28 February 2006

Eleven

My son has an addiction.
It's a serious problem that his father and I can't shake.
We've tried to rationalize with him.
We try to distract him from the problem.
Nothing seems to work.

He can't shake it.
I wonder if there's a 12 step program for him.
The kid can't get enough. All day, all night, it's all he can think about ... He's even given up other pleasures. He has to be exposed to it and quickly calls out for more before it even runs out.

http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/elmosworld/

21 February 2006

Ten

This past weekend we went to Sesame Street Live at the Foxx Theater. We went with the cousins and their kids all under four -- a party of 11. Let me just say, I think for the adults the show wasn't on stage but rather in the audience and on our laps.

Jack was oooing and ahhhing throughout the first half. He was shaking his hips and dancing up a storm. Of course he was sitting with Grandpa because, afterall, Ga is his favorite person. He sat and stared and barely blinked, jamming popcorn in his mouth. And when it was time for the intermission, the whole theater deflated. Jack turned to us with his hands up in question and said ...

"Where's Mo?" (Mo -- that would be Elmo.)

Then, in sign language, he began to say "More." "More." Immediately, we told him Mo had to take a break but he'd be back. Luckily, the theater piped Sesame Street music overhead so I handed him his bottle and he waited patiently dancing along to the music from, "I gotta new way to walk."

Let's just say the plot wasn't award winning. And the human element was strange. And there were three new muppets introduced we didn't like. We were all disappointed to see Grover wasn't a participant. But it was so worth it.

Last night, my grandpa called and talked with Jack on the phone. Jack was jabbering away telling him that we went in the car to go see Mo. Obviously, it was slightly less clear but both my Mom and I heard him say it. Honestly.

New updates on how smart he is: For President's Day, he was in the D with my parents. These examples are from his Ma. Please remember is not even 19 months old.
  1. He saw an ant in the kitchen. So, saying "uh-oh" he ran into the family room, grabbed a tissue and then ran back to try to kill it. (Ma did the dirty work.)
  2. He opened the refrigerator door and pointed to the Pedisure shake and said, "More."
  3. He turned on the computer and went on the Internet (with some assistance from Ma.)
  4. He completed many commands including putting things away where they belong.

17 February 2006

Nine

Well, I got my plane tickets for NYC yesterday for a trip I am making the Monday after I get back from St. Louis for a week. Yup, our lives are about to go from boring suburban to insane.

Is it bad that we are half way through February and I have only written nine posts for 2006? I'd say, yes.

Interesting news on the house: Needs a new roof and some windows replaced. So apparently we are cursed. And apparently I will be living in my small townhouse for the rest of my life. Hopefully, Jack won't mind cramming into a house with only one full bath. If we have any additional offspring, we'll just throw them in Jack's room because it's big enough for that ... just kidding! I guess I will just never get to set up my grandmother's dining room set or actually enjoy the things that once belonged to my maternal grandparents that are currently in a box in my parents basement. No, really, that's cool.

I am being overly dramatic. I know I am. But it's so tiring and hard to buy a house. The fun of it is over. I hope this house will work out and we can come up with some sort of compromise with the current owners. There is no guarantee. And I know there are other houses out there but I already pictured us filling up this one. I saw Jack running through the living room, into the dining room, through the kitchen and then the family room only to repeat it as he squealed out in joy because he had some where to run. Next winter I saw Jack riding a little bike around the basement. I even (gasp) saw Baby #2 in what would be (I want to say her for some reason) bedroom. My mom and I had already come up where furniture would go. I already knew how I would set up Jack's room. Ahhh!

We'll see what happens.

Today we head back to the D. Husband and I have to get some precancerous moles removed (yes, we are old and very,very white). There's a game Saturday but then Sunday... we are going to Sesame Street Live!! I can't wait! No, it's not because I have a love for Elmo and the gang but I just can't wait to watch Jack react. We are meeting up with the Grosse Pointe cousins. I hope he has the time of his life because the next few weeks are going to be rough on him.

