Jackson updates!

It has been awhile since I posted some updates about our sweet Jackson. This boy just melts my heart everyday! He continues to be extremely affectionate and clingy to both me and Justin. Now, he is able to verbalize his feelings, which makes it even better. He will say things like "I love you so much mommy and Daddy" or "I am so happy. Love you forever and ever". The other day I walked in the room and he said "Mommy, you so pretty". I think my heart doubled in size :) Justin says he told Jackson to say it, but I'll take it anyway!

We are talking more and more with Jackson about becoming a big brother and my mom got him a book about it. At first, Jackson refused to read it and threw it on the floor, but now he likes it. He knows there is a baby in mommy's tummy and he will love on my belly and lay his head on it. Sometimes, though, he says "Mommy, I no like baby brudder". I always tell him that he may not always like his baby brother, but he will always love him and he will be such a great big brother. I know there will be some normal jealousy issues once the baby is here, but both Justin and I will be sure to have lots of special time with our big boy too. My hope is that our boys become the best of friends one day.

Jackson is thriving in preschool. He has really come out of his shell there and enjoys going every day. He loves playing with cars with his friends, doing arts and crafts, and reading stories. He comes home at noon every day and tell us about his day. His teachers said his vocabulary has taken off and we have to agree! He talks non stop and I can't believe how great his memory is. Also, he has begun using the potty at school-yay! That is a step in the right direction.

Jackson is so full of life and energy and I love how excited he gets about things. He gets really excited go to the park, playground, and play in his new playroom. He says "Alright! and Come on!" Christmas this year was just so much fun. I can't believe how much he got into it this year. He is still talking about Rudolph, Santa, and elves. He loves when we get down on the floor and play toys with him. He gets the biggest smile and says "I love you mommy and daddy!". We are so thankful for such a happy child.

We finally converted our 3rd floor into a big playroom and it is wonderful! We reclaimed our living room-hooray! We still have a bin of toys/books/art supplies downstairs, but they are confined to a small area. Jackson is absolutely loving his new playroom and asks to go up there all of the time.

He is still way into cars and trains. He loves all of his little cars and spends a lot of time zooming them all around the floor. He also loves to rough house with Justin and chase him around. Every night before his bath, Jackson strips down naked and says "I wanna RUN!" and then proceeds to run all around the second floor like a wild banshee while Justin hides and jumps out at him. Jackson absolutely loves this game and laughs/screeches at the top of his lungs, BUT it gets him riled up before bath and bedtime. Ahh, I guess boys will be boys!

He is getting so bossy! He tries to demand what clothes/pajamas he wears, he wants to choose what plate he eats off of, and he tries to choose which car we drive on any given day. The worst is that he thinks he dictates where we drive to, so he pitches a FIT when when get on the interstate. We just ignore him as he cries "I wanna turn around!" and he finally calms down. If he wants us to go right, but we turn left, he will fuss. He will learn soon enough that he doesn't call the shots when it comes to that :)

The tantrums have decreased a bit for now, which has been nice. We still have the occasional nastiness, but nothing like the wild animal fits. He really does listen pretty well for the most part. He is spending much less time in time out, so hopefully that is a sign that time out is working well for us.

His new thing is "driving' with Daddy. When we get home, if he has been a good boy then Justin will let Jackson sit on his lap while he pulls the car into the garage. Jackson can turn the car on and off, turn on the windshied wipers, work the turn signal, and flash the lights. He also then wants to carry Justin's keys inside and ring the doorbell. Jackson loves this time with his Daddy!

I love this boy so much and everyday is an adventure with him. He has an awesome sense of humor and he is so much fun to be around. Now that he is talking so much, I love our little conversations. He is in such a sweet phase and we are relishing this time with him before baby boy # 2 rocks our world!