3 Years Old

My Sweet Jack,
You are three. I can't believe I'm even saying that. Three years has gone by so fast... when I look at little Molly and remember you at her age, I can't believe how much you have accomplished in just three short years. And there isn't a day that goes by that you don't amaze us. Everything you do, from putting on your own shoes to telling us a story about school, makes us smile... Dad and I pass each other a glance as if to say "Did our baby seriously just do that or say that?". You are so grown up and yet still I think of you as my baby boy. You will ALWAYS be my baby boy. No matter how fast you grow, how tall you get, how independent you become, I can still remember holding you the day you were born and knowing in that very minute, my life would never ever be the same. It's hard to believe that anyone can fall in love with someone in one second, but we did, the second we saw you. And I know, 30 years from now, I'll still love you and see you as my baby boy.



You are now over 37 pounds, and over 38 inches tall, you wear a size 10 shoe, and clothes that would fit a 5 year old. Your favorite expression these days is "I can do it myself" (sometimes you really can, sometimes you can't, but your stubborn side won't let anyone help you regardless). Your favorite toys are still cars/trains/trucks and now games (you love the Leapster that Grammy gave you for your birthday). Your favorite movie is still Cars (you would think it would get boring after the 100th viewing). You're ready to get rid of your one nap, but I'm fighting this one until the bitter end! You still have your tantrums but they're not every day, not as dramatic, and otherwise, fairly predictable. All and all, you're acting/doing exactly what a 3-year-old should be doing.

We had a blast celebrating your birthday with friends and family and 100 bugs for your "bugday party". This was the first party that we've had where you left my side and ran off to play with your big-boy friends, and play big-boy games while the adults had a chance to visit with each other. Every now and then, you'd look for me and say "mom! mom! I have to show you something!" or "mom! is it time for games/cake/whatever?". It was a perfect birthday.

Birthday Pics

This weekend you had your first Soccer game, which I suppose makes me a "soccer mom". Also this weekend, you went camping for the first time. Dad has been planning this trip with you for some time now... I hope you enjoyed it as much as he has enjoyed planning it. You also had your first black-eye (playground at school), which you didn't even cry for. I imagine as you explore being a 3-year-old, there will be lots of "firsts" - just as there were at age 2. It's all happening so quickly though, and your "firsts" seem more and more advanced. Pretty soon you'll be on your "first date" or driving your "first car"...Luckily we've got another big stack of "firsts" to get through before any of that happens though.


Soccer and Camping pics here.

Thanks for another "best year of my life", Jack!
Stay smart, sweet, and fun... Happy Birthday, Buddy!

Love, Mom

5 Months Old

Molly Jane,
You are growing so fast... faster than I remember Jack growing. Five months has flown by, I remember waking up several times in the night to feed you, change you, and pat your back until you fell asleep again, wishing the days would come when I didn't have to do this every few hours. Now those days are here and I miss your little newborn ways (but I swear that I was miserable at the time). But lucky me, you still wake early enough for me to feel like I didn't get any sleep(6am on a good day). This too shall pass...

You are getting stronger each day - lately, you've been figuring out how to use your stomach/torso muscles to move yourself and change positions. You can sit up on your own, for only a few seconds (tripod style), and you've rolled from back to front at least once in your crib, but I haven't seen you do that on the floor. You reach for everything and you pass toys from one hand to the other while examining all sides and colors. You love the outdoors, listening to the birds and feeling the breeze in your hair, while watching Jack driving his tractor or playing in the sand. You love to jog with Mommy, though this doesn't put you to sleep like it did with Jack. Actually - you become more alert after a long walk.

You have your favorite toys: Squishy ball from Uncle Joe and Aunt Amy, and now the binky rope that Aunt Jill made you (and all binky ropes, ultimately).
You have your favorite foods: Peaches and sweet potatoes.
Your favorite time of day: When you first wake from your morning nap.
Your favorite sleeping item: Your bunny blankies.

And we as a family have worked out all of the kinks in our system over the last five months. You have become so predictable, making life easier around here. Dad is the one to clean you at night (shower of course) and rock you back to sleep if you wake up. I'm the one to greet you in the morning, and feed you. As long as we don't mix these things up, you're one happy little girl. :)


Yes, you have thunder thighs... but you'll grow out of them some day!

Stay sweet, my little peanut!
Love you,
Mommy

Jack's Dance Moves

I've compiled Jack's sweet moves over the years... Enjoy!