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.

Jack Loves Water

Jack already acts like a future scuba diver like Daddy...He loves his bath and skin to skin with Mommy. He only cries when he gets out and is getting dried off & dressed. We tried something new last night...I got in the tub and then Mr. Tarheel did the drying/dressing (& a great job at it too!) He stays warm (& modest) with wash cloths over him and I slowly pour warm water over him. Then he smells oh so good. I don't actually look too happy in the "no smile" picture but the lighting is better...so I'll put my "smile" picture here also.

Tucker slept through this on the big green chair by the Christmas tree. Tonight's his turn!

Sweater of Love

Here's Jack, wearing his sweater of love...hand knitted by my wonderful friend--Sara Johnston. You can't see the emblem...but the baby blue hat is a NC Tarheel hat (yes, they are still #1!). Jack has so many wonderful things to wear and I wish I could remember exactly who gave me which items...I also wish I could adequately thank everyone. I have been overwhelmed with so many things that Jack is wearing/using....it's such an honor to have so many people who care about us.

I've always felt cared for and listened to (and boy, can I talk sometimes)....but I feel more comfortable being the giver instead of the receiver. But, even at my age..you're never too old to learn. Here are some things I've learned lately.....

I've learned to smile graciously and say thank you, from the heart.

I've also learned which grunts mean....I need to burp, eat more, I'm making you something stinky in my diaper...& so on, & so forth.

I've learned how wonderful it is to have a husband who has paternity leave and helps you during the night feedings. Even this talker can sit there & cat nap at 0300 instead of solving all the world's problems during the feeding.

I've learned that kissing Jack about a 100 times a day probably won't seem enough when that day comes when my kisses won't be allowed in public...I wish time could stand still for now....but then again, it will be a nice night when I sleep through the night again.

I'm sure each season will have it's joys.

Remember to Smile at Your Baby

No, I didn't take this picture...it's a sample picture from our new computer. Mr. Tarheel has been busy getting everything set up, but loading all the pictures has is still on the un-checked off part of the list. Learning the ins & outs of Vista is a work in progress...so be patient all you blog watchers:)

We're loving on Jack and constantly working to figure out all his needs....the sleep loss is starting to accumulate, so I won't be posting every day anymore. All you who have taken care of a newborn 24/7 will understand, I'm sure.

Jack updates: 12/27 weight 9 lbs, 6oz---the beautiful boy is getting bigger by the day. He loves to sit in his swing & even takes cat naps there. Tucker ignores him as he's going back & forth.

We're addicted to our baby monitor and it even has a belt clip...Jack makes grunts/groans while he's sleeping but we're figuring out what it sounds like when he's really waking up. I still wander in the nursery from time to time to see just how beautiful he is as he's sleeping. He definitely likes to wake up slow and enjoys his mobile music (Bach, Beethoven, Mozart) while he's waking up. I'm always saying...wake up sleepy head...and when he opens his eyes, I give him a big smile and tell him how much I love him.

Speaking of smiling at your baby...I took a class in school called Infant Mental Health (I know what you may be thinking but actually, I learned alot in the class). I read a study that said that parents smile less at their first born than later children. So, hence, I try to remember to smile more....just a little tid bit of possible useless information for you. Since Mr. Tarheel & I are both first born and we turned out just great...I'm sure it doesn't affect too many people negatively.

Happy Holidaze 2007

Here's Jack, under the Christmas tree. Our precious gift from God....His shirt says "#1 on Santa's List". He's wearing shoes for the first time too. There are so many firsts...first Christmas for him, but he won't remember that he didn't get any presents from his Mom & Dad...there's nothing whatsoever, he needs...his life is already filled with contentment.

Last night, we took him out to eat at a restaurant...he slept the entire time. We did our customary drive around Enumclaw....looking at Christmas lights. Like last year and in year's past, we saw families gathering together for holiday dinners and celebrations. It's hard living so far from your family during the holidays...but I didn't feel a sad undertone like in the year's past. Mr. Tarheel & I agreed....we were a family...the little girl, the little boy, and the big red dog. But now, with Jack...it's so much sweeter.

Here's the Christmas letter, written before Jack was born...for all of you who don't receive my Christmas letter. I write it like a children's story with us as the characters. And of course, Tucker, is the big red dog!

Happy Holidaze 2007

“Wow, what a year,” thought the big red dog, as he begged the little boy for some turkey and dressing. He knew he had so much to be thankful for, as he performed his new trick of sitting for a slice of salami. He remembered the look of amazement on their faces as the little girl’s stomach & ankles grew bigger and bigger. After all the patient waiting, the little girl and the little boy told him that he finally was going to be a 4-legged big brother. “What does that mean,” he thought? Even though he didn’t yet understand how fun it would be to have a 2-legged little brother, when he saw the smiles on their faces and the love in their eyes, he knew this was going to be a really wonderful thing!

