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!

Happy Holidays!

The month of November has flown by! I'm now 20.5 months old and growing bigger and taller every day. The doctor said that growth should slow down after 15 months but I'm not seeing that happen. I now weigh almost 31 pounds and am over 3 feet tall but it's hard to measure at home. I make mini sentances and can communicate just about everything I want/need to mom and dad. Life's pretty easy for me these days!

In November, we celebrated Dad's birthday, as well as Thanksgiving. Both were a blast because I got to enjoy the company of my family. For Thanksgiving, my Uncle Chris, Aunt Emily and cousins Sarah, Sam, and Ben all came to visit. Grammy and Grampy also came - We had a full house and tons of fun together! My favorite part was getting chased by Sarah, and wrestling with Ben. I loved watching Sam play with his little video game too, but I'm not sure Sam enjoyed my leaning over his shoulder and blocking the screen. :) We had tons of food, tons of laughs and just a real good visit with the side of my family that I don't get to see too often. Here's a group picture on Thanksgiving Day...

More pictures from November...
And now on to the next holiday - Christmas! We put up the Christmas tree and set out the lights, now we just sit back and wait for Santa!

I visited him recently to give him my list....I couldn't wait to see the big guy, but once I was there next to him, I didn't know what to do - cry or laugh? Instead I sat VERY still like a statue (next to him on the bench, definitely NOT on his lap though), I didn't move, speak, or make a peep. When mom finally said it was ok to get down, I ran to her screeming and burried my head on her lap. I love Santa and all...but lets face it - he's kind of scary for a little guy like me. Wishing you all a happy holiday season!!!

Fall 2007

A lot has been going on around here... lots of friends and family visiting (race weekend), fall festivities (Pumpkin patch), lots of holiday fun (Halloween). We've all been keeping busy!

First of all, my family came to visit for the race in early October - my great aunt/uncle, my auntie-cousins (2nd cousins I think, but they might as well be aunts), and all of my grandparents. Then after the hectic weekend, Grammy stayed on with me for another week, while mom and dad went on a trip to Mexico for their anniversary... I wasn't there physically, but mom and dad thought about me and talked about me all week. They even took a picture of me to prop up in the hotel room. :)

Click here for more Mexico pictures

I missed them just as much, though I had a wonderful time with Grammy. I perfected my hugging and kissing skills, played with a bunch of new toys, went out for french fries more than once.

After mom and dad came home, they took me to the Pumpkin Patch ("pump pump pass") - what a blast! Way more fun than last year... I must've walked a mile just so I could see and touch all the pumpkins in the fields. Then I took a huge nap when I got home.


And all of this led up to my new favorite time of year - HALLOWEEN! My cousin Grayson came over, and we both had our first real "trick or treating" event. We caught on right away... bravely walking up to stranger's doors and pleading for candy. Neither one of us could actually get the words out... the closest I got was "Trick mm mm" instead of "trick or treat". "boo" worked well...and of course "chomp chomp" which I've been saying for 6 months now. Either way- I enjoyed being a Gator for a night, and I'm sure my buddy the Lobster had fun too.

Here's my October pictures - enjoy!
October 2007

Sweet Dance Moves

I'm offering one-on-one lessons for those interested in learning these sweet moves.


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Skool is Kool

I love school! After my first day, I wasn't sure that I really enjoyed it, but now that i'm used to my teacher and the other kids in my room, I can't get enough of it!

Something that I learned at school...I love to color! And instead of just eating the crayons, I actually use them to color pictures at school, and I've actually gotten picky about using more than one color. :) This is my latest masterpiece (it's a duck with a real feather attached) I have a new drawing every week but this one is the best so far:

Today, when mommy picked me up, I stopped what I was doing and ran over to her and gave her a HUGE hug around her legs, then quickly ran back to the toys I was playing with. After a minute, I thought I better play with her too (didn't want mom to feel bad), so I went over, grabbed her hand and pulled her over to my toys to show her all the fun things I play with all day...then I pulled her to my chair ("shaya") and showed her where I sit for lunch ("unch"), which apparently is my favorite part of school...my teacher says that I sit there for 45 minutes...I'm the first one there and the last one to leave - I love lunch. Then it was time to go home and I cried and mom had to drag me out of there. But I'll be back next week and I can't wait!

18 Months

Time Flies! 18 months have passed and I grow more and more into a little kid each day. I'm now over 28 pounds, 35", and in size 7 shoes! My vocabulary is ever changing - several words actually sound like real words now, and I'm also putting 2 words together to make sentences (more cheerios, uh-oh fall, hot ouch, oh no, my dad, dump truck, trash truck, help me, etc.). I start jabbering the minute I wake up (standing in my crib yelling "mommy") until the minute I go to bed at night ("nu-night mama"). I have 16 teeth and eat just about everything though have started turning my nose up to veggies. The doc says this is fine since I love fruit and will eat fruit all day long if my diapers could hold it! :)

My favorite past times - playing with trucks, cars, trains, balls, blocks, sticks and rocks. I love stacking them and lining them up. I organize them based on type/size and create little piles with them (so Brun). I even like to play make-believe with my other toys...lining them up and moving them like a train, making train noises, or waving a block in the air and making airplane noises. I'm really starting to think outside of the box. :)

Dad has become my new favorite person- I still run to Mom when I'm scared or have a boo-boo, but lately - seeing Daddy is the highlight of my day. I love searching room by room for daddy yelling his name. I'm so intrigued by everything that he does (my new favorite word - "tools" since I've been watching dad do some work around the house).


