Over the Top---Returning 2/7

Here's Jack with his Papa Robert, my Dad. He's waiting to grow up enough so they can go fishing together...Mr. Tarheel is going to teach Jack to fish for steel head and salmon in the sound but Papa is going to teach him to fish with a net for spots and dig for clams & oysters near my beloved ocean...the Atlantic!

I'm not sure if you can see the new triple chin that Jack is sporting...he is getting the fattest, most kissable cheeks in the world. I take full advantage of kissing those cheeks. I know one day, the day will come, when he is embarrassed for me to kiss him in public. So I tell him...your Mom always needs at least one kiss when we see each other....if I tell him this a couple of million times and expect this from him (along with the flowers every Mother's Day), hopefully, he will always (or usually, may be a better expectation) do this! Then when he's 40 and I'm 81...and I'm rocking on my porch (my warm, sunny porch)...when my boy comes to see me, he will automatically give me that kiss that I need!

I'll be back with all the news/pictures from Hawaii on 2/7...check back then...in the meantime...imagine, us...the 3 of us (poor Tucker is either in the Pet Resort or POW camp...whichever is your perspective)...the 3 of us....smiling constantly, feeling the warm breeze, sitting outside to savor the sights & smells of Hawaii...when last year when we traveled to the Big Island, we were just the 2 of us...hoping, planning, preparing for our last attempt to have a baby. Last year...it was anticipation for a baby...this year...it's anticipation for watching our baby Jack grow up and trying to be the best parents possible!

As much fun as I had last year.....this year will be over the top!

Hall of Love

Jack's been inducted into the Blackwell sister's Hall of Love...even though he's sleeping in this picture of me and my sisters...Wendy, Robin, & April. We're all smiles!

Mr. Tarheel & I had a wonderful photographer and old friend, Amy Fields, come to our house and take pictures of us on 1/8/08...when Jack was a little over a month old. Check out her web site and link to our Miracle Jack photos....they are AWESOME!

http://amyfieldsphotography.blogspot.com/

As you can see, Jack is getting BIG! He loves to eat and laughs/smiles alot more when he is full! He averages eating 6 oz about every 4 hours. Wow! Maybe a possible future linebacker? He grew out of newborn clothes about 2 weeks ago and now we're on to the 3 month ones...He's definitely over 11 lbs but we'll have an official weight on 2/8 when we go see Dr. Brian for his 2 month check up.

We're all looking forward to our Hawaii vacation...which is 1/28-2/7....yes, sorry, but another blog holiday! I may post while we're gone....but I'm going to relax and enjoy the warmth/sun of the Big Island. Aloha!

Back Home

Here's Jack, getting a good night kiss from his Nannie Maxine, my Mom. We had great flights (no, he didn't cry and believe me, a toddler is a more difficult traveler...trust me, I sat around a few of them..they had all the children cohorted in the back of the plane).

It was so wonderful to have all of my family meet Jack and get to know him. It's so sad to think about how far away we live. I realized that one day, someone will ask Jack...where are you from? He will say...the Pacific Northwest and my Mom is from North Kakalacky (Carolina, to you non-Southerners) and my Dad is from California....

I realized he isn't going to be from my beloved North Carolina.

And my beloved North Carolina Tarheels took a fall (at home, not less) to those nasty Terps...I believe it was because Master Jack wasn't watching the game...he was out with his Mom and Aunt Robin and Aunt April getting pedicures and out to a wonderful dinner...at Myrtle Beach ,SC. Yes, he's been to his first beach...but this was a cold, winter beach....

Thanks for holding me Uncle Kerry!

On Monday, he will go to his first warm, sunny beach....Kona, Hawaii.

Yes, he's a world traveler in his first weeks of life.

Blog Vacation

Yes, even the best bloggers have to take time off to visit Southern Heaven, where all the tea is sweet and the people who first loved you live...I'll be taking a hiatus from the blog until January 24th...but believe me, Jack is going to get held and loved on by so many people that loved him before he was even here...there will be more stories/photos to share after our trip...

WARNING: A SCREAMING INFANT WILL BE FLYING ACROSS COUNTRY ON 1/14....SORRY TO ALL THE PASSENGERS WHO THOUGHT OF TAKING A NAP...but Jack has to meet his Nannie/Papa and all his Wonderful Aunts/Cousins....

1 Month Jack

Here's Jack at a little over 1 month...My plan was to take his picture with a big stuffed animal each month on the 3rd but life happens and I didn't go get his big Pooh until the 8th...so here he his...looking up at this big smiling bear! He was very attentive! This is the newborn outfit that he came home from the hospital in...he is about to break out of all his newborn clothes....so this will be the last time to wear this one.

Yes, he's losing some hair but not on the back of his head...on the top. His hair line is getting further & further back (I know some men who can appreciate this!). This emphasizes his "worried" furrowed brow look...but if he's eating, I'll tell him not to worry and rub the wrinkles out with a little finger massage. No Botox needed here!

So, so sorry NC State fans..the game was pitiful today and I actually felt terrible for Sidney Lowe and the Wolfpack. Since there was no screaming after the 9-9 tie, Jack slept the rest of the game. That was great...we will of course, continue to be #1 in the entire USA! Move over Kansas & Memphis...here we come!

