Christmas Joy

3 generations of LOVE

       Nannie & Jack reading

Jack & the Big Red Dog

Happy Holidaze 2009

Another wonderful year had passed quickly for the little boy, the little girl, 2 year old Jack, and the big red dog on their little farm in the Pacific Northwest. They were getting a little older & a little slower, but taking care of wild man Jack helped keep everyone moving, at least at his lightening speed. On some days, the big red dog heard the word “no” coming from the little girl many, many times. Jack could be heard returning his demonstrative response, “NO”, even louder. The little boy, trying to lead by example, always remained the calm & quiet one. The big red dog was secretly jealous because Jack was talking in sentences. He so wished he could talk back instead of just wagging his tail or letting out the occasional yelp. But overall, the big red dog thought of all the great times they had together…there were many more blessings than challenges and enough toddler drama to keep things interesting.

The big red dog and Jack enjoyed playing ball together and chasing each other around. “I am actually starting to like my little brother now that I know he is here to stay”, thought the big red dog. The little boy had pep talks with the big red dog about the new hierarchy in the house. “We’re not alpha anymore”, the little boy explained, “Jack is #1.” This puzzled the big red dog, because the little girl was always telling him that the Tarheels were #1! When the big red dog had had enough of Jack’s antics, he would retreat to the big bed, curl up, and take a nap. The big red dog loved his naps, especially when he was between the little girl and the little boy. They all needed their rest and naptime was their favorite. After lunch, where Jack usually threw down a treat or two, there would still be rocking and reading in the nursery, and Jack would take a nap in his crib while Tucker took his nap in the big bed. After rest time, everyone was happy again and there was more fun to be had.

Jack was a curious and verbal little boy who loved having fun. “I wonder where he gets that from?” smirked the little girl. His favorite activities included going on a bear hunt & looking for a bear cave, having books read to him, swimming lessons, watching Dora & Diego, and drinking chocolate milk. He had just turned 2 years old on 12/3/09 and now weighed 31.5 lbs. Some not so favorite things included haircuts, broccoli, staying in his crib, and keeping his shoes/socks on his feet. He was a big boy now and brushed his own teeth and picked out his own books, all by himself. His favorites included all of Dr. Seuss, Going on a Bear Hunt, Good Night Gorilla, & The Big Red Barn.

The little boy and the little girl drank hot tea after Jack was sleeping and reviewed their year. The little boy still helped protect good people from the bad ones and would soon be doing it by bicycle. The little girl still helped very small babies get better and was obsessed with her 2009 National Champion Tarheels. Their days were filled with their dream come true, their little son Jack, who wasn’t so little anymore. But he would always be their baby! “But I thought I was their baby,” sighed the big red dog, as he waited patiently for his salami treat. “You will always be our four-legged baby, Tucker,” they told him. Our hearts are big enough for both a four & a two-legged son!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you & your family!

Tucker is our 6 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback dog (aka the big red dog).

#9 Tarheels

I know it's been awhile since you've read about my Tarheel enthusiasm ramblings...well the Tarheels are both talented and inexperienced and show both brilliance and stupidity in every game!  One moment, I 'm jumping for joy and the next, I'm throwing a pillow at the TV.  They are 11-3, with losses to Syracuse, Kentucky, & Texas (all ranked higher at the time of the loss).  Soon, the true test begins...ACC Conference play...my schedule is planned, the DVR is set, and Chris & Jack have been briefed about their role....to leave Mama alone during the games!  Tarheel88's prediction from the beginning of the year...we will make it to the Sweet 16 in 2010.  Pretty good when 75% of last year's scoring is playing in the NBA!  But remember...

We are forever 2009 National Champions!

Jack turned 2 on 12/3/09!

Snowman Cupcake with 2 Candles!  Mommy blew out the candles quickly before inquisitive Jack touched them. 

Jack loves to open presents!

No smiles when the fun is over!  Jack is thinking...it is forever (3 weeks) until Christmas when I can open more presents!

So, I'm just a little behind....well, December flew by and we're going into 2010 tomorrow!  Jack turned 2 on December 3rd and it was just like his birth...there was Mommy & Daddy & then came Jack!  It was just a family time together...a normal night with a celebration after dinner that included a Snowman cupcake with 2 candles and then opening presents!  Jack received a Mr. Potato Head from us and it's a work in progress putting the right body part into the right slot. 

