Constantly cracking me up...

This morning, my friend (and neighbor) Sarah watched Jack for me while I completed my glucose blood test. When I finished the 1-hour test, I noticed I had missed a call from her. Turns out, she was calling to ask if it was okay for Jack to play outside while I was gone.

She told him, "Jack, I am going to call your Mom to make sure it's okay for you to play outside for a while."

He quickly informed her: "It's okay, you don't need to call Mommy. I am not allergic to the wind."

"I need a hero!"

Last night:

Jack Everett: "I am a pretend Superhero! I save the world from the mean people!"
Mommy: "What's your Superhero name?"
Jack, flying off the couch: "I am TUMMY MUSCLE!"

(After totally cracking up, I stopped to realize: "Finally, a superhero that will come in handy!)

"Horton Hears a Who."

We braved the theater again, after our "Water Horse" fiasco. This time Nana accompanied Jack Everett to see "Horton Hears a Who."

Photo op in the hallway before the movie.

We had the pick of the seats!

My two handsome boys! I just had to post both of these pictures. I often wonder if our new little boy will have Daddy's blue eyes!

About halfway through the movie, Jack turned to me and said, "I don't have to go to pee-pee, Momma, but I just need to TRY!" You know when they say odd things like this that something is up. On our way to the potty and I asked if he was enjoying the movie. He softly confessed, "That mean vulture is a little bit scary."

I went ahead and took him to the potty "just to try," but at $8.50 per ticket, I made him go back in to finish the movie. Luckily, Vlad the scary vulture didn't make many more appearances after we returned.

So, "Horton Hears a Who" scores a mediocre 2 stars for Jack. But, taking Nana to the movies is always 4 stars!

Happy Mother's Day!

Well, my Mother's Day wish came true. The Spurs won. Just kidding - I got to enjoy an afternoon swim with my boys... All three of them!

This is as big as I could handle posting this pic of me in my swimsuit.

Jack and Mommy. He's still not crazy about getting his hair wet.

Jack's "awesome Superman jump" with flip-flops ON.

Jack's "nudder awesome jump," this time coming OUT of his flip-flops.

A "Batman jump," apparently.

For Mother's day, Daddy bought me (and Jack Everett) tickets to fly to see Emily and Sandra in Maryland/Virginia next week. We can't wait!! Today, Jack delivered two beautiful cards to me, and a new Chris Tomlin CD was icing on the cake.

Happy Mother's Day to Mommy, Mamaw, Nana, Grandma, Meemaw, and Nanny Lucy - from one very lucky boy!

These are a few of my favorite things...

... about being a Mom.


- Seeing my newborn kick his feet and catch his little toes on the hem of his pajama gown.

- When Jack comes around the corner after a nap with squinty eyes and messy hair.

- When Davis laughs in his sleep.

- Having one kiddo who looks like me and one who looks like Jeff.


- Seeing smiling happy pictures of them taken when I wasn't there.

- When Jack shows care and concern for others.

- When Jack proudly introduces Davis to strangers in public.

- Hearing my son speak the truth about God.

- Little boy shoes. They are SO cute.

- When Jack uses his manners in public.

- When I try to get Davis to say something and he ACTUALLY performs.

- When Jack pretends to be a Daddy and emulates Jeff's kindness and helpfulness.

- Kissing away salty tears from a little cheek.

- The smell of baby lotion.

- Happiness when my baby first sees me peek over the crib in the morning.

- Rocking a sick baby on my chest.


- A little hand on my chest when I am nursing.

- When the baby stops crying right when someone hands him to me.

- When Jack says, "I'm so glad I have a brother."

- When Davis used his first sign.


- When that tooth finally cuts through.

- Realizing Jack has learned a new thing, like opening his own granola bar.

- When, at a meal, Jack says, "Wait, we have to pray!"

These are a few of my not-so-favorite things about being a Mom...

- Hearing myself lose my patience.

- Conflict between wanting to be here and wanting to get away.

- Not knowing if they really understand why they are being punished.

- When people see me holding Davis and say, "Is he YOURS?" I want to say, "No, I am not his nanny."

- When my baby gets hiccups and they are hurting him.

- When my son corrects an adult.

- When their bangs get cut too short across the front.

- Noticing my newborn's head has been slumped over in the carseat after a long drive.

- When the Huggies don't hold all the poop.

- Teething mixed with breastfeeding.

- When I come pick him up (from a sitter or Sunday School) and he is disappointed to see me.

- Hearing ugly phrases from Jack's mouth that I know he probably learned from me.

- Recognizing that I am bribing.

- When I find myself deep down wishing my toddler wouldn't "mess up" my coloring page.

- Feeling that I am comparing myself to others.

- Throwing out rice milk.

- Hearing the baby crying and suddenly realizing that I have left the monitor off and don't know how long he has been crying.

- Never knowing what that smell is in the car.

- Realizing the baby has a poopy diaper RIGHT when it's time to leave the house.


- Missing the way it used to be between me and Jeff.


- All the extra bags I have to carry all the time.

- When a breast pad shows up through a blouse in the mirror. Or WORSE, in a picture.

