tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90872393422347313972024-02-18T20:53:51.755-08:00Jack RainierEthanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160907242106560036noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-49956809994337972762009-04-14T23:19:00.001-07:002009-04-14T23:21:56.568-07:00This Blog Has Moved!We're no longer updating this blog. But don't worry, its content has been exported to the new site, so if you're hankering for vintage Jack, this stuff won't be lost. <br /><br />Come see what's new at<br /><br />www.ethanruthharperjack.blogspot.com!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-34713467393679214862009-03-02T19:50:00.000-08:002009-03-02T20:04:45.430-08:00The Troubled Artist<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJd49Paq6C5VTXks224tvFrrOXA5fkGZo1okLtIQqCqNNZkue6vk61wYAtQBJPItWOPjjaJ97iNxe8c7q71ZtH-Z4wFs8LqRykiaVYGJoxV0ptNDPHidHGjE_geqLDqC8S010R_SGQA-lU/s1600-h/IMG_4352.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJd49Paq6C5VTXks224tvFrrOXA5fkGZo1okLtIQqCqNNZkue6vk61wYAtQBJPItWOPjjaJ97iNxe8c7q71ZtH-Z4wFs8LqRykiaVYGJoxV0ptNDPHidHGjE_geqLDqC8S010R_SGQA-lU/s400/IMG_4352.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308805173248084882" border="0" /></a>He finds such raw emotion in his own artwork it brought him to tears. (Click on the photo to enlarge, for a better view of what I'm calling "Green on Wall, #1". I'm seriously hoping there is no #2)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNTAmmZ1TLneuGnbdzrYVSxrdaXNgrdb3ePd2yB1gmE0zCNeJ39ovkq6kTzIU7gcjQrHCRFtBNm-6TPCnBudmIj8f6nkj-1ec4DqOoX1hUJjrUEWa9jGQGm6SrdokT1IFVP1vqLeiqJsH/s1600-h/IMG_4348.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNTAmmZ1TLneuGnbdzrYVSxrdaXNgrdb3ePd2yB1gmE0zCNeJ39ovkq6kTzIU7gcjQrHCRFtBNm-6TPCnBudmIj8f6nkj-1ec4DqOoX1hUJjrUEWa9jGQGm6SrdokT1IFVP1vqLeiqJsH/s400/IMG_4348.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308805169820590562" border="0" /></a>I wonder if he is sorry? Look at that lip. If that's not the saddest/cutest thing you've ever seen, you're dead inside.<br /><br />This was a first for Jack (and amazingly, Harper never even tried this). I think he inherently knew it was wrong because I said one "No" and he started tearing up right away. I could tell he was very honestly sorry. He's a good boy.Ethanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160907242106560036noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-67046425983397758902009-02-19T21:14:00.001-08:002009-02-19T21:53:35.186-08:00Talking Up a Storm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SZ491YFKvxI/AAAAAAAAAeg/PVQvv9tk5HA/s1600-h/kids+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SZ491YFKvxI/AAAAAAAAAeg/PVQvv9tk5HA/s400/kids+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304745398295510802" border="0" /></a>This is Jack's pick-me-up-Mama look. He's saying his usual, "Mama-- hug!" I had to snap a shot and post the picture because Jack does this a few times a day. I find the hug requests sweet and always pick him up and hug him, except when it's being used as a transparent attempt to avoid eating vegetables. In that case, I squeeze his little shoulders and lay my head on his for a moment (cause who can not-hug a kid who wants a hug?) but then I hand him a loaded fork.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SZ5FDYFj5WI/AAAAAAAAAfY/LizIQ8aJKeY/s1600-h/kids+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SZ5FDYFj5WI/AAAAAAAAAfY/LizIQ8aJKeY/s400/kids+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304753335396722018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SZ491BTVTfI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/uLs9aNRihq0/s1600-h/kids+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SZ491BTVTfI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/uLs9aNRihq0/s400/kids+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304745392180907506" border="0" /></a>Here's Jack having his "morning milk" with "sister". I warm two sippys of whole milk up and hand Jack both. He walks over and hands Harper's to her, then climbs up to sit next to her. They suck away. Jack also has a cup last thing at night (to replace his night night nursing). Yep, he's down to just one breastfeeding a day now-- just before nap. He's definitely noticed the change... it took him over a week to go to sleep as peacefully. He even asked about his "ninnies" and we've told my ninnies "night night" several times to help him understand they weren't coming out. I don't look forward to the final weaning though... knowing he's my last one makes it tough. I'm trying to just enjoy his baby-ness while it's still here.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SZ491Dy6-vI/AAAAAAAAAeY/HEdoLS9-9iw/s1600-h/kids+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SZ491Dy6-vI/AAAAAAAAAeY/HEdoLS9-9iw/s400/kids+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304745392850270962" border="0" /></a><br />Here are the kids after re-coloring their posters from the library's storytime. They'd colored them once there, but wanted to add to them tonight after dinner so I pulled out the markers and we sat on the tile a while to color. Jack's really digging the markers and crayons these days and is getting into coloring. He knows his shapes like nobody's business, and in this picture you can see he's tried to actually color them (i.e. scribbles centered on the square, etc.). As he did so, he'd say "green square" or whatever-- calling out the colors he was choosing. He also recognizes about 10 letters by sight, including the ones you can see on this poster. I was asking him "What letter is this?" as I added them to his poster and he was correctly identifying them, even telling me the<br />'M' is for 'Mama', 'D' for 'Dada', 'H' for 'Harper' and 'J' for 'Jack'. He remains a smartie and strangers often stop and ask me his age (stores, doctor's office) because he talks so much. His sentences are lengthening and he's got a few books memorized.<br /><br />Here he is by the alphabet I just put up in the kids room. I hung it tonight since he seems a promising student. So far, he's more into telling me the colors than <span style="font-style: italic;">finding the L</span>, but once he learns a few more, he'll feel more successful and it'll get more fun.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SZ491wYjNtI/AAAAAAAAAew/vFDo9i_27G4/s1600-h/kids+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SZ491wYjNtI/AAAAAAAAAew/vFDo9i_27G4/s400/kids+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304745404819257042" border="0" /></a>Here's his "cheeeeeeeeeese" smile. Whenever he sees the camera, the boy says, "Cheese!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SZ491pX1QNI/AAAAAAAAAeo/EM8eKzT7Rc0/s1600-h/kids+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SZ491pX1QNI/AAAAAAAAAeo/EM8eKzT7Rc0/s400/kids+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304745402937196754" border="0" /></a><br />And here he is kissing <span style="font-style: italic;">A</span> goodnight.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SZ5FDj2uwRI/AAAAAAAAAfg/4_U4oGlpiyw/s1600-h/kids+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SZ5FDj2uwRI/AAAAAAAAAfg/4_U4oGlpiyw/s400/kids+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304753338555744530" border="0" /></a><br /> I just love that sweet talker!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-23562215748811362332009-01-27T20:00:00.000-08:002009-01-27T20:58:34.177-08:00Funny Kid<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SW4RXOfgEiI/AAAAAAAAAZE/EnNjxC7xlh0/s1600-h/handj09+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SW4RXOfgEiI/AAAAAAAAAZE/EnNjxC7xlh0/s400/handj09+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291185702931796514" border="0" /></a><br />Jack Jack is becoming more of a big boy every minute! He started putting words together a couple months ago, and since then, the boy's been cracking jokes and really expressing himself. One of his first sentences was "Dada work" when Dad wasn't home. He began using this same explanation for anyone who came to mind, but wasn't at our house. "Grandma work." "Jov Jov work." (That's his buddy, one-year-old Jovie who you'll see in this post later.) Other examples include "Mama's water" (yep, he's got possessives down!), "water drink", "kitty out", "jacket off!" etc. Most of his sentences are two and three words at this point, and I am happy to report that he's getting pretty good at asking with "please", and his "thank you"s and "sorry"s are melt-your-heart cute. In fact, he just asked me for "more princess water" and handed me an empty princess sippy. When something falls down, he'll often say, "uh oh a cheerio!". The little rhyme delights him.<br /><br />Although he's probably a better enunciator than Harper was, he's still a baby. The other night he was repeating "cream bubbles" over and over and I couldn't understand the first word. I thought it might be game, and it was holding me up. Finally, I remembered the bubble gum ice cream in the freezer and realized he was trying to request it! When I finally said, "Oh! You want bubble gum ice cream!" he clapped his hands to signal I'd gotten it right. <br /><br />Jack's making more connections lately. A week or so ago, I was totally perpelexed about why Jack kept saying "sticky" when he was reading a book with animals in it. I knew the book wasn't sticky and he seemed to get more frustrated every time he said it. I looked at where he was pointing and it began to make sense. He was touching the picture of a tree frog and expecting it to be sticky but it wasn't. Another book of his (one from Aunt D, for his 1st birthday) was a touch and feel, and the photo of the tree frog had sticky fingers. Once I gave him the book with the tacky fingers, he felt satisfied. <br /><br />Another evening E and I were talking about weekend plans, planning to attend the Clarks' "Soup Sunday". He overheard the word "Clark's" a few times and he started asking for "Chlo Chlo". I was amazed that he knew Chloe was a Clark even though her name had never been mentioned. He definitely understands more than we realize!<br /><br />He has several books memorized and a good memory in general. If I pause while reading, he often fills in the blank in his baby-voiced-version-of-the-missing-word. He surprised me the other night by knowing what was beneath the flap of a book when we hadn't read it in forever and I didn't even remember! <br /><br />I haven't posted in a while, so here are some shots of Thanksgiving. Here he is playing at the Tootles' house, offering Mama a leaf he has found.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXygrJwpaXI/AAAAAAAAAcM/z-eF0y782ak/s1600-h/IMG_3396.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXygrJwpaXI/AAAAAAAAAcM/z-eF0y782ak/s400/IMG_3396.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295283925095639410" border="0" /></a><br />Aunt Carie, Mama, Jack, and Aunt Erica<br />This is Jack's hug. He hugs like he means it-- rests his head against your neck on your shoulder nice and tight. Jack's a fantastic hugger, and he asks for hugs often.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXygq6QOL2I/AAAAAAAAAcE/VRNEgnRDSEM/s1600-h/IMG_3389.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXygq6QOL2I/AAAAAAAAAcE/VRNEgnRDSEM/s400/IMG_3389.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295283920933105506" border="0" /></a><br />This was a hilarious moment at the end of the day. Jack Jack had been telling me "shoe" all day long and I couldn't figure out why he was so preoccupied. I'd taken his shoes off and on several times for diaper changes already, but at the end of the evening, I pulled off his sock to discover Jack had been wearing a toe ring the entire Thanksgiving day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXyj_BRv3dI/AAAAAAAAAc0/LYQwiCDSzKI/s1600-h/IMG_3441.