Jack Jack the Jack Jack Attack

I havn't posted about my sweet little one in awhile. It all been about me me me... so typical. I realized the last time I posted about Jack wasn't on the sweetest note. Well let me tell you a lot has changed since my last post. I am now convinced I have one of the most mild mannered, sweet, caring, doting, shy children alive. I know you are all agreeing with me unless you have ever been victim to the Jack Jack Attack (you know who you are... specifically all those pretty blondes out there.. Patty, Stacy, Kara, Gram.) Jack has a thing for tickling blonds, I have no idea why. So here are some updates on Jack:

Potty Trained: I love that I no longer have to say training. Never thought I would be so happy to drop an -ing. In all honesty I think I may have been VERY lucky with the potty training business. There were a few days that I wanted to pull my hair out, but potty training wouldn't be considered the worst with out it. But for being just over 2 he did incredible and he caught on really quick. And now at 2.5 he no longer needs help pittling, he is a very independent boy and doesn't want mom's help, and insists on pottying like a big boy standing up. Thank heavens for a good aim. I love how big he is getting and every time he goes potty he comes running out to me saying with complete joy "Mommy I did it!"

Speaking/Reading: Most of you probably think Jack doesn't talk. And when we are out and about of with a crowd that is mostly true, he is very quiet. Seriously we were at grandma and grandpas house the other day with cousins over and I don't think I heard him say more than 5 words all day, and if he really had to tell me something like potty he will whisper. Today we went to the mall and we had a snack to eat so we went to the kids play area to play and eat. I really started to get concerned because he would not leave my side, he would just play on the bench seat next to me, he was watching all the kids, but he wouldn't go play. I started thinking maybe we have some issues, like he is so stressed that he can't enjoy himself. But after about 30 minutes of watching and eating he finally got brave and played by some stuff near me, and over time got braver and braver, and near the end he was having a great time playing and laughing and talking and climbing. I guess he just really needs time to scan the area, make sure it is all safe, just a little time to warm up. He is talking so much more, I love that we can communicate, and I love hearing all of his new words. I know a lot of it still sounds like gibberish, but we understand each other really well. Jack and I have still been working on reading words and he is up to about 20 words. His favorites are moon, girl, cats, hi, shoes and drinking.

Sleeping: Naps are not everyday but here and there. He likes to nap on the couch, not in his bed. Which is fine by me. This pregnancy has been really hard especially during tax season when dan was gone all the time. This is horrible but I had an air mattress that I put in Jacks room so at 7:00 bed time we would both go lay down for bed, because by that time I usually felt like dying, so I wouldn't have to get up and down getting him to bed or anything. Needless to say Jack loved it and it took a couple hard bed times for us to break the habit. Still working on perfecting it, but we will be there in no time.

Sippy Cups: I took Kara's advice on this one. Just get rid of it. And that's what we did, it was hard for a day or two. But so nice and Jack is great about having a drink on the table and getting a drink when needed and he is good about not spilling, but if he does he knows where the dish rags are. We do use a sippy once in awhile when we are in the car for long periods like driving to Utah but other than that, they are all gone. And it is SOO worth it.

Eating: He is eating much more these days. He loves eating "plants." Anything green. But they must be referred to as plants or its a no go. While he is eating better he still is more of a grazer than a sit down and eat a big meal type of guy.

You know its so much easier now that we can communicate not to get frusterated and feeling like he needs a spanking or time out. rarely does he need time out or anything, most of the time I can just talk with him and we are Ok. I love that. I don't like spankings, makes me feel like an unfit mother.

When dan goes to work I love hearing Jack say Love you too, bye, see you, have fun!!! makes my day every morning.

I love that he says Love you too. Not just Love you. I love how he says HUH when he is thinking about something. I love how he loves jumping and spinning, and ringing the ding dong (he must have got the wade gene) and playing knock knock. I love how he now pretends, like the black airmattress pump is and otis puppy one day and a vacuming sucking up grandpa's flies the next. Or how me pretends to cook and is heavy duty on the pepper. I love how he says his prays. There is no real way of explaining that, I may have to sneak the video camera in on that one.

Jack is a wonderful boy, when I was sick and puking he was there for me sitting right next to me patting my back and saying over and over OK MOMMY?? OK MOMMY? until i said yes I'm ok.

I couln't be more blessed.

Go on pick a side...

Dan and I are having a war of the wills....

Here is the problem up for debate:

We have a huge yard. I think it would be fun for Jack to have a backyard full of different fun things he could do: we have a trampoline, a teetertotter helicopter, and a soccer goal made of spare pvc pipe, sidewalk chalk and buckets and shovels and a tonka truck and tball set (note these last few items arent our all the time they are one a designated outdoor play shelf in the garage). I think we should also put in a swing set and a sand box.

Dan thinks a swing set is out of the question. That we will have so much crap in our back yard he wont have any room to play. And he will have so many things layed out for him that he won't be able to use any creativity.

