Thursday, January 24, 2008

23 Months

Jackson, here are 23 reasons why you're such a big boy.

1) You wear size 8 or 9 shoes. What on earth!
2) Last weekend you picked your very heavy Radio Flyer rocketship completely off the ground. The next day you picked up your dad's guitar, parallel to the ground, and handed it to me.
3) You hop and jump so well.
4) You climb up on our bed, scale the enormous pillows, and reach the light switch at warp speed.
5) You will finally tolerate the apple skin instead of collecting it all in your mouth and spitting it out.
6) You can say "Thank you" and a not-so-clear version of "Jackson." (J's are not quite there yet. You did try to say "Jesus" when Ella was singing about him last weekend.) You also say "My daddy. My Bibby. My Pappaw."
7) You love to go to school.
8) When Daddy gets home from work, you immediately have to do or show him something manly.
9) You cooperate very well when I give you a bath.
10) You like to "swim" in the bathtub. You started laying all the way back with most of your head under the water and only your face sticking out. You kick your legs like you're doing a backstroke.
11) This morning I saw you go around the room to gather the blocks you had scattered everywhere. In order to pick up more blocks, you put the first one under your arm and held it there.
12) You tell me when there's stuff in your diaper. (Good one, Mom!)
13) You'll be watching TV quietly and you'll suddenly bust out laughing at something you thought was funny. It cracks me up.
14) You talk back now on the telephone.
15) You don't fight me anymore when I brush your teeth. You are getting used to toothpaste.
16) You have some radical breakdancing moves.
17) You talk about your friends when they're not around and you miss them.
18) When Mommy tells you not to throw something, you hold your hand up in the air and just let it drop out of your hand. Because that's dropping, not throwing.
19) You have so many teeth, I've lost count.
20) Sometimes you count things unprompted. "Two, twee, fi, siss, eigh."
21) You're learning your colors. You love blue and purple.
22) We have so much fun when I draw animals on your Magnadoodle and you tell me what they are. Even when they all look pretty much the same.
23) You will be two years old in three weeks!

UPDATE:
24) I just went in your room because you were supposed to be falling asleep, but I could hear you saying, "Poo poo. Poo poo." When I found you, you were sitting there on your bare behind, diaper in hand. Praise be to God, the Glorious Father, because there was no poo. I've been dreading the day this would happen and now it has arrived. Thankfully it was a dry run.

56 comments:

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

You really love your boy, don't you??? No way we can love the footed pajama tods perfectly but what I LOVE about what we hear of you is Joshua 22:5 - you are so "careful" to love your beautiful God, to walk in His ways with your husband and boy, and to HOLD FAST to HIM. You will rout 1,000 for your boy because the Lord fights for you and you are so "careful" to love Him Josh 23:11. Such a joy to hear your hold on HIM.

Prairie Rose said...

As an early interventionist, I have to laugh as this list almost sounds like a checklist we'd use for a child's evaluation! :o) Of course, Jackson passes with flying colors! :o)

Debra Kenney said...

As a one mother to another I love reading your blog. I could relate to #18 and it made me laugh. Thank you for sharing precious moments of your life and family with others.

Toknowhim said...

I love number 20 :) My 6 year old still can wear a size nine shoe, and my four year old an 8 1/2 :) You are doing such a good job documenting the life of your firstborn, and I am sure you will do the same for the children to come :)

Mia said...

He is so cute! I am glad to know about the Memorial mall playground...i will have to take the girls there! I wanted to tell you that I replied to your email you sent a long time ago and never heard from you about your sweet friend's sister. Did your email change. I just was offering to babysit or take them food or anything. Let me know when you get a chance and you can leave your email on my blog if you want. Sweet post.. mitzi

Anonymous said...

My favorite post on the boy ever! Bring that almost 2 year old back to Bibby this minute!

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

Phew! Close one on the poo poo!

Does Curtis know about the guitar-picking-up? Xavier's eyes would cross!

Wencked said...

Our little men are about the same age. Mine will be 2 this Sunday. #5 made me grin. My little man is just getting past this phase too.

Mom22Boyz said...

I wish I had written (blogged) when my sons were younger. You actually forget all the sweet, sweet things they learn! Thanks for taking me back!

Kristin said...

Hi Amanda. I haven't had a chance to comment since reading your "Can of Worms" post, but your sweet words made me feel so welcome here. Thank you for sharing your life with us and inviting us to sit and "chat" with you. I have only commented one other time as I was afraid it was an invasion of your space to do so on your personal blog, but I couldn't stop reading. You make me laugh and Jackson is just too sweet!
I loved this post and how each month you have a new list for him... that is going to be such a cool thing for him to look back on! I can relate to #24 as my twins did this more than once. Only it wasn't dry and they would paint it all over their floor and each other. So gross! Have a fabulous weekend with your fam! ~ Kristin

MamaCass said...

Jackson is so BIG! Tobey is not allowed to sleep in just a diaper b/c the last time he did I found him bare butt and several poop balls scattered in his crib. Gross.

Unknown said...

