Do you have to go potty?

We have been counting down to this day all Decemeber. Last week, when anyone anyone asked Jackson what we were doing on Monday, he would reply, "I'm going pee-pee on the potty." He's tried on and off all month, and now it's time. Yesterday driving home from Las Vegas, Jackson said he had to go to the bathroom....so we pulled over on the side of the 95, pulled down the pants and his diaper (which was dry)and gave it a go. Unfortunately the weather was against us, and it was just too cold for him to relax to go. But he tried!

So we armed today with loads of underwear, pants he can pull up and down by himself, books to read in the bathroom, chocolate chips (when he goes), and the phone (to share with whoever we can reach after he goes...Jackson loves to talk on the phone). I'm hoping it's not too messy....we'll see! It's liable to be a long day, but I've got my coffee...so at least I'll be going to the bathroom.

Meaning of Christmas

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more." —Dr. Seuss

I read this quote not too long ago...and can't stop thinking about it. Now that Jackson is older, he's starting to talk about God. His favorite grace at dinner is Johnny Appleseed...and he knows all the words. The other day at nap time, he was walking around his room and saying, "thank you God." But how do you explain God to a 2 year old? He will ask if God is here. When we say yes, he looks around, puzzled and asks where. The abstract continues to be abstract. Jackson knows baby Jesus is born at Christmas, and it's a challenge to help him understand that Christ is why we have Christmas...not the presents. So in our house, we're working on remembering why we have Christmas. The wonderful gift of Christmas, and trying to see it through the eyes of our children. It's exciting and challenging!

Enough of the deep stuff...Addison's first top tooth has cut through, and it looks like her second one should pop in the next couple of days. Hopefully when than happens, she will go back to sleeping more than just a few hours at a time at night. That sure is getting exhausting. Jackson and Addison have started playing "walk the dog." Jackson will hold Addison's collar and tell her to "come on dog, let's go." He will walk and she will crawl along next to her. It's really very cute.

We've been doing a potty count down...and this coming Saturday we are going to venture seriously into the world of potty training. We'll see how it goes...any and all suggestions are welcome.

I finally did it!

So it's taken me some time to figure out how to get the pictures in the post. I'm not as technologically savy as others! We have been having fun lately. We decorated the tree this past weekend...I can't remember if I already said that. Addison has been getting up every 2 to 3 hours at night, so I'm in a bit of a daze. Let's just say that my coffee in the morning tastes really good!!!

Who knew that setting the table could be so much fun? Jackson took out all of the silverware and "set the table." He sure had a good time.

So I always wanted a picture of Jackson asleep in the high chair, but it was never meant to be. Addison, on the other hand, has been tired these past few mornings (that's what getting up at 4:30am does to you), and fell asleep today. Stefany got a few pics. I love them!

Happy Birthday Dave!

Dave turned 31 today.

Jackson slept really well...which is always a present in and of itself. Dave and I finished Christmas shopping this morning out of town, and had a very nice lunch. It is always amazing to me how much faster things go when you don't have the kids (Jackson had pre-school and Addison was with Stefany), and you do your shopping on a Monday morning. We even beat some of the stores, and were there before they opened. Living where we live, that's impressive.

We made it home and Dave had some things to finish at work. The kids and I ran to the store to pick up the icing for Dave's cake. Addison sat contently in the cart, and Jackson was eager to show our purchases (frosting and coffee...for me) to everyone we passed. We also had to pick up a card...I had one in my hand, and Jackson pointed to another one. He insisted that it was for "Happy Birthday Daddy." In all actuality, it was for a "Happy Birthday grand-daughter" complete with all the pink and frills. But if you have ever sat in the store debating with an almost 3 year old which card is really for daddy....well, it's just not worth it. So we bought the granddaughter one because that is the one that Jackson picked out. While Addison and I spread the icing, Jackson helped put the candles in the cake. Grandma made dinner and apple pie, to we will get into the cake tomorrow night. Hopefully I will be able to get pictures up. They are getting the best of me.

Power Outage and peek a boo

So a few nights ago we had a power outage in the middle of the night. Now one would think that the middle of the night would be a pretty great time to have an outage, but not when you are almost three and terrified of the dark. So much so that when we are driving at night, Jackson tells Dave (he's the driver) to turn the lights on. So Jackson woke up during the outage screaming with the most terrified screech I have ever heard. He went on to tell us "I can't see. I can't see myself." Addison slept through it....well, she woke to eat, but was pretty much unaffected by the outage. Dave and I on the other hand, didn't sleep because after Jackson woke up, we brought him into bed because we could only find one flashlight.

