Doggie Wall

Among the many projects at our new home is Jack's bedroom. It was so hard to leave his Dr. Seuss room behind in the old house. I anticipated he would have that room for a long time, especially because Stuart and I spent so much time painting the murals. I was tempted to recreate it here, but was convinced by Stuart to do something different. Since Jack loves dogs so much, we decided on a doggie room. This is actually the hardest room to complete because I can't do it while he is sleeping, so instead I do his room in 5 minutes increments; you can imagine how long that is taking.

Anyway, 2 of his 4 murals are completed and Jack loves his "doggie wall." The other night, after putting him to bed, we could hear him talking to the dogs, saying, "it's ok doggie wall." I guess he needed to reassure them.

I just started on the 3rd mural and Jack is so excited about his "new doggie."

Hopefully, I will have a completed room to show you soon.

On another topic, Jack used his potty today and wanted to show me his "little poo poo" since he only had to go a little. After I looked, he stood there and stared at it for a moment then said, "how cute."

Painting

After 7 months in our new house, we finally decided on the right shade of brown to paint our family room. (Sad, I know.) Stuart let Jack help paint. After months of watching us paint bedrooms, Jack was so excited to finally be a part of the process.

Mud Mania

All of this rain keeps flooding our yard, delaying it's completion. It took forever for the pool and deck to be completed and now the landscaping is on hold until it dries out again. But, I don't think Jack minds one bit. In fact, I think he might be a little sad when he loses his big mud puddle.

Cheap Rewards

We promised Jack we would buy him a big tractor once he was potty trained. We went out to get one yesterday, but didn't want to drive all the way to Toys R Us, so we settled on Walmart because it's closer to our house. We were prepared to get Jack a substantial reward. It was so fun. He ran around the isles at the store and soon we had collected a pile of toys to choose from...lots of tractors, cars, dinosaurs, and robots. What did Jack choose? He picked the big truck carrying case filled with lots of little cars. The best part is that is was on clearance. $11. YES! That is our boy! He loves it. He gladly posed for the above picture and, as always, insisted on looking at the camera to see the picture. He took one look and said, "Ahhh, how cute!" What an ego!

I am excited that he is entering the cheap faze. We all know that a newborn takes a lot of money...especially when it is your first. And, don't get me started on how quickly teenagers drain your bank account; it's obscene. But this is the period that kids are very cheap. Think about it. No diapers. No formula. He eats next to nothing. He prefers to be naked. I can bribe, I mean reward him with a toy and he is thrilled with a 97 cent car. We better enjoy it while it lasts!

Diaper Free!

Jack did it! He hasn't worn a diaper since Tuesday. I got rid of all of them. Tuesday morning was a little rough. He asked for diapers and I told him no. He refused underwear, so we compromised with naked. (I tried to encourage him to wear underwear by putting underpants on all of his stuffed animals, but that was a big mistake. He went hysterical when I put them on Elmo...crying so hard he threw up, so I quickly removed them all.) Since then, however, he has been great! He does not need to be reminded to go to the bathroom; he does it on his own. He is so proud every time he does it! It is so cute. He does fine with public toilets so we are not confined to the house either. He even did great with his babysitter last night!

One funny note. When he tries to go and can't, he sometimes calls me over, grabs my hand and tries to put it on his penis, asking, "help me." I'm not sure what he thinks I can do for him...

I do put him to bed in a pull-up, only because he is still in a crib. I plan to keep him in a crib as long as I can (OK, at least until he is 3.) It makes life easier.

Jack is awesome! We are going to go get him a big tractor this weekend...he earned it.

Happy Valentine's Day

For some reason, Jack really loved Valentine's Day this year. I swear he said "Happy Valentine's Day" about 200 times yesterday. He was just so happy and enthusiastic. It was adorable.

Cuddle Face

I know I take a lot of pictures while Jack is sleeping. One reason is he doesn't really hold still for photos while he is awake. Another is, well, he just looks so cute that I can't help myself.

