Only Jack

Conversation during dinner last week:

Jack: Target? You are going to Target after dinner? I want to go.
Me: Ok, you can go with me.
Jack: Is good behavior a requirement on this trip?
Me: (stunned by his appropriate use of the word "requirement") Yes, Jack, yes it is.
Jack: Hmm. Nevermind, I don't want to go to Target.
Me: (stunned silence at his ability to know his limitations)

Recent Jackisms

While driving, I was asking Jack some questions, tyring to prepare him for preschool starting soon.

Me: If your teacher asks you what your name is, what will you tell her?

Jack: Jack!

Me: What if she asks how old you are, what will you tell her?

Jack: Three!

Me: If she asks you what your whole name is, what will you tell her?

Jack: Jackson Todd Don't Make a Mess!

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I was in the kitchen cleaning and a heard a noise come from the playroom and then Lucy started crying. I took off running for the playroom and about halfway there, I encountered a running Jack (running from the playroom) yelling, "I AM GOING IN TIME-OUT!!!" I checked on Lucy and then went to ask Jack what he did to her. He told me that he threw a (cardboard) block at her (which is totally unlike him). I asked him why he had done this and he replied, "Because I don't know how to behave nicely!"! Well, he does know how to behave nicely and apparently, he knows when he deserves a time-out!

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We were out on the deck looking at the deer in our backyard when Jack looked up in the sky and commented on how the moon was a full circle that night. My face beamed with pride as my son was finally catching on to something that I had been trying to teach him. I immediately started gushing on and on about how smart he is. He replied, "Yeah, I am smart. I know my numbers really well.". The moment of pride I had was sucked out pretty quickly then! Oh, well, numbers, shapes, I guess both are needed for geometry, it just would be helpful to know which is which!

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Jack was being a bit exasperating at bedtime one night and I was getting awfully tired of going up to his room every couple of minutes to put him back in bed. After about 20 minutes of this, he started calling for me and I begrudgingly trudged up the stairs again extremely irritated. When I went into his room I asked him what he wanted. He threw his arms around my neck and said, "You are the best Mama in the whole wide world!". Funny how those little words can revive a mama and melt her heart again and again!

Moo!

Conversation with Jack this morning:

Jack: Mommy, I just heard a reindeer outside!

Me: Really, a reindeer? How do you know it was a reindeer?

Jack: Because it said, "Moo, I am a cow!"

Me: (perplexed silence!)

Cupcake Time!

February 16, 2011

On the night of Lucy's first birthday, we stuck with our family's tradition and had cupcakes after dinner.

Jack was thrilled, as he considers frosting a main staple at keeping a toddler alive, Lucy on the other hand was not impressed.
I am sure as she gets older, she will start to love cake just as much as her brother, but for now, it just leaves more for the rest of us!

Happy birthday my sweet girl!

To the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo

February 16, 2010

After pictures were over, we started the birthday celebration by going to the zoo. It was a beautiful day and we were glad to spend it both indoors and out.

Both kids loved this tunnel, they must have gone through it a dozen times.

Lucy wanted to be in the exhibits, not just looking at them!

Lucy with one her best goofy faces!

This is her more peaceful smile!

She loved the aquariums!

And, she was full of affection all day long!

We all loved spending Lucy's birthday at the zoo!

Lucy is ONE!

February 16, 2011

My baby girl is one! Lucy is the most amazing little baby girl I have ever known, she is so peaceful, so loving, so cuddly, so perfect. The changes that she has brought to our family are fantastic. I have loved seeing the effect that she has on each member of our family. She has even started to tame her wild brother. I will forever feel guilty for her first year being in such chaos around her, but life is calming down, and she has taken it all in stride.

