Hunting for Hugs

Daddy Tarheel took Jack to the new, big Cabela's store and Jack got his first hunting hat...you can't read it but it says...Hunting for Hugs! Mommy asked where was the orange hat that keeps a person from being the target of another hunter? Mommies have a different agenda when it comes to hunting...but she can forsee future October trips without her boys...maybe involving her sisters and best friends and a beach somewhere....

Wearing Cereal

Jack's eating cereal, or rather, wearing it...We're learning to prepare it....this time, it was a little too runny. Yes, that's a Florida Gator image on his bib (thanks Kim, my Gator friend). Yes, Jack can be a Gator except when they are playing the Tarheels...& I'm holding a grudge against them for winning 2 national championships in a row...(no fair)...

Our big boy is almost 6 months old....I feel that time is going in fast forward and I want to slow it down, but I can't. If I could, I'd stop the march across our faces too....

We Remember--Memorial Day 2008

Old Glory against the beautiful Northwest Sky!

All gave some, but some gave all...Jack & I took a drive today to Tahoma National Cemetery...the resting place for many, many heros. We walked around section 7, reading the stones....I had researched the location for SFC Nathan Ross Chapman...killed in action on 1/4/02. I remember seeing the picture of him and his family in the paper taken shortly before his deployment...I pledged never to forget his and his family's sacrifice.

We saw a 2nd Ranger Bn scroll & I remembered my year in Savannah, GA when Mr. Tarheel was there....

We ran across another hero...a police hero....

King County Sheriff's Deputy Richard Herzog was killed in the line of duty on 6/22/02 and was retired Army Special Forces. Jack & I only had one flag to leave..so we left it here....remembering...& thankful for their sacrifice.

Jack & Daddy

Jack & Daddy....& there's Tucker's back & his Ridge...all having fun together!

Happy Birthday Grandma Myers

Today is a very special someone's birthday....Grandma Myers! She is so sweet and loves us so much....We hope you have a great birthday! Since Jack can't talk yet, except to say WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, we wrote out a sign that he was so happy to hold!

Jack's New Talent

Here's Jack's belly and Jack....

Jack grabs and holds his feet...he likes his big toes alot! He can only do this with his diaper off though. He's quite proud of himself! Notice the strategic burp cloth placement...this blog is rated G!

Tucker & Jack

My, oh, my...here's the first picture of our month old bull calf...product of #38 and Buffalo Creek's Cherokee Canyon...yeah, yeah, yeah, you say...it's another cute red cow! We would've rather had a girl...you know....b/c they can have calves and baby bulls usually go to that pasture in the sky (AKA, my freezer)....OK, that's enough cow talk....On to Jack talk...

Here's a rare, hard to get picture of both Tucker and Jack....Tucker is smiling (AKA panting) and Jack isn't...Jack wonders...why does my Mommy disappear behind that big, black Nikon?

It's another (well, actually, the 2nd) nice summer day on the farm....

Hot Weather Ramblings

The new bath tub seat...notice, the "I'm not so sure I like this" look!

Jack has been sitting with support for awhile now, but here he is in his Bumba seat with play tray...it's great to keep those mooing cow toys within reach!

Concentration, extraordinaire! Maybe his thought is..."but my cows are red, not black & white!"

Every day is a new adventure and yesterday, we were off to one of our rare shopping trips to Babies*R*Us. I think I've spoken about this before, in my past infertile life, but for an infertile, going to this mega store is like a knife in the heart. When I was pregnant, it was mostly about feeling overwhelmed about deciding how much baby equipment and supplies to register for or buy.

Now, I'm one of the "other" types of people in the store...the mothers with the lists, the diaper bags, the intermittently ignored, whining baby...securely strapped in, of course. The women on a time-constrained mission. There is no browsing in my life. There is a baseline sense of urgency that permeates, even my creativity for blog posting (yes, it's 0544 in the morning, and I am enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee)....

So here we were....I saw other mothers there....there were brand new ones, who I had a very kind smile for...the smile that says, I know what you are going through and yes, despite your weariness, the love you have for your baby will get you through the long newborn days. The toddler mothers had a different smile for me...one that says, just you wait, when your son can scream "NO" louder than any other child.

We tried the new bath tub seat but Jack's not so sure about that one...I think he prefers to lay back so he can kick. Plus, he didn't want anything to do with the strategically placed whale that I needed to use to be discreet during his photo shoot.

Summer's here in the Northwest!~ Thanks to everyone who doesn't live here, but keeps up with our weather for us....you know who you are....celebrate with us when it's warmer than 60, but we don't have to keep discussing our rain for the rest of the 8 months of the year. The rain gets long and old and until you have been here, done that, you probably won't realize how we really don't want to keep talking like a broken record about the gray, wet weather.

Oh, by the way, Jack got hot yesterday for the first time in his life. Yes, really, hot...like sweating. He screamed, so I don't think he liked it. But he likes air conditioning...that lucky boy!