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXyj_BRv3dI/AAAAAAAAAc0/LYQwiCDSzKI/s400/IMG_3441.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295287564950822354" border="0" /></a><br />Harper likes to play while I am putting away laundry, and I had seen her recently putting her rings into a sock so I think when I pulled the sock on him the ring was already waiting for him there. Somehow it maneuvered onto his little toe. When I pulled off the sock to discover this, I burst into laughter and urged E to get the camera. Jack was a little confused about the excitement over his toe/foot, hence the upset face. Ha!<br /><br />Jack's second holiday season was much more participatory than his first. Here's Jack trying to spin the dreidel. He loved the dreidel game because of the chocolate. In fact, he learned the word "chocolate" as a result of the Hanukkah season. Chocolate is one of Jack's favorite things. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXyj_8VYLPI/AAAAAAAAAdE/kGlrFhz-HT0/s1600-h/IMG_3721.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXyj_8VYLPI/AAAAAAAAAdE/kGlrFhz-HT0/s400/IMG_3721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295287580803738866" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's Jack opening his Hanukkah gift from Aunt D and Uncle Marty-- an okapi, of course! They knew of Jack's love for "neigh neigh"s and chose the closest endangered version from WWF's donation page for Jack Jack. It was a hit! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXnv3OJyZKI/AAAAAAAAAb0/--CgQhAa09s/s1600-h/IMG_3707.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXnv3OJyZKI/AAAAAAAAAb0/--CgQhAa09s/s400/IMG_3707.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294526568921719970" border="0" /></a><br />Here's Jack helping to decorate our tree, enchanted by the lights. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXyj-7hi2SI/AAAAAAAAAcs/QbxIAgwwUu8/s1600-h/IMG_3516.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXyj-7hi2SI/AAAAAAAAAcs/QbxIAgwwUu8/s400/IMG_3516.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295287563406465314" border="0" /></a><br />I was worried this season would be full of broken ornaments, but I am happy to report that only one Big Bird ornament lost a limb during the course of the season. He got dropped on the tile. Otherwise, Jack was a good boy about not playing with the ornaments. Jack's good about not-doing what has been designated as a "no no", but he's not so good about coming when called, that type of thing. He's also great about following directions like putting things in the trash for me, handing things to Harper, relaying short messages to Dad, holding my hand when we're walking.<br /><br />Here's Jack playing in his little cave at Grannie's house, Christmas celebration night. He loved to peekaboo out of it and crawl back in over and over-- it was just his size.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SW4RVhwL3pI/AAAAAAAAAY0/7kpITJXHqiU/s1600-h/handj09+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SW4RVhwL3pI/AAAAAAAAAY0/7kpITJXHqiU/s400/handj09+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291185673742311058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Just like Harper<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXyj_etwMpI/AAAAAAAAAc8/I3wo9wLaZLw/s1600-h/IMG_3610.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXyj_etwMpI/AAAAAAAAAc8/I3wo9wLaZLw/s400/IMG_3610.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295287572852912786" border="0" /></a><br />Jack continues to look up to his big sister, and he tries to do everything like her. The good news is, she's usually doing good things like reading books or being polite. As a result, he's a braver boy and can do more things because he's trying stuff he wouldn't otherwise. But she's not perfect either. He's picked up some attitudinal maturity because he's got an older sibling, and they don't always agree. They get into little tiffs, but it never lasts more than 15 seconds. (He's learned all about the naughty chair the last few months, and it's helped us to establish some boundaries.) When it comes down to it, though, they're great friends. Harper calls him "Little Buddy" and when Harper pretends that she's in fairy princess school, Jack is her "little boy assistant", and he plays the role gladly.<br /><br />Jack looks out for Harper, too. Whenever I dole out a snack, or pretty much anytime I give him anything, he asks for one for Harper, too, and then he delivers it to her. I know he misses her when she's at school because he says "bye bye sister" ( he pronounces, "sitser"), and when I announce it's time to get her he claps his hands and smiles. <br /><br />He is more interested in books lately and can sit for longer stories. His favorite book is "The Jolly Barnyard" (a little Golden book). Other favorites include "I am a Bunny", "Busy Horses" (a Christmas gift from Uncle Steve and Aunt Erica), "Goodnight Moon", and any Elmo book. Here he is reading with his guest and buddy, Jovial.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXnv3Y3yHoI/AAAAAAAAAb8/N9A1ftqX2Z8/s1600-h/IMG_3307.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXnv3Y3yHoI/AAAAAAAAAb8/N9A1ftqX2Z8/s400/IMG_3307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294526571798994562" border="0" /></a><br />And here they are at Jov's 1st birthday party, checking in on each other. Jack adores Jov, even kissed her picture several times during the holidays when their Christmas card was within reach.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXykAXRl5fI/AAAAAAAAAdM/B-jSDPXDaK0/s1600-h/IMG_3952.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXykAXRl5fI/AAAAAAAAAdM/B-jSDPXDaK0/s400/IMG_3952.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295287588035618290" border="0" /></a><br />Jack's become more attached to our extended family and friends over the last few months. He talks about people he misses and its nice to know that he has so many people who love him and who he loves back. Grandma watches little Jack while I work Thursday mornings and they've got a nice relationship growing. She remarks that Jack is "such a boy" and that he "sure knows what he wants". It's fun to hear another perspective on my kids and I feel so lucky and grateful that Jack and Harper are so well cared for when I'm away.<br /><br />This is Jack napping in our bed. We still haven't gotten him a big boy bed, so he's still in ours. I simultaneously look forward to having more space to move and a less stiff neck in the morning, and also LOVE his cuddles and the quiet warm peaceful space we create when he's on my arm. Here, Sadie moved in for some of Jack's lovey warmth and it was worth risking him waking to click the camera of this shot. (Luckily, he didn't wake!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXygskYVsZI/AAAAAAAAAck/MTnEAiY40mc/s1600-h/IMG_3612.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXygskYVsZI/AAAAAAAAAck/MTnEAiY40mc/s400/IMG_3612.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295283949421310354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's Jack doing his "Phoney Bologna" face-- fake cry. Just had to post it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXygsLc54XI/AAAAAAAAAcc/MZ-LRR8G-Qw/s1600-h/IMG_3452.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXygsLc54XI/AAAAAAAAAcc/MZ-LRR8G-Qw/s400/IMG_3452.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295283942729572722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And here he is moments later eating with a fork. He's eager to feed himself and has been using a fork since just after Thanksgiving.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXygr4Af-FI/AAAAAAAAAcU/HD4CoKkfi7M/s1600-h/IMG_3450.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SXygr4Af-FI/AAAAAAAAAcU/HD4CoKkfi7M/s400/IMG_3450.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295283937510160466" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Jack got this toy from Harper for Hanukkah. It's great-- teaches colors, shapes, AND it's got Sesame Street characters with Elmo's voice prompting the activities. Jack has mastered shapes since we got this toy and can identify colors with about 90% accuracy these days.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SW4RXTgO_KI/AAAAAAAAAZM/Nn0h2Gno_oU/s1600-h/handj09+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SW4RXTgO_KI/AAAAAAAAAZM/Nn0h2Gno_oU/s400/handj09+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291185704277048482" border="0" /></a><br />He's pretty happy to play with his toys or look over books, but nothing replaces a playmate or listening to a story on someone's lap. He loves to sing "Baa Baa Bamba" (a song from Sesame Street) and replace it with different animal sounds. That's endlessly funny to Jack. Harper and Jack are into hide and seek lately, and he's learning to count because of it. He can say "1, 2... 6... 9" so far. His new joke today was pretty funny. He's been saying "Shabbat Shalom" for a couple weeks and tonight he replaced 'shalom' with 'shine bear' (Harper's Care Bear) and said "Shabbat Shine Bear!" We all cracked up through lunch at his alliterative genius.<br /><br />Here's Jack doing his "big lips" face. Anything for a laugh!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SW4RWGhZe2I/AAAAAAAAAY8/HbmiwmymaCg/s1600-h/handj09+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SW4RWGhZe2I/AAAAAAAAAY8/HbmiwmymaCg/s400/handj09+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291185683612400482" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The boy gets more fun all the time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-69925351969846520902008-11-05T07:50:00.000-08:002008-11-05T08:09:52.875-08:00Halloween to Election Day 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SRHCoqzZasI/AAAAAAAAAR4/Yqh7hHE8TlA/s1600-h/Halloween+to+Election+Day+001.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SRHCoqzZasI/AAAAAAAAAR4/Yqh7hHE8TlA/s400/Halloween+to+Election+Day+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265203443313240770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SRHDDM9ZDpI/AAAAAAAAASA/NW6ZvQtS5f0/s1600-h/Halloween+to+Election+Day+003.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SRHDDM9ZDpI/AAAAAAAAASA/NW6ZvQtS5f0/s400/Halloween+to+Election+Day+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265203899158564498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SRHDvjBuXMI/AAAAAAAAASI/zakt93Zhk4s/s1600-h/Halloween+to+Election+Day+012.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SRHDvjBuXMI/AAAAAAAAASI/zakt93Zhk4s/s400/Halloween+to+Election+Day+012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265204660996562114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SRHE6I0RyBI/AAAAAAAAASQ/uiLfqh4ghKc/s1600-h/Halloween+to+Election+Day+016.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SRHE6I0RyBI/AAAAAAAAASQ/uiLfqh4ghKc/s400/Halloween+to+Election+Day+016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265205942451030034" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-19764527343191323152008-10-22T09:27:00.000-07:002008-10-22T09:49:33.787-07:00Fall FunHere's Jackie at his second visit to the Pumpkin Patch. I'm guessing he doesn't remember much of his first visit, spent in the baby sling, asleep at just 6 weeks old. This year, the boy ran around, played in the dried corn, rode in the wagon, and sat among the pumpkins observing the bigger kids. Here are some photos to show the fun. