Another Joyous Journey

In case it wasn't obvious...

2011-07-01T13:03:00.000-07:00

I'm still blogging, just in a different place!

For those of you who haven't noticed the heads' up on my sidebar --->

I'm now writing HERE ;)

p.s. I moved over in mid-June, so be sure to get caught up!

Cheers, Clink!

2011-06-16T07:27:00.000-07:00

Instead of getting too sappy or emotional (which I am often inclined to do)...

I opted to use the words of Jackson Van,

CHEERS, CLINK!

Here's to another 4 (x 15?) more years ;)

Happy Anniversary, my love!

Funny Little Man

2011-06-12T20:34:00.000-07:00

Jackson has a truly great-- though sometimes trying-- sense of humor.

Today on our walk I had to hide a giggle-- and gag reflex-- as Adam instructed Jack on the consequences of putting EVERYTHING directly into his mouth, when Jack repeated,

"Yuck! No tasty. Bird poo not in mouth."

I came home to jot down the moment, and realized that I have had this post sitting in my draft box for quite awhile.

At long last, I give you...

(some of) Jackson's latest Darndest Things to say:

A man walked past us in the halls at church and Jackson-- unprompted-- piped up, "Morning" (4/3)
When I bring out Jackson's toothbrush he tells you he needs, "Tape! Tape!" (toothpaste)
We had some unsweetened whipping cream needing to be used, so I let Jack have a dollop on his cereal; "Cake and Frosting! Mmmmm" was his reply. (4/6)
While out card shopping for Adam's birthday, Jack spotted a winner: "Oh this one. So cute!" (4/7)
During an afternoon on the backsteps with chalk, "Draw a turtle, Mommy. Here!" (4/8)
Completely out of nowhere, "Robot Dinosaurs!!" -- which we later found out was from Mighty Machines. (4/12)
On the way back from Santa Barbara, an exhausted Jackson begged Adam for "More 'Give it Back' Daddy'"-- to repeat a Jack Johnson song. (4/17)
Exclamation proving that Jackson is definitely my son: "Wowza!" (4/23)
As Adam and Jack worked on the drain in the bathroom, Jack shouted to me, "Mommy. Need pliers! Fix the bathtub." (4/25)
Laying in the corner, Jackson started saying "Ha-sheez, Ha-sheez"... he was snoring (4/25)
You know your child is capable of sleeping, but refusing to, when you go to soothe him and he tells you, "Where is it?! Chupa! Right here! On the ground" (4/26)
Absolute hilarity. We finished dinner and were talking when Jackson burst out, "All done, kids!" (4/27)
Reading a Spot book with Adam, Jack was asked what the bear was eating. Instead of honey, Jackson replied, "Bear eating hummus" (4/28)
At the zoo for his birthday, Jackson got a rice crispee treat to snack on, causing him to whisper, "AWESOME!" (5/1)
While opening presents at Nana's, Jack received work trucks-- "Sweeeeeet!" (5/3)
First impatient shout of "MOM!" (5/7)
While baking banana bread I let Jackson taste the batter-- "Hmmm, pretty good!" (5/9)
Walking into Jackson's room as we woke up from a nap, he mimicked me saying, "Hi bubba! Missed you!" (5/11)
Another exclamation to prove he is my son: "Oh goodness!"
Upon getting caught red-handed: "Jackson Van!... {last name}!" (5/18)
The day after sailing, we asked Jack what his favorite part was: "Boat! Granna, Grampa! PRETZELS!" (5/29)
Not sure what correlation he was making, but Jack picked up my phone and said, "Hello. Jamie. Sister" (5/30)
Adam asked what we should name a baby if we have one soon-- "Jackson, too" (6/1)
We're still trying to figure out how he knows about guns, but after hearing the crash of a garbage truck in the distance, Jack got very concerned and said, "I heard gun!" (6/6)
While playing house, Jackson stepped on his baby doll-- "I hurt Donna. Baby Donna crying." I guess she has a name? (6/7)
Copying my parents who say No Way, Jose-- "No Wezay"! (6/9)
Jack can name just about every kind of construction equipment there is, but he continues to call excavators "actuators."
Watching a Maurice Sendak book on tape, Jack will tell you that "Naked Mickey says 'Cockadoooo!'" (6/11)
Yesterday I coughed and Jackson came running over, held out his sippy cup as an offering, and said, "Mommy. Take sip. Okay?" (6/11)

Jackson's speech isn't the only thing keeping us in stitches... add to it his dancing, jumping, singing, walking backwards, galloping, tip-toeing around... and I find myself rushing for the camera or a notepad all the time ;)

One thing's for sure... this little man is F-U-N-N-Y!

FF: Squealin'

2011-06-10T05:47:00.000-07:00

You may have heard (or read) me say that Jackson doesn't laugh much.

The kid SMILES for days, but LAUGHTER?

It's saved for special stuff ;)

Have a squealin' good

Flippin' Friday!

What can I say

2011-06-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

Jack loves to hug and kiss.

What can I say, he's a ladies' man.

(though truth be told, he'll getcha regardless of gender!)

(scoping out the hotties... or just the flowers ;)

I can't complain.

I'm his momma... the more the better!!

However, we are trying to get Jackson to ASK about hugs before tackling every little friend in sight with a giant "squuezum."

And apparently the childcare workers are trying to solve the kissing issue, because this morning when Jack went to plant one on my lips, he pulled back mid-suction to say,

"Oh, ya. Cheek!" before redirecting his aim.

I have to admit, I was sad.

I understand that we can't be spreading germs all around the church, and of course there will come a day when we DON'T encourage such affection with classmates, but

Mommy needs her little boy's love!

Hopefully he'll be able to grasp the concept,

lips are for family, cheeks are for friends ;)

25 Months

2011-06-02T07:07:00.000-07:00

I don't plan on keeping up with these "monthday" posts, however...

this morning as I snapped photos of my cute little man and giggled at his quirks,

I realized that it is, in fact, his 25-monthday ... so why not?!

lining up his cheerios to count them, "1, 2, 3, 2, 5!"

being a "mailman"

playing with "little bear"... his new fav buddy

finally, a smile!

p.s. He put the hat on himself ;)

When life hands you lemons...

2011-06-01T05:31:00.000-07:00

Make babies?!

The possibility of this decision required lots of prayer, as a) we are about 6 months shy of our "this would be the logical time to make a baby" date (which, coincidentally, is when Jackson Van appeared on the scene;) b) our finances are still up in the air, c) Adam's job is still not as stable as we would like it to be, and d) we paid a pretty penny for a 5-year IUD, which we would be opting out of almost 3.5 years early.

However, after another problem has resulted from my IUD, we (along with my doc and family) have decided that the Lord is probably giving us a sign: it's time to take that thing out! because e) I only get one lifespan and one uterus for having babies!

Sure, we can continue using other forms of birth control once the device is removed, but after a year of asking God about the "right time" to have another baby, we're feeling like this might just be it.

And so, with equal parts excitement and anxiety, I called the doctor to schedule my appointment! The soonest they can see me is July 7, but because I'm somewhat "at risk" with the device being left in, they will let me know if anything opens up sooner.

I must say, although painful infections are not the sweetest of things,

the end result of a baby is ;)

This

2011-05-23T20:24:00.000-07:00

Not to follow sweet with sour, but this is about what I felt like by bedtime today.

I mean it in the most loving of ways (possible), but...

How does so much motion and noise come out of such a tiny creature?!

Giddy

2011-05-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

I don't know WHY exactly...

but I feel giddy tonight.

The boy gave me THE BIGGEST "squeezem" hug and kiss as I put him to bed.

The mister and I are taking care of business (for real-- paper work-- get your mind out of the gutter!).

And for some reason, I feel like the Lord is giving us a big,

"Hey, don't worry so much. I've got this covered."

I love the Lord.

I love my curious child.

I love my husband.

I love my family.

I love my friends.

And I am just letting that permeate my mood!

Have a great week everyone!

Come cold or rain...

2011-05-17T13:17:00.000-07:00

Between the crazy kookaburra that Jackson has been,

and the celery with almond butter for lunch,

there were no ands, ifs, or buts about it...

We were going outside today!

Taking a lunch break in HIS house, of course.

L
atest fav game (seen above and below):
"Find Jackson"

"Lounging!"

"MOUTH FULL OF APPLE!!"

(sidenote: this child chomping on an entire apple is, in fact, the same one who shouts

"Cut it, Mommy!" if a piece of food is any larger than half an inch:)

Irony

2011-05-14T20:35:00.000-07:00

Right now we're praying... with tears in our eyes on a daily basis... because at the start of the month we envisioned a baby... real soon...

But after reviewing everything...

we're left feeling like all baby plans for our fam are shot to pieces...

What I can't get past...

is that health insurance-- the thing that's supposed to HELP with the "medical medical" of life (using a highly technical term from a friend;) -- is the PRIMARY HINDRANCE to us having another child anytime in the near future...

Ad's self-employed, so the monthly premiums (ranging $350-1900) aren't a walk in the park... but it's meeting the deductible ($10,000+ for spanning 2011-2012) that really turns a baby into an impossibility...

*le sigh*

FFF: (Not-so) Unordinary Find

2011-05-13T13:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday after putting Jackson down for his nap, I returned to the kitchen only to find…

A frontloader keeping watch on our loads of laundry!

This might seem odd in anyone's home but ours ;)

*FFF= Friday Foto Fun

Simple Pleasures

2011-05-11T15:35:00.000-07:00

We picked up Adam from the airport last night, and he decided today we should celebrate my belated Mother's Day ;)

* Adam got up with Jack at 6 and brought him into bed so we could all cuddle for a bit.
* They let me "sleep in" (aka, listen to them be silly) and enjoy the flowers in my bedroom-- compliments of my lovely Mama-- while Ad gave Jack breakfast (banana muffins I made the other day in cute mini-muffin-tins, also given by my Mama).