We started the birthday celebration by taking her in for her 12 month photos. It was quite the circus act just getting there! I made the appointment for 9am. I have only left the house prior to 9am a total of 3 times since becoming a mom so this was a challenge! We made it out of the house on time, but halfway there Jay reminded me of the cake that we were supposed to pick up! We turned around, picked up the cake and got back on track. Once we arrived at the photographer's, I realized that I left the bag of outfits at home! We got back in the car, went back home and started all over again! I was exhausted before we ever even started and we were so late that we were getting dangerously close to Lucy's nap time.

I was thrilled with how the pictures turned out. Our little Lucy is such a doll!

Read this!

I bought this book for myself last May. It's awesome. I loved it. I laughed out loud while reading it. I would read a chapter and then call someone to read a few sentences to and laugh with them. I loved reading it so much that I read it in about 2 or 3 days, which says a lot considering at the time I had a 2 year old and a newborn and a house on the market. I wasn't more than a few pages into it before I started to plan out who all I had to lend this book to. You were probably one of them, but as it turned out, only one of you were. I lent it to my sister, who also loved it and also immediately started planning out who all she was going to lend it to. And lend it she did. Or, maybe the right phrase would be that she gave it to someone, as it has not been returned. You see, she lent it to a mom of course, and of course, a mom is busy reading Goodnight Moon and The Very Hungry Catapilliar. Someday she may find some desperatley needed Mommy time and read the book and maybe the book will find it's way back to me and onto you, but I wouldn't count on it. This would depend on the friend finding the time to read it, then finding the time to get it back to my sister, then my sister finding time to mail it back to me, and then me finding the time to mail it on to you. I see way to many holes in that plan, so I would suggest you go to amazon.com like I did and get a copy for yourself! Maybe someday you can lend it to me, as I have Mommy-brain so it would probably be like reading a whole new book!
Enjoy!

Spring Photos

I have been trying to post this video for a year. Seriously, a year. For some reason, Blogger wouldn't let me load it, so it has just been sitting in my computer waiting for me to do something with it. Tonight I tried again much to my surprise it loaded! The video is from photos that were taken in our yard when Lucy was three months old and Jack had just turned two.

My kids did not cooperate at all for this photo shoot. Lucy was sleeping (no surprise there, as she was always asleep at that age!) and it was quite difficult to get a photo with her eyes open, much less one with a smile as well! Jack would not stop running (no surprise there either!) and we could only get him to stop moving by feeding him Reece's Pieces. The photographer was able to get some great shots despite my children's lack of cooperation.

Still Sweet

See? Do you understand now?

It is just as sweet every time.

It is just as cute every time.

So, every time this happens, I must get my camera!

New House

February 2010

We bought a house! In Iowa! We found a great couple from Colorado to rent our house in Minnesota!

We are moving soon!

Packing with an eleven month old and a 2 year old sucks!

Preschool

February 2010

February 1st, Jack started preschool. As usual, Jack talked a pretty big talk about going to preschool. For the days leading up to it, he talked all about how he was going to play with his friends while Mommy and Lucy went back home.

On the actual day, there could not have been a child more excited than he. He was thrilled and not an ounce of nervousness. When we arrived at his school, he told me I couldn't hold his hand inside because he is a big kid now. (Feeling a little sob in my throat as I write that, as I still am heartbroken.) So, I walked next to him as he cruised into his classroom. He hung up his things and told me to leave. I insisted on staying for at least a few minutes, much to his dismay.

When the teacher said it was time to leave, Lucy and I made our exit, sadly. Jack however, didn't even seem the slightest bit bothered by us leaving. When I returned to pick him up, I peeked in the window (on the door! I wasn't hanging out in the bushes spying on the class! OK, maybe I wanted to, but I didn't, mainly because it was a second floor classroom) and saw that Jack was sitting on the teachers lap and holding a wet wipe (Jack is obsessed with wet-wipes and will want one if he is crying). I know my son. I knew this was not a good sign. When class was let out, I found out that Jack's excitement for preschool didn't quite last as long as the 2 hour class. He cried when he saw me and told me he is done with school. As I have no plans on homeschooling for the next 16 years, I knew that we must work past this.

