Dinner at moms

We had dinner at moms. Prime rib... Mmmmmm. Otherwise, no occasion, just family getting together.

But I got some great pictures.

Bows Bows Bows

I found the CUTEST bows for Gracie. The designer was brilliant and designed headbands that have a little loop on them so that you can clip different bows on, making all the bows interchangeable on the headbands and when she has hair I can just use them in her hair.

Of all the ones I purchased I quickly found my favorite and put it on Gracie to model. My little model was so cooperative and didn't mind in the least that she had a headband on.

Here's our pretty girl...

Old soul?

We’ve always joked that Jack had an old soul. He never got consumed in all the kiddie stuff. Sure, he had his favorites… Teletubbies, Seseme Street and such but he always gravitated back to “older” things… Night Court, Smokey and the Bandit, Hogan’s Hero’s, AFV.

This isn’t any different with his music choices either. In fact, other than the CD that my mom used to play for him he’s never listened to “kiddie music”. His preferences: Elvis (top choice), E.L.O, Enya, the sound track to Oh Brother Where Art Thou, and he loves anything with a good beat that I find on the radio. He’s never turned down a Green Day song.

But is just really sunk in one day when I realized that he’s memorizing the lyrics to so many of his favorite songs! He knows ALL of the lyrics, and he’s 3 years old.

He knows ALL of the lyrics to:
"Can't help falling in love" (Elvis)
"You were always on my mind" (Elvis)
"A little less conversation" (Elvis)
"Good Luck Charm" (Elvis)
"Return To Sender" (Elvis)
"She's Not You" (Elvis)
"Way Down" (Elvis)
"It's now or never" (Elvis)
"Don't Bring Me Down" (E.L.O.)
"Roll Over Beethoven" (E.L.O.)
"You are my Sunshine" (Oh Brother Where art Thou soundtrack) - all the lyrics, not just the chorus!
"Down to the River and Pray" (Oh Brother Where art Thou soundtrack)
"I am a man of constant sorrow" (Oh Brother Where art Thou soundtrack)

And he’s so smart that when he hears a new song that he decides he likes he “teaches” himself the lyrics by repeating them after the line is finished. Makes for an interesting little echo in the car but I’m just so impressed with the way he’s taught himself to so that.

That’s my boy!
Oh, and as far as the love of Elvis goes… That’s Eric’s boy!

Open auditions?

Anyone know of any Kiss auditions? I think I have a little person that wants to try out.

Boing

Anyone up for some jumping? I feel like we bought the jumperoo too late for Jack. Not sure what we were waiting for... oh wait, a larger house with more room to put these ginormous toys, but he really loved it until he got to big for it.

We decided to start Gracie off a little sooner. Why not, we have it already, right?

The first day (1/11/09) she had NO idea what to do with it. She tolerated it for our sake for about 5 minutes and then cried to get out. Honestly, I think she was more interested in the brightly colored cloth straps that connect the legs on the sides.





Just 6 days later she not only had the concept of how to jump but she was LOVING it. Here's my bouncy little baby:

Nom Nom Nom

Jack was never a big eater. I think we've touched on this subject before. So I know what that's like. Gracie, on the other hand, seems to enjoy her meals. So lets add solid food!

"Hey, what's this?"


"Um, ok, that was interesting."


"Hey, this isn't so bad, gimme some more!"


"Nom Nom Nom"


"Would it help if I brought my face to the spoon?"


"Wait a moment mother, I need to wipe my face."


"Oh, Daddy can feed me too?"


"I'm done."

Gracie is 4 months old!

You'll have to forgive the lack of pictures and the fact that I didn't have the energy to take any really good pictures of her... I've been sick.

But here's my little puddin', a whole 4 months old already!

Best Friends

Saturday morning Jack woke up early to use the bathroom so Eric just crawled into bed with him to go back to sleep. (They do this a lot and very rarely get back to sleep!) Well I guess they were in bed talking and Jack tells Eric "You're my best friend."

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!

When they got up and Eric told me Jack turned to me and said "Mommy, you're my best friend too."

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!j

Busted!

We were totally busted wrapping Jack’s presents. He was supposed to be napping and we were wrapping Jack’s and Gracie’s Christmas presents when all of a sudden he just appears in the living room announcing that he was awake. He saw everything!!! He asked if the presents were for him and we said no, that Santa was bringing his presents but there were still some things that weren’t wrapped and we went over to start playing with them!!! I quick snatched them up and told him that they weren’t ours.

Busted!!!!!

Sleep. Glorious Sleep!

I had forgotten how wonderful it was... to be able to sleep the whole night through. I can't really complain too much about Grace because overall she's been a great sleeper. Since about 2 months old she was averaging only one wakeup a night to eat. Not bad! But lately she was getting progressively worse! What happened? Was she sick? Was she teething? Was she hungry? Nope. Nope. And Nope. She just didn't want to be swaddled anymore! I was so scared not to swaddle her because I was afraid of her waking herself up all night with her hands in her face but after talking to Miss Linda (daycare) yesterday I decided to bite the bullet. Miss Linda hasn't been swaddling her for a little while now. Turns out that's just what Grace wanted. I zipper her up in a sleep sack for warmth since she wouldn't have the swaddling and nursed her to sleep. You'll never guess what happened. Never. Ok, well maybe you will. She slept ALL night! 10 1/2 hours to be precise. And that's with me waking her this morning to get her ready for daycare.

Well, I guess I lied, I did hear her wake a couple times but she put herself back to sleep. That's my good girl! But I mean she didn't even want to eat last night! Really, I can't describe to you the shear pleasure of staying in my own bed all night and not falling asleep in that damned rocking chair and waking up 2 hours later with my head bent forward and not being able to move my neck. Nope, sure didn't miss that last night.

But there is one downside to all of this. I discovered how it is that she soothes herself. She has found her thumb. Yup, she had it plopped right in her mouth this morning. I had orthodontic bills flash before my eyes. But hey, I'm getting sleep before I start paying all those bills, right?

Who is this cat at daycare?

Just like any other day I went to daycare after work to pick up my children. I didn't find Jack and Grace, though. I found Grace and a kitty. I had called the Kitty by Jack's name only to be corrected with "No, I'm a kitty." "Jack, it's time to put your coat on." "No, I'm a kitty." "Ok kitty, it's time to put your coat on." So he crawled over to me. He meowed a few times while we were there too.

It was once we got to the car that the kitty really came out of his shell.

"Meow. Meow. Meow. MEOW. meow. Meoooow. Meow. MEOW MEOW MEOW. meowmeowmeowmeowmeow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. MEOW. meow. Meoooow. Meow. MEOW MEOW MEOW. meowmeowmeowmeowmeow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. MEOW. meow. Meoooow. Meow. MEOW MEOW MEOW. meowmeowmeowmeowmeow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. MEOW. meow. Meoooow. Meow. MEOW MEOW MEOW. meowmeowmeowmeowmeow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. MEOW. meow. Meoooow. Meow. MEOW MEOW MEOW. meowmeowmeowmeowmeow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. MEOW. meow. Meoooow. Meow. MEOW MEOW MEOW. meowmeowmeowmeowmeow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. MEOW. meow. Meoooow. Meow. MEOW MEOW MEOW. meowmeowmeowmeowmeow. Meow. Meow. Meow."

That was the entire drive home.

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.