He's definitely 2!  He is talking more & more and he says..."no" and "mine" frequently.  He still is the sweetest thing in the world but there are times when I'm gritting my teeth and forgetting to breath.  It's a good thing that babies are so cute that you fall in love with them before they become toddlers.  But overall, I know we have a good & cooperative boy!

November Fun

Thanksgiving pork tenderloin...um, um, good!

Playing around...wanting to grab the camera! 

Jack took this picture...along with about 30 more that I deleted.  As you can see, Tucker isn't so happy but a salami snack improved his outlook on life!









So Daddy took care of Jack while Mommy took a much deserved vacation!  Yes, her & her BFF Alayne went to the beautiful island of Kauai, HI.  For 5 nights, neither of us worried about our kids...just did some R&R!  We had time for a quick non-scientific study...we rated Mai Tai's whereever we went!  It was a grand, grand time.  Jack & Daddy did fine but I sensed they did miss Mama!

Michael & Jack

Jack hugging his cousin, Michael.











Not as cooperative:)












Michael & Jack---just finishing up feeding the cows!










Our cousins came to visit and we were so happy that 3 yr old Michael had fun visiting our house!  We can't wait to be able to spend more time together...they are going to love growing up together since they are only 13 months apart!

Stop, Drop, & Roll

Jack investigates a real Seattle fire truck!
He can even say..."stop, drop, & roll"! 

Jack dances with Geoffry the Giraffe (the ToysRUs mascot)...this boy has rhythm!











I wanted to write a post with pictures...isn't that why you came to my blog...to check out Jack?  I need to take more pictures...(I'll put that on my to-do list...it's #949).  Some things that Jack is doing this week...drum roll....

He climbed out of his crib!  When I was at work, Daddy thinks he woke Jack up a little too early with his coughing.  So Daddy was hoping Jack would go back to sleep.  Then all of a sudden...the sound of pitter patter, little feet coming out of the door.  No, he didn't fall!  When I got home, I tested him...I put him in the crib & said, "climb out"...& he did...very, very carefully!  He has wonderful balance & climbing ability.  But he hasn't climbed out again for a few days.  Plus, I told him...that I have a crib tent that I can use to keep him inside his crib, if need be....

He loves mud, stomping in mud, and he ran into the creek & the water went over his boots & inside his boots.  But he didn't mind.  He loves getting dirty.  Now he's enjoying taking a shower with either Mommy or Daddy and he has fun that way too!

Jack's Escapades

Jack holds onto the side of the pool without help. 

All smiles @ swim lessons...Yes, that's dirt on Jack's face...him & Daddy have been on a bear hunt!  They found a bear cave in the back of the pasture....This is the first time that Jack has fallen asleep in his high chair...he was quiet & Mommy was able to do all the dishes!

Random Musings about 23 Months

Jack loves to help with the next door horses...we "muck" up after them (or clean pooky) and help brush them.  He's on his way to being a "horse" boy. 

He also loves to go to the library.  He likes us to read to him, story after story, and he cries when we must stop for him to go to sleep.  We have our "own" public library, which is only about two miles from our house.

Here's a picture of his big boy haircut & smile...you'll notice he's holding a tractor & trailer.  It's the last month that we'll call our "baby's" age in months...when you're 23 months...sigh!  Next month, he'll be 2 years, you don't tell people that your child is 24 months....

These past 23 months have passed too quickly.  Sometimes I wish I could make time stand still...and other times, I wish it was already bedtime!  Here are some random musings about Jack @ 23 months....

Favorite toys:
trains, tractors, etch a doodle, stuffed dog "Scout", Noah's ark

Favorite Way to Get Out of Crib:
screaming...Mommy...get out!  (no response)...then Daddy...get out!

Favorite TV show:
Dora the Explorer

Favorite Time of Day:
morning--he wakes up at 0600 unless Mommy's at work & then he sleeps in for Daddy

Favorite Foods:
sauce (applesauce), chicken (or rather, ketchup & chicken), grapes

Favorite Bathtime Activity:
blowing bubbles, trying to pour water out of the tub, pirate ship

Favorite Restaurant:
Rainer Bar & Grill...our usual activity on Sunday...go to church & then go to the "bar"...really, we go to the restaurant section & since we're regulars, everyone knows our names.