* He watched Jackson while I went to my Spin/Abs class at the gym, meaning that...
* I got to shower right after class (as opposed to my usual: rushing to pick up the boy and then hanging out in my stench until I can cram in a shower at naptime), and then...
* I headed to the market BY MYSELF, which allowed me to take time in trying out our new grocery/menu program (more on that later).
* When I got home to unload groceries with the help of Sir Jack, Adam touched base with work stuff in the office, and then we all walked to lunch at a yummy local taco place-- compliments of the Visa Gift Card from my sweet mother-in-law!

* After Jack went down for his nap, I caught up on paperwork/emails, then prepped dinner in my fab new handmade apron-- compliments of some of the crafty women in my MOMs (Ministry of Motherhood) group at church!

Other simple pleasures of today included...

* Doing dishes while eying my beautiful custom painted frame featuring the artist himself:

* Opening a few of our newly organized/lined drawers (one of my projects while Adam was away):

* Discovering that our latest bout of sleep-deprived nastiness may be the result of HARK! A two-year molar!

* Washing the car and enjoying the sunshine with my little helper Bean!

A GREAT (continued) Mother's Day, indeed!

Sidenote: I decided to document this day for memory on those not-so-great days.

It's amazing how much more smoothly our family functions when we are all intact.

Thank you, Adam, for being here...

and well, for being there-- away on business, providing for our family-- too ;)

We know love

2011-05-08T21:13:00.000-07:00

The women I know as mother-- the ones my son knows as Nana and Granna?

My yoga-mama smothering the Jackster with hugs.

Adam's yachting-mama squeezing extra kisses from Jackaroo.

The child whose face makes me melt?

We know love.

Thank you Lord for the moms that continue to shape my life,

and the son that has made me a Mommy.

I could not ask for more.

Wishing all of the mothers out there a wonderful Mother's Day!

(especially those with new babes-- you know who you are ;)

He's no Jack Lalanne, but...

2011-05-06T20:49:00.000-07:00

He does DRINK his veggies!

Jackson doesn't have issues with all veggies (as I have been told some toddlers do), however he is particular, and I can't blame him.

Steamed greenbeans are better warm.

Roasted carrots are, too.

Corn is more fun on the cob.

Edamame beans are yummy in salads.

Cauliflower should be sauteed with olive oil.

Zucchini is nice on a skewer.

Peppers are boosted with dip.

Celery is great in a stir-fry.

Onions are best when caramelized.

The list goes on.

Now, look down that list again...

Which of these items are good as finger food in the car/ grocery cart/ stroller/ lunch box?

NONE!

This is our primary problem with veggies and Jackson:

He likes veggies the way I cook them at dinner-- not as cold sticks packed in a ziploc.

But when we go and go and go from 6am (if not earlier) until 12-1pm, the majority of Jack's food is snack-sized fruit/carbs/dairy (in that order, actually). Then he naps, wakes up, adjusts, plays, and often "yikes" everything in sight around 4:30pm, when it is obviously not time for dinner... so you Give [the] Mouse a Cookie (not really, but I couldn't resist:) to tide him over, and when dinner rolls around at 6pm-- and the veggies ARE made to his liking-- he's no longer hungry. Nor is he interested in spooning a jar of vegetables.

Awesome!

So what's a nutrition-obsessed Mommy to do?

(aside from baking zucchini bread, carrot muffins, and other veggie-laced starch dishes)

Well, as the weather heats up, who wants hot veggies anyway?

And what toddler isn't all about experiential eating? (i.e. if it's FUN, they're IN!)

Therefore, instead of homemade juice-popsicles in the afternoon as a post-nap treat, we're milkshakin' it up!

You will need:

a blender

ice cube trays

V8 fusion/ Eating Right/ or other vegetable-fruit juice

4 oz. vanilla yogurt (preferably one low in sugar like YoBaby)

4 oz. pureed mixed veggies

1/2 banana or berries (optional-- I usually only add the extra when Jack has missed his morning nutrients)

Step 1. (the night before)

Take the juice and dumb it down with water into ice cube trays, for all you mommies who have kids that "don't do juice". You still want the sweetness, just not quite so WHOA!

Plus, this stretches it out for all you frugal mommies ;)

Step 2. (day of)

Place 4 of your juice cubes into a blender.

Add your yogurt, vegetable jar, the optional fruit, and whip it up!

Step 3.

Present your toddler the, "YYYUUUMMMYYY!!! MILKSHAKES!!!!!" and enjoy!

These shakes are easy, tasty, and (once poured in a wide-spout sippy) GREAT for life on the go!

Thanks Doc!

2011-05-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

We had Jackson's 2-year checkup today, which went really well.

The doctor loved seeing his progress, the nurses hated giving him shots, Jack forgave them after receiving 4 dinosaur stickers, and were on our way! It's bizarre to think we're past the point of weekly/monthly/tri-yearly checkups and good-to-go for another year!

*though as the Mommy of a "boy's boy" I have a feeling we'll be in sooner ;)

Here are Jack's latest stats:

Height: 33.75" (25-50th percentile)

Weight: 26 lbs 3 oz (10-20th percentile)

Transformed

2011-05-03T15:24:00.000-07:00

The few nights surrounding Jackson's birthday I laid in bed crying and reminiscing...

Jackson is now 2.

How are his first two years of life already over, and never to be repeated?

The memories we've made are so wonderful,

but it's sad to see how fast the time has gone.

It's incredible to feel so comfortable in the family God has given us,

and weird to even try to remember what life was like before we were parents.

3 short years ago I was just going about life, working, thinking about our upcoming wedding anniversary, and dreaming of a baby.

2 years ago I delivered the blessing that is Jackson Van. We became a family.

1 year ago I was nursing this small person out of his first year. We were embarking into the less-glamorous, more-frazzled, part of adjusting. Our faith was being tested.

Yesterday we shared scrambled eggs, Daddy went to work as Jack and I went to gymnastics, did some grocery shopping, played with chalk; Daddy re-joined us to dig in the dirt, make a fav meal for Jack (steak quesadillas with roasted carrots), blow out his #2 candle atop some fresh whipped cream with raspberries, and we all fell into bed feeling more peaceful than we have been in months.

I am so unbelievably thankful.

Have things radically changed? Has our family transformed over night?

No and yes.

Our lives and plans are still up in the air.

The Lord is still so good in providing for us each day.

Our child is constantly growing, learning, and amazing us.

Our marriage has begun to spark again (which fortunately never fully dulled).

It's been gradual, but there has definitely been a shift.

Sure, trials have-- and will continue to-- come, but they are drawing us nearer to Him.

They are growing us in patience and love for one another.

It is by no work of my own-- despite continuous prayer-- that His love has transformed us.

I praise God every day for being gracious enough to make our family stronger than ever.

I feel confident that a transformed and devoted family is God's greatest Birthday gift...

to Jack... and his parents ;)

That Face

2011-05-02T20:44:00.000-07:00

There's a saying about people who have "a face only a mother could love."

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Jackson is NOT one of those people...

5/2/09

5/2/10

5/2/11

However, I'm pretty sure I've got y'all beat in the love department anyway ;)

Sweet Little Man

2011-05-02T15:03:00.000-07:00

My plan is to have a followup post including...

Some of the latest "Darndest Things" out of Jackson's mouth,

Pics from our big birthday weekend in San Diego with *both* sets of grandparents,

Our quiet 2-year celebration at home (today).

But for now I am simply saying,

(and trying to avoid tears)

Happy Birthday, Sweet Little Man!

I love you more than you will ever know.

Getting Serious

2011-04-26T14:47:00.000-07:00

I want to blog. I do.

But having the time, direction, and motivation to follow-through lately? I do not.

Kudos to all of you who can balance real life and the internet...

It is a skill I have yet to master.

As job news fizzled (& slightly devastated us) at the start of the year, Spring Cleaning and Project Beautify Backyard picked up momentum, somehow manifesting into the emotional realization:

We have an abundance of so much, yet aren't adding up in other areas.

Interestingly-- and probably not-so-coincidental-- my word for 2011 is ENOUGH.

Somewhere between shedding a car and various other junk, discovering how much we've been investing in unnecessary matters, starting to make better use of what we do have and who we are, revamping our marriage, revising our budget, and pray, pray, praying...

We've opened up dialogue and started making a gameplan for:

(including-- though not limited to-- and in no particular order)

new health insurance
supplementing our income
reevaluating the use of our gifts (not the ones with bows-- the ones we have from God)
restructuring our use(s) of time
more frugal meal planning and grocery shopping
less nonessential spending
preschool
sleeping through the night (and ditching the pacifier)
potty training and transitioning to a big-boy-bed
being fully consistent in our parenting
working on Jackson's "areas for improvement"
diligence in our Bible study
submission in our walk with the Lord
a will
shedding another car
keeping our "daily driver" the best it can be
continuing our home projects
efficiency in our use of resources
minding our vices

All of which relate in some way to the big one...

preparing for baby #2

So, if you don't see me around as much as you'd like (or if I don't see YOU as much as I'D like!), it's because we're busy getting serious ;)

It's only logical...

2011-04-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

I remember reading a dear (Inspired;) friend blog about how when her little girl was small, everything in the house was an "-y/-ie." At the time, though I wasn't even pregnant,

I remember giggling because THAT IS US! And if that was us pre-baby, you can only imagine the level of cutesiness our house has taken on since Jackson arrived...

and even moreso now that he is a contributing member to nearly all family conversations.

So, if we have:

Mommy

Daddy

doggies/ birdies/ horsies/ piggies

babies

squeezy (fruits)

poopies

peepies

snotties

teethies

snackies

chippies

sockies

shoesies

chupies

blankies

cozies

jammies

uppies

(and I'm sure there are plenty more that I simply can't think of at the moment)

.... it's only logical that when Jackson said grace last night, he prayed to Goddy.

Obviously ;)

Happy Easter!

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 8:11

YaYa!

2011-04-22T10:13:00.000-07:00

To those of you who have not heard a booming Ya-Ya! from my dad, this is probably not that funny.

To those who have... enjoy ;)

Happy Flippin' Friday!

First Choice

2011-04-20T20:26:00.000-07:00

Since posting the poll to see what y'all wanted to read about, I came to the realization that there was now anticipation... I built up your expectations for content... and very few of the options given have subject matter THAT fascinating (shocking, I know).

Alas, your first choice topic:

What's Sex Got To Do With It?!

