Two and a half

That's what Jackson will say when you ask him how old he is: two and a half. I'm not even sure where he picked up on that, but it's true, so I don't argue.

My cute 2 1/2 year old Carolina boy

Jackson is a really funny kid. I don't know if it's the age or if it's his personality, but he makes me laugh every day. (I don't always laugh out loud as to encourage his behavior, but I chuckle about it later as I am retelling the story.) I have even been writing them down in a note app on my phone so I don't forget. I am sure writing it here won't capture the humor of the moment, but at least I'll have it here to use against him look back down the line and remember this stage. Here are a few "Jackson-isms".

His favorite food is sloppy joes. It's not uncommon for him to ask to have "sloppy joeys" for dinner.

He also frequently requests to watch an "apple-sode" of his favorite show. Right now that includes Thomas, Sid the Science Kid, and the "Bwackwardigans" (Backyardigans)

In just the past couple of days, Jackson has gotten really good about being polite and asking for things without crying and/or whining. It's wonderful! Though just a few weeks ago, he went through this incredibly awful whiny stage when everything he said ended in "uh". "But Mommy-uh!" "I'm Sorry-uh!" 

When we are in the car, Jackson likes to point out everything he sees. "That's a big truck!", "Lots of tunnels!". Well, one day we drove by downtown and he was pointing out the tall buildings and then all of a sudden he shouted with such enthusiasm, "Look Mommy! A SPACESHIP!" I have no idea what he was talking about, but he was just too excited for me to explain otherwise. 

Also driving related. My mother started a game of putting your hands over your head when you drive under a bridge (Jackson calls them tunnels) and make a big deal about the fact that there are cars/a train driving over your head. Do you know how many bridges and overpasses we go under just on the way to my parents house-- like a million.  

Today in the car, Jackson informed me that he did not have wings. He has arms. Good to know buddy! And he also asked to have some "monster" and ketchup on his hot dog for lunch.  

The most funny things of all are his comments about his little boy parts. He says something about it almost daily. Let's just say he's very aware of it and that he likes to say aloud every observation about it. And I will just have to hope these comments are funny enough to remember because I don't particularly embarrass him completely as this blog will double as his scrapbook of childhood memories.  

And Jackson is all boy when it comes to bodily functions. He always has to announce when he toots and he has to say specifically, "I tooted from my bottom". Ha. 

He recently because the "classic older sibling". It didn't hit when Belle was first born, but now it's hardcore. He has asked for a bottle and even tried baby food. He has shown off his ability to roll over and smile whenever we fuss over Belle doing the same. But it's mainly just whenever family pays attention to Belle that he acts like that. If it's people at the store, park, or casual friends, whenever they come to look at her, Jackson gets all proud and says, "That's my baby. She's my sister! Isn't she cute!?" Precious.  

When I come of the stairs from doing laundry, Jackson stands at the top with his arms open wide and says, "I'll catch you up, Mommy!" 

He calls spider webs, "spiderman" and "spidermans" (or any bug in general) make him upset. "Get away from me Spiderman!" 

And lastly, yesterday I was sitting on the couch when Jackson came over and said, "I love you Mommy. How was your day?" Well, being that it was only 8:30am and it started out with that sweetness, I said I had a great day! Asking about your day is his new thing and he wants you to ask him the same thing in return and he'll say something like, "it was nice." 

Being two, he of course has his break downs and tantrums. Oh, and the never ending "Why?" and "What's that?" questions. But, he is so super fun, and cute and I'm really enjoying him. And because it's just so exciting, I just have to mention how wonderful it is that he is potty trained and no more diapers!!!

They will poke me?

I told Jackson that we were going to take him to the doctor today. And his reply, "they will poke me??" This is what he remembers from his last appointment.

A total of 12 pokes. The nurse was a poking wizard-- she double fisted it and did 10 all at once. Jackson hardly budged and just said, "ouch!"

After a year and a half of the doctors telling me that kids cannot have seasonal allergies before they are 3 years old, I finally convinced them to have Jackson tested. Using the doctors words, Jackson has the severity of allergies he would normally expect from an 8-year-old, not a two-year-old. It took a lot of composure to not shout, "I told you so!!!" I know my kid, k? So, now we at least have a way to prevent his allergies instead of always just treating them after he has all of the symptoms.

