swimming

Jack swam. Swam. Like: face underwater (NOT holding his nose), kicking his feet, moving through the water, swimming.

He had a breakthrough at swim class last night. He went underwater (all on his own) and I held my breath with him from the side as his teacher guided him towards the edge.

And when he came up out of the water, I don’t know  who had a bigger smile on their face: me or him. We both looked like deliriously happy 4 year olds…I guess we both were at that moment.

I’ve always been proud of Jack. Always. The way he takes care of his sister, or helps someone, or listens to a grown-up, or says his prayers, or sings in the Christmas program…hell, even if he does something as seemingly miniscule as picking out his clothes. But this…this was different.

I watched, as week after week, Jack came closer to overcoming his apprehension about the water. I actually saw him learn. I watched as he let go of his fears. He decided to put his face in the water all on his own, and he realized that he was okay...that he could do this on his own. 

It was unbelievable to see. All night I kept saying, “I can’t believe he did that! I can’t believe YOU did that, Jack!”…the excitement just kept coming back to me again.

He’s graduating from a tadpole to a goldfish (even though I’m pretty sure that genetically, the next step up from a tadpole is a tadpole with a tail, according to a Curious George book, but whatever). He’s excited that he “beat the level!”. I’m excited to see what he’ll learn next.

It’s was one of the best things in the world to watch him discover, learn, overcome, and experience. And to think: there’s SO many more challenges in life waiting for him. I can’t wait!

jack is my hero

Yesterday, I had a bad day. That’s a relative statement, because everyone I know and love is happy and healthy and safe…but it was a no good day, nonetheless.

It started with some not so hopeful news about our on-the-market house. And from there, it just went down. Between meetings from hell and miscommunication about picking up the kids, I was ready for the day to be over. But when I got home, the bad mood and crappy day seemed to fade.

I took pictures of the kids. Lots, actually. For Mother’s Day, I want to make myself updated silhouettes of the kids so I was set on getting good profile shots. Lila’s were a challenge. I must have taken 30, but I knew I had a keeper in that bunch! Then I took pictures of the kids goofing around, making funny faces and laughing so hard that they were falling onto one another with full-on belly laughs that brought a smile to my face. I knew my bad day was over. I knew things were only going uphill from here.

Then I took Jack’s pictures. And reviewed. Reviewed. Revi…my pictures were gone. The pictures of Lila’s profile and the kids laughing together and from spirit week at school, and those from the previous week, and the week before that. Gone. And I lost it. I cried. A big, red-faced cry. I was mad and angry and frustrated and tired.

Then Jack patted my back. He said, “It’s okay Mommy, you can just take more pictures.” He was there for me: when everything came crashing down, he became my knight. And although I know I’ll never get those pictures back, it wasn’t really about the pictures anyway. I think I just needed a moment of release. The memories in those lost pictures, of the kids’ unconditional love for one another, reminded me that my crappy day isn’t something that I will remember in the long run. Lucky for me though, there will be thousands of belly-laughing, sibling-loving moments to come, capture, and relive.

I wiped my eyes, and we read our nightly books, and I told him how thankful I was that he was my big guy and how much he helped me…how lucky I am. Then he requested I sing “The Lucky” song, for which he had to resituate himself to sit properly in my lap like a baby, which I will allow as long as he wishes. It was an off key rendition, but I sang and rocked him.

It was the least I could do after he became my personal hero for the night…for my ever, actually.

things papa learned about Jack

Herb sent me a very sweet note about the things he and Nani learned about Jack from their adventure at the City Museum...I agree:

1. He’s got drive-----[redacted to protect xxxx from future embarassment :)]--- I like drive-------you can learn most anything------except drive. 
2. He’s a leader------when he and Mom got lost in the labyrinth Jack said, “It will be OK Nani, just follow me.”
3.  He’s compassionate-----see the note above.
4.  He’s adventuresome-----he was always searching for “new ways” to crawl around.
5.  He’s determined-----he wanted to climb a wall and he worked until he did it-------------I have a video to prove it.
6. He knows how to have fun
7. He’s athletic-------he was SO GOOD at climbing.
8.  He’s artistic-------he painted and made interesting things from clay.

I can't say that any of these qualities and traits are something we didn't know...but it's nice to hear great things about him from people other than us: his parents (even though his grandparents might be just as biased as we are!).

