16/17MONTHS

I must make a better effort to write at least once a month if not sooner. So much happens and then when I sit down to re-cap it all I have trouble remembering everything. Did I just say that? Could that be a reflection of my age?

Anywho the last 2 months have been remarkable. Again Jaiden's development both cognitive and physical have been extraordinary. We have watched his vocabulary grow every single day...so many words...and he surprises us day with how much he understands. With help from Daddy he has become quite the agile one.

Jesse decided we needed a camper. He grew up camping and wants Jaiden to experience it. So I was forced to become a camper convert. Actually it did not take long...it happened rather quickly. Before I knew it I was cooking smores over the campfire! We ventured out camping twice, once in May and once in June. Both adventures were so much fun...who would have thunk that I would enjoy camping? Both times we camped at the beach. Jaiden LOVED it. We played on the beach, flew kites, explored rocks and seaweed, took long walks, rode our bicycles (Jaiden sits in a bike seat on my handle bars wearing his Spiderman helmet) and lots more. It was the first time Jaiden rode on the bike and he thought it was the best thing ever. Every time we stopped he would put his hands together and sign "more more" while saying it over and over, "more more." So we would get back on the bike and ride more...how could I say no?

We bought Jaiden a small giraffe pool which he has been in almost ever day. He points out the window at it and says, "puul." So cute. Sometimes he goes naked which of course I just want to eat him and other times he is in his surfer trunks. With or without clothes there is not many other things right now that are better than playing in his pool.

We have been to the Zoo a few times in the last month. We have a membership and it is only 10 minutes away which makes it easy. Jaiden is interested in the animals and blows kisses to them.

Father's day was wonderful. Jesse woke up to his lil dude handing him a homemade card. It was actually a CD that he hand painted. Really cute. Then Jaiden handed him a picture I had done of Jaiden's foot print when he 1 years old made into Jesse's dirt bike. Jesse LOVED it! And then of course there were some more bonus gifts. We made Jesse breakfast before heading to my Dad's for lunch and then to Jesse's family for dinner. Watching Jesse as a Father has made me love him even more. He is an amazing Father. I do think that I am a wonderful Mother, but Jesse is a better Father than I am a Mother and I mean that. It does not take anything away from me, it just makes Jesse that more wonderful. He is the kind of Father all children should have. He is patient, kind, gentle, fun, and understanding. He works creatively with Jaiden, and thinks of all kinds of games to play. He holds him tight, and loves him intently but gives him room to grow.

I was invited to go with Jess and Jaiden on their nightly walk- (which happens before I get home from work) the other day. They took me to see their rock collection way up the street , and they showed me how Jaiden runs down a neighbors driveway and jumps into his Daddy's arms (scared the shit out of me), and Jaiden showed me how he steps on the leaves and makes crunchy noises. After a few minutes of crunching the leaves I said, "come on Jaiden" and Daddy turn to me and said "we take our time when we walk." Kind of put things into perspective for me...I need to slow down and be in the moment even if that means in the crunching leaves.

Jesse teaches him new things every single day. Here is a list of just a few things...he gargles...snaps his fingers, shakes hands, covers his mouth when he coughs, and laughs when we laugh. Oh and I guess it is worth mentioning that he laughs hysterical when he burps or farts. Guess who taught him that?

We just bought Jaiden his training potty. He has one upstairs and one downstairs. As soon as he saw it he looked at us and sat on it perfectly. We pointed to it and said "pee pee" and so now he walks over to it all day long and sits on it, points down and says "pee pee." Jesse will show him how to use it soon. The funny thing is he like to take out the bowl part and toss it, let's just hope he doesn't do that when it's full cause that won't be funny.

Today is Jaiden's 18month bday... Unbelievable. For the first time he put two words together. I asked him this morning , "Jaiden who's in this picture?"and he said, " Daaaad...me." Both Jess and I smiled!