Thursday, June 21, 2007

Sixteen Months

Dear Jackson,
A few days ago you turned 16 months old. We are getting really close to 18 months, which sounds like a big deal. Mommy and Daddy just spent a few days in Mexico while you stayed with Biggies and Pappaw. When you and Biggies picked us up from the airport, you were fast asleep. Because your mommy is very impatient and was eager to see your beautiful blue eyes, she woke you up. That was so mean of mommy. You did not understand what was going on. You were in a haze for a few minutes. Once you realized that Mommy and Daddy were indeed in the car with you, you started squirming and whining. I think you wanted out of that car seat and into our arms! When I finally got to unbuckle you, you practically jumped out of the seat. You couldn't wait to show us how much you had grown, how fast you had gotten, and how many new toys you had collected. Truly, you looked a month older than you did when we left.

Over the last few days we have gotten back into our routine. I've had so much fun with you. You are the funniest little boy. Right now you're trying to figure out how to jump. You plant your feet side by side, squat a little, and lift up as hard as you can. A couple of times I've seen you get some air underneath you. You also have a new repertoire of dance moves. You dip side to side or move your arms like you're swimming. Your daddy taught you to shake your head no, which he got in some trouble for. For now it's cute. Just don't take it too far. You've always loved to play hide and seek and that hasn't changed. Although now you will randomly stop whatever you're doing and hide from me. You know that when you get very still and quiet, it doesn't take me long to wonder what's going on and look for you beside the couch. You also still love to play with balls. Yesterday you were throwing them so high and far that I thought about that little boy on Jerry McGuire. Once Daddy got home you had stopped, which is probably best. We wouldn't want him to get too excited.

You think walking is overrated. You can't pick up your knees to run yet, but you manage to glide or trot at a very high speed. Mommy just took you to get some new tennis shoes and when you walked around in them for the first time, you seemed to know they were for going fast! Which brings me to your feet. Bless your heart, son. You have very big feet. It is the Moore curse. Pappaw will tell you one day that at least you will be good at barefoot skiing or walking through a swamp. They're like boats. All I can say is that at least you're a boy with big feet and not a girl.

This week I took you for your third haircut. Your silly mom took you to a random salon in the mall and allowed someone to cut your hair who had never cut a toddler's hair before. I should have left immediately. No amount of soft pretzel sticks or sharing my Dr. Pepper kept you still. He did not know what he was doing and you were not in a mood to train him. When we left, you had a really rad 80s-style duck tail in the back. Actually, it was only on the right side. No child of mine is having a duck tail, full of half, so I took you to get another haircut that same evening. Needless to say, your hair is now very, very short. The baby look is gone from your hair. Your dad was horrified, but only because you now look blond like me instead of even the slighest bit brunette like him. What kept us both from crying about your big boy hair is the fact that it is now short enough to spike. Daddy fixed your hair with some mousse and the hair dryer and you looked awesome. Awesome is a word from the 80s that Mom still says a lot. Anyway, Ella and Ava, prepare yourselves!

Last weekend was Daddy's second Father's Day. You had made him a special card at Mother's Day Out and Mommy saved it for you to give to him. It was made to look like a white collared shirt with a tie. It was very cute and he loved it. Your Daddy is the light of your life. When he hears you waking up from a nap, he grabs his guitar and goes into your room playing you a silly song. In the evenings when you're tired but it's too early for bedtime, you lay back on his chest and watch television with him. When he puts you to bed and makes a burrito out of you and some blankets, you kick and squeal like it's your favorite thing in the world. Your daddy is very active with you and loves you so much. He is so proud of his little boy. You make him laugh really hard every single day.

Speaking of laughter, recently we were all in the car together and you were fast asleep. Daddy and I were cracking up about something and I noticed that every time we laughed, you smiled in your sleep and cooed. It made me so happy. Even when we're a couple of hours apart, or even when you're asleep, you're a part of everything we do and everything we are. We are a family. We belong together. We belong to each other. In fact, it was two years ago today that we found out you were coming into our lives. We could not have imagined the joy you would bring us. We love you very much, Jackson.

Love,
Mommy

Grandmas, take a deep breath before proceeding to the pictures.

Mommy and I heart beefaroni.


However, I also heart eating shoes. That doesn't say much about the beefaroni.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a treasure these memories will be for Jackson one day and for you! These precious years fly by all to soon. It is so wonderful that you are taking time to appreciate the preciousness of it. God bless you and your beautiful family.

bethany said...