So what do you think? Swing set or not?? We have agreed for now not to put in a swing set to see how things go, but I think we both agree on a sandbox.

Don't get me wrong this isn't an actual feud or anything. Although to be fair I should let Dan submit his own statement and argument against the swing set, so as to erase all bias.

Pumpkin #2

I guess I haven't formally posted that we are expecting our second baby, of course anyone reading would know. But I suppose I should clear up some unanswered questions....

Due Date: October 10

Estimated arrival date according to me and dan: Oct 1 (Jack's bday)

How many weeks right now : 15 weeks

Boy or Girl: A boy would be convenient (although I have been told parenting isnt about convenience) but for this reason I am certain baby is a girl.

Names: Emmett Richard for a boy and No Idea for a girl

Things to remember for next time ( I know you are all shocked I am even mentioning a next time at this point): when you find out you are prego call dr ASAP for zofran, really dont wait and dont try phenergan first. And you will feel like you want to die from 4 weeks- 15or 20 weeks. Also do not have a first trimester during tax season.

How is baby doing: Baby looks healthy and strong. Due to a dermoid cyst on my right ovary we get to have an ultrasound every appointment. The cyst is a mass of cells so its not going to resolve itself and go away, its about 5.5 cm, it appears stable for now but if it grows they will need to take it out asap. if it can stay where it is they will take it out after I have the baby. my thyroid hormone was low so they tested it again yesterday and hopefully it will be back to normal. Baby was napping during last ultrasound so there were no guesses to gender, next complete ultrasound is set for May 17! So we will let you know then.

Could it be true?

On this past Sunday once again I made a stellar effort to get to sacrament and ..... I DID IT!! This time however I chose not to dry and curl my hair, I just put in in a pony a little wet. It was so nice to go. I thought I would probably go home after, but I was feeling pretty good so I thought I would take Jack to nursery to try to convince him that it really is fun. I didn't do anything to help but just sit there for moral support for Jack, but I figure maybe thats enough help that he isnt sobbing the entire time. And after awhile he warmed up and I think really enjoyed himself. It was a fabulous Sunday, and I felt very blessed.

Monday. Last day of tax season..... went to a fun playdate at Sonia's house with Korban. Got to hold sweet baby Preston and that reassured me this must all be worth it. Felt pretty good all day. Dan even called me at 9 am needing me to bring him my car since his alternator went out. And I felt fine. (on a side note thank you thank you again my dear bro in law Thomas for once again saving our hides and fixing our car for us after a full day of work, he is terriffic! and thank you to sina, carol, and john for letting us steal him for awhile).

Tuesday morning... I woke up before 7 am and I didn't think I was going to die. We will see how the day progresses.

Could this be happening... Could my miracle really be arriving?

Sunday

I havn't been to church in awhile. And by "awhile" I mean since the end of January. I do miss going, I miss the sacrament, I miss the songs, I miss the spirit. So here we are Sunday April 10th. Today I decided I was going to make a heroic effort to get to Sacrament meeting. Thank Heavens our church is at 11 so I thought this could be a doable task. I got up slowly, took some medicine, ate a little breakfast, layed down for awhile, took a shower, layed down for awhile, dryed my hair, layed down for awhile, curled hair and applied very little makeup. We were now approaching 10:30, Dan is home from his meeting and gives a nice greeting "is mom actually going to church today." Minutes later everything melts down, and once again this Sunday I have to kneel at the porcelian altar of pregnancy. Maybe next Sunday will be better...... so what do you do when you are home sick from church?

KFC isn't really worth it....

So Jack and I have been home all week, I just haven't been feeling well. So I was thinking today how KFC mashed potatoes sounded good enough. I thought it wouldn't be too tough to get out for 20 minutes to go get it since Jack is suffering from major cabin fever. It might be a nice break. So I get jack in the car, and go to get in and suddenly feel very ill. So I put up the garage door and step out into the snowy weather to let the cold help me out. I let the drip drip runoff water on our roof drip on my head. But its not really working. I think about losing it in the flower bed but think better of it and run inside. Jack is stuck in the car in his seat with the garage door open and the car door open. I run in to try some cold water on the face. Then rush for the "puke bowl" every family has one. I do my business and run to the bathroom to finish my business. I try to get it over with as soon as possible because I can hear Jack screaming and crying in the car. I eventually come to his rescue with a sippy of milk to make him feel better. And I STILL decide to take a short trip to KFC. This is when you are all yelling at me saying in your heads IDIOT! and why didnt i listen?? We get there and I feel sick sick sick. We get home and I feel sick sick sick. And this is when I finally decide.... maybe KFC isn't really worth it after all. Maybe I thought since I am so close to my 2nd trimester is wouldnt be so bad.... think again. I guess that means we won't be having any more adventures around the town for awhile.