2nd Birthday

 My baby went and turned 2!  I still call him my baby even though he is clearly a toddler now.  He speaks in 3-4 word sentences now and grows up more and more each day.  He started his 2nd year of life at a whopping 26 lbs!  Which isn't really whopping, but we are so proud of the progress he has made.  He put on 20 lbs in 2 years.

 His actual birthday was on Friday but we didn't have his big party until Saturday.
Friday we kept it low key and started out the day with a surprise bouquet of balloons for the Birthday boy!

 He was in love with them, especially Thomas the Train which is his new love.

                                                
He spent most of the day like this....except with pants on!

I had to get a picture of the birthday boy with his balloons on his actual birthday.

 Someone else got jealous of all the attention Jax was getting so he requested his own picture in front of the balloons.  Which is amazing if you know Carter at all.  He would rather die than pose for pictures.

We celebrated that day by eating his favorite foods, Popcorn, and hamburgers and Fries from Wendy's!

The next day brought lots and lots of rain which meant the 23 guests I invited had to be crammed in our house, instead of the backyard.  

                                                   

The party started out with Jackson receiving this blue chair and card.  He was in love with both and we could have ended the party right there!

He didn't have much interest in opening his presents but Carter took that job upon himself and helped him to unwrap all of his presents.  

Jax did get the hang of tearing off paper and realized what awaited him.  He learned the word "Presents" quickly.  

Opening his big gift from Neil and I.  The outfit Jackson is wearing is the same outfit Carter wore on his first birthday.  I loved seeing and remembering both of them in it.  That goes to show how HUGE Carter was as a one year old!

After presents we moved to the next event.  Food!  I decided not to be sad this year about the fact that he can't have cake and ice cream.  I made him his own "Cupcake."  Ground Hamburger as the cake, and whipped mashed potatoes as the frosting.

He was thrilled with this "Cupcake" and ate every last bite.  I thought the potatoes dyed blue may throw him off, but he seemed to enjoy the added color!  

He didn't know how to blow out his candle but he enjoyed having people sing to him and all the attention.  We then all celebrated with hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, etc.  All things that Jackson can and loves to eat.  This may have been the first party our guests attended where cake and ice cream weren't served.  

After the party we all went outside to witness a bike race between Carter and Neil's sister's fiancee Lee.  There were big stakes involved with this race, as the winner got to keep the coveted Golden Trophy.

Carter chose how and what they would race.  He loves riding his bike and so he chose this activity as the race.

It was neck and neck around the neighborhood but Carter managed to squeak by Lee at the end.

Linsey awarding Carter the Golden Trophy!

Victory is Mine!!  Carter took this race very seriously and was thrilled with his win.  He and Lee have decided to race each time they see each other to see who gets possession of the Trophy.

Jackson couldn't have cared less about the race happening, he was too busy with all the attention and love he was getting from everyone.  He is one loved little boy and it was very evident by all the people who came to celebrate with us.  There were so many times in his early days of life that I wondered if he would live to see his first birthday, let alone his second.  Birthdays are truly a celebration of Life but I look at each year a bit differently than I did before.  Truly a celebration and a blessing.

Jax and his nurse Missy.  She is more than just his nurse.  She is one of his favorite people, and one of my favorite people.  She is truly an angel sent to our family.  

Jax enjoyed some time on his "Bike" outside while we all took turns pushing him around.  He was in the best mood all day.  

After the party died down the boys came inside to play with all the toys Jackson received.  They decided that this big box was just as fun as any of the toys received that day.  

Jax received a present later in the week from my sister.  His very own "pack pack."  Again Carter was a little jealous and brought out his old Cars backpack and asked Jackson if he wanted to trade!

 These balloons were the balloons that never died and Jax spent a good 10 days with them before I finally retired them!

 Proving once again that the boxes of the presents are more fun than the actual presents.  And, that clothes are highly overrated!!

It took several days for the weather to warm up enough to take his new water table outside.  Once we did, he was in heaven playing outside and playing with water.

 After all the water he made himself a nice picnic lunch with all his favorite foods!

 Thanks to everyone who helped make this special day a little more special.  I am so glad that Jackson has sooo many people who love and care about him.  Happy Birthday to the sassiest, silliest, most spoiled, strongest, and happiest little boy around!  We love you Jack!