Swinging Jack

Jack is almost too big for his swing...but it still works to entertain and rock him...so we're keeping it for awhile longer. He loves to watch the circular mobile above him and he listens to the music....I know he is listening, b/c as soon as the music stops...he lets out a protest whine for us to restart it. He really does have 2 intelligent adults very well trained. Now, he will focus on one of the "flying fish" on the mobile and follow it all the way around...this involves tilting his head back a little....like in the picture. It's so funny to watch! He has a Tarheel88 look on his face...you know the mouth is slightly open because the level of concentration is so high....that's the look that I have when I have deep concentration.

Oh, by the way, have you noticed....green is his favorite color!

Annointed One

Here's Jack after his dedication at church on Mother's Day...he doesn't look too interested here, but he was actually very attentive and smiley....He didn't cry while Pastor Scott was talking about what his name meant...Annointed One... and looked out into the audience with interest. We're so blessed to have such a wonderful church family who have embraced and supported us throughout the pregnancy and since Jack was born. Thank you!

He wore a flannel shirt for the first time and looked so cute...and his 6-12 month Robez (navy & red...one with a football helmet and one with a football..GO SEAHAWKS! & thank you Aunt Joan!).

Jack was so generous with his Mother's Day present of new (nice) sunglasses...a pair of polarized Smith's...for once, Tarheel88's sunglasses didn't come from Rite Aid. Now, let's see how long I can keep from breaking them. Hopefully summer will be here soon in the Northwest!

There's Nothing Like a Mother & Her Son

Today's one of those days long hoped for, long dreamed about. The first Mother's Day of a new Mom....For so long, I was only a Mom-Wanna-be...Now, b/c of patience, perserverence, lots of money, and Jack...I am a Mom! Motherhood is so many things that I knew it would be, and so many other things that I never even considered. I knew I would have my Ah-Ha moments...that I had finally arrived at my destination or the end of a long, hard journey. I never dreamed of the ferocity or intensity of the love that you have for your child. I didn't consider the endurance and hard work that's required of motherhood. I never knew it would be so fun!

Jack rolled over (from tummy to back) on Friday...you know, of course, it was while I was at work and he was with Mr. Tarheel. Jack hasn't enjoyed tummy time very much but Mr. Tarheel put him down under his "gym" and he immediately rolled over, and over, and over...a total of 3 times. Now, I tried to get him to do it the next day....he would just look up at me, like in the picture above, and laugh and laugh and laugh. So much for Jack trying to impress his mother. I'll have to wait for him to get a little older to encourage him to perform his tricks after I get home from work!

Jack @ 5 months

Here's Jack @ 5 months old...he loves to laugh and put his fingers in his mouth. He's one happy baby!

Quack Quack Jack

Here's Jack in his thick, soft, Duck towel...after Mr. Tarheel gave him a nice long bath. He loves to put his 1st/2nd fingers in his mouth now and he's drooling constantly. I never knew a baby could drool through so many bibs in one day. I bought some of the water proof ones and they work better. No teeth yet...but Jack loves to put a cold teether in his mouth.

Here's some things Jack's doing now:

1. He's sleeping 8-10 hours a night with at least 2 naps a day...YIPPEE!
2. He found his ears and pulls on them sometimes...like, WOW, what's this? I looked into them with my otoscope (yes, I bought an otoscope, so I would know when to take him in if he gets an ear infection)...his ear drums are perfect....like the rest of him.
3. Some hairs on the top of his head are growing...I can comb it over and my boy looks so OLD. I'm already missing the new baby fuzz look. The hair over his ears is touching his ears now.
4. Tummy time is still a struggle....I let him go until he lets out a ear-piercing, horror movie scream...then I give in and turn him over....of course, I'm right there, trying to play with him...but usually to no avail.
5. He's 5 months old tomorrow.....I can't believe it is passing so quickly. A year ago, on 5/3/07, we saw Jack's heart beating for the first time....so one year ago today, I was a ball of nerves. A year has passed and my life is grand!

Mothers (Day) Month began yesterday...yes, I'll be celebrating for a month. An entire month, I say...because after so long of being a "Wanna-be mother"...I'm actually, yes, a mother. Some special people send me mother's poems/emails and of course...I usually cry. It (motherhood) is so much more (of many things) than I ever imagined.....I'm working on getting Mr. Tarheel on board for Mother's month...I've tried to entice him with promises for his Father's month..so we'll see how much celebration is in store for me.

You know there's usually a song in my head...and today's song is...Celebration...you know, by Kool & the Gang...I danced to this at my prom. Yes, the prom that I went to with my cousin....now that is a whole other posting...

There's a party going on 'round here,

A celebration, to last throughout the year

So bring your good times

And your laughter too

Cause we're going to celebrate this party with you

Come on, Celebrate good times, Come on

Maybe, that's right because I didn't look it up...that's how it is in Tarheel88's mind....