I usually don't leave many comments but felt the need to share with you how I literally laughed out loud when I read your #24. You see, I had MANY not-so-dry-runs with my adorable, sweet little GIRL...she would get into her diaper at naptime and play with the contents. It was disturbing. I am so glad she grew out of that stage and is a lovely little girl about to turn six!

Shelley said...

It's crazy that he's almost 2! I started reading your blog when he was around 16 months, now MY baby is 16 months! I'm very happy for you that "it" was a dry run! I remember when my first daughter did that, hers was dry too, Thank God! I immeadiately started dressing her in onesies that snapped underneath, for nap and bed times! I wasn't so lucky with baby #2, hers wasn't so dry :(

McClure Family said...

aren't boys fun!!!!! you are such a great mom!

Anonymous said...

Wow Amanda, is there another Mitzi on this board? I'll call myself Mitzi1 so you know it's me, Grandmamitz, the orginal Mitzi :).

Anonymous said...

Okay, my heart was all soft and sweet 'til I got to the PS part.

And then? Then I was like "Oh merciful Father in heaven thank you that I don't have a child!"

I just wouldn't know what to do with them. I just wouldn't know.

Lysa TerKeurst said...

Oh my stars~ the poo! My oldest daughter did this more times than I care to remember.

I survived--- barely.

I'm convinced it is the reason I am getting grey hair in my 30's!

Fran said...

I remember when that sweet baby was born! I was at the Birmingham conference and I promise you I cried when your momma told us and showed us the pictures!!

Amanda, you continue after God with a holy passion bc there is a fire burning in you that overflows into everything you do!

I pray that Jackson is a man after God's heart(even now) and Jackson continue to surprise you daily with all the learning and growing he's doing. God is already doing magnificent work in that little boy! Happy 23 months Jackson!

Much love friend~
Fran

Jackie said...

wow- he's reached the diaper removing stage! Sara went through it, but quickly grew out of it and then recently has began again- HUH, I didn't think regression was supposed to happen!
What a sweet boy- and 2, wow- that went by quick-mine'll be 3 in March- good grief! Have fun with that boy- they grow so fast!

Anonymous said...

So sweet! My little man has to grab something to show his daddy when he gets home from work, too! But it's not always so manly. Today it was a soup ladle.

Kevin and Christie said...

How cute! I can't believe he is going to be 2...it goes by so fast! Thanks for letting us share in the joys of your little boy growing up!

jen said...

"5) You will finally tolerate the apple skin instead of collecting it all in your mouth and spitting it out."

Oh my goodness girl, Daniel used to do that and it would drive me NUTS! Only he would get inventive and HIDE the apple peel that he spit out. All I can say is EW when we found a pile of apple peel under the pillow in his room. I'm still not quite sure how that happened....

Anonymous said...

oh to watch him #13...soon he'll be doing 13 and 14 simultaneously like most of us big people can...most!

Kelli said...

OH Amanda! I hope that the "poo poo" incident continues to be a dry run. That happened once when I was in HS babysitting and it was EVERYWHERE. I didn't know what to do and called my mom to come and clean it up! LOL!

Now as a 7 month pregnant woman - she loves to remind me about that and says this time YOU are the mama and you'll have to clean it up all on your own! :)

Christi said...

What a big boy Jackson is!!! I can't believe it is almost 2 years. I am not looking forward to the day Lucas decides to take his diaper off with poo in it! Praise the Lord for dry runs!

Kristen said...

What a precious little guy! I love your list, it brought tears to my eyes because they grow up so fast. What a blessing to have these things written down!

Anonymous said...

Then he's grown, Jackson is going to love reading these things about his childhood. Keep it up!
My son is a few months older, and I think this age is the most fun so far!

LauraG said...

LOVE these lists about Jackson. :)

Dionna said...

Oh I wish that there had been blogs when my girls were babes! To record so much more than I did in their journals! Embrace the invention, Amanda. :)
Maybe Jackson will be really easy to potty train since he's so sensitive to stuff in his diaper! We can hope - right?

Sunshine said...

Ok #24 is NEVER easy to get used to - I am on baby # 3 and dread when she learns to do that :)

Stephanie Kay said...

What a fun list! A boy that tells you when he has a dirty diaper. That is truly a blessing!

Patty said...

What a sweet list! I can't believe Jackson is 23 months old! It just seems like yesterday that I was on the LPM website and saw the first picture you posted.
I could totally picture Jackson dropping the block. LOL!! The dry run, God loves you! LOL!!! I think the hardest thing I faced was potty training my firstborn. When my second son got to that point it was so easy.
Have a great weekend!

Linda said...

You are such a great mom Amanda. Jackson is so blessed to have you for a mommy. I have 2 boys and I adore them so much.

~ Laurie said...

um...is it time to find a little potty seat for the poo?

All of those things are SO cute!

Anonymous said...

I am delurking to give you advice about the diaper removal-Duct Tape!! Wrap it around his diaper at bed time and it will stay put!
Have a fabulous day!

Anonymous said...

Amanda, I dearly *love* your ideas of marking milestones with your Little Man in this manner! What a treasure for him...and you! :)

AbbyLane said...