Have you ever listened to a man talk to a toddler?

As opposed to how a woman talks to a toddler?

Depending on the adult leading the dialogue, the intonation, body language, pitch, detail, even the conversation itself, is completely different.

But my latest fascination is the contrast in conversations led by the toddler.

My son turns to me and points out a lizard while calling it an alligator.

"Oh, you're right! That does look a lot like an alligator, bub. But that's called a lizard.

A lizard looks like a tiny alligator, huh?"

He points out a car to Adam and calls it a truck, and Ad's response?

"No. That's a truck. TR-UCK!"

But they both have wheels! And drivers! And go down the street!

A red strawberry called pink to Mommy?

"Well, sure. Pink and red are very close shades of color."

Jackson asks Daddy for a cracker, though he really means a cookie.

"This is a cookie. Not a cracker."

I would have gone over the whole sweet verses salty difference. The size and shape. The color.

Is it because I'm long-winded? I need to over-explain everything?

Because I'm a "teacher-type" I want to make sure he really understands?

Or is it because I have a difficult time saying 'no'?

Maybe it's because Adam is so simply and wonderfully direct?

Jackson pointed to a cantaloupe held by a female friend and called it an apple.

"Hmmm, this isn't a cantaloupe, but it is a fruit. It's an apple. A cantaloupe and an apple are both fruits!"

Yet when he called the frontloader a bulldozer to my dad...

"Noooo. Not a bulldozer. It's a frontloader."

Calling a heart-shaped balloon at the market a Bubble to a female clerk?

"Awww, it's almost like a bubble. A big bubble of air!"

A spoon misnamed a fork to a man at the yogurt shop?

"Spoooon. Not a fork!"

It's incredible to me...

I am intrigued (and relieved) that this conversational phenomena is not just among my husband and me.

It appears that women can't just say no. At least not in starting a sentence. We like to encourage the 'rightness' in each claim, and search for what might have been meant.

We explain away with fluff and wordiness, though essentially we get to the same point.

Don't you think?

But the problem I see is that we, as women, are leaving some margin for error and misinterpretation.

Which leads me to your OTHER second choice post (there was a tie),

"TMI"

... stay tuned ;)

I Love Them

2011-04-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

That is all ;)

2nd is the Best

2011-04-17T10:12:00.000-07:00

Maybe not. But I'm rolling with the saying in this situation because I haven't gotten around to finishing up your 1st choice blog post ("What's sex got to do with it?").

Plus, today-- April 17, 2011-- is my "Two Years Without."

Without what, you say?!

WORK!

At least "work" in the sense of a full-time PAYING job.

Though the hours as a Mommy and Wife may be much, much longer,

the commute is way more manageable,

and the rewards far outweigh any paycheck ;)

Just for fun,

this was taken Monday, 4/20/09:

My first day "unemployed" on maternity leave... PRAISE GOD!

How could I even move?!

FF: Belated

2011-04-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was Adam's birthday.

But you know what?

I have NOT A SINGLE PICTURE to show for that day.

Jack (our camera-magnet) was with my parents so we could go on a date (camera-less).

And my husband isn't really a cake guy, so we had dessert instead. At the restaurant.

Meaning that I have ZERO documentation of Adam's birthday. Singing or otherwise.

Which I realized yesterday.

Only because Jackson woke up (re)reciting, "Happy Birthday Daddy!"

So I did what any wife with ~~horrible celebratory follow-through~~ an imagination would do...

I plopped a votive in Adam's morning bowl of yogurt and paraded our son out to sing a belated Birthday song and blow out some day-late wishes.

Yes, I know.

On top of my fantastic party-planning skills, I also have a rockstar voice.

You WISH you could be married to me ;)

Jackson's Brother!

2011-04-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

He said it... not me ;)

(I promise, I haven't been a horrible blogger because I'm secretly 5 months pregnant)

Today as Jackson and I did some raking in the front yard, an elderly neighbor from down the street came by to say hi. He asked if Jackson would like a teddy bear-- as he has numerous left from his late wife's infatuation with Christmas bears. I said "sure he would!" though really, Jack has never been overly interested in the things.

Until now.

As soon as we got into the backyard, Jackson sat Mr. Bear on the steps, ran into his room, and returned with a book (featuring a bear on the cover) to read to the stuffed animal.

There they sat, reading and sharing a sippy cup -- I kid you not, Jackson continually offered the bear sips from his water-- for about 10 minutes.

But what usually happens after books? "Naptime!" Jackson suggested. Naturally.

And so they laid down-- on the concrete steps-- to rest.

Soon Jackson brought Mr. Bear in the house, so I asked, "Oh! Are you boys awake? Good morning! Did you sleep well?" Without answering, Jack trotted right past my post at the kitchen sink to his bedroom. I heard some ruckus and went to see what was going on. Focused on the task, Jackson and Bear sat in the middle of the rug... attempting to put socks on the stuffed animal's feet.

After I assisted in putting socks on Bear, Jackson decided the animal needed a snack.

Back outside they went, to feed Mr. Bear the food that bears eat... Jack picked some greenery and held it to the bear's mouth, all the while whispering, "yum, yum, yum."

"Oh Jackson! You are doing such a great job taking care of Mr. Bear!" I exclaimed.

"Jackson's brother!" was the excited, though slightly correctional, response.

When "brother" finished his snack, Jackson retraced the steps to the bedroom-- this time without his Bear. He must have needed both hands free to dig a beanie out of his drawer and place it atop his head... just like Bear.

Finished with their stocking-capped playtime, Jackson commented on how incredibly "DIRRRTYY" Mr. Bear was (seriously, the kid was jamming dirt into the bear's face).

And what do we do when little boys get dirty?

"Change! Change!" of course.

The path to the bedroom with trudged with Bear. The dresser opened, rummaged through, and closed... this time with a Pullup for his bear.

We fastened the diaper before Jackson offered up the bear's tiny paw for "High fives!"

***

I couldn't believe how his imagination played out.

It was the most amazing thing to watch Jackson take such sweet care of the bear...

his "brother."

***

After Jack's sibling suggestion,

can you guess what topic dominated our dinnertime conversation? ;)

Draw the Line

2011-04-11T14:33:00.000-07:00

While Jack naps, I'm doing chores and being creative with a gift for my hubby (his Birthday is on Wednesday)-- which inevitably gets me thinking about things I do for my husband. I'm not talking about basics-- keep the house, submit, discuss spending, etc-- I'm talking about specifics.

It's funny how when you love someone, many of the things that you love suddenly seem much less important. I'm not promoting the sacrifice of all of your quirks-- not at all-- I'm merely taking notice of how we tend to compromise, shift, maybe even transform bits of ourselves to meet our loved ones.

For instance,

I dye my hair blonde(r)
I grow my hair long(er)
I end up adding crumbled bacon to vegetarian meals
I use unscented dryer sheets despite my delight in all things "clean" smelling
I watch "my shows" with earphones on
I make/buy desserts that are not purely chocolate
I omit cucumbers from everything (leaving a bowl on the side for myself)
I avoid wearing a particular sweater on dates (apparently it is the color of poo- ha!)
I decorate minimally and "shabby chic" is no longer in my design plans
I sail... sick

The list goes on and on.

However, there is one thing which the Mister has tried to rid me of since we began our love story (nearly 8 years ago)...

Caffeine.

To this I say, No thank you. I will limit my intake, but forfeit it altogether?!

A girl's gotta draw the line somewhere!

(unless of course he would like to get me pregnant... in which case I will gladly comply;)

Grown up already?!

2011-04-10T21:10:00.000-07:00

This morning as Jackson waited for Adam and I to get ready to leave for church, I walked through the playroom and couldn't believe how big he looked.

How is my tiny baby becoming a boy so quickly?!

Then, this afternoon I visited my friend with her newborn at the hospital... and SHEESH! did my heart ever melt.

I remember when Jackson was just a wee one, and it doesn't seem that long ago.

With each sentence that becomes more articulate, I find myself in awe of his growth... and cringing as I wait for "toddler" to be as distant a word or phase for us as "newborn."

Though visiting with a newborn may have increased the temperature on my baby fever, it also made me want to cling that much more to whatever "babyhood" Jackson has left... which isn't always easy when your child is screaming BIG BOY! and INDEPENDENT! ...

or maybe that's just what I hear with his assertive pouts of, "I DO IT!" ;)

23 Months

2011-04-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are...

the last "Monthday" post.

Jackson's been on the go all day, and will be spending the evening with my parents, so rather than attempt a get a posed photo for the day, I'm dedicating this post to our dear

Action Jackson...

When Action Strikes, v5

"Getting up there... and not just in age"

This morning I raised the blinds for Jackson to say bye-bye to Daddy's car (we sold it! yay!), because obviously I don't want my child sticking his neck through the slats...

because THAT could be dangerous!

HA!

I left the room just long enough to fill my coffee cup, only to return to Jackson moving aside the bench cushion so that he could better climb up and scale the windowsill!

Thankfully he had put on his swim shoes for some extra traction ;)

I wish I had my Flip!

2011-04-01T14:18:00.000-07:00

... because yesterday's water-playdate would have been THE BEST video EVER!

In a matter of days our weather has gone from cold and rainy to sunny and (not just a little warm, but) HOT. I'm hoping we get to enjoy a bit of Spring (aside from the cleaning!), because WHEW! going from 50 degrees to 90 degrees practically overnight is ROUGH!

Thankfully, KIDDOS + WATER = INSTANT ENTERTAINMENT!

Add in a popsicle and you're good as gold!

Here is just a glimpse of the fun that was had:

(Without asking permission from Mommies, I opted not to include Jack's pals--

though the 3 of them with pops-in-hand and feet-in-pool was just about the cutest thing of all time!)

If this is what having a toddler in the summer is like?

I'M ALL IN!!

Reader Bean

2011-03-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

As a bit of an early Birthday present-- and also just because we have had it on the list of things to get-- yesterday we bought Jack a cozy reading chair.

He helped Daddy put it together last night, and immediately loved it!

(though his best buddy has the same chair, so he was already in the know of its awesomeness;)

This morning as Adam and I got ready for our run, we noticed how incredibly quiet Jackson had gotten in his room...

