Balanced

Just needed to offer some proof that Jack does try on his dad's clothes and underwear too. (It's just not as funny to post these pics.) He is just so eager to do whatever we do.

Broken Baby

There are a lot of words to describe Baby Jack: happy, energetic, silly, crazy, sweet, sensitive, etc. But one word that does not describe him is gentle. That's just not who he is. He is rough and always does everything with full force. It is exhausting and fun at the same time. It can also be terrifying. Thursday, Jack started pulling the cushions off the couch to play. I jumped in to help, so I could make his landing spot safe. However, he wasn't very patient and jumped off the couch, onto the cushions while I was doing this. (I was less than a foot away from him at the time.) He went face first into the edge of the couch. He immediately started screaming and crying. He normally doesn't cry when he gets hurt, but just keeps going, so this was alarming. I thought he hit his mouth, so I gave him some frozen fruit sorbet to calm him down. Eventually, he did. About 10 minutes later, his nose started bleeding...which he thought was very cool. He laughed and touched it and tried blowing more out of his nose...of the joys of a little boy. His nose was a little swollen and he cried when I touched it that night, so I worried it might be broken. On Friday a little bruise appeared. By Saturday, the bruise was even bigger. This picture doesn't do it justice, but it was the best I could do. I know it looks like Stuart is choking him, but it is hard to get a clear picture of Jack unless you hold him down these days. As I said, he doesn't stop moving and I have about 50 picture attempts to prove it.

Stuart tells me not to take him to the doctor Monday because they can't do anything for it, even if it is broken, but I am feeling tremendous guilt. What if he is forever disfigured? What kind of mother does that make me? Boy, the guilt is endless in this job.

22 Months Old

Yesterday, Jack turned 22 months old. Holy Cow! He is such a little boy now. I can't believe how fast the time has gone by with him. Here are the latest Jack facts:

• 18 teeth. Just a couple of days ago he cut 2 more molars. Hallelujah! He has been working on this last set since he was about 15 months old and I am relieved. Only 2 more to go!
• He is currently wearing a size 4T.
• The refusal to eat sweets is a thing of the past. He loves sweet stuff now, but doesn't eat that much of it...he prefers to taste it. If you give him something sweet, he will lick it and giggle, throwing his head back in delight. It is adorable to watch.
• He is very active (note the bruise on his head in the photo.) He loves to pull the sofa cushions off and pile them on the floor. He then throws himself off the couch onto the pillows.
• He loves to read, but he has to pick both the book and who reads it. (Sometimes he changes his mind half way through a story and takes the book away from me to give to his dad to finish.) Current favorites are: Good Night Moon, The Eency Weency Spider, and Where is Baby's Belly Button.
• We are working on getting Jack to brush his own teeth, but it is a struggle. He loves using his step stool to get to the sink by himself and running his tooth brush under the water. And, he especially loves spitting. Actually brushing his teeth, however, is not something he wants to do.
• He is a great mimic and want to do everything we do. He loves pretend play. His favorites are cooking and fixing things with tools.
• He has recently started to engage his stuffed animals in conversation. It is so funny to hear him tell them "no."
• He loves to go for car rides. He will insist I roll his window down and then he leans his head over as far as he can toward the window and zones out while the wind rushes through his hair. (I think we can all learn a lesson from this to appreciate living in the moment!)

He is just the best and although we miss our little baby, we love our fast growing little boy.

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to a wonderful dad. One of the reasons I love Stuart is because he is such a great father. For years I have watched him struggle with living so far away from his beautiful daughters. It kills him. Father's Day is especially difficult and many times I have watched him cry because he can't see them as often as he would like. Now that the girls are teenagers, it is even more difficult as they become more involved in other interests and don't always remember to call him. I know this is hard on him, but I also know that no one tries harder for his children than him. They are always in his thoughts as he continually provides love and guidance (even when they don't think they need it.)




I should add that Jack is obsessed with his Dad lately. He wants to be a part of everything he does. I love to watch them together. Jack just adores his dad. Although, sometimes his love is overwhelming in it's intensity.



NOTE: I intended to post this yesterday, but I got a terrible, incapacitating migraine. As a result, Stuart had to take care of Jack, and me, and make his own dinner on Father's Day. Like I said, he is the BEST!

Bat Baby

By day, he is the adorable Baby Jack, but when he changes into his new Batman jammies, he is transformed into the caped crusader, known simply as Bat Baby...


He is elusive, but here we spot him lurking in the jungle.


These jammies give him super strength!


But Bat Baby knows it is important to exercise his mind too, so he takes a break to read a book.


Even super heroes get thirsty.

Being a super hero is exhausting.


We apprehended him briefly...


But, he soon escaped to the safety of his bat cave.

Morning Baby

I am a total morning person. Once I am up, I am ready to go start the day. Stuart, on the other hand, is not. He is grouchy and it often takes him close to an hour after he wakes before he will pull himself out of bed. In the mornings, Jack takes after me. He wakes up happy and playful. After his nap, however, he is just like his dad. He is grouchy and it takes him a good half hour before he is happy. Here he is after his nap...trying to wake up...he is just so cute I can't stand it sometimes!

Comfort

It's very important to check on Jack soon after he falls asleep, as you never know what you will find.

At least his blanket brings him comfort.

Ready for Rain

Jack is loving this re-organizing project. He is discovering new things to entertain himself every day.

Sharing with Dad

Hey Dad! When do I get a bite?

Giving In

Last week, Jack got into my underwear drawer again. I have noticed that he is continually drawn to the same pair. He got his favorite pair on (wearing them around his waist) after he woke up in the morning and I decided to just let him wear them for the day. (Some days, you pick your battles.) Here he is after his nap, still wearing them.

Naked Time

As you know, Jack loves to take his diaper off, so last week we decided to let him have a half hour of naked time before he took his bath. It was a hit!

He kept jumping back and forth from the couch to the ottoman. (Landing very hard on his **bleep**, I might add. Why do men complain about how "delicate" they are? Clearly, this doesn't seem to hurt!)

I also have video, but it would require too much editing to protect Jack's privacy and I just don't have the time, or the energy to do it. Oh, and Jack loves watching this video of himself. He laughs every time he hits the couch and then insists on running to the couch for a repeat performance.

This kid cracks me up!

NOTE: This post has been edited for content by Stuart.

BLUE

I've been doing some spring cleaning around the house to try and get things organized. Jack found a special treat during this effort. I'll let you see the results for yourself.

Hmmm...what's this


I'll just try a little bit.


Maybe I'll try a little more.


Hey! This is good!


YUMMY!!


Hey, my lips are still blue.


Yup, they are really blue.


We should definitely do that again some time!

Daredevil Baby

Jack found a stroller in the garage and loves playing with it. (I told you this boy doesn't need toys.) He is very creative at finding unique uses for various household items. I just wish he was a little more cautious with them. Yesterday, he fell halfway down a flight of stairs. It nearly gave me a heart attack; he was pretty shaken up too. It did not, however, stop him from going right back to the stairs to try again. Although I love this side of him, it makes me very nervous. Really, he's only 21 months old. What am I going to do when he is older and the risks get bigger?

Jack and Kailee

Jack's cousin Kailee is staying with us for a short visit. She is helping out with Jack while I do some re-organizing around the house. Jack just loves her!

He sat so sweetly with her and watched Sesame Street this morning.


She even kept him entertained during dinner.


He loves her so much, and I certainly love having some help!