It's a Gymboree Day!

Jaxon and I have been going to Gymboree every week this summer. We have such a fun time! Jaxon walks in and immediately goes up to all the kids and says, "Hi". Sometimes I think he really prefers watching what the other kids are doing than actually playing. He has made lots of friends, his favorite is Naomi though. Naomi is the sweetest little girl. On our very first day of Gymboree she sat next to Jaxon and kissed him right on the lips! Of course, Jaxon being the ladies man that he is, kissed her again! Now, every time they see each other they either hug or kiss. It is the cutest, sweetest thing! During the class, they follow each other everywhere, this is a serious crush I think.

Today, our teacher, Ms. Shannon, told us that Jax was ready to move on to the next level! Yipee! I knew I had an advanced kid! HA HA! I just hope that Naomi moves up soon too, Jaxon will be heart broken if she isn't at Gymboree :) . Now that I am working part-time again, we will be starting a music class, which I think Jaxon will LOVE LOVE! He is such a music-loving kid, you've all seen him dance the conga right?

I'm just trying to look cool for Naomi.

I made it to the top, now what?...

I'll play Peek-a-boo!

Going through the tunnel, my favorite.

Made it to the end!

I think you'll agree with me when I say that I think he should be the model for Gymboree? hee hee, I'm not biased or anything :)

What has Jaxon Been Up To?

Wow, it has been a LONG time since I have blogged! I feel as if I am neglecting my blogger friends. I have good reason. I started working full-time at the beginning of August and have barely even had time to breathe. To be totally honest, I hate it! I have been exhausted and hardly get to spend time with the two loves of my life. It does not help that the kids are in school from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm., so I don't get home until 5:00 and Jaxon goes to bed between 6:30 and 7:00. Crappy! Well, SUPER news for me! I have a new jobsharing partner! She starts on Monday and I could not be happier! More time with my baby and my blog. All is right with the world again! Onto the latest and greatest with Jaxon...

First, two weekends ago, I went to Chicago for a girls trip with my friend Rebecca.


This meant that Brian was in charge of Jaxon ALL BY HIMSELF! I didn't even make "sub plans"! Well, ok, I did freeze a few meals for Jaxon, I mean, I didn't want him eating Sour Patch Kids for dinner! Anyway, while I was away Brian & Jaxon are playing and Jax starts acting silly. Brian says to him, "Are you being a ding dong?" Jaxon replies, "Dong dong." O my! This opened Brian's eyes a bit to the reason why he should not use his colorful language around our son. Thank God he didn't repeat some of Brian's other favorite words!

This month we were lucky enough to have Lola come visit TWICE! She has been such a great help with Jaxon, I just cannot thank her enough. I am not sure how well Lola is going to stick though. Whenever Jaxon sees her he says, "Tata" He only says that to her, so we'll see what she ends up being called.

Yes, Jaymee, they are dressed alike, jeans and all! And no, it was NOT planned!

"Yes, Jax, those are teeth."
He may not look like he is happy to be being held by "Tata", but I promise he loves her!

While my mom was here Jaxon learned how to open doors (no, she did not teach him this)! The other day he opened the back door, looked at me and Brian, waved bye-bye and started walking out! Needless to say, we will be doing yet another round of Jaxon-proofing! We should really have been better prepared for the toddler stage. Parents-of-the-Year I tell ya!

The biggest question I get about Jaxon is, "Is he talking yet?" Sure enough he is trying! Here are the most important words in his life.

Ees = Please

Mama = Mama

Dop = Drop

Choos = Shoes

Do (dog without the g) = Dog

Hi = Hi

Yeah = Yeah

Up = Up

Uh (accompanied by a slap to the forehead!) = Uh oh

Ep = Help

Jax is also doing a little bit of sign language! Most of his signs revolve around food, not surprising since Jaxon is ALWAYS eating! He signs, all done, please, more, eat, up, and water. We are now really working on help and thank you.

This little guy never ceases to amaze us! It is fascinating to watch him grow and learn new things daily. I am thrilled to be working part-time again, I hate missing all of the wonderful moments.

This video is HILARIOUS!! You may even want to watch it a few times, especially when you are having a bad day.

This past weekend, Brian & I decided that it was time for Jaxon to give up the pacifier (yes, very sad, just one more thing that ends his babyhood ). He has actually done really well, he really only used it to sleep. The first night he cried for 5 minutes then fell asleep, the next night it was 2 minutes and now he fusses until I close the door. Not too shabby!

Well, this evening, I went to make his bedtime bottle and when I opened the cabinet, he literally ran to it and snatched 2 pacifiers. I really wish I could have captured THAT on video. He immediately tried putting not 1, but 2 pacifiers in his mouth. When that didn't work this is what he did... If that wasn't funny enough, there is something a little unexpected at the end...

Now, how hilarious is it when he falls over???

The spinning thing is new. He started it last night and I have no idea why. I am guessing the kids at his babysitter spin. don't worry, he jumped back up and started spinning again! Yeah, yeah, I know... Mother-of-the-Year for laughing when my kid falls! You all have done it too.