He was lounging in his chair reading to his animals ;)

I can't help but wonder...

2011-03-26T06:10:00.000-07:00

As many of my (13!) pregnant friends are in the home stretch of their pregnancies, or have recently had their munchkins, the content of this post (which has been sitting in my draft box since January) has been rolling around in my brain quite a bit lately... It must be time to let it out!

Sure I talk like crazy about wanting another baby, and I often entertain thoughts of when that little being will become a reality for us...

But there are also a lot of scary feelings tied up with the possibility of Baby #2.

I don't know if I've shared it or not, but there was a moment when I was pregnant with Jackson-- about halfway in-- that I realized,

"Oh my gosh... attention-craving/emotionally-needy me is no longer going to

have Adam all to myself... I am going to have to share my love!"

While that partially meant I would have to share my outgoing love, as in, deeply loving more than just Adam... another part (the selfish part) of me was concerned with sharing my incoming love, as in, Adam was going to have another world-rocking love.

Obviously we are working this one out just fine ;)

The Lord was gracious enough to provide me with a husband who, for some crazy reason, can't seem to get enough of his wife (at least the real Jamie. The nasty one that surfaces from time to time? He can probably do without that one altogether;), and whose love for his son is so absolutely unconditional. I'm the one who has struggled to express my love for my husband and son at all times-- regardless of flustered/tired/hormonal/stressed/not-so-fluffy feelings.

When Jack was first born there was an adjustment to the lessened love I felt from others, because HELLO! why would a conversation have to do with anything BUT a newborn?!

I went from being pregnant (i.e. the center of most conversations, if only because I was the watched pot), to having this tiny little (incredibly cute) attention magnet! The saving grace in that situation was the fact that I ENJOY talking about Jackson, so I can understand how others would like it, too;) Plus, shy-me actually prefers to talk about something NOT ME with new acquaintances!

While I always prided myself on being a nurturer, there is something to be said for getting to CHOOSE when/how you are going to nurture. As a stay-at-home Mom? It's constant. And there isn't always a pat on the back for your efforts, either. The independent (and again, selfish!) part of me has had to really adjust to the small sacrifices that come with parenthood on a daily basis. Of course I would catch a bullet for my son, but give up my 3rd activity this week because he can't seem to kick that runny nose?! It's hard at times. And even harder to come face to face with the obvious sin that having such feelings is.

My perfectionist and planning nature has been tested.

I fail.... Daily. My plans are thrown out the window... Daily.

I guess the Lord really knows how to keep my humble!

All this to say that having Baby #1 has been a HUGE transition and learning process.

So when I think about Baby #2, I can't help but wonder what that will mean for us...

Will there be a (DUH!) moment when I realize, "Oh my gosh, it won't just be the 3 of us-- 'the flying V' (my secret nickname for our trifecta;)-- anymore?"

And while I know every mom has reassured me that you JUST DO love each subsequent child as much as the first, and then you grow to love them ALL even MORE (and that better be true, because I am NOT the 1st born!)... I revert back to those feelings of, "How can I possibly love another being as much as my current loves?"

How can I devote as much time to another child?

What if Jackson and I stop having that special Mommy/Son bond, because now there is another child chomping at the attention bit?

When will Adam and I ever have time as a couple?

How will I get anything done?

If I struggle with guiding Jackson's behavior some days, how will I manage 2 kids'?

... and the one that is totally guilt-inducing,

When will I have time to MYSELF?

So, am I scared? Holy moly, ya!

But am I still excited? Oddly, heck yes!

Good thing for now I can continue to let the Lord work on my issues...

and sit back to watch my gals master the role while praying they will teach me later ;)

Per your advice...

2011-03-24T14:13:00.000-07:00

Back when I posted about our trial and error (emphasis on the ERROR) with homemade playdough, many of you recommended trying out shaving cream. I don't know how I had forgotten about this fun activity, as I have such fond memories of "cleaning" our desks at the end of each year back in grade school, but I'm certainly glad you reminded me!

After playing with (store-bought) playdough for a bit this morning, Mommy was still knee-deep in paperwork and needing another craft to buy some time entertaining Jackaroo, so out came Daddy's shaving cream... and Jackson loved it!

(I promise he did love it... even if his face says otherwise;)

Thanks for the tip!

WPDP1

2011-03-23T20:57:00.001-07:00

What the huh?!

I really can't go into detail about just how lovely my brother's wedding was without rambling on and on... and on and on... so I have decided to keep it strictly photos (sort of).

Therefore, I present to you:

Wedding Photo Documentary Part 1

"Resemblance Much?"

La Mamacita and Me

Moi and Le Youngest

Yours truly with The Groom!

Have no fear, I'm thinking there will be 4 installments...

My men (the Pops, Adam, and Jackaroo), fun/random/fam-friend shots, the bridal party,

and of course, THE NEWLYWEDS!

Bullets

2011-03-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

We had such a great time at my brother's wedding and spending the weekend with our wonderful family... I fully intend to share photos (soon!)... but for now, here are some bullets of randomness...

- Jack has eczema. On his legs. It started as a few little bumps by his left knee the other week, and has now spread to his entire left leg, as well as parts of his right leg and foot. The worst part is his pitiful little voice at night begging, "Scatch! scatch!" when he can't reach his itchy skin through footed-pj's. Thankfully the doctor was able to see us today, give us (free!) steroid creams, and predict that his skin should be clear in a few days.

- On the way home from the doc we stopped by the bank and when the teller asked Jackson what his name was, he (still stoked about the sticker he received at the doctor's office) shouted, "THOMAS! CHOO-CHOO THOMAS!"

- As I unloaded groceries yesterday I noticed that our milk expires on May 2, 2011.

Jackson's 2nd Birthday. WOW. How can that possibly be coming up so quickly?!

- We are still going back and forth between having a party for Jack, or taking a family trip (to a place that he will LOVE!). I'm torn. Any input?

- If we have a party, Might Machines, Artsy, Zoo Animals, Thomas the Train (though at a different locale than our Train theme from last year), and something Golden (it's his golden Bday) are ideas I'm throwing around. Thoughts?

- We are going to try being a 1 car family. We've only been using 1 car for the past 4 months (with the option of driving our backup car(s)), but now we're selling our main backup and trying it for reals. Money is tight and it's silly to have multiple cars just sitting around when the Mister works from home. Plus, gas prices are crazy and I like walking!

- Jackson has only woken up 1-2 times a night for the past 2 nights! HOLLA!!!

The Name Game

2011-03-17T20:21:00.000-07:00

I, along with many strangers, have been asking Jack for MONTHS what his name is...

Today while changing a diaper, Adam asked,

"Hey, what's your name?"

"JACKSON!"

sidenote: I have to get a video of Jack saying his name-- and a number of other words-- because if you've never heard my son talk, you must know that his enunciation is hilarious... until we have to take him to a speech therapist, of course;)

I was so excited about his immediate and correct response that my shouts of praise from the next room may have caught Adam a bit off guard (he didn't realize that this was a first:)... usually when asked this question, Jack answers, "name!" or says nothing at all.

It was as though a lightbulb suddenly went off. All afternoon he kept repeating the answer without any hesitation! And when we would ask, "What's my name?" he would easily reply, "MOMMY!" or "DADDY!" Yes, he's called us Mommy and Daddy forever, and he's also called himself Jackson, but understanding that these are names is a new thrill.

Excited

2011-03-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

This weekend my brother is getting married... WOW!

I'm so excited for he and his fiancee, though somewhat in disbelief that one of my brothers is getting married. You see, I still think of us as young brats, playing red-light-green-light, eating watermelon until we were sick in the backyard, sharing a room, whispering one another's names in the middle of the night-- just to make sure we were all still there. Of course I am married-- with a child-- so I know we must be adults, but it's different to be on the other end.

I feel silly using the same word so many times, but truly, EXCITED is the emotion I keep coming back to. I don't feel worried for them, or envious, or sad about losing a brother... I'm so excited to be gaining a sister... and to have the common-ground of marriage which will (hopefully) tie Adam and I stronger to these newlyweds :)

You know who else is excited?

The Jack Man...

Though his comprehension of weddings at this point is more,

"Why is my Mommy making me try on 15 suits?!"

My Perch

2011-03-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

I love that my desk is positioned at the center of the house-- socially, if not spatially.

I can see into the kitchen, dining room, playroom, and part of Jackson's bedroom from my perch-- which is GREAT with a little guy who is very good at sneaking into trouble.

Because of this placement, I can also hear EVERYTHING-- including noises coming from the unseen areas of the house, and even the backyard.

Sometimes I don't need to see/hear what is going on, like when Adam is on Jack-watch.

But I still like to.

We try not to let Jack watch TV, and really, the kid is usually too active to want to, however, Adam and Jack share Daddy/Son time from 8-8:30 nearly every morning, snuggling on the couch...

with Mighty Machines.

I love listening to the lead up to this show (and I don't mean the theme song)--

there is a stampede that roars through our house excitedly shouting,

"MIGHTY-MAYINES! MIGH-TEE MA-YINNNEEEESSSSS!"

I love hearing Jack narrate the show for Daddy--

"loading! chuck! big chuck! wheels! dirty wheels! cut! cutting trees!"

I even love hearing the saddened voice at the end of the show--

"Aw Done! MORE! MORE! Nooooo!"

I used to look forward to this time as a break from my 6am-6pm watch,

now I find myself forfeiting "me time" to spy on the boys from my perch ;)

Anti-Plans

2011-03-11T19:53:00.000-08:00

As of late, I feel like this is the latest (and largest) theme in our lives.

Plan for a new job?

Nah.

A move?

Nope.

Another baby?

Psshhh.

A calm day?

Never.

Sleep?

Ha!

A sweet photo of Mommy and Jack in their matching beanies?

Shyea right!

This is the story of my life right now...

I'm trying to keep up a positive attitude and smiley face while life thwarts it.

On every front-- large and small-- we are getting thrown for a loop.

And yet?

I am finding so much peace in each day, for nothing more than what it is.