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9VuptnD4I/AAAAAAAAAQw/4z2alzwX9xk/s1600-h/fall+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9VuptnD4I/AAAAAAAAAQw/4z2alzwX9xk/s400/fall+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260017149751529346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9Xx-s0oiI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/qC-b5qetwtg/s1600-h/fall+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9Xx-s0oiI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/qC-b5qetwtg/s400/fall+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260019405948232226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9Xyj9dNJI/AAAAAAAAARA/LNTzh_P6XNE/s1600-h/fall+017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9Xyj9dNJI/AAAAAAAAARA/LNTzh_P6XNE/s400/fall+017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260019415950111890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9XzPnsALI/AAAAAAAAARI/rtdjV6mf9h8/s1600-h/fall+018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9XzPnsALI/AAAAAAAAARI/rtdjV6mf9h8/s400/fall+018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260019427669967026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9Xzr8ryMI/AAAAAAAAARQ/GSeQoxEqYo0/s1600-h/fall+021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9Xzr8ryMI/AAAAAAAAARQ/GSeQoxEqYo0/s400/fall+021.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260019435274225858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9ZEDBLRDI/AAAAAAAAARY/o1pkNwiyfjo/s1600-h/fall+023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9ZEDBLRDI/AAAAAAAAARY/o1pkNwiyfjo/s400/fall+023.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260020815856616498" /></a><br /><br />Here's a couple more photos-- first, of Jackie with Aunt Betty. Although he didn't want to be held by her, he loved on her a lot while she was here, even giving her like 10 kisses in a row when she left our house. I think she fell in love a little bit.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9VtlaMBwI/AAAAAAAAAQg/RfojzQU3olg/s1600-h/fall+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9VtlaMBwI/AAAAAAAAAQg/RfojzQU3olg/s400/fall+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260017131416454914" /></a><br /><br />and here's my little one wrapped in a towel after his bath. I love that slippery worm!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9Vt6EBa_I/AAAAAAAAAQo/aJTU_3CgctI/s1600-h/fall+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9Vt6EBa_I/AAAAAAAAAQo/aJTU_3CgctI/s400/fall+007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260017136960629746" /></a> <br /><br />and here's Jack with his big sis, playing babies together.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9ZEjjJp5I/AAAAAAAAARg/GLVpEsY0LF4/s1600-h/fall+030.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SP9ZEjjJp5I/AAAAAAAAARg/GLVpEsY0LF4/s400/fall+030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260020824589051794" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-52462365326280753182008-10-10T08:13:00.001-07:002008-10-10T08:19:22.533-07:00Oh, boy!This one is a quick shout out to our baby cousin in IL-- a little boy who is getting bigger everyday in his mama's belly. We can't wait to meet you in the Spring! Jackie is going to love having a little partner to do daring things together, like climb up on stools when you're only 13 months old, etc...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO9xxIp_u5I/AAAAAAAAAPg/vewxBWrWRvc/s1600-h/jack+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO9xxIp_u5I/AAAAAAAAAPg/vewxBWrWRvc/s400/jack+013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255544379115813778" /></a><br />Mazel Tov, Aunt D and Uncle Marty. We love you, we're excited with you, we miss you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-26289319355142145352008-10-09T15:32:00.000-07:002008-10-09T16:24:15.255-07:00Mostly SeptemberHere's the family at the top of Dome Rock. Jack was glad to be tethered tightly to Mama up there, and I was glad to hold him securely on my hip, too!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6KC8DsXFI/AAAAAAAAANo/E4IkXMRTm4g/s1600-h/kids+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6KC8DsXFI/AAAAAAAAANo/E4IkXMRTm4g/s400/kids+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255289598273936466" /></a><br /><br />Jack and Harper are becoming great buddies. The girl has always said that he's her best friend, but now that Jack is 100% mobile and talking more and more every day, they are playing more and more together. Here are a few photos documenting this deepening friendship.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6LwSypWEI/AAAAAAAAANw/WWDe4eWMceE/s1600-h/kids+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6LwSypWEI/AAAAAAAAANw/WWDe4eWMceE/s400/kids+013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255291476982192194" /></a><br />(eating Dada's next-day Challah with butter, mmmmmm...)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6LwpcQt8I/AAAAAAAAAN4/JxMIgPTJXUI/s1600-h/kids+014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6LwpcQt8I/AAAAAAAAAN4/JxMIgPTJXUI/s400/kids+014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255291483062319042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6Lwv6RlgI/AAAAAAAAAOA/bSR7veNR4as/s1600-h/kids+038.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6Lwv6RlgI/AAAAAAAAAOA/bSR7veNR4as/s400/kids+038.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255291484798817794" /></a><br /><br /><br />Jack is a real family man. He's begun loving on baby dolls, giving them kisses, humming little lovey songs to the baby and rocking dollies, too. Here he is with Harper's famed "Haffie".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6Lw7cyYhI/AAAAAAAAAOI/39NjVe_nMvk/s1600-h/kids+016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6Lw7cyYhI/AAAAAAAAAOI/39NjVe_nMvk/s400/kids+016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255291487896363538" /></a><br /><br />Although Harper's been the one up on the counter cooking with Daddy lately, Jack has absorbed some of the learning, too. Here he is whisking away.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6LxCBduoI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/5cNyo-dSKzQ/s1600-h/kids+017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6LxCBduoI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/5cNyo-dSKzQ/s400/kids+017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255291489660811906" /></a><br /><br />Ever since Sue and MaryAnn's wedding a couple weeks ago, when Jack met his first horse (their "Class"), Jack loves to say "Neigh Neigh" to refer to horses. He's been so obsessed with horses that he began to call cows "neigh neigh"s, too. In an effort to correct his mislabel, we took a field trip with some buddies to the COS farm, where Jack met some real cows, sheep, pigs, a goat, and (to his delight) more horses. Here's the group: me and the kiddos, Chloe Clark, Cat and Jovie, and Erin and her boys. Grandma Arlene also came with us (she's taking the photo).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6P7EzUzwI/AAAAAAAAAOY/QZjZ-AiOkiU/s1600-h/kids+022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6P7EzUzwI/AAAAAAAAAOY/QZjZ-AiOkiU/s400/kids+022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255296060252016386" /></a><br /><br />These shots show his joy. There was a bounce in his step, many smiles, signs, and animal sounds. He had a great time checking out the farm.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6P7QAsahI/AAAAAAAAAOg/jZjG5YrweOE/s1600-h/kids+030.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6P7QAsahI/AAAAAAAAAOg/jZjG5YrweOE/s400/kids+030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255296063260879378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6P7gtYWII/AAAAAAAAAOo/MuDtMDQ-sJk/s1600-h/kids+033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6P7gtYWII/AAAAAAAAAOo/MuDtMDQ-sJk/s400/kids+033.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255296067743275138" /></a><br /><br />Jack loves being outside, and he really loved seeing the real, live animals that we've been reading about and mimicing in his board books. Here he is keeping up with the big boys. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6P7yVoF6I/AAAAAAAAAOw/0-Z-x7h4XzU/s1600-h/kids+034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SO6P7yVoF6I/AAAAAAAAAOw/0-Z-x7h4XzU/s400/kids+034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255296072475482018" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-41966936635351446172008-09-07T08:47:00.000-07:002008-09-07T22:02:32.815-07:00Jack is One!Our good boy is getting big, and he's as curious and adventurous as ever.<br /><br />He's trying to talk more and I wish I could replicate for you the sound little Jack makes when you ask him how old he is. He holds up the single finger and swallows the word "one". It's clearly in his throat. And since he turned one, this kid has turned some sort of corner and all of a sudden, he's a big boy. They say the official threshold from babyhood into toddlerdom is when the kid walks and that was a big change for us. But seriously, the birthday marked a major transition for Jack. He can basically run now, and he is just tons of fun. He fake reads, much like Harper did, but his is full of 'g' sounds rather than z's. He's beginning to follow directions (i.e. "Give to Mama", "Close the door", "Put it in the hamper.", "Don't touch!")and he's trying to mimic words more.<br /><br />We made Jackie's <span style="font-style:italic;">1 year old words list</span> (all of the words he could communicate at his birthday, including spoken and signed words). Here's the official list(as far as we can recall right now), the asterisks mean signed words:<br /><br />kitty cat, said and *<br />cracker<br />car (bbb)<br />all done *<br />Mama<br />Dada<br />owl (hoo hoo)<br />cow (moo moo)<br />sheep (aaa aaa)<br />flower *<br />Itsy Bitsy Spider (puts arms up to cue us to request it)*<br />Twinkle, Twinkle (opens and shuts hands to request it)*<br />one *<br />sing/song (sings)<br />pig *<br />yum (mmmm)<br />yay *<br />hot, said and *<br />grapes (gggg)<br />elephant (trumpets)<br />bye bye<br />boo, said and *<br />beep *<br />phone *<br />bonk a head *<br />knuckles *<br />high five *<br />cheers *<br />shake *<br />ear *<br />nose *<br />tongue *<br />eye *<br />hair *<br />hat *<br />blow a kiss *<br />light *<br />book<br />up <br />clap*<br />more<br />quiet *<br />loud (laaaa)<br />lion *<br />bite/eat (smacks lips)*<br />monkey *<br />baby *<br />talk-talk (while holding a phone)<br />yes<br />"flap those wings" * (and makes wings' flapping sound)<br />crab *<br />silly *<br />cold * (and says "brr")<br />song/dance *<br /><br /><br />That's fifty four words. He is clearly a communicator and very involved in his world around him, but he cannot enunciate words very well yet and this is his biggest block toward acquiring more. He has a classic, ascending "uh?" sound that he uses often to get us to name things or answer whatever question in whatever context. Sometimes it means "hand that to me", sometimes it means "what's that?", sometimes it means "put on a song". <br /><br />He's also a man of many faces. Here's some of our favorites that we've captured.<br />making the bbbbb sound, look at those lips! Ha!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRjnT0o9BI/AAAAAAAAAK8/LLxP6ZNmPv8/s1600-h/IMG_2147.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRjnT0o9BI/AAAAAAAAAK8/LLxP6ZNmPv8/s400/IMG_2147.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243425393153209362" /></a><br />rooting for Michael Phelps-- go USA!