A Golfer in the Making

As you all know Brian is a golfer and he wants nothing more than for Jaxon to enjoy golf as much as he does (remember the golf clubs at 9 months old or the strapping him into the golf cart at 11 months). Brian is always talking about how he can't wait for Jaxon to be old enough to spend Sundays on the golf course with him, to take him to the US Open, go on weekend golf trips, etc etc. Luckily for Brian, Jaxon seems to have an interest (as much interest as a toddler can have) for golf. He picks up any golf club he can find, Dad's or his, and tries to hit balls and his favorite toy in the house is Brian's golf bag... lots of goodies in there!

This summer we have spent quite some time on the golf course. I drive the cart, Brian plays and Jaxon entertains himself on and off the cart. He has 2 favorite things... "drinking" water from our cups and taking the tees in and out of their little cubbies in the cart. He also likes when we pass the pond with the ducks. He looks at the ducks, looks at me, makes his hand go "quack" and then takes off toward the pond. I have no doubt that he would jump right into the water if we let him!

On this particular day I captured Jax playing with a golf ball that he had "borrowed" from Brian's bag, or as Brian would call it "stealing". He calls Jaxon his little golf klepto. As you will see in the video, Jaxon is a GREAT listener!! Kinder teachers, you will want him in your class... HA!

Another Griswold (I mean Pearson) Vacation!

The 3 Pearsons headed off to San Diego this week for a little family vacation! San Diego is a very special place for Brian & me, and we were really excited to take Jaxon there for the first time, but as with anything involving the Pearsons there were some adventures to be had! Let's start with the rental car & GPS (Serena).

Our car was from the early 90's... no clicker, manual window and locks. It took a little getting used to and it made me love my Highlander that much more!

See, no modern conveniences here. This is what I call roughing it!

So as we are driving out of the lot, I turn on Serena to tell us how to get to the Residence Inn. Hmm... low battery. No problem, "it should have enough juice to get us there". Says Brian. Literally 2 seconds later, Serena dies! "Check the bag, the car charger is in there.", says Brian. "No charger, babe.", says Anabelle. "@#$%!*#" Says Brian. Thankfully he had the foresight to print directions from Mapquest, if not we would have been out of luck! We get to the Residence Inn and then off to Target we go to get some supplies for the week. You know Jaxon and I were happy about this.. Target is the happiest place on earth :)

Finally, some room to run around and play! No more planes, car seats, or shopping carts.

On our first full day there, we decide to take Jaxon to the Children' Museum (we saw it under the "attractions" on Serena. We get up, have breakfast in the hotel and drive 30 minutes to the Children's Museum. As Serena is saying, "Arriving at destination." Brian says, "I don't see sign's of a museum around here." Sure enough, where the Children's Museum should have been was this:

We weren't sure if the Children's Museum was this abandoned building or the empty lot next to it.

Apparently the museum had vacated these premises and someone did not tell Serena. Onto Plan B... drive to Mission Beach to walk along the boardwalk before Jaxon's nap time.

Happy to be going on to Plan B... the beach!

We strap Jaxon into his stroller and take 2 steps and BLAA! Puke EVERYWHERE! Jaxon as thrown up. Thankfully, I grabbed a onesie as we walked out the door that morning. We did a quick change and were back in business!

Brian took Jaxon down to the water and he LOVED it! He was so happy there he walked right into the ocean and laid down (more like tripped and fell, but, whatever). He still had a good time.

"I need a hug before swimming Daddy!"

Well, one tiny problem... I had no towels or a 3rd change of clothes. What was a mom to do, but put him in the carseat wet, naked and covered in sand.

After lunch & naptime we headed back to the beach

On day 2 we went back to Mission Beach ( better prepared this time!) . Well, as we are pulling into the parking lot. BLAA! Orange projectile vomit in the car! Are you kidding me??? There was throw up EVERYWHERE! On the towels, in the carseat, on Jaxon, in the stroller, on snacks. Everywhere! Good times are being has by all (especially my patient husband. HA!!) Everything is cleaned up now so let's have some beach time!

That has to be all of the adventure right? Wrong again! As we are walking back to the car, Brian asks me to get the keys to the car. Hmmm. Where are they? Yup. you guessed it! They are nowhere to be found?!!? Seriously! Could this trip BE anymore dramatic? We turn our bags upside down, no keys. We search the sand, no keys. Things were not looking good. Thank God I have a guardian angel somewhere, I had left the key attached to the door! Yes, I said me. I did it this time, not Brian. Boy, was he relieved it was me and not him!

Thankfully that was about it as far as drama goes for this trip. Don't think I could have taken much more! (ok, maybe Jaxon did pee all over himself at breakfast the morning we left, but I'll take pee over throw up anyday!)

PLEASE tell me we aren't the only ones with these type of "adventures"!

