More Photos from Travels during IKE

Here are some extra photos from our trip to Oklahoma during Hurricane IKE.

We went to the Oklahoma Aquarium with my Aunt Kitty and Mom (Daddy surprised us there) and saw so many interesting exhibits.  The beavers were cool and WAY bigger than I thought they would be!  We watched the keepers feed the otters goldfish and we fed the turtles on the way out.  Did you know that Oklahoma has an alligator fish...or maybe it was a crocodile fish?  Either way it's this huge fish with a alligator/croc snout on the front.  Weird looking.  Makes me a little nervous thinking about the times we went to the lake....was that big scary thing eye- balling me???  Eeew!  

Feeding the turtles

Nemo

But Jaden kept saying Elmo - so it's Elmo the fish

Checking out the crocodile

Dancing to the music outside the restaurant after dinner

Adventures during IKE

Thursday before Hurricane IKE hit, Jaden and I drove up to Carrollton, TX to stay with John's Aunt Kathi & Uncle Lonnie.  Once John saw the trees blowing around and our power flickering Friday evening, he decided to join us and made it in around midnight with the cats in tow! We were so glad to see him and relieved that he didn't try to stick it out at home.  

We're very thankful that we're all o.k. and that our house is still intact.  

Entertaining a toddler away from home is a challenge but Aunt Kathi told us about "Going Bonkers".  It's an indoor play land with video games, whack the mole, a sports car and jeep to drive/ride and big structures to climb up and slide down and around.  It was great!  We hung out at Bonkers on Friday before John got in town and then convinced him to go with us again on Saturday.  =]  

Sunday after the storm we drove on up to Tulsa, OK to stay with my parents for the week.  Then stopped in McKinney, TX on our way back home.  Here are some pics from our travels.

Jaden playing "Whack the Mole"

Cousin Cade helping out

Cousin Conley & Jaden cruising for chicks

Playing in Grandma Ashlock's garden

Great Grandpa & Great Grandma Yates, Grandma McKenna & Grandpa Don

with Jaden

It was great seeing our family and friends in Carrollton, Tulsa & McKinney.  Thanks to everyone for their help during this stressful time.  We love you all.  

First Playgroup at Our New House

After months of going to friend's houses for playgroups, we were finally able to have a playgroup at our house!  Amy & Riley, Pauline & Xavier and Michele & Emily (inner loop friends) made the drive up to The Woodlands to visit Jaden & I.  We really missed them so it was great to see how the kids have grown and catch up with the moms.  Here are a few pics from our playgroup.

Riley & Xavier checking out the foam puzzle blocks

Riley & Jaden playing in what is left of the blocks

Miss Emily

Jaden showing Emily his musical instruments

Some of the other moms were unable to make this get together so we're thinking of having a Halloween Party next month!  Can't wait to see everyone.

A Big Thank You!

When Jaden started MDO, the teachers suggested the kids bring a "lovey" from home to help with the transition/nap-time.  Jaden's lovey is Llama.  It was given to him by his cousins, Rylan, Cade, Conley and Corbin during his first visit to Oklahoma when he was 3 1/2 months old.  Now, we think it's a llama, could be a goat or maybe a giraffe (Ms. Amanda's suggestion)..who knows.  But Jaden has napped well (AMAZING!) since taking llama to school.  Here's a picture of Jaden and his Llama after school yesterday.

He's hugging llama but won't let go of his snack trap  =]

This is picture of Jaden with his cousins during his first visit to Oklahoma

Corbin, Cade, Conley being pulled backwards by Cade and Rylan holding Jaden

GO SOONERS!

This weekend Jaden and I hit the mall.  We were lucky enough to find a kiosk that sold OU shirts in kids sizes!  Yeah!  Jaden wore it home and surprised Daddy.  John was pretty excited and wanted me to get a picture of Jaden wearing his jersey on the blog asap....so here he is!  I think Jaden started to understand the concept of football a little bit because he started running back and forth across the new rug in the dining room and getting all excited.  This made getting him down for bedtime a little challenging. =]  Oh, and OU thumped Cincinnati, 52-26!

Future OU quarterback

Asked Jaden to say "cheese" and this is what I got.

