Christmas Past and Present...

It was Christmas Day of 2007 that Jackson took some of his first steps. Now, one year later, the boy is running all over the place, making it hard for anyone to keep up. I can't believe how much a year can change things, and how fast this kid is learning new things. He's a special little guy and certainly makes Christmas time far more fun for all!

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

A brief tale of Christmas, in photos...

Jackson really had fun tearing the gifts open, though he tired of it quickly and wanted to play with the one he just opened.

We put out cookies for Santa the night before. When Jackson woke up he wanted to know if Santa ate the cookies... and he did!

Jackson got a bike for Christmas.


We spent Christmas afternoon at The Como Conservatory and Zoo

Jackson really likes the fish at The Conservatory and got a camel at the gift shop on the way out



Jackson had fun with power tools... just like daddy's

Christmas Tree...

On Sunday Jackson and I decided to set up our Christmas tree. He was a great help bringing me branches and helping to decorate. Jackson would go back to the tree box and ask "Coupa more mommy?" "Yeah, bring mommy a couple more branches please."

Ron came home just in time to get a snap shot of Jackson putting the star on top.



Jackson had to check the next morning to be sure the tree was still standing...



Merry Christmas All.

Peek a boo...

Now you see me...


Now you don't...

I'm not cut out to change diapers...

Jackson must have been so engrossed in listening to music on Dad's phone that he failed to mention that he was about to poop. It's been a long time since Jackson pooped in his diaper, and thank goodness!! As I was wiping his little behind, all I could do was gag, and gag I did. All the boy had for dinner was some chicken, toast and lima beans and baked apples for dessert... but something in him let off a terrible, nose-plugging odor. Ron finally had to take over so I could leave the room for fresh air! I hope he doesn't make a habit of this, I won't be able to take it. Baby poop, no problem. Almost 2 year old poop, no thanks.

The past few weeks in photos...

I've been slacking lately on adding photos to the blog. Here is a couple to see how the little guy is growing up:

"Turn the volume up Mommy!" This is Jackson's latest trick, and I'm doing all that I can to discourage it!

Painting on construction paper with water is far easier to clean up, especially when he knocks the bowl of "paint" over. (Thanks Darcie for this idea.)

Most Oreos (brand name has to be Oreos and the mini packets don't count) are dairy free.

Jackson found the big ol' bag of Christmas presents

A family update...

Jackson's Allergies: Many have asked what the final word was on Jackson's allergies, as I have not made it back to the blog often to update you. Jackson is allergic to all dairy, tree nuts, and things high in citric acid. He also reacts to rice bran extract and wheat germ, but not processed wheat. And he does not react to soy. The results on egg are still inconclusive, and need to be tried again. That's the skinny on food related allergies, but he does have some environmental allergies as well. He is reacting to detergents and dryer sheets with perfumes and dyes. We are able to elimintate all of these things at home, by using Tide Free and refraining from dryer sheets entirely, but in the world it's hard to avoid. He is continuing to break out at school, even given we are providing all wash cloths, bibs and blankets. Conclusion: it must be from rubbing on teachers' and friends' clothes.

Potty Training: Jackson is pretty consistent at going number two on the toilet and not in his diaper. If he doesn't go right away in the morning, we pay attention to the clues and he's usually pretty good about telling us he needs to go. As for going pee, on the other hand, he's taking it and leaving it. Some times he makes it a couple hours being dry, and other days, our timing must be completely off.

The Singer in the Family: And lately it isn't Ron. Jackson is singing up a storm. His lyrics are a bit modified, but he is always in tune. He's running around the house belting out Baa Baa Black Sheep, Twinkle, Twinkle, Jingle Bells, We wish you a Merry Christmas, 5 Little Monkeys, The Alligator and The Monkey Song (which he is teaching me), This Old Man, ABC's, Bob the Builder, Elmo's Song and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

Sara's World: Two more days and I will hopefully be done with my last final, if not, the class will end without me. :) But really, I have a couple of things left to do for the final and I will have made it through my first term at St. Scholastica. Classes will start up again for me January 5. In my other spare time, I'm working on Jackson's scrapbook and making birthday invitations, I enjoy working with paper. I am hating winter more than ever and trying to propose a move south... Ron has budged another .5 centimeter... so I may get him to make the plunge sometime in 2028!

Ron's Task's: Ron has been hard at work on a toy box in the shape of a van for Jackson's Christmas gift. My basement has been turned into a work shop with saw dust being tracked up daily... but the toy box will be worth it in the end. He's also keeping active playing on his co-ed volleyball team on Thursday nights... it seems to me though, that they aren't going to take the championship.

Monday Feature: Likes and Dislikes

Jackson's Likes: Cookies, putting money in his piggy bank, juice, singing twinkle twinkle and ba ba black sheep, reading books, watching youtube videos, The Elephant Song, gluing, coloring, doing things by himself, playing hide and go seek, twinkle lights, opening Christmas cards, breaking color crayons, The Java Train, giving kisses, playing with choo-choo tracks, and singing jingle bells.

Jackson's Dislikes: His remote control truck (it scares the crap out of him), walking on snow and leaving the Java Train.

Elephant song...

Jackson and I have been watching this adorable video lately. Check out The Elephant Song.

Working from home...

One evening Jackson wanted to spend time with me. On the laptop we had an Elmo video in one corner and Photoshop open in the other. It worked out pretty well, for awhile.