When Brian & I go to San Diego, we always visit the Self Realization Temple Meditation Gardens and take a "self-portrait" with the beach as a background. This trip was no exception, drama and all, we were headed to the garden! On our last day we headed up to the gardens to show Jaxon where his parents decided to start a life together.

Our first trip together in March 2001

When we got engaged

March 2004

Our last trip as a family of two (and a 1/2)

March 2008

A family of three

Two Cute Videos

As hard as the toddler stage is, I am loving it! Jaxon has become such a fun, animated, friendly little boy (and yes even a little ornery).

He has just recently learned to give kisses and Brian and I can't get enough! He even kisses the phone when he "talks" to my mom or Brian, even when there is no one on the phone. So of course, I had to capture this cute moment on video. A few seconds before the camera was turned on, he was kissing everyone. And in typical Jaxon fashion, the minute it turns on he stops. Eventually he does give us kisses and here is the proof. If you want to get right to it, fast forward to 1 minute 20 seconds.

Jaxon & I listen to a lot of music while we are home and lately, for whatever reason, Gloria Estefan has been on the radio a lot. Each time he hears any of her songs, his face lights up and he starts "dancing". It is the cutest thing! Luckily, for me Jaxon cooperated right away for this video.

Celebrating the 4th... Pearson style!

For the first time in about 4 years the Pearsons spent the 4th of July at home! We had a great 3 day weekend just the 3 of us. I kicked off the long weekend by getting my toepangas and front yard festive!

Jaxon getting ready to help Mama
Deciding where to put the flags

On Friday night, we went over to our friends, Jimmy & Francesca's house for a BBQ & firework lighting (yes, fireworks are legal in NM as long as they do not go soar above 6 feet). Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of this fun event, and boy, did we have fun! Jaxon was too funny. He LOVED watching the fireworks. He would clap for the ones he liked and shake his head "no" for the ones he didn't. I believe a few even got the "stink eye"!

On the morning of the 4th we went to the Rio Rancho Fourth of July Parade!
Jaxon watching the parade. He apparently is not impressed!

At the parade with Sloan & Kellen (Jimmy & Francesca's kids who love Jaxon!)

After the parade it was clearly time for a nap (for Jaxon). He was asleep in the car about 2 seconds into our drive home. YAY!

After the nap, we got ready to spend the rest of the day at the pool!

I'm ready for a pool party!

I took my camera, but it wasn't very convenient to tote the camera around as I chased Jax in & around the pool. Brian & I were super impressed at how well Jaxon did at the pool party. He spent almost the entire day (from 1:00-4:30) in the pool. The kids were entertaining him and feeding him marshmallows so he was in heaven. He even got into a little scuffle with a 2-year-old named Jackson. I can't say that I blame him. Moments before the scuffle Jackson was stealing his snacks! A big no-no in my Jaxon's world! The 2-year-old Jackson stole some flags from the planters near the pool and brought them over to the edge of the pool. He lost interest for a while in the flags, so my Jaxon "borrowed" one of the flags and was having a ball waving it around. The 2-yr-old Jackson came back and YANKED the flag out of Jaxon's hand. Well, after the snack stealing incident, Jax was having no part of his flag being stolen! His arms tensed and he SCREAMED at Jackson! His face was turning red and everything. It was pretty funny and I was proud of Jax for sticking up for himself. Jackson's mom finally took notice and made her Jackson give the flag back, which made my Jaxon extremely happy.

Like I mentioned before, we had a great time lighting fireworks on Friday night. Well, Brian was especially a fan, but not so much with the "nothing above 6 feet" rule. So he asks around and finds out that on the reservation they sell more of a variety (let's just say they don't follow the rules). Brian left before the pool party and was gone for quite some time. I was starting to get a little worried, I mean, Brian alone, buying fireworks without a voice of reason next to him, is not a good idea! Sure enough he came home with an arsenal of fireworks and spent way more than any one person should! and he talks about my poor spending habits!

He was pretty proud of himself!

So, after the required city-funded-fireworks display, we were treated to a fireworks display of our own! Now, Brian was not the only person on our street who visited the reservation before hand. I think ALL of our neighbors did! It was actually quite fun and the lighting continued until well past mid-night. (don't worry... Jaxon was sound asleep before 9:00 pm and never even whimpered at the loud sounds around him!)

Kellen, Sloan & Brian putting the fireworks in order.

Brian teaching Kellen how to light the fireworks.

Jimmy & Brian watching Kellen light a firework

The beginning of one of Brian's many fireworks

I wish I would have gotten this on video! Brian & Jimmy were hysterical! They were like kids in a candy shop. I don't know how many times I heard them say, "This is so much fun!" "I love fireworks!" I don't know what it is about boys and fire... After having witnessed how excited Brian was, I am a bit nervous about Jaxon being around him on the 4th! I can only imagine the trouble those 2 are going to get into!

I know what you're thinking... "They aren't wearing 4th of July shirts." Never fear my friends! All 3 of us wore the celebratory shirts!

How cute are we wearing matching shirts at the parade?