Bug Barn

I show you "After School Special"

2011-10-29T01:49:00.000-05:00

The other day I was trying to get Jack to brush his teeth and had been begging him to head towards the bathroom. We made it nearly there when Jack sat down on the stairs, his back to me.

I said, exasperated by this point, "Jack, it's time to brush your teeth!"

He folded his hands in his lap and dropped his head. He said in his most feeble, sincere voice, "I know Momma.. but.. I just don't understand."

Really? Where could he have possibly learned that drama!!?? ;)

2011-08-23T12:04:00.000-05:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,
You finally live in Eng-wend!! After months and months of talking about it, and pretending to ride on the big airplane, we did it! I have to say, the last month has been one of the most difficult in my life. The move wasn't necessarily the hard part. That was all paperwork and organization. The part that was hard was leaving people we love and trust and who love us back.

Of course I'm talking about grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins and friends. But also, there was Ms. Laura. How in the big wide world were we ever going to find another Ms. Laura? As your Momma, I knew it wasn't really possible. I settled into the idea that we would just have to "settle" and that maybe in this transition to pre-pre-school, you wouldn't notice that any major change had been made. But that was a ludicrous idea! Not so much for you. You're very flexible at the moment. It was more about my meltdown, and how no one was going to be good enough.. UNTIL we met Jackie.\

Jack, you are one lucky kid to have such amazing people in your life. Jackie, a very British, free spirited lady has just taken to you like a bee to flowers. She calls you her Mensa boy and goes on about how smart you are, "and the puzzles! he loves his puzzles, doesn't he?" She's taught you about scaffolding for roof repair, where water goes when it goes down the drain, and that you shouldn't touch anyone else's poo, particularly Baby Bode's. The reason I know these things is because you tell me all about them.

In fact, sometimes I worry that you get so upset when it's time to come home. You love being at Jackie's and next week, all of the other kids come, too! Your school is called "Little Mac Nursery" and there are 8 kids coming from 6 different nationalities. It's basically an international pre-school that is literally around the corner from our house. We walk every morning to get there. LOVELY!

Overall, you are adapting nicely. We've taken a couple of small road trips - Bath, for example and last week end we went to Windsor. In any case, your favorite parts are most definitely the playgrounds (as it should be), and you are a healthy, happy kid!

Love you, Jack B'hat!

Momma

JACK IS THREE!

2011-06-11T08:00:00.002-05:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,
I can hardly believe I'm saying this but... Today you are three! THREE!!!
Everyone is in town to celebrate. Yaya is here and so are Grammy and Grand Schmob. We have a big boy party planned at Chuck E. Cheese complete with monster cake, pizza, party favors and rides! (Pictures to follow.)
When Yaya arrived she asked me if I felt better today than I did three years ago. I paused to understand what she meant when - oh yeah - I was in labor. So, yes. The answer is yes. I am much more comfortable, both as your momma and as a person.
Things are definitely crazy right now. The house is in boxes. We aren't sure when we'll move to England or where we'll live when we get there. We don't know what exactly we'll do when we get there. What we do know is we're chalking it up to having an adventure. We know that because we love each other - your Dada, you and me - that we'll be fine. Better than fine, actually. We'll be fantastic.
So happy birthday, my sweet three year old! Your life is on a path to brilliance. You're incredibly smart, curious, well spoken, and sweet. Nothing but good things are coming. I love you baby (ahem) little boy!!
Love,
Momma

A Toddler Joke

2011-04-20T19:24:00.002-05:00

Momma: Dada, Jack can get to the choc-o-lick (Jack's word for Chocolate).
Dada: Do we need to move the choc-o-lick?
Jack: I already move the choc-o-lick.
Momma: Where did you move it, Jack?
Jack: I move the choc-o-lick into my mouth.

Grandy and Gagi and Jack!

2011-04-10T22:08:00.002-05:00

New Experiences

2011-03-14T09:28:00.004-05:00

It's been a big month Jack!

You went on your first protest march in Austin (which you didn't like at first).

(see more pictures here)

You sat around your first campfire and had up close and personal conversations with cows!

(see more pictures here)

Awesome!

We've created a monster.. er. ahem.. toddler. We've created a toddler!

2011-02-28T18:22:00.002-06:00

Is it bad that my favorite part of this video happens just after he runs around the couch? And the "You stop it!" bit.. Where does he get that? I am proud to say that he only reserves hitting for technology (when Momma's not looking) and not people. Note that even when he strikes the computer, he looks to see if I've noticed.. (sigh).

30 Months

2010-12-12T09:00:00.005-06:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

I missed your monthly post day due to work, but it is only a day late. Maybe it will give you some consolation to know that I received this message in my email today:

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/0RUIn8-qvKotE7Bz0EilBA

We're totally ready for Christmas! The house is decorated to the point that your Aunt Gagi would be proud! The tree is gorgeous; the mantel looks like a wintry wonderland; there are little pockets of Christmas cheer all over the house, including a fiber optic snowman in your room and tiny spruce bouquets in all of the bathrooms. We even bought Christmas cacti from the AHS FFA and they are in bloom! Jack, you inspired and helped with all of it!! We even made Christmas cookies and hot cocoa on the day we hung the lights outside!!

Needless to say, your Dada and I are so looking forward to Christmas this year, especially now that you are more aware of the holiday. You remind us of the magic and wonder Christmas brings. :) Happy 30th month, baby!!

I'm proud to be your Momma!

Love,

Momma

29 Months

2010-11-10T20:46:00.004-06:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

Hi! This has been a very eventful month with all the Halloween goings on and such. In fact, I'm exhauseted and so are you most days. We both give everyday our all and by the time our heads hit our pillows, we're out. I'm going to keep this letter short and sweet.

Here are some things that have happened this month:

*You went trick or treating for the very first time!! It was awesome! You were a blue "color" and Momma wore her striped hose and a witches hat. We held hands and walked around the neighborhood. We looked for "porch lights on?" and you were in charge of ringing the doorbells. Sometimes you weren't very enthusiastic in your doorbell ringing, but as soon as the door was opened, people melted at the sight of you! "How cute!!!" they would exclaim. You would whisper, "twickotweet?" and folks dropped candy in your pumpkin bucket. Then you would say, "I'm goin' to the park!" I don't know why you felt the need to tell people that. Still, it was pretty cute.

* You are especially eager to play in the dirt lately. When I say "play in the dirt" I mean that you dig in a flower pot and shovel the soil into your dump truck. You're such a boy.

* This is probably too much information, but everytime you toot, you mention that you've done it, and then Dada reminds you to say "e-choos me."

(Dada's input here)

I love you, Baby Boy! I'm proud to be your Momma!!!

Love,

Momma

Pumpkin Patch Halloween 2010

2010-11-01T20:46:00.000-05:00

28 Months

2010-10-11T08:23:00.000-05:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

Hi! I miss you. I suppose this is a milestone in that it is the first time that you are on vacation without Mama and Dada. You're in Amarillo (and have been for almost a whole week) visiting your Grammy and Grand Schmob and all of your thousands of cousins and people who love you. In a way I'm very jealous, but also Dada and I are going on a vacation too. The house has seemed too quiet without Dora and Diego in the background, your percussion practice, and the lovely, continual chattering you do. But I do know that you are happy and having a great time thanks to your grandparents. And I can witness it for myself thanks to Skype!!!
In the mean time, here are some noteworthy happenings this month:

1. You went on your first field trip with Ms. Laura!! She took you, along with two other kids, to a farm in Burleson where you got to play in hay, see animals, and pick out your very own Jack-sized pumpkin. You had a great time! For me, it is a reminder of what a big boy you're becoming!!

2. We taught you how to "Eskimo kiss" where we rub noses. I don't think you've quite figured out that you are supposed to actually touch, though. You mostly just wiggle your head back and fourth with your nose in the air. That's worked out well since that's about as close as a Momma and her boy can get on Skype. Did I mention that I miss you??

3. Your language skills are incredible. It shouldn't come as that big of a shock since language acquisition is the milestone that is agreed upon in all of the parenting books. Still, it's fascinating to watch you learn language! I can't even keep up with all of the words that you're learning, words like: mailbox, ambulance, ice cream truck (the vehicle you confuse with an ambulance), and no way! You speak in complete sentences sometimes which sounds really nuts coming from our sweet baby.. ahem.. big boy.

4. Speaking of "no way!",you say this. Often. Especially when you emphatically don't want to do something. I haven't taught you that sometimes being concise is best. A simple, firm "no", for example, would probably be more effective than a "no way!" which actually is cute and endearing, probably the opposite effect of what you're going for.
5. You're afraid of the potty. Damn. I mean, you're interested in it, as long as you aren't the one having to use it. Anytime we ask you if you want to sit on the potty, you say, "Sure!" The non-negotiable part of that "sure" is that you meant you wanted only to look at the potty, and if forced to sit upon it, you would very much like to leave your diaper on and your pants fastened at the waist. If Dada or I try to actually sit you on the potty properly, all hell breaks loose - screaming and gnashing of teeth, darkness descending onto the planet, monsters devouring babies, etc.. You get the picture, and it's not pleasant. What are we going to do?

6. You're the most wonderful kid on the planet. All of your grandparents marvel at how pleasant and happy you are - that you don't mind taking naps and wake-up happy in the mornings. They are curious as to how you - our phenomenal boy - could possibly be part of our brood. But Dada and I know the answer. It's because you are all the best parts of both of us combined, and by some miracle your genetic code didn't pick up our vastly annoying character flaws.

We love you, Jack. I can't wait to see you soon.

Love,

Mamma

27 Months

2010-09-11T09:09:00.007-05:00

Hi Jack B'Hat!

You are so happy! Seriously! Ever since we switched babysitters, you've been over-the-moon happy! Everyday you go to Ms Laura's you run to her and squeal her name. When I buckle you into the car on the way home from her house you look at me with big, concerned eyes and ask, "Lawa? Lawa?" I'm pretty sure there is lots of dancing at her house which is your favorite activity, but also she has two little girls who dote on you - they pick you up, hug you, kiss you, and pet you. You LOVE them. Also, you get to sleep on your nap mat which, coincidentally, is your new favorite word. You walk around the house saying, "Nap mat? Nap mat? Nap! Mat! Animals!!"

Needless to say, I am thrilled with our new arrangement. It is so much nicer to be around a happy boy rather than a sulky, fit throwing one. I'm sad to question the idea that perhaps it's because you disliked your other sitter and that I made you go there anyway. But then, the weather is cooling, you know more words, we're back on schedule, and things generally seem to be looking up. Maybe you're through another phase.

Here are some tidbits about you this month:

1. You like the word, "Mud" - Mud i' duwt n wadder. Twactor inna duwt. Mud. - Translated as "Mud is dirt and water. Tractors are in the dirt. Mud."

2. You love to read. We have a new coffee table book , courtesy of your Aunt Renee, about the Cotswolds in England - little cottagey towns with gorgeous church steeples, pastoral fields of sheep, and sleepy kittens sitting on stone walls. You adore this book. You point at each page and ask, "What's that?" And I say, "sheep" or "church" or "flowers" or whatever it is. You concentrate really hard and respond, "Oh. Yes." And then I question you.

3. We've gotten into the good habit of reading before bed. The bad habit is I let you take your books to bed with you. Dada does not. When Dada was working late the other night, I tucked you in with the aforementioned Cotswold book and I turned on a nightlight so you could see. For an hour I could hear you turning pages and quizzing yourself, "Oh. Yes. That a road. Cow, Moooo. Church." What's the harm?

4. You really enjoyed playing with your cousins, Duncan and Bobby last week end. You called Bobby "Body" followed by something that sounded like "the wonder duck." We had a great time and it was fun watching you interact with the bigger boys, and of course with your Mamaw and Aunt Renee and Uncle Gerry.

5. Favorite show - Dora

6. Favorite book - Oakey

7. Favorite food - (nothing) Please eat, baby! You make me nervous!

8. Favorite possession - Nap! (your beloved blankie)

You're a happy, healthy kiddo, Jack! I love you so much and am glad to be your Momma!!!

Love,

Momma

26 Months

2010-08-11T11:20:00.005-05:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

You are growing so quickly right now! You often surprise us with things that we know we haven't taught you. Probably we will get used to it since once you're at school that will happen all of the time, at least until you're a teenager and decide to quit telling us things. But for now, it's surprising and wonderful and scary.