The Jamie that used to be able to tell you exactly what our plans are 3 weeks from now at 11am might not even be able to tell you what we're doing at 11am 3 days from now... or even what day it is TODAY. While this does drive me (and I'm getting the feeling some of my "people") crazy at times, it is also keeping me sane. I am happy to report that I have not had an anxiety attack in... as long as I care to try and remember (which is saying A LOT, although I know I never did fully delve into my anxiety/depression issues on ye old blog). I'm also finding that when you take out the "extras," there IS just enough time to get the "necessities" done... and get in bed by 10 so you can wake up at 5 to start things all over ;)

Another theme lately is allowing myself to laugh more. Praise. the. Lord.

Sure, some of the things I laugh at aren't perfectly appropriate, but hey, that's life!

Jackson's blooming personality is quite hilarious, and though it's not exactly wholesome Bob Saget circa AFHV, it's pretty on par with our child.

The other night I made a spice-braised beef, which turned out a bit hotter than expected.

Adam told Jackson he might not like how spicy it was.

I told Adam that Jack (and consequently, we) might pay for it later.

Adam laughed, "Haha! Fire-poops!"

3 days later Jackson randomly referenced "Fire-poops!" with perfect enunciation.

***

Since Jackson was a newborn I have had a sign for the front door when he naps,

"Please DO NOT ring bell, baby is sleeping!"

As part of our naptime routine, Jackson and I say "Nigh-nigh" to each and every thing you could possibly imagine, and as we hang the sign on the porch I say in a silly voice,

"Don't bother me, I'm sleeping."

Today as I hung the sign, Jackson (unprompted) boldly proclaimed, "Don't bother me!"

***

Yesterday was busy. And hot.

As we sat down for stories before bed I commented,

"Whew... I need a shower. I'm kinda stinky."

(disgusting, but true... sometimes simply showering is a rare treat;)

"Mommy. Shower. Pew!"

"Thanks, Bub."

"Stink!"

"Ya, I get it. I love you, too."

***

The Lord is humbling us with every "unplanned" moment.

He is calling us to stop abiding in self and start trusting in His perfect timing.

Well, God... you've got us right where you want us!

22 Months

2011-03-02T13:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Jackaroo,

Today you are 22 months old.

In 2 more months we will simply call you by your yearly age...

TWO!

I will be honest, as these monthday posts have gone on in number, I have had a difficult time knowing what to write. You are doing so many things, saying so much, fussing over nothing (and everything), putting us in tears with laughter all the time... I couldn't even begin to document each and every detail! Whatever I remember to write will not do you justice! Surely when you look back years from now and see, "2/19: Cat under table" you will not understand how wonderfully proud of you Mommy and Daddy were over this statement while reading Peekaboo Bunny.

I know it's not much, and I know it's too personal for most to gain insight, but here are a few of the things that I've jotted down (on a little orange post-it that you repeatedly steal from my desk) this month:

Fav songs:

YES!!! Jesus loves MEEEE!!! (Jesus love me)

Head, toes, head, toes (Head, shoulders, knees, and toes)

Jungle, guhguh, bubble, KEEEEE! (Who's the King of the Jungle)

Fav sentences:

2/15 "No touching privates" (while getting ready for the shower)

2/19 "Cat under table" (as previously mentioned)

2/ 22 "Bird go flying" (pointing to the picture in your room)

2/23 "Car. Daddyboy car." (seeing Daddy come in from the car through the window)

Fav silly "skills":

PARRTTYYYY!!!! (while shaking your groove thang)

Making "tooter" noises on the arm of the couch

Fav color:

Geen! (you call all of the colors green;)

Fav number:

Two! (you call all of the numbers two;)

Fav new animals (names and sounds):

Condor

Howler Monkey

Fav treats:

Coffee! (warm milk with 1 scoop Ovaltine;)

So Cute! (the mini crackers I bought out of impulse because they were "so cute";)

You are incredible, Jackson.

While the past few months have been heavily spent in conversation about when a little sibling will come along for you, I hope you know that you are more than we could have ever dreamed of and prayed for. We feel so blessed to have you, and so fortunate that the Lord chose us to be your parents. You have brought a joy to this family (and I speak not only of our little trifecta, but the larger V/P clan;) than one person should really be able.

Thank you for being you.

Happy 22 Months, sweet boy.

I love you always,

Mommy

Mommy Love?

2011-03-01T21:19:00.000-08:00

Jackson has been BIG on the Daddy love lately.

Yesterday at the market an old lady took pity on me and came over to distract Jackson as he cried in my arms (because I had already succumbed to his whines and taken him out of the cart) over and over again at high volume, "DAD-DY! DAD-DY! GO! DAD-DY!"

Ya... Nothin' better to make you feel like a child snatcher/abuser than a kid bucking out of your arms screaming for his (other) parent. Woot!

Adam has also had to start encouraging Jackson to include me in their evening fun...

because otherwise he would happily exclude me (literally, repeating, "Mommy. No!").

Have I cried over this fact?

Have I felt like the mommy aching for another baby is no longer wanted by her only baby?

Oh ya. More than once.

Is it juvenile?

Sure.

But that doesn't change my hurt feelings.

So today when a close friend randomly (re)sent me this picture from the summer,

I was touched.

I have hope...

Maybe there's still some Mommy Love out there ;)

v2... Where are you?!

2011-02-25T19:49:00.000-08:00

A whole week without a post?!

Yep! We're still here!

I feel weird having not posted, or even commented (truth be told, I barely got around to emails).

It's just been one of those hectic weeks: sick bodies, job possibilities, finance figuring, baby discussions, marital emotions, family traveling, etc, etc, etc.

But with the rain this evening, we were able to get back into our little groove while enjoying another lovely Friday at home... Flippin'!

Volume 2

"Peekaboo!"

(when we played this back, Adam asked if he really sounds like a frog...

I wondered if I really sound like Miss Piggy...

at least we're the perfect Muppet pair ;)

Have a great weekend!

We'll be praying everyone is safe and warm in this crazy weather!

Flippin' Friday, v1

2011-02-18T16:29:00.000-08:00

I've decided that along with my new Flip camera, we're going to have a new installment:

Flippin' Friday!

I can't guarantee a new video every Friday.

I also can't guarantee that the clips will be anything more than totally amateur in quality, because well, I'm an amateur.

What I can guarantee is some level of entertainment ;)

Without further ado...

Volume 1

"He must be my son"

Reminder

2011-02-17T07:30:00.000-08:00

I have had a hard time handling things lately.

I find myself frustrated, sad, jealous, disappointed, anxious, or downright angry on multiple occasions, and I continue to catch myself falling into sin: failing to be content, kind, loving, patient, selfless, and supportive.

Yesterday I found myself whining to my husband, "It's just so hard to stay positive when everyone is getting jobs, and houses, and having babies, and getting married, and getting into great schools, and making leaps forward, while we're stuck."

The worst part is that I KNOW this attitude is HORRIBLE... but I can't seem to shake it.

I KNOW that I really have nothing to complain about and everything to be grateful for.

As the hours passed, I thought about our conversation-- realizing the need for my frame of mind to shift-- and I prayed for a heart change, because the other thing I KNOW is that I CANNOT do this on my own.

One of the things that kept coming up in prayer was my fixation with things being "hard."

And then the DUH! moment occurred...

Who said this was going to be easy?!

If Jesus Christ, our perfect loving Savior, could be tormented through life,

made to suffer and die on the cross for us,

Why should I expect my life to be a walk in the park?

If I'm looking at what is and isn't FAIR, and I think about God sacrificing His only son?

WOW, things take on a whole new light.

With that in mind, I went before the Lord in prayer to shake off those yucky feelings.

Now ready to resume our day, I snuggled my only son, we hopped in the car...

and do you know what song started to play as we drove away?

There Will Be A Day

(click title for link to audio)

Songwriters: Camp, Jeremy Thomas;

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have

But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab

The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth

That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings

That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears

No more pain, and no more fears

There will be a day when the burdens of this place

Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I know the journey seems so long

You feel you're walking on your own

But there has never been a step

Where you've walked out all alone

Troubled soul don't lose your heart

Cause joy and peace He brings

And the beauty that's in store

Outweighs the hurt of life's sting

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings

That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears

No more pain, and no more fears

There will be a day when the burdens of this place

Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I can't wait until that day where the very one

I've lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I've faced

To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery

O, this is why, this is why I sing

There will be a day with no more tears

No more pain, and no more fears

There will be a day when the burdens of this place

Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

There will be a day he will wipe away the tears

He will wipe away the tears

There will be a day

... what a great reminder!

Riddle me this...

2011-02-16T14:47:00.000-08:00

What takes 10 minutes to make, 5 minutes to get bored of, and 35 minutes to cleanup?

Our first encounter with homemade play dough.

Granted, it was a super watery/gluey recipe (I should have known better), and Jackson is weird about things on his hands, and I'm neurotic about scrubbing every last crevice of the highchair/bookshelf/tile that takes on mess... but trial number one was just plain BAD.

(the 3 minutes of fun before things went sour)

On the Flip side (HA! Get it?!), it was the perfect opportunity to try out my video camera!

Part 1...

Part 2...

I am now searching for a good recipe, getting Jackson some play-dough tools, and waiting for warm weather so we can attempt trial number two OUTSIDE!

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-14T08:48:00.001-08:00

I am not a big celebrator of Valentines Day.

I am, however, a huge fan of LOVE.

This year, Jack and I had a really fun time expressing our love creatively...

Making cards:

Displaying cards:

Singing "Jesus loves me"

(which I am trying my darndest to get on film!)

One for Daddy
(I'll spare you the gushy card from Mommy to Daddy;)

One for Jackson

Our favs that Jackson made at church

Baking up a little love, too:

(pardon the brown edges, my "helpers" sampled the best ones last night ;)

*Heart-Shaped Puffs*

INGREDIENTS

1 Puff Pastry Sheet

Honey

Slivered Almonds

Cinnamon

Sugar

PREPARATION

Thaw puff pastry about 40 minutes, and unfold on cutting block.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Using a cookie-cutter, make as many heart shapes as you can.
Bake hearts on a cookie sheet approx. 15 minutes.
Mix together cinnamon and sugar (about 1 tablespoon each) in a small bowl.
Remove puffs from the oven and (while still warm) brush with honey, sprinkle with almond slivers, and shake cinnamon-sugar mixture over tops.

