Hello, Hide-a-key? I need about 8.

OMG! Jack locked me out of the house last night. I had just gotten home with both kids and my hands were full with them so I left all my bags in the car. I got Grace settled in the swing and Jack was running around so I went back out to the garage to get my bags. Jack came running up behind me like he wanted to come out too but I told him no and closed the door. Little bugger locked it on me!!! I didn’t hear him do it so I went walking back to the door with my arms full and I about had a heart attack when I couldn’t get in the house. I banged on the door yelling Jack’s name and I could hear him come running and I told him to unlock the door. Thank goodness he did. But the poor kid, when I opened the door he had a huge smile on his face because he was so proud of himself. He was totally unprepared for the trouble he was in. I was yelling and hollering and picked him up and put him on the chair in the living room. He started crying for his binky but there was no way he was getting it. Oy, it was awful.

Now I need to go get a few spare keys to hide outside somewhere. Not sure where though since our house still has hardly any landscaping!

*sigh* Back at work

Well, it's finally time. I had to go back to work.

I definitely wasn't ready this time. Gracie is such a good and easy baby (but don't get me wrong, she has her moments!) and I've really been having a good time being home with her. Not to mention that mom would come up a couple times a week and I could still get stuff done around the house or do some running around. I think I'm really going to miss bath time the most. I would give Gracie her bath some time in the morning and it was quiet and peaceful in the house and she would just stare up at me with the most adorable little smile. Now bath time is going to have to be in the evening, squeezed in some time between dinner ending, cleaning up the dishes, chasing Jack around the house and getting her to bed at a decent hour because she's exhausted from her day at daycare. Just not the pleasant experience that it was. Not quite sure why I'm focusing on the bath but I am, and I'm going to miss it.

I sent Gracie to daycare for the Thursday and Friday before I went back to work so that we both could adjust while I was still at home. That way I was close in case she needed me during the day and I could be at home to get the emotions out. I guess it worked. I was one miserable little puppy on Thursday. I just missed her so much. Good grief, I'm getting myself all worked up just writing about it.

My first work day went pretty smooth too. Everyone has been complimenting me on how I look (which is encouraging to someone that just had a baby!!) and the people that were supporting my systems are ecstatic to have me back. Poor Cheryl gave me the biggest hug and is so happy to hand back the work. I can't blame her.

The evening was a bit hectic getting home with the kids and trying to get dinner made and feed Grace and contain Jack all within a fairly small amount of time. I'm not entirely sure that will get easier but I'm sure I'll get more used to it.

But I digress. Guess I should get back to work.

Jack's birthday bash

And is was a bash! He made out like a bandit. More quality than quantity this year which is perfectly fine with us! This kid has too many toys than he knows what to do with.

I chose an afternoon party this time instead of a morning party so that it was easier on our guests. It's tough working around naps! We tried to get Jack down for an early nap so that he could be awake before everyone showed up but that just didn't happen. He tired to go to sleep but kept telling us that he was awake. We did eventually get him to sleep, just not as early as I wanted. Once we got Jack and Grace both asleep Eric and I went to go get the food, cake and balloons... all 3 dozen of them! Mental note, my car easily fits 3 dozen balloons and there was room for more. Maybe next year will be 4 dozen!

So people start showing up and Jack wakes up from his nap. Now, my poor kid is a slow waker. He really prefers to sit on the sofa with Daddy for a little while and watch tv and drink some milk to wake up. Poor thing didn't have that chance! He wasn't exactly pleased that so many people were in the house when he woke up.


But once he saw all the balloons all over the house he perked up. Of course he wasn't having any of my decorating with the balloons... he had to have them ALL!! And he didn't care who he bowled over when he was walking by them with all those balloons!!









Once it was time for presents and cake the fun really started. Let's see, some of his favorite gifts are his tricycle (from Mommy and Daddy), his Dinosaur book (from Aunt Leah), his tent (from Nana and Grandpa), his helicopter (from Uncle Mike), and the car carrier semi truck (from Aunt Chris). He got a lot of wonderful gift beyond those and has honestly played with them all!

Cake was fun. Since he had had us sing to him and let him blow out candles on his actual birthday he knew just what to do and was so excited. We all stood around him and sang and he was so excited to blow those candles out that he did it before we finished singing and I had to re-light them!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Jack!

Has it really been 3 years? Three years since we've been able to both sleep in. Three years since the cats thought our lives revolved around them. Three years since the furniture in the living room wasn't overtaken by toys and baby things. Three years since the loudest thing in the house was Eric playing video games. Three years since we could fit more than one passenger in the back of our car.

Three years since we created a perfect little person that will always call me "mom."

Jack certainly has some faults. He is only 3, after all. He's stubborn, he's selectively deaf, he's got a temper. But he's mine. He'll always be my little boy. He's got a fantastic sense of humor, loves to make people laugh. He's absolutely fearless. He's loud. He still eats like a bird. He loves cuddling on the sofa after waking up. He loves his mom. He loves his dad. And he adores his baby sister.

His birthday fell on a Tuesday this year so I made sure to make some cupcakes, make his favorite dinner (spaghetti) and let him blow out some candles. The shear delight on his face when we walked into the living room singing "Happy Birthday" with 3 cupcakes with lit candles will last me a long, long time.

Jack is 3!!!! Here's his montage.

Without further ado, here is Jack's latest montage!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Gracie is 2 months old

And her brother adores her more than ever. When I laid the blanket out on the floor to take Gracie's picture Jack declares that he wants to lay on it too. So I got some pictures of the both of them along with pictures of her. Of course his half-chewed halloween lollipop was in the pictures too. What can you do?

At her 2 month doctors visit the poor thing got 4 shots and some oral vaccine that I can't remember the name of. But she is perfect otherwise.

Her stats:
Weight : 11 lbs 9 oz (75th percentile)
Height : 22 3/4 inches (75th percentile)

She's my healthy girl!