- Catching Jack in a lie.


- When I cut their fingernails too short, scratch them with my ring, or step on their toes or fingers.

- Inner guilt over... you-name-it.

- Handing my first-born over to his new teacher knowing SHE will get to experience his next stages of learning... not me.

NBA Playoffs... A San Antonio way of life...

Thank goodness the Spurs were able to take Game 3 from the Hornets Thursday night. I don't think Jeff's blood pressure could have handled another blow-out.

The NBA Playoffs in our city is very much like dove hunting season. We wait for it year-round. Before a Spurs playoff game, it's chaos at the grocery stores. You can see Tim Duncan jerseys on people of all ages (and sizes) at H.E.B., stocking up on gametime snacks. When the game actually starts, stores and restaurants are like ghost towns.

During the post-season, the wives in my circle... we just know. We know exactly when all the games are scheduled, we know to keep the kids out from under foot, and we accept that our hubbies will be temporarily unavailable during these times. We know to leave them alone after a loss, and we know they are going to be tired or grumpy the next day after staying up late for the game the night before. We know that a game that runs from 8:00 - 10:30 will actually run to midnight. We expect them to watch the ENTIRE game including tip-off, followed by post-game press conferences, immediately followed by SportsCenter, and then by more highlights from that same game they JUST finished watching. Sometimes, mostly after a win, Jeff will even go as far as to read the story on Spurs.com after that.

Those girlfriends of mine who don't have Spurs-fan husbands (Emily) can't believe the way we 'other' wives treat the Playoffs. It's something we just accept. We know it is like gravity - there is no use fighting it. Instead, we embrace it and we get in there and enjoy it! Our husbands, in return, LOVE that about us!

We also know that this Sunday, on Mother's Day, it will be ALL ABOUT US!

That is, until 7:00pm CST...

ABC's... Take one, and Take two.

Look out! "The Momologue" just went video. I am not sure why, but I just realized today that my hand-held digital camera had video capability! I have only had it for three years... oh well.

Here is what it looks like when you say, "Jack, help Mommy test out the camera and sing the ABC's." He is such a boy, totally cracking himself up. He even snorts at the end. Someone definitely turned on his gigglebox.

Here is what it looks like when you say, "Okay, Jack, you can stay up later tonight IF you will sing it again for Mommy, and try to be serious this time."

At the end, he immediately wants to watch himself on video!

Reflecting on "Mother's Day Week..."

Monday:
10:00am - Blood Work at LabCorp in Stone Oak. (Jack in tow.)
12:00pm - Post Office to mail Mother's Day cards (pee-pee incident, see previous blog.)
Tuesday:
1:00pm - Endocrinologist appointment in Stone Oak to review blood work (Jack in tow.)
2:00pm - HEB to fill new prescription
2:30pm - To Daycare (Huebner) to give his former teachers their Teacher Appreciation Cards
2:31pm - Turned a totally calm, organized classroom into chaos and disorder with short visit
Wednesday:
9:00am - Woke up, completely exhausted.
2:00pm - Jack naps. Watched three straight episodes of "Jon and Kate Plus 8" wondering how in the world I can possibly be tired.
5:30pm - Took shower and brushed teeth
9:00pm - Put Jack to bed in same pajamas from night before since he was still in them.
Thursday:
10:15am - Jack to Julie's house
10:50am - Perinatologist appt and sonogram
11:00am - Perinatologist assigns me a daily Baby Movement Chart to keep for the remainder of the pregnancy (Just what I need... one more thing to forget. I mean, remember.)
2:00pm - Back to Julie's to help put three kids down for naps
3:00pm - OB/GYN appt where I am told to remember that I am almost 30 and am not as young as I used to be. Yes, I realize that.
3:45pm - Best Buy to pick up my repaired digital camera from the Geek Squad. (Notice no pictures on my blogs for several weeks...)
4:30pm - Back to Julie's to pick up Jack
9:00pm - To Target for milk, dogfood, and Lucky Charms (for me.)
11:00pm - Writing this blog post instead of going to bed.
Tomorrow:
8:00am - Dog to groomer (haven't been able to see her eyes for weeks.)
9:00am - Jack to Meemaw's house
9:30am - Back to OB/GYN for one-hour glucose test
11:00am - Eat 2000 calories for lunch in the car
11:15am - Bank deposit
12:00pm - go home to nap
2:30pm - Drop off toddler bed donation at Pregnancy Care Center
3:00pm - Pick up Sadie from groomer
4:00pm - To Meemaw's house to meet Jeff, Dad and Uncle Bob for Mother's Day Dinner out
Saturday:
9:00am - Nissan to the mechanic
11:00am - Grant and Sara's 2-yr-old birthday party in Boerne (with pony ride!)
1:30pm - nap for all three of us
4:00pm - early Mother's Day dinner with Nana
6:30pm - shopping or chick flick

So much for resting and putting my feet up. I will start that next week, right? How is it possible that women do this while working full-time? I mean, yes, I could skip naps and "Jon and Kate" but, there is no way I could make FIVE doctor's appointments in one week and keep up a "day job."

