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.