Well, tonight as we are getting the table set for dinner....the power goes off again. Luckily I had Addison in my arms already. I was at the kitchen table and Jackson was in the kitchen. I never realized how dark our house gets when all the light is completely off. I had also already closed the blinds because I hate the thought of people being able to see in. To my surprise, Jackson stayed calm and just said the lights went out. I made my way to him and picked him up, one kid on each hip and we made our way to try and find the flashlight (which I new was in my bedroom on top of the armour). We were still trying to get out of the kitchen and we knocked over the trash can...lovely, but no one was freaking out. I then bumped into a wall...oh well, another bruise for mom...but still no one is freaking out. At this point, I know there is no way I'm going to be able to get the flashlight. So we find the front door and get ready to head over to grandma and grandpa's to borrow a light to find our light when daddy comes home. He leaves the car lights on, finds the flashlight and lights a few candles. He had to head back to the store because the outage put a kink in the store closing, and Jackson and I had fajitas for dinner by candle light.

In other news from our house, Addison has started playing peek a boo. It is the cutest thing ever! She will hold the blanket or towel up over her head and you say "Peek -a - " and then she brings it down while you exclaim "Boo!" It's great fun. She is also becoming a climber. She can climb on our little PBK chair and is starting to try and climb on the toy organizers. Dave brought home a Christmas tree tonight, so it will be interesting to see how the tree fares in our house....will the tree win or with the Jackson and Addison duo. Time will tell!

Many Thanks

We have had a wonderful week of Thanks! It started out last weekend with some friends who came to visit. It's always a joy when we get to spend time with friends. Dave and K were roommates in college, and his wife E took some pictures for us...that was a challenge! But she tells me we got some good ones. Monday I ended up staying home because our nanny was sick. I had all these wonderful plans of what I was going to get done during naptime...do you think they napped? Nope. Tuesday brought us to Jackson's Thanksgiving lunch at school. It was really sweet to see all the kids and their parents. We had a real feast! That afternoon I got a call from Jackson (well, Stefany...aka Nanny...called). He had spiked a temp, and was not feeling well. He got on the phone, and in the most pitiful voice told me he didn't feel well and needed to go to the Dr. If your 2.5 year old is saying that, then it's time to listen. I was able to get him in that afternoon....I should have had him check out Addison also because by the time we got home from the Dr...guess what? She was running a fever. Mind you, both have been fighting colds for the past month, so it's no surprise that it turned into something more. Back to the Dr on Wednesday morning. In the middle of this, S and E came for a visit. We had such a good time and can't wait for April to come....that's when baby Z is expected to arrive. Wednesday night brought my sister and her husband, and the rest of my family arrived Thursday as we were getting the turkeys in the oven. Thanksgiving dinner was preceeded by a boisterous rendition of "Johnny Appleseed" (Jackson's favorite these days...he even knows most of the words). The food was great, and the company better. Friday we hung out, and Saturday everyone went home.



We've been throwing the house back together and getting out the Christmas decorations. It's going to be interesting this year. Addison can't wait to get into everything, and Jackson is more than willing to help make it a little easier for her to do so. In true family tradition, I am now sick and am counting the hours until Monday at 8 when I can call the Dr. All in all it's been a great week. I'm most thankful for Dave, as he puts up with all my everything....good and challenging! I'm also thankful for my children and the many lessons they are teaching me day after day.

First steps

So yesterday afternoon, miss Addison took her first two steps. I'm so glad I was home to see them. She was standing in front of the ottoman and walked right into my arms! I was totally excited, and she was a little mistified why I was so excited. She did it again tonight. Dave was home for this one, but he didn't register what she did until a few minutes after.

Addison slept all night in her room again...well, let's be realistic...she didn't sleep all night. In fact, she woke up every three hours to eat, but in between, she was in her room asleep. Dave took one of the feedings, so I actually slept by myself for four hours! It's the little things...

Operation Take Back the Night

So we finally did it. Addison was in her bed all night last night. Notice I didn't say she slept all night. Oh well, can't expect it all to happen at once. I put her down about 7ish. She woke and ate again at 8:45. She woke at 9:30 and just needed a little help going back to sleep. She woke and ate again about 11:15. She then woke at 1pm, Dave went in and she went back to sleep. Until Dave crawled back into bed, then she woke up again. I went in, rocked her and she whined the entire time. Dave came in and tried. When we got to 2am, I gave in and fed her and she was back to sleep until 4:50. Fed her at 5, she went back to sleep and was up abotu 5:45. She ate again before I went to work. She sure does eat alot....but she isn't showing much interest in real food. We try, we try all the time. It will click. But the bottom line, she was in her room, in her bed all night! Now we just have to get her used to the change. Of course she won't take a pacifier, isn't sucking her thumb any more. We're trying to get her attached to a blankey and a stuffed animal. We'll see. We're tired, but we're surviving! On to day 2.