Dinner for Two

2011-02-13T20:23:00.000-08:00

The other day Adam checked my blog and mentioned how he liked certain bits, then said,

"Are you not going to post about your Birthday dinner after all?"

And with that, my heart sunk.

My husband made THE BEST meal we have ever eaten-- at home or out-- and we photodocumented the whole thing just to ensure that I would be able to blog about it.

Now here I am-- almost 2 weeks later-- without a post to share.

Sure, when he asked I reassuringly urged, "YES! Yes I am! It's right here on my list: 'Bday Dinner on Blog!' SEE! I just haven't gotten around to it (or umpteen other things)."

However, not having the post completed is not why my heart sank.

The sinking feeling came from that the fact that Adam cared that I hadn't posted.

My husband is NOT a touchy-feely guy (though recently he MAY have been seen shedding a tear or two in prayer requests for his family, which, honestly, makes me fall a bit more in love with him), so to hear that he has A) even checked my blog (i.e. desired to keep up with something that I care about) and B) been bummed to see that the meal he poured his heart into was not posted... makes me feel HORRIBLE. I have obviously gotten around to other (less than "THE BEST") topics, so I should have had time to pay him (public) thanks.

While Jack had a sleepover at my parents' house that night, Adam and I fully enjoyed the simplicity of an evening for two (i.e. what couples without small children sometimes take for granted)...

TALKING for hours! EATING uninterrupted! Taking our TIME!

(seriously, we had our first course at 5:30 and our last at 8:30)

We listened to whatever music, however loud, we wanted!

And (for homebodies like us) what made the night even better was the fact that

we could stay in our jammies!

However, the menu was anything BUT simple...

May I present to you my A-MAZING birthday dinner:

Course 1:

Bacon-wrapped dates

Course 2:

Arugula Salad with Caramelized Blood Oranges, Toasted Pecans,

crumbled Goat Cheese,

and Endive in a Blood Orange Vinaigrette

Course 3:

Bacon wrapped Asparagus Faggots (it was a French-inspired menu;) with sauteed shallots,

Roasted Cauliflower/Apple Mash,

Fillet Mignon with Blood Orange Zest and Red Wine/Thyme Reduction

Course 4:

Baked market pears in a bourbon-chocolate sauce with vanilla gelato,

creme-anglaise hinted with thyme,

and a red wine-caramel reduction topped chopped dates

*****

Everything about it was so well thought-out...
dates as an appetizer and chopped atop the dessert,
blood oranges in the salad and reduced for the steak sauce,
thyme in the mash as well as garnishing the creme-anglaise,
and a different wine to compliment EACH course!
He tied it all together beautifully.

Thank you, Adam.

I'll gladly share dinner with you anytime ;)

(hey! I'll even help cook!)

Are you as excited as I am?

2011-02-11T19:37:00.000-08:00

This will (hopefully) be the last awkwardly segmented video clip of Jackson! WOOHOO!

As if my hubby and my parents hadn't showered me with enough birthday fabulousness, my in-laws came through town yesterday and gave me a Flip!

Truth be told, I had no idea what it was.

I opened the wrapping to see a small box with an image of something that looks a lot like my phone (because yes, it really is that small... and AWESOME!), and paused to turn the package over and over in my hands before replying with my most ~~perplexed~~ appreciative tone,

"Wow! This is so nice! How sweet of you guys! So, um, what exactly is a Flip?"

"SPEAKERS!" was Jackson's response. Ha!

He wasn't entirely wrong; there are in fact speaker holes along the front of the device.

But more precisely, I am now the proud owner of an HD video camera!

Which takes up to an hour of footage! And plugs directly into my computer! SA-WEET!

I'm just so giddy about taking clips longer than 30 seconds and being able to edit them!

This is going to allow me to share videos that are NOT horribly random and choppy!

(Who are we kidding? I am the queen of randomness, so clips will probably continue to be void of meaningful content... but they will be LONGER... and HIGH DEF! Oh Yes!)

Basically, they gave a gift to ME... which keeps on giving to YOU! WIN-WIN!

Aren't you excited?!

Good. You should be.

However, because ~~I'm weird~~ I would rather wait until I have read every bit of paperwork (and then tossed it aside to make Adam give me a tutorial) and learned full-well how to use it, I am holding off on attempting the thing-- or even opening the box-- for now. ;)

Super Bubble Sunday

2011-02-06T19:47:00.000-08:00

Because it was WAY too nice out to stay in and watch TV ;)

It Continues...

2011-02-05T19:48:00.000-08:00

Some of you (followers from WAY back when-- like, possibly 2 blogs ago?-- and of course, my fam/friends in real life) know that Adam and I have been working on our backyard (and the rest of our house) since we moved in about 7.5 years ago... so basically, FOREVER.

While there have been detours from the grand 'ole Project Beautify Backyard-- in the form of two college graduations, a wedding, a baby, redoing every room in the house (which I hope to someday dedicate a before/after post to, as well), starting (and building) a home office-- today, while my hubby slaved away pouring concrete, I took a step back and realized...

We're getting there!

So please, allow me to reminisce...

(LOTS of photos to follow, be forewarned;)

Sideyard (looking south):

sidenote: There is no First "Before" photo, because we had already re-stucco'd the house, rebuilt the exterior wall, painted it all, ripped out 23 rose bushes, and planted 3 trees.

During Renovation

After

Sideyard (looking north):

During

After

Surrounding the Porch (looking north):

Before

During

After

Yard toward Garage (looking west):

Before

During

After

By the Backdoor (looking south/west):

During

sidenote: It helps to marry the love-child of Bob Vila and MacGyver...

Irrigation? Lighting? Demolition? Construction?

He is so handy!

By the Backdoor (looking north/east):

During

After

Main Area (looking east):

Before

sidenote: The gates were not here before, but I somehow can't find a picture of the aluminum siding which the previous owners liked to call gates ;)

During

After

(and yes, this is my fav view;)

Despite the fact that Adam was doing this a few years ago,

and it still looks like this,

(we DID take time off... and only regained momentum yesterday;)

Even though we constructed the office, but neglected to finish sprucing it up,

and we still haven't gotten around to completing the wall paint and fencing off the "gear",

or finishing up the water feature, planting more horsetail, potting additional foliage, and most importantly, getting OUTDOOR FURNITURE!

I must say, for a young couple with a little kid, little money, and little outside help,

the Lord (and our "landlord") has provided us with a great blessing in transforming

our little place ;)

Oatmeal Moment

2011-02-04T13:48:00.000-08:00

The other day started off just as any other... rising early, taking in a cup of coffee alongside my devotions, Jackson waking, eating breakfast, dressing for the day, and rushing out the door to the gym...

Halfway through spin class I found myself dizzy and fighting back tears.

I have no idea why.

I became unbelievably weak, got off the bike, and left.

This, for me, is unheard of.

I shook with chills all the way home and, upon entering, found the house freezing.

The sun was so nice and warm, so I opted to make some oatmeal and sit in the yard.

Sitting there, on the step with my sweet boy, time stood still.

The sun soaked into our skin while the oatmeal warmed us to the core.

As I dozed in and out of consciousness, stomach pressed to the warm deck, my mind wandered, and I didn't care that Jackson stooped beside me, putting dirt in my hair.

Again, not me.

For the rest of the day things continued to feel, "off."

But my moment with my boy and my oatmeal?

Perfection.

And so I clung to it...

Maybe I still am ;)

21 Months

2011-02-02T16:54:00.001-08:00

It was a PJ kind of day...

But when you look this cute, why not?!

My Adult Age

2011-02-01T14:26:00.000-08:00

For as long as I can remember, 27 has been my "adult age."

Not OLD, just ADULT.

I couldn't tell you why.

When I was in highschool, I predicted (wished) that I would be married and a mommy at 27.

Here I am... 27... married 3.5 years with a boy who's almost 2.

The Lord has blessed me with so much!

I might say this every year, and I'm sure I've meant it, but this birthday was quite possibly the best one I've ever had... complete with a new 'do, a pedicure, a celebration with family, a morning of snuggles with my boy (before he headed off to Nana and Papa's for a slumber party), and a date night with my hubby (which I will share more in a separate post)!

Out to eat at my fav restaurant

Papa, Zachie, and Jackaroo

(back at the house)

Me and Mama

Blowing out my candles

(with some help ;)

Opening gifts

(with some more help ;)

Birthday morning with the Bean!

This was the 8th birthday I've celebrated with Adam...

and I love him FAR more now than I did at 19!

If growing older means celebrating birthdays that are even a fraction as special as this,

BRING ON THOSE DIGITS!

Super Pooper

2011-01-29T20:02:00.000-08:00

My initial plan was to title this post "#2"...

But then I thought that might lead y'all to believe that Baby #2 was on the way...

and it's not.

Instead I went for blunt, with a title that leaves little to the imagination ;)

We bought a potty for Jackson months ago.

Every now and then he will request to take his diaper off and "tyyy" (try) the potty.

With a diaper on, he sits on it all the time (usually every time he follows me into the bathroom).

There have been a few times that Jackson has peed in the potty when we prompt him to, and once he started pooping in it (before deciding that he needed to get up and finish in his diaper).

Last week, as I cleaned up dinner, Adam got Jack ready for a bath.

After stripping down, Jackson told Adam, "Peepee! Potty!"

He sat on it, did nothing, got up, and walked away.

A few moments later he repeated (more loudly), "Peepee! Potty!" and rushed to the seat.

He sat down, waited, said "All Done!" and got up...

There was peepee in the potty!!!!

YAYAYAYAYAYYAYAYAY!

The next morning he peed in the potty AGAIN!

Totally self-motivated... just said he needed his diaper off to go potty, and went!

Woohoo!

And today, out of nowhere, Jackson announced, "Poo! Potty!"

We took him to the potty, stripped him down, and sat him on the potty.

He immediately got up (from the empty bowl) and said "All done."

But when he stood up, he looked concerned and pointed to the BIG toilet.

