Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all Dads out there! We are going to Nana and Papa's tomorrow, so Mom thought she would help me post on the blog tonight.

Well, my first week with Mommy was really fun! We had my 1-year pictures taken, we went for walks, and we went to the park. We also ran a lot of errands and did some shopping. Daddy said if Mommy stayed home all year he would have to get a second job, but he was just kidding.

Mom says I am such a busy boy. I walk now while holding on to just Mom's or Dad's two fingers. I'll be on my own in no time. I am not as excited about the stairs anymore. I took quite a tumble. Although I was not hurt, it scared me enough to not play on them for now. Today I figured out how to turn the bottled water on. I thought it was funny... Mom did not. My favorite thing to do, though, is chase my kitties! I could follow them around all day long. They just won't let me catch them. Mom and Dad tell me to be gentle, but I just can't help but screech and get excited when they let me near them. Then they run away.

I have also begun to "push the limits" as Mom calls it. When I am frustrated or don't want to do something, I clearly express so. If I don't want to wear my hat, I don't, and if I can't get it off, I let Mom have it. I have started to become a picky eater... overnight. I have at least two more teeth trying to come in, which fuels my unhappiness at times. And between you and me, I really don't like to hear the word "NO," although Mom and Dad sure seem to use it a lot.

I was supposed to have my first swimming lesson this Saturday, but since we'll be up north, I have to wait until next weekend. Mom also signed me up for a class at Gymboree for the month of July. It gives me a chance to play with other kids my age and play with some really cool stuff! I am looking forward to some upcoming playdates, too. I can't wait to see my cousins Isabella and Cohen this weekend!

Happy Father's Day, again. I know I am lucky to have the BEST Daddy in the whole wide world!

Love,

Jackson
XOX

P.S. It's Papa's birthday Saturday. Happy Birthday, Papa. I am so glad I get to spend it with you.

School's Out for Summer!

School's out for summer! Mom, Dad, and I celebrated by going to the zoo yesterday. What a beautiful day! We saw elephants, hippos, cheetahs (it came right up to the window at me!), giraffes, all kinds of monkeys, gorillas, lions, rhinos, bears, peacocks, and a lot more. This is Mom and I at the end of the day before we left.

I have been so busy exploring everything I can. My favorite thing to do now is go up the stairs. This is one of the first times I did both flights...

Dad's been taking such good care of me on Wednesdays. He even took me for a walk (in my pjs) last Wednesday when Mom was at grad school. He has been getting around pretty well, although fortunately, he used a wheelchair yesterday at the zoo. You can imagine how funny it was when Mom was pushing Dad who was pushing me up a hill yesterday. Dad makes me laugh during dinner, too. I was laughing at his dance moves - you'll notice at the end I tell him "No," meaning "No, Dad, you can't dance. Ha ha."

Today Dad is at grad school for 11 hours. That way he doesn't have to meet as much over the summer. Tomorrow we are getting my 1-year pictures taken. Next weekend we go north to Nana and Papa's. Uncle David, Aunt Audrey, Isabella, and Cohen will be there, too! I am looking forward to it! At the beginning of July, Mom's friend, Nicole, is coming to visit from Colorado! It will be my first time meeting her!

Oh! I almost forgot. Dad keeps talking about his albino squirrel we have outside our townhouse. He even took pictures of it. I promised him I would post one for him.

He is so into wildlife. Sometimes I think he enjoys the zoo more than I do. This is me at the end of the day yesterday. The zoo wore me out...

Have a great week!
Love,
Jackson
XOX

Happy Birthday, Uncle Bill!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Bill! Do you remember this? I can't wait until the next time we can read books together. I hope you enjoyed your special day!

Speaking of birthdays... I went to my first birthday party yesterday, and it was a big bash! My Uncle David and Aunt Audrey had a combined birthday party for my cousins Isabella (5) and Cohen (1). It was such a fun time. I was able to see a lot of family that I rarely see or hadn't even met. Although I enjoyed swinging with Nana and my cousin Nicholas, I have to say my favorite part was playing in the inflatable!

Yes, they had two inflatable castles there! The big kids jumped around, but I was happy as ever crawling around. It was a cold and rainy day, but no one noticed because of all the fun!

Uncle David and Aunt Audrey did a really nice job putting the big party together. The big kids did the limbo, hit a pinata full of candy, decorated cookies, and got their faces painted. The adults sat in large tents or stood around the firepit, enjoying all the yummy food and drink. Instead of a cake, they had cupcakes for everyone! They were the biggest cupcakes ever! I did have a couple bites, but prefer my veggies still, which makes Mom and Dad thrilled. Although Cohen was busy at his party, we did have a chance to play together a little!


This week is Mom's last week of school. We are really excited about all the time we get to spend together this summer. We're lucky, too, because Dad's schedule is so flexible. We are going to get my 1-year pictures taken next week. Mom will be sure to send them to you or give them to you when she sees you.
One evening last week Mom and Dad took me outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. It also gave me a chance to practice my walking skills.