I want to share one of my favorite bedtime routines with Jack. Each night I put Jack to bed, he asks me to come in and cuddle with him. Obviously, my laying in his crib with him isn't a great idea, so I began offering him an alternative. I tell him I can't get in his crib with him, but I can cuddle his face instead. I then put my hands on each side of his face to "cuddle" his face for a minute. He loves it and closes his eyes with a big grin on his face. He also holds my hands in place to make me stay there a moment longer. When I pull away, he always asks for a "last time." (Which I always indulge.)

Now, every night, he asks for "cuddle face" before I leave his room. And I love it as much as he does.

Potty Training is Hard Work

I know just how he feels...

Lessons from Jack

Jack is so much fun to be around. At 2 years old he is so inquisitive, inventive, enthusiastic, and happy. In order to keep up with an adventurous little boy, you must remember the following:

• Never pass a puddle without jumping in it.
• Everyone should have a good happy dance and use it enthusiastically. (It's even better when you convince mom and dad to do it with you!)
• Mom's pants are the best place to wipe your dirty hands.
• Blood is cool.
• When given the choice, naked is always best.
• All towers must be immediately knocked over...with force.
• Tractors, dinosaurs, and cars are awesome!
• Ants are best observed by laying on the ground with your face up close to the action.
• Running is better than walking.
• All dogs are your friend.
• Always hug the girls you encounter on your way (and their moms.)
• Screw drivers fix EVERYTHING. (He still isn't convinced it won't fix the Milo and Otis DVD he broke. He continually begs me to try again.)
• You can never have enough rocks.

Progress

Despite a messy start yesterday morning, Jack had an awesome day! No accidents the rest of the day and most of the time he went potty by himself, without telling me. I'm feeling hopeful! And he is looking so grown up...

Potty Training - Part 2

OK, we are back to potty training. It was really Jack's idea. Friday evening, Stuart and I were busy talking while waiting for our babysitter. Meanwhile, Jack, of his on volition, removed his diaper and used his potty...without saying one word to us! We were stunned, but because it was date night, we were soon on our way and the incident was forgotten. The next morning, however, we were all out shopping. When I passed the bathrooms at the store, Jack told me he had to go "stinky" (this is what he says if he has to pee or poop.) I took him into the public restroom, removed his diaper, put him on the toilet and he went! YEA! We were thrilled!

So, we have been working at it all weekend, and so far so good. It's slow and there are accidents, but we are making progress. The biggest challenge is that Stuart is a bit weird about germs and the "accidents" leave him a little grossed out. (Shouldn't he be used to this...it is his third time through the process?!) Anyway, I am feeling optimistic. We are heading out this morning to buy more underwear.

But, I have to share my favorite part. When we put him on the potty and he doesn't have to go, he holds his penis and tries, then tells us "it's broken."

NOTE: As soon as I typed this, before I could even hit the "post" button, Jack came in to inform me that he pooped in his pants. REALLY MESSY. He was watching Elmo's World and, apparently, couldn't tear himself away. It's a good thing Stuart is at work...

OK, second interruption. I came back after cleaning Jack up so I could finish this post. Jack came running in to tell me "turkey bacon fall." WHAT?! I figured he dropped his turkey bacon and went to help him clean it up. But, apparently, Jack had peed in his potty and then dropped his turkey bacon in the pee. When I informed him it was dirty and had to be thrown away he started crying. Sheesh!

Perfect

Lately, I've been thinking about how blessed I am. It's so easy to get caught up in what you don't have that you forget about what you do have. These 2 boys are everything to me. I am so lucky to have them. My life is filled with laughter and happiness. I am constantly in the presence of love. There are moments when everything is just perfect.

I took this picture one afternoon after Jack skipped his nap (he tries this about once a week.) The problem is, he isn't ready to eliminate his nap and he invariably falls asleep at 3 or 4pm...throwing our entire schedule out of whack. It's hard to get really upset when he looks this sweet.

Waiting for Dad

By about 4pm each day, Jack gets anxious about his dad returning home from work. He usually watches out the front window for Stuart's car. When he hears the garage door open, he drops everything and runs for his dad, throwing his arms around his neck for a very long hug, while continually repeating, Daddy's home!

He loves having Stuart home. I know just how he feels.