Gas Hurts

Jack doesn't like gas....well, who does? Sometimes he has lots of it and when he breaks wind, it's loud enough for Tucker to come running. Then there's the bearing down and pushing to get it out...along with the other necessary excrement. Now, Mr. Tarheel & I are constantly talking about our son's bowel/gas patterns...like it's table conversation. It makes us laugh sometimes...except when we're up all night holding Jack and helping him deal with this necessary part of life....digestion & gas! Hopefully, he'll grow more accustomed to the feelings of peristalsis and "gut rumblings"...until then, we'll be the concerned parents, bicycling Jack's legs, waiting & hoping for a large release of air...so we can all go back to sleep again.

New Year's Joy

It is the New Year. I sat in the dark this evening, holding Jack. Staring at his sweet, perfect little sleeping face, I have tears running down my cheeks. Tears of joy. Thinking about this past year - a life-changing year. My life is so different than it was a year ago. My dreams are fulfilled, my life feels whole, I feel complete. All the pain and sadness is forever gone. I closed my eyes - trying to imprint this moment in my memory forever. Will I remember how sweet he looks, how soft his skin feels, how wonderful he smells, how his breath feels on my cheek? This is my only fear - that I will forget. That I will forget how wonderful this feels. My wish for the New Year is not for me. I have all that I wished for. My wish for the New Year is for everyone of you who are still suffering the pain of infertility and loss. My wish is that next New Year every one of you will be holding your sweet baby in your arms, gazing at his precious face, inhaling his scent.

Tarheel Jack

Now, I'm not a superstitious type, but there's a trend happening at Jack's house....the Tarheels have been ranked #1 since he's been born, and so far, they haven't lost a game....what do you think? Final Four material, at least and according to me, #1 Tarheel fan, they will be National Champions come April 7th in San Antonio, TX!~ The UNC-Clemson game was a nail bitter....luckily here in the Pacific Northwest, no one will tell me the outcome, b/c I had to pause the game to take care of Mr. Jack. He got dressed up in his Tarheel blanket, handmade by Linda, and kept everything loud until we got the "plug" to stay in...He loves his pacifier (aka plug) and so that's why it's in his mouth in so many of the pictures. If you take it out, you will see the mouth open (inaudible scream) and not the most handsomest of faces! That's OK, he's got us trained pretty good! So in overtime, we squeaked by the Tigers and had way too many turnovers...at least 19! I'll bet Roy was fit to be tied (a southern expression for real mad) and made them do extra running at the next practice. So the next game is tomorrow against UNC-Asheville (hopefully, a non-conference probable blow-out) and then we move into the meat of the season...all conference games from then on out. And I've talked about this before...in the ACC Conference, anyone can beat anyone, especially in their house...so you have to be on your A game each and every night. So Go Tarheels! Jack loves his Tarheels!

As Busy As...

Sorry everyone...no picture today...I know I may be slacking but life keeps happening...like the Christmas tree had to be taken down, the house cleaned, groceries bought, bills paid, thank you notes written, and sleep has to fit in there too. Oh yes, we have to hold Jack, feed him, change him, and then kiss and hold him some more.

"I'm busy...", I tell Mr. Tarheel.

He acknowledges.

"I'm as busy as...", he looks up because he knows that I'm trying to be funny and make up some metaphor for how busy I am. My last good one was "As busy as the back seat on prom night...."

"I'm as busy as....a new mother!", I say and start laughing.

He smiles and turns on the Seahawks (we WON) vs. Washington Redskins game. I get so into the game, I don't hear Jack crying on the monitor. He goes & gets him and holds him...one big happy family...watching football together....even Tucker occassionally looked over...usually when I was yelling. I didn't feel so busy...just happy.

Weight alert: Jack weighs 10 lbs 2 oz at his one month Ped visit. Yes, he had to get a shot..2nd Hep B. I know the crying is worth not getting Hep B. It's hard to see them cry when they don't understand why....Next visit is at 2 months.

1 Month Miracle Jack

Here's Jack at 1 month old, dressed in the only thing I bought before he was born...his "Miracle" t-shirt. It's almost too small but will still stretch over his round belly:) Now, you'll also see him with his "Mommy's Little Tarheel bib" and his Tarheel shirt...hand made special by Linda from Swedish:)

Now, his birth didn't contradict known scientific laws...in fact, it required quite a bit of scientific advances to be conceived with IVF but it was a remarkable event. So maybe the shirt should read "Remarkable" instead...but that one wasn't for sell!

Now, all of you out there who know me as the #1 Tarheel fan....are you wondering if being a mother is the only thing that I'm going to talk about anymore? Well, that's a big NO...I'm still the #1 fan and all that goes with it.

Yes, we've been ranked #1 for as long as Jack's been here...& yes, we haven't lost a game since Jack's birth...see how I can relate my two favorite topics together:)

Tomorrow starts conference play...we play the Clemson Tigers in their house...Littlejohn Coliseum. We'll be ready...Jack & I to take in the game, dressed in our Tarheel finest. Jack has received so many Tarheel outfits...he is destined to show support in a different one for each game. No, no one sent a baby blue wig, but when his head gets bigger (next year), he can borrow mine...

One Bite At A Time

Here we are...me & Jack, having fun together at 30 days old...see how his cheeks are filled out...he even has a double chin now. Daddy calls that a "turkey neck" and his thighs are getting chunky too. He's so cute! We look at each other a lot and we both love this...

As I was thinking more about being a parent, I started feeling overwhelmed at the job ahead. Mr. Tarheel & I will do our best, but we are human and won't always make the best decisions. And I wonder...how will we fall short? Now that I am a child and a parent...I think about how much I love my parents (quite a bit!). But the way I feel inside, I believe now that no child can love their parents as much as their parents love them.

When I feel overwhelmed, I ask myself, "How do you eat an elephant?" My answer is...One Bite at a Time.