So again, I sit here, thankful. So thankful. Thankful that I was able to stop working... Thankful for each kick from my new son... Thankful for my doctors who are helping me through this unique, precarious pregnancy one week at a time... for Jeff who puts up with dishes in the sink and PB&J dinners every once in a while... Thankful for this baby and amazed that God is trusting me to raise another little one... Thankful in advance for God's provision of extra time, money, energy and square footage that we will need to welcome another little boy into this crazy family...

It's so easy to lose sight of all the blessings of Motherhood amidst the co-pays, parking fees, bedtime battles, gas prices, "check engine" lights, and "I need to go pee-pee!"s

This Sunday, on Mother's Day, I plan to spend the day relaxing by the pool with my boys, in all my glory in my maternity swimsuit soaking in the sun, taking time to reflect on how truly blessed I am. I hope all the Moms reading this will plan to do the same.

At a different pool.

"Just a Swingin'!"

After taking turns pushing Jack and Alli Jean on the swing for a while, Julie and I quickly discovered an easier way:

Sometimes you just need a little help from a friend!

"Wait a minute, Mr. Postman!"

Yesterday while we were in the Post and Parcel store, the mailman came in to pick up packages. Jack pointed and yelled, "Look, Momma, it's the REAL mailman!" Everyone laughed. We followed him, watching as he took the boxes outside to load into his truck. "Look Momma, he drives a REAL mail truck!," he yelled again. I said, "Let's wait for him to load the packages. He is sorting them into piles. Those are probably presents people are mailing to their Nanas and Mamaws."

We waited and waited as he sorted the load. I was sweating, of course. When he re-emerged from the back of the truck, he rolled down the window to wave at Jack. Jack waved back excitedly and said, "I am already going pee-pee!" as a puddled formed at his feet.

The mailman said, "Uh-oh!", chuckled and waved at ME apologetically, and drove off into the sunset.

All the way home, in his carseat wearing nothing but his spare Diego underwear and sunglasses, Jack could not stop talking about the day he met the REAL mailman.

"Say what?!"

Jack Everett is constantly cracking us up (or wearing us down) with his phrases, questions, games, etc. I try to remember them all, but have found time to jot some down lately... Here are some gems...
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Jack: "Daddy, let's play the animal guessing game!"
Daddy: "Okay!"
J: "What animal does NOT have a long pink tail and does NOT have reawwy sharp teeth?"
D: "Um, that's a really hard one. It could be a lot of things!"
J, with hardly a pause: "No. It's a mole."
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Jack: "Look, Momma! I ate all my carrots and all my turkey and all my applesauce!"
Momma: "You're a good eater!"
J: "If I keep eating this much, my tummy is going to GIANT UP like yours!"
M (under her breath.): "Thanks a lot."
-------------------------
Jack (mad about who-knows-what):
"You are not my friend!"
"Daddy is not my friend!"
"Sadie is not my friend!"
"The baby is still a little bit my friend."
(Awww, how, um... sweet....)
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"Momma, why is your car making that AWFUL sound?"
Momma: "Well, it's getting old."
Jack: "It sounds yucky. Daddy's car never gets old."
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Momma: "Guess what, we are going to meet Mommy's friend Miss Laura."
Jack: "The REAL Miss Laura, with Baby Jake and Grant?"
M: "No, this is a new Miss Laura, with blonde hair."
J: "What color is blonde?"
M (realizing he knows VERY FEW blonde people): "It's like yellow."
J: "Oh, like the grass when God doesn't send enough rain?"
M: "Exactly."
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Jack: "Momma, girls have boobs and boys don't have boobs."
M: (gasp!) "Jack, that's right, but we don't really use the word boobs. We try not to talk about our private body parts."
J: "Momma, the Pink Power Ranger has boobs, but the other Power Rangers don't have boobs."
M: "When do we get to watch Power Rangers?"
J: "When I am nine years old."
M: "That's right."
-------------------------
While I was apparently taking too long to get ready, Jack started to get impatient. He comes into my room, backpack on, sunglasses on and says. "How's it coming?" I looked at him... "What?" He repeated, all exasperated, "Getting dressed. How's it coming?" (Knowing exactly where he got this) said, "I will be ready in just a minute." He sulked his shoulders and dragged his backpack back down the hallway and said, "Stupendous."

And so it begins...

We got Jack this bookcase for his room this week from IKEA in Roundrock. Jack was so excited when Daddy and Uncle Van got it all put together.
The next day, I asked him to put all of his toys away on his new shelves and instructed him not to call me in until he was done. I assured him that he could put things wherever he wanted. As planned, this kept him busy for over thirty minutes.

When he called me back in, he was so excited to reveal to me the fruits of his hard work. He had even pulled his stepstool over to help with the process. He had systematically jam-packed every single animal, dinosaur, car, block, and book onto the top two rows. Those top eight boxes were packed and the bottom two rows were completely empty and pristine. Hardly keeping a straight face, I told him how great it looked.

He said, "I put all my toys up high so the baby won't touch them."

And so it begins...