Sunday September 30, 2012

Dear Jackson,

What a weekend, you did so many things that amazed. Tonight when I was putting you to bed you said "rah-rah" and gave me the Iowa State book. You were definitely wanting me to sing the Iowa State Fight Song. "Oh we will fight, fight, fight for Iowa State..." You loved it and said it a few more times, so we sang the fight song about 10 times.



Up early eating oatmeal

 

For some reason you got up early this morning (might have been the late night?) This was tough on Daddy, but we made the best of it and had a fun morning. I guess you were pretty tired though because at about 9:45 while we were walking the dog you feel asleep in the stroller. I put you down for nap when we got back and you slept until 1:30. Wow, almost 4 hrs!



Putting grass in the beach toy

There were so many things that I saw you do that I had never seen before; you said "socks", you stacked mega blocks so high that you were almost jumping to put them on, and one of the coolest is that I think you said "sprayer" during the tractor video when they showed a sprayer. So now you have tractor, combine, and sprayer figured out.

I'm exhausted though, we're both ready for Mommy to be home!

Love you always,
Daddy





Saturday September 29, 2012

Dear Jackson,
Oh what a day! First time you and I have ever spent a whole day together, without Mommy. Surprise, we survived! It actually was a very fun day. We did lots of playing at the house this morning. You even ran around the house with tunnel on just like Dad normally does. You were crashing into everything, its amazing you didn't get hurt.

Walking with the tunnel on your head

This afternoon we went and visited your friend Liam and his Dad. Liam's Mom went with Mommy on her trip so it was just us guys! We walked over to the park and saw the animals. You and Liam really liked the pig, it even "oinked" a few times. While we were there they feed the animals which was fun to see. The pig had a funny eating habit where he would take a bit of food then walk over and drink some water, then food, then water, and so on. Lots of exercise just to eat!

You and Liam watching the pig eat

Oink, Oink!

After we returned from the park we grilled brats and you and Liam played some basketball. You both were shooting pretty good.

 

Playing some ball, happy boys!

It was a fun evening and before we knew it, it was time to go home. We got home a little past your bedtime so don't tell Mommy, just between you and me. Not too bad though, only 8:15. I gave you a quick bath, read a few books, and then said night-night.

Love you my little man,
Daddy

Friday September 28, 2012

Dear Jackson,
Just you and me this weekend! Mommy went on a trip with some friends to Barcelona, Spain. Now it is boys weekend! We started the night by playing outside and you helped me rake the yard for leaves. You were so helpful, you picked them up and placed them in the sweeper catch for me.

Helping Dad rake the leaves

At your request, I drew an Elmo and a tractor for you. You also helped by adding some red "racing strips" to the tractor.



Adding racing strips to the tractor

Then we played inside, you were so happy! I even got you smiling for the camera, although it was a little blurry.

Big smile!

I can't wait for the rest of the weekend. You were so much fun tonight.

Love,
Daddy

Thursday September 27, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Today we had the baby group and there were about 15 kids there.  You always seem to have a great time, you didn't even get hurt this time :) While we were there you discovered your love for trains.  You sat and put together Thomas the tank trains for about 30 minutes. It was a record for how long you sat still! 

A picture of you wearing a box for a hat today

This morning while I was getting ready you said your version of "I Love You" for the first time with out me saying it to you.  It was so sweet! 

Tomorrow I am going to Barcelona  with Liam and Abby's moms. I am going to be gone the whole weekend. This is the first time I will have been away from you overnight. I am really nervous and sad to be leaving, but I know you and Daddy will have a great time together! I will miss you so much!

Love,
Mommy

Wednesday September 26, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Today we went back into Eindhoven to Liam and Jessica's house.  You boys played a while and then we went to H&M to get you some new pants.  We had a little lunch with them and then were on our way home. 

Tonight you were so happy to see daddy when he came home, I'm sure you missed him last night!  While we were reading books before bed, you and daddy were playing with the hand puppet Kermit.  Daddy would put the books in Kermit's mouth and you thought this was the funniest thing.  You were doing a deep belly laugh!  We were all laughing so much.

Tomorrow we have the big baby play group get together and it is at Jennifer and Abby's house.  I'm sure it will be madness like it is every time!

Love,
Mom

Tuesday September 25, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Today was a fun day!  We had a play date this morning with CoCo, Kaelen, Abby and Liam.  We were all at Abby's house and played for a couple of hours.  They gave you a fire truck to take home and you loved it!  You played with it the whole way home in the car.  It has little buttons to push and the sirens go off!  You even fell asleep with it and I tried to take it away but you woke up and were really upset that I was trying to take your truck. Cute!