I love the letters you write to Jakson-what a great memory for him later on in life!!

boomama said...

That last paragraph? It just about did me in. That's exactly how I felt today when the little man came home. He was hugging his daddy and then reached out for me - and the three of us stood in a big group hug for about thirty seconds. And the world was just as it should be.

connorcolesmom said...

Oh my now I need some tissues. You had me cracking up in the overshare blog and now I am tearing up!!
Oh and I do not think you have to be a grandma to love that beefaroni shoe eating face!!!
Precious!!
Kim

THE SMITHS said...

Oh I just want to cry... I'm going to have to write notes like this for my future little ones!

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

Precious story about Jackson smiling and laughing in his sleep. And Ava can't wait to see his big boy hair...she and Ella may have to cat fight over who gets to sit by him.

Patty said...

I love that you write letters to Jackson. He will treasure these letters forever! He is soooo cute! The picture of Jackson eating beefaroni reminded me of my son eating his 1st plate of spaghetti. He had it everywhere. The funny thing is, at 18 years old, he still gets food all over his shirt when he eats. I guess he wouldn't like me sharing that but I think it's cute.

The Sotos said...

Love the haircut...it does look so blonde. And I love the new balance shoes. Cool haircut and nice kicks! Your son is "in-style"!

kim s.

MamaCass said...

I absolutely love that last paragraph about being a family and belonging together. It is wonderful! I am sure is haircut is adorable. Besides their hair grows so fast.

Lindsee Lou said...

These letters will be so precious to him one day! Such fun memories. I can't wait to write letters to my little ones some day!

Lindsee

Janelle and Ella said...

Oh my gosh...his hair is so short now. It looks adorable! I love your monthly letters to Jackson!

Big Mama said...

Oh, I love this sweet letter.

Life is just sweeter with these precious babies.

And beefaroni? Is almost as good as chicken fried steak from Grandy's.

Murrell Family said...

That is such a sweet letter! I can't believe he is already 16 months old and doing so many new things every time I see him.

Steph V said...

PRECIOUS!!! I loved this letter! Oh, and the haircut story is great! We too have made the mistake of going to a fancy salon in the mall, paying too much for a haircut, and then cutting myself when I got home. There's something to be said for a person who can cut the hair of toddlers!

Oh...and cute running shoes! I'm guessing they are New Balance! JD had the same ones (I think) and we loved them! I didn't want him to grow out of them!

Profbaugh said...

Oh my goodness!! What a precious blog. You almost had me crying. . and that's a hard thing to do. I echo what others have said here. Jackson is going to treasure these words when he's older. So, keep it up "Mom." Your baby's growing up bit by bit every day. . . don't lose one minute of time.

~Cheryl

jennyhope said...

Seriously, I have really been sick since I got married (for real...ha ha). That was mainly do to 2 pregnancies (who in the world named it morning sickness mine was all day...thanks Eve!) You guys have been hid hard with the GI stuff...that is the worse thing!

On another note. I just finished taking down Morgans baby bed. I cried and Rod was telling Morgan he doesn't know why her mommy was crying over that. She is a wild monkey and now she thinks that It is for freedom to play with her toys that her mom and dad set her free tonight from the bars [Gal 5:1 Morgan version]). Since Morgan will be 2 on Sunday I wrote her a 10 page letter about all she has been doing...glad I am not the only one!

debra parker said...

the sweetest of words...

Deidre said...

So sweet, Amanda! That child has the most gorgeous eyes!

jen said...

I think this may be one of the sweetest letters I've ever read. Thank you for sharing. I love the photos. We too had a disaster haircut once, :( not fun. So I watched a few home videos and am now a pro at cutting my boys hair! So much so that my husband now asks me to cut his! Saves us quit a bit of money, but we did go through some doozies before mommy finally got it right. :)

Lauren said...

How sweet! I love it! I will have to remember to write letters to my little one someday, too.

Anonymous said...

Yep, I'm a little weepy. (I would be a lot weepy, but the Wog is driving me nuts today!)

I cannot believe he's already on his 3rd haircut! Folks keep asking me when I'm going to have the Wog's first haircut... but I just can't yet!

You write such sweet stuff to Jackson. One day he's going to get the biggest kick out of reading it!

Lori, Landon and Logan said...

WOW 16 months and still growing! Jackson is such a cutie. I just got on here for the first time and really like your blogs.
Blessings,
Lori