Finally, No Pictures of This One

I thought working on a tobacco farm was hard when I was 7.
I thought cleaning up after a hog house full of pigs was hard when I was 13.
I thought going away to college was hard when I was 17.
I thought being a burn nurse was hard when I was 22.
I thought moving 3000 miles away from home was hard when I was 30.
I thought being responsible for premature babies as a nurse practitioner was hard when I was 39.
I thought waiting 10 years to have a baby was hard when I was 41.

But being a parent of a toddler, takes the cake!

Yes, at almost 3.5 years old, Jack, finally pooped in the potty on 5/25!  Yes, we tried bribing him and he did receive the bucket of sand toys that he had picked out!  I don't think anything that we did, made any difference.  He is growing/developing in his own time and not on our schedule.  I am so SICK of changing poopy diapers, especially...after swimming.  Yes, if Jack needs to go, he is relaxed enough to go in his swimmy diaper.  I am the ONLY mother that I have ever seen changing a poopy swimmy!

So Jack, this is for you to know...when you read this, after you grow up....You are one awesome kid!  In so many ways, you have been so easy for your "older" parents....except for potty training!  I keep taking you to swimming b/c you love it so much, but I do not love changing a poopy swimmy diaper.  It is the one thing that turns my stomach & luckily, I always have an empty stomach when we are there.  So if you ever happen to be a competitive swimmer, I hope you will thank me, your mother, for not giving up on your ability to learn to poop in the potty!

By the way, grown up Jack...if you are ever constipated.....I know the best, natural treatment for you...go swimming!  HA, HA!

A Present for Mommy

Jack picked some tulips for Mommy!  The look on his face is the result of our conversation about not picking the flowers yet, so we could enjoy them longer.  My heart melted when he said, "I have a present for you.." & held them out to me.  He was all smiles when he picked out a vase & put water in it to put them on the table.

BTW, Andy Katz, ESPN sports reporter, called my UNC Tarheels, a "sure bet for #1 Preseason 2011"!!!  YIPPEE, November will be here soon...now on to summer!

Wet Jack

Jack loves swimming and going underwater.  He swims around his classmates and stays under up to 10 seconds on his own.  The best swim teacher in the world, Ms. Kristin, is working on having Jack swim as well on top of the water as he can under the water.  Jack loves to watch water polo...the matches coincide with his lessons.   It looks like a challenging sport...I would be challenged to allow Jack to wear the uniform...you can say, briefs!

Tucker & Jack's Blanket

Tucker misses being the 1st & only son!  He doesn't get the attention that he got before Jack came along...here he is with Jack's blanket...otherwise known as, his "baby".  He's a good boy, except when he runs away from home & goes across the street to visit his friend & eat his friend's food!

Happy Mother's Day

Jack loves to cut...of course supervised, is best.  No self haircuts yet.



Yes, I have the best smile for my Mom b/c she says I can do more cutting after she gets one good picture!



Sweet Sixteen

Not much blog passion about the Tarheels, sorry!  You can rest assured that I'm teaching Jack, by example, what it means to be the #1 fan!  We are set to play Marquette tomorrow and if you listen closely, you will hear a transplanted Southerner screaming from a Seattle hilltop!  Let's go Heels!

Tadpole Jack



Learning to float




Swimming underwater toward Ms. Kristin



Learning to keep the "Alligator's" mouth closed (holding hands together)

First Swim Coach--Ms. Kristin & Jack
He absolutely LOVES her!

Jack loves swimming and has been taking lessons since he was about 18 months old.  On most Tues/Thurs evenings, you will find us at the Enumclaw Aquatic Center and more times than not Jack will be the one underwater (hence, hard to take photos of).  About the time he turned 3, he would (spontaneously) swim around his classmates, underwater, and stay under up to 10 seconds.  Do you see a future scuba diver in out midst (like Daddy)?

We LOVE Ms. Kristin, our favorite swim coach.  She has a Jack (& Grace) herself and has a loving, motherly way to push & get the best out of any toddler.  Wow, we are so lucky.  Maybe I should start researching swim & water polo college scholarships????

March Maddening Update

Big, happy smile!



Jack & his Pterodactyl



Tucker & Jack (holding a Giganotosaurus)
It is as it seems...Tucker tolerates (well, I might add), Jack's antics!

 Life at the Myers'

1. Dinosaur collection:  There is a speciality toy store in Issaquah where Jack & Daddy go when Mom is working.  Voila!  Dinosaurs magically appear!  Jack knows all their names and has an elaborate display set up on the coffee table.  *I know, bad blogger, no photo*
2. Potty Training:  All I can say, is Mom & Dad are doing their part.  Jack seems to be waiting for some developmental trigger because giving him a hershey kiss each time he is successful, hasn't worked thus far.  So we will chalk potty training up to being something more difficult for us. 
3. Love, love, love...our family, each other, our boy, our dog, our Tarheels beating DOOK!  Did you hear me screaming?   Life is good.