#18=classic.

that's like the boy i nanny when he tries to eat out of the dog food dish. just before he puts it in his mouth he catches your eye...and then holds his hand out and starts calling for the dog like he was going to feed him the whole time. :)

Anonymous said...

#18 and #20 are my faves too. Can you believe he's almost TWO? That is such a grown-up age. My daughter turned 2 earlier this month and magically turned into a CHILD.

I have to smile at toknowhim saying you'll "do the same for the children to come." People told me I wouldn't be able to keep it up with #2. Determined to prove them wrong, I did a pretty good job. Then #3 came along and fzzzzzz. I get it now.

Happy b-day Jackson!

Barr Family said...

Amanda: Your post was so sweet today. What a treasure Jackson is going to have when he gets older and can read all of these wonderful love notes written just for him. He is at such a fun age. My oldest daughter is just a few weeks shy of 3 and I can't even believe it. Time sure is flying by isn't it?

Allison said...

Love it! My 20-month-old does the same exact dropping-not-throwing thing. How can they be so technical at that age?

Unknown said...

He's gonna be two in no time. It's a bitter sweet event...mine are 15 and 12 year old girls!! The 15 yo is driving me around now. (Oh my stars...) The 15 yo had a poo poo diaper situation one time only. She decided she truly didn't like it. Hopefully you'll have the same type of situation.

Mel @ Studio MCA Designs said...

Sweet list! I have to comment on 24, of course. My little boy decided at about 18 months to start standing up in the middle his bath to watch himself pee into the water. After a few times, I realized that if he could control things enough to make this happen, he could direct it into a potty. So I went out and bought a potty chair. He prefered to stand on a stool and hold onto the back of the toilet so he could go like Daddy, though. Training him was a breeze. I hear that boys typically do well before age two or after they turn 3. During age 2 is more difficult. I don't really know if this is true or not, but thought it might be worth sharing. Jackson seems to be showing lots of signs of "readiness". :-)

Anonymous said...

You are doing such a great job of journaling Jackson's life! It gives me inspiration for my kid's journals. Yes, be thankful for your dry run! I've had a proud daughter bringing in her poo diaper like a gift. Praise be to God that it was contained! Yes, that's a moment you never forget! The good news is not all of my children have done this, maybe your dry run will be it.

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness can I relate to #24! I have 3 boys (3, 2, 6mo.) and the older two are "partners in crime". They had a phase this summer where they were taking each other's diaper off. (Thankfully the older one is potty trained now & we are out of that phase.) Anyway, one day I found them, with their diapers off, and rolling theirs cars and trucks through the poo--which was also all over the carpet! We actually had to resort to duck taping the diaper closed at one point! Good luck!

Anonymous said...

i can't believe he is 23 months! we were at the Birmingham conference with your mom when she announced that he had been born!

To God be the Glory!

Rita Loca said...

What a lovely tribute to your son!

Erin said...

18 cracked me up, I don't think boys EVER grow out of that...Hunter still does it, but his five year old version is, "Mom, you said not to RUN, I was jogging"...I kid you not!

Jenny said...

Hey Amanda!

I was at Willowbrook mall Saturday(praise the Almighty) and I got to meet your mom and sister! Your mom said I had just missed you... so sad! I felt kinda silly saying "by the way, I'm Jen the newlywed!" Wish I could've met you! :)

Have a wonderful day!

Taylor said...

what a cute post. And seriously, although I have four younger brothers, I did not realize that, when I am a mother, that I have "update #24" to look forward to. Thank you--for the warning.

Taylor said...

Amanda, would you mind giving me a little 'blog-assistance?' How do I change my "Profile Picture." I have looked what I know to be 'everywhere!' I just put that one up as test-run...it is from youth camp, no make-up, etc. and needs to be changed! Thank you.

-Taylor

Anonymous said...

That's so funny...I had to laugh when you wrote "5) You will finally tolerate the apple skin instead of collecting it all in your mouth and spitting it out." Chase used to hold the piece of apple in his hand and eat it like corn on the cob - leaving just the skin in the bowl. It was so funny (and time consuming)! :)

Anonymous said...

Love the EMPTY poo poo diaper story. All of us moms of little ones are nodding in agreement for the praise due those moments of spared disgust!

Janelle and Ella said...

I'm so glad Ella could teach Jackson "Jesus" and not just "my" and "mine". :-)
I LOVE this list. I love that they talk about their friends when they are not around them.
Jackson is the sweetest!!!

Amy T said...

I can't believe how much he has grown up since I started reading your blog! He is such a joy to watch grow(through the blog). Oh, and about those feet? My 8 (almost 9!) year old has bigger feet than me. He wears a 7 in men's and I wear an 8. And he comes to my chin! They grow up so fast, don't they?

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog and had to comment on #24, of course. My son turned 2 in August, and while I've done many things to insure that his diaper stays on his body, he still manages to squeeze one hand down the back of his diaper and bring out a "surprise". I'm not sure how many naps have been spenting "painting" a picture on the wall (and the door, and the carpet, and all the dirty clothes in his hamper...). It's loads of fun to clean up! I hope Jackson sticks to the dry run.

Katie said...

Good Heavens, boy! Your foot is the size of my five year old's!

Love your wish list, Amanda. Amen!