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRjn752P4I/AAAAAAAAALE/NHb1KE1Ov64/s1600-h/IMG_2158.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRjn752P4I/AAAAAAAAALE/NHb1KE1Ov64/s400/IMG_2158.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243425403912470402" /></a><br />doing snorty nose, the sign for flower<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRjoItfY7I/AAAAAAAAALM/Ayefzhjnz10/s1600-h/IMG_2212.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRjoItfY7I/AAAAAAAAALM/Ayefzhjnz10/s400/IMG_2212.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243425407350301618" /></a><br />just the regular interested Jackie face<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRlqR6BYFI/AAAAAAAAALU/mXM_-dYX4Wc/s1600-h/IMG_2446.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRlqR6BYFI/AAAAAAAAALU/mXM_-dYX4Wc/s400/IMG_2446.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243427643201773650" /></a><br />the upset Jack face<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRzQFK7KLI/AAAAAAAAAL8/PR4fbO-9D1A/s1600-h/IMG_2718.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRzQFK7KLI/AAAAAAAAAL8/PR4fbO-9D1A/s400/IMG_2718.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243442586269198514" /></a><br />clapping after Uncle Marty played a song on the piano for him<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRlrIE0U-I/AAAAAAAAALk/LcmD8EB7yQs/s1600-h/IMG_2478.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRlrIE0U-I/AAAAAAAAALk/LcmD8EB7yQs/s400/IMG_2478.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243427657742570466" /></a><br />Jackie adores his sister. He often gives hugs and kisses to the girl, but mostly prefers to initiate these lovey acts himself rather than have them pressed on him. When he isn't hip to the idea, he will swing his little arm to create some personal space for himself and say, "uh uh, uh uh!" This sometimes upsets the eager-to-"queeze" Harper, but she still says Jackie is her best friend, so it must not be too damaging. For as sensitive as Harper is, she has really done well rolling with Jack's babyness and they have more and more fun together all the time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRlq9fhQGI/AAAAAAAAALc/DNLCh92gebI/s1600-h/IMG_2456.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRlq9fhQGI/AAAAAAAAALc/DNLCh92gebI/s400/IMG_2456.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243427654901776482" /></a> <br />Here's Jack imitating Harper. I watched as Jack climbed up onto Harper's bed (he's quite a climber, that Jack), scoot over to the head of the bed to where girl usually sits, and pull out one of her books and pretend to read it. This is the way Jack first sees Harper every morning as we ALWAYS find her already awake, reading quietly to herself when we open her door to greet her. They say imitation is the best form of flattery...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRlrUdaPGI/AAAAAAAAALs/Q8yBrHfE_o0/s1600-h/IMG_2488.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRlrUdaPGI/AAAAAAAAALs/Q8yBrHfE_o0/s400/IMG_2488.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243427661066943586" /></a><br />Jack is still a Mama's boy. Here he is doing his regular lovey lean, typical of the after 7 P.M. hours.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRyEbe-rJI/AAAAAAAAAL0/XEC6hKVXO64/s1600-h/IMG_2578.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMRyEbe-rJI/AAAAAAAAAL0/XEC6hKVXO64/s400/IMG_2578.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243441286588837010" /></a><br /><br />Jack had two birthday parties: a family one and a friends one, what a lucky, loved guy. When my kids have birthdays and my house fills with the people I love, I get really grateful and happy. I am reminded every year at the end of the hot summer months that I am a part of a "village" that is remarkable. Such great, salt of the earth but simultaneously smart and sophisticated people. It's why we're still here in Visalia; we love our community. Here's a couple shots of the festivities.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR1TLOQNaI/AAAAAAAAAME/WwDvYan8vwE/s1600-h/IMG_2610.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR1TLOQNaI/AAAAAAAAAME/WwDvYan8vwE/s400/IMG_2610.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243444838456636834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR1TTgjD9I/AAAAAAAAAMM/qmKHIJdOZcU/s1600-h/IMG_2618.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR1TTgjD9I/AAAAAAAAAMM/qmKHIJdOZcU/s400/IMG_2618.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243444840680853458" /></a><br />And last, but not least, our boy got his first haircut yesterday. Here's a couple befores (it's getting pretty long-- looks like a rocker)...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR1-6V2CbI/AAAAAAAAAMU/zEroD256a8A/s1600-h/IMG_2733.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR1-6V2CbI/AAAAAAAAAMU/zEroD256a8A/s400/IMG_2733.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243445589839317426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR1_cjXPYI/AAAAAAAAAMc/1ygJeAMhAtY/s1600-h/IMG_2734.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR1_cjXPYI/AAAAAAAAAMc/1ygJeAMhAtY/s400/IMG_2734.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243445599022824834" /></a><br />during... (notice the red, wet face from crying... he wasn't stoked on this)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR3Ibpe8FI/AAAAAAAAAM0/_qvXUJmNnj8/s1600-h/IMG_2737.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR3Ibpe8FI/AAAAAAAAAM0/_qvXUJmNnj8/s400/IMG_2737.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243446852910510162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR3IhXO9QI/AAAAAAAAAM8/wgsT8kFGB-I/s1600-h/IMG_2742.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR3IhXO9QI/AAAAAAAAAM8/wgsT8kFGB-I/s400/IMG_2742.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243446854444578050" /></a><br /><br />And... dum dum dum duuuuum... here are a couple after shots.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR3Hgk8uDI/AAAAAAAAAMk/pFhu-aUXDHA/s1600-h/IMG_2820.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR3Hgk8uDI/AAAAAAAAAMk/pFhu-aUXDHA/s400/IMG_2820.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243446837053798450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR3HxMpyXI/AAAAAAAAAMs/Pphzc1s6lkU/s1600-h/IMG_2805.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SMR3HxMpyXI/AAAAAAAAAMs/Pphzc1s6lkU/s400/IMG_2805.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243446841515297138" /></a><br />Special thanks to Erin Largoza for "cleaning up" his messy, hacked hair cut. I did my best, but it's thanks to Erin that the boy ended up cute. With two boys of her own (and a brand new baby girl, born yesterday), she's experienced and quite capable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-25663218389051199162008-08-07T08:11:00.000-07:002008-08-07T18:32:20.432-07:0011 months old!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtqCBJ6XSI/AAAAAAAAAHY/US3CxaVDQ0A/s1600-h/kids+022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtqCBJ6XSI/AAAAAAAAAHY/US3CxaVDQ0A/s400/kids+022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231891975023254818" /></a><br /><br />Jack Jack is officially a walker! He is getting better and better all the time and can now walk across the room, pivot and turn himself 180 degrees and return. His only trouble is standing back up after he's fallen down. If he isn't near something he can pull up with, he will scoot his way to something. The result is that he's doing about 90% walking, 10% scooting these days. It is crazy how quickly the scooting/crawling phase is gone. I am going to miss his peculiar crawl-- that downhill skiier style pulling forward with his feet, dragging on his bottom. He's gotten fast at it, too! Those days are waning and as excited as I am about his new walking confidence, I am also savoring the scoots when he does them. <br /><br />Here's one of the last looks at Jack doing his classic scoot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtpajHU2ZI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/ALQyXbXJDSI/s1600-h/jack+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtpajHU2ZI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/ALQyXbXJDSI/s400/jack+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231891296944445842" /></a><br /><br />Jack continues to be a super musical guy. He can't help but bounce to any rhythm (musical or not) that he hears. Last night we took Johnathan to dinner at Big Bubba's Bad BBQ restaurant and at some point toward the end of our meal, a rockin' song came on and two guys dressed in black did a routine of mostly popping and locking. Jack LOVED it; he bounced along and even turned around twice during it to smile proudly at Dad, as if to say, "Are you seeing this, too? Isn't this great?" Harper's about to start ballet, but we're thinking maybe Jack will be a dancer, too! Or maybe he's just very musical... he also sings a lot and even has a favorite song ("This is the Way We Get Up in the Morning" by Hap Palmer... curious thing that my two kids' first favorite songs were both by Hap Palmer-- he must have some sort of special baby appeal). That song has a lot of "ooooo"s, and Jack sings along with those parts, ooooing from his little car seat and bouncing wildly.<br /><br />Meal time is definitely more finger foods lately, but he still eats some baby food (snuck in between his cracker bites, when his mouth sort of involuntarily opens in anticipation of his next bite). He doesn't eat as much thick or chunky stuff as Harper did at this age, but that is because he has half as many teeth! To keep him regular, he has some pureed prunes about every other day. Here he is with a prune mustache.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtrW9DKTYI/AAAAAAAAAHg/UQtbgpWnlS0/s1600-h/jack+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtrW9DKTYI/AAAAAAAAAHg/UQtbgpWnlS0/s400/jack+007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231893434210078082" /></a><br /><br />He still only has four teeth, but he's clearly working on the bottom two to flank the two in the center. His left is further along than his right... maybe he'll have six teeth by his birthday.<br /><br />Jack communicates more and more as he gets bigger. He's definitely been focused on conquering the walking more than talking the past month, but he's also picked up a few words. Besides the things I've previously reported, he can do "cheers" with his sippy cup,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtr7MvaLaI/AAAAAAAAAHo/-RI_-PZaCxQ/s1600-h/kids+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtr7MvaLaI/AAAAAAAAAHo/-RI_-PZaCxQ/s400/kids+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231894056897490338" /></a><br /><br />swing his arms for "monkey", open and close both sets of fingers together to make the pinching arms for "crab", hold a block or other object by his ear when I sing "I called you on the telephone", knock on surfaces when I sing "went to your house, knocked on the door...", splash in the bath when I tell him to, say "boo" when we play peekaboo, smack his lips to tell you he's hungry, direct his eyes at a person when you ask him, "Where's ________?" (He knows all of our families and most of our friends' names, apparently.) He's also pointing a lot more and makes it very clear that he wants something by pointing right at it, bouncing and vocalizing his impatience. The other day I showed him a few shapes with the wooden blocks: the square, the circle, the triangle, and the rectangle. I left many blocks out around him after I'd repeated it a couple times and then I asked him to put each shape in the box. He got them right about 90% of the time. I thought that was pretty good for not having the same kind of undivided lesson time that Harper used to enjoy. She learned her shapes right at age 1, so I definitely think Jackie is just as cognitively capable, but he's a different kind of guy.