Kiss Me

Jack is holding up his Valentine's from school

Jack gets excited anytime he thinks he is going to get a "TREAT".  He uses it as a negotiating tactic.  He learned that from us...we use it to "influence" his behavior....ha, ha!  His school had a Valentine's day party and he was so excited to have a cupcake with his friends and exchange Valentine's cards.  But being the #1 girl in his life for just a short time longer...his Mom was the only one who got to kiss her boy!

The Big Red Dog





Taking a nap

Are you finished yet?

Up close & personal :)  Big, beautiful, brown eyes!

The big red dog #2, Tucker, is a very good dog.  He is like The Giving Tree book...despite my lack of capacity to love him like I did Scout, the big red dog #1, he meets me where I'm at....He has taken a silent back seat to all the love and attention given to Jack and he is OK with it.  We have had one rule from the beginning....Tucker is the only one to sleep with Mama & Daddy.  Jack does not have the concept of getting up & coming to get into our bed.  I know that's weird for most parents/kids...but a king size bed can only hold 2 adults & one large dog!

After "helping" me outside, he was more interested in an afternoon nap, not having his picture taken (he takes after Chris in that respect)....He tolerates Jack's toddler antics and tries to stay clear most of the time.  He really is a good dog!



Say Cheese



Big, Big Smile at the Rainier Grill in Enumclaw--Jack's favorite place to eat.  They know us by name and we probably go there at least once a week!

January has flown by with a few twists & turns in the road.  We are enjoying the blessing of spending time together.

 Jack has been growing...still at 36 lbs but slowly moving up to size 4T.  Some of the 3T pants are tight around the waist and the shirts are getting too short.  He is in level P2 in swimming and he is the only 3 year old in his class--the rest are 4.  He loves to swim underwater and he opens his eyes.  He jumps into the pool independently and now tries to reach & pull with his arms with his head down in the water.  We LOVE his teacher Ms. Kristin (who has a Jack of her own)!  We go there on Tues/Thursday evenings.

Jack took Mini-Peak gymnastics in January and it was his first exposure.  Let's just say, he most enjoyed watching the older students nearby and not following the directions/listening to his coach.  We may try a smaller class during the day when the gym is otherwise empty to see how it goes.  If he doesn't participate more, we will just wait a while and try again later.  Here in the rainy Northwest, it is so important to search out some indoor activities to keep active.

We still go to a mother/toddler class on Wednesday mornings, sponsored by Bellevue College Parent Education Program.  Every other week, I have a parent class in a room beside the children's room.  Jack goes from station to station, on his own, and has a great time.  He rarely to never comes to check in with me (like some of the other kids).  I'm happy he is so independent but also sometimes a little sad because he doesn't need me as much.  I know God knew what he was doing because the process of gaining Independence is slow, so the child and the parent can adjust naturally!



Merry Everything!

Jack & Nannie looking out at the Space Needle

It's hard to get a great picture of Jack these days...he takes after Chris in the "I hate my picture taken" category!

Santa came & yes, I got a Buzz Lightyear!  To Infinity & Beyond!

The Myers had a nice holiday season, low key, fun, and restful.  Before Christmas, Nannie Maxine came from NC and loved on Jack for a week.  She is a hard act to follow!  Jack loves to play non-stop with her.  She has lots of experience entertaining (starting in the '60's with me!).  Like always, the time is always too short.

We tracked Santa on the computer but we went to sleep when he was over the Sandwich Islands.  Now, who knows where they are?  Santa was extra generous this year bringing lots of games, puzzles, paint, an easel, and of course, the main attraction...Buzz Lightyear.  I'm reliving my childhood.  Well, at least the childhood that I would have wanted if I had been a boy!

Like Dale Earnhardt

Yummy Birthday Cupcake--last one to eat at home!



Best Birthday picture at Seattle Children's Museum...everyone, including Daddy, had to wear a hat!

Jack loved his birthday!  We talked about turning 3 and sang happy birthday many time in the weeks leading up to the actual day.  You know, I was the one who authored birthday month!  Jack doesn't realize it yet, but he has to share with Jesus, so maybe we'll start the celebration in November.  His friends who came to the party included Alyssa, Liam, Sean, Carson, Mia, & Cruz.  Grandma & Grandpa California (now Buckley) came too.  It was a great day!

All you NASCAR fans will recognize my memorial tribute to Dale Earnhardt...the ultimate #3--RIP.  Since moving to Enumclaw, of course, I root for Kasey Kahne--#9, so maybe when he turns 9, we'll have a NASCAR party.  Or not.



Tis the Season

2010 Christmas Card

Life keeps rolling and the blog has taken a back seat.  At least, you understand my priority for sleep!  Blog posts come & go in my head, and we can say, Life Is Good!  Jack turned 3 years old last Friday & celebrated at preschool with cupcakes & his party was Saturday at the Seattle Children's Museum.  He had more cupcakes, but alas, he mostly only eats the frosting!  It was a grand time, but a little overwhelming for him (hence, the quick exit)!  He has already sat on Santa's lap twice & he wants a Buzz Lightyear & cosmic blaster (I guess it's a Buzz accessory).  More pictures to come!