I have to be frank and tell you (for the integrity of the record) that things are kind of tense around here. Some of the reason is you wield the word "no" like a ninja samurai in the middle of a heated battle. This is the battle: we have the audacity to suggest that you eat a snack, or watch a show, or play with your cars. Any request/suggestion/demand/idea is treated with the same abhorrence. Simply put, you've gotten a bit of an attitude. And when Dada or I respond with a "yes" to your "no", you throw yourself in the floor and scream bloody murder. Shrieking din might be a better description for the sound that comes out of your mouth. This happens anywhere and everywhere and is such a shocking change from your usually even temperament.

Tonight, for example, we interviewed for a new babysitter/preschool since your current one decided to resign. Suffice it to say, it did not go well. At. All. In fact, the new sitter suggested that you weren't ready to come to her house because you would possibly be a distraction to the other kids. I begged her to give us a chance - all of us since you are a reflection of us and we lovingly and proudly represent you, fit or no fit. She is going to give us a two week trial, and hopefully by then we'll have some things ironed out.

We don't understand the sudden change. It's been a long, difficult summer mostly spent with just the two of us since Dada was away working. I probably allowed you to break more rules than I should have. Still, you didn't throw these kinds of fits. Also, we've had some tough times recently: the new daycare that didn't work, schedules that kept changing, the air conditioner that broke (twice - we spent the night in a hotel last night..*), your molars are probably coming in, etc.. I don't know.

Momma and Dada are exhausted and stressed to the max, so I can only imagine what it might be like for a little one like you who can only express yourself through actions. I just wish I knew how to make it better for all of us.

I love you baby. I know it will get better as soon as everything calms down some. Sorry to be a downer this time, but I figure that our relationship has to be genuine. When you are big enough to truly understand these letters, I trust you will also be big enough to understand that life isn't always perfect.

Still, with all of this challenge, I am so proud to be your momma. I love you more than I can explain. My heart is just bursting!
Love,
Momma

*Reason why this is a late post

Freakin' CUTE

2010-07-30T14:47:00.001-05:00

25 Months

2010-07-11T14:24:00.004-05:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,
I'm not sure when my monthly letters should become semi-annual ones or even yearly posts. There is so much going on in our lives that it's hard to keep up. Pictures, too, are fewer and far between. Some of that is because it's summer and Dada has been away for most of the time. That means that you and I have spent lots and lots of time together. That's a good thing, but it also means it is more difficult to take and upload pictures. That, plus you threw the camera into the kiddie pool during a moment of passion - as in you were pissed about something and needed to throw something. It ended up that the camera was the closest thing, and the pool just happened to be in front of you. It is ruined. But not to fret. We got a new camera and as soon I learn how to upload pictures on it, I'll post some. (sigh)

Here are some things that have happened this month:
1. We started at Ms. Kay's, the new daycare. You seem to like it ok, and have made some new friends.

2. You've had your first official play date with Connor. It was an interesting experience. Connor came over to our house and for the first time in your life, you became a little bit protective of your stuff - as in Connor wasn't allowed to touch anything, especially your "colors." You also did not want Connor to eat. Hmmm. Could this be the face of an only-child toddler rearing it's ugly head? Perhaps. I feel overcautious about that being the case. It also could've been a bad day. Or maybe it's just part of learning to be social. In any case, we had to do a little bit of time out, and then you were back to your charming self.

3. This morning, you decided that your breakfast would make a really funny hat. Unfortunately, your breakfast was yogurt, cereal, and juice.. Tonight will be a forced bath night, even though you generally only get one every other day.

4. You had your 2 year check up a few days ago. The doctor says that everything looks great and that Dada and I are doing a good job. You've only gained a pound since you were one, but it's ok, because you've started running and climbing and jumping. You're in the 85th percentile for height and the 10th percentile for weight.

5. One of the cutest things you've started doing is when we suggest doing something you love - playing at the park, going on a bike-ride, playing in the water -you become the most agreeable person on the planet. I say, "Let's put on your shoes," and you say, "Ok! Sure! Alright! Ok."

6. Something else that is cute, but only because it's so toddler-ish, is when you are testing a limit (i.e. getting in trouble for something), you get down in the floor and lower yourself slowly into a face-down position. You watch us as you do it to see our reactions. We have to try not to laugh..

7. You love wanting to play in water, but you don't actually want to play in it.

8. You have started jumping - in place, off of window sills and porches, off of footstools, highchairs, etc. The great part is, you announce "jump!" before you do it, so if it's not safe, Dada and I can get to you before you do it.

9. Last night for the first time ever, you turned the doorknob and opened a door. YIKES.

10. You LOVE LOVE LOVE Toddler Time at the library. You sit at the front of the mat, right in front of the teacher. You sing loudly, clap passionately, and dance your heart out. Your the friendliest one there, and I can tell that you're the teacher's favorite. If school is anything like this for you, you'll be a great student.

I can't think of anything else at the moment, though I am positive that there is more to share..
I'll try to post pictures soon.
I love you, Jack. You're the best, most wonderful 2 year old on the planet!!!
Momma

Jack's 2nd Birthday

2010-06-14T22:04:00.001-05:00

This is being posted a little bit late - my apologies!- but we've been busy, busy!!
I love you, Jack. Here's what we were up to on your second birthday!!

23 months

2010-05-10T21:53:00.008-05:00

So here we are - 23 months.
Just shy of two.
Almost Terrible.
And so it begins…

Mom’s out of town for the weekend so here’s one from me, dear ole dad. Of course you’re not terrible – at least not yet. Maybe when you hit 13 or so. But you are exploring limits. My guess is you’re just trying to figure things out. I try not to get too upset when, after being reprimanded for banging your sippy cup against the window, you stop but immediately move six inches to the left and smack it again and then turn with a look that says “Is this OK?” “No.” So you then move six inches to the right. “How about now?”

As a result of this drive to explore, and the fact that “slow” is not a speed that exists on your transmission, you have discovered the world of scraped knees and bruises. I’m not quite sure how you managed to scrape the bridge of your nose right between your eyes. But I do think, whatever hit you, you should have seen it coming.

You also love to help with things like loading/unloading the dishwasher. Sure, when you ‘help’ it usually takes about three times longer and quite often you are helping unload when I’m trying to load or vice versa. But it’s the thought that counts, right?

So here you are finding new exciting places to hide the remote, making random calls on the cell phone (Sorry Mrs. Kubinski), and raging against the injustice of a closed door. All I can say is fight on little man, be bold, be strong… but bed time is still 8:00.

22 Months

2010-04-11T16:09:00.006-05:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,Happy 22nd month!! You are so close to two and have already begun what grown-ups call "the terrible twos." When they say this they mean that their children are no longer able to be contained as they once were, and they get into everything they can possibly get into, even though their parents spent a tremendous amount of time and money making sure that they couldn't get into anything. (shaking and rocking) But they do...Anyway, you're there kid. We've learned that you laugh in the face of the baby-proofing industry and you openly mock anyone who calls himself an expert on toddler rearing. It's a really good thing you're so freaking cute since you are testing both the limits of what you can and cannot do and also the limits of your parents patience. (!) (Right now you are standing in a chair, defiantly looking at me..)Sadly, Momma has been pretty sick this week and couchbound as a result. Even now my body is wondering why I'm vertical. I'll have to post some pictures and leave it at that this month. But please know that I love you with all of my heart. It makes my heart warm when you say it back. The best is when you bring your nap to me and ask to snuggle. You're the best kid on the planet!!

I love you!!!

Momma

2010-04-05T21:22:00.000-05:00

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Spring Break 2010

2010-03-21T20:54:00.001-05:00

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21 Months: Vlog

2010-03-11T18:36:00.002-06:00

20 Months

2010-02-11T13:23:00.002-06:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,
I miss you. Today you are 20 months old, and I am not with you. I am in Boston (and probably by the time I post this, will be in the airport or on the airplane) making huge decisions that will affect the rest of our lives. I suppose this space is where I can be most honest. Dada and I are at a job fair interviewing and negotiating positions and livelihoods in international schools. One of the ones we are looking at is what I would consider the perfect community. As I type we are waiting to here whether or not we are picked. Then we have a decision to make. There is another option on the table, as well, in a place we like less, but that would still be an incredible experience for our family. We are excited and nervous and afraid and optimistic, all at the same time. You are so important to us- we love you so much - and we want what's best for you.

Anyway, enough about that. I'll talk about some things that have happened this month:

1. You said your first sentence this month! (sort of) You asked, "Where shoes go?" and you shrugged your shoulders, your palms up. It was adorable!!

2. Speaking of shoes, you've decided that shoes are awesome. You don't want to take them off. It could have something to do with the fact that your dad says things like, "Look! Jack's wearing shoes like a big boy!" And then everyone claps. It's great when we're going somewhere, but taking naps in shoes is a problem.

3. You've become really good at celebrating. You throw your arms in the air, your shirt popping over your belly, and you cheer! You may or may not combine this with a happy dance. It depends on the celebration. Shoes=arm raise and happy dance. Fruit=arm raise only.

4. You recognize people in photographs, especially Yaya. You open photo albums and start naming people, just like you do with baby animals in picture books.

5. You say "Christine" and "J", or a version of these anyway. This warms their hearts. They love you very much.

6. You got more teeth, finally. It's been a while since anything happened on that front. I firmly believe that getting all four i-teeth at the same time is what made you so sick this month. We had to skip a lot of Nanny time because of your illness. Oye. Molars are next.

7. You can almost turn door knobs. You understand the mechanics of how it works, but you aren't quite strong enough yet. This is going to pose a problem..

Ok, Jack B'Hat, I have another interview to attend. I have to go. But I love you very much, and as always, I am proud to be your Momma.

Love,
Momma
p.s. We decided to stay where we are at the moment..

19 Months

2010-01-07T21:09:00.013-06:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

You're 19 months old and I don't think I can account for all of the new things you are doing! It's like all of a sudden, someone switched on the "learn" button, and you're running at hyper speed. I'll do the best I can. Here goes:

1. I suppose the most important thing is you learned how to say the word "no". I blame your Uncle Dutch for this because over Christmas he showed you where the piano keyboard was and all you wanted to do was play. Uncle Dutch got bored of the game before you did and kept telling you "No, not right now."

The weird thing is the way you say "no". I say, "Jack, do you want to eat?" You cock your head to the side, like you're really considering the question, shake your head and say in a considerate tone,"naw". It's very pleasant, actually. But then pretty much everything you say is sweet to me.

2. You make up games. For example today you had a ball and two (plastic) golf clubs. You hit the ball into the grass and then looked at me. If I started towards the ball, you would run past me to get there first. Then you'd swat at the ball until it was back on the concrete. You giggled to yourself, like you were getting away with something, but it was clear that I, as usual, was a pawn in your little game. I love the creativity, though!

3. You're learning words like crazy! You say "nano" for piano, "caw" for car, swing, show, nap (the name for your blankie), Yaya, Nana, "Gandy" for Grandy, bath (which you despise!), green, red, blue, roar, baby, etc. This is in addition to all the words you know already!

4. You're starting to recognize people in pictures. Well, you only recognize one person in pictures: Yaya. In drawings, you call anything fuzzy "Casey" unless it's a duck Then you yell DUCK! Sometimes you point at pictures of Gramps and say, "baby." I think it's because he's bald. If you pet Casey, you say "sweet" even if you are pounding on his back. This is a result of us cautioning you to be sweet to Casey since you mostly tend to pound on his back.

I'm sorry to cut this one short, but you're crying because you've just finished a bath which was, apparently, your worst nightmare come true. Your dad sounds frustrated and keeps saying, "Oh, Baby Jack, oh Baby Jack.." Bath time is tough time which is why we usually tag-team it. We love you, though.

Happy 19 months, Baby Boy! I'm proud to be your momma!

Love,

Momma

A Year and a Half!!!

2009-12-11T17:17:00.007-06:00

Dear Jack B’Hat,
What in the world happened? Time has gone by so incredibly fast that all of a sudden you’re a year and a half old! You had your well baby doctor visit today and the nurse asked, “Can he say at least three words?” When I hear that I was all, “Pshaw! He can say like 30!” which pretty puts you at genius caliber, I’m certain.