Then right after your nap, Liam and Jessica came over to our house.  Liam's daddy is out of town and your daddy had a work dinner.  We all played and had dinner together.  You too were stubborn eaters tonight but I think you finally got enough to eat.  When it was time for them to go home you and Liam were so adorable.  You were kissing each other and waving bye bye.  You really are best friends!

Liam and Jackson kissing bye bye

Boys posing for the camera

Love,

Mommy

Monday September 24, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Today was a quiet rainy day at home.  You and I went to the gym for an hour and then played the rest of the day inside.  Some how you snuck out a roll of paper towels and before I knew it half of the roll was all over the floor!  I should have taken a picture but I didn't want the entire roll on the floor.  It was really funny and you couldn't stop laughing! But it was quite a mess :)

Love,
Mommy

Sunday September 23, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Today you are 18 months old.  I can hardly believe that is possible.  It really seems like yesterday we were holding for the first time.  Now you are running, trying to jump, building with blocks, climbing everything you can and talking up a storm!  I was going to list all the words that you know but we have counted out at least 65 words and that takes up a lot of space :) You daddy and I cannot believe how smart you are!  We are so in love with you!

You building a tower with Daddy

Saying cheese for the camera

Love Mommy

Saturday Sept 22, 2012

Dear Jackson,




We went to an apple orchard today in Eindhoven and picked apples and pears. We met your friend Liam and his parents there. You guys walked up and down the rows playing and picking apples. We even picked a fresh one for you which you ate for almost the entire time we were there.

Picking apples at the orchard

Giving an apple to Liam

Picking more apples

For lunch we had pannekoeken at the orchard. They were so good; you chowed down!

Family photo

Tonight Liam and his parents are coming over for supper. It should be fun to see you play and for Mom and Dad to talk to Liam's parents.

One other thing, you have started to distinguish between tractors and combines.  You seem to know the difference and tractor or Mombine for combine :)

Love,
Dad

Friday September 21, 2012

Dear Jackson,

This morning you and I played around the house.  You were so cuddly with Grace and I, you kept giving us hugs. It was so sweet.  After a while Liam and Jessica came over and you boys played for a couple of hours.  You showed Liam your favorite Baby Einstein video and you both clapped, danced and laughed while watching it. You boys get along so well! We're so lucky we got to know them.

Love,
Mom

Thursday September 20, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Today you and I went to the International Women's Club meeting.  You got to play with all of your friends in the day care area which I'm not sure was your favorite thing to do.  It was really loud and there were a lot of kids crying which then made you cry. You prefer to have things quiet and calm! 

This afternoon you took a big nap and then we played outside.  We're still trying to enjoy the weather before it is too cold to play outside!

Love,
Mom

Wednesday September 19, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Today was pretty much just a quiet day at home.  We went to the gym this morning and you didn't really even want to leave. You were having fun playing. It makes me feel good that you don't hate playing while I work out. 

This afternoon you and I went to the little park that is right by us. It only has a slide, a couple swings and then a horse to ride on.  You spent most of your time running between the three things. You couldn't decide what you wanted to do.  You finally picked the slide out to be your favorite and climbed the big ladder pretty much all by yourself.  The first time you were scared to go down the slide, then after my help a couple of times you got brave and did it all on your own.  It was cool to see you get confidence in yourself.

Tonight, Daddy put the tunnel on himself and was chasing you around the house, you thought it was so funny.  You were chasing him, laughing and saying more, more!  Grace was barking the whole time!  She didn't know what to think!

A little blurry, but a picture of daddy chasing your around

Love,
Mom

Tuesday September 18, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Today you and I went to an indoor swimming pool.  It was great.  You had so much fun there playing with Abby and Liam. You played in the wave pool, went down all the slides into the water and splashed around with your friends.

You could probably play in the water all day long and never want to leave! We will be sure to go back again before we move back home!  What a fun morning!

Love,
Mom

Monday September 17, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Yesterday we went to Cologne, Germany with Papa and Grandma Nancy. We walked around the amazing Dom Church. It was really an amazing sight!  You didn't care though, all you wanted to do was run around and climb all the stairs and play in the water! I think you had had enough being in the stroller, you just needed your regular routine back.

Today we dropped Papa and Grandma Nancy off at the train station.  They are off to Amsterdam and then back home tomorrow.  It was sad to see them go and they were really sad to be leaving you!

To take our minds off of it we went to a play date with a bunch of people. We played for a couple of hours and then were on our way home.  You of course fell asleep in the car, after our busy morning.

Tonight Daddy had to go to Germany for work so it was just you and me.  We took all the cushions off of the couch and were bouncy and running and jumping on them.  You were having a great time and were laughing so much!  I let you play in the sink for a while and let you make a huge mess, it's only water and so easy to clean up.  You had a blast and were already rubbing your eyes because you were so tired by 6! 