<br /><br />Jack doesn't perform as much. He isn't as eager to please, much more internally motivated. However, he is definitely easily upset if he thinks he has displeased you! He knows the words "no", "don't", and "not post to" mean that he's done something he is not allowed to do and he will often burst into some crazy crying when he hears it. The result of that is that I don't like to see him so upset and I am tending to just divert or distract Jack from the things he can't/ shouldn't do.<br /><br />The boy remains very lovey and enjoys giving kisses. Last night, Jack alternatively gave me and Ethan kisses-- back and forth between the two of us. He leans his head over on us when he feels tired or wants reassurance. Despite our attempts to put Jackie in his crib at night, he wakes pretty quickly and joins us in our bed. Knowing he's our last baby and having been through this before, E and I have more patience about things like sleep and we know he won't be in our bed forever. I am soaking in his babyness because already (little walker!) it's passing us by and someday I know I'll miss it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtwzSHcjOI/AAAAAAAAAHw/laEv5hl9qP4/s1600-h/jack+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtwzSHcjOI/AAAAAAAAAHw/laEv5hl9qP4/s400/jack+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231899418459671778" /></a><br /><br />Here's Jack giving Daddy his "bye bye" kiss in the morning as E leaves for work. Jackie always gets excited and gives kisses, says bye bye and waves to E. He even wants to follow Daddy outside and watch him until he's gone down the street each day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtxJ8TgETI/AAAAAAAAAH4/KA_lOHaO_w8/s1600-h/kids+026.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtxJ8TgETI/AAAAAAAAAH4/KA_lOHaO_w8/s400/kids+026.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231899807741645106" /></a><br /><br />Here's another lovey with Daddy picture. Look at that contented face.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtx29oeCFI/AAAAAAAAAIA/n5OSkgdGjv8/s1600-h/jack+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtx29oeCFI/AAAAAAAAAIA/n5OSkgdGjv8/s400/jack+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231900581192140882" /></a><br /><br />And here's the boy with one of his best friends, Jovial Blair. We had the Blairs over for dinner the other night and it was funny that the two little ones looked like they were dressed for Sadie Hawkins dance... extra funny because after they said that, we remembered that I had taken Heath Blair to Sadie's in high school! Crazy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtylNljIFI/AAAAAAAAAII/RQ-SXJI-RHg/s1600-h/jack+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtylNljIFI/AAAAAAAAAII/RQ-SXJI-RHg/s400/jack+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231901375748841554" /></a><br /><br />Here's bathtime Jackie showing us his fish.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtzQ3ngbEI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/x6prHUYKXbw/s1600-h/kids+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SJtzQ3ngbEI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/x6prHUYKXbw/s400/kids+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231902125765717058" /></a><br /><br />In preparation for his upcoming first birthday, the boy (quickly) learned how to answer the question "How old is Jack?" or "How old are you?" with the classic one finger point. It's charming!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-79154609286621875022008-07-07T08:33:00.000-07:002008-07-07T16:34:36.302-07:0010 months oldJack Jack got his own room yesterday... sort of. We'd been wrestling with the moving to the crib issue for a couple months, trying to set him in there for the first part of the night as we did with baby Harper but as soon as he'd wake crying (as babies do), this would upset Harper and we'd have two crying kids in need of consolation. So the decision was made to move his crib into the office, set up his own monitor in there, and see how it goes. Last night was the first try and he was set down at 8:45 after nursing, slept for an hour, was comforted back to sleep, slept another hour, and came into our bed with us. He then woke for the next two hours on the hour until I nursed him again at 2:45 and he slept until 6:30. My sensitive kids... when something's been changed they notice it.<br /><br />Speaking of changes, Jack continues to grow up into a cutie pie big boy. He signs more words, including elephant (along with the trumpeting sound), and bird (pinchy fingers). We had a huge (bigger than my head) sunflower from our garden cut and in a pitcher on our dining table for several days, during which time he learned to do a snorty nose for the word 'flower'. He also puffs up his cheeks and blows when we read "Mirror Me" and we get to the page where cow puffs his cheeks. He also sticks out his tongue when the frog in said book "sticks out his long, pink tongue". He began signing "all done" a couple weeks ago, and uses this sign to let us know he doesn't want to eat any more. He makes the sign for water when he's thirsty. He can follow the commands "Arms up! Arms down!" and feels proud of himself for doing so. He says Dada (started on July 1st), and he says BaBa for bye-bye as well. He still uses the signs for these words as well, sometimes verbally communicating, sometimes signing, sometimes both simultaneously. Jack also says "fff--sh" for fish (which we first noticed when he was standing in front of Harper's aquarium, touching the glass), and "kkkk" for duck/quack. He can identify them in books this way, as well as point them out when asked. He also does a "vvvv bbbbbb" sound for a car. <br /><br />Jack is also working on walking. That downhill skiier scoot (this side, now that side pull with the legs) is going to be gone soon (the crawling stage is such a short window of time!). Jack's been cruising furniture for a while now, but he's getting bolder, even taking a few unassisted steps (walking!) back and forth between mom and dad a few nights ago (July 3rd was when he first did it). We went to a 1st birthday party for Brooklyn Collins (Adam's daughter) this weekend and she had a push toy that you walk with. Jackie LOVE LOVE LOVED it. He pushed it along squealing excitedly. We had to distract him and give him his sucker when we finally pried it from his hands. He lets you know in no uncertain terms that he is mad when a toy is taken from him! He's a second child-- knows how to fight for his toys already! When we got home, we got out Harper's old walker/stroller and let him push it around. He loves it until he hits something and he's stopped. Then he gets frustrated. <br /><br />In preparation for American Idol auditions coming up, I have recently eliminated breastfeeding until just before naptime, so he's going from his middle of the night feeding (the wee hours of the AM) until around 2 PM before nursing again. In the morning he's eating oatmeal cereal, some banana and yogurt. He is drinking a lot more water (I've tried formula, whole organic milk, and soy milk-- won't drink any of these) from the sippy cup too. Jack also eats graham crackers, bananas, Cheerios, tiny bits of bread, and he still eats a lot of baby food, preferably a tad warm.<br /><br />Jackie had his first ocean experience the weekend of June 21st. We went to Cayucos with Amy and Jason. It was so nice to stay at a home, where we could have our bedroom for our family and a kitchen to feed the kids. Jack liked the water except for the coldness. He liked playing in the sand on the shore with big sister Harper, too. He pretty much likes everywhere as long as he's with his family. It was tough to keep him from being covered in sand. The first day, he (despite my best attempts to prevent it) tried to eat some sand. After discovering it wasn't so good, he never tried it again! It was funny that I'd spent so much effort trying to keep his sandy hands out of his mouth and if I'd just let him do it right away, it would've been a lot less stress in the end.<br /><br />Jack's a hugger and a kisser. He will often scoot over to me, pull himself up and kiss my leg. He's also starting to do the "mm, mm, mmmmm" sound when he hugs. Today he even patted my shoulder when he hugged me. He is also a very ticklish kid, good spots include under the chin, kissing his ears, under the armpits, inner thighs, sides of ribs, feet just under toes. He cackles and laughs big belly laughs and loves to be tickled. He also sings. He does high-pitched aahhs and he vocalizes the b sound while flicking his closed lips to make the sound more staccato. <br /><br />He's fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-44091343992472145622008-06-18T07:52:00.000-07:002008-06-18T13:42:02.605-07:00So Much to Report!Our enthusiastic little Jack Jack. Click this picture to see his top teeth coming in. The boy now has four teeth and seems to be working on more.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkrvja4CEI/AAAAAAAAAGo/_DL79Fh-HCw/s1600-h/IMG_1230.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkrvja4CEI/AAAAAAAAAGo/_DL79Fh-HCw/s320/IMG_1230.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213246139619870786" /></a><br /><br />Jack has always loved being outside. Here he is in Daddy's new hammock (a birthday present from the Ertls-- thanks!) leaning over to pet Sadie. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkrwKKNTjI/AAAAAAAAAGw/otcJVzgi3BA/s1600-h/IMG_1242.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; <br />cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkrwKKNTjI/AAAAAAAAAGw/otcJVzgi3BA/s320/IMG_1242.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213246150018944562" /></a><br /><br />Jack loves kitties, but the other day while visiting the Correas their little doggie, Chuy, came over to Jack on the floor and got right in his face-- not in a threatening way, just friendly. Jack shouted and grabbed Chuy by the neck and pushed him away. It was surprising how instantly the boy defended himself; it also enlightening to see that this is how he reacts-- when he felt scared he defended himself. He didn't look up for help. He faced this little puppy head on. <br /><br />Here's Jack on a recent trip to the neighborhood park. He's a swing-lover like his sister and true to his love of the outdoors, he adores stroller rides. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkqR0L4dAI/AAAAAAAAAF4/sZd4yBGnzRY/s1600-h/IMG_1041.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkqR0L4dAI/AAAAAAAAAF4/sZd4yBGnzRY/s320/IMG_1041.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213244529212683266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkqSn9kUpI/AAAAAAAAAGA/Gw0_dInb2P0/s1600-h/IMG_1047.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkqSn9kUpI/AAAAAAAAAGA/Gw0_dInb2P0/s320/IMG_1047.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213244543111287442" /></a><br /><br />Check this confident, cute smile as he sits in the front of the double stroller.<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkqTePT1hI/AAAAAAAAAGI/i08uXil0vWc/s1600-h/IMG_1054.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkqTePT1hI/AAAAAAAAAGI/i08uXil0vWc/s320/IMG_1054.