They also asked if you stack things. Dad responded with, “Yeah. He’s a stacking sonofabitch!” I was nodding in agreement when I realized what the implications of that statement actually meant.. And honestly, that is how your dad reenacts the scenario. Really, he responded with, “Yes. He stacks quite well, thank you.”
Anyway, here are some things that happened this month:

1. You play the piano! Sort of. You touch the keys, but we think you’re a natural since you actually press the keys instead of pounding them like you do the drum..or your stuffed animals,or balls, or pretty much everything else you touch. And you look adorable at the piano! Might we have a maestro in the family? Only time will tell.

2. You’re still climbing, Yaya bought you a toddler sized chair for you to sit in because, partly, she saw pictures of you climbing onto the big people furniture – specifically from ottoman to table top – and that concerned her. So, the toddler chair is nice.. except that you climb into it sideways, face first, your feet flailing out the side. Once you’re in it, you stand up, hike one leg over the side, dangle for a moment before sliding back onto the floor. (Ahem) I do have to say that I’m glad you have this chair to much bananas and goldfish in, but other than that, I can’t say that it’s more “safe.”

3. New words I’ve heard you say this month include: ou-fy (outside), shos (shoes), shaws (socks), book, swing, show, and Nononononononoooo. Yeah. Love the last one.

4. You can beatbox. Seriously. This is an accomplishment I’m very proud of. When Biz Marquee comes on to do his spot on Yo Gabba Gabba, you turn around and start zerberting into your palm and dancing. The first time I saw you do this, I was stunned, then laughed histerically, and then dove for the camera. This is the response given every time you do this.

You are growing so fast, little one. I love you so, so much and am proud of everything you do!

Love,
Momma

17 Months

2009-11-11T07:00:00.000-06:00

Dear Jack B’Hat,

You’re 17 months old today. At the grocery store yesterday, the bag boy asked me how old you are and I said, “Almost 17 months old.” He wrinkled his brow, looked up at the ceiling and said, “So how old is he?” I stopped, wrinkled my brow and tried my hand at the calculation. What I figured is that I need to stop saying your age in months. You’re almost a year and a half.

Here are some things that have happened recently:

1. You’ve learned to kiss!!! I’m in love with this. I say, “Jack can I have a kiss?” and you pucker your lips, lean in and swack me wherever you land. Sometimes it’s the cheek, sometimes it’s the air near my cheek, and sometimes it’s right on my mouth! Dada says that it’s weird for me to allow you to do that, but I say, “No! It’s perfectly fine! Auntie Jen and Auntie Lisa have kissing walls in their houses with their family, so it’s not such a stretch. Besides, it’s not like we’re making out!” I don’t care what Dada says. I think it’s amazing, and sweet, and wonderful. I know that later in your life, you won’t want to kiss your Momma, so I’m savoring all the opportunities I get!

2. You can now climb up onto all of the furniture. You use the couches and ottomans to climb onto tables, and we’re pretty much doomed.

3. I’m going to tell the world that you are not a couch potato, and that you don’t watch too much TV. But perhaps I’ll have to revise my claim when I say that you know Yo Gabba Gabba so well that you recognize when DJ Lance says, “It’s almost time to go.” At those words, you throw yourself onto the floor, bury your head in your hands and yell, “Uh Oh!!!” I imagine if you could, you’d rise up, throw your fist in the air, and scream, “OH THE HUMANITY!” But sadly the words won’t come.

4. Everything is a telephone. You hold objects to your ear and say, “Wa Row?” which is you’re version of “hello?” Then you either chatter to yourself or continue with, “Wa row? Wa row? Uh oh!!” So. Flippin’ Cute.

5. You’re finally exploring in the yard! Until now, you wouldn’t venture away from the safety of the concrete into the unknown jungle of the grass. But one day, you just did it. You ran into the grass and then back and then out and then back. So now, you’re everywhere. Good luck to Momma and Dada in the airport this Christmas... (sigh) How much are those kid leashes?

All in all it’s been a wonderful month! I love you, B’Hat and am so glad to be your Momma!!

Kisses! (Because you can!),

Momma

Happy Halloween!!

2009-11-01T06:57:00.000-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

16 Months

2009-10-11T08:40:00.007-05:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

I'm 34.

I know that's a weird way to start a letter to you because depending on how old you are when you read this determines how much it matters. In my mind you're on the computer after having tucked in your own dear ones, and you're about to write a letter to them detailing the events of the month. You've come here, curious about any comparisons between who you were at their age and who they are now, and you miss me. By then, technology will have advanced so much that the computer you're on won't be recognized by my generation as a computer. It will be foreign and vague and will be the sort of thing that causes much frustration to me and stifled giggles to you.

Anyway, I suppose the reason I mention my age is because I just had a birthday two days ago. So, you are 16 moths old and I'm 34. Time goosesteps on. I keep whispering in your ear, "That's big enough, ok. Stay my little one!" That said, I know it's good that you're growing up. I remind myself that this time is the best time and that will be true of each moment your whole life.

Here are some things that have happened this month:

1. You've begun to climb. It's not ok. You hike your leg up onto whatever piece of furniture - especially the rocking chair in your room - you're standing next to. If that piece of furniture has anything to grab onto, you can hoist yourself up.The reason this is difficult is that after you get on whatever you're climbing, you stand up. Sitting, apparently, is anathema to your morals so,by golly, YOU WILL STAND. And then cry because you can't get down.

2. You like football. You yell, "Go Tech!" or really, your version is "Yeah Yeah!!" You wave your fist in the air and cheer, "Yay!" You do this when you see a football field on the TV.

3. Your Maha (or Yaya or YaPaw or whatever the heck she's called. I call her Mom.) has taught you to hold bath toys in the air and yell, "Cannonball!" and then drop them. You learned very quickly and play "Cannonball!" with everything - the bath toys, other toys, food, my cell phone etc. Of course you don't really say, "cannonball", it sounds like "Lalalaaaaa!" But we all get what you're doing. Thanks for that game, Maha.. ;)4. You've begun to chatter. A lot. You chatter all the time and sometimes sing. It's the sweetest thing I've ever heard. It's particularly fun when your chatter sounds like cursing. Your dad and I look at each other and giggle, and then we renew our vows to stop cursing when it dawns on us that you might really be using words that we taught you. Shit!

5. New vocabulary word of the month: Teetee. You say this during diaper changes. To recap, you know Momma, Dada, Casey, rock, ball, and teetee. As Auntie Chrif-teen says, "You know who your parents are, the pet, a toy, and your penis. Yep. Pure boy." The other day, and this is an over share, you were patting my belly, as per the instructions of your father, and then patted lower and said, "teetee". Son, we have some things to talk about. Better yet, go ask your father.

6. I saw you jump in place on Friday. It's the first time I've seen you do that, and I think it scared you a little bit. This, especially with the knowledge that you are learning to climb, is so. freaking. scary to me. Please, may jumping scare you a little while longer, at least until I learn how to handle the climbing part. Please?
Jack, you are growing up to be such a sweet, wonderful, smart boy! I love you so much, baby. I'm glad to be your momma.

-Momma

All this and more..

2009-10-03T09:28:00.002-05:00

on the Flickr.

15 Months

2009-09-11T05:00:00.002-05:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

Today I was talking to our school librarian, Mrs. Bean, about how adorable you are. I said, "Isn't Baby Jack so freakin' cute?" (I'm humble like that.)

She said, "He's adorable and not so much a baby anymore. He's Toddler Jack by now. How old is he? A year old?"

"What? No," I said, frantically trying to calculate whether or not you are a year old. "I mean he's almost 15 months old."

And that's the problem. In my head 15 month does not equate to one year old and counting. I still very much consider you my baby. I think this is a common problem for mothers, whether their sons are 15 months old or 33 years. But yes. You are 15 months old today and you are adorable and hilarious!

Here are some things that have happened this month:
1. You stand in bowls. I know. It's weird. But that's what you do. I pretend that you're doing performance art as you carefully lift your leg over the lip of the bowl, gently place it in, then carefully do the same with the other. You stand there, in the bowl, for two to five seconds and then very gently step out again. I clap. Because, seriously. What else is there to do?

2. You used to throw horrible crying fits when you didn't get your way. Now you just scruntch up your brow, lean your head back, open your mouth and slowly fuss, "a' hat, a'hat, a'haaaaaat." It's the most pitiful thing I've ever seen. And also hilarious. My laughter makes it worse. I try not to laugh, but COME ON!

3. I'm trying not to be offended by the fact that you point at Casey cat and say "Ca-sss" - your way of saying "Casey." Then you turn to me and hit me while you say "Momma!" and then you pat Dad and say, "Momma" and then you point at the couch and say "Momma" and then at the weird alien things on Yo Gabba Gabba and say "Momma." But Casey is always Ca-sss. Dad says we should ignore you, put our butts in your face, and walk across you to get to our food. That way you might learn who we are. I'll take the more patient approach of pointing at myself and saying "Momma" over and over again. (sigh)

4. You love bike rides!! A while back Dad got me a kid's bike seat for Mother's Day. We finally installed it on his bike, and now the family can go one bike rides! You wear your Sesame Street helmet (which you are not fond of, but I insist that it must be worn) and we ride to the park where we stop and play. Then it's back on the bike to head for home.

5. All of a sudden you hate the bath. Remember all of those bath pictures where you are all smiles and giggles and splashing and playing? Those days are gone. It was sudden. One day you decided that you hate the bath and you SCREAM. I can't even get you to sit in the water. Sometimes you get so worked up that you break out into hives. For the life of me, I don't know why the sudden change. Dad and I are doing everything we know how to do to keep you calm. We both go in the bathroom with you. We try distraction/entertainment/ music/ANYTHING. I've gotten in with you. I hug you through the baths sometimes. Still, nothing works. The best we can hope for is that we move quickly enough that you don't go into hysterics. :(

6. I wasn't going to mention this, but Aunt Chrif-teen says I HAVE to just so that you'll be embarrassed when you're a teenager. You do panty raids... on my underwear drawer. It's a good thing I'm not modest because you get into my panty drawer, pull as many pairs out as you can, and then strategically place them around the house - in other drawers (the silverware one, included), in the trash cans, in toy baskets, etc. You do not do this with Dad's underwear or socks. Just mine. Dad says you're gifted.

Overall, you are a healthy, happy baby! Er. healthy, happy toddler. It has been 15 months since you got here and I am still so proud to be your Momma. I love you Jack B'Hat!!

-Momma

Testing Limits

2009-08-29T09:31:00.008-05:00

This has been happening far too often lately:

Step 1: Check to see that Momma is watching.

Step 2: Wind up a very theatrical/pitiful fit.

Step3: Continue throwing the fit whilst going about your business.

Step 4: Get over the fit when you realize no one is paying attention OR when the cat distracts you for a second.

Step 5: Resume the fit at a later time.

14 Months

2009-08-11T07:53:00.005-05:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

You are 14 months old today!! You've learned and done so much this month, some that I've already mentioned in previous posts that I'll reiterate, and some that I haven't mentioned.

I'll start with the heavy:

* First of all, and I hesitate to write this because it's sort of a downer, but important nonetheless, you had a terrible allergic reaction to peanut butter, we think. Dad and I were running errands - getting the car fixed, waiting for the car to be fixed, picking up the fixed car - and we took you to the mall in between so that we wouldn't have to drive all the way home and back. We shared ice cream and watched the ice skaters. You ran around the viewing area and made friends. We had time to play at the children's area before we left, where you ran up to a huge plastic cat and said, "Casey!" We thought we were genius parents, managing playtime and chores. You were having so much fun! All was well until the drive home. You got sick - really sick - in the car. I drove home as fast as I could, you screaming in your car seat the whole way. I managed to get you to the bathtub to get the sick off of you, and that's when I noticed the huge welts on your back and more forming on your stomach.

I've never been so afraid.

To make a long story short, we got you to an urgent care clinic where they were able to stop the reaction with an epinephrine shot. In an hour you were fine and wanted to play, like nothing had happened. We think some peanut butter in the ice cream was the culprit. I guess we'll find out another time.

And now for the light stuff:

* You love to pull pillows off of the couch and into the floor, and then dive on to them.Every time I'm worried that you'll miss, but so far the only time you've hurt yourself is when you launched yourself into the arm of the couch, probably because it looks nice and plush. It turns out it's a pretty solid surface.. But other than that, you giggle and squeal as you land on the pillows!

* You don't know what to do with cold stuff. Last month I mentioned your first push up pop. Last night you had your first Popsicle. The picture says all you need to know.