We had a great day filled with your favorite people, tomorrow it is back to our normal routine!

Love,
Mom

Saturday September 15, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Yesterday Daddy had the day off of work and we went with Papa and Grandma Nancy to the Castle in Heeswijk.  It was really neat, they were having a WWII remembrance ceremony and there were lots of army jeeps that you kept calling "tractors".  They even let you get in one, which was probably the highlight of the day for you! You were so happy to be sitting in there turning the steering wheel and smiling at all of us. You only got out because a guy honked the horn and it scared you!

Playing in the jeep

Papa, Grandma Nancy and us at the Castle in Helmond

Today we all went to Antwerp, Belgium.  It was another first for all of us. We walked around and saw all the old buildings and you got to pet some horses.  We also walked through a castle there. You got to run and play a lot while we were there so you were very happy!

Playing at lunch

Petting the horse

Playing with Daddy in Antwerp, Belgium

Tonight we all walked down to the windmill in our town and they had just mowed around it so there was hay on the ground.  You were running all over the place and jumping over the hay and falling down, you thought it was so much fun.  Laughing and smiling so much!  It was great for all of us to see you so happy!

Playing in the hay

Love, 

Mom

Thursday September 13, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Today was your first real goose egg.  You had a rough day at the play group.  First you fell and hit the side of your head and cried for a while, then you slipped on a toy and fell over backwards, crying again and then finally you fell forward and hit a rocking horse with your forehead.  I didn't even think it was that bad but you must have hit it just right!  My poor little guy, I felt so bad for you!  You don't cry very often but I think just the chaos of all the kids and all the toys everyone got to you!

Little goose egg right between your eyes

Tonight you were so lovey again, giving hugs and kisses to daddy and I, you are just so sweet! We love you so much!

My happy little man

Tomorrow, we are going to Cologne with you Papa and Grandma Nancy.  It should be another fun and busy day!

Love,

Mom

Wednesday September 12, 2012

Dear Jackson,

We have been so busy with your Papa and Grandma Nancy that we haven't even had time to write anything.  Monday we were busy getting them situated here with us and getting train tickets for them to go to Paris, then yesterday we took them to see Kinderdijk. 

This is the fourth time I think you have been there.  The first time was when I was pregnant, the next time you were about 8 weeks old, then again when you were 1 year old and now the last time when you were a year and a half. It is fun to see you at the same place as you are getting bigger.  We have pictures of you there before you could even sit up, then when you were crawling and sort of walking, now when you went you were running around and trying to climb the railings.

Climbing the railing at Kinderdijk

Today Papa and Grandma Nancy went to Paris so you and I went to see Liam and Jessica.  We went to the market with them and did a little shopping.  You were upset when we had to leave, you didn't want to stop playing with Liam.  You two were even blowing kisses to each other.

Tonight you were really cuddly and hugging all of us, including Grace.  It was so sweet.  I think you are worn out after our busy days!

Playing with Daddy

Running to give Mommy a hug

Love,


Mom

Sunday September 9, 2012

Dear Jackson,

We got company today! Your Papa and Grandma Hoshaw arrived from the US! They were so happy to see you! They gave you some presents when they got here. One was a stuffed John Deere tractor, you loved it! You didn't even want to set it down. After supper we all sat out on the back patio and watched you play. You were hamming it up saying "cheese" and smiling and kicking the ball around. You looked like a real soccer player, we were all impressed.

Hamming it up for Papa and Grandma!

Having fun with mommy!

On another note, yesterday the Cyclones beat the Hawkeyes in football. It was a big win for them and Iowa State. In celebration of the win we dressed you in an Iowa State shirt just to rub it in to Papa. He noticed ;-)

Love,
Dad

Saturday September 8, 2012

Dear Jackson,

It was a nice warm day in Holland and you and I got to spend all day together. Mom went to shopping with her friend Jessica in Germany so it was just you and I (and Grace of course).

We started the day off playing outside because it was so nice and warm. I filled a pale of water for you to play with. You dumped it out on the patio and Grace licked it up. You thought it was sooo funny!

Laughing at Grace drinking the water

Wet pants!!

It was pretty funny, but you were also sitting in the water so it got your pants and shirt all wet. We had to change outfits after that. That outfit didn't last long.

 

You also did one thing I have never seen before, you started "walking" the tricycle. You walked it all the way from the back fence up to the garage and the garbage cans.

A 1st!!! Walking the tricycle

Tonight you said something that I thought was funny, while reading your bedtime books you said "tractor Momma." I don't know what you meant by it but I couldn't help but picture your mom sitting up on a tractor. "Driving my tractor its a heavy load..." Funny!