Adam held him on it, and sure enough, Jackson pooped in the potty!

Though we've bought some Pullups, and plan to practice this milestone,

I'm not going to go so far as to say we are actively Potty Training...

nor do I plan on trusting my child to run around the house in his birthday suit.

For now we're just encouraging his interest...

and praising a job well done ;)

(this photo was actually not taken today,

or even in our house...

it was a practice run the other week,

but I wanted some form of photo-documentation ;)

WAS: Ocean Edition

2011-01-27T15:09:00.000-08:00

I haven't done a "When Action Strikes" post for awhile now,

but surely there is no better reason than this:

(up in Santa Barbara the other week...

and YES, he was totally fine)

All for the Sake of Allergies

2011-01-25T19:59:00.000-08:00

Warning:

Lengthy, though lighthearted, post to follow;)

Preface:

In addition to the fact that I don't get sick, I also don't have allergies (thank you, Lord!).

However, God is obviously trying to grow some compassion in me, because He has blessed me with a household of hypochondriacs (I exaggerate... they really DO get sick, but "household of hypochondriacs" has a better ring than "family of legitimately immunosuppressant males"... right?)

While my bedside manner tends to be less sympathetic ("Awwww, sweety, I'm sorry you're not feeling well. How can Mommy/Wifey make it better?") and more systematic ("Okay. That's enough. Now what can we do to get you healthy again!?") ... but I'm working on it.

(onward with the) Story:

Our trip to the zoo yesterday started off perfectly fine... quite enjoyable, actually.

But by the time we left Jackson's eyes were itching and his nose was running...

And by the time we got home (read: 6 minutes later) he looked a red, hot, swollen, mess.

I gave him some medicine (his breathing was labored, too), and he napped it off.

However, as evening approached, Jackson's eyes still seemed to be bothering him... so instead of more medicine, we playfully let him try out Daddy's ~~coke bottles~~ glasses.

This morning when Jack woke up with a slightly runny nose, I initiated a preemptive strike on these beastly allergens. HOWEVER, remembering that Jackson falls into the 10% category of kids that have an adverse reaction to Benadryl (as in, while most kids get drowsy, you would swear Jackson has taken a double-shot of espresso), I opted to give him 1/3 of what his doc previously recommended... and it was only 6am, so naptime was at least 6 hours off, meaning "we should be totally fine" (were my exact words).

WRONG.

At 1 o'clock we attempted a nap.

At 2:30 Jackson was ready to pull the curtains off the wall, so I let him get up.

But I had already started baking and taking care of "all things busy" that usually commences as soon as Jackson checks out... so rather than can all of my half-started chores, I transformed Jackson into my little helper!

He did great... truly.

Laundry, picking up dog poo, taking out the trash, making a few phone calls, watering plants, and he even got in on his very first baking project!

(he was not a fan of the mixer... or the height of the chair)

By 4pm Jackson was walking like a drunkard.

So we grabbed a few books and headed outside for some snuggle time in the hammock.

One book in and Jackson was BEGGING for bed... rather, "sayo beh" (Sailor Bear, his lovey:).

Being that it was after 4pm, and Adam was just getting ready to come in from the office for our "both parties necessary" errand (explanation to follow), I could really only let Jackson nap for about 15 minutes...

20 minutes later we piled our still-groggy little guy into the car and headed out...

pillow shopping.

Jackson gets his allergies from his Daddy, and Adam has just about HAD IT with feeling like garbage for the last month (but his trusty nurse never tires of these maladies, surely;).

Before throwing out all things scented and/or upholstered in our house (the first solution Adam brought forth), I recommended we buy new pillows and thoroughly wash our bedding (not just the usual sheets/pillowcases/blanket, but also the (hypo-allergenic) comforter/mattress pad/throw pillows... and eventually the curtains and rug, too).

Let me tell you, if you have a tired toddler, pillow shopping is THE ERRAND to run...

We made our pick of pillows, got home, kept Jackson awake just long enough to sample some of this yummy dish:

And he was DONE WITH LIFE by 7pm.

I, on the other hand, am still putting laundry away, finishing the baking, doing dishes, and plotting to get a whole new (king size!) bed out of this allergen-attacking extravaganza ;)

Frazzled

2011-01-23T20:46:00.000-08:00

This is what I feel like right now:

(the image you find when you type "frazzled" in Google image search)

I literally just looked at the top of a post-it and my name is spelled wrong.

I am responsible for writing it.

Ya... Distracted, much?

I feel like I have too much to do, too little time to do it, and no matter how many things get checked off the list, it just keeps growing!

Although I love my friends, and blogging, and all of those other lovely creature comforts... my time in God's word, with my husband, taking care of our son, tending to chores, and keeping up with our families, takes precedence.

Therefore, I'm having to re-prioritize... like, REALLy prioritize.

(as in, not the "all things in the numero uno spot" style I am used to).

Forgive me (again!)...

And enjoy some of the sweetness that is "taking care of our son" ;)

(a Mommy's gotta get a little relief, right!?)

The Darndest Things

2011-01-21T21:51:00.001-08:00

Jackson's personality is coming through so much with his newfound vocabulary!

So, in the quick and dirty fashion of notetaking that I orient my life around, here are bullets that I have been jotting down in regards to things Jackson says:

(I am taking this from a friend's excellent idea, but because a. I struggle with being brief, and b. I plan to add on with followup posts, I thought this format would work better for me than taking up the whole sidebar;)

"Mommy! Cuties awgone."

(the last of his clementine... devastating)

"Haha. Tooter."

"Our car!"

(everytime we come near Mommy's car on the street or in a parking garage)

When I ask if he would like one or two of something good, the answer is,

"TWO!"

When I ask if he would like one or two of something less good, the answer is,

"OHHH"

(zero)

"Bib! Hungry!"

"Hop in!"

(the stroller)

"Nalu eat."

"Shhh! Baby see-ping!"

(sleeping)

"Diaper change. Poop."

Whether you ask if he is okay or not, the answer is either,

"Kay."

(okay)

Or,

"Ouch. Hurt. I bonk."

"Uh-oh. Sad."

(looking at the page of his book that says, "I love you when you're sad.")

After I exclaimed, "Dangit! How did that happen?!"

(to the recently cleaned, though now dirty, windows)

"Dang! It happened!"

(and yes, it was he that dirtied them;)

When I asked, "Adam, have you seen Jackson's milk cup?"

"Adam! Milk cup!"

sidenote: Jackson calling Adam by his name cracks me up! He knows Daddy is Adam, and he will use the names interchangeably... so funny! (even though Ad may disagree;) Because of the fact that I am not usually called by name, my children will probably think me nameless, aside from Mommy or Babe, until they are in grade school.

(much like I thought of my own mother;)

As we shifted interest today, I suggested,

"Jackson, can you please help pick up the blocks before we take out the puzzle?"

"Puzzle!"

"Okay. But can we pick up the blocks first?"

"Please!"

(While Daddy prepped Jackson for cleanup time)

"Daddy! Cleanup Cars!"

"Amen... EAT!"

(after grace)

Me: Jackson, you may take 1 or 2.

(Jackson grabbing a handful of CheezIts)

Me: Jack, that looks like a lot more than 1 or 2. How many do you have?

Jack: Allathum.

(all of them... naturally)

"Thank you! Muwah!

(to the man giving out stickers at the gym)

"Blanket please. Cozy!"

Me: Jackson, do you want to take your vitamins? You get 1... 2!

Jack: Hamany?

(I am always asking "How many?" before/after we count things out)

"Nigh-nigh Dee-sus."

(after saying goodnight to various things/people before bed, he now whispers goodnight to Jesus after prayers)

"GOD!"

(pointing to the sky)

(from behind the curtains)

"Hiding!"

The lady at Target: Hiya buddy!

Jack: Hi.

Lady: Whathca eatin'?

Jack: Mmmm! Animals!! (animal crackers)

Assorted Saturday

2011-01-15T20:36:00.001-08:00

(Apparently I have a thing for matchy/rhymie/sing-songy titles?)

However disconnected these points may be, today was delightful.
It's nice to say that so simply...

not cluttering it up with "except for/aside from/minus this/despite that."
I'm trying to be more aware, and less critical, of our delights... to realize and enjoy days for what they are... not what they could have been... to praise the Lord for each moment that He allows us to live out His perfect plan.

Last night we were pleasantly surprised when Grandpa Jim came to spend the night... and even more pleasantly surprised when Jackson SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!

It has been months (3 of them, to be exact) since that has happened, and boy am I grateful!

This morning while I went to the gym, Grandpa and Adam walked Jackson to the park where he rode the BIG slide and played "foobaww" (his latest fav thing). After I got home and Grandpa headed out, we decided to take full advantage of this amazing weather (it was 73 and beautifully clear-- something I have come to appreciate more and more as a mommy!) and head over to Travel Town... it's close, it's free, and it's fun! Basically, the triple threat for families ;)

(checking out the sights from up above, and down below)

Watch out, Jack!

"CHRAIN?!"

This evening we got to visit with Uncle Zach! And his girlfriend Saritha!
Jackson LOVES his uncles and their significant others... in a major way.

Zach has been so great about being an active part in Jack's life, but his girlfriend Saritha may just have captured Jackson's heart. So having BOTH of them for dinner tonight was wonderful. We talked, and played, and ate, and laughed, and Jackson sat in his highchair at the restaurant (without needing to be chased around) for almost an hour and a half! WOOHOO!

sidenote: CA restaurants must now post the caloric content of each item on the menu?

WOW! Makes decision-making a lot more guilt-induced!

While at the restaurant, a man was enamored with Jackson and asked me when there would be more... I reverted to my latest fav response, "Ask my husband!" ;)

Tomorrow after church we are packing up the Winnebago (not really, but wouldn't that be fun?!) and heading to Santa Barbara... meaning I may not be in touch... so I'll say it now...

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

(maybe even a delightful one ;)

Awestruck

2011-01-13T20:59:00.000-08:00

I have 5 posts in my draft box just waiting to be proofread and posted...

Posts that are personal, and deep, and (what I would consider to be) thought-provoking.

Posts which I planned on editing and getting ready for you today.