* You love your new swing! Unfortunately August is SO HOT, which is why we can only swing for 2 minutes and then we have to come inside for lemonade. But you think it's way fun. You try and tuck your legs into the swing (forming a little ball) so it doesn't tickle your tummy as much. You're adorable.

* You had your first haircut, as I've mentioned. It was no problem. You are such a friendly kid that mostly you make others feel at ease. There's something divine about that..

* You've started to spontaneously lie down in the floor - in the hallway, in the kitchen, outside.. Location doesn't matter. I don't think it's an indication of nap time or anything. I think you just like to lie down for a sec. Maybe you're re-energizing? Because seriously, kid, you're busy ALL OF THE TIME.

Summer is almost over, Jack. That means next week, you'll be back at Nanny's. I'm relieved about that because I think you have so much fun there with your friends. Here it's just been the three of us, and we already get the impression that you think we are, "like so totally lame (eye roll)". I love you, baby boy!!!

Love,

Momma

Haircut

2009-08-06T20:24:00.004-05:00

Jack had his first haircut today! Our friend, Cat, who also has a one year old son named Jack (and who has cut her kids' hair a million times), was excited to be Jack's first stylist. She even reminded a bewildered Momma that I... ahem.. she should take a lock of his hair. I'd say the experience was a complete success. No one cried. Not one of us! See for yourselves:

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Bad Momma

2009-08-05T21:38:00.004-05:00

I can't help it. I laugh which, I'm sure, encourages every bit of rotten behavior that he can think to do, all at once. When I laugh, not only does he smear more food into his hair like it's mousse, he's also thinking that he should bite the next kid he meets on the street, take a toy from someone smaller, and clock the cat upside the head. But look at him. First notice, apart from the defiant facial expression, the hamburger in his hair:

The other bits of food he didn't want are behind his head in his collar. He drops food behind him, I assume, to get it out of his sight. Bad Baby! And then there's his dad's response:I have no chance. Then I get, along with the angelic "Momma, I'm so hungry" stare, the sign for more:
Shit.

New Swing

2009-08-05T21:18:00.003-05:00

-an entirely too long video of squealing and rocking and gorgeous, gorgeous laughter..

More bath pics because you love them.

2009-08-03T10:35:00.002-05:00

We've been very busy. See the flickr for more!! :)

13 Months

2009-07-12T00:57:00.004-05:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

Yesterday you were 13 months old! I didn't get this post out because, like buildings no longer have 13th floors for luck reasons (they skip from 12 to 14), I decided that your 13th month post should go up on the next day. ... Ok. Fine. You got me. I forgot what day it was. You'll find, as you get older, that Momma never knows what day it is in the summer. I get stuck in the "how many days has it been over 100!?" routine, and lose all other sense of time. So here I am at 1:00 AM writing your post. Who says I don't love you enough!?

Here's some stuff that happened this month:

* You are EVERYWHERE and you grab EVERYTHING. Plus, it turns out you are very tall compared to other babies your age which means that their parents didn't have to move everything off of the tables and counters until much later. I didn't think the house could be much more baby-proofed, but it turns out I was sorely mistaken.

* You are starting to run. (!) BUT you are still wobbly and take balance checks..very fast ones. It looks like you are in some sort of digital feed that pauses every couple of steps to stream. You don't fall as often, but you freak Momma out a lot.

* We survived an entire week by ourselves. Daddy left to go to training and we held down the fort. I was afraid to do this. Usually there is someone within calling distance, but not this time. All of my contacts were out of town, and so it was just you and me and the poison control number on the fridge. Overall, we did great and only had a few mishaps, none of which I will share here, and some of which I'm counting on your lack of long term memory to erase before you get to your therapy years. We did have lots of fun adventures!!

* The TV went out. That's not really about you, but it sort of is seeing as you were the one who liked to push every button on the console. The new TV has no buttons on the front. Coincidence? Hmmm.

* You can now put shapes into the right hole. That sounds weird. What I mean is you put the right shape (hexagon, flower, heart, etc.) into the right cut out for that shape on your toys. I am very proud!!

* Your new word for the month is "oops," though it comes out, "umph! umph!" It's in a book we read about a turkey who doesn't know how to put his clothes on. You carry the book over to me and repeat,"umph! umph UMPH!" until I read it to you. So, your vocabulary consists of the following:

umph=oops
momma=momma
dada=everything that is not momma
uh-oh= what to say just before you throw things.

Sometimes I think you're saying "Jack" when you point at yourself and say "ak," but maybe not. Also you point at the cat and make a t sound.

* You smile at everyone. This sounds like you are friendly, but I know that people are a little bit confused by the smile. It isn't a friendly one. What I mean is, from nowhere, you flash this "cheeeeese!" expression at passersby. As quickly as it comes, it goes. This leaves people confused. They continue past us thinking, "Did that baby just smile at me or did I imagine it?" or "I think he's mocking me.." or "Gremlin!"

* You've been called a she three times this week. It's time to cut your hair. Your dad is so disappointed..

I'm certain I'm leaving a ton of things out - like, for exaple, your love affair with static guard-, but for the love of God, it's now 1:30 in the morning! Despite what the date on this post may suggest, I LOVE you very much, Jack. You are a constant tap of love for me, and joy, and wonder, and all things gorgeous!!! Happy 13th..er early 14th month, Baby!!

Momma

Aquarium

2009-07-09T07:55:00.004-05:00

I've been trying to fill these long summer days with indoor excursions, especially since it is 106 degrees outside and Rich is on vacation*. Yesterday Jack and I went to the Aquarium in the big city and hung out with turtles, manatees, sharks, etc. The picture below pretty much sums up Jack's experience:

Really, though, we had a fun day.. At least I did.
More pictures to follow on the Flickr.

* Rich is actually "working".. if you call hanging out in a lovely town where one can go outside during the day without one's face melting off , doing something one really loves, and hanging out in Bob Dillon's apartment work.

4ths of July

2009-07-07T13:19:00.008-05:00

4th of July 1 year ago:

4th of July this year:

More pics on Flickr! :)

Summer Picnic

2009-07-01T22:38:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We've seriously let go.

2009-06-30T07:36:00.005-05:00

It would appear that in the summer I'm not as strict with.. anything, actually. I used to make sure my baby son's bibs matched his outfits, his socks matched his bibs, and his burp rags matched his socks, etc. Now that none of us has a specific place to go or anything to do (which really is a type of torture to me), and now that the sun has decided that the earth's temperature should be as close to molten lava as it can get, I don't seem to care that my baby even wears a bib. Or a shirt.

Or pants.

We're lucky he's even in a diaper. Rest assured, Mom, I've already considered not making him wear one and have decided that not even my brand of lethargy is worth that mess..

There are more new pics on Flickr, every one.

Jack's First Swim

2009-06-16T08:18:00.001-05:00

12 Months

2009-06-11T10:06:00.003-05:00

Deat Jack B'Hat,

Today you are one. Around this time one year ago, we were both adjusting to a new world: You were learning how to breathe and eat and exist here, and I was only acutely aware of the miracle that had just taken place. I had only a glimpse of the responsibility being your momma entailed. Actually, I feel like I still only have a small idea. Maybe God works with new Mommas that way - allowing them to understand, in tiny portions, the immense responsibility that is raising children . Otherwise I have a feeling that the human race might end a lot sooner than anyone intended.

But here we are, one year later. You are happy and healthy and wonderful! Here are some of the things that happened this month:

* Shoes are a problem. You've been a hippie baby for 11 months and because your Uncle Putz and Aunt Shugs are getting married, your Yaya (new name for PawPaw) decreed that you must wear shoes at the airport (at least) and probably at the wedding with the sailor suit she got for you. I think she really wanted you to wear those white baby shoes that have been around for ages. I voted for sandals. In the end, you have some navy Cons - a compromise, I think. Even if they don't match exactly, I think they have a big enough coolness factor that it doesn't matter. I did get you some airport sandals, but you HATE them. You would rather crawl. And that's how you foiled our plans to keep you germ free at the airport..

* You would rather study things than play with them. Paranoid Momma is constantly worried about autism - What are the signs? Does wanting to study toys rather than play with them mean that something is wrong? Everything is amazing to you. I suppose I should worry more if it wasn't. But I can already see you playing with Rubiks Cubes and tinkering with broken AV equipment. I love that you're curious!

* "Uh-Oh". Daddy thinks this is your first word. I still think it's "Momma." Anyway, as is typical of babies, you say "uh-oh" a lot. You mostly say it right before you throw something on the floor. Daddy keeps telling you that when you throw something on the floor on purpose you're supposed to say "Damn it!" But I appreciate the warning. Sometimes I can even catch what you're throwing. "Uh-oh" also lets me know when you are finished eating, seeing as you say it right before you start throwing the food you don't want to eat.

* Your hair is nuts. Seriously, kid. Where did you get such nuts hair? It sticks out everywhere, in all directions. It's like whack-a-mole. If I smooth down one cowlick, another one pops up on the other side of your head. I honestly don't get it. Is your DNA coded with a cowlick chromosomes? Dude! People (read 'strangers') love to point out your crazy hair. Mostly we hear comments like, "Look at his hair!" and "His hair is sticking up! That's hilar... er, cute."

* You took your first airplane ride. I don't really want to preserve that memory other than to say that it didn't go well. Everything was OK until we got into the air. Maybe you were feeding off of my anxiety. Maybe you were tired or bored. Still, the folks around us wished they had brought earplugs. I know we aren't ever supposed to drug babies, but we bought some Baby Benadryl yesterday. Even if we don't use it, keeping the medicine close makes us able to endure the idea of the plane ride home. Maybe we'll just pass it around to the other passengers or slip it into the flight attendant's beverage cart. Then they can sleep while you scream.. (sigh)

* You have four teeth. All of them are on the bottom. You are the cutest piranha I've ever seen.

* You've learned to communicate when you are hungry. You point to yourself and say "Ack" which I think is "Jack", and then you give the sign for milk. You think the milk sign means "eat". But I get what you're saying, which is the point.

* You smile at everyone which means you melt a lot of hearts everywhere you go. Yesterday you made friends with two airline pilots at the airport. They even let you wear their hats!

There is so much more that I'm forgetting. We're still in Georgia at the moment, and I'm a bit distracted my the goings on. But you are so much a part of this family. Going on a trip together solidifies it. I think it's because your Daddy and I love to travel and this is the first trip - hotel room, airplane ride, etc. - that we've taken together. You better get used to it, kid..

I love you more than oxygen, Baby Boy!

Happy Birthday!!!
Love,
Momma

Jack is one TODAY!

2009-06-11T00:00:00.001-05:00

Jack's First Birthday..Party

2009-06-08T08:07:00.003-05:00

We have a lot going on these days, including celebrating Jack's first birthday! Since we'll be in Atlanta for Dutch and Sarah's wedding (hooray!) on the actual day, we had a small, impromptu birthday party for Jack a couple of weeks ago. Jack's Auntie Christine and Uncle J spent the day with us, and we played, sang happy birthday, and enjoyed Jack's first birthday cake.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I'll still post a birthday letter for Jack B'hat, and there are sure to be more birthday festivities in Atlanta!

As Promised:

2009-05-16T09:44:00.004-05:00

11 Months

2009-05-11T16:29:00.006-05:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

You are 11 months old today! Unfortunately your going to get a shorter letter today because Momma's under the weather and is crazy tired. I'll keep it brief. Here's the stuff that happened this month:

1. You are almost walking completely by yourself. When you feel especially daring, you walk across the living room from the footstool to the couch! Several times you fall over and bonk which makes you stick out your bottom lip so far that I think "No wonder you tripped! With a lip stickin' out that far,who wouldn't?" You do not find this quip amusing in any way, form, or fashion and you proceed to wail uncontrollably until you are distracted by something shiny or a piece of cheese.

2. You no longer want your baby oatmeal. You're a toddler now, and toddlers don't eat food with the word 'baby' in front of it. You spat at the spoon if oatmeal is on it, and only want finger foods and sometimes squash. You used to eat everything, and now you only want Cheerios, veggie sticks, and berry melts. Daddy keeps telling me not to worry, that you're getting your nutrients through the formula, but telling me not to worry is like telling a flower not to wilt. It just happens.

3. All of your teeth are surfacing at once. At least it feels that way. You are getting four more right this very second. That might also be why you are picky about what you eat.

