Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch . . .

. . . Jackson is changing almost daily!  He started walking the week before Clayton's surgery and over the last weeks we've spent at the hospital, has become a pro at getting around on his feet!  It still breaks my heart that we weren't able to celebrate the special milestone of his first birthday, but I'm doing my best to not even think about it right now since Clayton still really isn't well enough to think about parties and such. 

He has words now (even if most are still in his secret language):  Still saying Daddy, added Momma, and "B" for his bottle (he had a relapse to the bottle with all the trauma of the last month), and when I start saying no, he starts repeating the "n" sounds back to me.  And speaking of saying no, he's a bit of a rebellious spirit.  Constantly getting into trouble and almost seeking it out just to give me a grin when I get onto him.  Getting onto him causes drama since Clayton can't stand to see him in trouble.  For instance, he was hitting Clayton on the head today with this ladle thingy and when I swatted him for it, Clayton started sobbing.  I guess he'd rather get hit on the head than watch his brother get in trouble!

He's a climber.  Climbs on EVERYTHING.  He would climb up and down this step a hundred times a day if I'd let him. 

He's gotten clingier than ever because of the last few weeks (who could blame him, right?).  And some might even say he's a whiney, whiney, boo, boo; but when he turns on the charm, he can melt your heart with his adorable belly laugh and beautiful smile.

Side note:  as we were going in from this brief trip outside, he ended up falling right on his noggin on the sidewalk.  His mood totally changed since his whole face was covered in road rash!