The little boy and the little girl were planning to name his baby brother Jack, and told him that he would be born very soon, before Christmas time. The road had been long but persistence, determination, and hope had kept them going. It was a true miracle for their family of three as the little girl and the little boy looked at their big red dog. Because of high blood pressure, the little girl couldn’t go to work and had to rest since the end of summer. The big red dog loved this because he took naps with her and the little girl had more time to scratch his belly than ever. The little boy took very good care of both of them. The big red dog had always wanted his own little baby brother. The big red dog couldn’t wait for Jack to grow up enough to show him all the treasures on the farm in the great Northwest, with a view of the snow covered mountain. They were going to have so much fun together!

The big red dog had lots of fun chasing the new red mama and baby cows and running around the big red barn. He didn’t like it when the new electric fence bit him (and the little boy laughed) or when he got in trouble for running across the road to play with his friend. He loved being king of his green chair and even paid attention to some of the sports that the little girl was always watching. He liked it when the little boy would let him sit on the couch as long as his front paws stayed on the floor. The big red dog would give them the biggest look of love possible with his big brown eyes and he knew they were the best little boy and little girl that a big red dog could have!

The little boy still protected the good people from the bad people and the little girl would go back to helping new families being born in the hospital on the hill overlooking the water. But very soon, when they were all at home together, instead of being just the little boy, the little girl, and the big red dog…they were going to have a new baby Jack to join them—finally a family of four. My, oh my, this would even be more happiness than the little girl’s Tarheel basketball team being ranked #1 or the little boy’s joy of driving his boat over the Snake River rapids. The happiest day of their lives was fast approaching!

Our dream come true…baby Jack Christopher is due 12/22/07 but we are expecting him a little early…check Teresa’s blog for more information at http://www.tarheel88.blogspot.com/

Blessings to you at Christmas and throughout 2008!

Serious Look

Here's that serious face look that I was talking about yesterday. He has even made me laugh by sticking out his bottom lip when he's seriously pondering something...like why he has to burp or wait for 30 seconds for his most urgent need to be met!

Appreciating Jack

Jack likes it when his fingers magically find themselves in his mouth. It's not on purpose yet and I see the surprise in his eyes, followed by lots of sucking. In this picture, he looks like he's contemplating something...he routinely has a thoughtful look on his face. Sometimes, he looks quite serious...especially when he's first waking up or ready to eat.

I'm settling in a little. I'm not surprised anymore when I go into the nursery (Wow, there's a nursery in my house!) and there, sleeping or crying, is my little baby Jack. It felt like a dream for awhile but I've never heard of a dream lasting this long. I still tell myself sometimes....this is real! I'm wondering if my feelings of appreciation for this gift is average or above average from how other people feel. I'm not talking about love...I don't doubt every parent feels this fierce love inside...the kind that doesn't hesitate to step in front of a bullet that's headed for your child. I'm talking about the appreciation....the realization that this event....parenthood....could have easily not been in the cards for you. Then I tell myself...and all those of you out there who are still in the trenches or those of you who had the dreaded unplanned pregnancy...keep playing your cards, keep searching for your path on your journey....All our journey's are different and I suppose I don't have to compare myself to everyone else's level of appreciation. All I know is, I won't be taking this gift of baby Jack for granted.

Enjoying the Boppy

Jack is starting to like his boppy and we do short sessions of tummy time. He practices his baby gymnastics and is working out his neck and back muscles. Afterwards, he enjoys sitting around in the boppy and has even fallen asleep there. Here he is in front of the Christmas tree but you can only see the railroad track of the Lionel train in the picture...I'll get a nice picture of the entire scene for a future posting. The neatest "kid" to watch is Tucker when the train is going....he hasn't figured out the train yet and runs back and forth when the train is going...at least he's getting some indoor exercise on our rainy days.

Brothers: One 4-legged & One 2-legged

Tucker is adjusting to his new brother Jack. The first day home, he was a little nervous but never aggressive. Now, he's settled in and is gentle. He gets up at night to help feed Jack. He usually sits on his chair and waits until we go back to bed...with his eyes closed. He uses the opportunity to go outside & potty. Since he's already 4 1/2 years old, maybe this is the reason for such fast understanding. Or maybe he innately knows that this little brother will bring him great joy over the rest of his life. Also, we haven't changed any of Tucker's routine...the big red dog still sleeps in the big bed, between the little girl and the little boy. Jack prefers his crib, so that's made it really easy.

Jack Looking at Mom at 2 weeks Old

Here's Jack looking at me...He has several very alert times each day and really takes in his environment. He especially seems to like my voice (even the loud version). He likes to have his hands mid-line & clasps them together well. Of course, I think he is a brilliant baby! Each day is one happy day after another, especially with Christmas fast approaching:)