4. You've learned how to open cabinets. We installed safety locks on the doors that shut out the poisons, but the Christmas dishes are still fair game to you. There is a lot of us running to you when we hear a door open, and you crying because you're not allowed to open the door and you think we are the meanest, suckiest parents ever.

5. You ate cat food yesterday.. on Mother's Day. What a wonderful mother I am to allow you to wander off unchaperoned. When I noticed it was way too quiet, I found you shoving cat food pellets into your mouth. I dug them out and carried you to Daddy. I figured it wasn't my finest mothering moment and so it was his turn. I was glad I had a cold so that I couldn't smell the cat food on you. Casey is very tolerant.

That's about all I'm good for, today, Jack. You are growing SO fast!! You are the light of my life and I love you so much it aches! Happy 11th month, baby boy!

Love,

Momma

In case you've been wondering what we're up to..

2009-05-02T09:37:00.004-05:00

We've been playing ball. We've been watching Little Bill.

We've been reading books.
We've been playing with Casey.

We've been taking baths in the big bathtub.

We've been hanging out with Auntie Christine.

And we've been happy, happy, happy!

(more pictures on the Flickr badge)

Good News

2009-04-21T17:10:00.000-05:00

Jack took his first steps today. Here we go..

10 Months

2009-04-11T17:44:00.008-05:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

You are 10 months old today!! Double Digits! Hooray! As PawPaw says, you are hardly even a baby anymore. For some reason, nostalgia makes me believe that I miss you as a snugly sweet infant, but if I remember hard enough, I recall how hard all of that was. I think you are so much fun right now! Even though you are into EVERYTHING and I can't keep you out of ANYTHING, it is so cool to see you play and explore and learn!

Here are some things about you this month:

1. You are about to walk, and if someone said, "You can't play with your toys unless you walk across the living room," I think you could do it. For now, because your Momma and Dada still cater to your every need, you'd rather be carried. I can't blame you. I think we all spend the rest of our lives hoping to be carried again. You cruise around the living room and sometimes forget that you even need to hang on to something. After you realize you've let go of the furniture you're using to stand, you cautiously turn around and lower yourself to the floor. "Whew," I imagine you're thinking, "they almost saw me walk."

2. You aren't particularly interested in TV (despite my pleading), but when Little Bill comes on, you perk up and crawl as fast as you can to the TV and stand up and pat at the image of Bill Cosby as he hands his hat to Little Bill. You love that jazzy intro (which makes your Momma proud) and it keeps you occupied for a minute or two. I like Little Bill more than you do, but I'm hoping you'll grow into the show soon.

3. You are very interested in unpacking. It doesn't matter what it is: diapers out of the box, toys out of your toy basket, clean, freshly folded laundry that you'd like to throw across the room, everything stacked neatly on your Dada's nightstand that you would rather see in a disheveled circle around you, etc. I wish you liked to put things away just as much, but I'm pretty sure that it takes some OCD to be the person who is excited about putting things back in place. It turns out Moms across the country have been fighting this battle for centuries and you are exceedingly normal in this respect.

4. You got a new car seat. You did not like it at first. Now I do not. It turns out that to put you in I basically have to maneuver through what seems like a maze of lasers without tripping an alarm (like Katherine Zeta Jones in Entrapment, only no cat suit and significantly smaller boobs). It's hard to get you in. But you like it once you are strapped down.

5. You want to eat what we're eating, and I'm becoming a little bit more brave about letting you try things. I have to admit that I take a little bit of joy from watching your face as you put things in your mouth for the first time - it's usually a confused, "What the hell is this" expression followed by a sound you make, like you're sucking air through a straw. It's the equivalent of saying, "I don't know about this.." BUT you've only spit out two things, both of which I did not give to you - a lemon (that you confiscated off of the counter when I was drying you off after a bath) and some bark from the firewood.

6. You like to "fix" things. By fix, I mean you take two objects and tap them together, like you are tinkering with a project in the garage. It's all very serious as seen in your expression. No one should laugh or make light of it, I found out.

7. As far as your health is concerned, you've done OK this month overall, but you have a never ending cold! I suppose this is normal for little ones, especially teethers, but there is a lot of wiping and sniffing and smearing of snot. Ick.

As always, I am so, so glad to be your Momma. Everyone says what a happy, good baby you are. Soon they will have to say that you are a happy, good boy! I love you, Hut da Dut!!

Momma

The hair trend is beginning to worry me..

2009-03-29T08:42:00.000-05:00

Progression

2009-03-29T08:38:00.004-05:00

Lalala. Nothing to see here..

And what exactly are you gonna do about it?

Spring at the Arboretum

2009-03-21T16:48:00.001-05:00

Doctor Visit

2009-03-17T17:53:00.003-05:00

All clear at the 9 month doctor visit today! Jack is 29 incles long (70th percentile) and weighs in at 20 lbs, 1 oz (50th percentile). He's tall and thin. Who knew a Haag boy would be tall and thin..(!) But he is healthy and happy and wonderful!! Nurse Nancy said!

Jack and Me

2009-03-15T16:51:00.004-05:00

I am devoting this post to me - Jack's Momma - and to Jack, of course. Here are some of the few pictures of us together:

9 Months

2009-03-11T16:55:00.010-05:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

You are nine months old today!

As I speak you are beside your changing table pulling yourself up from kneeling to standing and you are flinging (clean) diapers around the room. You are now opening the sealed package of diapers but (SMACK) you bonked your noggin on the shelf above the diapers because you reached too far. You are now taking this out on the Diaper Genie II- yelling at it and smacking it in frustration. Can't. Wait. until those teenage years..

Anywho, this is, in a nutshell, descriptive of how the last month went. You continue to get into stuff you shouldn't be in then bump into pieces of furniture in your over-zealousness to be most curious (read destructive), and of course, then you are ticked at everyone else for your misfortune. Hmm. Welcome to our country, kid.

Some things worthy of note:

1. You can C.R.A.W.L. And you do. Everywhere.

2. Yesterday Auntie Christine came over to play and you did something new. I at first thought you were having some sort of stroke, but then I realized you were trying to lick the leftover mushy peas off of your own chest. It reminded me of how Bagel Cat would try to clean his back side, but just twisted funny and licked in the direction of his butt. You were fairly successful at licking old food off of your own shirt, I suppose, but beware: Auntie Christine plans on telling this story to your first girlfriend.. After I show her those adorable bath-time pictures!

3. You continue add to the constant string of illness this year. You again had the stomach bug and are rounding off the month with a cold. You did sleep through the night five times in a row, and just when D addy and I breathed a sigh of relief, you started waking up again. Last night you cried from 2:00-4:00 AM. It doesn't help that I'm sick too right now, so unfortunately Daddy got the brunt of it all.

4. You went to your first Stars game. After you got over being startled by all of the lights and sounds, you settled in and focused on stealing people's drink straws. We made some new friends..

5. You still don't have any new teeth, but we think you are getting some. Nanny says you crawl after Baby Caroline who is only slight faster and more dexterous than you. But you always catch her and then give her a zombie kiss. Now that you have teeth, it makes her cry. Nanny says we have to stop playing zombie baby for this reason. That makes me cry.

6. I spent three nights away from you this month. It was both bliss and torture. Bliss because I regained some of my freedom from before you filled my life with your wonderful (all consuming) presence. Torture because I missed you SO MUCH. I showed the video of you crawling to everyone who would watch and to a couple of squirrels. But we both survived unscathed. Correction, we three survived (your Daddy watched you by himself for three nights) unscathed.

I better go make some supper for us. Again and again, I love you sweet Jack! I'm glad to be your momma! Happy nine months!

Momma

Here Comes Trouble

2009-03-03T19:53:00.003-06:00

Recent Picture Favs

2009-03-01T16:46:00.003-06:00

More to come..

Becoming (my) mother

2009-02-28T06:28:00.003-06:00

Oh My Gosh. I just did such a mom thing. I pulled the last tissue from the box, and as I got up to put the box in the recycle bin I thought, "No. Save it. The baby might want to play with this later."

So. Either I am super cheap when it comes to baby toys- or thrifty, depending on your outlook - OR I'm about to be a massive clutterer. No matter how you spin it, I finally understand why my mother kept all of the paper towel and wrapping paper rolls. Ahem. I mean, I now know why my mother kept all of those kaleidoscopes and play swords..

JOY!

2009-02-15T11:07:00.000-06:00

8 Months

2009-02-11T09:00:00.012-06:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,
You are officially eight months old today. As usual, I look at you and wonder where the time went. Don't get me wrong. It's not that I wish you were still tiny. I am much more suited to be a momma of a toddler or kiddo. You are finally able to communicate with me, whereas before I had to guess on everything which left me filled to the brim with anxiety.

I can pretty much read you now, which is nice. And if I get it wrong you emphatically let me know! Here are some things about you this month:

1. You scoot. On your bum. You're a bum scooter. I think you started scooting last month, but you're a pro at it now. You can scoot across the room in a heartbeat and can get into absolutely everything that you should not be getting into. It's like you have menace radar, as in "Momma doesn't want me to touch that, even though she's never said it and may never have even thought about me being able to get to it, so I MUST GET TO IT AND MESS WITH IT NOW." And you do. Your dad and I try to be as lenient as possible, and of course I'm much more lenient than him, but we are acutely aware that we must baby proof everything very, very soon.

2. This is the season of sickness. It seems like every time I post, you've come down something. This time it is a very nasty cold or flu. It's so bad that this morning I contemplated taking you to the emergency room for being so lethargic and possibly dehydrated. You can't keep anything down, you're not sleeping, and you can't breathe. Just when we're at our wits end about what to do, you perk up, drink a little formula or water, and play a little bit. Nurse Nancy says your ears and chest are clear, but that your throat is red. She says the fever will probably last the rest of the week. Bummer.

3. You've grown out of your baby bathtub. That means we're bathing you in the sink. You love it, except that because of #1 on this list, we have to move everything out of your reach. You even try to stand up in the sink to reach for things. We pretty much have to keep you distracted with magic tricks and vaudeville acts so you won't jump out of your bath.

4. Your hair is finally laying down! Uncle Jamie thought you had a hair cut because he knew something was different. It's like when I have my eyebrows waxed after months of neglect and my students ask if I've done something new with my hair. Instead of the usual lie I tell my students, ("Oh you noticed? I've been using this new product that my stylist suggested and it does wonders for my color" - the stylist being Ms. Clairol), I told Uncle J the truth -that you're just freaking cute.. and you have amazing genes.

5. I don't think you've slept through the night at all this month. Maybe two nights. Maybe. A few words of friendly advice on that: STOP. WAKING. UP. in the middle of the night, for the love of God. Your parents are going (more) insane as a result of the sleep deprivation.

6. You survived your first tornado warning last night. Your silly momma knew the storm was coming and stockpiled formula and water in our "safe place" a.k.a. the closet in our bedroom. When the storm hit last night at 9 :30, I was like a sprinter in the starting blocks, ready to run to you, pull you out of your crib and make a bee line to the closet. In my head I imagined grabbing Casey Cat at the last minute, the way Indiana Jones grabs his trusty hat, and rolling us all into safety. Your Dad got a flashlight and made sure the batteries were working in the emergency radio. SO. BORING. Where's his sense of adventure? Anyway, we didn't need to perform any heroic feats last night. The thunder didn't even wake you. Sure you'll sleep through a tornadic supercell, but if I sneeze in the other room, you act like you're being eaten alive by fire ants. (sigh)

7. Words that make you laugh when whispered in your ear: pancake, dance break, wookie

I have run out of time.Or really, you are waking up from your nap, so I must sign off. I love you baby boy! And even though I joke about your foibles, you are most certainly the best kid ever on the planet! Happy eighth month, Jack.

Love,
Momma

Counting Sleep

2009-02-07T09:38:00.009-06:00

Sleep. It's a problem. Jack, according to the experts, should be taking a morning nap, an afternoon one, and sometimes an evening one. I agree. I know what it's like for Jack to miss a nap - something akin to a fierce, roaring F5 tornado teamed up with Alien v. Predator, their mission to destroy the planet, one Momma at a time. Not. Fun. And when he finally does fall asleep after having missed a daily nap, it's like coming out of an underground shelter after a nuclear holocaust. We move very slowly, cautiously, devastated by the destruction, yet happy to have survived for now.

You may think I'm exaggerating. Some of you know I'm not.