On the morning of his next class, he was sad, he didn't want to go but was trying so hard to be brave and not cry. On the drive to class, he asked me to sing to him one of his favorite songs. While I was singing, I noticed he wasn't, he was just starring out the window with a sad face (yes, my throat still has the lump in it from that moment). I asked him to sing with me and he responded, "No, Mama, you sing, I am too sad.". Awwwwww! I wanted sooooooo badly to turn the car around and never make him go to school again, but I knew that he would love it as soon as he got used to being away from me. I forced myself to keep going. I forced myself to bring him to his classroom. I forced myself to leave the classroom while he was crying in his teacher's arms. I wanted to sit outside his classroom for the whole two hours (and cry), and , luckily I kind of could. His preschool requires that on one day of the week, all of the parents go to a room for parent education. This required me to put Lucy in their on-site daycare. I was pretty worried about dropping her off too, as it was during her normal naptime.
At the end of the parent education, I went to Jack's classroom as fast as my legs could get me there. I saw through the window that he was sitting on a chair near the door, clutching his wet-wipe while all of the other students were sitting in circle time. They said he had a hard time, but were sure enxt week would go better.

Jack and I then went to pick up Lucy, who it turns out, did great! She loved the daycare! She loved the teachers, she loved the toys. The teachers loved Lucy, they loved all of her cuddles and they loved that Lucy doesn't cry when you have to end cuddle time.

This is pretty much how Preschool went for the month. Jack cried almost every time, but less and less each time. Every preschool morning (Tuesdays and Thursdays), he would tell me if he was going to do a lot of crying or a little of crying. And, you know what, the kid was pretty accurate. Lucy, however, loved preschool each and every week and the teachers loved her as well. Never a single tear from that little lady.

One week, Jay was able to come with us. Jack was really excited to show Jay his classroom, but when it came time for the parents to go to the other room, Jack told us to leave, then grabbed a chair, shoved it next to the door, climbed up on it and sat their swinging his legs while telling us, "You go have coffee with the other Mommies, I will wait right here for you." Jay's face (and heart) dropped. I got yet another lump in my throat. The assistant teacher hurried over and explained that Jack does this every day. When he feels insecure, he sits on the chair by the door. Eventually, he will join his friends and every once in a while go back to his chair. Jay looked at me and said, "We can't leave him like this!". I had both of my boys giving me the same sad face.

Argh. These boys. Both of my boys breaking my heart. I had to put away my mommy feelings and go with everything I know as a former child care center director and know that he just needs time to adjust. I gave Jack hugs and left the room with a sad little Jay, and, guess what, when we came back, he happily told us what all he had done at school!

Jack only ended up attending preschool for a month because of our move to Iowa. The last week of it, he LOVED it. I was so sad that he only got one good week in before we left and Lucy's teachers were quite sad to let her go. Jack's teachers told me that Jack is a very smart little boy, but they most impressed with his manners and his emotional inteligence level. Our first day in Iowa, Jack told me he wanted to go to his preschool! (Seriously, kiddo, that is when you learn to love it, once it is gone!) I have him enrolled in preschool for the fall, and he is having a hard time waiting! I just hope that he gets used to it a lot faster this time!

Sleepy Girl!

January 2010

This picture is one of many. I have several of Lucy in this pose and I have many of Jack in this same exact pose. Yet, every time I come out of the shower to find a little baby sleeping in the jumper, I must take a picture of it!

Don't you wish that you could be like this too, just fall asleep wherever you are, no matter whatever you are doing, whenever you feel a little drowsy?

New Year's Day

January 2011 (Woo-Hoo! I finished catching up 2010!)

We have a wonderful New Year's tradition of having my friend Mandi, her husband, Travis and their daughter, Hadley, over to our house for football, food, wii and chatting.

Jack and Hadley snuggled up to watch a movie together!

This tradition, and this family will be deeply missed when we move! Maybe we can talk them into spending New Year's in Iowa next year!

