Houston, We Have A Walker!

Jackson is officially a walker! Last night he was walking everywhere, on his own! He'd fall down and get right back up and keep walking. We are so proud! This video catches a bit of his new talent, but I didn't get my camera out early enough. Before this, he was walking from the kitchen to the living room and back again. It's great to see and we think the boy is quite pleased with his newest skill!

Road Trip!!

Last Thursday marked the first day of our Memorial Day weekend road trip. We left Wilmington after lunch and drove to Augusta, GA. Our final destination was Atlanta, but Sean had an interview in Augusta on Friday morning, so it was a perfect place to stop for the night and divide up an otherwise long trip. It's roughly 4 1/2 hours and Jackson was a good sport. He even managed to nap a bit, which made us very happy. We've stayed at a hotel before, but now that Jackson's more mobile, it was a whole new experience. There was a little table that had a shelf on it that Jackson could easily climb onto. He brought with him the ice bucket and it entertained him all night long. He loved it so much, he ate breakfast there on Friday morning!



While Sean had his interview, the boy and I chilled in the hotel room. Honestly, I was hoping for Jackson to nap since we had another 3 hour drive ahead of us and then lots of playing and excitement once we got to our destination, Auntie T and UK's!!

Who needs toys when there's a suitcase full of clothes and hangers to play with?

Hey good lookin'!

No nap in the room, there was way too much going on, so we played until it was time to get Sean. We headed out and as soon as we got in the car, Jackson was asleep. We picked up Sean, explored Augusta for awhile and then hit the road. Traffic wasn't bad, but the weather sure was. Finally Georgia was getting some much needed rain, but it made for a long drive. Jackson was ready to be out of the car once we got there and was thrilled to have his Auntie T greet him and give him lots of loving. We stayed up late Friday, so Saturday was spent hanging out around the house, making potato salad for the party and catching up.

Chillin' with the boys.

We wanted to be well rested for Sunday, which was one of the reasons we went to Atlanta. Tracy and Kevin cohost an annual Memorial Day pig pickin' with some other friends and Jackson was a real trooper. We got there at about noon and it was great. We played badmitton, heard some great karaoke, danced a bit and enjoyed steamed oysters, pulled pork and lots of other culinary delights. Jackson played hard and fell asleep in his stroller at 5:30. We thought he'd sleep for a good, long time, but it was a party, and the boy loves to be in on the action. I think he heard the music and realized that he was missing out and woke up an hour later. We thought he'd rally, but he was ready to go. Really ready. We all wanted to stay, but knew it was best to head on home so the boy could rest.

Waiting for the party to start!

Gimme that camera, Dad!

Relaxing in the stroller!

The best place on earth-Dad's shoulders!

On Monday, we woke up early, said our goodbye's and did the whole 7 hour trip home with very little complaining from the boy.

One last snuggle with Auntie T before we hit the road.

The Memorial Day party was a blast, hanging out with Tracy and Kevin was even better and we can't wait until we are all together again. Thanks, guys!!!! It was awesome!

The Park!

It's practically summer here, and we've been spending a better part of each day outside. Since we don't have anything fun like a slide or swings at our house, we usually end up at one of the local parks. I decided to bring my camera today because Jackson is always so happy to be playing with other kids. I just wish he would understand the concept of not using another child as a means to pull himself up! But he has fun, nonetheless and that's the most important thing!

Playing tic-tac-toe with some friends.

I just love the expression on Jackson's face in this picture!

See that look in Jackson's eyes? He's getting ready to eat that shoe!!

A Funny

Jackson generally has a lot to say, though we still usually have no idea what he's trying to tell us. The other day, Sean was "jiggling" the boy mid-air during a conversation and we got a lot of laughs.

Newfound Independence

Jackson's developing an independent streak lately. When he's walking around with his pusher toy and gets stuck, he does not like for me to help him. He goes so far as to push my hand away, and I'm not allowed to touch the handle at all. He actually gets mad if I try to help him. I think it's pretty cute. He's also graduated to taking bites of a banana while I hold it, instead of eating bites that I have cut for him. But now he doesn't even want to do that. He wants to hold his own banana, thank you very much. He's quite proud of himself, and we are too! Now if we can just get him to take smaller bites...

Oobleck!

I was wandering around the internet trying to find some crafty things to do with a one year old when I discovered oobleck. It's a mixture of corn starch and water, and I thought it was going to be the consistency of play doh. I was wrong, it's more like paste, but feels really creamy and smooth. Anyway, I made it because I thought Jackson would be entertained and it's edible, even if it doesn't taste good. (Jackson still puts everything in his mouth.) Oobleck was a hit! Jackson loved playing with it, tasting it, trying to dump it out of the bowl and sticking his fingers in it. We had a blast and what's even better, clean up was a breeze! That's the best kind of entertainment!

We're Getting There...

Jackson's been a proficient "cruiser" since the end of December. He's been standing by himself since the beginning of January. So we imagined we'd have a walker by the boy's first birthday. Nope. Our son has shown almost no interest in walking by himself or with one of his walking toys, until just recently. He's taken a few unassisted steps here and there, but until last week, his main mode of transportation was crawling. Since it's been so warm and sunny, we brought his pusher toys out in the yard and since they've been out there, he's been walking with them. (Before he'd crawl and push, crawl and push. Now he's actually using them as intended.) He'll go across the back yard, up the side of the house, around the front yard, and then back down the other side of the house and start the whole thing over again. He's got a little track going. On Saturday we got part of his walk on video. He was talking a lot, but it's hard to hear because of the wind. But you'll get the picture. He's building those muscles so that one day we will actually have an independent walker! Then the real fun begins...