Successful Walk Now for Autism

Jack & I participated in the Seattle Walk Now for Autism in honor of my 7 year old nephew, Lance Stephen Sherbert of Stedman, NC.  It was held on the beautiful campus of the University of Washington campus on 10/3/09.  I taped Lance's picture on the stroller to honor him as we did the walk.  He is a hard working & sweet boy who I love very much.  I know I can't remove autism from his life, but I can help by raising money for autism research.  It was great to see other families and children affected by autism at the walk.  It was empowering to know...we're in this together!

I was able to raise $275!  A big thanks to Liz Lawrence, Tony & Joyce Hodges, Larry & Kathy Harless, Brenda Hubbard, & Loretta & Michael Myers.  I really appreciate your support!

Punkin Patch

Jack & Mommy with big smiles! Jack milking a play cow!

Jack & Daddy practicing calf roping!

Isn't he the cutest boy in the world?

Yes, there are some sunny fall days in the Northwest...and the crowds flock to the pumpkin patches! Jack loved the whole experience...a hay ride, calf roping, cow milking, junior corn maze, & more. Life is good!

Texas Fun

Everything's bigger in TX!

Claire, John, & Samantha










Chris, Jack, & Sabrina & her Katie B. & Guy



Chris & Aunt Betty

Kate, Claire, Guy, & Jack

Jack has been to TX...Austin, Texas, that is, and he loved meeting his Aunt Betty & cousins--Fletcher, Claire, Guy, & Kate along with their parents Sabrina, Samantha & John. We had so much fun seeing the sights and enjoying the hospitality shown to us---a big thanks is in order.

Jack's favorite parts--riding on the "hair plane", taking a "horsey" drawn carriage ride, trying different types of ice cream (his new fav is orange shebert), & playing with Kate & Guy (his cousins are 2 & almost 4)!

Jack's least favorite part was 'trying' to sleep in the same hotel room with his parents & screaming until they gave in and then he got to sleep with his MaMa every night. Suffice it to say, that a tossing & turning 30 lb toddler in the bed with you will turn a night's sleep into many little naps! Jack fell off the bed but at least Daddy caught him in mid-air before he hit the floor!

God Made the Flowers

Jack showing his 1st art project!

Sitting in the basket...riding the bicycle (aka adult trike) is a favorite activity for Mom & Son!

Our beautiful 21 month old boy!

Jack did his first art project at church today. He picked flowers and taped them to a piece of paper...yes, he taped them. Of course, the tape was placed on his fingers and there were extra pieces of tape there too. The lesson...God made the flowers! He doesn't understand show & tell yet but a ride in the tricycle basket was the luring point.

1st Swim Lesson

Jack loved kicking...

Practicing reaching & pulling..

Jack & the instructor, Lyndsey

Jack had his first swimming lesson at the local community pool. First, he enjoyed taking a shower in the locker room. We arrived early to learn that there would be 12 kids (age 3 & younger) in the class. Well, half of them didn't even make it through the 1st half of the 30 minute lesson...yes, lots of sqwaking/terror cries...

Jack was all smiles! He loves water & was the happiest kid there! Swimming/diving with Daddy are definitely in his future!

Walk Now for Autism on Oct 3

Please join me, Tarheel88, in my fight to make a difference in the lives of the more than 1 million Americans living with autism today. This includes my nephew, Lance Sherbert, age 7 ½ and a second grader in Stedman, NC. I will never forget my sister April’s words, “Lance has autism” when he was only 3 years old. I researched countless articles and supported my sister as she navigated a complex maze of evaluations and therapies to help Lance. The pain and anxiety of this diagnosis can be overwhelming. Thankfully, with the support of loving parents and family, teachers, and therapists, Lance is thriving. Despite his high functioning, there will be future challenges for Lance to overcome. I would like to help change the future for all those, including Lance, who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.
This is the reason why I am participating in Walk Now for Autism in Seattle on October 3, 2009--to help find a cure for autism. Autism is the second most common developmental disorder in the United States affecting one in every 150 children born today. Despite some promising discoveries, the cause of autism is unknown and a cure does not exist. Research is crucial. Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined.
Every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed with autism. 1 in 94 boys are on the autism spectrum. 67 children are diagnosed per day. That means another family hears those words, “your child has autism”. Not only must we find ways to improve the quality of life for children and adults with autism, but we also must find a cure, and soon.
Walk Now for Autism is our chance to make a difference in the fight against autism by raising money for autism research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism and heightening public awareness and its effects on individuals, families, and society. Please join me in my fight as I raise money to help fund essential research.
You can donate to Walk Now for Autism by using the link below or by using the donation form and mailing a check made out to Autism Speaks to me. Help me reach my goal of $1000. With your support, we are one step closer!
http://www.walknowforautism.org/seattle/tarheel88
Thank you for taking an important step in the fight against autism. Let’s bring hope to all who deal with the hardships of autism.