May need to try something else next time. =]

Labor Day Weekend

Grandma McKenna, Grandpa Don, Aunt Renee & Uncle Jon came to visit over the weekend!  I loved all the extra attention!  But Mom was buzzing around the house so much that she forgot to take pictures of everyone!  Hard to believe, I know!  So Aunt Jennifer will have to email some over for her to post on the blog.  =]

During their visit, they stopped by Build a Bear and made a bear for me that says, "We love you Jaden", when you squeeze it!  That made me smile!  And the bear, "Sam", has the coolest car!  I think it's supposed to be a BMW but I think it looks like a Mini Cooper, which is WAY cooler. 

Checking out "Sam" and his cool car. 

I think I want to drive Sam's car

Hmmm, the Mini is too mini for me!

Tuesday was my first day at Mother's Day Out.  Mom drove me to "school" and then hung around probably too long, taking pictures and waving good-bye....started to get embarrassing!  The teachers were distracting us with snacks so we wouldn't notice the parents leaving.  I just wanted to play!  At lunchtime, I didn't eat much.  We had lasagna (new to me) and then I only napped about 45 minutes.  My "Toddler Tales" Progress Notes to Mom said, Socialization:  Played alone, listened and followed rules, Lunch:  Ate a little because I was busy playing with my neighbor, Visits:  played on the playground, Disposition:  Happy & Busy, Had 3 wet diapers, Special Notes:  Jaden had a great morning!  Did cry a bit at naptime; Ms. Amy pat him to sleep". Mom was so happy to see me at the end of the day!  I was glad to see her because I was starving!  But I gave her a big hug since I knew she missed me.  I think this school thing is going to be pretty fun!

Showing off my new school shoes

Walking into class by myself - I'm a big boy!

Snacks?!  I want to play!

Walking around while the other kids snacked

I really like to play with the kitchen

Out and About

Friday Jaden and I went to the park to play.  He really enjoys the swings now!  Before, he would have this petrified look on his face and want out.  Now he laughs, tries to grab me when he swings near and throws his arms in the air in excitement.  Saturday our neighborhood park had a "Touch a Truck" Day.  Firetrucks, Construction equipment, etc, parked and open for the kids to climb around on them.  Pretty cool!

Wee!

Had to try out the lounge chair swing....ahhhh

Jaden on the Firetruck

Rare picture with mom, on the tractor mower

Jaden starts Mother's Day Out (MDO) next Tuesday.  We attended the Cookie Social on Tuesday and met his teachers, Ms. Amy and Ms. Amanda.  When we walked in I saw his cubbie already labeled with his name - made me little teary eyed.  Jaden marched right in, waved hello and proceeded to play with everything in sight.  My little man is growing up.  

Busy Weekend!

Saturday we went to Lowe's to pick up a runner we ordered and we were happy to see that they had "race car" carts for customers shopping with kids.  Jaden loved it!  John and Jaden took off while I was doing the paperwork but I found them doing donuts in Lawn and Garden!  Too funny!  I'm sure the employees thought I was one of those "crazy picture taking moms" when I whipped out the camera.  Who cares!  I get some of my best pictures on spur of the moment.  And I think Jaden will laugh when he looks through them when he is older.

Laughing because we just did a donut

Decided that pushing was more fun

I had trimmed Jaden's bangs on Friday and John wasn't crazy about the look Jaden had going on so we finally decided to get his haircut.  I didn't want to lose the curls so the stylist (weird, my 16 month old has a stylist) kept it a little long.  Lost the curls but we still have some wave.  Cartoon Cuts is a wonderful place!  They have the place painted in bright colors, lots of toys and videos for the kids to watch while they get their hair done.  Since it was our first time, we received a First Haircut Certificate and Jaden's curls in a little zip-lock.

Before the haircut

Watching Dora the Explorer

Still not so sure about the experience

All done

Happy to be home - Hair looks great!

Sunday cartoons in matching outfits!

12 Months of Joy

It occurred to me that when I started this blog, Jaden was 10 months old!  I never posted pictures of him when he was first born.  So humor me while I take a walk down memory lane.  =]

About 4 hours old-so alert!

2 1/2 Weeks-so sweet

1 Month-"The Stare"

2 Months-Future Playgirl Model

3 Months-Hair is coming in

4 Months-I found my toes!

5 Months-Green Beans Yummy!

6 Months-Gap Baby Model Search test shot

7 Months-Big blue eyes

8 Months-Mini Hugh Hefner?

9 Months-Playing

10 Months-In charge of the remote

11 Months-Handsome little man

12 months-Dare Devil!