Firsts.

I’m a bad mom. At least when it comes down to recording those precious ‘firsts’. I mean, it’s a whole lot harder than I originally thought it would be. There is no clear, definite moment when babies master a skill. It’s a constant learning process and often a ‘skill’ they can do one day they seem to forget the next. So which of the days do you pick as ‘The First’. The first time they sort of do it? The first time you KNOW they can do it? The first time they MASTER it, and are able to repeat it with ease? I tend to go with the ‘mastered’ definition but here are the stories of 3 of my favorite firsts.

Smiles.

Jackson was ALWAYS smiling. This picture is from the day we were leaving the hospital (November 11). Of course I know it wasn’t intentional. I’ll even call it ‘gas’ if it makes you feel better, but that little smile melts my heart.

It seemed, even in the early weeks, he was always smiling. At least in the turned-up-corner-of-the-mouth kinda way. Like he found something funny but didn't want to let on.

But how do you determine if he’s smiling socially? If he’s actually smiling AT you? Who knows when that EXACT moment was, but I remember my mom had to point out, “Look he’s smiling at us!” Finally, after a few repeat performances, I agreed that he was in fact smiling at ‘us’. What a wonderful moment, even though I’m pretty sure I saw him do it for my mom (YaYa) first.

From the first shy smiles for Mom. December 8.

To the no doubt about it. Smiles for Dad. December 18.

Grabbing.

The other first I really got excited about is ‘the day Jackson grabbed the lion’. I was absolutely amazed when he figured out what he wanted his little hand to do, and it actually did it. We have this bouncer. On it hang three animals. A hippo, a monkey, and in the middle, a lion that makes music and growling noises when you pull on the ring attached. Jackson’s favorite was the lion. Andy would come pull it every time he walked by and Jackson would light up. Jackson started out grabbing the monkey, and at times the hippo for a few days, but you could tell he REALLY wanted that lion. Now of course I didn’t write down the day was he finally got it, because what ‘first’ does that fall under in the baby book? But I’ve heard the lion growl almost every day since then, with no help from Andy, and I DID take a picture that thankfully still has a date stamp attached to it.

‘The Day Jackson Grabbed the Lion’ February 16, 2010

Sitting.

One day I saw a picture of a baby about Jackson’s age sitting. My reaction was, “Woah, I had no idea that was even CLOSE to being possible.” I mean I was pretty 'on it' about tummy time, but when do you start 'sitting time'? So I took him upstairs to the nice, soft, pillow top bed, situated his legs wide and propped him up with his arms and lo and behold he sat. . .for at least a few seconds. Really it was about long enough for me to snap two or three consecutive pictures, but I was amazed.

March 11

Now some might call that their baby’s first ‘sitting’, and sort of it was, but I wasn’t ‘write it in ink’ convinced. Over the next months we practiced, and he even got good at the ‘tripod’ bent over supported on his hands. Always after a short while he’d decide he’d had enough and would arch his back and topple over. This made these sits very hard to get pictures of because I was constantly on duty, ready to catch him. (Chloe is hovering to the right of this shot.)

May 2

However, yesterday during a play date he SAT. Straight back, no support, toy in hand. I was AMAZED. Though he has refused to repeat it today, I’m still calling it. Find the baby book, write it in ink.

Jackson Rose. Sitting. May 25.

On to bigger and better milestones- teeth, standing, walking, and talking- I promise, Bud, I’ll do my best to write them all down.

Who needs Target?

Living in Germany, there are times I miss the convenience of "The States". I miss not being able to pick up and head out the door to Target, having a mall where they speak English and I don't have to do Euro to Dollar conversions in my head, and being able to have my pick from dozens of restaurants. I dislike that we don't have air conditioning OR ceiling fans, that my car won't fit in our garage, and the fact that our two 100lb dogs have a yard the size of a postage stamp.

But I'm thankful. Thankful for so much. This really HAS been a great experience, as I constantly remind myself. I wanted to have time to start out my family with the basics. To learn the things we don't REALLY need, to better appreciate convinces, and to travel. I wanted the experience to travel with the drop of a hat. The opportunities alone more than make up for any inconvinces. Instead of picking up and going to Target we pick up and visit a 1400 year old monastery. How cool is that? This is what we did Saturday morning. We drove the short 35 minutes to Kelheim where we got a boat up the river to the Weltenburg Monastery.

We were sure to take lots of pictures to document Jackson's first boat ride!

After a quick snack and diaper change we ventured onto the top deck of the boat where the ride was smooth and the views were awesome.

Fest

Friday the weather finally cooperated. In the balmy 60* weather we ventured out with friends to the Maidult in Regensburg. Every May (Mai) this fest goes on. Festing is a German tradition which I can only equate to a 'State Fair' type of atmosphere- complete with games, rides, oh so bad for you food and of course plenty of good German beer. We went for the sights and stayed for a few drinks with friends.

Jackson was FASCINATED by the rides. So much so that it was hard to get a picture with him looking at the camera, however I love the look on his face, taking it all in.

Jackson was a big hit with all the girls. Such a flirt.

 These boys had such a blast. (For the record we do not condone underage drinking.)

   

As the clouds rolled in we headed home, only an hour past bedtime.

The Chef.

Lately I've been on a cooking kick. From pancakes and oatmeal cookies to baby food. Jackson and I have been spending a lot of time in our tiny kitchen. Jackson is actually pretty happy about the set up- as long as he gets a cool new toy to play with (ie- measuring cup, wooden spoon, or piece of fruit). Here are some pictures from the past week.

Friday: Pancakes with blueberry syrup (my fave)

 

Sunday: Babyfood (Pears/Squash)

Monday: Oatmeal Cookies (so much for my 'diet')

  

Guten Appetit!