Jack's First Boo

Everyone asked me what did Jack dress up as on Halloween? Well, Tarheel88 was at work and Chris was sick so Jack just wore his Halloween shirt that said, "My First Boo". We didn't even take him to a real pumpkin patch, so I took pictures of him with our plastic pumpkin. He loves peppermint pattie wrappers...I offered some of the real peppermint pattie candy, but he still prefers to play with the wrapper. That's Chris' favorite candy, so that's what our only trick-or-treaters--the Hickle's got when they came over. We always have next year, when Jack may have a clue about what Halloween means!

Where I Came From

Jack, Tarheel88, & Great Nannie

Do any of you realize that almost every day of my Northwest life, someone asks me where I'm from and how long have I lived here? It's such an expected thing now, that 99.99% of the time, it really doesn't bother me. Being Southern in a foreign land has it's disadvantages. Everyone else talks funny. You have to make your own sweet tea at home (you CANNOT sweeten cold tea) and you are the minority when it comes to having the life-long disease of Tarheel basketball mania. Can you believe that I have to seek out other Tarheel fans?

You know, that deep, deep in my soul is the love of my Tarheel basketball team. I'm getting so excited b/c there's fall in the air and my boys will be playing very, very soon. And guess what? UNC is the UNANIMOUS #1 in both the Coaches' & the AP poll. This is the first time since the AP poll started in 1981...check it out

http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/110108aac.html

Get ready, cause here they come!

Welcome Emmalee!

It looks like Emmalee could get a passport photo made...she has her eyes open for a photo much, much sooner than Jack ever did...She looks like a future Gamecock to me!


There's a new little lady in Jack's life...he doesn't realize it yet, but she's going to help him learn how to treat women! He's going to have 2 great role model cousins...Grace is 15 months older and Emmalee is 11 months younger.

Little (or big) Miss Emmalee Elizabeth blasted into this world on Thursday, October 30 and weighed 7 lbs 14 oz! She is so, so beautiful and Aunt Tarheel88 can't wait to give those nice cheeks a big kiss. Actually, I'm great at "eating" Jack's big cheeks and he laughs, so we've made it a game. I'll bet Emmalee will like her cheeks to be eaten too!

Proud parents are RaRa & Kerry and they will be the greatest parents ever! Jack says...Welcome to the family!

Curious Jack

Rooster tail hair Jack

His smile says, I can almost reach the 2nd shelf now Mom!

Some of you who know me, know how I like to make up little sayings that start with..."I've been as busy as...."....well, there's a new one now...I've been as busy as a moving Jack. Jack goes everywhere now and gets into everything. He's one curious boy! Nothing is off limits (yes, we are Jack proofing things, sometimes with couch cushions) and Jack is very fast, crawling wherever he wants to go (most of the time with a tired parent behind him). Now, he has his own bottom shelf in the pantry (see above). He can crawl up & down the stairs easily and now has 6 total teeth. Boy, 11 months of fun (& hard work, I might add)...

Zackery John

Zackery's great attempts at photography...Chip, the wonderful Lab and the bottom part of Aunt Tarheel88!

Zackery wants his own Nikon & is on his way to becoming a great photographer!

Two brothers: taking turns together :)

Zackery kissing Jack when Jack was sick.


One of the cutest boys in the world!

Zackery John is an emerging personality. His Mom says she's already praying for his future wife (in no less than 20 years, I hope). I know he's going to make a great husband b/c he's sensitive, strong, & dramatic! Being in the middle might be hard but he takes everything in stride. He's so sweet & I know Jack will look up to his older cousin and hopefully they won't get each other in too much trouble!

The Joy of Swinging

Rest In Peace, Ms. Jo

Jack & Ms. Jo on 9/21/08

Ms. Jo, our next door neighbor and adopted Grandma, died on 10/17/08. Her & Jack had a great thing going...we visited her often and she loved to play with Jack. She gave so much of herself and her wisdom was great in the mothering department. We miss her so much, it's hard to believe that she's gone. We're happy that she went quickly, but it was so, so quick that we didn't get to say goodbye. So Jack went to his first graveside funeral but Chris kept him from distracting others by pushing him around the cemetary in his stroller.

