There’s no doubt that Jameson is becoming a typical exploring, mischief-making boy.
He loves sticks…
(a newly discovered activity which we try to limit with supervision and gentle-ness)
He loves rocks…
…and diving headfirst down slides.
Bubbles
Jameson’s most recent word is “bubble”, said last Wednesday as “buh buh” and shortly shortened to “buh”. I have the feeling it won’t be long before he’s imitating all kinds of words. He said “bah” last night for “ball”; he’s just not consistent yet.
He and neighbor Lily were playing together outside, as happens now most nice evenings, and Kelly broke out the bubbles!
Even after tasting it a few times (eww), he continued to try and put the stick in his mouth. Crazy kid.
Lily likes to help him, pushing him up stairs and telling him “No Gi Gi” (like saying the letter “G”) when he is doing something he isn’t suppose to, which is often–you know, like eating the bubble sticks. “Yuck” she says.
His very first nick name, contrary to my many fears of “Jamie” (I really hate that for a guy, I just do), is Gi Gi. Too funny!
Our Wild Outdoors
Aside from our wild zoo adventures on Sunday, we spent much of our weekend outside. It rained on Saturday, but not until late morning, so whenever we could, we stole a moment outdoors.
Friday evening, I introduced Jameson to chalk. He did try to eat it a couple times, but quickly seemed to figure out that it makes color. I would tell him to draw and he’d mark up the driveway in little spurts. Then he’d walk around with the chalk in his hand and steadily got better at adding pressure to make darker marks.
He seemed more fascinated though with the bucket and wanted to slide chalk out and back into the bucket. Saturday, he dumped the bucket out on the garage floor but luckily it didn’t make too much of a mess. Draw outside only, I frequently told him.
Friday evening we went on a walk, and I may not have mentioned here before but one of Jameson’s best friends at daycare, born just a week apart from him, lives in our neighborhood. We see them more frequently now that the weather is nice in the evenings. They have an older girl and their son Jameson’s age. We saw them on Friday night and stopped for a little while to play.
Jameson loved exploring and playing with new toys, but he didn’t seem to recognize Nathan until it was nearly time to go, and then he pointed and stared for a second and tried to grab his hand. It was too cute!
On Sunday, Brian got a great idea. We have a family/bench style swing which Jameson loved last year and was great for his cranky evenings. This year, we have a baby/toddler swing that we’ve borrowed long term from a friend. However, with no swing set or low hanging branches, we weren’t sure what to do with it. But Brian realized the family swing frame would be perfect for hanging his baby swing.
It’s a little lopsided on occasion since we haven’t nailed getting it level, but Jameson loved his first swing experience!
We also brought out the slide that we’ve owned since our days working for a toy company. Yes, we have been saving toys long before children were ever in the picture. And when I say we, I mean Brian (cue some awwwwws). Jameson is familiar with slides from daycare, so it didn’t take him long to climb up it. He had trouble getting his legs out from under him so he required a little help, but he is a champion slider.
Meanwhile, Brian started chopping down some brush we have in our backyard and the neighbors popped over to play too. They brought over some of their toys too, and Jameson and Lily were good sports for a moment while I snapped this photo of them crammed together in Lily’s car.
All that play required a snack! And Jameson discovered how to feed Sasha. He’s done it without much thought before, throwing food from his high chair, but he started grabbing handfuls and giving them right to her. He thought it was hilarious (as did we, despite ourselves)
We spent all of Sunday outside, and I think I may have gotten a little tan. In April! I have probably gotten more sun already this year than I did for months last year. Jameson is so good for me.
Jameson Visits the Zoo
We had a wonderful weekend! Saturday, we relaxed most of the day away. Jameson took a nearly 3-1/2 hour nap, ran errands with dad to Home Depot (they were gone for a lovely hour), and was in such a great mood all day. It was so relaxing and, dare I say it? Easy.
Sunday it was nice out, so we decided to go to the zoo. There was a small chance of rain in the morning, but we opted to go early anyway to try and by pass the crowds that were sure to come. It definitely worked, and many of the animals were out and active!
We saw the elephants first, and then we heard calls out to our right. I didn’t know what animal was making the noise, but as it turns out it was the lion. I don’t think it was a full out ROAR but it was the first time I think that I’ve heard the lions calling out.
We headed up toward the Australian exhibits, and a small kangaroo was right up near us.
Can you see the joey poking out of her belly? The zookeeper standing by pointed it out. His or her little arm or leg is sticking out. I couldn’t believe how close she was to us! We took Jameson out of his stroller so he could get a better look at all the animals near by.
