Here contains glimpses of my life (especially Jack, the 8 year old) and obsession with UNC Tarheel basketball!



Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidaze 2008
“What a year it has been.” thought the big red dog, while he licked his chops. He thought of how much his life had changed since he had to share his little girl and little boy with a new baby, named Jack Christopher, born last year on December 3, 2007. Sometimes he didn’t like sharing them because he had been their one and only big red dog, but his heart understood when he saw the love in their eyes for their two-legged son. Baby Jack had grown from a 7 lb little baby to a 27 lb big boy, who crawls around fast and would soon be walking. The little girl and the little boy did their best to help baby Jack learn to play nice with the big red dog, but sometimes he had to run away from Jack to get some peace & quiet. The big red dog didn’t really mind, because he believed them when they told him what a good boy he was and how he was a very smart big red dog, smarter than even some one-year-old two-legged boys!
Life for the little girl and the little boy was very different now. They were busy helping their baby Jack grow and learn and taking good care of him. It was hard work but love helped them grow more patient and persistent. Their happiness had never been as great as it was when they looked into their handsome boy’s face. Of course, the little boy still helped protect the good people from the bad people and the little girl still helped sick babies get better but now it was much better. Because when they came home, not only was the big red dog waiting for them, but their baby Jack was there too…either angelically sleeping or waiting at the window with a big welcome home smile!
As Christmas time approached, the big red dog thought about his wish list as he stretched out to sleep in a rare sunny patch. He wondered if 2009 could possibly be even happier than last year and he hoped he could learn how to play with a one year old. Of course, he wished for more salami and hoped Jack kept dropping his food onto the floor from his high chair for him to eat. He thought about how grateful the little girl and the little boy were for Jack, their dream come true. When he saw the twinkle in their eyes, he knew they wanted to keep making happy memories with Jack, their boy that they loved so much. He knew there was enough room in their hearts to love both a four-legged and a two-legged son!
So each night on their little Northwest farm, you’ll find the little girl or the little boy rocking baby Jack in his nursery while the big red dog waits patiently behind the chair. After Jack is sleeping soundly in his crib, the big red dog gets a special pet if he hasn’t shaken his head and disturbed Jack with the sound of his flapping ears. Either way, they all go get into the big bed together and the big red dog still believes he has the best life that a big red dog could have…still sleeping between his little girl and his little boy!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you & your family!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Timing Christmas Pictures

So this is the one that I sent out...You can't see Tucker's face...but it was so cute to see Jack petting Tucker...brothers forever!
If you don't belly laugh when we see this one, you're not in the Christmas spirit...where's Chris' head?

Chris had a big smile in this one, but I didn't use it because I wanted Jack to be the best looking one in the photo.


So, we tried to take our own Christmas picture, using the timer on the camera. So Chris would set the timer and try to rush back & get Tucker into position. Tucker isn't interested in looking at the black Nikon. Jack is most interested in Tucker...both of them wondered what all the fuss was about. Chris & I both got our workout for the day. You'll notice that Chris & Jack have on their matching Carhart overalls....or overhalls (that's how Mama says it!) So if you were wondering why our Christmas picture wasn't like the perfect professional ones that you receive from other people...these were the ones we had to chose from...

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Jack's First Acting Role


Jack Checking Out the Gifts Brought By The Wise Men

Jack played baby Jesus in our church's Christmas program. He didn't cry b/c I held a piece of paper up in front of my face...so he couldn't see me. He was a handful for Mary (aka Kayden) because he wanted to play with the gifts, brought by the Wise Men. He did a great job and enjoyed all the wonderful singing!
It was the first of many times (I'm hoping )when I will have a big grin on my face, beaming from ear to ear....& thinking...yes, yes, he's doing a great job...& he's mine!

Christmas is Coming

Jack's Leaning Tree


Christmas is coming faster than I thought...Jack has enjoyed his "little" tree and taking the ornaments off the big tree. The tree fell over and he could reach even more ornaments!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Stats for 1 year Ped Visit

So, no one was correct for guessing Jack's 1 year weight....even me & I lift him multiple times a day. He weighed 27 pounds and was 31 1/4 inches tall! Wow! Still staying on his growth curve of 90-95%.

First Haircut

The Before Picture
Sitting in the chair, enjoying a speed racer
Jack & his barber, Lynn

Chris helped keep Jack distracted and still :)

I've been wanting to get Jack's hair cut for awhile now, but Chris was hesitating. He wanted Jack to have a ponytail Steven Siegal look. He's so "pretty" that some people were mistaking him for a girl (despite the usual boy clothes). So, finally, we went to Dick's Barber Shop and barber Lynn did the honor. Jack turned his head (quickly) and had a little poke in the ear, but otherwise, he sat still on Chris' lap and enjoyed the new toys. We saved some of the hair and even got a 1st haircut certificate.

I'm both happy & sad that we did it...Jack looks so old now...so grown up! I'm certain that I'll have many more of these moments until one day when I look at Jack and he will be a grown man. But for today, he's still my 1 year old baby, who has a nice big boy haircut!

Monday, December 08, 2008

Birthday Success


Jack actually enjoyed his birthday party...he didn't cry at all....even when Chris blew out his candle before he made his wish. Jack tried to touch the flame and voila, the flame was gone. The picture is a little small...but guess what type of cake Kjersti made for Jack...a Carolina blue basketball cake! Isn't that appropriate when you're Mom is Tarheel88? Of course, on April 6th, we will all be happy when UNC is crowned National Champions! Of course, basketball season week #4 and we're still #1!! Those dirty Blue Devils have inched up to #4 and I have to wait until 2/11 to see us beat them in their house!

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Tomorrow!

Jack always has a smile for Mommy & Daddy!
Jack isn't happy that Mommy is taking off the plastic bag without his help!

Jack loves the toy but is wondering where the plastic bag is going....


Thank you for all my presents!



Tomorrow, tomorrow is the BIG day...our boy will be ONE! We received a birthday box from Grandma/Grandpa California and we opened it a day early. Jack was most interested in the ribbon...and the plastic bag that held the present. Jack loves plastic bags but you know the warnings that are on all plastic bags...CAUTION...do not give to babies & small children due to the risk of suffocation.....so Tarheel88 decided that it's not a good idea to let Jack play with these...(I have been educated beyond my intelligence!)....can you tell these are tired ramblings...

Jack was so excited to play with his Leap Frog Baby Learning See & Learn Driver! He is going to love his birthday! Thank you!