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213244557681219090" /></a><br /><br />Now that hes been pulling up for a month, he does it with such ease. Jackie scoots all over the house and gets to the furniture (Harper's bed right now, or the ottoman, couch, our bed, the highchair...), reaches up and ascends. He can be up in under-a-second, ready to play. <br /><br />He is still very self-determined. When we call to him he begins scooting to us but often gets distracted by his own interests and diverted to something else (an interesting outlet, cord, something "chokable" usually). <br /><br />He's cruising on furniture, taking steps while holding on. He is very interested in walking-- who knows when he'll take his first unassisted steps, but he is definitely bolder than Harper was. He really enjoys taking steps while a grown up holds his hands above him, (I usually narrate, "step, step, step" as we go) and the last few days he'll even take several steps while only holding one hand. His balance is improving. <br /><br />His receptive language has grown this month and Jackie can follow the direction "Gimme Five", "Turn the page", "Pat, pat, pat", "Shake, shake, shake", or "Touch the ___." He demonstrates his knowledge of some animals by distinguishing them in books this way. He can also locate my nose, mouth, ears, and tongue when I ask him to touch them.<br /><br />He went to the doctor's the other day for his nine month appointment. Everything looks great. He's 28 3/4 " tall, and 18 lbs. 1 oz. This means he's relatively tall and thin-ish. He has dry skin, a couple spots of excema which we keep at bay with some super thick cream I use. Sometimes I see him scratching, though, poor guy.<br /><br />7 o'clock at night is his grumpy hour. Jack would probably prefer if that were his bedtime, but it's just too darn inconvenient for our family. He goes to bed at about 8:15- 8:30 by nursing and still sleeps in our bed because he wakes and when that happens in Harper's room it stresses her out. When he sleeps more soundly, he'll join her in their room but for now he enjoys the luxuries of babyhood.<br /><br />He's eating more solids, but he has fewer teeth than Harper so he's not eating foods as lumpy as she was at this age. His favorites include: butternut squash and corn, turkey and vegetables, butternut squash, corn and chicken, carrots, prunes, oatmeal cereal w/bananas, and he's beginning to try puffs.<br /><br />Jack is signing more. He can sign: Dada, all done, good, bye bye (with the "Ba ba" sound), hi (with the long i sound), light, eat (hand to/in mouth with a smacking lips sound), and he claps to show approval/celebration.<br /><br />He continues to adore his big sister. Each morning, when we emerge from the bedroom, I ask him, "Do you want to go see Harper?" Jack kicks his little legs, and begins waving his hand, ready to greet her.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkrvFADcUI/AAAAAAAAAGg/Wr5n_f2QSjU/s1600-h/IMG_1200.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkrvFADcUI/AAAAAAAAAGg/Wr5n_f2QSjU/s320/IMG_1200.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213246131454308674" /></a><br /><br />Jack is learning to give hugs and kisses. It's the classic, open-mouthed kisses. Love it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkqT6qvE8I/AAAAAAAAAGY/bXRPFUf6UUk/s1600-h/IMG_1158.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkqT6qvE8I/AAAAAAAAAGY/bXRPFUf6UUk/s320/IMG_1158.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213244565312443330" /></a><br /><br />Another important milestone: he's beginning to use the sippy cup. Yesterday he drank the most so far, probably about an ounce and a half from a sippy. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkqTssV7uI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/2xiaZbAe_Qw/s1600-h/IMG_1147.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SFkqTssV7uI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/2xiaZbAe_Qw/s320/IMG_1147.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213244561561087714" /></a><br /><br /><br />His nicknames these days are Sonny Son Son, Cutzal (like the bird Quetzal, or the Quetzalcoatlus dinosaur... but waaaaaaaaay cuter) and Cutzal McKay.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-80358091443049236592008-05-17T09:22:00.001-07:002008-05-17T09:24:34.927-07:00Healed!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SC8Gl3G_2TI/AAAAAAAAACY/WqQOUn2FatY/s1600-h/IMG_0948.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/SC8Gl3G_2TI/AAAAAAAAACY/WqQOUn2FatY/s400/IMG_0948.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201383342154438962" /></a><br /><br />Harper and I made "Wellness Crowns" for her and Jack this week. Turns out, there's power in the crown! What improvement, huh?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-35109011298595594382008-05-15T07:38:00.000-07:002008-05-15T07:42:39.183-07:00Dalmatian Boy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ83YXq-7GRjp1Taq0hQ-BQUa5Jq3X0cs2SUgdv5AvaTTxqj8VZ-g2nqdOTr8Fr6jlqnpsFsUrNcD6MnK5LwBS3Mfoqfz5qw7bzOuYyEj_Y6lOspVGtlFQyj10MM1llXwP-23q3eVYAcLJ/s1600-h/IMG_0924.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ83YXq-7GRjp1Taq0hQ-BQUa5Jq3X0cs2SUgdv5AvaTTxqj8VZ-g2nqdOTr8Fr6jlqnpsFsUrNcD6MnK5LwBS3Mfoqfz5qw7bzOuYyEj_Y6lOspVGtlFQyj10MM1llXwP-23q3eVYAcLJ/s400/IMG_0924.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200614484117842082" /></a><br />Jack had pneumonia last week and ended up with an allergic reaction to the amoxicilin and broke out in hives. He doesn't seem to be too fazed by it but it looks something awful.Ethanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160907242106560036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-88533004912715494952008-05-12T09:53:00.000-07:002008-05-12T10:40:00.724-07:008 months old with a mind of his own!Jack Jack is getting to be a big boy and enjoys exploring and playing alone more and more. He's gotten markedly more mobile in the last couple of weeks, rotating 360 degrees in the sitting position, traversing the floor in pursuit of a toy by pulling with his legs in the sitting position as well. When he nears the toy he wants, he will lean onto his hands (over his knees) to reach it, but then quickly sits back on his rear to inevitably bite the thing. <br /><br />Speaking of biting, he is working on his top two teeth. The gums have been swollen for a couple weeks now and the other day I thought I saw his top right one poking through the gums. It's hard to confirm because when you try to pry, the boy purses his lips tightly and won't allow a gander. Nevertheless, from the occasional finger bite and quick glance I think it's safe to conclude that the teeth are coming in.<br /><br />Last week was pretty rough for the little one. Jack started the week with a low fever, which I attributed to his teething. Monday and Tuesday he just wasn't his usual cheery , babbling self and his sleep (and ours) was severely disturbed. I held him by my side all night long (our usual arrangement) and noticed that his breathing was labored. He was working way too hard to breathe. By Wednesday with no improvement, I decided I needed to take him in to be checked out by a professional. I'd noticed a wheezy sound that bothered me. The doctor said she heard something in his lungs and ordered a chest x-ray. It was sad to watch Jackie get his x-rays. The contraption was medieval-looking, and certainly uncomfortable for the boy: sitting on a bicycle seat-like thing, held in a clear plastic tube with a cut out for the face, clasped closed to hold his arms straight up. The good news was that the results were conclusive and treatable-- Jack had pneumonia in both lungs and was prescribed an antibiotic. Although I hate to hear that antibiotics are necessary, there is an element of relief when I do-- at least I know that a couple days from now, the kid will be much better. When it's "just a virus", we're looking at another week or more of a sick kid. He's slowly improving.<br /><br />On a happier note, Jack loves music. I put on the "Latin Playground" Putumayo CD yesterday (a gift for the girl from Raquel) and when each new song would start, Jack would begin bouncing to the beat and dancing-- very aware of the new tune and enjoying each one. He also really likes and responds to my singing. It can make otherwise uncomfortable situations (like diaper changes) more bearable.<br /><br />Little Jack is a talker and a singer. He likes to draw out vowel sounds in sing-songy ways, muffle his voice with his hand to create different rhythms, and experiment with new consonants all the time. The newest sounds to emerge are the g and k sounds, but his favorite fake-words have lots of y's in them.<br /><br />Jack is enjoying books more and more too. He wants to touch each page and is learning to turn pages and open and close books. He has a couple soft cloth books, one of which is about farm animals (why is it that all kids love farm animals?) and he really likes playing with the many textures. When I read a couple pages, one animal on each side of the page, I can ask him to touch one or the other and he'll accurately do so. It's fun to begin these little tests and start to see that his receptive language is definitely there. As they say, he understands much more than he can speak. Another favorite book is "Peekaboo kisses", where different animals say peekaboo and readers are urged to kiss them. Jack began kissing them about a week ago, leaning in with an open mouth and giving each his little baby love. We'll work on transferring that skill to actual people ASAP because I can't wait for the day when I get an actual kiss from Jack, not just stolen ones!<br /><br />I woke up this morning with an immobile neck and I know it's from holding the extra-needy Jack so so much, even while pulling weeds and gardening all day Saturday. My lovey husband saw that I was in no shape to be solo with the kids today, so he called in sick to help me out. As I type, he is sitting with Harper on his lap, singing different songs to the kids from the "Children's Song Treasury" book. Jack scooted up to them and sings and bounces along to the songs. He's enjoying their company and the songs, but occasionally looks over at me plaintively and says "Mama, Mama..." and does his closed-mouth mmm sound to register complaint or frustration.<br /><br />This morning E and I decided to test out Jack's mobility to see if his movement was really purposeful. We see him in different places (hey, he was three feet over this way five minutes ago!) but it's been tough to confirm how much intention was involved. We set up the cell phone and pacifier to motivate him and he did make his way to them, several feet away. He scooted on his bottom, pulled forward by his feet to the toys. <br /><br />One thing we've noticed with Jackie is worth noting, though. He's more motivated by his own ideas and desires than the urging of others. He's a self-motivated dude, not easily impressed with our ideas. It's not very convenient for getting any kind of routine established or getting him to nurse when my boobs say he must be hungry. No matter how often I offer ninny milk or how long it's been since he last ate, the boy won't take it until he decides he's ready for it. He has a mind of his own and feels very confident making his own decisions. It's admirable and interesting for such a young guy to be so in control of himself. I hope that we surround him with good options and experiences so that he will always choose well for himself.<br /><br />He's more and more fun daily. Harper says he's a fuzzy, cute, and funny boy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-62837024756262944802008-05-03T12:06:00.000-07:002008-05-03T12:08:19.824-07:00I wonder which side he slept on?