Another Successful Christmas

We had a blast - Jack clearly had the most fun of all. From the "reindeer food" that we sprinkled in the yard the night before, to Santa's "special cookie" that we left on the counter before bed... Jack was absolutely beside himself with the Christmas traditions. His only disappointment was that we wouldn't let him go back to the North Pole with Santa - even though he insisted that there would be enough room in his sleigh (because all of the toys are in the back of the sleigh, duh- mom). This kid's ability to reason is unbelievable. What a blast we all had this year!

And a special, unexpected treat, my newest baby niece decided to join us for Christmas too! Lilly was born on December 23rd and she is as beautiful as her older sister is.
Congrats Chris & Em!
Check out the rest of my Christmas pictures here.

Ho Ho Ho!

Well this month is shaping up to be a better, more productive month. I feel like we've regained control of the household this month. We've figured out how to manage Jack and his mood swings (thank you to our new favorite book "1-2-3 Magic"), and Molly has started to adopt some form of a routine with predictability in naps, feedings and bed time. We've been able to sit back and take a deep breath (finally). But now it's GO TIME for Christmas! I've got so much shopping to do that it's making me feel sick. It's a huge weight on my shoulders right now and I just need to get it done. And ironically enough, my work has picked up the pace these last couple of months (it's usually my slow time). So the three days a week that Jack is in school are tied up with work, not shopping/xmas prep. I don't know how/when I'll get it all done but I will. I always do. :)

And speaking of getting to the malls... I managed to get there this morning with both kids to visit with Santa. I was amazed at how well they did! Molly was at home with Santa's big cradling arms, and Jack of course tried his hardest to plaster a huge grin on his face (the boy tries so hard to smile pretty but it never looks quite right). Afterwards, Santa asked Jack what he wanted for Christmas and his response was "presents please". Easy enough! :) All and all, the visit was a complete success.


Also this month, Molly turned 2 months old. She's now 12.5 pounds and 24 inches long - still circling around the 90-95% for growth. She's sleeping 5 hours at a time - so I get up to feed her at 3am and then not again until 8am (3 out of 5 nights). I'll take it! She's gone 6 hours a few times but 5 seems to be the norm for now. When she's awake, she plays on her activity mat or her new favorite past-time, sitting in her seat and staring at the Christmas Tree. She's not nuts about the TV like Jack was at that age - so we're always looking for activities that entertain her. Here's her two-month photo:


Not sure what our Christmas plans are but Jack is ALL ABOUT IT this year...


He understands the concept of Santa, and presents and candy, etc. He has an advent calendar (thanks Grammy) and looks forward to opening a new door each day - getting one day closer to Christmas. He also helped decorate the house - inside and out! We've lost a few ornaments to the cause, but it was worth it to have him take part in it.








We also enjoyed the Harrisburg Tree Lighting festivities this year, though it was frigidly cold that night!


Hope you have a happy/safe Holiday - from Us and Ours to You and Yours!

What A Month We've Had!

(or 6 weeks rather) It's official - Our baby girl is here... Jack's a big brother to his baby sister, Molly. Welcome to the family, Molly!

My most memorable part of Molly's birth is when Jack walked in the hospital room to meet his sister for the first time. So sweet and innocent...not sure what to expect... a small gift in hand, shirt tucked in, grin on his face. Their first interaction was Jack singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to Molly while she was in my arms, quiet and soft as a whisper, unrehearsed, and totally unexpected/unplanned. I'm sure I cried right there while he sang to her and my heart felt like it was going to burst. At that point, I knew our family was complete and that I am truly blessed.

And then....
We came home.

Sweet Jack has a new side to him (a not-so-sweet side), Molly keeps us up all night, there's no time to think/sleep/work or do anything really. Some days I notice that I'm running back and forth from one end of the house to the other (thank god we're in a single-story home) with a poopie diaper or a boogered tissue...a stack of wipes or a clean pair of underpants. I honestly don't have a CLUE how anyone can do this with more than two kids. And no - nobody warned me about how difficult the transition from one to two is. You all LIE! And the truth is - I'm exhausted. But there is a silver lining...