13 February 2006

Eight

Ugh. I am so sick right now. So is Jack and Hubby will soon follow I am sure. I have been sick for the majority of winter. I think I have have had one complete week so far since September where I wasn't stuffed, bloated, nauseous and everything else.

All I can say is: Daycare is rough! I can only hope Jack and I will build an immunity to this crap that is floating around. Ever since I had mono a few years ago, my body can't even handle the common cold without it turning into something full-blown. It's unbelievable. Of course, then I am the jerk who comes to work with it.

Interesting update: We bought a house this weekend. I know, I know we've done it before but this time it's not contingent on our selling our house (although someone is going through it tonight so cross your fingers). The inspection will be sometime this week so let's all hope this is the one. We drove by it for the 80th time last night and we all agree it's perfect for us. I will only post the picture and details after I know it's a for sure thing.

Chicago was fun. I think Jack may have scared his aunt and uncle out of having children of their own because he is so frickin' active! He was all over the place -- playing with poker chips, going through cabinets, throwing stuff down the stairs, touching their new HDTV flat screen. He wasn't really being bad he was just excited to be in a new place. He did let them hug him a few times which surely gained him some brownie points.

This week kicks off the most ridiculously busy time for us. Hubby leaves for Iowa tomorrow morning (he just got back from Minnesota yesterday). This weekend we head to the D for Sesame Street Live with all the cousins. The next weekend Hubby goes to Indiana. We close on our house March 8. On the weekend Hubby goes to the Big 10 tournie. Jack and I go back to the D and I fly out for St. Louis for week on that Sunday. The first round of the NCAA starts (hopefully it will be at the Palace). I get back the 16th and then have the 17th off. That Monday, the 20th, I fly to NYC for a conference and hopefully Husband will be home in time. I fly back from NYC *hopefully* Tuesday night and Hubby leaves for Round 2 of the tournie, location unknown. I don't know what my plans are for Jack and I (unpacking?!) The next week is the Final Four. I go to Myrtle Beach for a bachelorette party and Hubbie's mom is coming up. And that rolls us to April.

Could we complicate our lives more?

03 February 2006

Seven

We are off to Chicago this weekend. MSU plays Northwestern so we decided to make it a family trip... not really looking forward to Jack in the car for four hours. Let's hope his DVD player works out.

Last weekend we were in Kzoo with the in-laws. Jack had a blast with his 8-year-old cousin (our flowergirl) and played like a banshee all weekend. He refused to nap and instead played in a tent that once belonged to his elder cousins. (That tent, by the way, is now up and in my very tiny living room.)

He wasn't too interested in Maya. He pointed at her and even kissed her forehead but that was it. He wanted back in the tent.

One unfortunate incident: He bit Husband's aunt. It was kind of slow motion, really. He wanted to play with knives that were in a wooden block on the counter. She moved him away from the blocks. He got mad but walked away and then slowly turned his head, opened his mouth and CHOMPED on her leg. It was bad. She said she didn't care but who the hell wants a kid attached to their inner thigh? And my kid can chop it up. I know it must have hurt.

Last night we went to get his second haircut. I wasn't completely thrilled to do it but everytime Husband looked at Jack, he'd make a comment about his hair. OK, so maybe he was beginning to look a little like Prince Valant but he looked good. Long hair is in now, right?

We were a little nervous Jack wouldn't like sitting in the chair and getting his golden locks snipped away. But he was great. He didn't like the smock and he kept messing with it. But once the girl sprayed his hair wet, and I handed him a bottle, he was as good as gold. He sat there sipping on his milk and watching every cut. When it was over, he ran his fingers through his hair and tugged on what was left. I had told the girl to trim it but Jack looks like he's 16 now. It makes me sad.

Later he fell asleep on the couch and when he woke up, he remembered and immediately ran his fingers through his hair. He tugged on the sides. He seemed OK with it. Personally, I still miss the baby curls that were cut off the first time.