A paragraph of reflection....3 years ago, we were so joyful and overwhelmed by being new parents.  What a ride, a glorious ride.  It has been the most challenging but rewarding experience of my life.  I'll admit, I'm glad it turned out this way.  I'm sure we could have made it work...if Jack hadn't happened.  But I can't imagine that doing our own thing would have been this great!

Snow on the Plateau



Jack &Tucker running around in the snow! Both liked it for about 5 minutes!



It's snowing!  Jack had already thrown some snowballs and was cold!






It didn't really snow last year, so he didn't remember ever seeing snow.  He didn't like the cold (11 degrees for a low!).

Flight of Ideas

Yes, I did plant sunflowers and God grew this one!  Smile!




Look at those lips & the sparkle in his eyes!

 

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Jack chose to be a "Kitty" when he got his face painted



Sumantra Tiger & her twin cubs



Yes, we are riding a camel!

On a recent outing, Jack & I went to Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma.  Last time, Jack was too young to ride the camel, but he was so excited to finally do it.  After I saw the safety straps (or lack thereof), I decided to ride along.  A camel has a hard hump!  These are docile, domesticated, well-cared for animals and we had a great time.

At the zoo, Jack has a few favorites:

1. seahorses
2. fish feeding
3. elephant bathing
4. penguins with bubbles
5. riding the camel with Mom

Saltwater State Park



Despite cool temperatures, Mom allowed Jack to go barefoot!  You don't get viruses from cold feet, huh?



Action shot of Jack running back from the "little" waves

A rocky, log jam shore on one side of the park

A true Northwesterner...loves cold, wet sand!  As long as it's sunny here, we never complain about being cold or wet!

No bucket or shovel but we always have our hands, right?

What's this, Mom?  Picking up partially buried shells.

We made a recent trip to a local site in Des Moines, WA...Saltwater State Park.  On a sunny, "I'm not going to take a nap day" for Jack...we went for a local adventure.  While September was wet & cloudy...so far, October has been gloriously sunny (as compared to average).

The beauty of the Puget Sound coastline is second to none!  Wow...is all I can say. 

Jack doesn't mind cool wet feet & walking in the sand.  There were a few squeals of protest when I had to dry him off & change wet pants in the back of the car.  But I couldn't say no to him walking in the water & sand.  We had a ball! 

Wandering Blogger, Found

Jack--2 years, 10 months
Looking up into the sun is a learned skill here in the Northwest!

Carson & Jack on a hay ride at the Pumpkin Patch
"Little Brook & Little Teresa"

There have been many blog posts started in my head of late.  There have been non-repeatable responses to computer & camera problems.  And of course, there have been many wonderful days of having fun with Jack, watching him grow & change, and working through the inevitable challenges of being & parenting a 2-year old.

I won't be able to say 2 year old much longer...Jack will be 3 in a mere six weeks.  Where has the time gone?  When I look in the mirror, I choose not to focus on the tired & wrinkled eyes of a 44 year old mother of a toddler...my gaze gravitates toward the sparkle, the twinkling in my eyes as I look at Jack & feel the happiness & gratefulness in my heart for him.

Borrowing from Dr. Suess----Thing # 1  (The Good)

1. Jack now goes to (gasp) daycare every Thursday & Friday.  The gasp was totally from me, not Jack.  He loves going to play & learn and he has surprised us by actually taking a nap on a mat on the floor.  Wow, I have had a glimpse into my future life when Jack won't need me.  It felt both liberating & lonely.  I accomplished so much on my to-do list.  I read a book while I was slowly eating my lunch.  But about every 5-10 minutes, I thought of him.  This will have it's own post very soon!

2.  Jack takes swimming lessons with Miss Kristen on Tues/Thurs evenings.  He is in the Penguins class and he loves to swim underwater.  The kids stand on a table and he actually tried to swim around the other kids, under the water.  I foresee a future scuba diver, which makes Chris very happy.

Thing # 2 (The Not-So-Good)

1.  Jack has no interest in potty training.  Doing my research (as everyone who knows me, would expect), I am not alarmed.  Only 50% of boys are potty trained when they turn 3 years old.  We put him on the potty a couple of times a day and most of the time he says & I quote, "there's no pee in there"!

2.  Swimming, as fun as it is for Jack, is not so fun for Mom.  There is something about swimming that relaxes Jack enough to poop & this is on a regular basis, at least 50% of the time.   There is only 1 thing that has ever turned my stomach as a mother & that is changing a poopy swimmy diaper.  TMI (too much information!)  Enough said.

More, more, more...very, very, soon!



Northwest Trek

Chris & Jack--up close with a moose!

A resting mule deer...look at that rack!

Jack & the Beaver


Summer fun is still in full swing, despite dropping temperatures.  Eat your hearts out (well, actually, we are eating ours out b/c we want more sun/heat)...we had to wear coats on 9/5/10 to our visit to Northwest Trek. 


Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a 725-acre park where we saw bighorn sheep, deer, Roosevelt elk, woodland caribou, mountain goats, bison (really close up)  from our comfortable open air tram while touring the free-roaming area.


Jack had no fear of the animals & slept all the way home!