Starting Fresh...Ben's Beginnings

December 7th, 2011
We welcomed Ben into our family.  All 9lbs 2oz and 20 inches of him.

I spent 3 nights in the hospital...our first 3 nights away from Jack EVER.  But he came to visit us and his new baby brother every day...

After four long days, we finally got to head home to become a family of four.

At 5 days old, we headed out to the pediatrician for Ben's first checkup.  While there, the doctor heard a heart murmur, and Mommy proceeded to have a meltdown.  Lots of tears and one short little ECHO later, we learned he had a smallish sized VSD (ventricular septal defect) that we would continue to monitor, but shouldn't require any intervention.

A few days later, we ventured out for some professional newborn pictures.  I so wish we'd done this with Jack.  We will treasure these always.

I did it! I did it!

Jack and I went to the zoo again yesterday morning. And he, finally, touched a shark. He was so proud of himself. He started jumping up and down, saying, "I did it! I touch a SHARK!" He wanted to keep touching them, but he has a bad habit of splashing the water, which scares them away. And his little arms just aren't quite long enough to reach the majority of them that do swim by. I am hopeful, though, that this is just the beginning for him. He has such a love for animals...is so intrigued by them, but usually doesn't want to touch them.

After that, the entire zoo visit went downhill, and I walked a tantrum-throwing, crying Jack all the way from the Deserts out to the car. I hate it when something taints a positive experience, but I suppose that is life with a 2 year old, and you just have to try again.

Rocketships!!!

Jack likes "rock-eh-ships" (rocket ships). In fact, this morning, he made his own. Out of blocks. No, I did NOT color coordinate them. My child received the "hint-of-OCD" gene from yours truly. And, oh my god, do NOT mix the rocket ship colors...because, well, because Jack is not okay with that. He wanted a red one, a green one, and a yellow one, and never the three shall meet. He played with these for over an hour. Blasting them into space. Getting hysterical when they fell apart. Counting them off. Chasing me into the bathroom, at one point, because we each HAD to have a rocket...AT ALL TIMES.

I am not sure where this new-found love of rockets has come from, but I am certain that it was heightened by Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (MMC) because seriously the kid cannot stop watching it (and, of course, we have a few DVR'd MMCs where the gang goes into space.). We managed to only let him watch a couple today, but they were before nap and bedtime, and ooooh the fits he threw when he had to say goodbye to Mickey. The poor guy has laid in his bed crying for Mickey Mouse. Not sure what to do about that one.

Evidence of his obsession:

In other news, Jack had a sinus infection AND croup this past week. It led to one seriously NOT FUN night, but once the meds kicked in, he seemed to recover nicely, despite being extra snuggly and a little extra (okay, a LOT extra) whiney. He's in good enough shape, though, that we'll send him back to "Ox-ann" (i.e. Roxanne, our daycare provider) tomorrow.

Cheering for the Home Team!!!

This week in review:

Jack and I are recovering from our first colds of the fall.

Bob and I celebrated our 4th anniversary on Wednesday.

Grandma came on Friday--allowing us to actually go out for dinner/movie.

Saturday we all traipsed around the zoo.

He immediately ran for the "sea why-ans" (sea lions).

Jack put his hands in the shark-infested waters, but still didn't touch a shark.

He then threw a major fit because he didn't want to hold hands jumping across the rhino bridge. Some lady made a snide remark--she's lucky I didn't take her out.

After that, we moseyed on back to the car and came home for naps all around.

Nothing on the agenda for today. Grocery shopping. A nap. And then the Colts!!!

Here's more pictures from last Sunday...

My favorite Jack quote of the week:

"Four-Five-Sick-Seven-Eight....Space!!!!"

(This is his version of 5-4-3-2-1....Blastoff. And he uses a barn silo from his little farm instead of a rocketship, but its adorable).

Sharks, Sharks, Sharks

Jack's favorite thing right now. He's so busy staring and playing in the water that the camera doesn't get his attention once, but I wanted to see if I could upload a video with our new camcorder.

Don't hold your breath...

...I can't swear that I'll keep it up, but I'm going to make a half-hearted attempt at the blog. I get so overwhelmed by the choices when I have photos that I love, and it takes SO insanely long to upload that I just keep putting it off.