Nap time is never pleasant. I don't really know why, but obviously it is a common problem seeing as people have written many books on the subject, mothers pass down advice about getting a baby to sleep using tricks that midwives have employed, and spells that witches have cast, since the 'infancy' of mankind. ALL parents struggle with this issue. I suppose I ought to be happy that Jack is normal in this respect.

In the past, we put baby Jack on a pallet in the living room for his daily naps, and Rich and I, after having to convince him that he wants a nap, tip-toe around the house, trying not to make any sort of noise - sneezing, whispering, breathing, blinking - that might wake the baby.

Now that he is older, Jack is able to roll off of the pallet, scoot to a toy*, and successfully avoid closing his eyes for two more minutes. That is until super mean, ugly Momma or "I hate you and your ass face" Dad comes over to put him back on his pallet for another round of "Let's torture our baby and ourselves by making him take a nap! Hooray!". Followed by either a game of "Whew, that was close" or "How to survive an F5."

For these reasons, I've decided that I will have to put Jack in his bed for naps. This is a good idea for a couple of reasons: 1. I don't have to tip toe, which actually hurts your calves after a while, and I get to breathe and blink normally. 2. If he is fussy, I can close the door and walk away, where the screaming is at least muted a little.

Reason #2 is the tricky one. I realize that I should be OK with letting Jack cry himself to sleep. But I hate it. It hurts my heart. I've never let him cry himself to sleep. I always either rock him to sleep or sing to him. On particularly difficult occassions, I would give up and let him play, convincing myself that he had at least rested.. so he shouldn't be too fussy later, right? (Stop laughing at me, all you experienced moms!)

But now's the time he needs to learn how to soothe himself. That involves letting him cry it out, way far away - all alone - in the other room.

(sigh)

But I tried it for the first time, today.

This is the reason I can write this post in one sitting. And enjoy a cup of warm coffee. And begin preparing the stew I want to make for tonight's dinner. All things I haven't been able to do by myself in almost 8 months. I put Jack in his bed, turned off the monitor, and listened to him wail in the distance for a while. But now it is silent in the house.

I could get used to this..

* usually it's the phone. He's learned to dial. Hey, Bangladesh: Heads up! Baby Jack has been trying to get a hold of you for weeks.

Morning B'Hat

2009-01-31T09:57:00.003-06:00

I take the morning shifts with Jack on the week ends mostly because I am better at mornings than Rich is and he's better at nights than me. But I have to say that even though I don't get to sleep-in at all, I have my favorite moments with Jack at this time of day.

That makes it worth it. That and knowing that someday when I do get to sleep-in, I'll miss this special time.

This morning we watched Peter Pan, played toys in his room and in the living room, we sang songs, called PawPaw, ate breakfast, danced, and now he's sleeping.
Whew.

Trading Spaces

2009-01-25T15:18:00.008-06:00

I never thought it would happen.. Okay, I sort of knew that it might. And it did. Despite my best efforts, Baby Jack has taken over my living room in every possible way.

That is, Baby Jack and Woody Allen have taken over my living room in most semi-expected ways.

7 Months

2009-01-11T07:29:00.004-06:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

This has been such a busy, busy month! You are seven months old today, and as always, I still love that you're here and I love that I get to be your Momma. This was a month of firsts for you and a time of learning for me. Here are some things that happened:

* You had your first Christmas! You really didn't care about it other than you got to see all the pretty lights and I sang some extra bad renditions of Christmas carols played on a poorly tuned piano. I knew you were perplexed by by your reaction to what must have sounded like the four horsemen of the apocalypse landing a big red jingly sleigh in our livingroom. Really it was a 'non-reaction'.. unless drool counts as a reaction. Sorry, kid.

* You had your first really bad cold - the type where breathing is way difficult. The type that meant Momma and Daddy had to hold you upright through the night so you could kind of sleep. It broke my heart to see you have such trouble breathing.

* You have your first measurable fever now. Down with sickness!!

* You met your great grandfather whom you absolutely adored. I think he was fairly fond of you, too.

* You've started to chatter. You keep saying Abba, Abba, Abba. But when we rented Momma Mia, you didn't really want to watch it. Or maybe you didn't want us to watch it. I suppose I can see why,the cheese factor being super high and all. But you have to give props to Meryl Streep. She can do anything!

* Nanny Delaney has been out with her daughter who is having a baby. That means you haven't seen her in one whole month, and I can tell you miss her. What's worse is you don't really like to go to the new nanny's house. That means I don't like for you to go there, either. But we only have to go there for one more week.. unless your fever doesn't break today. Then you may get out of it. But don't get any ideas. Mommas know when their kids are faking sick to get out of going to school. It won't work in this household, mister. That is, it won't work all of the time..

* You have learned how to splash in the bath. We have to move all of the stuff on the kitchen counter at bath time because either a) you will soak it all, electronics included and/or b) you will grab it and pull it into the bath with you. We usually have to mop the floor and change clothes after bath time. The only thing keeping me from moving you to the big kid bathtub is that it is easier to freaking move everything off the counter, mop, and change clothes than it is to lean over the big bathtub to bathe you! This is why people should have babies in their 20's and not in their mid-thirties.

* You are now fond of the "hot potato" method of playing. If you get anywhere close to anything, you grab it and then immediately throw it. Fun for you. Not so fun for us. Especially when you are grabbing eye glasses and things of that nature. Especially because you don't have time for soft plush toys. You go for the plastic ones that make a ridiculously loud noise when they are thrown on the floor. We may have to go back to carpet for this reason..

* You discovered your daddy's Rubik's Cube. I thought, "Hey look! That's adorable! He wants to do puzzles like his daddy!!" Your daddy thought, "Hey!Don't mess with my toy!" He took it away from you! (sigh) It looks like I'm going to have to teach you both about how to share..

Overall, the holidays have proven to be much more busy and less restful than the routine of everyday. I hope this isn't always the case since Momma needs for her breaks to be restful! But we made it through! I think that counts for something.

I love you, Jack B'Hat. I am so glad that you are growing strong and healthy. Even the sickness makes you stronger. We are more than halfway through your first year of life! I can hardly believe that. But I'm glad, too. I love you, sweet baby!!

Momma

Compliments

2009-01-03T12:54:00.005-06:00

I was sitting in a coffee house when Rich brought Jack in to pick me up and go to dinner. One of my former students is the barrista at the coffee house. She was my student when I was hugely pregnant but, like all of that class, she had never seen the baby. So I introduced them. Instantly her hands flung to her mouth, hiding a huge smile. And she gasped and said, "Oh. My. Gosh! Look at all the roundness! He's so cute!"

This was one of my favorite reactions! :)

It's hard enough to take arm pictures with two, much less three and a sun

2008-12-30T14:59:00.001-06:00

Meeting Gramps

2008-12-29T08:12:00.006-06:00

One of the coolest things that happened this Christmas is that Jack met his great grandfather:

I think Jack fell in love:

He looks just a little TOO relaxed

2008-12-24T11:15:00.005-06:00

Do you think he's faking being sick just so that he can sleep in the big bed next to Momma?

More sickness! So soon?!

2008-12-23T08:07:00.003-06:00

Sick again, sick again. Baby Jack is sick again. This time he has a major cold. Poor Baby has enough mucous to fill up an entire nation which means he can't breathe through his nose because it's stuffy, he can't breathe through his mouth because it makes him cough; he can't eat for the two above reasons, and he can't sleep.

We're doing everything we can think of: Elevating his head, saline nasal drops, Vicks Baby on the chest, back, and neck (and even on the feet because I heard that helps), humidifier (which nearly burned the house down), distraction, etc.

If Jack actually gets to sleep, he wakes up every couple of hours from not being able to sleep. When he's awake, he is constantly crying or moaning. Poor kid.

I'm trying not to be angry about the fact that he just got over the stomach bug and now he's hit again. I'm trying not to think about how long this will last. I am trying to pretend that Rich and I are immune to it all and we won't be the next victims. I'm trying not to think about the fact that this is Christmas break and at least we have that so we're not missing more school, but that it is supposed to be a "break," NOT like the Thanksgiving one when we had to tend to the stomach bug.

I think I'll go try and lay down some more. Jack is tucked in with Rich right now. Rich has his arm under Jack's head to keep the mucous flowing south. If I didn't know how uncomfortable and tired they both are, I would think it was a really sweet scene.

I am grateful for Rich who has a higher lack of sleep tolerance than me. And for the fact that none of us has to do this alone.

Please get well, Baby Jack. Please. Soon.

In the Christmas Spirit

2008-12-20T08:34:00.000-06:00

How Momma single handedly put an end to all Christmas carols

2008-12-19T06:00:00.004-06:00

Sweet, angelic Baby Jack sings, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth. My two front teeth.."

Cranky Momma growls, "You freaking got 'em, kid. Believe me. If you haven't noticed them by now, then you've been sleeping your life away. Oh wait. NO you haven't. And it's because of your two front teeth! Quit wishing for them!

"Thanks, Santa. Thanks a freaking lot."

6 Months

2008-12-11T17:11:00.006-06:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

Oh. My Gosh. We made it to 6 months. This is HUGE. Not only does it mean that your dad and I have kept you alive that long (and believe me, our track record with plants and cats isn't great), but you are happy and thriving and wonderful. Also, it is a really big deal that your dad and I are still alive and (somewhat) sane. We weren't sure on some days.

It is December (a really nice relief temperature-wise) which means that we get to come home everyday from work and have a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. You and I stand in front of the tree and have a drum roll and count down; "Five..four...three.. two..one........" and then the tree "magically" comes to life and we squeal and clap and then sing, "Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas treeeee, Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree." You're too little to sing all of the real lyrics so we just repeat the same line.. because I'm silly. But we have a great time.

And then we go to Mommy's big bed and play Zombie Baby Attack until you and I both are squealing. Zombie Baby Attack is a game where you lunge toward me with your mouth open as wide as it goes, you raise your eyebrows, and then attach yourself to my face like a big slobbery suction cup. I fall backwards flail around and groan, yelling, "Noo! Not the zombie baby. You got me!! You got me!!! arghrrhggg!!" And you laugh so hard and let go. Then we sit up and hug each other until you lunge again, this time attaching to my other cheek or my chin or even my forehead. You're crafty. But it's fun, and we love each other so much.

You and your daddy are hilarious. I often quip that I'm glad that I made a pal for your dad. He loves to hang out with you, and I don't even exist when you guys are together. But that's good. And I'm so glad that you are friends. He really has taken such good care of you, especially since you've been sick. He wants to hang out with you all of the time, but we both have to work right now. But maybe someday.

Here are some things that have happened for you this month:

* You can sit up

* You went on your first major road trip

* You tried your first baby food (squash - you LOVE it)

* You had your first stomach virus (scared me to death) and it took you 2 1/2 weeks to get over it

* You got your first tooth (bottom right) and more are coming

*You decorated your first Christmas tree and I made my first Jack ornament the way that Momo made them for me.

I love you. I'm so glad I'm your momma. You need to know that I will always love you, no matter what. I'm especially sappy because this week has been tough at work, and there are things that have happened that make me need to hold you close. You are my baby - you will always be, and I want what's best for you no matter what. I love you, Jack.

Momma

Tree trimming and such

2008-12-08T19:11:00.004-06:00

We took an hour to trim the tree so that Jack could have a Christmas tree for his very first Christmas. Actually, so that Jack's Momma could have a tree for Jack's very first Christmas. Here he is with Christmas Kermit:

And with a snowman that is the same size as he is:

And with both:

Friends!

New horizon

2008-12-08T18:10:00.002-06:00

We called Nanny Delaney and tried to paint both an honest picture of Jack's condition (not well, yet) and a positive one. I think it came across as, "Please. Please. Please let Jack go to your house today. Please. Neither of us can afford to miss work today. Remember how cute Jack is? We'll pay double. Oh wait. We are, since we are paying for the days he's missing.. But please."

And she said, "OK."

And we were all like, "Really? Because we don't want to get the other babies sick.." I'm not sure how loudly we said it. But we said it.

So Jack went to Nanny's today for the first time in two weeks. And even though he did have dirty, dirty diapers, and even though he was "a challenge" since the last two weeks involved Jack having our FULL attention which meant he screamed everytime Nanny put him down to tend to the other kids, he made it through the day!

What a relief. Nanny said she'd take him again tomorrow. So back to work for two days in a row, we go. Whew.