So Ms. Jo....this isn't a proper goodbye...but thanks for all the love you freely gave to us! I'll tell Jack about you and one day, we'll see each other again....

I Love you Lance!

Tarheel88 & Lance
April & Lance's pumpkin.

Lance & his pumpkin that he named Pumpkin.

Lance at gymnastics--learning to do a cartwheel. He's better than Tarheel88 ever was!

Lance dressed as Buzz Lightyear.

There's a boy in my life that makes me smile the biggest smile. He's my 6 year old nephew Lance. I wish I had his energy! He makes over 100 on his spelling tests in first grade. He knows the order of the planets (which is more than I can say for me or his Mom) and he wants to be an astronaut when he grows up. He's the man of the house while his Dad is in Afghanistan. He's so sweet & I love him!

Why, Oh, Why

Some things can't be planned & one of those is Lance jumping up in front of the camera, just as I tried to take a picture....here he is...

My special sister, April...look up "encourager, giver, stamina, endurance, & positive attitude" in old Webster and you will see this smiling face...& I know how happy she truly is that I have my Jackster!

The one who has been there from the very, very beginning...my Mom...what a heart she has to love all of us and still stay sane! A true example of what I want to be like when I grow up!

Here is the Sherbert family with me & Jack...April, Grace, Lance, & winking Zackery.

Get ready, cause here they come...there are so many great pictures from my trip back to NC. We had so much fun (except the sleepless nights...) and it was great seeing how my special nephews Lance & Zackery and niece Grace are growing up. I miss seeing them everyday...why oh why, do we live so far away? Questions, questions, questions....are bouncing around in my wooden head....

Steak & Cake

It was a special night for Chris last night...don't mention it but you know what it means to have "Cake & Steak"...it made Jack happy, even though Mommy did a "Nannie" curl on top of his head!

Twinkle of Understanding

Something really wonderful & exciting is getting ready to happen to two of my favorite people...my sister RaRa and her husband Kerry are soon to be parents of a very special baby girl....Emmalee Elizabeth. We gave Emmalee a "hurry up & get here" party and love & smiles abounded.

You've heard me before, but don't tone me out this time. Every baby is precious....but for some people, there was a mountain of pain & suffering to climb before this great earthly reward...so this little girl & her parents will always give me a twinkle in my eye......the twinkle of understanding of all they've been through and like all parents, the love they will have for their child. The tears of happiness are falling....

East Coast Vacation

Wow, over 2 1/2 weeks without a post...have you been worried about Tarheel 88? Sorry that I didn't tell you that Jack & I were going on vacation (sans Daddy Chris) to hallowed ground...the one & only Tarheel state. There was so much love & fun to experience. Jack LOVED spending time with his cousins Lance, Zackery, & Grace. He enjoyed taking a bath with cousin Gracie...the most beautiful 2 year old in the world!

We visited Old MacDonald's together for a fun & a photo op with cousins Lance & Zackery! Jack was overwhelmed at first with all the little people attention, but he got used to it fast and now, he's bored at home with just Mommy, Daddy, & Tucker.

Jack's pulling up to stand up on furniture over the last few days and his first ear infection/cold is winding down, thank goodness. That deserves it's own posting, later when the weariness is over...

10 Months Old

It's hard to believe that Jack is already 10 months old! Chris & I both agree that this is the best, but hardest thing (become parents) that we've ever done. We can only imagine how much easier it would have been to have been even 10 or 15 years younger...but here we are and I have to say, we are doing a fine job. I say that because our Jack is one happy & sweet boy.

New things: crawling & crawling fast...he is getting into everything, even in a semi-baby proof house. We have to do something about the speakers/wires....who needs surround sound anyway? Poor Tucker can't have his water bowl out anymore...it's banished to the powder room and opened intermittently because Jack loves to play in water! He's great at the frog kick & loves to splash in the tub.

The top two teeth are coming down very fast...sorry there's no photo...it's best seen when his head is leaning over & he's laughing. Not a one person feat to take a picture in that position. He's had some screaming, grouchy evenings but food, sleep, & an occassional dose of teething pearls/motrin take the edge off.

We've been to two mother-baby classes so far...that deserves it's own post. Let the competition begin! Why are mothers so competitive when it comes to their children? I feel it too....because, I have to say, Jack is the cutest, & I mean CUTEST, baby in the class. He is one of the biggest & has the most hair also. Sorry to all the little girl mothers...you'll have to wait for those pony-tails!