Amazing Boy

Our amazing boy! Now 30 lbs!

Maybe a future tight rope walker!

The dog days of summer are here and Jack is busy learning new words every day. He can not only call us Mama & Daddy, he can call us Teresa & Chris! He has great balance & likes to practice by standing & rocking his nursery recliner. Yes, I'm trying to get him to take the book in the picture above...we were trying to get him to hold his book & "read" it to us. Sometimes, if the house is quiet (usually a sign of trouble), we'll find him sitting in the recliner, looking through his books. He's into dinosaurs now and can not only say dinosaur, he can even say "T-Rex".

Even though he has amazing balance and likes to practice it in daring situations, we're always close by!

1st Trip to the Zoo

This week, we had a day off during the week...so we took Jack to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium....his first trip to the zoo. It was a hot day(this is not a complaint!) and Jack was good for about 2 hours. His favorite animal was the reindeer...he actually whimpered when Chris strolled him away, so we went back for a second look. He was a typical 21 month old...running around from place to place....occasionally noticing a sleeping tiger, the back end of an elephant, the fish swimming by. He was also quite entertained by running up/down the paths/slopes, the fencing, rocks, and getting in and out of the stroller multiple times. We went to see the sharks being fed and took the picture above in a replica of a shark's mouth. He is so proud to stand in a shark's mouth...look at that posture, that smile! He was also interested in touching all the teeth and smiling at the children who were walking by.

He's putting more words together and is now saying, "Moo moo, peek a boo. I see cow." Yes, yes, I know...he can look out of any of the windows of the house, anytime of the day and see the cows in the pasture. But this actually is out of a book! He loves books and besides us reading multiple ones a day to him, he is looking through books for his own entertainment. He brought me a children's book about the human body and keeps bringing it back each day. Is is too early for anatomy?

Awaiting 09 UNC Basketball Schedule

Jack misses a "for sure" dunk but goes after his own rebound!

Perfect body positioning for receiving the Alley Hoop pass! Yes, Jack loves to dunk!

Yes, it's mid-August...the time when I'm constanting checking http://www.tarheelblue.com/ for the upcoming basketball schedule...This is the official site of the UNC Athletics & of-course, the Basketball team. We have the roster & I am saying the new names out loud to Jack as he is practicing with his Little Tikes basketball goal. Jack has mastered the dunk on the lowest height, so I have raised it up one notch. This is pretty good for being only (almost) 3 ft tall. We are still working with a non-regulation small ball. What do you expect from a 21 month old? His height has remained in the 90% (meaning he is taller than 90% of all other boys his age).

Do you think I could find Tyler Zeller's growth chart? He's our 7-0 forward..now a sophomore.

Grand Salami

Jack on his potty...yes, it's discreet..we have a "mommy-invented" shield!

All smiles!

We are so in a great space right now. Jack is so fun and saying new words every day. Today he said birdhouse and called me Teresa twice. He's already been yelling "Chris" when he wants his attention (he is great at mimicking his mother)! He is happy & predictably busy but sleeps great at night (much to the delight of his tired parents)! Soon, he'll have 16 teeth all in, with only 2 yr molars to go. He loves to go outside and can go through fences in a flash! He loves books and can identify at least 20 pictures of animals. Chris taught him shark & he already knew fish but calls a shark a shark, so he knows the difference. Today we were working on zebra but half of the time, he still called it a horsey. But he said "stripes", so I was impressed.

I'm impressed most every day, actually. Today, was the 3rd day in a row that Jack peed on the potty before bath. I could go on & on about this, but I'm not trying to potty train him at all. I bought the potty after he started saying poop before he actually pooped and he was paying attention to the fact that he would pee in the tub every night. So, he's very happy with himself...especially with all my fanfare.

Having Jack is the best...we call him our grand slam (or salami)!