busy, busy boy.

Feeding yourself is so much fun! Especially when mom doesn't put a bib on you.

Jaxon is getting good at impressing us with his skills. Taking steps often, but only when he chooses to do so. While toddling around he looks so much bigger. He loves his ABC train and all the fun stuff it does, as well as all his many other toys. Almost always he is willing to show off to those who will watch. If he has something- be it a toy, pacifier, ball; if you ask to have it while holding your hand out for it, he will bring it to you. Maybe just getting lucky, but it's a pretty regular occurrence. And this could be completely normal for him to know this, but I of course think it's SO great! Except the fact that he is growing up way too stinkin fast!


We got a package in the mail the other day and the emptied box ended up just laying around. I put him in it one afternoon and pulled him around. He grinned the whole time. Later I found him patiently waiting inside the box, as if he was expecting a ride. Silly boy.

He climbed in here and stayed there during my shower.

I'm not exactly sure when it started, but Jaxon has learned how to courtesy laugh. Some fake silly laugh when someone else is laughing. Which obviously makes you do it more, and he follows. You just might get a big cheese grin along with it.

And today with a fever.
He woke up with it, but he had a rough day yesterday so I wasn't all that surprised. So the course of Tylenol and Motrin began. It's hard to tell if it's teething or his ears. Being on an antiobiotic makes me think it shouldn't be an infection, but what do I know. He isn't fighting eating and is drinking his water. Seems to be wanting to sleep plenty and is having fun playing when he's not. I'll see how tonight goes and if he isn't better I'll call in tomorrow. His ENT appt. isn't until the 6th so I definitely won't be putting it off til then.

haircut!!!

We did it! Well, halfway. Even with Smarties, he was still much too wiggly. I'm sure I'll be trimming stray hairs until it's time for his next cut. But with the majority of his wispy-length gone, he's sportin' the big boy look.

I present you with the before....

And AFTER!

Checkin himself out in the mirror...he must approve!

It's been getting quite toasty around these parts lately, so we've chose to spend time outside after breakfast. Jaxon thinks dirt/small objects/whatever he finds is supposed to go in the handle of his Tonka, rather than in the bed of it. Alright, if you say so! Kent thought it through and decided it must be because all of his 'indoor' toys that have blocks and such have a small opening to be put in. Makes fair enough sense to me. He will put stuff in the back of it, but not as often.

Other news: He hasn't had a bottle for over a week, he got his first bandaid-worthy owie (skinned his big toe on the driveway while riding his 4-wheeler :( ), his 8th tooth has broke through, and I think for once he is on a bit of a schedule with two naps a day, and sleeping good in his own room!

swimming

Jaxon's first time in the 'big boy' pool. He acted like he loved it! Didn't seem scared of it at all, which could be a bad thing. He would want out so I'd take him and dry him off. Soon enough he would be lunging out of my arms to go see dad in the pool. I guess we don't know what his reaction will be to going under the water, since it was avoided due to his ears. His ENT appt. is scheduled for the beginning of August.

And tonight he has been walking across the room pretty regularly! Not so much standing and taking off, but while playing with a toy he will change his mind and head off for something else.

Kent wasn't feeling well at work today. He came home and went straight to bed, waking up just before supper time and landed himself on the couch. And there he continues to sleep. Hoping it's nothing too serious and just the flu. Not that the flu is good or anything. Needless to say he is missing out on all the excitement, and didn't seem to0 thrilled when I sorta woke him up to tell him the news.

I took Jaxon to his 12 month check-up yesterday. Somehow he still manages to be at the top of the charts for his height at 31.3 inches tall ~ 89% And just under average for his weight of 22 lbs 7 oz ~ 45%. He most certainly has maintained this weight for a while, I guess if he just keeps stretching out and growing at the same time that would explain it. The appointment wasn't much fun for him. When checking in his ears she used some thing to blow air into it, looking to see if his ear drum was moving. It wasn't, which means bad news. It must have hurt, he sobbed for a bit but eventually forgave her until she tortured him again in his sensitive parts :( I almost cried myself. And then of course, his 3 vaccines. Never fun.

At this point we are waiting to hear back from a different ENT, hopefully Monday we will know when we can get him in. Dr. did give me a written Rx just in case the fever comes back and we're not able to see the ENT soon enough. I told her I didn't want it filled now because he seems to be doing OK and has been on so many lately that haven't really done their job as far as I'm concerned. And she agreed. Mainly to just keep him out of pain if it comes to that. And Tylenol if needed. It's basically 100% that he will be getting the surgery. He just cannot fight it, whether it's that his ear canal is too small or at a weird angle, they're not draining properly. I don't think they will know which until they actually get a good look inside. I probably have mentioned before, but I had tubes put in at a young age too, so I guess the problem can be genetic. Poor boy. I'm feeling much more at peace with this decision than before. I've been hearing too many stories of kids losing up to 30% of their hearing because it wasn't taken care of soon enough. I don't think we've waited that long, or at least I really hope not. His hearing still seems to be rather sharp.

After catching him doing this, I was really worried what would be next.....

Apparently this.
Now that he can get in to the garage from the laundry room like a breeze, as soon as you open the door he will be right behind you. Any door that leads to the outdoors to be exact.

Mama always can use a little help around the house.

Thanks to Kent, Blaire and Carl the outside of our house looks like new, or almost.
Friday evening they pressure washed the house, driveway and work van. I was so embarrassed at how dirty the window sills were, I even vacuumed out the bugs and dusted!