That was the first time I walked so far! It was also the first time I kept my shoes on. I was tired after all that walking!

I want to say congratulations to my cousins Hannah and Alex on their graduations. Mom and Dad are always saying what good role models you are for me! Congratulations to cousin Molly, too, on all her recent success with track! I have BIG shoes to fill!

We'll keep you posted on all our upcoming outings. Hope you are all doing well and have a great week!

Love,

Jackson
XOX

Happy 1st Birthday!

Well, it's official... I am 1 year old today! I celebrated my birthday last weekend at Nana and Papa's house with Mom, Dad, Nana, Papa, Great-Grandma Mary, Great-Grandpa Bob, and cousin Ryan. We had a blast!

I was a little tentative to try the cake at first, but once I realized how yummy it was, I enjoyed it.

It was a beautiful weekend, so we were able to get out in the boat two days. Not only did Papa play with me through the glass door, but he let me drive the boat, too!

I know I'll be tubing in no time. Nana loves to make me laugh and play hide-n-seek with me. She came down and babysat me two days this week while Dad was in D.C. We had so much fun together and it really helped Mom out a lot! Thank you, Nana!

Thank you everyone for all my wonderful gifts. You were so kind and thoughtful.

Happy Birthday to my cousin Cohen who is 2 days older than me! His birthday party is combined with Isabella's next weekend. Can't wait to come and play!

Happy Birthday to my Aunt Kate, too. Her birthday is tomorrow. See you soon, Aunt Kate!

Have a great week everyone!

Love,
Jackson
XOX

My First Haircut

Here I am... about to get my first haircut! Mom and Dad were sick of my scraggly hair, so we decided to get it cut. What a cool place I went to! I got to sit in a car and watch my favorite... Baby Einstein. I was such a good boy. Here are some before and after pictures.

Can you tell the difference?

Dad had a conference in Milwaukee today for Grad School. After he got home, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings where I said, "Back off! I'm blazin' with my new haircut!"

Daddy can't stop talking about how yummy his hot wings were. Mommy and I shared bare chicken tenders (she wouldn't let me say naked). Mmmmmm good!

Here's a movie of me practicing my walking skills. I still have a ways to go, but I am working on it.

I also told you about my new remote. You have got to check this out!

Here's a picture of my Daddy and me. We were both looking so handsome one morning this week, Mom wanted to catch it with a picture.

Mom's school had a book fair this week. She bought me a frog book that actually ribbits!

Mom has a countdown until school is out for the summer... did you see it? It is on the bottom of the blog page. I think there are only 19 school days left for her. Then you know what? She gets to spend a lot more time with me! She even signed me up for swimming lessons!

Next weekend we are going to Nana and Papa's. Both Mommy and Daddy took Friday off, so we are going to make it an extra long weekend with Memorial Day being Monday. We are celebrating my birthday while we are there. I am sure Mom will be snapping photos and filming away for the blog so you can enjoy it, too!

I hope you are all well. I am thinking of you (when I am not chasing Ace and Iso). Good night!

Love,
Jackson

XOX

Wait until I can climb those stairs kitty.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all those Moms out there. My Mom and I spent the day together. I helped her clean while Dad had to work. We celebrated Mother's Day on Friday. It was beautiful weather, so we went to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants and sat outside. I had one of my favorites... grilled cheese, of course!

Mom hasn't taken too many pictures of me sleeping. She said she doesn't want to wake me, but the other morning she took a couple.

Mom and Dad think I am teething a molar, so I have been having "cold-like" symptoms, but as always, I am a trooper. I was really happy today when Mom got me my very own remote. I always want the one Mom and Dad use, but they say I can't, which makes me really mad. Well, I finally have my very own remote. Mom says it's a "guy thing."

This is what happens when you put your food-covered hands in your hair, which I just love to do (against Mom's wishes)! Speaking of food, I was playing a little at dinner tonight...

Happy Mother's Day, once again, to all those wonderful Moms out there. Have a fantastic week!

Love,

Jackson
XOX

Happy Birthday, Alex!

Happy Birthday to my cousin Alex (yesterday)! Mom was looking through pictures today and came upon this one. This was when Alex came to visit me in Wisconsin! Alex, I hope all your wishes came true for your birthday!

Dad has school this weekend, so Mom and I have just been hanging out. I had one of my favorite breakfasts - blueberry pancakes. Another one of my recent "favorites" is brushing my teeth!

This morning at breakfast Mom was reading a magazine. I saw the baby on the cover and she made me giggle! Mom got such a kick out of it, she took a video.

The last video I have to share with you was taken by Dad. Mom was playing peek-a-boo with me with my favorite giraffe.

I hope you have a great week!

Love,

Jackson

XOX