Wordless Wednesday

Busy, busy, busy!

On an average day I...

...teach 140 13 and 14 year-olds about science {currently the rock cycle, you're excited I know. Me, too}.

...attend what seems to be near one hundred committee meetings.

...counsel students on boyfriends, hair-dos, and volleyball.

...snuggle, cook, clean, snap photos of, change diapers of, play toys with, and give baths to Jack {my favorite part, by far!!!}

...do laundry, pick-up, clean, and organize a house with 3 - count them - yes, three toilets.

...write paper, after paper, after paper for grad school. Oh, and I sit through class on Wednesday nights and some Saturdays.

...chat and snuggle with my hubby.

...hang out with friends and family when possible.

I. AM. BUSY! :)

I feel like a deflated supermom. I miss Jack. I miss Eric. I miss my couch. I miss empty planning periods where I kick my feet up and love my life as a teacher. Any of you out there feel the same?! Make me feel normal!

I LOVE being a mom. Jack is the cutest, adorable-est, smartest {we like to think; maybe the Your Baby Can Read series is paying off}, funniest little man I've ever met.

I love being a teacher.

I love being married to Eric. He's the best dad in the world.

Life is busy.

Life is good.

Life will only get less busy, right? =)

Hello, my name is trouble =)

Leaves crunch...so that means I can eat them?

OOOOOooooo what's this?

Yummy! I can eat rocks, too..

Splish Splash...

...Jack was taking a bath! And, Mama had a new camera =)

He loves putting his hand/head/whole body underneath the waterfall

Hi, Daddy!

Hi, Mommy!

You'd think Jack would hate this part...nope. Loves it!

20+ pictures of random plants, baby toys, an adorable little man, and a dog here-and-there and I'm still learning. I LOVE my new camera. As soon as I get home I get it out and stare at the info screen in wonder of what all the buttons, f numbers, and more stand for! I'll keep practicing... =)

New Camera Fun!

So...I've been dying {not literally, but close} for a new camera. Ever since I started blogging I've been snapping photos like it's my job. When Jack arrived, I begged and pleaded for my very own professional camera. Amongst the swings, clothes for 3 instead of 2, and all of the other baby essentials, my dream for a new camera fell into last place.

The other day Eric mentioned he planned on surprising me someday soon. He's great at surprises - NOT (which works perfect because I hate them)! There was only one thing I wanted: a D-SLR camera. So, once he said that I knew it was coming. Or I was hoping...

Today, we went to run errands and we passed the camera aisle at Target. The only thing I knew about these cameras? Nikon and Canon were the brands to buy. Well, a Nikon was on sale and it caught my eye! I played it cool and kept pushing the cart as if I hadn't seen it and Eric stopped. We talked to an associate and kept shopping. I was so SAD! Then, we went to Best Buy to look at more cameras...maybe I really would get one?! We ended up going back to Target to get the apple-of-my-eye Nikon - YES! Score!

So, below are a few attempts at learning this crazy-million-function-bottom-of-the-line professional camera: (and I'm sure there will be many, many more to come!)

Corks, anyone?

I finally have the "Charlie Brown" tree I always wanted :)

My view from across the street

Of course I had to take pictures of this cute little man

He's taken a few steps by himself! Our almost-walker

I'm totally new to ALL of this. I took over a hundred pictures already today! I'm sure the pictures will get better when I can figure out all of the options and buttons :) Wish me luck!

Jack's First Haircut!

So as I glanced at Jack's 9 month pictures something dawned on me...

Our little guy looks more like an old man with a bad hair color job growing out! =) Or, better yet, a wanna-be Justin Bieber. His newest hair in is much lighter than his almost-reddish baby hair, and it was getting really long. Our cute little comb-over had become literally an old man hairstyle, and I realized it was time to say goodbye.

I'm not one of those mooshy/sentimental people that needed to wait until his first birthday to chop his locks. I also am definitely not the gal who will save a chunk of his hair in a ziploc baggy for him to stare at me in strange disbelief years down the road. So, onto the only open hair salon we could find on a Sunday at 5:45. Jordan Creek Mall never fails us -- Master Cuts it was.

