Jackson is ONE YEAR OLD!!!

How is it that my sweet little man is one year old? Not a baby? A toddler! I really am so, so happy. Our children growing up is bittersweet, but as I told a good friend the other day...it's mostly sweet. Because he is healthy and happy and he is mine. How can I be sad about that? I am so, so blessed to be his mommy. Jackson is such an amazing little boy. He is now walking all the time and is getting more balanced each day. He is in to everything now, and he moves fast! He has also started putting objects into containers instead of taking them out. He can put the rings on the stick and he even put a ball into a hoop on his new sports center toy today. He also has begun putting a block into his little toy oven and then opening and checking on the block, then closing it again. This progression of his play into goal-directed play is so fun. The way he is developing and growing is nothing short of magical to watch.

He is chewing my chapstick here, an (unsuccessful) attempt to get him to sit still:).

Jackson is such a happy baby. He is constantly smiling and laughing. He is such a joy. He has started to have "tantrums" when we move him from something he isn't supposed to have or something he really wants to play with. But he recovers quickly and is able to be re-directed. It's actually really neat to see him beginning this new stage of expressing his emotions. I'm sure it'll get old, but for now I am just enjoying watching all the wonderful ways Jackson is maturing. The pictures are proof that he is growing and learning because I can't even get him to sit still long enough to get a good picture, lol! He's got places to go and people to see! We aren't sure of his weight and other stats yet, as his appointment isn't until next week. But we do know he has slowed in his growth and thinned out a great deal. He is in the same size clothes as he was 3 months ago, which has never happened with him!

Jackson had his first haircut on his birthday, then went to the pool in the afternoon. His GiGi is visiting this week and we had his "Arizona" grandma and grandpa over on his birthday as well and had dinner and opened presents. It was a wonderful day with our little man. And tomorrow is his big party! I will definitely share pictures here sometime soon. In the meantime, we are just enjoying our 1 year old boy! He is so perfect. We just love him so very much. His birthday is a day to celebrate his life...and I took the time to write T and thank her for giving him life, and for choosing me to be his mom. I let her know that I know this day is powerful for her too. That we will always think of her on his birthday, and that we know he will too.

Happy Birthday, sweet Jackson! I love you with my whole heart. I always, always will.