For every bad day, theres a good day to follow. And those good days are so GOOD that the bad days aren't even there anymore. And for a minute, we're all back to the Norman Rockwell picture painted above, blessed with our two kids. :) I wouldn't trade this life for the world (I'm typing this on a good day, obviously). :)

So Jack's blog is now our "family" blog (to be fair - don't want Molly feeling left out). We hope you enjoy it!
Video of Jack singing to Molly

Molly's "One Month" photo

Jack & Molly

First Day Of School (and 2.5 years old)

This was you on your way home from the hospital 2.5 years ago.


And this is your on your first day of school, at 2.5 years old.


This is you and Miss Robin - your new teacher this year.


My Sweet Jack,

Today is the first day of school again...this time was much more difficult for me than last time - maybe it's because you were much more eager to let go of my hand, maybe it's because I've got your baby sister inside of me stirring up my hormones, or maybe it's because I'm terrified that I'll blink my eyes and you'll be heading off to kindergarten, high school, and college. Since the last school year (which ended in May), you have grown into such a big boy... you wear underpants instead of diapers, you sleep in a normal bed, you've abandoned your pacifier (but have grown extremely attached to your blankies instead), you miss me when we're apart and you tell me "Mom, I missed you" when we're together again... you ask questions when something intrigues you, and you answer questions when asked... You tell me about your day and you remember things from MONTHS ago and rehash the whole experience all over again (like going to the zoo in May, or telling me about a splinter that Pop Pop got in his finger 2 weeks ago while you were visiting him). You amaze me and Dad with every new thing you do... even pulling apart an oreo cookie last night, eating the creamy center first, then eating the chocolate cookie - knowing that neither one of us taught you how to do that. You have your own friends and you tell us about them when your not with them... you have your favorite shoes, outfits, toys, and snacks (of course, because you're an eating machine just like your Dad). You certainly have your routines and your opinions and are confident sticking with both (just like your Mom). You enjoy playing by yourself as much as you enjoy playing with your friends (just like your Mom) and for all of the reasons that you are such a sweet boy, you are equally stubborn when you don't get your way! You're an amazing little boy, Jack.

You'll be an amazing big brother soon too - so far you seem genuinely excited about your little sister joining our family in a month or so. You kiss her goodnight every day, you have "pretend" conversations with her (you tell me she says "hello" to you when you have your ear to my stomach), you love her room, her toys, her clothes. You have started taking very good care of your stuffed animals and your one baby doll (baby Brian) - rubbing their heads, putting them to bed and whispering "don't wake them up", and even lending your blankies to them. I know it'll be tough, sharing all the attention with your sister, but I'm sure she's going to love you as much as Dad and I do.

You make us so proud, Jack. Happy first day of school! This year, you go three days a week instead of one... as much as I'm looking forward to more time for myself/my work/and ultimately - your baby sister, I'm also going to miss our morning routine together. But I can't wait to pick you up later and listen to you ramble on and on about your day today, what you did, who you saw, songs you sang, games you played, and what you had for lunch. :)


Please don't grow up too fast, my sweet sweet Jack.

I love you (Thiiiiissss Muuuuucccch!!!) - (this is where you hold your arms out as wide as you can and yell to me how much you love me too).

Weekend In The Mountains

The family went to the Wilson Creek area for the weekend - we rented a house on the river and spent a lot of time swimming and hiking and having fun! Grayson and I played hard for 2 days straight (and we had our share of fights too as most BFFs do). Uncle Tim followed through with his promise to show me a waterfall and it was sweet! The only down side was the not so smart way of getting to it (down a very steep, slippery rock, holding on to nothing but a wet rope). Luckily I was snug in Dad's backpack (not secure though because I'm apparently too big for the shoulder harness now)... and Mom and Aunt Jill did their best to keep my unborn sister and cousin safe while scaling the death wall down to the waterfall. The reward was well worth it once we all made it down to the waterfall. Here's a couple of videos:


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

We all had a blast and will have lots of fond memories of our little mini getaway to Wilson Creek. Let's not forget about our little fury friend, Mr. Mouse, who also stayed with us the entire weekend (even after several daylight appearances). Kudos to Uncle Chris for being the only one (out of 8 of us) brave enough to stand up to Mr. Mouse.