Eric and I stood in the waiting room debating our next adventure. To cut, or not to cut? That was the question. Eric thought he definitely didn't need a haircut. In fact, he was trying to convince me that somehow if we cut his hair he wouldn't have any hair left? Later he explained that since his hair was so much lighter at the roots it looked like there wasn't much hair there. I, however, insisted on getting his haircut. I wanted my shrunken-little-man to sport the latest trend in little man hair fashion. So, of course to cut it was!

The hairstylist asked if we thought Jack could sit alone and get it cut. Eric and I looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders, and said "Sure, why not!" She plopped two booster seats to the chair and we piled Jack on top of the mountain. Soon, the kiddie wrap-around hair catcher doodle bopper was on him and we were off! Eric and I worried he'd crash onto the floor or scream in horror the whole time. Well, how did Jack like his first hair cut?

He loved it! He loved the noise of the clippers, and he nearly fell asleep as she massaged his little baby head {just like his daddy}! He sat there like a big boy the WHOLE time. And, it's the cutest little haircut I've ever seen. She gelled it and spiked it in the front. Absolutely adorable!

On our way home Eric was sure to inform me that, yet again, I was right! Jack looked much cuter with his new do. I can only imagine how long and shaggy it would have been if we'd waited until his 12 month fiesta. In the mornings I can't wait to style it; all of his outfits look just a little bit cuter with a newly groomed do.

Trim it gently, please.
Let me comb it one more time.
Before you give a first haircut,
To this little one of mine.
-Thena Smith

Wordless Wednesday...

This little booger said "mama" for the first time tonight....

I'm sitting in grad class and missed it :(

Life

...maybe it was this morning when convinced one of our "high flyers" to not flee. I stood there as he turned around and went back into the double doors of the school.

...maybe it was the "you look cute in that outfit" comment from Mr. Mom {I'm wearing a t-shirt and jeans}.

...maybe its the "mur mur", grin, and squeal I hear when Jack spots me across the room at daycare.

I think life works in funny ways. It throws you in until you think you just can't take anymore...and you do. It puts a complimentary parent email in your inbox just when you're thinking your head is still not above water. At a moment when life couldn't seem more busy, you get an amazing four-hour chat with a good friend, only to come home to a husband who's willing to reminisce about your first dance.

There's only one thing I know: be happy with what you have, for that's all you've got! And...

Go for long walks.
Indulge in hot baths.
Question your assumptions.
Be kind to yourself.
Live for the moment.
Loosen up, scream.
Curse the world,
Count your blessings,
Just let go, just be...
-Carol Shields

Dear Big Man,

You are 9 months old. Can you believe it?

I can hardly believe that it was over 9 months ago when I whispered "I love you" for the first time in your newborn ear. It's almost hard to remember the days of nursing, rocking, and tip-toeing over our brand-new baby boy. Now, nine months later, we're totally smitten by you - our soon-to-be toddler.

The days of bottles every few hours have been replaced by sippy cups filled with water. Your Baby Gap onesie collection is folded, organized, and stuffed away into plastic tubs in the basement. Your swing that we thought we could never live without is collecting dust in storage. Your bumbo seat is way too small, and your Jumperoo is so yesterday. All of the essentials that helped us through your baby days are seeming to be ancient artifacts in the story of you.

As I watch you grow into you - a big personality that's for sure - I'm not sad but excited to see what's to come. I can always glance back at your pictures, stare at your first days of life video clips, and even read this blog. I'm ready to write new chapters; chapters full of walking, talking, and growing into this little guy we like to call Boogs.

To date, you're 21 pounds full of laughter, awkward screeeetching noises, constant movement, and a limitless hunger. You, on cue, say "da da" as if you really know what you're doing. Even when asked to say "ma ma", you give this sly grin and say "da da". Stinker...

When you see an open staircase - watch out! Within seconds you're halfway up glancing down with your sly grin as if to say "catch me if you can!" You love to splash and stand and fall into the bath tub. You love to walk and crawl EVERYWHERE. You still love to snuggle.