Either way, I hope Jack always keeps these traits about him...esp 1-3...I think those will one day help Jack become a really good man...(the others would just be little bonuses)

Jack is good.

Yesterday Nani and Papa played hooky, sprang Jack from daycare, and took him to the City Museum…something we probably should have done a long time ago.

He/they had THE.BEST.TIME…so much so, that someone in the group sharted. Not saying who in an effort to protect someone’s feelings. You’re welcome, xxxx.

They ran themselves ragged for 4+ hours, taking turns running around with Jack and having “resting” breaks. Jack didn’t need any resting breaks: those are for grown-ups!

They came home smelling of sweat, with a bruise here and there, and loads of craft projects, and videos of all the exciting adventures they had.

Jack is lucky to have those special days with Nani and Papa. How fun to be rescued from preschool to play all day with his two favorite people?! Who wouldn’t love that opportunity? It makes me very proud to have such amazing parents who adore my children. Also, it makes me jealous that fun stuff like that never happens to me. Can someone please rescue me from the everyday work doldrums?!

_______

Jim and I had Jack’s parent/teacher conference yesterday. And, while it was no “shart-inducing” experience, it was a great one. His teacher couldn’t say enough good things about him: how he’s so happy and pleasant, such a good listener and rule follower, so sweet and eager, smart and athletic. I smiled for two reasons: because I was so damn proud, and also I was pretty sure she was confusing us with parents of another child.

People keep telling us that “We’re doing such a good job” and “How wonderful Jack and Lila are” and I think I’ve unknowingly fooled everyone into thinking we have our shit together. We don’t, and Jack disobeys us and stomps and throws massive fits and wakes his sister up. He’s testing us and some days I think he’s winning the battle…that I’m being outsmarted by a 4 year old. I go to bed thinking “Where did I go wrong?”. But then he cuddles up to me to tell me his bad dreams and somehow just by being there, I make them go away, and I realize he is so sweet underneath his rough, star wars obsessed façade.

And in the end…it will get easier. At least that’s what people tell me…even though they are the same people who tell me that we’re doing something right with Jack, so I think they might be really good liars.

This weekend I have big plans to stay in my pjs and organize/clean. And maybe even watch a movie…but more likely than not, I will spend the days cleaning, and the nights wondering why Jack thinks its funny when I tell him “No.” and why he is so skilled at tuning out my voice...I'll likely fall asleep before SNL even starts. And I will consider it all a success if no one sharts…starting now. 

A letter to Jack...

Jack,

I’m going away for a little while. I have to go to work in a country called China. It’s a really far way away. It will take me 14 hours to get there on an airplane. That’s like 2 whole days of preschool.

I will miss you more than anything in the whole world. It’s going to be hard for me and you to be away from each other, because were best friends and we love each other so much. But it will be okay, because just like The Kissing Hand book, no matter how far apart we are, we will always be able to feel each other’s love.

If you ever miss me or feel sad, you just put your hand up to your cheek and think, “Mommy love me.” And my kiss will jump right into your heart and you will feel my love.

I’m going to call whenever I can. Since I’m so far away, when it’s night time where you are, it will be daytime where I am (think about that!). So it might be hard to get in touch, but I always will.

Every night, tell Daddy you want to send me an email. You tell him all about your day: the best things that happened, the funniest, the silliest, what you ate, who you played with…and Daddy will write it down and send it in a letter to me so I can read it. And make sure you send me songs and pictures of yourself too.

I will send letters back to you so you can read them and hear all about my day, so it will be like we are talking to each other!

Jack, I need you to be a big boy and do me a favor while I’m gone. I need you to be on your best behavior for Daddy. Listen to him and be the good boy I know you are. Also, help Daddy take care of Liley. You’re such a good big brother and she loves you so much: you’re the best at making her laugh and smile, so I need you to do that a lot while I’m away. (It would make me the happiest if you would do that for her forever because you two are best friends and that’s what best friends do!)

At night time, please do me a favor and sleep in my spot. My pillow will need someone to keep it company, and so will Daddy. So it’s your job to keep my spot cozy for me. If you miss me, hug my pillow and I will feel your hug from all the way across the world. I will hug my pillow extra tight so you can feel my love back at home, too.

I will be home before you know it, and things will be back to normal again. Until then, be good. I’m proud of you and I love you more than sunshine!

Love always,

Mommy

PS: I recorded our prayer so we could still say it together…make sure Daddy plays that for you at nighttime.