We left that day with about a million (or five) prescriptions to help manage it- pills, eye drops, nose spray, refill inhalers... and also to consider having him do allergy shots. Ugh. It's a five year treatment program of receiving allergy shots with a serum made uniquely for his allergies. He will start having shots every week and then every six months, he will go a week further between shots (every two weeks, every three weeks) until he gets to every 6 weeks. He will then finish up the remaining of the 5 years going every 6 weeks. And at the end, he will be allergy free, or at least significantly minimized.

Do I want to take him in to get multiple shots weekly? Not at all. Do I want an extra thing to keep track of? Nope. But, how amazing will it be that he will never know the miserable symptoms of severe allergies. Derek has done the shots and got amazing results within just a few months, so we know it works... and his allergies are awful. So, we're going to do the shots.

And so, I couldn't lie to Jackson. I had to say, "yes, they will poke you." He seems cool about it all. Hopefully he takes it like a champ. Plus, he gets a sucker and a sticker every time we go.

Takin' care of business...

This is the real reason that SUVs have room in the back, right?

(For the record, I used to scoff at the idea of toting a little potty around. Heck, I was even convinced I was going to potty train without having to use a little potty. They gross me out. BUT, as long as that potty is around, he won't have any accidents. We officially started with the potty middle of last week and he's only had one accident since then [easiest kid to potty train EVER] and it's been when the potty wasn't around. So it's worth toting, even if it is disgusting. But, I'm only going to do it through the next week.... But can I get a WOO HOO for no more diapers!???)

Red, White, and Blue Cuteness

My little cuties are dressed to celebrate the 4th of July!

I loooooove celebrating the 4th of July. It's my second favorite holiday (Christmas is number one). We celebrated this year on two different weekends. FUN! The weekend before the 4th, we went to my uncle's house and enjoy the all of the festivities his town puts together.

Grammy and Belle 

(also pictured: Uncle Joel's belly) 

When we walked over to the festival, we went to check out the firetruck and then the Chief asked if he'd like to sit in it and drive! 

Then, Jackson and Laura climbed on numerous inflatables.

 (does Laura look dramatic or what?!)

This ride inspired this tweet: 

Just rode the never ending spinning teacup ride at a carnival. I think I will go vomit now. Oh well, Jackson had fun. #motherhood

Me and the little guy after I'd had a chance to recuperate from the previous ride.

Belle's first "roller coaster" ride with Grammy, Aunt Laura, and Jackson.

Waiting for fireworks with Aunt Ashley

... and with Papa

Belle watched the fireworks with Uncle Joel

Jackson didn't really care for the fireworks (despite loving them at other times). He eventually crawled behind Derek and watched them over Daddy's shoulders.

Life father, like son

Then on the actual 4th of July, we went up to my parents house because my aunt and uncle, along with my grandma were in town! Dad grilled steak and it was deeeee-licoius. 

Belle and Grandma

Me, my sisters, and my cousin Katelyn

Belle and Grandpa Forrest

 (This pic may be a little off centered, but Jackson took it... Not bad!)

Aunt Sharon, Grandma, and Belle. CUTE!

More Belle cuteness

Me, Dad, and Laura- love this pic!

(I don't understand how people could ever think we look alike...)

We went to hang out with some friends after dinner with my parents. Jackson and his buddy James had a ton of fun throwing the little snap firecracker thingies! And I would only let them have one at at time so they were occupied for quite awhile!

It was wonderful to get to celebrate with so many of our family members and friends!

We are so fortunate to live in a free country and in the midst of our super fun celebrations, we of course remembered and were thankful for those serving and who've served in the past to keep this great country safe and free.

Buzzed

Yup, that's right. Jackson got a buzz cut.

I'm not gonna lie.... I'm really not a big fan (like, not at all). But it is just sooooo hot. And this kid sweats like crazy-- all from his head, which in turn makes him scratch and bother his head all of the time. It seems majorly uncomfortable and sometimes he scratches so much he breaks open the skin... and then he really IS uncomfortable.

As Derek has reminded me over and over again... it's just hair, it will grow back. And when it does, it won't be so stinkin' hot and I won't be getting his hair cut like this ever again (or until next summer when Derek makes me).