We get some visitors tomorrow, your Papa and Grandma Hoshaw are coming to visit us! It will be great to see them, we haven't seen them in over 9 months. Can't wait to see you play with them.

Love,
Dad

Friday September 7, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Today you and I went to the Alkmaar Cheese Market with Liam and Jessica.  It was really neat to see all the wheels of cheese and see them dressed up in their outfits.  It is like we went back in time one hundred years. 

At the cheese market

You and Liam were not thrilled about the market but you two had a great time playing in the grass by the church!  We had a little lunch and then let you both play some more!  You were both sweet to each other sharing leaves and chasing each other around. 

Trying to break into the church

Enjoying some milk shake and ice cream

All of us at the market

Playing with Liam in the bushes

Tonight you were "naughty".  I think you just had been in the car too much and needed to blow off some steam.  You kept trying to climb the fence in the backyard, which almost gives me a heart attack!  You also really chased Grace around, she was getting frustrated with you!

It was a great day! You keep saying Papa every night when we read books, I think you're ready for him to visit on Sunday!

Love,




Mom

Thursday September 6, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Today you had a great time playing with Abby and Liam.  You really played well with Abby today, she was chasing you around which is your favorite thing to do it seems.  You also chased her a little bit which I think she loved as well!  You all really got along well.  It is so much fun for us to get together with these 2 and I really get along well with their moms too :)



Jessica, Liam's Mom, took these pictures today

Love you,
Mom



Wednesday September 5, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Yesterday we went to Kelly's house and you got to play with some of the big boys!  You fit in so well and were playing right along with them.  A few  months ago you would have just sat and stared at everyone but now you join in on all of the fun!!! You were worn out after that and had a big nap!!! I even had to wake you up so I could go and get my hair cut!

Today was another busy day, we went over to Jessica's house so you could play with Liam.  While we were there we walked to their shopping center and got a fresh stroopwafel.  You thought it was really yummy!! You and Liam played some more and then we came home. 

Tonight you ate so much! Your daddy and I couldn't believe it.  You must be growing again!

Love,
Mom

Monday September 3, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Maybe I should start this "Dear Dare Devil".  Today more than ever you showed that you have no fear!   You pulled all the couch cushions down and were jumping on them, you put your riding car up in the chair and then got on, and kept chasing Grace until she had had enough.  You really kept me on my toes today!

Playing on the couch cushions

My "dare devil" boy!

I think every day we are going to have to go somewhere or do something new! You are so busy that some of your old toys seem like they may be getting boring, time for a change of pace I guess!! Luckily, your Papa and Grandma Nancy are coming next week and we will be all over the place!  This week is really busy too (except today) so we will both be worn out. 

You really have a great personality and are so much fun to be around. Your laughter is contagious! Now when you wake up you're calling out Mama!  It makes me feel good you want to see me right away when you wake up :)

Love,

Mom

Sunday September 2, 2012

Dear Jackson,

What a great end to the weekend. We really didn't do too much this weekend but we sure had allot of fun. Today you and I got up early and let mom sleep in. I thought I messed up and made your oatmeal wrong, but you ate it all up all by yourself. You are beginning to be pretty good with that spoon.

Right after lunch we drove over to Venlo to get some groceries and other things. I picked you out some matchbox cars, all Mopars! Your Grandpa Fausch would be proud; one of them is just like a car he had. 1971 Cuda!

Mopars!

For a snack we gave you a chocolate cookie, while you were eating it I tried to scare you by jumping out from behind the door and saying "baah." You laughed and laughed. We even video taped it and all our family back home loved it.

Baah!!!

Tonight we played in the yard and had so much fun. Chasing you around and seeing you smile makes me so happy.

Having fun in the backyard

Posing for the camera

As I said, a great weekend!

Love,
Dad

Saturday September 1, 2012

Dear Jackson,

Oh what a day! We all got up together this morning and made cheesy eggs and sausage links. You loved them both. First time you've ever had sausage links. A friend of Mom's got them special for us from the military base.

Mom went with some friends to a spa to celebrate one of them getting married. So you and I hung out all day, and had a blast! Iowa State has their opening football game today so we got you dressed in an Iowa State t-shirt. We are all big fans!

Go ISU!!!

We played lots outside, I chased you around and you laughed and laughed. You also played hid-and-seek with me in the bushes. You thought it was so funny to peek out at me. As always you chased Grace around with the lawn mower.

Playing hide-and-seek in the bushes

Chasing Grace with the mower

Before nap time we watched some tractor movies on the computer. Both you and I are hooked on them.

Watching Tractor movies

Although I don't play the guitar very well you really liked bringing it to me today so I would play. You brought it to about 10 times. You laughed really hard when I would strum it.

Play it Daddy!

Our "guys only" day was so much fun!

Love,
Dad