Safe & Sane

We have a new way to keep Jack safe (& us sane, sometimes) and it's called a play yard. It's the ultimate in baby proofing. Don't tell anyone that it appears that we have put our beloved boy in a C-A-G-E....

Sometimes he's happy (usually when we are inside with him) or he's actually playing with his toys and sometimes he's sad (like the photos above). But at least, he's safe.

Top Ten Most Loved Things About Jack

4. Seeing how he looks at Chris and how cool it is to see a Daddy & his boy playing!

A Grateful Heart

During this season of thanksgiving, I have so many blessings in my life. First and foremost, I had the opportunity to go to the best university in America (UNC), actually graduate (in 4 years), and watch many, many basketball games where they beat the socks off their opponent.

Are you laughing yet? I am...I'm not THAT shallow. Of course, I like UNC basketball (even though I have recently totally missed watching one game due to a time difference calculation error....usually, I'm translating east coast time to pacific coast time but I had to translate from Hawaii time & missed it by 2 hours!)...

I am so grateful for our boy Jack, my husband Chris, our big red dog Tucker...many family & friends that make my life so happy!

THINGS MOST LOVED ABOUT JACK

5. The smell of his hair after his bath...so, so sweet!

? Future in Football

You know & I know that Jack looks like he will be a football player. I'm wondering would he like to play on the offensive or defensive line? He is already practicing his tackling...he came up with his own "pretend" tackle dummy...his high chair. He pushes it around and was really proud of himself for pushing it down 2 steps while I was trying to take a picture.

Whenever the football topic comes up in conversation, I whisper "kicker" in his ear! I don't want my boy to get hurt and kickers rarely get tackled!

College Prep for Year 2026

Jack's First Class Picture (He has his finger in his mouth and we're in the bottom row, 4th from the left.)

Well, I missed a couple of days...that's OK...so it's only 6 days before his big #1 and here are more

Top Ten Best Loved Things About Jack

8. The look on his face & the twinkle in his eye when he sees the #1 woman in his life...his Mommy!

7. The sound of his laughter and Mommy knowing just where he is most ticklish!

6. Knowing that because of Jack, I am a mother....not a wanna-be mother. I thought becoming a mother would be the most difficult thing in the world. Now, I know, that being a mother is the most difficult thing in the world....but the most rewarding! Mothers can change the world because there has never been the drive to help another person like a mother guiding her child.

This week was Jack's first class picture...we having been going to "college prep" classes aka mother-baby classes since September. Jack is the youngest (& 2nd biggest) baby in the class. I'm biased, but he's also the cutest and is in the group with the most hair (all the girl mothers are eating their hearts out)! It's great for Jack & great for me to connect with other mothers of babies the same age.

Tarheel Pants to Celebrate Another Week At #1

Yes, this is Jack's derriere, sporting his Tarheel pants...even he was excited about the Tarheels still being #1! And the 9th best loved thing about Jack:

9. His smile is the biggest smile when he sees his Mommy walk into the room and his smile (& 6 teeth) always warms my heart!

Countdown to One

It's only 10 days until Jack is ONE! I can't believe how time flies (especially my sleep time when Jack wakes me up at 6am every morning!) Just one year ago, Chris & I were still waiting for our baby to be born and praying everything would be healthy. This has truly been the best year of my life!

It's also been a year of growth in so many ways...Jack started out at 7 lbs 10 oz and now, he is a big, big boy who loves to eat. We are weaning the bottles and we're down to 3 a day now. He loves burnt toast like Grandpa California and he did a first this week...peed on the carpet! In the last 2 days, I've started to believe that he's calling me "Na Na"...no M's yet. He's called Chris Da Da specifically already.

Like David Letterman...Tarheel88 has her top 10 Best Loved Things about Jack to share with you over the next 10 days...today number 10

10. I love the excitement on Jack's face when he is "dancing" to music...his favorite CD is Baby Beluga!

Tuesday Ramblings

Yes, Jack has a "cow" chair and here he is showing off his expertise in cruising from the table to the chair....Thanks Mari & Steve! Jack's still working on getting into & sitting in the chair by himself. So far, he enjoys standing on it!

I know now why some men love to operate heavy machinery...it starts out when they were wee little boys and their wonderful mother gave them a dump truck to play with...yes, Jack is enjoying his mega blocks dump truck....notice the gray "fence" behind the truck....this is Jack's play yard and a real sanity saver. It keeps him from breaking the stereo & speakers and keeps him safely contained with his toys. Someone could say it was a "C-A-G-E" but we are usually inside of it with him.

Yes, Yes, Yes, I know that I haven't mentioned the Tarheels being #1 in the polls yet....I was trying to keep your attention with some cute Jack stories...In less than 2 hours, I'll be in front of my TV, screaming for the Heels to beat Kentucky....Go Heels!

Laughing Jack

Jack loves his sitter, Kjersti! They have lots of fun together, as long as Jack can't see his Mommy! She is very patient and is always coming up with fun play ideas. Thanks for everything!

It's a rainy, windy day and we're stuck inside...so what better way to have fun than to make Jack laugh! He loves to be tickled and I know all the best spots! He is imitating Chris' dancing to the musical spinning top and then we all start laughing together.

All Gave Some, But Some Gave All

My Courageous Brother-In-Law: MSG John Sherbert, currently deployed in Afghanistan until 2/09

The following is the text of President George W. Bush's 2008 Veterans Day Proclamation:
On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the men and women who in defense of our freedom have bravely worn the uniform of the United States.
From the fields and forests of war-torn Europe to the jungles of Southeast Asia, from the deserts of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan, brave patriots have protected our Nation's ideals, rescued millions from tyranny, and helped spread freedom around the globe. America's veterans answered the call when asked to protect our Nation from some of the most brutal and ruthless tyrants, terrorists, and militaries the world has ever known. They stood tall in the face of grave danger and enabled our Nation to become the greatest force for freedom in human history. Members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard have answered a high calling to serve and have helped secure America at every turn.
Our country is forever indebted to our veterans for their quiet courage and exemplary service. We also remember and honor those who laid down their lives in freedom's defense. These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice for our benefit. On Veterans Day, we remember these heroes for their valor, their loyalty, and their dedication. Their selfless sacrifices continue to inspire us today as we work to advance peace and extend freedom around the world.

Thank you!

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!