Pumpkin Patch!

We made our annual trip to Berry Patch Farms this past weekend to pick out our pumpkins! I was so excited to see Jackson's reaction when he saw the sea of pumpkins or in Jackson language "pupums". Jackson was most thrilled with the tractor ride and couldn't stop watching the tractor as it brought people to the patch.  We picked out one small pumpkin for Jackson to decorate, and Jackson had his first taste of apple cider! Jackson continues to increase his vocabularly daily and has started to verbalize some opposites such as up/down, push/pull, inside/outside etc. He also just started saying yes instead of just shaking his head yes. Funny how he learned to say No so much earlier!

Jackson kept picking one little pumpkin up and then throwing it down when he found another one.

For some reason Jackson had to sit on every pumpkin!

Daddy and Jackson at the pumpkin patch!

Jackson climbing on the scarecrow.

After many nights of Jackson climbing out of the crib, we converted his crib to a daybed. One step closer to a big boy bed! Jackson loves his bed but also loves his new found freedom. It has been challenging keeping him in his bed, but each night gets a little better.

After much heartache and 4 long months, Jackson's play area is finished! Jackson absolutely loves it!!

Jackson's latest trick...shooting baskets. Check out that follow through!

What Creativity!

 Jackson is really starting to show his creativity and his imagination. He has become a master of getting in and out of his crib, so it is time for a toddler bed! I have two funny stories. The other day I put Jackson down for his nap. I went into my bedroom and was folding laundry. I look over at the video monitor and it was unplugged. I walk over to his room and I can hear him playing with his toys. I go to open the door and he had locked it! Quite the scheme!! I unlocked the door, took his toys out, and put him back to bed. A couple minutes later I see him pulling himself out of his crib. I went into his room and he was hiding behind his chair! Then, I thought he was sleeping when all of a sudden, in walks Jackson with a bowl and a banana. When he woke up from his nap, he had gone downstairs, moved the chair to the counter where the bananas were, got a bowl, and brought them to me to give him his afternoon snack. I had heard noise downstairs but just thought it was the workers in the basement. Needless to say, the gate is now always locked during sleeping hours! The first pictures are of Jackson on his first hike in Pigeon Forge. He loved it!

 He was sitting here and could hear all the birds. He kept saying "What is that?"

 Look at all the fallen leaves!

 Running on the trails!

 After 4 months and much heartache, Jackson's play area is finally done! This was Jackson the morning they were pouring the concrete. He loved watching the big truck! Iwill post a pic next week of him playing on it. He loves it! Thanks daddy!!

 Jackson and his friend Aiden. Too cute!

 Jackson showing some of his imagination. He was feeding Big Bird some oatmeal.

Jackson loves trains! Noni bought him this train. He loved to put the yogurt covered raisins in the train and then eat them. Thanks Noni!

First Day of School!

 Well, we have survived our first week of school! Jackson has done really well. He still cries when I drop him off, but the teachers assure me that it doesn't last very long and they have pictures of him smiling to prove it! We had an open house, so I was able to see what a day for him entails. I was pleased to see that they actually have a little curriculum for learning colors, shapes etc. They even put on a little performance at the end of the year for the parents! Apparently, Jackson's favorite things are of  course the playground, but he also loves art. The teachers said that once they started doing an art project, he started enjoying himself. This first picture is of Jackson's big day.  Of course, he had to show me his big cheesy "cheese" grin!

I attempted to get a shot of him just smiling, but was unsuccessful.

This was too funny! All of a sudden, Jackson ran out of his room saying "I did it!"  What did he do? If you look closely, he put on a swim diaper over his pajamas. He was very proud of himself!






Unfortunatley, we did not make it through our first week of school without catching our first cold, so there aren't that many pics this week. Jackson is feeling much better now, so hopefully next week will bring more photo opportunities!

My little boy.....

 Here we are in the beginning of fall, which makes me realize that in just 2 1/2 months, my baby will be 2! Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday he was sitting on the floor covered in drool and now he is becoming a little boy. He is really trying to exert his independance these days and wants to do everything for himself.  He wants to put the lids on his cups, he wants to get his own water, he wants to open all containers by himself, etc, etc. He also wants to pick which cup he drinks from and utensils he uses.  He has also figured out how to take all of his clothes off, which made for an exciting morning when daddy found him in his crib completely naked.....diaper included. He must have done it in the middle of the night because that morning everything smelled of dried urine....including himself! Crossing our fingers that this was a one time event! We also have some exciting news...after 2 years away, I am going back to work! I will be working Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Kaufmann clinic and I am very excited. It is bittersweet because it makes me sad to leave Jackson, but we got him into a great preschool those mornings which makes me comfortable with my decision. We are in the process of looking for a nanny to watch him in the afternoons until I or Greg get home from work, which is a daunting process! I hope this transition is a smooth one!! This first picture is of Jackson going grocery shopping at the Children's Museum. He loved the conveyor belt.

 Jackson helping Noni put the groceries away.
 







Jackson and Mary doing a little fishing. The last time we were fishing at the museum, Jackson decided to join the fish in the water.  Luckily he stayed dry this trip!






We are in the process of finding Jackson a big boy bed for his new room! Jackson is going to be moving to the old guest bedroom once our basement is finished, which should be in 3 weeks! While shopping, Jackson found this huge bear and dragged it around the store.



 
  I think I need to work on my short game.  Jackson's new golf clubs from Noni and Granddaddy!








Where is a golfcart when you need one?

We went to a tailgating birthday party this weekend for Jackson's friend Sarah. This picture is daddy having to hold Jackson back from attaching the cake!

 I  love icing!

Mary giving Jackson a ride!

Cheese! Jackson loves to get his picture taken!

Jackson and daddy enjoying a little Dairy Queen on the steps.