He loved watching the birds and the train going by.
We didn’t stray too much into the Australian exhibit, and turned around to go see the giraffes. The giraffes weren’t out but we saw them inside. Jameson didn’t want to stand forward for this picture, but at least I got him next to the measurement.
The great part about having a pass is not feeling obligated to see the entire zoo in one visit. We picked and chose the best exhibits with big animals that Jameson would appreciate. After seeing a few more birds, reindeer and camels, we came around to the best exhibit of the day!
The bears were out and they were actually playing! I don’t believe I’ve ever seen them moving like this before, so I had to take video evidence as well.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L77yPNnBJ0Q]
Jameson loved it. Brian would say “Can you say bear?” and Jameson would say “Beh”.
Next door, the polar bear was out. He was calmly surveying the scene.
So calm was he that we decided he’d be a perfect backdrop for a few photos.
This one cracks me up, it looks like Jameson is a little concerned about the polar bear behind him.
Our last stop at the zoo was the monkeys, and we plopped Jameson next to one statuesque monkey on a bench. Jameson wasn’t so impressed.
Before we headed over the rainforest just outside the main zoo, we stopped for some lunch. Jameson had his very first happy meal, and insisted on eating his chicken nuggets whole rather than cut up. He loved the apples, but wasn’t too fond of the fries.
The rainforest wasn’t too crowded, so we let Jameson walk around a bit. He held Brian’s hand really well and walked from exhibit to exhibit.
I hadn’t realized before, but most of the glass is set low, low enough for Jameson to see.
We really tired him out that morning, but he only really napped for 45 minutes in the car on the way home. He was up and at ’em again after that, ready to play outside for the rest of the day!
Easter Holiday, part 1
Saturday my family came up to visit. Jameson’s grandma and grandpa and Aunt Holly were very excited to see him! It was nice outside, so we spent some time outdoors.
It was nice to see my family again. Jameson is a better walker now than he was a month ago when we last saw them. In fact, his daycare daily review sheet said just yesterday:
“Jameson’s favorite activity today was running back and forth in the classroom while screaming.”
As usual, we helped Jameson pick some “flowers”. He wanted to put them back for a little bit though. I can almost see his little mind working the puzzle. But they came from here…
Jameson is really showing expression in the wagon now, I think he’s gotten used to it. He just loves it. Brian, Aunt Holly and Grandpa all pulled him along the wagon.
Aunt Holly loves Sasha (and Sasha loves anyone who will give her pets)
Jameson was very excited to get gifts again (he is the first and only grandchild on both sides of the family)! Little did he know that Sunday would bring more as well.
Grandma selected a dog bag, which was cute, but Aunt Holly’s packaging took the cake. It was sparkly.
We’re book lovers at heart on my side of the family. I’m pretty sure Jameson knew this was a book too because he sat on Grandma’s lap with it still wrapped up.
Jameson has been very into books lately. He’ll go and get them out of his book basket downstairs and bring them to us to read to him. If we’re on the floor, he’ll feel free to climb into anyone’s lap for a story. Just this week, we read a book about puppies which he loves and I love because it doesn’t have flaps to rip off, it slides (our friends had this same book), and he signed “eat” and “sleep” while we read what puppies love to do. It was so fun to see him understand.
For dinner, we had burgers and pasta salad with squash. A true summer style meal, even though it was cool outside. Jameson ate some pasta salad, but showed little interest in much else.
He’s definitely been having eating issues recently that we are working through. We try to offer him a mix of pasta, meat and vegetables for dinner since he gets a lot of fruit at daycare. But often have been following it up with a baby food pouch which he thinks are fun or some cheese.
The day went so quickly and overnight, the Easter bunny arrived!
Spring Jacket Weather
I love Jameson’s new jacket! It’s the perfect early spring jacket, flannel and warm. He looks like a little man in it. While I’m disappointed our 80 degree weather is gone, the jacket almost makes up for it.
Finally got some photos of Jameson happy in the wagon. Usually he is very solemn while we pull him around, but he was in an exceptionally cheerful mood on Saturday.
We went on a wagon ride with Lily and Curtis, our neighbors. I decided to be a tool and take the big camera with us on our entire walk.
Before we left our little circles (there are only 3 houses on our street, with two circles at either end), I picked another weed flower for Jameson to hold.
By the end, Jameson was only holding on to the stem. But he didn’t want to let it go!
I let the boys do all the hard work of pulling, as Brian said, 80 pounds of kid. Which I think was a lie, it was maybe 40 pounds.