We still need to get Jack well. Speaking of which, thank you for all of the emails, comments, calls, and suggestions. They are all very helpful and supportive. You are an awesome community!! You keep me sane, even if it's just to say, "Damn, this sucks." I'm going to try a combination of things to help Jack feel better or at least be more comfortable. Also, I should mention that Jack's first tooth is peeking through his gums. That could have something to do with the diarrhea.

Maybe there's hope.

It's not over.

2008-12-07T08:30:00.004-06:00

The baby still isn't better.

I don't know what to do.

In addition to the explosive diarrhea, Jack is having an allergic reaction to __something__. I'm not exactly sure what's causing it. In the last week we've introduced yogurt (at the doctors suggestion), sensitive wipes for the diaper rash, and a new lotion for the horrible eczema. Rich is also having a reaction on his hands from changing the baby so much which tells me that it is probably the wipes. I haven't had a reaction other than I am so tired, and it is excruciating to hear Jack be so miserable. Jack hates having his clothes changed, and now we have to change him 3 and 4 times a day and usually one pajama change in the night because his diaper can't contain it all. It has been a week and a half of this. Poor baby!!!

And Poor Momma and Daddy. Apart form the extra loads of laundry and having to miss so much work, we are just nervous wrecks. What's happening to our kid? The doc says, "Wait it out."

Enough, already!

I'm taking another sick day tomorrow to stay home with Jack and Rich is taking Friday for another doctor appointment (6 month shots). I guess we'll have to farkle for the middle days if this continues for another week..

We're all exhausted

2008-12-04T16:43:00.004-06:00

Jack is sick.

He has had a horrible stomach bug since Thanksgiving and he can't seem to shake it, no matter what. Rich and I took him to the doctor today after several concerned calls because we're worried that he is dehydrated and losing weight. Fortunately, the doctor said that Jack looks OK hydration-wise and reassured us that we were doing all that we can do for him. We will just have to wait it out. It may take another week or two.

Obviously, Jack is not allowed to go to daycare, not that we want to take him, but we are both missing a lot of work to be home. I'm at the point where I really don't care about my job, anyway, so it isn't a huge sacrifice, other than when I do go back to work it is hard to pick up where we left off. I'm lost. The kids are lost. They don't do what the sub asks. The sub may not ask them to do what I've assigned. So everyone is at a stalemate. Stress.

Rich has really been amazing, though. He has changed more dirty diapers than anyone should have to in a lifetime. He does this at all hours of the night - changed diapers, sheets, clothes... He has stayed home from work more days than I have. He has done so with the most happy, positive attitude I have seen anyone have in a circumstance like this. I believe him now when he says he wants to be a stay at home dad. He is far better at staying at home than I am. I think I add stress and anxiety to household. I need to be at work to stay sane.. except that work, as I've already mentioned, really sucks lately.

But on the positive, we're taking it one day at a time. Other than explosive diarrhea and a little bit of diaper rash, Jack is relatively healthy and has been sleeping through the night. Fortunately, I didn't have to take any maternity days since I had Jack in June, so I have a little stockpile saved up, and I don't think they will dock my pay for being out so much.

Poor Baby Jack. I just want him to get well. More than anything.

Jack's first blog post

2008-11-30T10:14:00.008-06:00

Jack would now like to post something.

Here he is thinking about what to say:

(Yes, he did scratch a perfect line in the center of his forehead. Nice.)

And here he is typing:

And here is what he wrote:

H5TJYUK/ C V GHGNNNRYYU X N?/

Apparently he was very emphatic since he wrote in all caps. I think it says, "I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!" or maybe it's an S.O.S., "Please! Save me from them!" He's been known to actually close the window I'm working in so I have to turn off the touch pad when he's near, the little trickster!

Hey look what I can do!!

2008-11-23T08:25:00.002-06:00

I can sit up by myself..

..which means I can play without momma having to constantly hold me (shocking, right!)..

..plus I'm adorable in my overalls..

...AND not in my overalls!

Hair

2008-11-16T07:14:00.003-06:00

Jack's hair looks like this after a bath and in the morning:

Poor Jack

2008-11-16T07:08:00.001-06:00

Teething sucks.

5 months

2008-11-11T05:55:00.009-06:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

You are five months old!! Of course I now have to sing the "You're a big frog now you're five!" song daily, nay hourly.. OK, fine. Minutely. And you mostly tolerate it. But when you don't, you REALLY don't.

I don't have long to write this morning since I need to get ready for work and you need to get ready for Nanny's, but here are a few things that have happened/ are happening this month for you.

* You love to stand up and we love it that you pretty much can when we take off your socks, that is. If we don't, you slide all over the place, especially if I'm wearing wind pants. Sitting up is still an issue, as is tummy time.

* You HATE rice cereal. And we refuse to add anything to it yet, including apple sauce. Solids are still a no go. And that rice cereal caked in momma's hair, dripping down the walls, coating the cat.. Yeah, not funny, Jack. I get it. You DON'T like it.

* You hate long sleeved ______________. Fill in the blank with any of the following: pj's, onesies, sweaters, jackets, (name your own)

*You love playing super baby and you fight all the meanies in the room to protect the innocent. Then you stand back, a stoic look on your face, imagining your superhero cape flying proudly in the wind..though really it's just your bib that is constantly turning sideways and backwards. How does that happen? But whatever. You saved the day!

* You like outside, until you don't.

* You laugh and squeal and coo a lot of the time! That makes me laugh and squeal and coo too!

*You are getting your first tooth. I can see it about to break through. Hold on to your butts, everybody.

*Nap time=FUSSY time.

*You're starting to notice toys! Finally. Whew.

I'm sorry I don't have time this month to write more, sweet Jack, so I have to end this abruptly. Such is the life of a working mom. I will say that I love you and I'm so glad you are in my life. I can't wait to see what comes next!

Love, Momma

What We're Up To, A Study In Threes

2008-11-06T20:32:00.004-06:00

Telling Secrets

Mirror Gazing

Playing With New Toys

Just to clarify..

2008-11-02T20:21:00.006-06:00

I'm not NaBloPoMoing here. I'm NaBloPoMoing over at De-Comp. Here I'll blog whenever I feel like it. I won't be held captive by the Man at this site. Nope. Not held by anything.. except grandparents. And actually, they can be pretty intimidating, you know. (wink)

The point is, I'm not a slacker.

I'll keep you guys updated on the goings on in Jack's life - For example, today I learned that four month olds do not understand Daylight Savings. And we're (Jack and I)both exhausted. Jack finally cried himself out - in our arms (Rich and I trading tuns to keep some semblance of sanity). I cried too, and now I have to go and do homework.

Ick.

But I'm telling you this because I want to. And to let you know that De-Comp is where the NaBlo is! Go there!

First Halloween

2008-11-01T17:36:00.008-05:00

Thank you all for helping to make Jack B'hat's first Halloween successful. Jack was an adorable Tootsie Roll, though I had to convince him that wearing a costume was an OK thing to do.

I have to say that I was really looking forward to Jack's first Halloween. I dressed him in his orange pumpkin onesie and jack-o-lantern bib to go to Nanny Delaney's. I couldn't wait to pick him up after school! I had such plans - which also including picking up the house a little so that the neighbors would not be horrified by the crime scene that is my living room (I could just imagine them ringing the doorbell, "trick or ...what the hell is that? Did the earthquake do this? Shit, " and then running away so that the bug-of-chaos wouldn't bite them too.)

We got home and Jack was slightly fussy. I decided to take him for a walk. After all, we had plenty of time before Halloween actually started.. So I did. And as usual, Jack fell asleep in the stroller. When we got home, I tried to put him down for a nap, but he woke up and decided that his afternoon nap was a sham, he was mad as hell, and he wouldn't take it...anymore. Fine.

I put him in his chair a plopped him in front of the TV to watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, one of my favorite movies of all time. Jack watched quite a bit of it while I set out jack-o-lanterns, picked up and made his dinner. Right before I fed him, I decided to put the tootsie roll costume on Jack.. But there was a slight problem.. The costume wouldn't fit over Jack's ginormous head. He got stuck. And that, as it would for anyone, pissed him off severely.

Luckily, I am not too proud to ruin a perfectly good costume that I bought on line and could have saved for posterity. I immediately broke out the sheers and made the neck hole bigger. Then I took the sheers to the back of the costume and cut all of the way up. Who in the hell decided that it was possible to pull (what felt like) ten yards of fabric over a baby's head is an idiot. So, I split the costume, made lacing holes, found some string, and laced that bad boy up. It worked!

I fed the baby, put him back in his costume, took him outside to show him off to the neighbors, got the candy ready for the trick-or-treators, and nearly collapsed from being so exhausted.

Jack fussed for most of that time..

Rich got home around 7:00, just as I was making myself a cocktail. He held the baby as I reheated some soup and answered the door for the neighborhood kids - not one of whom ran screaming from our house. We bathed Jack and put him to bed.

And that was his first Halloween (and mine as a momma).

Being resourceful in a time of great need

2008-10-31T05:49:00.003-05:00

**Thanks to Donna for this!!!

JACK-o-lanterns

2008-10-29T21:05:00.002-05:00

Click on the picture to see the slideshow with captions

From Halloween 08

Jack's first attempt at cereal went like this:

2008-10-27T20:48:00.006-05:00

Interested.

Trying it.

Drooling it out.

Rinse and repeat. All things considered, I'd say it was a successful first big person feeding.

It's never too early..

2008-10-26T15:29:00.002-05:00

..to vote.

Date Night Revised...

2008-10-19T20:34:00.009-05:00

Now that we are three, this is what date night looks like:

It sort of resembles a date in that there are wine and candles.. But clearly it is not so romantic considering the plastic salad container, the cheese in a bag, and oh yeah: A BABY!

p.s. Dear company who made the baby seat,

It seems that there are giraffes eating my baby's brain. Oh. And, NICE. TURTLE. PLACEMENT.

4 Months

2008-10-12T07:43:00.003-05:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

Yesterday you turned 4 months old. The reason I didn't write this yesterday is because we were way busy yesterday. First of all, your Pawpaw and Sugar are visiting. That in itself is a parade complete with marching, glitter, baton twirling, and sparklers! In fact, as Daddy and I were leaving to go have martinis and sushi (the date time we get when Pawpaw is here), I was a little jealous as, on our way out the door, I heard her tell you that you could do anything you want. You could even have chocolate for dinner! And yes, I do realize that you can't, in fact, have chocolate yet, but store up those promises, kid, and you'll be having chocolate and ice cream and all things lovely and sweet year round.

Also, this was the Texas/OU week-end in the metroplex. It is the football game of the year here in Texas. Even fans who do not support either team eagerly watch the game just so that they know to talk about that "weird fumbly OU touch down" or "the bad calls" while standing around the work water cooler. For the actual fans, this event is an invitation to descend upon the metroplex and gorge themselves on food, football, and beer - as much as a human body can take, in fact. Really, it's best for the residents to sort of hunker down and hope our emergency supplies don't run out. That's what we did. We watched the game, and then we watched the Texas Tech game, then there was British soccer, followed by FC Dallas soccer, and then a Stars game.

We were busy.

But enough of excuses. We did what people should do on their birthday. We hung out together in our pajamas most of the day, and enjoyed each other's company. We celebrated the fact that we were all together and safe and happy. And there was guacamole!

But once again, and ever and always, you are well loved, Baby. We celebrate you everyday!

Love,
Momma

Family

2008-10-10T15:32:00.008-05:00

Last night I was feeling kind of low, and was "sort of sleeping" all night. I couldn't find a comfortable spot and my mind was running crazy. I kept listening for any sign of Jack over the monitor, wondering if he was dreaming, and if so, what about. He's been having some night terrors lately, where he screams like someone's just pinched him in his sleep. He's also been very restless lately, waking up several times a night, not really wanting to eat, not really sleepy. We've been at a loss about it.

Around 4:00 am, I heard Jack stir. Rich got up to check on him and fed him half of a bottle. I listened to the goings on in Jack's room over the monitor, as I do every night when it's Rich's shift, to know that yes, the baby's eating; OK now he's burping; that's a diaper change; he's back down.. etc. When Rich put Jack down to see if he would sleep any more, Jack was restless.

I tiptoed into his room to see what was going on. He lay there wide-eyed, blinking at me. I picked him up and carried him into our room, into our bed between us. And Jack grinned at me hugely as he snuggled in.