Christmas Round 3

December 2010

Our third and final Christmas was at Jay's parent's house. It included sledding with cousins and feeding goats!

We opened a gift from Jay's Aunt and Uncle that had fun confetti in it, Jack LOVED putting it in and out of the dump truck. It kept him busy the whole time we were there!

Thanks Aunt Carol!

Lucy loved Aunt Jackie's new cat!

Jack even rode (ok, more like sat on) a horse!

Christmas Round 2!

December 2010

After our Christmas, we headed to my parent's home for another Christmas. This Christmas included a visit from Santa and tons of fun with cousins!

Jack liked Santa a lot better when Santa came bearing gifts!

Santa gave Lucy a great doll, it seems to be passing the chewing test!

My little Santa!

Ribbons were just as much fun as the presents!

Papa got in plenty of snuggling time!

My parents actually allowed Jack to drive his new 4-wheeler in their house. These are NOT the same parents that raised me!

Our Christmas

December 2010

As usual, we started the round of Christmases at our house a few days before Christmas. Jack was excited to finally see what was underneath all of that wrapping paper. He had been playing with the wrapped boxes for weeks, rearranging them every day!

We had a hard time keeping Lucy interested in unwrapping presents, she just wanted to play with the things that were already opened. We ended up saving some of them for another day, as she was just too busy with other toys!

It was so much fun and the kids enjoyed all of their new toys!

Santa's Elves

December 2010

Every year since Jack was born, we go to the downtown Macy's to see the Christmas display. It has been the same display (A Day in the Life of an Elf) for the last three years, however, Jack is just as impressed every year.

Lucy loved it, too.

Jay and I had so much fun watching our kids enjoy the elves. I am pretty sure that Jack thought that they were all real. At the end, there is a visit with Santa. Neither of our children were willing to sit with Santa. so Jay and I ended up being in this year's Christmas photo.

Another visit with Santa

December 2010

Donuts with Santa was another event at our Community Center which we were excited to attend. Jack talked a pretty big talk about siting with Santa and telling him what he would like for Christmas, but again, when it came to his turn, he just cruised by Santa saying, "I would like a dinosaur flashlight" as quick as he could. Lucy was willing to sit with Santa, however, she is getting a little wiser, as she quickly became unnerved by the jolly old man.

Thinking about crying....
Really thinking about crying...

And, now she is crying.

At least she let me get a couple of pictures! Jack did at least enjoy the donuts!

I Did It!

December 2010

My facebook status on March 29, 2010:

2010 to do list: Give birth (check), send out birth announcements of second born (check), sell house, buy another house, move family to another state, potty train first born, cure first born of addiction to pacifier and actually send out Christmas cards this year. I am beginning to think that giving birth will be the easiest thing on my list.

Well, I am able to cross off yet another one! I actually found the time to get both kids looking decent on the same day (no major facial scratches, bruises or bad haircuts), and to the photographer while everyone was in a good mood! I was not able to get a single picture with both of them looking at the camera and smiling adorably, but we had several good-enough ones. I then actually was able to find time to write a Christmas letter, place it in the cards and send off those little envelopes of Christmas cheer. I don't think a single one actually made it to a recipient by Christmas Eve, but it was close enough ;-)

Here are the photos that made the cut.

With just a little left of December, most of my 2010 to do list was completed, woo-hoo!

Miss Independent

December 2010

Lucy continues to stun me on how different she can be from her brother. She is so much more independent than her brother was at this age. One of her favorite activities is to crawl into Jack's room and read books to herself. If we ever can't find her, that is where she is. If we ever hear her fussing, it is because she has crawled up onto Jack's bed and can't figure out how to get back down :-)

Here she has gone into Jack's room and tipped over a toy basket, she doesn't look to fearful about being caught in the act! Luckily, Jack doesn't mind one bit that Lucy loves to play in his room nor does he mind her messing with his toys. He is such a good brother to her!