We've had a lovely summer (you know, since I last updated in like June). Busy. Hot. Filled with lots of laughter (and lots of tantrums). Jack is still busy as ever and continues to crack us up multiple times per day. Sadly, all our videos are currently courtesy of my iphone, which seems to be incompatible with uploads to Facebook or Blogger--because I'd love to share some of his goofiness in his own words.

What's he up to these days? Well, 34lbs. And almost 36inches (he won't stand still long enough for me to really check). He's learned all his colors, shapes, he's counting (although he refuses to start at 1, he prefers 5-6-7-8, whatever, he's Jack lol), he's singing along with ABCs (not quite on his own yet), and is currently OBSESSED with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and sharks (he and I have been spending some time at the shark touch tank at the zoo--he's not brave enough yet to touch them, but we're getting closer). I recently took him to the doctor because it seems that his reflux (which has never totally gone away) seemed to be getting worse, so we're back on a microscopic dose of Zantac to see if it helps with the irritability (read: screaming, arching tantrums) that seems to be directly related to it.

The best (and sometimes the worst) part of our days are truly what's coming out of his mouth. He's quite entertaining. Here are some excerpts:

-Cwarabelle!! (Clarabelle). Where's Clarabelle, Jack? I on't know. Can't fine (find) her.

-Poppy dat's gwoss (gross). (He and my dad were playing, and my dad stuck Jack's foot in his mouth, and this was Jack's initial response. He now remembers this, while laughing hysterically, and then proclaims, "I'm funny")

-After being fastened into his carseat, he looked at me, pulled on the straps with all his might, and said, "I'm stuck in here!"

-He took a pillow from the couch, proclaimed, "MINE" repeatedly despite being corrected, so I finally told him that if he said it again, I would take it away. I then hear, in a whisper from across the room, "Its my piyyow!"

-He's also becoming very bossy. As in, "Mommy!! Get in da kitchen. NOW!" "Scoof (scoot) over. NOW." "Open this. NOW." (This certainly doesn't work in getting us to do what he wants, but its a noble effort on his part).

That's all I've got for now. Tons more pictures available to post...if, ahem, I get around to it.

An Apple a Day

Illinois

We spent 2 weekends in May at Bob's Mom's house.

Here are some of the pictures from our trips...

Things I Want to Remember

So, its been awhile. We've been busy, and when we're finally not busy, updating the blog is just not high on my priority list. I can definitely say that the busyness of a two year old is wearing me out. I've been making a list of some things that he's said or done that I didn't want to forget when I finally made it back to updating. So, here we go:

Jack knows a few of his shapes:
-Tar (Star)
-Heart
-Girkle (Circle)
-Dimon (Diamond)
-Quare (Square)
Then the other day as we were pointing to them and naming them, he pointed to an oval and said, "Egg."
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I was getting Jack ready for his nap when he said, "Pee-pee." He's never said he has to pee before (only tells me when he has already pooped), so I asked him, "Do you need to go pee-pee?" And he said, "Uh-huh." (We're still not actively potty-training, just didn't want to miss any opportunity). So he got up and ran to the bathroom, and we got him situated on his little potty. He sat there for about 30seconds and kept looking down like he was waiting for something to happen, then he stood up, got on his little step stool at the sink, and asked to brush his teeth. I handed him the toothbrush, but he just stood there. As I started to encourage him to use the toothbrush, I looked down to see the first pile of poop hit the step stool, quickly followed by another. As I moved him back to his little potty, he somehow managed to poop on the floor and get his feet in it. And, in my haste, I didn't have him situated right on his little seat, so as he continued pooping it smeared all over the back. I begged with him not to move as I ran to get something to clean it up. As soon as I left the room, I heard the little clip-clap of his feet as he went to close the door. So, to top it off, there were little poop footprints. Despite the calmness I felt during it, it was quite a huge mess, but I can't wait to share the story with him down the road.
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Someone asked me on Monday how many words Jack is saying lately, I estimated around 200-300, but wasn't certain. So, Bob and I had fun as we sat down and listed all the ones we could think of that he says by himself (not just mimicking) and peered back through the blog. He's currently around 275 words, but adds to his repertoire on a daily basis. Here are some of my current favorites:

Poopen=Open (He has since learned to say this correctly, and I'm kind of sad.)