A few other changes around my house...I started going to daycare for just one day a week, and Mom continues to be busy with new clients so this is helpful. I also have a new babysitter for Thursdays and Fridays during the day if Mom needs her to come- she's a sweet lady in the neighborhood that reminds me of grammy and nagy (except she's a bit more expensive). I'm also learning about poop (pup) and pee (pete pete), not sure if I'm ready for potty training yet (though my Doctor thinks so), but I now know where my poopy is and can point at it (in my pants, of course), and I know where the potty is but for now I just like climbing on it.

With Hannah gone (see previous post), I've now taken a new liking to Otis... Yesterday, Mom walked in the room to see Otis with my matchbox truck on his back (and the day before, there was a little purple octopus on his back) - he's been pretty good about letting me play with him like that (he used to jump and run to the other room when I went near him). Mom still tries to keep tabs on us though, because Otis is a big boy and he might be too rough with me. But I'm growing pretty fast and will soon be caught up with Otis. :)

Gotta run now.... I hear the trash truck coming!!!

Bye Bye Hannah

I have to say bye-bye to one of my favorite pals this week, Hannah. Of my two doggy friends, she's my favorite, but unfortunately she's kind of old and has become unpredictable with kids and babies, even though she slept by my crib to protect me for the first year of my life. Hannah will be happier in her new home in Colorado though - plus she gets to go on a plane to get there! We're all pretty sad about it but it's better for everyone in the long run. Mom and Dad try to keep us sperated to be safe, so I don't have many pictures with Hannah...but here's one from the other day.

To Miss Hannah - you will be sorely missed in our household. We'll all remember how you wag your little butt every time you're happy to see us, how you plop your head down on our laps to be pet, and how you lick our fingertips when we walk past you. You've been a wonderful part of our family and you'll never be forgotten in our hearts. Bye-Bye Hannah...

To Jack, On Your First Day Of School

To my sweet Jack,

Today is your first day of school, and I can't explain how much I love you and am proud of you. You were so brave (too brave)... you let me hold your little boy hand while we walked to the door and as soon as it opened, you slipped away from me and ran to play with your new friends, "kiz" (kids) as you call them, and the mountains of unexplored toys. And as I left you with your new environment (abruptly as we parents were instructed to do), I caught a glimpse of you through the window and watched for just a moment, mesmerized at how quickly you became a little boy, and how there's very little baby, if any at all, left in my sweet Jack. And now I sit here writing you this note to express how very much I've enjoyed watching you grow into the little boy you are today, and how I will cherish watching you grow into the man you will become. But in my heart you will always be my sweet, sweet baby Jack.

You only go to school on Wednesdays, and it's only a half mile away from home, but I know it's going to be a whole new world for you. This, Jack, is the beginning of your childhood, but please take your time for Dad and I, because there's so much more to come.

I love you,
Mommy

My trip to St Louis

My 17th month has proven to be the best month ever! I had a visit from Nanna and Pop-Pop (see previous post) and then a trip to see Grammy and Grampy in St. Louis. I had so much fun! We went to the pool a few times, I learned how to use the slip-n-slide, and we went to the zoo (rated the best in the nation), and all around the town! I loved the zoo - so many animals and cool stuff...my favorite were the turtles (terter) and the fish (ish) and of course the gators (chomp chomp). It was too hot to see the monkeys and sea lions though. I did however, get to cool off with the penguins - they even splashed and got me wet!

All of this, yet a month ago, I showed little interest in the animals at the Charlotte rescue zoo...I'm tellin' ya - I've had a lot of changes this month. I repeat just about EVERYTHING I hear (yes, everything...watch your mouth mommy and daddy), and I mimic everything I see...I know my shapes, I know my racecar drivers, I know my animals and the noises they say, I know my different trucks and the sounds they make, I can sing now, my dancing has definitely improved, and finally I can say "help me" instead of "eh heh eh heh eh heh" in a whiney voice. And lets not forget that I found my nostrils this month and I like to let my finger hang out all day in there. All of this stuff is new this month. I don't know if I'm on target, advanced, or behind but either way - mom and dad are amazed at how smart I am and what I learn each day. Next month is the big "18" - can't wait to see what comes with that!!!

Here are some pictures from Grammy&Grampy's house and the zoo. Please leave a comment if you visit - I'm starting to wonder if anyone is listening... Thanks Renee, for your monthly contribution. :)

Bye Bye Nana and Pop Pop!

I had a great weekend with my Nagy and GB-Pops ("Nana" and "Pop Pop" as I call them)! We mostly just hung around and relaxed. One night we went to the Whitewater Center in Charlotte for a few brewskis (just water for me) and dinner. We had a blast watching all the rafts and boats (or "bow" as I call it). We also did some house hunting and driving around. Mostly though, I spent a lot of time reading my books (boos) with Nagy.

Here's a few pictures of us at the Whitewater Center and a few more from the last couple of weeks.

Happy August everyone!

Happy Birthday Uncle Chris!

My Uncle Chris(K) turned 30 last week and we all headed up to Troutman to celebrate! I had a ton of fun with my Aunts and Uncles and my cousin Grayson... Even Aunt Anna and Aunt JuJu were there. Here's a few other pictures from the birthday party...click here

Here's a couple of video's of the big show that Aunt Anna put on for us:

Monday, July 16, 2007
The Anna Show