Jaxon watching dad work and eating his Pb & j.

Today has also been a busy day taking care of things around the house, getting pic's taken, running errands, shopping...you know, all the fun stuff ;) When he wakes up from his nap we will be heading to Target, yay! Kent is running around with the guys, going shooting and possibly fishing. You never know for sure with them.
I love summer.

....and so we had a party.

Phew! The party is over. And it went well. Jaxon made out like a bandit in the toy department. Our house now looks like a run a daycare. He took a little time with each toy, but was quite overwhelmed with all the options. I'm thinking he will wake up tomorrow and be surprised by what all he has to play with. Which is good, because he was seeming to get a little bored with his same ol' toys. I should start putting some of them away for the next baby while they're still in good shape.
Ooh check out his new wheels! My mom, step dad and sister came over early to give his presents since my step dad works really early. Also a basketball hoop, which will probably be getting more use out of his dad than him for now.

******* Happy Birthday boy.
He had just woken up from a nap, explains the sleepy face.
I think this was one of the few smiles caught on camera all night. Was being stingy.

*******
The Fam. Jaxon waited impatiently through singing, without crying! And slowly ate his cake frosting.

*******
OK...now you need a bath before presents!

*******
Enjoying himself, as always!

*******
Unwrapping the treasures.

*******
Bows are yummy, if you weren't aware.

*******
Carson, Elijah and Jaxon
Figuring out how it works, teamwork style.

*Hopefully for those who were unable to attend, this kinda makes you feel as if you were right here with us ;)

I have an outfit to exchange for him and a little birthday money to spend. I'll get to do some shopping for fall/winter clothes. Should be fun! Tomorrow afternoon is his 1 year well-check where I will also be finding out our plan of action in treating his recurring ear infections. Wish us luck!

Happy Day!

5 lbs 14 oz

Today our first born is 1. A whole year, wow. I'm starting to notice this a bit more emotional for me than I expected. At times I feel like "It's about time he is one!", and others-mostly "Where did the time go?!" I can remember so clearly telling Kent towards the end of my pregnancy, when baby J was kicking me in the ribs, "I just want to meet this baby. I wanna see what he looks like, and hold him so tight!" But then there were days after he was born when I was worried sick about his feedings that all I wanted was to have him back inside where he was safe and being nourished. I obviously wouldn't want it any other way than how it happened, but the first few weeks...or months were pretty rough for me! He has been such an amazing blessing, and I believe I can speak for Kent too. We have indeed come a long way as parents, and haven't done too much damage in the process.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY JAXON! Mama and Daddy love you SO much!

22 lbs 3 0z

The river is freezing. He wasn't too sure of it.

Maybe this is how I'll hide his blue eyes from all the ladies!

Our crew.

We had a fun, but very hot, weekend. Mel and I attempted to get some pics of Jaxon at the park Friday morning and we all went to a baseball game that night and watched fireworks Saturday night. We were SO close to them it was awesome. There were a couple times I got a bit nervous we would get hit :p Jaxon even decided to show off and start standing up in the middle of the grass. But he hasn't done it much since. He didn't seem to mind the noise either. I can't believe he will be a year in just a few days. Pretty crazy how far we've come!

Just another day

Lately Jaxon is back to his old ways of staying up way past a normal persons bed time. Sure that means sleeping in, but I much rather his 9 o'clock bed time. While staying up with him I realized I don't get down on the floor at his level often enough. I do admit most of the time I'm trying to get something else done, rather than 'play' with him. Shame on me. So I'm re-making my deal with myself to only be on the computer while he is sleeping, and save chores that can wait to be done until he is napping or Kent is home. Ok, back to the reason I started confessing one of my faults....I learned he is capable of putting these blocks in the barn all by himself! I had showed him a while back, but never knew he was doing it! I hear him play with this toy often, but he mostly opens the gate repeatedly. So I'm pretty proud.
When it was time for him to get settled down, he was still being antsy.. I realized he hadn't had a bottle yet that evening! 4 oz of whole organic milk later, he was ready for bed. He also is becoming pro at holding his cup, with or without handles! And is standing a lot, and has taken up to 4 steps at a time in the last week. Sometimes the last couple are as he is diving for the closest person or object, but it's a start! OH, oh, oh...when telling Kent goodnight, he gave kisses! Well fish kisses. If you pucker up and ask for a kiss, you just might get a sloppy mouthful in return. He also has started bobbing up and down to music.

When you ask where his fishies are, this is what he does. Such a character.

Today we met my dad and one of my sisters for brunch. I had brought along a baggie full of the 'ends' of my bread to feed the ducks. The last time I took my niece, which was at least a few years ago, the birds were crazy and we barely got out of the car to get back in. Today wasn't as bad, but the park is a bit more run down than I remembered and of course the icky seagulls usually get to the bread first, defeating the whole purpose.Scoping out the stinky birds.
Getting a ride on Papa Mikes shoulders. Such fun!

Last Sunday after lunch at church we enjoyed a nice nap, all 3 of us! Then we met my dad out by his house to ride his quads. And they shot their guns while Jaxon and I hung out in the shade. We both even got a ride from dad. Jaxon was a bit cautious, dirt and rocks are much cooler.

First he had to prove to us he could eat almost a whole McChicken! After it was half gone I took the bun off and he left only a couple of his size bites when he was full.

Checkin things out with Daddy.

Definitely best to wear pants. Man does that thing put off heat!Just being a boy.