Tall Fauxhawk

It's a little hard to see, but Jack has a Mommy-styled "faux" hawk...a play on the word Mohawk, but it's fake (faux) b/c he still has hair on the sides of his head. He's happy here, with his tongue sticking out. He's happy most of the time, unless he's hungry, tired, or bored.

It's happened...you know one of those firsts....he was afraid of someone who he knows...& cried. It's happened 3 times within the last week....like the beginning of stranger anxiety. When the person in question, smiles, talks to him, or I hand him over to be held...he looks at me with sad eyes and the mouth opens first and then the crying/screaming begins. The word that comes to mind.....is

DEPENDENCY

I could do an entire posting on this concept...both the wonderful and not so wonderful repercussions of having another person needing you for everything....but suffice it to say, most of the time, I'm OK with it. I dreamed of Jack and nurturing him but never thought through what dependency really meant. From someone who has sought out independence and highly values the concept...it's a 180 degree turnaround. The catalyst is love...meeting their needs is just something you do when you love someone as much as you love your child....

Laughing Jack & Tarheel News

Laughing Jack & Aunt Robin...guess who's making him laugh...none other than his wonderful mother...Tarheel88~!

Well, there's the good news & the bad news...which one do you want to hear first? OK, I know most of you are the glass half full kind of people....so we'll go with the good news first...

Tyler Hansbrough....UNC Tarheels National Player of the Year is coming back to school next year.....yes, he will probably be a role player, not a star in the NBA. He'll have a long, profitable career, barring any injury. But, isn't it great that he feels he hasn't met his goal of being National Champions yet! And a nice college degree from the FIRST state university (that's first out of all 50)...will only enhance his life! What a role model!

The bad news...Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington have said they are eligible for the NBA draft in June...but they aren't hiring agents, so they can come back to school if desired. Now, I don't pray negative prayers, but I really would like to see them come back...so maybe it won't be a lucrative as they are planning. We'll see!

Yes, our boy is predictably sleeping over 8 Hours at night now...now that's something to write about. We will survive! I know so many have done it before, but I have to say....when you're over 40, like us, it is more challenging to be sleep-deprived. So don't tell me you know how we feel because most of you were worrying about teenagers when you were over 40....we will be in our mid-50's then & I'm sure we'll definitely have forgotten what it's like to be a teenager....Poor Jack!

Love In the House

I'm singing in my head...which sounds better than out loud because I can't carry a tune in a bucket with directions on the handle...but the lyrics go like this...





Love is in the house and the house is packed


It's so darn full, I left the back door cracked.






Here's Auntie RaRa (short for Robin, not Roberta Penelope) and Uncle Kerry (which Tarheel88 can say without moving her lips, I have many talents)....Jack loves them so much!





Speaking of lyrics/music...Mr. Tarheel is exposing Jack to many different genres of music, courtesy of iT*nes....here's some examples of what they are listening to this week:

1. I Was Made for Loving You (Kiss)
2. Gunpowder & Lead (Miranda Lambert)
3. We're An American Band (Grand Funk Railroad)
4. Papa Was a Rolling Stone (Temptations)---Tarheel 88's fav
5. Rock It (Herbie Hancock)
6. I Can't Stand It (Eric Clapton)
7. Last but not least...I have no embarrassment whatsoever about this because Jack loves to dance to this one...Ice Ice Baby (Vanilla Ice)

First Scratch

First scratch...look under his left eye...we felt so bad. So now, we trim his nails more often....He's on his way in training his parents!

So Much Love, So Little Time

Aunt RaRa and Uncle Kerry came for a 4 day visit and Jack had lots of fun getting held & held & kissed & kissed. I love being with my wonderful sister because she listens as I talk & talk & talk. We understand each other in so many ways....plus, I have been jumping up and down (mainly on the inside) because....Robin is pregnant!!! Little "Peanut" is due in November and that means Jack will have another cousin to play with!

Jack's Favorite Book

Jack likes books and this is his favorite...see the dog on the front. A bone with velcro is in his mouth and is attached on a string to be used on each inside page....a brilliant idea! Thanks Carol!

His other favorite is Pat the Bunny...now, I thought Pat was the bunny's name before I read the book 100 times. The title actually means...pat or rub the bunny and it is a furry cut out of a bunny's body for the child to rub. I now know my first book by heart and can even critique the illustrations (Judy's body isn't in proportion to her Dad....for all of you who have seen it). We read books every day together and he seems to like it...or is it that I think it's important, so I'm projecting this onto him? Anyway, he appears to like it....he stares at each page and even tries to turn the pages. I don't think he knows how to read yet, but I'm watching for the first sign of word recognition....

Early Morning Happy Jack

Would Suzanne Somers recommend a thigh master in this case?

Our beautiful son, blowing bubbles...