One

For a year now (and one more week), Jackson has been "one" technically.  But the difference between a 12-month-old and a 23-month-old--who are both in the one-year-old bracket--is immense.  So throughout the past year, I have only said that Jackson was 'one' about two or three times; most of the time, I responded to people's questions of his age with, "He's x-months-old."

But now that year is coming to an end and he will be two in a little over a week.  And it's just now hitting me that I will never be able to say that my little boy is "one" ever again.  I have even found myself saying, "He's nearly two," recently as if I am wishing away these last few weeks.

I don't remember getting emotional at all when he turned one.  I think it was because he was just beginning to walk, only knew how to say "Mommy" and "Daddy," and was still dependent on us for using a utensil to eat food.  Even though he was turning a year older, I still felt that I had my baby around for a while longer.

I didn't think I would be a sentimental mom about things like birthdays and turning another year older; however, to see that little munchkin who was once my tiny little baby doll approaching true boyhood, creating his own story lines at nursery, it is quite heart wrenching when I take the time to reflect on the last year as a whole.  Jackson has grown from a toddling, wide-eyed, little bambino into a racing, bold, strapping young lad.  The baby years are officially behind us and that's what makes this birthday so difficult to face.

So for the next week, Jackson will be "one" and I will be thankful for the remaining times that I get to say this.

Happy Chappy

Playing outside at his great grandpa's house

Picking his first apple in Grandpa Don's orchard.  We got permission first and it was a learning curve at the beginning because Jackson thought he was supposed to pick the leaves off instead of the apples.

Without any hesitation, Jackson took a bite of his apple right off the tree!  Although I didn't think this was very safe, he seems to be all right.

Jackson and his older cousin, Connor, playing with monster trucks

Developmental updates:  Jackson is counting now and can say his numbers one through ten, but still needs some prompting as to which one comes next.  He can even count backwards from three to one and then say, "Blast off!"  We are noticing that Jackson is listening better to directions and cooperates with us much more during the morning routines.  He is still unsure about being left at nursery in the mornings, but three times this week, he did not want to stop playing at the end of the day so I think that's a good sign.  Jackson seems to love the bigger play space and mingling with the older children.

If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.