Most nights, I rock Jack and sing to him right before he goes to bed. A lot of times, as he listens he grins at me and melts my heart. Reflexively I grin back. It's wonderfully soothing to both of us.

As I mentioned, I wasn't having a very good night last night, and as soon as we were settled, we began our nightly routine. Only this time Jack was singing a sweet lullabye to me. As he sang his little baby sounds, he kept raising his eyebrows like I do when I sing to him. He made me grin, and he grinned back. And we fell asleep soundly for an hour, until my alarm reminded me that I have other responsibilities too.

But I sometimes forget that being a momma is not just about me taking care of Baby Jack. We are a family now. As much as he needs me, I need him. That, I've found, is one of the loveliest things of all.

Momma's trying too hard

2008-10-07T17:36:00.007-05:00

OK. First of all, count the number of toys in the picture.
I think you can find a zebra, a drum (a plastic bowl and wooden spoon), a rattle, a boppy, and a bumbo seat. But what you don't see is the plush monkey, Deiter (...touch him); some plastic letter rings, specifically "L," "B" and "J"; an entire rain forest jungle gym, complete with giraffe (??), music, and blinking lights; and a momma in a high pitched baby voice whining, "Hi Baby Jack. Do you want to play? Are you having some fun? Fun, Baby Jack? Yesh you are! Yesh you are! Right Baby Jack? Yesh! OOOH! I love you!"

The sum of all of that equals this:

I didn't think I'd see this level of disgust until his teenage years. Wait, is he pretending to throw something at me?

And then came:

Isn't playtime fun? "Yesh it is, Baby Jack! Yesh it is!"

Momma's annoying.. "Yesh I am, Baby Jack! Yesh I am!"

Cotton Candy Sweetie Go

2008-09-29T20:41:00.003-05:00

Let me see the Tootsie Roll!

Jack will be a Tootsie Roll for Halloween which is the costume that 10 of you picked! Hooray!

Thanks for playing everyone!

Now dip,baby, dip.
Dip, baby, dip
And slide...

Laughing Jack!

2008-09-27T08:42:00.012-05:00

I didn't get a picture of it because I was so excited, but my Baby Jack B'Hat laughed on purpose for the first time last night!!

I say "on purpose" because there were times when he was sleeping his Moses basket by the side of our bed when in the middle of the night we would hear a slow, maniacal,"he he he," coming from the basket which would interrupt our REM cycles and scare the living bejeezus out of us to the point that we were afraid to look in on Jack, unsure of what we'd find.* So, we would respond by raising our eyebrows at one another and nervously snicker back, both of us thinking, "What the hell was that? Is that normal? Should we pray?"

Anywho.

Jack gave us several genuine laughs last night! And it was so awesome! And I immediately interrupted the football game, grabbed the game announcer's mic and shouted for all of the town to hear, "Did you hear it?! Listen! He's doing it again! My kid is laughing and he's adorable and I"M HIS MOMMA!!!" And the crowd, stunned at first, started a slow clap - when they realized the magnatude of what I had just said - that ended in wild cheers and handshakes! And there were streamers and glitter, and I was lifted on some shoulders and there was a parade!

OK, it wasn't that dramatic. I only made the declaration to Rich..

But still! It was enthusiastic.

Excuse me while I post the (real) details for posterity's sake:

Who: Momma, Daddy, and Jack

What: Jack genuinely laughs outloud for the first time

When: September 26, 2008

Where: Colt football game during the 2nd quarter, in the stands

Why: Momma was telling baby Jack about a kid who was playing in the game, but who was absent in class today and how that was a bad idea...ineligibility... missing class is bad... Beowulf assignment... book shortage...31 kids...blocked schedule..chicken minis..free antennae cow..blah blah blah..

And Jack thought it was hilarious!

*And on a side note, it isn't wise to google the words, "possessed and baby" on the same line. Seriously Mom. Don't look.

** And holy shit! (because, seriously, that's what we'll classify the article as) I do not believe one word in that crazy-ass Bible thumpin' thumb bitin' story. I linked it for humor's sake ONLY, and though I laughed, I was also horrified! But also, I now know never to travel to North Dakota. Phew. That was a close one.

Uh Oh, It's Magic!

2008-09-25T20:12:00.003-05:00

Thank God for easy nights.

I mean it.

Our after school schedule is pretty basic. I pick up Jack from Nanny DeLaney's around 4:00. We come home and play (talk and tummy time) and he eats around 4:30 or 5:00. Sometimes Jack takes a little nap afterwards. Sometimes he doesn't. He takes a bath between 6:30 and 7:00; we "top him off" food wise between 7 and 7:30; and he is usually in bed by 8:00. Unfortunately, most afternoons are spent relishing the time between fussy moments. Jack will be playing and smiling then, all of a sudden, he's mad!! And he doesn't cry, really. He yells. Loudly. And conversation will sound something (or exactly) like this:

"Do you think he needs to burp?"

"WHAT?"

"Or maybe he's dirty?"

"WHAT?"

"Is he tired?"

"I CAN"T HEAR YOU!!! Dammit! Baby Jack, what is it? Please, for the love of all that is holy and good.. Please, please, please stop yelling. I swear I'll be a better person. Dear God, please."

"Have you checked his diaper?"

"what.."

and so on..
Sometimes it takes 30 minutes to calm him. Sometimes he isn't calm until his eyes close.

But then there are evenings like tonight when Jack is completely wonderful and happy and playful. He was happy to take a bath. He was happy to have company. He was even happy to dirty his diaper. He went to sleep with no trouble at all.

It's nights like tonight that seem almost magical, when you feel like you're doing some things right or like you can allow yourself some confidence as a parent. My baby was happy all afternoon! And that makes me so, so happy, too.

Tummy Time ! . ?

2008-09-22T06:24:00.007-05:00

This is what tummy time looks like at our house, and this happens in the amount of time it takes to glance at each picture:

Halloween is only a month away!

2008-09-13T08:14:00.018-05:00

I am REALLY excited about Jack's first Halloween. That said, I am aware that he will not remember it at all, but I am also aware that in the distant future when Jack is on a first date with a person who might possibly be "The One," an interesting anecdote he can share that will give his date great insight into his ~~psychoses~~ personality will be the story of what his mom dressed him as on his very first Halloween. It will be during that conversation when Jack's date will make a decision about whether or not she will marry into this family or whether she will run for the hills screaming and tearing at her hair. No pressure, though.

I thought I'd run some ideas by you to help me decide. You may vote (if I've set it up correctly) in the sidebar and you may vote for more than one costume. Here are the choices:

peanut

car freshener

tootsie roll

turtle

woopie cushion

Elvis

Or feel free to make a suggestion.. (that does not involve medication for me).

**Considerations: One of the costumes has no arm holes and Jack, as I've explained before, is a thumb sucker. That could be a potential problem. Also, if Jack were to get the turtle costume, he more than likely would model it better than that lazy kid in the picture. Seriously. Perk up, kid.

Also note that I am not obligated to choose any of these. By Halloween we may decide that Jack is going as a baby in a onesie, depending on our exhaustion levels. But I think Rich will still try to take him trick-or-treating. And afterwards he will do his fatherly duty and "check" all of the candy to make sure it is safe.

3 Months

2008-09-11T16:24:00.011-05:00

Dear Jack B'Hat,

You are finally three months old! And I know. It is weird for me to say "finally" instead of "already." Somehow in my mind three months is a pretty significant milestone - as in "if we can make it to three months, everything will be OK," which was the mantra we repeated everyday. No one told me that the measure marker for "OK" would move at each milestone. But hey, we made it to three months and things are more than OK. They're good..

For example, I've gotten better at singing to you, or really my song choice is a little better. We have a silly, made-up morning song called "Good Morning Baby Jack" (clever title) that we sing when we wake-up, and it makes you smile and coo at me. And may I just say, that those smiles are maternal crack to me. I'm addicted. And when I'm away from them I get the shakes. But, I'm constantly singing, that is until you give me "the look" - the one that says, "Woman! Shut your pie hole. I'll show you singing!!" Or sometimes you give me the one that says, "Holy Mother of God! What the hell is that?!" And then I know to stop, though I have to admit I sometimes feel stung at the second look.

This morning, after a hearty rendition of "Good Morning Baby Jack", I sang "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" to you in, for lack of a better description, a drunken Elvis voice.. and you LOVED it. You even tried to sing back. Daddy was in the shower so a.) he didn't have the privilege of listening to it and b.)when the neighbors come knocking to tell us to tone it down, he won't know to be utterly horrified. So, win win win! I get to be an idiot, you get to laugh, and Daddy gets to be clueless! All of us are comfortable! Hooray!

Also, I packed up your neworn clothes today. It was a proud moment and sad at the same time. As a compromise to my spirit, I decided to keep a couple of keepsakes out: the t-shirt you got at the hospital that reads "I Got My First Hug at Arlington Memorial" and your floppy puppy onesie.

In other news, last night you scared the living daylights out of me. You did something you NEVER do. You slept through the night - for nine hours straight. And it terrified me. I was up every hour to make sure you were OK, and I even made Daddy get up and check once. But you were, of course, peaceful and adorable. This is such a change from the days when we were up with you every two hours. We used to slowly tip-toe by your door at night trying not to stir up any floating molecules for fear that the sound of those tiny collisions might wake you, and then we would be up with you for the rest of the night... year... milleneum! Maybe those nights are over (?) (knocking on wood). Whatever. I'll never be able to fully sleep again now that you are in my world. And that shows how much I love you! So, so much!

As I rocked you to sleep tonight, you looked me straight in the eyes and gave me a warm, sleepy smile. I gave one back to you, and also a silly little tear.

Happy 3rd month, Baby Bat D'Hat.
Love,
Momma

P.S. You finally noticed Casey!!! He came up to you and you clasped your hands together under your chin and with a great big grin said,"Ohhh!" Casey ran away like Scooby Doo from the Swamp Thing. But there was contact! Baby steps..

Night Out

2008-09-06T09:42:00.005-05:00

Last night I did something incredibly brave. Well, OK, brave for me, a new momma. I made myself go to the Friday Night Salon - a night out in Dallas - which means we hired our first teen-age babysitter to watch Baby Jack. I was really nervous the entire week and almost backed out a million times. Of course, I felt uneasy about trusting a kid to watch my kid.. But mostly, I think I was sad because it feels like Jack and and I don't have a lot of time together. He is at Nanny Delaney's all day. I pick him up from her house and he eats, takes a bath, and goes to bed at ours. I hate that. But at the same time, I am trying to be OK with raising a "community baby" where people I love and trust help me take care of Jack and give him a more well-rounded life. I love that idea, but it is hard to practice.

I want Jack to love me the best.

Anyway, I did it. I went to the Salon. I only cried once and, really, I was just a little bit teary. Rebecca, the babysitter, was wonderful. When we got home Jack had been fed and was sleeping soundly in his bed. I needn't have worried. He didn't even know I was gone.

I suppose I should be grateful for these days when he doesn't miss me because I know that it won't always be this easy for us to leave for the evening. Someday he'll scream to not be left. On the one hand, this will undoubtedly break my heart. On the other hand, it breaks my heart that he doesn't.

A new habit: the first of many

2008-08-30T20:30:00.004-05:00

Jack has started sucking his thumb. That's OK with me, I suppose, and is really OK with Nanny Delaney since she doesn't have to worry about Jack and the other kids trading pacifiers; surely they wouldn't share thumbs. The problem is, the thumb doesn't always work as a pacifier. In fact, sometimes it really pisses off the poor kid.

Jack, you see, is horrible at thumb sucking.

First of all, he still has really poor aim/coordination and tends to repeatedly poke himself in the face, missing his mouth. This annoys him, but also, he really wants to suck his thumb, and the frustration of not being able to make contact in a timely manner makes him cry. On top of this, once he actually does make that thumb-to-mouth contact, he doesn't know what to do with his other four fingers. Sometimes the fingers go into his eyes - again, there is crying. Or sometimes he smushes his nose like a starfish is suctioned to his face and, being unable to breathe, he gasps and fights for air. He does, however, grab his ear with his other hand, a move I think is part of his genetic make up. (I ~~used to~~ still rub my ear for comfort.)

It takes a while, but if he can get the thumb to the right place and keep his fingers straight (out of his eyes and nose), he can calm himself.

The whole process is pretty cute to watch. Still, we keep the paci close.