However, when you are married to a designer whose primary computer (one of TEN in the network known as 'our home office') kicks the bucket, your computer (i.e. your LIFE) gets hijacked to rescue his computer (i.e. our LIVELIHOOD).

After a full day of operating on our computers to switch hardrives, info, [insert technical jargon here], blah, blah, blah, I am left AWESTRUCK with what is now dominating my desktop...

A 21" monitor.

Seriously?!

If you are a designer, this type of screen is necessary for seeing small details in blueprints, renderings, digital models, etc. (in fact, he claims this monitor is not big enough!).

If you are a mommy, looking at emails, recipes, photos, blogs, and bank documents (which I can assure you do NOT have that many zeroes involved), does not require such detail.

I am still adjusting to the monster that has taken up residence on my teeny-tiny desk.

So, no... no serious posts today.

Please just sit here and be awestruck with me ;)

Special Time

2011-01-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Jackson and I had some Mommy/Son time.

Daddy hasn't been feeling well, so we gave him some peace and quiet and busied ourselves with something that Adam would never WANT to do (he claims to be allergic;)...

I took Jack to visit the horsies!

I have been around horses since I was a little girl-- first with my aunt teaching me to ride back in Maryland, then taking lessons as a teen, and now riding occassionally and living in an area zoned for horses (though none of our direct neighbors have one). While it grosses my husband out, I love walking out of our market in the warm summer evenings and smelling livestock, seeing remnants of hay strewn about the street, and passing the massive animals (or sometimes just their massive piles of poo) on our walks. When Jackson was born I couldn't wait to take him to romp around the stables, something that has always been special to me... however we have never been and he is almost two.

So we (finally) loaded up the stroller, walked down to the equestrian center, and got our first close encounter with the "Ho-sies"...

After briefly saying "Hiyo," Jack was scared and kept his distance.

(He preferred spotting all of the poo on the ground and saying, "Ah, gross!" with each pile;)

But we still enjoyed investigating the grounds, being out in the crisp air, and spending time just the two of us. As he trotted alongside me, attempting to ramble off everything he saw, I realized the days spent just like this are numbered... soon he will be confident enough to run up ahead without me, exploring without assistance, and speaking clearly without babbling, because soon he will be my BIG boy.

For now I'll just treasure every last ounce of special time with my baby boy ;)

Funny Friday

2011-01-08T07:24:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: I had every intention of posting this yesterday... on Friday.

However, as Jackson's sleep at night gets worse and worse, so does my mood in the morning.

Therefore, I promised myself to get in bed by 10pm, and time to blog got away from me.

Today at work the kids were a bit silly. It was our first day back after the holidays, meaning everyone was overly energized and, well, emotional, about being together again.

As I walked through the classroom, a little voice piped up,

"Um, um, um, Mrs. V? I love you!"

I turned to see where the squeaky confession had come from.

"Well thank you, Michael. You're very sweet. Though I will say, it might be more, uh, special to hear that if your finger wasn't up your nose."

"Oh... right!"
exclaimed Michael, as though the thought had never occurred to him.

"Oooooooo, Micheal! Your flirting is smooth as sandpaper!"
teased Tim.

Michael and Tim are 6 and 9 years old respectively.

(names changed to protect the innocent ;)

Seriously?! Where do they come up with this stuff?!

Needless to say, the whole room erupted in laughter.

*****

As for Funny Friday on the homefront...

I give you Jackson Van, post nap.

He quite possibly could be the poster child for BedHead ;)

Snacking away in a daze...

"Cheese?"

Playing outside and watching the "copters" fly over.

He really did make this face ;)

Tantrum and blurry photo, but still cute!

P.S. I am well-aware of the fact that Jack's various shades of blue are clashing, and that his outfit looks a bit like a homeless person... but we weren't leaving the house, and really, do you think he cares?!

The Best Remedy

2011-01-04T07:44:00.000-08:00

My mother, the woman whom I get my

"I don't get sick... and if I do, I plow right through it!"

attitude from, is not feeling well.

Because I can't force her to go easy and rest, drink lots of fluids, remember vitamins, and take appropriate medicine if necessary, I've decided that the one remedy I can prescribe is laughter... by way of Grandson Numero Uno ;)

We love you Mama/Nana!

Get well soon!

A Break from the Rain

2011-01-03T16:59:00.000-08:00

Although temperatures have been pretty chilly here (for S. CA, that is), the rain took a break this evening, so we decided to take a trip outside...

trying to coax Nalu out to "pay"

inspecting the yard for "POOO"

"My mo[torcycle]"

how much rain water today?

"BRRRR!!"

too pretty not to capture

(yes, we live in the city... powerlines are unavoidable!)

Going outside in the winter is something we take for granted, but it is definitely a blessing... especially with a curious and energetic toddler!

20 Months

2011-01-02T17:30:00.000-08:00

4 months away from 2 years old!

Ay yi yi!

It's weird to think that Jack has been walking for half of his life!

Today was his first day in the Toddler Room at church!

(they separate walkers from toddlers)

His list of words is too long to count!

(cozy, hug, hammer, garage, help, stuck, tissue, potty, uh-oh, flower, and cracker are frequently used)

He has nailed some 2-3 word sentences!

(favs include (his versions of): More please, I do it, Go car, Excuse me, I love you, Wash hands, Read book)

Yesterday he pooped ON the potty!

(IN the diaper, but still, we are so close!)

This morning I read up on transitioning to a big-boy bed!

ACK!

He's growing up so fast!

(must be time for more babies ;)

And GOING so fast!

(which is why today we could only manage a rainy-day action sequence of photos ;)

Running and snacking

(aka: the reason I vacuum all.the.time.)

Cozy on the couch with Daddy

Working away

He's still a dog-lover...

... and an avid reader ;)

Happy 20-months, Sweet Bean!

Plans

2010-12-27T01:02:00.000-08:00

I am a detail person.

(in case you hadn't noticed)

I do not like surprises.

I like to plan.

I do not like to be disappointed.

(who does!?)

I like to be excited and have things to look forward to.

I do not like being vague.

I like to know specifics so I can properly anticipate.

sidenote: Baby #2 has been a big topic lately, as Adam and I have recently realized

just how much we both want another baby... BOTH being the key word, because I think we all know there has never been a question as to whether or not I want more. We were on the way home from the airport last week when Adam told me about his long flight from Amsterdam--sitting next to a couple with 5 children-- and in the next breath announced that he wants another baby. SQUEAL! No, we are not planning to have quite that many, but the fact that Ad sat next to 5 kiddos on an 11-hour flight and walked off declaring that he wants another child gets me giddy.

That being said, here is our latest conversation regarding Baby #2:

"Ad, when are we going to make a baby?"
(I am a lady and therefore this is not an invitation for anything but conversation ;)

"Soon."

"Like, how soon?"

"Soon.... When do you want to?"
(He is a man and therefore this is hope for an invitation and not a conversation ;)

"Soon."
(as smugly as possible)

"Ya. Me too."

"Good. But really, when are we talking about?"

"Well, it would be nice to know about [possible employer] first."

"But you might find out about that next week."

"Ya, but I'm guessing it won't happen next week."
(making a baby, that is)

"I know. I need to go to the doctor first!"
(to have my IUD removed... yes, I still have it... sigh)

"Okay. So sometime soon after that."

"AGAIN WITH THE 'SOON'?!"

"Sorry. Definitely this year."

"But next week is next year. 2011."

"Right. 2011."

"To make the baby or have the baby?"

"Maybe both."

"Ugh! You're killin' me smalls!"
(yes, we do in fact quote The Sand Lot in this house;)

"HA! What?!"
(knowing full well WHAT)

"You're basically saying that sometime after next week and before next year is through we are going to try for a baby."

"Uh-huh."

"You realize that's like giving me a 51-week window, right?"
(obviously not content)

"It will happen soon."

"How about for my birthday?"

"We'll see."

And with that I was satisfied.

P.S. My birthday is in January ;)

Merry Peemie!

2010-12-25T13:48:00.000-08:00

(In the words of Jackson Van:)

I will post holiday pics later, and try to get Jackson saying, "Merry Peemie" on film, but for now I'll just wish you all a fabulous Christmas, from our little family to yours...

Love,

Jamie, Adam, and Jackson

sidenote: If we get around to sending New Years cards, this will be the picture we use,

so act surprised if/when you receive it in the mail ;)

You Tell Me

2010-12-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

In an attempt to become fully verbal, Jack is "talking"at nearly every moment...

Outsiders can usually understand some of what Jackson is saying.

Yesterday he sneezed and clear as day exclaimed, "Skooooz me!"

A no-brainer.

As his parents, we have a slight advantage called repetition (lots and lots of it with added emphasis, finger pointing, and dragging us to the object or the object to us), enabling us to decipher about 70% of what Jackson is trying to communicate.

Last night the phrase, "Na-u. Out. Ites. Mo." meant that Jackson wanted to take Nalu outside so he could see more Christmas lights (on our walk).

Clear to us, but only because we are becoming fluent in Jack-talk.

However, that still leaves us with 30% in the grey area...

Was that Santa or Snowman?

Christmas or Penguin?

(sounds impossible to confuse, except when your toddler's "Chr" comes out "Pe")

Twist or $#*@?

The latest perplexity is why the heck Jackson carries around pieces of his ball tunnel while shouting, "BEEBOO!" Is it because he says BEEP for trucks? Or did my Pop teach him some weird new Harry Potter terminology that I'm unaware of? Or is he really smart and creative for calling himself a HERO while using the parts as a sword?

I do not know.

But I would love any ideas...

You tell me!

ETA on 12/25 (edited to add): We are pretty sure BEEBOO is for a firetruck or ambulance...

you know, BEEBOOBEEBOOBEEBOO!!

WW: Silent Night

2010-12-22T20:31:00.000-08:00

Tonight was a quiet evening in...

decorating our tree, remembering Christmases of yesteryear, enjoying silly moments beside the fire, contemplating the birth of Christ, and looking forward to celebrating this wondrous holiday with our own sweet son in the many years to come...

reaching for ornaments

checking out the details

perfect placement

semi-final product

WW= Word(-less, -full, or somewhere in between;) Wednesday