I love to watch you trample over your new shoes as if we, instead of velcroing Pumas on, tied bricks onto your little feet. I love to watch you scream in horror when your walker gets stuck in a corner and you can't get it out. I love to watch you demolish and entire waffle, hot dog, or cheeseburger at that and afterwards chug your sippy cup. You always finish with a drool and a big "ahhhh" as if it was the most refreshing drink you've ever taken.
I love being your mommy, Jack. We can't even explain how much we love having you here to share in this life. I can't wait for your first steps -- we're getting close! I can't wait for your true "ma ma" blurts. I promise to sit through grueling half-an-hour episodes of Your Baby Can Read videos to help you learn. I promise to always answer your soon-to-come "why, mommy?" questions. And, I promise to always love you, skinned-up knees and all. Here's to 9 months, little baby Jack, and many, many more!

Love you to the moon and back (and maybe even farther than that),
Mama

8 things...

...that I want to remember from Jack being 8 months old.

1. I walked into your nursery after nap time and you sat and played with your blankie and pacifier for minutes without crying. I think you like your comfy bed. :) As I stood there watching you, I noticed about a hundred bite marks alongside your crib. Well, so much for this crib being our "heirloom" crib for our future baby(s).

2. Your army crawling face. You make this awfully determined face when you spot something out of reach...and...you're off! Grunting, scooting, sitting, crawling, and pulling yourself up on everything and anything you find, including me.

3. Your first "words". Yesterday, after leaving the bustling, loud, and crowded farmer's market downtown, you yelled out "Da! Da! Da!" I think you were so excited to be out and about with people that you listened and watched and wanted them all to hear you, too. Your dad and I laughed and laughed as you yelled out loud hearing your voice saying actual consonant sounds for the first time. I said you to, "Jack, can you say mama?" and how did you respond? Typical on-the-movies response: DA! DA! DA!

4. Our everyday food adventures. Right now, you take a huge gulp of your big boy sippy cup filled with ice water and gasp as if your little baby mouth has been refreshed! So adorable. You love my still-homemade baby food concoctions and you pretty much will eat anything and everything I put in front of you. You're still in the shove-everything-in-your-mouth stage and let's be honest, you drop more than you eat. However, you've tasted turkey meat spaghetti, shared a baked potato and chili at Wendy's with me, and you'll chomp on Mexican rice and beans like it's your job.

5. The fact that you're our little sleeping champ. A few nights ago I missed you. So, I grabbed your sleepy self and cuddled on the couch with you. You stayed sleeping on my shoulder for what seemed like forever. I gently put you back in your crib, and you kept sleeping! You also fall asleep wherever we are, and no matter what you'll fall back asleep! Thank goodness :)

6. Our carefree days of summer. You and I spend our mornings strolling the neighborhood, hanging out in pajamas, and walking all over the place. We swing, we giggle, and we just enjoy each other. I am so thankful for these weeks at home.

7. Your ever-changing faces. When you glance at me, you smile the most gigantic ear-to-ear smile I've ever seen. When you're reaching for something, you have the most determined look on your face. When you try new food you make this hilarious what did you just put in my mouth face?! When you're mad, you scrunch your nose, cheeks, and mouth and wail, wail, wail! We're always sure when you're mad!

8. Walking, crawling, moving man! I'll never forget how fast you've learned how to climb our stairs. I'll never forget the day I watched you go from sitting to standing in seconds flat -- without my help! I'll never forget the day when you started walking with just me holding your little hands...

As I transition back into working momma {gasp!}, I want to remember our little moments shared together. I won't forget your slobber, your crrruuunnncchhh that your two little teeth make as you bite into a cracker, and your big, gigantic smile whenever I glance your way. I don't want to forget your 8th month, because it has been the month filled with new, fun, and amazing times spent together, just us.

As the bell rings between classes, as I grade my 140 students' papers, and as I get messy in science labs with my 8th graders, I'll be thinking of you. I'll fill my room with your pictures. I'll text my daycare lady to make sure you're being a good big man. And, my car will ZOOM as fast as it can as soon as those middle schoolers slam the doors wide open as the school day ends. Here's to a new school year. Here's to an entire year away from you, little man. Here's to May 23rd, 2012. (Yes, I've already marked the last day of school in my calendar!) =)

I love you Jack!

Happy 8 Month Birthday, Jack!