Slobbering

For those of you who have heard me blow my nose, well...it's loud. It seems that Addison thinks that when you put a kleenex up to her nose, she needs to imitate the sound as well because she has started slobbering with that spitting sound when you try to wipe her nose. She is also talking with her "bababa" and a few "mamama."

Bread and water make lemonade

So Jackson got a piece of bread from the counter today during lunch time. He already had a cup of water "like daddy's," (which means it was in a real cup, not a sippy). Sometime through the course of lunch, he put the piece of bread into the water and started stirring it up. While he was stirring, he told us he was making lemonade. He would drink the "lemonade" and say "hmmm...lemonade is good." He played like this for a good 15 minutes. Jackpot! Who would have thought, bread and water? Well, he then wanted to mix it and pour it from cup to cup. We opted for a bowl instead so that there was less mess (cmon, it's still totally gross!!), and he proceeded to make his lemonade for another 10 minuites before nap time. We're going to do this everyday!!

Addison is almost walking. And yes, almost does count. Today she tried to take a few steps to Dave and then also to me. It won't be long now. We're still trying to get her to sleep in her bed at night. She should be able to go for 6 hours without eating....I'll believe it when I sleep it! At this point, the exhaustion takes over about midnight and that's it for our trying it that night. One day. I know she'll sleep in her own bed by the time she goes to college!!!

We had a great morning. The kids and I surprised Daddy with a white mocha (we had an early morning...Addie decided that 4am was the best time to get up). From there we spent 30 minutes traipsing through Rite Aid (can you tell we live in a small town?). I'll have to admit though, this was the first time in the 6 years that I have actually walked through Rite Aid, and they really have quite a lot of stuff. We went to Mark and Carrie's house where Dave brought us lunch. Jackson ran around outside and helped Mark while Carrie and I caught up. I loaded us all up in the car and drove for 30 minutes, Jackson was so close to falling asleep, but to no avail. I got no nap from him. Addison on the other hand slept in the car and then for 2 hours at home (probably because she was up at 4am).

This afternoon went from peaceful to messy in a split second. I was trying to feed Addison green beans and brown rice when the 2 year old's hand came up to the table and pulled the jar on the floor. Got that mess cleaned up when I realized that there are now green beans on my ceiling, and I can't reach up there. After that, Jackson got ahold of Dave's pliers and scratched up the entry bench that's by the front door. Needless to say, he's been to timeout a few times today.

Addison started "talking" yesterday. She's saying "babababba" and "mamama." Those words are music to my ears. We're going to try her in her room tonight...we're keeping our fingers crossed! She's addicted to the human pacifier at night. Hopefully we can all get a bit more sleep. We'll see!!!!

Halloween and then some.

Saturday was a lazy day around our house. Dave didn't feel good, and Jackson was fighting a cold. It was a good hang out and laundry day. By the afternoon though, Jackson must have decided that he had had enough. He was outside in the backyard (yes, it's safe). Dave was keeping an eye on him and watching Addison play inside. I was on the computer and the phone rings. It was Linda (Dave's mom...his parents live right next door) who was calling to tell me that they had a little blond headed visitor at their house. I said a few choice words and Dave went over to get him. I went outside to figure out which gate he had apparantly gotten out of (he has gotten out once before). Both gates were closed and locked. When Dave and Jackson walked in a minute later, we all went outside and Jackson showed us which gate he went out. So not only did he go out, he closed the gate and locked it after he left. He is keeping us on our toes.

We are working on left and right right now, and the other day we were putting on his right shoe. When I pointed to his left foot and asked him what foot that was he said his "wrong foot." He's said it a couple times since then. It makes sense because he is also learning his opposites...and the opposite of right is wrong.

Addison is so close to walking I think it's driving her crazy. She can see where Jackson is going, and boy how she is trying to get there. She is starting to "talk" up a storm too. And, when you walk in the room, she stares you down until you pay attention to her. It's really quite funny because if it takes you too long, she starts to chat with you until you look at her.

We had a great Halloween. My parents came down (they get it off due to Nevada Day...we all should have a Nevada day) and hung out with us. Jackson was a dinosaur and Addison was a lady bug. They really were very cute. When Addison crawled, her wings flapped, and Jackson had a roar that could scare anyone. Costumes have now become a regular part of our day, esp. Jackson's as dressing up and playing pretend are a favorite of his.