PPS: I also might have left a present for you and Lila each day…cause you’re kinda like my favorites!

first field trip...

In continuation of my previous post subject: time moves too fast…

Jack has his first “field trip” today, for which they are walking to a nearby ice cream shop. I’m so excited for him! What a fun adventure. Field trip days are the best.

He also received his paperwork for preschool, which will start soon. When did this little boy get old enough for preschool?!

I remember when he was a baby and I thought, “I wonder what he’ll sound like. I wonder how he’ll act, and look, and think, and be…”. Now these wonders are pushed further into the future to a place where he’s a big boy and I wonder what sports he’ll play, and what he’ll enjoy, and what subjects he’ll like, and, again, what he’ll sound like, and think, and be...

Little boy, little man.

machines!

This weekend we went to an event called "Meet the Machines" sponsored by a local construction company. I had no idea what to expect, but suffice to say it was overwhelming and brilliant and I've never seen so many little boys so happy in one place!

Next year we'll get there earlier (even though we showed up at 10: when it opened...apparently you need to get there at like 9-9:30 if you even want a chance to operate a scooper truck or go up in the high lift! Fail.)

Lucky for us, Jack was happy enough to meet Bob the Builder, run around with his hard hat on, explore every vehicle imaginable, and get sandy & sweat digging for treasure!

Also, the monster truck had a "For Sale" sign on it, and Jim is quite interested...have fun living in it, honey!

Next year we'll be better prepared for the chaos and excitement...also, I hope Lila's done teething by then because she was a little too preoccupied with her sore gums to enjoy the machines!

(cell phone pics=boo.)

Trashed

“The leprechaun trashed our room! And he left footprints everywhere, and turned our tables over, and he left us gold coins and bouncy balls…that stinky leprechaun!”
(Lila looks suspiciously at Jack here..."What's this boy gonna do, Mom?!")

Jack had a magical St. Patrick’s day: green popcorn, green juice, Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, and a bunch of shenanigans from that silly leprechaun.

It made me so happy because for holidays like Christmas and Easter, Jack expects visits from the respective mascots. But St. Patrick’s day was unexpected and magical, and he and his friends had so much fun with the wonder of it all! I love to see him with such belief…it makes me believe a little more too…

Plus, I told Jack that the stink leprechaun must have trashed my house, too and that’s why it’s in such disarray!

PS: Jack goes to an awesome daycare and I love that they take such wonderful care of my babies...they are the best!

Fun with Jack

See Jack play. Play, Jack. Play.

Here Jack swings. Swing, Jack. Swing.

Jack is happy. Be happy, Jack. Be happy.

Jack loves life. Love it, Jack. Love it.

Jack, never stop enjoying it. Whether your swinging or running or jumping or reading...enjoy it. There's nothing I enjoy more than watching you enjoy everything!

Jack...

…he’s my best friend.

He has the same morning disposition as his dad, let’s just say they’re not “morning people”, which means he’s pretty much all mine in the mornings because I baby him…I will baby him as long as he lets me.
He calls his sister “Sweetie-girl” and “Girlfriend” in the softest, loving voice…he most-always happily obliges when I ask him to “hopscotch” towards Lila to make her laugh…
His favorite colors are pink and purple…coincidently, so are mine.

He loves the “Ariel Song” in Little Mermaid and can sing the whole thing: beginning to end.

At night, he calls me into his room every 5 minutes before he falls asleep, because he needs to make sure I’m “checking on him”.

When he wakes up in the middle of the night, he calls me and I reassure him everything’s okay and that he cannot wake up yet, because, “4:30 is the middle of the night and we have at least 1 more hour of sleep before morning”.

He loves to brush his teeth and cannot do so without leaving a white drool-stain down the front of his shirt…and his chin…and pretty much all over his face.
He hides (in the same spot) whenever someone comes through the door. He loves to surprise people and I love to watch him pop up with a huge grin when I’ve given up on finding him!

He has a major sweet tooth and would rather have a snack in the morning than a real breakfast. I don’t let him have a “snack”, even though I’m pretty sure the mini muffins I feed him are not any more nutritionally sound than a cupcake.

He’s adventurous and wild. He loves to run and will do so until he’s made to stop. (LOL: Christmas card outtake!)