And my is 8 months fun! Our little man is quickly growing from a baby to a toddler right before our eyes. He's learning how to be more independent, is content to play and crawl on the floor without our attention for hours, and is on the go 24/7.

Weight: I am guessing Jack's in the 20 pound range?! It's been awhile since he's been weighed.

Diaper Size: Size 3 -- we have hundreds of them, so I'm hoping he stays this size for awhile =) Oh, and we're still in love with Up and Ups from Target. They've never, ever failed us. Thank you, Target.

Clothes Size: Jack wears so many different sizes! His swim trunks are from Children's place and they're 6-9 months. His shirts are mostly from Baby Gap, and he fits in 6-12 and 12-18 month sizes very comfortably. His pants are all right around the 12 month size. We stocked up on a winter wardrobe while in Chicago at Baby Gap and H&M - who knew they had a baby section?! For winter we bought mostly 18-24 and 2t clothes. It was sad to read a tag that said "toddler". AH!

I am excited for onesie-less baby clothes. While babies are little, onesies are an absolute must. Now, however, they are becoming less and less necessary. And...the options for cute boy clothes expand tremendously when I can ditch the onesie closure. So...here's to adorable Gap hoodies, button ups just like Daddy, and Nike sweatsuits!!!

Sleep: Still a champion! Goes down around 7-7:30 (and would totally go down earlier, but we fight to keep him up!) and wakes up anywhere from 6-7. Usually he just wakes up to eat, and then sleeps until at least 8-8:30. And...he takes a couple of naps throughout the day. I think he's growing =) My favorite part about him sleeping is he will literally fall asleep by 7:30 no matter what, where, who, how or why! It's so funny. It makes our life very easy when we're out of town, visiting friends, or when a babysitter puts him to bed for us.

Favorite Activities/Things: This category could take up an entire page in itself! He loves to do lots of things, and it's really funny to us. Right now, he's wandering our house making his silly fart noise from his mouth. He's been up since 8:30, and hasn't made a peep other than a sigh if he's crawled too far out of reach of a toy!

Jack loves to play with Maggie. Yesterday, she picked a toy, set it on Jack's lap, and then sat patiently waiting for him to throw it. She gave him a gentle lick to help him. Silly dog! It was really sweet though.

Jack also LOVES being out-and-about. He flirts with waitresses at restaurants, has become the baby that stares and smiles at random strangers in other booths, and I think Jack could shop for hours on end if he could watch people, too.

Eating: Has been one of the coolest adventures. Jack's newest homemade cuisine includes mac 'n' cheese and turkey dogs, fiesta corn and black beans, and brown rice, mixed veggies, and cheese. Basically, I find healthy food and try to combine them to make baby meals. Jack will still eat everything and anything we put near him...including dog food! We must come up with a plan for that...

Now when we go out to eat, we can find something to give to Jack. Whether its Mexican rice and beans, or a bite of spaghetti, Jack's quickly moving towards eating everything.

Nicknames: Boogie dude - which is what I call him 90% of the time. Boogs. Yack. Jack Chuck.

Talking: We have a talker, folks! Jack loves to hear his voice (and let's be honest his dad and I aren't quiet, either). He wanders around the house making all kinds of noises. He's mastered "g" and "b", and we're working on "ma"! I'm sure he'll say "da" first, but that's okay.

Jack sings along in the car to the radio. When the song is on he's singing away. When it turns off, he takes a breather. He's still not into country -- wailing if it's a twangy country song. He'll sing along if it's Ludacris or T-pain. My little rap man.

New Adventures:

• Standing up and walking along furniture, in his crib, everywhere!

• People Food!
  

• Sippy cups -- Jack could already get rid of bottles, but I'm holding off a few months for now. He has a sippy cup with water all day and he thinks its so refreshing! He always makes a big **sigh** after a big gulp of icy cold h20.

• Jack's on a new medicine for his GERD (reflux). We'll see if it works...

• Jack had his first real babysitter the other night...and we all survived =)

The last 8 months have absolutely been the best of my life. I wake up each day excited to spend time with my little. Even when blessed with some time away from Jack, I think about him, worry about him, twiddle my thumbs, and wait for his return.

I love you Jack, and I always will.