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTbbyvVgsLKJDbpImMeIDqsHmcR8cnI8wC4-TG61H5FolLSwwNOCF9kXZO4Ft1MDWhyphenhyphenjH3trcVDKcIAYQz7t8OtGTBAXEr-CMF0xMyDZA3GD-drJ05G9hoXAVw-CvpPvMJh5EbsV-leye/s1600-h/IMG_0804.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTbbyvVgsLKJDbpImMeIDqsHmcR8cnI8wC4-TG61H5FolLSwwNOCF9kXZO4Ft1MDWhyphenhyphenjH3trcVDKcIAYQz7t8OtGTBAXEr-CMF0xMyDZA3GD-drJ05G9hoXAVw-CvpPvMJh5EbsV-leye/s400/IMG_0804.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196230453289376450" /></a>Ethanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160907242106560036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-54781079428287291332008-05-03T11:58:00.001-07:002008-05-03T12:00:29.018-07:00Sweet Boy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGyKnolknaRFTXMntPfVyGM9PDCxep4MeNKQ646gylkhFIMYvpbiXQr18lQ3Kn3x7wZJ1GMkZS0R5WJ-HTJKw7AQhIHYDimwrr_5U3hgqhHCYvyRhM0dWhq0ZadgedVi4pEZyeqLlpoOx/s1600-h/IMG_0691.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGyKnolknaRFTXMntPfVyGM9PDCxep4MeNKQ646gylkhFIMYvpbiXQr18lQ3Kn3x7wZJ1GMkZS0R5WJ-HTJKw7AQhIHYDimwrr_5U3hgqhHCYvyRhM0dWhq0ZadgedVi4pEZyeqLlpoOx/s400/IMG_0691.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196228460424551074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6o8DukFRE-OGSYvhD-ffM4TVpDxXlPv_PBHY2ugJjuw701LTXfJCvBoTM9VHs4BvgiuAlWHJTVr-b_zaS1RlH9CCyRg7XTK8MgSTSy0LoVN_ZBuJfPhUTxPD_Dzb49DwCgPLcjXo2C0V/s1600-h/IMG_0701.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6o8DukFRE-OGSYvhD-ffM4TVpDxXlPv_PBHY2ugJjuw701LTXfJCvBoTM9VHs4BvgiuAlWHJTVr-b_zaS1RlH9CCyRg7XTK8MgSTSy0LoVN_ZBuJfPhUTxPD_Dzb49DwCgPLcjXo2C0V/s400/IMG_0701.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196228469014485682" /></a>Ethanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160907242106560036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-39060702007920661462008-04-25T09:24:00.000-07:002008-04-25T09:36:41.758-07:00Communicating JoyJack is more and more expressive everyday. He waves his little hand and flashes a coy smile at his favorite people. If you say "bounce, bounce, bounce", he dances and bounces his body. He started clapping his hands in celebration two days ago. If you say, "Yay" and clap, he'll follow suit. Or if he's feeling it, he just starts clapping on his own. It's fun to hear baby hands clap together and see your little boy smiling up at you, hands mirroring the obvious joy his face is radiating. Jack likes to applaud his sister when she does something impressive (sings songs, runs, hops...). He also says something that sounds like "Yay" when I prompt him. <br /><br />He's got a sweet, subtle sense of humor, too. When I'm walking and singing him to sleep, if I stop the song and the walk abruptly and look at him, he smiles at me like he gets the joke. If I ask him, "Do you think that's funny?" He smiles and laughs like he understands what 'funny' means.<br /><br />Just like Harper, Jack's enjoying the bird mobile/toy on the side of his crib. When he wakes from his nap, he entertains himself by pushing the button with his foot and watching the birds fly around and around to the tune of classical music. I often hear the sound of this toy before I hear him cry out through the monitor. Such a sweetie pie. We're trying to use his crib more and he's taking to it slowly. It just requires patience and consistency and it's a little tougher to do it with #2 than with Harper, simply because he is the second child (keeping Harper quiet, keeping Harper out of her own room when Jack's having his AM nap, worrying about Jack's noise waking Harper...).<br /><br />Having two is definitely tougher than one, but we lucked out that Jack is as sweet as he is. Harper and Jack are great buddies, and his general contentment, attachment and lovey-ness, and capacity for joy makes him a natural part of our family and a fun part of everything.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-51009672350116228442008-04-02T19:46:00.000-07:002008-04-02T19:57:53.199-07:00Happy Boy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwhdpjtlxWbF997aaDlvEDFhDzdoeTG7Kqoygp9MVeL09THu_j4m8jiGxxBfgsBdU1dMuxIAVgLRgYAav2SxuzaU0G4HwNgnDvxaeWsalGrBN3JKOMpzAGFjKKF2qVmz3V2-V-pdfmmAX/s1600-h/jack_sweater.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwhdpjtlxWbF997aaDlvEDFhDzdoeTG7Kqoygp9MVeL09THu_j4m8jiGxxBfgsBdU1dMuxIAVgLRgYAav2SxuzaU0G4HwNgnDvxaeWsalGrBN3JKOMpzAGFjKKF2qVmz3V2-V-pdfmmAX/s400/jack_sweater.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184847822566721618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82Qr5uZpzUDXIV2oTcXUahnsJKNBSi5nLq4Hhs4OzkY-Kz-EuCsY6MQ7k_cx9n0aix1oH1GdoOnB1nx0Nlxlm0y0whSCUb3EScuw-5yi71UyE6n25f6csmOKCgwazGENmE6VBothQCvND/s1600-h/jack_shirt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82Qr5uZpzUDXIV2oTcXUahnsJKNBSi5nLq4Hhs4OzkY-Kz-EuCsY6MQ7k_cx9n0aix1oH1GdoOnB1nx0Nlxlm0y0whSCUb3EScuw-5yi71UyE6n25f6csmOKCgwazGENmE6VBothQCvND/s400/jack_shirt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184847826861688930" /></a>Ethanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160907242106560036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-42518120105306125462008-04-01T10:47:00.000-07:002008-04-01T11:13:00.570-07:00Teeth Photo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/R_J67qrswII/AAAAAAAAABc/G6rSFmgyo3w/s1600-h/IMG_0101.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EhTfQ0xIfq8/R_J67qrswII/AAAAAAAAABc/G6rSFmgyo3w/s400/IMG_0101.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184341286545309826" /></a><br /><br />Photo taken 3/8/08 See 'em? Click to see full screen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-23957876627487752642008-04-01T08:22:00.000-07:002008-04-01T08:53:11.338-07:007 months old today!Jack Jack has begun waving hi and bye. It is sooooooo cute... the blogging doesn't do it justice. In true genius fashion, the boy is waving his greetings to loved ones at a very young age. He first waved back to us on Saturday morning, just a few days before he turned 7 months. He will often wave back in reply to your greetings, but perhaps the coolest part of this is that he will also initiate your interaction by beginning to wave at you without any solicitations. He just wants to say "hi". <br /><br />Jack remains a super sweet kid, leaning into me when he wants to nurse or if he is feeling a little shy. He prefers Mama, a little of the "stranger anxiety" setting in, and when in another's arms, he'll whine a sad (almost dog-like) sound at me with eyes fixed until I respond and rescue him. He instantly, I mean instantly, stops his fuss when Mama holds him. That goes for waking up from a not-in-Mom's-arms nap, as well. He will cry out, maybe even tear up, but as soon as I have him, it's completely over. Sometimes he'll even smile at me through wet eyes. He's definitely well-attached. Jack adores his Daddy, too. He tosses gleaming smiles at Dad when E returns home from work or when we approach Dad. He leans into Daddy when he's tired. He continues to adore his sister, clearly missing her when he wakes before Harper in the afternoon, and clearly happy to see her when she emerges from her nap.<br /><br />Jack got his 6 month shots yesterday. At the appointment, he measured 27 1/2" long and weighed in at 16 lbs. 3 oz. All of these stats mean he's not particularly tall (a bit taller than average... 65th percentile) and he's skinny (35th percentile) for his age.<br /><br />Knowing that this is my last time in life with a baby, I am savoring the moments with little Jack. I am so glad that I have the chance to be home with my little ones as they start their important lives. I hold Jack for his afternoon nap (he usually naps in the AM, during Harper's afternoon nap, and occasionally evening-- although we're phasing that one out). He sleeps nestled in, on my left arm and if all is well (no snot, no diarrhea, nothing ailing him), he's a good sleeper at night, only waking once or twice to have a quick sip and go right back to sleep. As he falls asleep, he usually sings/hums a little song to himself. I held Harper more than most Mommies, too, and looking back I have no regrets: I didn't miss any opportunities for cuddling, she's well-attached and ( I believe) as a result, easy to discipline, and she's a great sleeper while many of her peers we know don't sleep as well as she. Jack loves to snuggle in and be lovey, and why deny him that luxury? <br /><br />He still nurses 97% of his nutritional intake, but we've started to introduce some cereals (he likes them better than the baby food stuff). Interestingly, the introduction of this additional food has been just that, additional. It hasn't seemed to change his desire for "ninny milk" yet. He's a growing, hungry boy!<br /><br />Since we've been gardening lately, we've learned that Jack really likes to be outside. We put on a wide-brimmed white hat, throw out a blanket for him, and he's happy in the grass with a few toys. He watches me work and smiles at me often. As my great Aunt Jesse said upon seeing his birth announcement, "he's smiling because he knows he's landed in a soft place"... I think there's something to that. He truly loves his family, and he's a perfect fit with all of us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-79808714935784676832008-03-08T09:05:00.001-08:002008-03-08T09:32:56.719-08:00Jack JackJack is over six months now, and seems to have turned another corner: more and more of his person is unfolding all the time. He is sitting up much better suddenly, and his "Mama"s have gotten very clear. He rolls around to get to toys he wants on the ground. He's very adept at using all of his limbs, not just his hands/arms to manipulate toys and play. Jack's enjoying playing on the ground more as he becomes more mobile and confident. He remains a sweetie pie lovey boy who is always ready with a radiant smile. When he's upset, or wants to be picked up, his whines contain lots of n sounds, and he rarely makes it to the point of tears. <br /><br />Harper is very good at helping Jack calm down. She buys me time when I'm doing laundry or I'm busy with something by going to him and singing him songs or playing peekaboo. The two of them have a very sweet relationship growing. She makes him laugh hysterically. It is so fun to see such a young baby laugh so hard at his (not much older, really) sister's antics. She really adores him and continues to look out for him and his needs. She'll tell me when "Jack Jack needs you, Mama. He's saying (imitates Jack's whiney sounds)."<br /><br />He has two bottom teeth now, and seems to be working on the top two (wants to bite everything... all the tell tale signs). The two little teeth poke through his soft gums with their ruffled edges. It changes his smile; he's looking more and more like a big boy these days.<br /><br />Jack also enjoys the Jumperoo. As long as we're visible, Jack can be happy bouncing in that thing for up to 20 minutes. I've actually gotten some dishes done this week that way! He gets a little workout that way. <br /><br />Jack has tried his first solid foods in the last couple of weeks. His very first food was (organic) applesauce, which provoked some never-before-seen facial expressions. He wasn't so sure at first, but seemed to like it after a few bites. Next we tried (organic) sweet peas, an old Harper favorite. He seemed NOT to like that. Yesterday, he enjoyed biting on (and holding for himself) a Barley Biter Biscuit (also organic... let's just say that everything we give him is). He liked the dual purpose of eating something yummy and also biting/teething on it. Jack also had some oatmeal (baby kind... quite runny, made from weird flakes) which he seemed to like but may have given him a little gas. I wanted something to thicken him up a bit though because he has the classic "drool stool" associated with his teething. He slept better last night (woke only once at 4:30 AM, instead of twice- his usual 12:30 and 4:30 wakings) and I'm wondering/hoping if maybe the two servings of the oatmeal in addition to his regular breastfeeding may have helped that (?). Needless to say, we'll definitely do it again to find out!