journeys with jax and oliver

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Lorax Party!

Thank you to everyone who has well-wished and celebrated Jackson and Oliver's birthdays with our family. On Sunday, May 5th, we threw an awesome "Lorax Party" for the boys at our favorite Mexican restaurant with close friends and family. It was a blast ... and Jackson is still singing "Happy Birthday" and telling everyone about his "Lorax cake"!

Here are some photos from the boys' special day ...

(electrical cord cake)

Friday, May 3, 2013

Oliver is ONE YEAR OLD!!!

24 pounds, 10 ounces (75%)

31.5 inches long (93%)

18.5 inch head circumference (63%)

Happy Birthday, Billy Goat!

(his new signature pose)

At twelve months, Oliver:

can already out-eat his big brother

no longer eats baby food ... because once he tried "real" food ... there was no turning back!

wears size 18-24 month clothes

wears size 4 Huggies

pulls up, cruises, and walks with push toys

has 1/2 of a bottom tooth (and I thought Jax was a late teether!)

puts absolutely everything in his mouth ... and has made mommy's germophobic nature hit the road

adores hanging upside down

has chosen a "lovey" ... a small toy penguin with record (inside joke)

graduated to sippy cups and whole milk this month

doesn't like to be rocked to sleep

loves Mommy best

keeps everyone on their toes and cannot EVER be left alone

can climb up stairs

wants to play with entirely "non-toy" items (i.e. the toilet, electrical cords, baby gates, pots and pans)

clings to mommy's necklaces and earrings

went to his first carnival this month

"bucks" and cries immediately upon spotting his carseat

car keys = different story (loves them!)

enjoys waving and blowing kisses

constantly looks dirty

has a HUGE temper and frequently throws things when he's angry

cackles like crazy at Jackson's antics

is still fondly referred to as simply "Brother" 99% of the time

has a "Lorax" birthday party this weekend

... and fits perfectly into our family!

Happy First Birthday, Baby Boy!

(terrible picture? ... Don't ask!)

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Niagara

This week, Justin and I took a little miniature vacation to his hometown of Buffalo, NY. It was just a nice way to relax, sans-kiddos, and enjoy each other's company. While we were there we caught a movie, had a few ~~glasses~~ bottles of wine, and ate a couple of uninterrupted meals together.

We also spent an evening at the infamous Clifton Hill at Niagara Falls, Canada.

Here are a few fun iPhone pics of our excursion to the Falls.

Gotta love Ripley's Believe It Or Not!

We even rode this Sky Wheel to view the Falls illuminated at night!

* * *

And I had a little fun capturing a Natural Wonder with my DSLR!

(and maybe a little fun editing)

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Basketball Tots

All we've heard about recently at our house is BASKETBALL!

On Monday of this week, Jackson started his "Basketball Tots" league at the Sportsplex. It is an instructional basketball program for kids ages 3-5; however, they agreed to let Jackson start a tiny bit before his third birthday (he turns 3 in the middle of the session). He's the youngest kiddo in the class, but he did wonderfully. Mostly, the class is just fun, organized chaos anyways. Nevertheless, I thought it would be a great way to begin introducing Jackson to team sports, sharing, cooperation, and following directions. And ... it's something fun he can do while still wearing his Mehta cast!

The program lasts for 5 weeks ... and I almost dread when it ends. Jackson basically lives from day-to-day asking when his next "baketball game" is taking place. Hopefully, we can sign right back for for the next session!

Here are a few photographs from his first "practice."

Stretching before practice.

A few drills ...

A little coaching.

And even a game!

(ha!)

Too cute, right?

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Skyline Train

Today we went back to visit the train at Skyline Caverns in Front Royal, Virginia. Jackson's excitement reminded me that I never posted our photographs from last weeks' visit.

Clearly, we have been enjoying the Spring (finally) weather by finding some fun local activities. If you live nearby ... you really should check this little train ride out. It's about 10 minutes long, weaves through the woods, and even has a "tunnel." Jackson and Oliver think it's great!

Spring, we are so happy you finally decided to show up!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Visiting the National Zoo

Hooray!

Spring is finally here!

Or is it?

Did we skip straight into Summer?

Either way, today we took advantage of the warm weather and headed into Washington DC to visit the National Zoo. It was Oliver's first visit outside of the womb ... and Jackson's first visit in a year. It was also an "interesting" excursion, as it always is, with two little ones. I don't feel like we got to see as many exhibits as usual, but we still had a wonderful time. It was great just to get out of the house and explore.

Oliver was so excited he couldn't contain himself ... or keep his squinty little eyes open for his huge smile!

Jackson loved seeing the new elephant exhibit and riding the carousel. He had an awesome time walking around, eating popcorn, and "smiling" for the camera too.

Boy, how he has grown over the years!

The green "towel" you see around Jackson's neck is a "Chilly Pad" ... to keep him cool when outside in his cast. Oliver kept cool by testing out the new Bob (on the many hills).