This isn’t our street, we don’t have any trees in our tree lawn, but if I had my choice, these would the trees that we’d plant.
All of them in a row like that, with well manicured lawns and lovely houses make my stereotypical little heart happy. This is why I wanted to live in a neighborhood, with sidewalked roads and pretty green grass.
Jameson and Lily pointed and called at all the dogs we saw.
By the end of the walk, Jameson was totally relaxed.
High of 80
This week has been beautiful. I am so happy to see flowers popping up everywhere (except my house because we don’t have any early blooming flowers or trees). Brian cooked out on the grill for the first time this season, and Jameson loves to watch.
We’ve been taking long walks in the wagon, where I will give Jameson flowers that are growing around the open lots by our house. Except they’re not really flowers, they’re weeds, but Jameson doesn’t know that.
They’re small and yellow and he holds them the whole ride (without eating! most of the time) and he gives me a big grin whenever I give it to him. I need to capture this on camera. Him holding the little delicate flower without eating or shredding it to pieces is momentous in my mind.
The only unfortunate part of the week was this. Oh, and the fact that it ends tomorrow with rain and cooler weather.
He crashed into his toy when he tripped and fell (actually, a little plastic wheelbarrow that I shouldn’t have been letting him play with ANYWAY because it’s an Easter gift. Oops). It’s already looking much better though.
Here’s to more blue skies and happy weather. (I’m raising my water bottle here at work, but pretend it’s a lovely wine glass, will ya?)
A Beautiful Day for a Neighbor Visit
Yesterday, we hit 67 and today we will hit 68 and sunny (SUNNY!). So we’ve been pulling around Jameson and Lily in our wagon, hanging out outside, enjoying the nice weather and the evening sunlight pouring into our living room.
Sunday, Lily and her dad came over for a visit. Lily and Jameson are very different (aside from the fact that they are four months apart in age). Lily is prim and proper, picks up after herself, uses utensils and keeps herself neat. What a little lady! Jameson is pretty much a little hooligan.
Lily was beside herself when Jameson started dumping his cheerios on the floor. He was doing it on purpose, since his snack cup has that lid that is supposed to prevent accidental spills. He grabbed handfuls and just scattered them across the floor.
So, she gave him some of her cheerios. Which he also tossed on the floor.
We gave up on the cheerios for Jameson and took them away.
Since it’s so nice out, Brian put together the little basketball hoop for Jameson that we had in the basement. We haven’t taken it outside yet, because we’re missing a piece, but Jameson enjoyed playing with it inside.
This one is out of focus, but it cracks me up. Jameson decided to throw his bear through the hoop too. Lily’s expression in the background is great. “You’re doing it wrong!”
Then we went outside. Jameson looks so mellow and relatively unexcited here, but I promise you he has walked over to the wagon EVERY. DAY. since then. This is not his first wagon experience, but it is his first in a while. When we get home from work, he attempts to climb in it or push it around. He loves it!
And here are a few fun Instagrammed moments from recent lovely evenings as well. Follow me @hilaryrose620
Warm Up
This week, the weather looks like it’s finally warming up and here to stay.
Last week we had one beautiful evening that we took Jameson on a walk (literally) down the three houses on our street.
He loved it, and he didn’t want to go back home. He wanted to walk right up to our neighbor’s door. He also loves walking down our driveway to get the mail (once I get him going in that direction).
Jameson’s not quite willing to walk in the grass yes (but based on his history with grass, I’m not surprised). I am betting by the time summer hits though he’ll want to run through it barefoot.
Gone Sledding
On Wednesday last week we had a little snow, significant enough to cover the grass completely for the first time. It was going to get warm (and sure enough, it was all melted by the next day), so I hustled Brian and Jameson outside to try out the sled and winter outfit that Santa brought.
Jameson was bundled up like the kid from the Christmas Story. Inside the house he couldn’t even crawl and kind of toppled over. He was a good sport though and didn’t cry at all.
I should’ve guessed though that a baby who couldn’t crawl well in the snow suit was also one that would have trouble holding on and he toppled over again, into the snow.
We might have laughed at him a little. Look at that cute lip!
We went inside, Jameson had had enough.
I went back out at dusk later though, to practice some techniques of taking photos of Christmas lights!
I started following Strobist, and they refreshed a post from the archives about shooting them. I am really pleased with my results, and it’s true that taking photos at dusk rather than full dark was much better.
The key though was switching the white balance to tungsten. However, I cheated and I did that in Lightroom after the shoot. That’s the beauty of shooting in RAW.