Party Time

For Jackson's party we had a family party and it was a small and simple celebration. We headed to my parents on Friday night and went to the temple early the next morning while mom and dad babysat. When we came back we had breakfast for lunch with apple pancakes and bacon. Then we had cake and ice cream and open presents. Jackson seemed a little unsure of it all but did eat some cake. He threw most of it on the floor which is normal for him.

these next few are his "official" 12 month pictures for the blog (I took them a few days late and forgot to post them with his 12 month post)

and here are more party pictures

Birthday Boy

We had a perfect little celebration for Jackson yesterday. We started the day by throwing some balloons on Jackson and playing with them. I didn't get a great picture or video but he loved them! Then, after breakfast, we helped Jackson open his card from Grandma and Grandpa Bohn. A little while later we gave him his bubble lawn mower. Jackson liked it but not as much as he likes the bubble machine at church.

 I gave him a sucker for a treat and he was in heaven! He also is loving Greek yogurt lately. After a nap and some lunch we headed to a local petting zoo. Jackson clung on to me around the goats and did not want to touch them or be too close to them. In the past he has touched animals but he was freaked out yesterday. He loved looking at everything from the safety of his stroller though. After seeing and feeding all of the animals we headed home. Jon made yummy foil dinners and we had a fire out back. Then, it was time for a bath and bed. We hope Jackson felt a little extra special on his big day. We will celebrate again on Saturday at my parents' house.

ONE

I cannot believe my baby is one!! Last night Jon and I were talking before bed about some of the horrible things in the world. Then, we talked about Jackson. We talk about him every night before we fall asleep. We say how cute he is, how much we love him, and how special and perfect he is. We end every day talking about that boy. Well when I went to say our prayer after we were talking, I became so choked up as I expressed gratitude to my Heavenly Father for Jackson. This year has not been easy but it has literally been the happiest year of my life.

sorry for all of the blurry pictures, this kid is always on the move

he loves suckers

he love this pan so much!

Jackson is changing so much. He slept through the night for the first time ever on 1/16. Jon and I went on a date and the sitter put Jackson to bed. At 5:30 the next morning I heard him happily playing in his crib. Jon and I were in disbelief. Jon said, "do you know what time it is?" I was so shocked it was morning. The next night he woke up twice but then last night he slept through the night again! I knew he would do it soon after weaning. I weaned him about a week ago. He was really easy to wean. I had dreaded it but we gradually cut down before Christmas. Then, while sick at Christmas we cut down to one time a night and he did great. I had been putting off weaning him because I was a little sad about it and also he got a cold and was teething around the time I had planned to wean him. It was just easier to nurse him once and then go back to bed. Well, one night s week or so ago, he slept straight until around 3am and he woke up happy and seemed wide awake so I laid him in bed with us and I turned away from him to see if he would be able to go to sleep without nursing and he did! He fell back asleep with us for a bit. I couldn't believe it! I knew that he was so ready and it was just time. I miss that bond with him but I'm glad to have been able to nurse him as long as I did. Nursing was very trying, especially at first but I have no regrets, I'm so grateful everyday that I was able to nurse him for a full year.

Jackson growls all the time now. He does it when he is happy or upset. It is so funny, especially when we can all growls back and forth at each other. Jackson is now working on his 11th tooth and has started 3 of his molars. He is crazy with those teeth and they have been hurting him a lot lately. Thank goodness Tylenol helps because nothing else does.

always cooking

Jackson loves brushing his teeth. Jackson still loves Callie, reading books, going outside, taking baths, and cooking. Jackson eats well but throws food on the floor when he is finished or doesn't want to eat. It drives me crazy, especially when he hurries to throw more food on the floor when he knows I'm about to take the food away. He also likes to feed the dog so we usually separate them for mealtime. Jackson has been shaking his head no a lot which he hasn't done for a few months now. He used to do it all the time but then stopped. Now he shakes his head to mean yes and no so it gets confusing. If he means yes, he usually also smiles and waves his hands excitedly whereas if he means no, he usually will push whatever it is out of his face or throw it down.

Jackson has gotten good at spitting or pulling his pacifier out when he wants something else but he just throws it down rather than hands it to me. We are working on this. He used to not take it out at all so he would sit there with a full tray of food and wait for me to remove the pacifier. Jackson is getting closer to walking but is not there yet. He is independent and not as snuggler. He loves to do his own thing but with Jon and I close by. He loves fruit snacks and suckers. He says mama a lot and I love hearing it, even if he is mad at me. I swear Jackson has said "yeah" but it is hard to tell. When upset, Jackson throws his body on the ground, which generally results in him bumping his head. Overall he is a happy man. He still naps 1 to 2 times. day depending on his mood. His naps last about an hour which is bad for most babies but excellent for Jackson. He fights having 2 naps but he still seems to need them both.

drinking from the tub- he also likes to chew on the metal. 

Happy Birthday my sweet boy!