Check out our Wilson Creek pictures here...

Enjoy!

My Visit To "Moooory" (Missouri)

What a blast I had visiting Grammy and Grampy (2+ weeks ago)! And I also got the special treat of seeing Gram (Mom's Grammy) since she was visiting as well! We had SO much fun going to the park, eating ice cream and popsicles, playing in the sprinkler and the garden too, and let's not forget the zoo! Not only did we see a bunch of cool animals and ride the carousel and the train, but I also went the whole day without wetting my pants! Not ONCE!




The trip there was a lot of fun - two plane rides, and a bunch of running around in the airports. On the way back though - I did my regular vomit before we left the house (seems to be a ritual that I get sick the morning I have to fly home). Maybe I was trying to come up with a way to not have to leave Grammy's house? Maybe I was just experiencing some pre-travel jitters? Who knows, but it was enough to make Mom carry a bunch of extra clothes, towels and medicine in case it happened again (which it did not). I slept the entire way home. Missed the whole flight. :(

Anyhow, pictures from my trip can be seen here. Enjoy!

Happy Memorial Day!

My Not So Sweet Jack...

Another post from Mom...

Though this topic seems a little on the line of indecent, I've been urged to add it to the blog.

Apparently, Jack has found his "back door" - which he calls his "hole" (makes sense). He usually tries to touch it when sitting on the potty and I ask him "What are you doing?" and he replies with "touching mines hole". Nice. We try to teach him that it's really not a nice thing to touch because it can be pretty dirty at times. Anyhow, this week - I left him in the living room while I went to another room and within 2 minutes I heard "Uh oh...poopy fingers". Puke. So I ran to the room he was in because I knew exactly what he was up to, only it was WAY worse than I thought. He had a major blow-out in his pants, and he was digging at it with both hands. He had poop covering every finger, smeared on the couch (I'm not telling which cushion or nobody will ever sit in my living room again), and of course smeared on his face. Puke again. I believe there's a term for that - "Dirty Sanches" (thanks Uncle Joe). Uncle Tim asked if I took a picture, my response is: WHAT??!!! I had no time for a camera - I was too busy trying to figure out what to clean first, his nasty butt/pants, poopy fingers, smeared couch or his face, and how do I lift him to get him to a place to clean him when he's covered in feces.

This event happened on a day where I was already fed up with him - he was cranky and jet lagged from our trip to St. Louis, I was tired too, plus I think we needed a break from each other and Dad was nowhere in sight. Rough day for Mom...

So the question is - do you teach your child that it's disgusting to touch yourself in such odd places, or that exploring your body is healthy (if done in private of course)??? I went with the "NO TOUCH!!!" yell (I was pretty upset about it after the day I had already endured), and I haven't seen "poopy fingers" again.

I'm not sure I'll be printing this post for Jack's baby book....gross. My only hope is that little girls won't be so interested in their "back doors". :)

Life's Lessons and Treasures

To My Sweet Jack,
Today I watched you eat your first ice-cream cone, all by yourself. I watched your eyes get wide and your voice chirp as you patiently waited while I filled the cone. Then we all sat together on the porch, where you "watched and learned" the tecnique to efficent ice-cream cone eating. You watched me lick my cone, then you licked your own cone. Then you watched Dad take little bites, then you took little bites. When it started to drip out the bottom, you tried to catch it with your little tongue but decided it was easier just to wrap a napkin around it like I did.

I know this seems like a silly thing to add to your baby book, but to me - it was very monumental in my life. I never in a million years thought I'd teach someone how to eat an ice-cream cone and there I was with my little two year old angel, enjoying one of life's ultimate pleasures and a few smiles and giggles. You looked so grown up sitting there with chocolate dripping to your elbows, and carrying on a normal conversation with me (about the trees or the flowers, the rain that was starting to fall, the birds, etc.). All the while, nibbling away at your ice-cream cone like a big boy.

You're growing up so fast, Jack. I will tuck these memories away in a safe place and cherrish them for the rest of my life.