Grammen=Grandma

Papa=Grampa

Achen=Aunt Jen

Bwinin=Uncle Brian

Tairs=Stairs

Punkin=Pumpkin

Wunch=Lunch

Bwidge=Bridge

Ketch It=Catch It

Tank You=Thank You

Pwees=Please

Picker=Picture (which, I think, means Camera/Take my Picture)

Hurt (said with as much drama and whine as one could possibly muster)

Bee-Boo=Boo-Boo (I love, love, love this one).
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Handy Manny Characters according to Jack:

Fwep-a =Felipe

Pat

Dutty (Dusty and Rusty)

Turner

Keeze=squeeze

Tretch=Stretch

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Jack is also learning his colors, but he'll only say them right about 70% of the time. He knows:

Gween (Green), Red, Bwue (Blue), Yeyyow (Yellow), and sometimes Bwown (Brown).

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Recently, at Chick-Fil-A, we were sitting at our table eating, when Jack noticed a couple kids in the play area. He looked real hard for a few minutes, and then said, "Wat er dey doing....in DER?" (What are they doing...in THERE?). It was so cute and funny the way he said it.

One of my other favorite things he has said lately was when talking to his cousin Jason. He said, "Jajon, wanna pway? Come ON." (Jason, want to play? Come ON.) Jason was trying to wake up from his nap, and since Jack doesn't understand lounging around, he wanted him to speed it up. I love watching these two play together. Its adorable.

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That's all I have for now, but I'm going to attempt to muster up the energy to upload some pictures.

I was lucky enough to get off work today at 3:30...which meant I could pick Jack up from daycare. This is a rare treat for me (if you can call it a treat, since he screamed almost the entire way home because he's on day 2 of no napping--God help me if he's trying to give them up). All the other kids were asleep, so I also had the great opportunity to chat with the daycare provider.

I mentioned something about a tempter tantrum, and she looked at me, shocked...and said (in disbelief), "He throws temper tantrums?!?" As it turns out, Jack NEVER throws a fit at daycare. The most upset he might get is to sit down and pout after being told no. That's funny. I told her that he is the KING of temper tantrums at home, and to consider herself lucky.

I also asked about naps. Most of the kids his age have already moved out of cribs and into sleeping bags or cots (normally, around 18 months). Not Jack. There's no way he'll stay where he's supposed to. Apparently, he sleeps in a Pack N Play in a room with one other little guy who talks a lot during naptime. She said that Jack is constantly telling him to be quiet (or as it comes out, "be kiet"...usually followed by shhhhh). And, it just cracks me up picturing him (the kid who never shuts up especially when its time to sleep) telling someone else to pipe down so he can sleep.

It was nice to get more insight into his day, and I was grateful for the opportunity to chat while the other kids were still asleep.

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Jack on the move.....on a VERY windy day!

This picture is from this past weekend when we went to Illinois to Bob's mother's house. I have a few more pictures of Jack and his cousin "Jajon" (Jason) playing outside together that I'll post sometime soon. We'll be heading back there this weekend to honor the life of Bob's Grandpa who passed away late last night. He will most surely be missed by those who loved him!

Jen, Grandpa, Sue, and Bob

(Taken July 2009)

Wack-in's Maiden Voyage

This is Jack's beautiful new wagon from his Grandma and Grampa....or his 'wack-in' as he calls it. (Gotta love the way little kids talk--at least I do!) It was a good call on their part. He LOVES to be outside, and he loves to be toted around (somewhat shocking given his wild nature)--I, personally, think its because he thinks he's 'king of the castle.' I envision we will get LOTS of use out of it. (Don't mind the tired, occasionally sour-looking face he's making--he was completely exhausted after daycare when we attempted to go for our first little ride!)

Thanks again, Sue and Ed!!! (Or as Jack would say, "Tanku, G'mama!)

Mr. Cool

Random Photos

Cousins

(I've been neglecting the blog lately, so I have lots of catching up to do!)

A few weeks ago, Jace, Laura, and Greta were coming into town for a party, and we were lucky enough to enjoy an early lunch with the three of them. It was great to see how much Greta has changed in the last few months and get to see her toddling around (it already seems so long ago that we were at that stage with Jack). It was a fun time, and we can't wait to see them again!