His loves to wrestle with his Daddy. Even when he is bounced off the bed onto the hard wood floor, he cannot wait to get up and do it all over. He’s tough when he needs to be…but will readily convince me that the red marker on his hand is “bleed” and that a Dora band aid makes it feel better…He loves his blue blankie, and can’t sleep without it, his cup of cold water, and without the line of cars and toys on his windowsill…which grows by the day.

I often find myself saying to him, “Stop playing around”…and I think to myself, “Just let him play…he’s only 3 once…he’s just a little boy.”

We read books every night, and recently, when I finished up by saying, “…and they lived happily ever after.” he said, “Hey, just like we did!”
Yes, we most certainly did, Jack.

Merry 3rd Birthday, Jack!

Jack, you’re 3 years old. Wasn’t it just yesterday that you were my little baby who came into the world on Christmas morning and made me a Mommy? After 2 hours of pushing, my little cone-headed boy joined my Christmas party and the whole world changed...


Always stay just as sweet and loving and honest.

Thank you for always being so excited to see me and never minding if I cover your face with kisses...

...and for being an amazing big brother and grandson and nephew and friend.

Keep saying please and thank you and sorry, because your manners (along with your intelligence) will get you places in life.

You make me prouder everyday. I don’t know how I got to be so lucky as to call you mine, but I cherish that fact everyday, because being your Mom is the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.

Merry Birthday, baby boy. Slow down on the whole “growin’ up” thing…

conversations with Jack (cont.)

Me: You have sweet dreams, baby.
Jack: Mommy, will you be dreaming of me?
M: I most certainly will buddy. Will you dream of me?
J: Yeahhhh…
M: What will you dream?
J: That you’re a princess and I’m a prince.

And then I melted into a puddle. The End.

Lila eats cereal & I catch-up (kinda)

It's not Frosted Flakes, (even though Jack thinks it is) but she's 4 months now and moving on to big girl foods after we got the okay from her Dr! I'm surprised how well she's doing with the whole "spoon/food" concept so early. We've been feeding her rice cereal once a day for a week and she's already starting to attack the spoon! Check her out...
In other Lila news, she had her 4 month checkup. She's 14.6 pounds (75th percentile for weight) and 90th percentile for height! He projects she'll be about 5'8"! My growing little girl! I guess that's why she's been in 6 month sleepers since she was 3 months old! My little girl with long legs!

On the Jack front, he's really getting vamped up for Christmas and his 3rd birthday this year! I think I'm getting even more excited for Santa to visit my little guy 'cause I have an inkling that he's going to have a super day! He came along on a visit to the dentist (to prepare for his first visit so he's not scared of the good ole teeth Dr) and he loved it! He even got to "take pictures of my teeth" as they let him push the button for my x-rays (Jack, keep wanting to learn...learn all you can...whether you become a dentist or a fireman or a mail man or whatever you want...learn it all!) Now he wants to brush his like 5 times a day, which we're happy to oblige.

I got a pocket video recorder so hopefully it will make capturing special, impromptu moments easier without having to whip out our handheld. I tested it out with Jack last night, and as you can tell, he was pretty tired and not in the mood. He kept saying, "It's too early", meaning he was tired, but I'm a mean mom and made him attempt to perform just so I could test out my new gadget...sorry Jack buddy!

I've been a terrible blogger lately...I blame the time of year...but I'll post a ton of pictures soon. Whew!

Jack plays soccer

Jack had his first instructional soccer session and loooved it! But I think even more than Jack loved playing and running, we all loved watching him. He has so much fun and I had to stop and tell myself to wipe the goofy, stage-mom smile off my face because I was just beaming with pride.


Jack had a slew of raving supporters there for him, cheering him on, reminding him that he's #1 in our books...


I'm so happy that Jack is old enough to finally be involved in sports. Jim and I both played sports growing up and ever since Jack was a baby we debated over which one of us would be his coach (I'm still holding out hope!).

My parents never missed a game. Between my and Carey's softball, volleyball, soccer, basketball, weekend-long tournaments and out of town trips, they were always there: cheering us on, "contesting" with the refs, coaching us... I finally realize how much fun it is to watch your children compete (albeit Jack's first soccer practice! Am I getting ahead of myself here?!). I'm so excited to be there as Jack (and someday Lila) learn to play sports, find their niche, and make friends along the way. I'll always be their #1 fan: cheering loudest and beaming with my goofy, stage-mom smile!

(And if sports turn out not to be their "thing", I will still be their proudest supporter in whatever they chose to do!)