Jackson turns 2!!

Jackson is growing up way too fast.  I can't believe he is 2 now!!  He had a really good birthday but we wanted to keep it low key.  Since his birthday was on Sunday we did some celebrating on Saturday and then did the presents and cake on Sunday, his actual birthday.  My parents came up to spend his birthday with us.  On Saturday we took him to the park to ride the train and feed the ducks.  After that we went to dinner at Rubios and he got a burrito.  (He is always talking about eating tacos but was excited to have a burrito.)  On Sunday he opened his presents and then we had some family and friends come over for cake.  

 Sitting with Mickey in his chair in front of our tree on his birthday eve - 12/17

 Trying to get a family shot before we went to the park and dinner

 He was having a blast feeding the ducks

 Getting ready so he can throw it all the way out to the ducks

 Hanging on the bar at the playground - getting ready to go down the slide

 Cody was changing a light bulb and Jackson couldn't help but climb the ladder too

 Grandma making sure he didn't fall off

 We put this table up for my mom to do some sewing for Jackson's bday shirt - of course he had to climb on it

 And then jump off it onto the couch!!

 Jackson sitting with Mickey again this time on his birthday before church - 12/18

Family shot before church

 Here is a shot of the alligator cake my mom and I made for Jackson - my mom made this cake for my brother and then for one of my nephews - when we were at her house at Thanksgiving I asked her about it - she searched for the pattern for it for 2 days and finally found it!! - Jackson loves gators or chomp chomps (he calls them both things)

 Trying to get a shot of him posing with his cake - it didn't really work out that well but he looks cute

 My mom helped me make his shirt - the night before his birthday I put her to work helping me with his cake, some cookies, and his shirt 

 Here is a full shot of the cake - I think it turned out good

 Cody looks a little droopy eyed but thought they looked cute

 Being a typical 2 year old and trying to get into all of the breakable stuff

 Jackson reading his card

 Checking out the money that came out of the card

 Ripping open one of his presents

Having fun with all the wrapping paper and tissue paper

 Getting a birthday phone call from his Aunt Sarah

 Here are his birthday goodies

 It is hard to tell but he is hugging the Mary from his nativity set!!

 Mom and her big 2 year old

 This was the best we could get - he was to interested in the Lightning McQueen car!!

 Getting ready to blow out the candles

 Enjoying his birthday cake

 Eating one of his #2 birthday cookies that my mom and I made

Checking out the lion that his Aunt Cyndi and Uncle Steven gave him

Jackson had a great birthday and really enjoyed all the birthday festivities.  Especially all the treats he got!!  Here are his 2 year stats:  he weighs 34 lbs 2 ozs and is 35 and 1/2 inch tall.  He had consistently been in the 75-85% for both height and weight at every other appt but this time he was 75-85% in height but he is now off the chart for his weight!!!  He didn't need to get any shots this time but we decided to get him a flu shot.  He did so good and just stuck out his lip and started to act like he was going to cry but he never really did.  Jackson still loves to watch the Backyardigans, has gotten into How the Grinch Stole Christmas, still watching the It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (which he calls the pumpkin patch or snoopy), Tangled, and Gnomeo and Juliet.  He likes to ask for pizza, tacos, cookies, a snack (which is fruit snacks), sucker, popstickle (a popsicle), green beans (this lasted for a little while), this (which is an applesauce pouch we have limited him to 3 a day), jucie (he loves any kind of drink with a straw or capri suns when we let him have them), popcorn, and just about any food he sees or thinks he wants!!  He will basically repeat anything you say.  He asks what is this or that a lot or what happened.  Once you tell him he will repeat what you said.  He is definitely a mimic.  He doesn't dance a ton but will to certain commercials or music.  He still loves to sing songs but won't do it on command.  You just have to randomly catch him doing it.  We were at Walmart together and some lady made a comment about not bumping into someones cart and he made up a song.  It was basically bump bump bump over and over again to a very nice tune and he sang it for a long time!!  He also still plays the piano and will sing along.  He sings Jingle Bells, the ABCs, the Wheels on the Bus, and so many others.  He is still a night owl.  He will stay up as late as you will let him and usually isn't grouchy.  He is actually usually very silly and slap happy at night!!  He is still a major daddy's boy and will cry sometimes when dad leaves and he is stuck with mom!!  It is always nice in public or at church when Cody has to walk away and I have to drag him away screaming!!  He loves playing with his cousins and kids.  He does pretty good at a park with other kids and will wait his turn and is usually very nice and socialable with other kids.  But of course he isn't an angel and has his moments where he hits and fights over toys.  He started to say "Oh my gosh" which I have been trying to get him to say oh my goodness or something else but he won't budge, he likes "oh my gosh."  It was cute when he opened his presents he put his hands on his checks and said "oh my gosh" over and over again.  He keeps us entertained non stop and we are always looking at each other and wondering where he learned some of the things he says or does.  They aren't bad things but stuff we don't remember telling him about and he somehow knows about them!!  Kids are super smart!!  He still likes to read books and will sit down and read a book to himself.  He talks so well and clear.  He can throw a real good fit but he is starting to learn that he doesn't get things that way but he will still try!!  He still loves his little Mickey Mouse and likes to sleep with his 3 blankets.  I think he would be ok if he didn't have them but he likes to snuggle them up to his face.  He loves to be a ghost and wants a blanket or the sheet from our bed over his head so he can be a ghost.  He always wants us to be ghosts with him.  One last random thing is that when he rides in his police car or anything that he can push himself with his feet he only goes backwards.  Lately he pushes them instead of trying to ride on them.  Not sure why he can't figure out how to go forward, I have tried showing him several times!!  We love Jackson so much and are thankful that he is a part of our family!!  Happy Birthday Jackson!!