Pedal to the Medal

As if I could ever forget the fatigue of the newborn days, the days of rushing after Jack are now beginning. Yes, our boy is crawling and boy, did he get fast, fast. He is all over everywhere with a tired & wired parent close behind. Tucker is resolved to avoid him by retreating far away. It's fun to see him exploring and so far, he especially loves wires, plugs, and plastic bags. Yes, we are working on Jack-proofing everything and watching his every movement. When we can't watch him, we are restraining him in either his crib, the high chair, or the pack & play. He is pulling up but so far, only up to his knees. His balance is good if you stand him up...like him standing by the tub above.

Jack loves to visit our next door neighbor..."Grandma Jo" and Jack are special friends...He likes her to hold him (above in the top picture) and sometimes he likes to put her oxygen tubing in his mouth...We have fun visiting with each other and she's in our special prayers every night!

Happy Blur

The days are a blur but it's a happy blur. Big news...the two top teeth have broken through the gums! He did have some discomfort with this but overall...he did well. I experienced what I'm sure every mother has experienced....how can I take away the pain & keep my baby happy...we did a combination of teething pearls, motrin, & extra holding. I did something with Jack that I haven't done in awhile...I held him for his nap! We both slept and it was so wonderful to wake up with him squeezing my lips!

He's pulling up & getting on his knees & loves his new toy above (thanks, Auntie Alayne!). He has been belly crawling backwards but gets mad & doesn't understand why he's getting further away from a wanted toy. He has been up on hands/knees but until yesterday, didn't go forward on them. He went 3 "steps", so crawling may be any day now!

Tarheel88 is off to a conference in Florida this week...sans Jack. That's right, I will be away from my boy for about 100 hours. In so many ways, I'm looking so forward to it but my next thought is...how much I'll miss him. Chris & Kjersti (our wonderful sitter) are very capable, so I'll have no worries. What will I do with all my free time?

Tongue On Cheek

One of Tucker's older, 4-legged brother duties is face cleaning...today there was just a hint of apples & apricots left on Jack's cheek. Tucker took the opportunity to help me & lick it off...funny thing is..when Jack drops bananas, Tucker won't eat them off the floor. This was just a moment of our joyful day!

These are the beautiful (hazel is the final color) eyes that I stare into...he's getting into everything and today, he wanted the camera. Note Tucker in the background, head down between his paws...he's thinking..."when will my life get back to normal?"...I tell him..."this is the new normal."

Jack does something new & cool daily & today it was...pucker his bottom lip out like he's pouting...actually, he's sucking on his top lip & is in a great mood!

9 months old--Can you believe it?

Jack is 9 months old! Wow, how time flies when you're busy, that's a BUSY with capital letters, having fun! This week, we went to see Dr. Brian again. He was his cheery, efficient self. Jack was 24 lbs, 10 oz & 30 inches tall! Our boy is in the 90%...& he's almost crawling. He's trying to grab everything and pull up. He even uses Pooh bear as a means to try to get higher. I'm afraid where this will go...but I'm sure I will adjust as time passes.

Attempting Mouth to Mouth

2 Peas in a Pod

Today are just some random thoughts bouncing through my wooden head....

I've noticed that I don't second guess what I'll find when I open the door to Jack's room anymore...you know the thought, that instead of finding my boy sleeping in his nursery that it will be the old second guest room with my messy craft table in there. I was afraid for a long time that I'd wake up from this long, long wonderful dream where yes, it really, really happened...I had a baby & he's my Jack!

So even in my subconscious, I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, my dream came true!

Now, back to reality...

Jack's almost mobile. He's belly crawling backwards which really irritates him when he gets further away from the toy that I'm trying to tempt him with....He's getting up on 3 extremities (1 leg to go) and then he'll be off. So my world will become more intense very, very soon.

Everyone says how beautiful he is and I agree....he is so darn cute. What will I do when he gives his heart to another woman (in 25 years, no doubt).....I hope I'll be ready for that....but for now, he's mine, mine all mine. What a wonderful time this is!

PS: November 15 is the 1st official UNC game...so only 75 days to go!