Thanks for having an ice-cream cone with me today!
I love you,
Mom

World Famous!!! (in Harrisburg)

I made the front page (and back page) of the newspaper this week!


We attended the "Ribbon Cutting" ceremony for one of Dad's projects here with the Town of Harrisburg, and I was having so much fun in the playground that the photojournalist decided to take my picture (with Pop Pop too, of course).
Check me out - I'm a star!!!

Two Years Old!

What a great 2nd year I've had - I'm now over 32 pounds and I'm over 3 feet tall. My favorite hobbies are coloring, playing with trucks and trains, doing ANYTHING outside... and playing hide-n-seek of course. I eat all the time, I'm always hungry... my favorite foods are fruits and cookies and PB&J sandwiches... I like broccoli and carrots too, but will take the sweet stuff any day. I'm now talking in 5-6 word sentances and can communicate all of my needs. I understand everything that is communcated to me as well, which Mom and Dad love because they can ask me to do stuff and I'll actually do it! I'll be mowing the lawn before you know it! I'm still wearing my pull-up diapers but will go potty on command... though I got some big-boy Thomas underwear for my birthday and i LOVE wearing those too. Lately, I like to do EVERYTHING myself (Jack do it, Jack do it!)... anything from putting my shoes on, to getting in my highchair - and I get very frustrated when Mom or Dad tries to help me. All and all, I'm turning into a sweet little boy, I'm shy but friendly, quiet yet not conservative, I'm affectionate, sweet and tender, yet I'm also rough and tough. Mom and Dad are amazed by me every single day.

I've had a busy month... I had my 2nd birthday party - all of my friends and family came, even Bob the Builder and his side-kick Willie the Stone Mason (?) came!!! We had a blast - check out my birthday pictures here.
Then Mommy went away for a couple of weeks for work, and Grammy stayed with me the whole time! I had fun with Grammy but really missed Mommy. Then Grampy came to spend Easter with us... The Easter Bunny made a special stop at my house and left me all kinds of goodies and presents, plus he hid a bunch of eggs in the yard! Here's a few pictures from Easter.

The biggest news however, is that I'm going to be a big brother! Mom has a little baby in her belly right now (I try peeking in her belly button to see it but I can't see anything yet). The baby should be here by October 15th! I probably won't like the crying at first, but I'm going to love having a little brother or sister to take care of.

Back From Florida!

Wow - what a treat! I went to Florida to visit family, and while I was there - my newest cousin was born! Aunt Amy, Uncle Joe and Baby Adler are all doing well... I didn't get to meet my cousin becuase he's still in the hospital, but he'll be home in a couple of weeks.


I also got to spend a lot of time with my Great Aunt Mary Beth ("Aunt May" as I called her), her new husband Tim ("fun timmy" as i called him) and my Great Grammy Marie (aka "Mommy's Grammy"). We had such a wonderful time together!


Everyone was in town for little Baby Adler's shower, so I got to see the rest of Dad's family as well...Great Grandma/Pa Brun, and most of my great Aunts as well. Take a look at the rest of my pictures here, including my time on the airplane with Aunt Jill.

Maybe Next Year...

I just don't understand why Dad won't take me snowboarding with him at Jackson Hole this week...I bet I can shred it with the best of them! Maybe next year...

Happy New Year!

Christmas was a blast - I loved opening presents, and singing Christmas songs! I loved spending time with family and friends and I loved all of the wonderful Christmas movies that are only on in December. But now Christmas is over and it's time to look forward to the new year!

My New Year's Resolutions:
1) To be fully potty trained (I've done several pee-pees and poops on the potty already but I have a very long way to go)
2) To be comfortable with a big-boy bed (so far so good and it's only been 2 days!)
3) To one day forget about my binky (we lost it for a few weeks but somehow I got it back and with my new bed, I think I need it for another week or two longer)
4) And lastly, to say "I love you". I can repeat EVERY word I hear (yes - EVERY SINGLE WORD...even the bad ones) but for some reason I don't even attempt to say the ones that Mom and Dad want to hear most. Sometimes I just laugh at them when they ask me to say it, but this year I'm going to do it!

Take a look at my holiday pictures here. Happy New Year everyone!