<br /><br />Jack Jack, or Jackie, remains a constant source of joy and fun. He is super easy going, a great observer and mimic, and he is clearly on the verge of lots of new milestones. One of my favorite things about Jack is that he is content: as long as he is sitting on Mama's arm, he is content and observing. He'll be that way for a while and then as soon as you change your tone of voice and engage him, he lights up and responds. He's also a great listener. He waits until you pause and give him a moment before he'll talk back to you. Because of this, it may seem to others (who don't know him as well) that he's quieter or not-as-verbal, but if you are patient enough when playing with Jack and you pause for him to reply, he always will. It's almost like he is such a sweetie that he doesn't want to interrupt. He also has a great sense of humor and can tell when you're joking or teasing him. His laugh is infectious and beautiful.<br /><br />I feel like the luckiest Mama to have such sweet, gorgeous, smart kids who clearly know how to love and laugh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-61181554986593766822007-11-26T08:13:00.000-08:002007-11-26T08:44:11.200-08:00Long Overdue UpdateA lot has changed since the last update. Given that the last post was mostly about seizures and meds, it makes the most sense to start with the fact that Jack is off the meds and doing great. He started to reject meds a bit (fight us when we attempted to administer them), although not as much as Harper did. We just felt the time was right to wean him off the Phenobarbital. He never had another seizure, and we are all happier with the meds out of our lives.<br /><br />Jack is growing up quickly; he’s bigger and cuter daily. He continues to be a big talker and cooer and likes to stare, smile, laugh and talk to mom, dad, or his big sister and make googely eyes. He is big and strong and likes to sit up in the arms of his holder. I spend a good portion of my day with baby boy in my arms as Jack, like his sister before him, does not like to be set down. Unlike his sister however, he is showing signs of being a better sleeper. He often gives us several hours of sleep at night, and has never confused day and night. He wants to be held lying on his side with a pacifier in his mouth to fall asleep these days. For the past month or so, this is his preferred way to fall asleep, nestled in closely and held tight. At night he usually begins in his swing and then joins me by my side after the first nursing (around 2:30 AM). He is a good snuggler.<br /><br />A few weeks ago everyone in the house was sick and Jack had his share as well. He had a nasty sounding cold in his nose and chest that lasted for about three weeks. I took him in to get checked out twice, but luckily it was not anything more serious than your average virus. It just sounded terrible! Poor boy lost his voice and his cries were wheezy, airy chirps! The doctors said he lost his voice from the post nasal drip causing his vocal chords to swell. I never thought I'd be so glad to hear his cries as when his voice started to return. The cold lingered for quite a while, which was no fun. <br /><br />Jack also recently had his first round of shots. He cried when he got his shots as if to say to his mom and dad, “how could you let this happen to me?” That evening, each time I set him down Jack would scream the same way as when that first shot hit his leg. He's a smart boy-- same position, oh no! But by the next morning, he was confident that he was safe again and never looked back. He bounced back quickly from the immunizations, and by the next day he was back to normal. <br /><br />It has been fun to watch Jack’s personality develop. He shares many qualities with Harper, but is certainly his own person. He is mellow and serious; one pediatrician referred to him as “judicious”. He is very aware of the world, but never really bothered by it: he simply takes it all in gracefully. His babbles are becoming more conversational, and I swear he even says Mama sometimes, although it's not yet confirmed to be referencing me at this point. He is very smiley and is beginning to laugh when we play, or sometimes when I happen to tickle him (his side cracked him up the other day). Harper calls him "wide-eyed boy" because he's always engaged and opens his eyes very wide when something surprises or startles him. <br /><br />Jack is very loveable and fun. For the past couple of weeks, he is discovering his hands-- sucking them, touching/holding them together, reaching for things, and even holding your fingers or a rattle when it is placed in his strong grasp. He also tangles his fingers in my hair from time to time. My favorite place to kiss him is the corner of his mouth/cheek/chin. He smells sweet, even when he needs a bath, and he loves to have babbling conversations.<br /><br />Jack is Harper's "favorite person" and a very comfortable member of our family. He is really branching out lately, so the next few weeks are sure to be eventful for this curious boy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-9652879211738643012007-11-25T15:26:00.000-08:002007-11-25T17:16:42.745-08:00Photo Updates 9/9/07 - 11/22/07<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1P-I4NmnegpCdETy6APKCv-cpDJ_w3Zk1X-wIfLXBuA_6pFcQxItUqnrqAQhRtLUyaYfhikZHT12K72hGGelD1PpihupHWWaWI75dl-Kfawou0dbp_khDyW0h_VX2Kvt9gAfa6Yvms69/s1600-h/IMG_8266.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1P-I4NmnegpCdETy6APKCv-cpDJ_w3Zk1X-wIfLXBuA_6pFcQxItUqnrqAQhRtLUyaYfhikZHT12K72hGGelD1PpihupHWWaWI75dl-Kfawou0dbp_khDyW0h_VX2Kvt9gAfa6Yvms69/s400/IMG_8266.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136950478934368690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5che7HE3wkBo_tyHqutfzCwKXzcl8hv2TiqNQ828EAHiBpaBI0KrY48B4fgVpHL9JNjcNC3HsFbskwlzEoQ6w7klL8KfKNr3yNeWsmS_B236hvmlN1HGekWPsBFfiREC7CWQceBYoRMl7/s1600-h/IMG_8285.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQTnpF0z_DokNuF7EoUBjg_zDRYHy2WBSgjtq6g1X3iOOsI6bO_FUvuvDdydthh0XJ-5sQYwi11y_25_32Ar12MPttxXN7ifGnCoNMLTBxwwzRXhrfjoxZVNqTXvp1Z124_fCP70ZI-l4/s400/IMG_8802.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136937701406662658" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNlN1O9V_SJBKDtzeHocME-hQiUTb_e-iCw8SpjQId2nsatTmURboWndNCBfYz1J-Xkp3u0KTeks_aqKEmtcV8hIMRODFKoj5Qt8THtFOdyhKx9tSCUgEvf25py5r69CldHyNZaHp1vKI/s1600-h/IMG_8831.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNlN1O9V_SJBKDtzeHocME-hQiUTb_e-iCw8SpjQId2nsatTmURboWndNCBfYz1J-Xkp3u0KTeks_aqKEmtcV8hIMRODFKoj5Qt8THtFOdyhKx9tSCUgEvf25py5r69CldHyNZaHp1vKI/s400/IMG_8831.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136937714291564562" /></a>Ethanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160907242106560036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9087239342234731397.post-30330464079665264702007-09-14T10:32:00.000-07:002007-09-14T10:42:56.503-07:00It's Electrifying!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyQ5zCYFJRNWaJWNeIZkOkGrtYZLEXyWSfQT4nSkIxW2sJvWtI2oUUvF1sSlL81MTaHWaZbGtZoQAfsFHqYHt8_ThZ10g6VRUJDDUMGseqVrSkpd-rzosU04OA7i_7vb5-4Sy1xV0OXUa/s1600-h/IMG_8257.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyQ5zCYFJRNWaJWNeIZkOkGrtYZLEXyWSfQT4nSkIxW2sJvWtI2oUUvF1sSlL81MTaHWaZbGtZoQAfsFHqYHt8_ThZ10g6VRUJDDUMGseqVrSkpd-rzosU04OA7i_7vb5-4Sy1xV0OXUa/s400/IMG_8257.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110116525163307058" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenEPG9DZnrLSWw4SSMnh9mhIkFTavpi3-BFYIlzVzAOLBi_yIDuICpv0afMAb30UBy1JYWP80vnFwyoKamIgoOxGwn7bH3Uht4cS4UVxTi7zkyauuuJfP4mR1E7WfVpWOeOKOLYr3vDBO/s1600-h/IMG_8259.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenEPG9DZnrLSWw4SSMnh9mhIkFTavpi3-BFYIlzVzAOLBi_yIDuICpv0afMAb30UBy1JYWP80vnFwyoKamIgoOxGwn7bH3Uht4cS4UVxTi7zkyauuuJfP4mR1E7WfVpWOeOKOLYr3vDBO/s400/IMG_8259.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110116533753241666" /></a><br /><br />It's confirmed: when Ethan and Ruthie make babies, it's electrifying. Harper, and now Jack, had surplus electrical activity in their newborn brains. When Harper was five days old and Jack was two days old, they both started having seizures. They presented differently, but close enough that we recognized the second time around what we were dealing with. At two days old, Jack had a few minor seizures that concerned us, but they were not as intense as the ones Harper had had. Knowing that Harper's seizures went away so quickly and the diagnosis suggests they are usually gone by two weeks of age, we questioned what course to take. Our pediatrician told us to call back if we saw any more seizure activity that day. The seizures continued with increased intensity and frequency, so we arranged to be admitted to Kaweah Delta to begin medication. <br /><br />When Harper began treatment with Phenobarbital, she never had a seizure again. She was prescribed the meds for six months, but self weaned after about two and a half months. At three months she got the clean bill of health from the neurologist at Children's Hospital and has never looked back (check out her blog to see how well she is doing: harpersequoia.blogspot.com. She is clearly no worse for the wear.)<br /><br />When we entered the hospital, we expected the same response for Jack. While we waited for the first round of medication, Jack continued to have seizures. He ended up having more than Harper ever did (probably 20+ compared to her 12) and as a result was completely exhausted and had no appetite. He threw up the initial dose of meds that were given orally, so we had to have an IV set up to administer the Phenobarb and some fluids since he had not been eating well. Between the first dose and the second dose 12 hours later, Jack had three more very mild and short seizures. After the second dose, he has been seizure free!<br /><br />Although this was some what of a deja vu, there were enough differences to keep us stressed, awake, concerned etc. Although Harper's seizures were more violent in the moment, she bounced back quickly and never lost appetite or personality. Jack's seizures on the other hand were a bit more mild, but would wipe him out for hours which in the end is actually more scary. We had good reason to believe that things would end well, and we were constantly reassured by the pediatricians that they would have no lasting effect, but as a parent, you can't help but worry when you see your child in such a state.<br /><br />Jack is home and doing well. He takes his meds like a champ even though they taste awful, and we are confident that this is all behind us now and he will be off meds shortly, just like his big sister. In addition to this hospitalization Jack has had numerous doctor visits for check ups, circumcision, follow up blood work, etc. In his first eleven days of life, seven of them included hospitalization or doctors/lab visits. Given how well he has bounced back, Jack's parents seemed to be more affected/worn out by all of this than he is. Jack is eating well, gaining weight, playing with us and his sister and doing all the things a two week old does (including about 20 diapers a day).<br /><br />We are thankful for all of the support and love we received from family and friends who have been outstanding during this time.Ethanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160907242106560036noreply@blogger.com0