo old is certainly nothing like I thought it would be. It is so much more difficult, entertaining, heart breaking and heart filling than I ever imagined it being. And as exhausted as I am at the end of the day, I realize that I am infinitely blessed by this boy of mine!

Eating Half Birthday cupcakes in the Red Chair.

(who said I was above bribery??)

At the zoo with Daddy

really?? pregnant lady takes picture with the ELEPHANTS?? lol. I just realized this and it's totally cracking me up! Anyways...my big boy Jax and I (at 35weeks pregnant!)

Little Sister Update

Whelp...We've successfully made it to 33weeks and 5 days of being pregnant! Which means that at the publishing of this post we only have 41 days until the arrival of Miss Camren Marie! (holy smokes!) I've noticed that I am really starting to slow down, playing with Jax is getting to be more difficult and more tiring, which tends to make me sad. On the other hand I still love being pregnant. She is still a mover and a shaker and I am praying that since she's soo active in utero that I'll get a break and have a chill little girl when she comes out. (yeah yeah yeah...insert your heckling and explosive laughter here.) Hiccups have become one of her favorite forms of reminding me that "hey mom...I'm in here". As a matter of fact, as we speak poor Cam's hiccuping away...well either that or she already has amazing rhythm! ;)

Last week I did have a L&D scare. After running around with Jax all day I started contracting...very aggressively and consistently. Thankfully Justin was able to take a couple of hours emergency time so I didn't have to take Jax with me to the hospital! Everything stopped naturally (thank the lord) but was given very stern reminders that I have 2 babies to take care of! The most shocking part for me was the realization that IF I have another labor run at/after 35 weeks-they will not stop me. Instead I'll be wheeled on into an OR and out she'll come!! Yikes!! So besides wanting her to stay baking longer for HER own good...I need her to bake for me. I am NOT ready!! As you can see from pictures...we have her crib and bedding and changing table...but there is still alot missing!! I've been putting off the major shopping trip thinking I had plenty of time...I guess the time's here! I'll post again with pictures of our finished (shopping trip and all...ugh) nursery soon!

Here is the belly in all it's 32 weeks of glory!

As requested by one of our loyal readers/fans!! ;-) (for the record...he's sticking it out and I'm sucking it in so hard I think I may have dislodged a filling!)

Changing table minus a changing pad!

The bedding I love oh so much!

Tunnels and Cash

(forgive the drunken smile...my camera's having a difficult time keeping up with this mover and shaker!)

Tunnels and Cash...

What do they have in common??? Nothing would be the obvious answer. That is unless you've been at my house in the last week or so. The correct answer would be- "things that make Jax happy!"

After spending our entire hour at Little Gym trying to distract Jax with the big toys and steer him away from the tunnel, Justin decided the boy-o needed one of his own! It is now his go to toy to play with while in the house! (and I love it because it lets him get out energy without having to sit in the heat!)

The second of this happy making duo is cash. Yup...as in cash money. Specifically change. As we were cleaning out our garage we were storing loose change in an mug. Jax loved the sound it made instantly! We then took him into his room to put the money in his "college fund" fire truck bank. The result?? A solid half hour of the kiddo sitting on his bedroom floor dropping coins in and clapping for himself! Adorable! And so now anytime he finds money, he runs straight back to his room to drop it in and if we get change while out and about, he will put it in his pocket to deal save for later. Funny funny kid.

Bounce U

As you are all aware...it's hot. And if you are in the Valley, you know that it's really HOT! And if you have any knowledge of kids you know that active children and hot days are not best friends. So armed with this information, Justin and I decided that today was a great day to try out Bounce U, an indoor bounce playground. It was so much fun to watch my guys go crazy on all of these different play structures and know that chances of severe bodily damage was lessened thanks to all of the forced air and soft sides!

My two cheesy guys

Speeding down the gigantic slide (mom wasn't a fan of this one...)

But Jax sure loved it!

He loved pushing this fire engine around but the look he gave me made me put my camera away...is he old enough to give me the "mom your embarrassing me" look??

Smaller slide that made him squeal like a piggie!

Catch!

Playing peak-a-boo

Climbing into the obstacle course for the first time

All done!

This is the way we wash our hands...

Rather than continue wiping my child down with an acid soaked washcloth (OK..NO ACID IS USED...but you'd swear that's what was on the washcloth what with all the writhing, hysterics and screeching) I decided that it was time to buy a buddy stool. Jax now loves to get down from meal time and toddles his cute little butt into the bathroom, and up the steps to wash his hands. Such a big kid. This new skill makes life so much easier!! And the nice part is that water gets absolutely everywhere so it also forces constant cleaning...yeah. (she said with sarcasm dripping...)

Jello Facial

We just wanted to let you in on the latest beauty fad...Jello Facials. From what I understand it does wonders for the complexion!! At least this is what Jax must have heard through the toddler grapevine because the boy loves to smear it all over himself just about as much as he loves to eat it!

Confined spaces training

In addition to climbing on EVERYTHING lately, Jax has decided to add a "love of small enclosed spaces" to his list of accomplishments. Over the past week we have found him in the most bizarre of places! Take a look...

Hey...what are you guys doing in here??

Can I help you mom??

Taking a break from all the laundry...