See ya later Summer!

Good news folks, we are slowly and steadily conquering those terrible twos! Don't get me wrong. Every now and then he still bursts out screaming and crying for no particular reason. But we ignore it, step over him and move on. Once in a while one of us will still lose it, but for the most part, it really is getting better.

In mid July, Mom and the aunts came over with Jasper's new bed. Aunt Carol had the bed refinished and it looks brand new. In fact, as soon as we put the mattress on it, he became a jumping bean! Jeremy and I weren't expecting to move him over to his new room for a few more weeks, but Jasper really didn't give us a choice. He slept in his new room that night! No crying or fussing. Since then, we've had a few off nights, but for the most part, he goes to bed pretty happy. The routine helps of course... bath time, bottle, "time for bed!" - he grabs as many cars and trains as he can carry and brings them all to his bed. Then he hops in the bed and we say our prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep..." He even says it with us now, which seriously makes my heart melt. When he's in a really good mood, I get all smiles and even a "Goodnight Mommy" and/or "I love you Mommy." This is what makes it all worth it. A big thank you again to Aunt Carol for the new bed. It looks wonderful in his new room! Oh, and the desk and chair were an early birthday present from Grammie and PawPaw. I'm sure we'll be making good use of that desk for quite a few years!

Well, Mom's annual beach trip came and went. I waited all summer long to get some good beach time in and it was over in a flash. Thanks to Mom and the aunts for putting up with us, and especially for giving us the master bedroom. We got some good family time in and it was nice to have Tony "grace us with his presence." Every morning, Jasper would open the bedroom door, walk over to Tony snoozing on the couch, and wake him up with hugs and kisses. When we weren't at the beach or at the pool, Jasper was watching his favorite movie, Cars, and relaxing with Granny. We took walks on the beach with Aunt Carol and Aunt Debbie, and Jasper had fun getting splashed by the waves. 

We got home from the beach that Sunday night and I stayed up late making "starr" cupcakes for Jasper's class to celebrate his second birthday. Despite jury duty threatening our birthday dinner plans, I'm happy to say we had a great night at Giorlando's with just us and the grandparents. Half the restaurant sang along to "Happy Birthday" and we all pigged out on cookie cake. Jasper got a ton of new clothes and some more toys along with some birthday money! The following day, we picked up his present from Toys R Us. I'm happy to say it took us less than an hour to put it together! Not bad, not bad at all.

 

 

Next came the birthday party. I don't know why I do this to myself. Last year was pure chaos. And even after cutting the list down to almost half the guests, it was again, pure chaos. It didn't help that "Daddy" woke up sick as could be with strep Saturday morning. I've honestly never seen him that bad. He moved from the bed to the couch, then finally, with some pushing from me and Mom, to Urgent Care. I have a new appreciation for single moms. Between trying to finish my "street car project" for the party, taking care of Jasper, entertaining Jasper, fitting in lunch with Kira and picking up around our disaster of a house, I finally lost it around 6 p.m. Yep. Full on screaming, slamming things, and finally taking a moment to simply cry outside--not Jasper, me. Relief finally came when Grammie  and PawPaw showed up to take Jasper out to dinner. PawPaw was sure to walk him around the restaurant til he was good and tired. They dropped him off at 9:30, already passed out. I had never been so thankful for the help.

The next day was the party. We had a great turnout. Big thanks again to our friends and family that attended, especially the out of towners. Jasper now has more clothes and toys than we know what to do with! Just like last year, he napped through half the party. But that was to be expected. Aunt Jessica made her most amazing cake yet, a New Orleans streetcar! She had a little Elmo alongside, and Elmo cupcakes too! Her talents and creativity just amaze me!  

During the party, we finally had the opportunity to ask Cristi Jo if she'd be the godmother to Baby #2. She didn't actually believe us when Jeremy asked. But when she finally came around, and realized we were serious, she happily accepted and had us all in tears. Godparents picked, check! 

We took Jasper to his first movie last weekend. Grammie and PawPaw joined us in Elmwood to see "Planes." After thirty-something-dollars worth of movie tickets and forty-something-dollars worth of food, we were set to go! Jasper was a little overwhelmed at first and started crying during the previews. But once we sat him in my lap and gave him some french fries, popcorn and some of my icee, he was good as gold. He watched the movie in may lap, all but the last 10 minutes when he finally passed out. I've honestly never seen him sit still for that long. 

We've played putt putt a few times in the last month. Let me explain Jasper's putt putt strategy... He walks up to the hole, places the ball about two inches away from the hole, drags his putter with one hand, pushing the ball into the hole and excitedly yells, "I did it!" every single hole. He makes sure Daddy hears him too, and if there's every any doubt, he runs over to Daddy and yells, "Daddy, I did it!" Adorable. The only issue is Hole 18. He gets really upset when the ball disappears, which makes a perfectly fun experience end on a sour note. To avoid future meltdowns, I'm considering purchasing and stocking up on various colored golf balls. In the meantime, thank God for those mechanical motorcycles and trains outside the arcade...quickly back to all smiles!

Finally, Jasper's doing a few new things I want to mention. He is counting a lot more, singing his ABCs pretty much on his own, and saying most of his prayer at night too, followed by an "AMEN!" He's been in a really good mood this past week, with fewer and shorter tantrums. When he's happy, he's really happy and energetic. But when he's in a mood, it's best to just give him some milk and wait for him to chill out. We practice with right and left, and thanks to our letter and number bath toys, we're "spelling" and "counting" in the bath tub (if you want to call it that.) He asks "What's that?" to basically everything he sees and hears. He's obsessed with watching "Cars" over and over and over again. He's starting to try a few more foods besides just french fries, yogurt and fruit. He's getting better and better at 'please' and "thank you" and sometimes even, "I'm sorry." He shares with Callie a lot, so much so that she has put on an extra five pounds. He throws away his own trash, likes wiping his hands when they get messy, and with football season back in full swing, he's chanting "LSU" and "Geeeauuuxxx Tiguuuuhhhsss!" on command.

Granny took Jasper for his 2-year old appointment last week and Dr. Culbertson said he was "perfect." Jeremy and I, along with the grandparents absolutely, positively concur. I have to say, after watching the news day in and day out, and reading all kinds of crazy, sometimes tragic stories on the internet, I can't help but feel so lucky and blessed. He may give us a run for our money and even cause me to lose my mind once in a while, but he really is the best thing that ever happened to us. Just when I've had enough, he turns around and smiles, and all is right with the world.Gotta run... he's about to nose dive off the couch... again.

Happy Football Season!