31 May 2006

Twenty-three

We went to Pennsylvania for Memorial Day to visit the Great-grandpa.

All of us: Husband, Ma and Ga were worried about how Jack would react to nearly eight hours in the car. But he did very well. He barely made a peep of complaint the entire time. True, he'd tell us he was stinky when he wasn't surely to get released from the straps of his carseat but other than that, there was little conflict.

Spending four solid days with him with minimal interruption was enlightening. Life has been insane all Spring so I guess I hadn't noticed all the little things he can do now.

1. He can run. And when he does, he's fast. He's even got a little swagger. His hair is so long these days, the cornsilk blows in the wind as he takes off.
2. He can really talk. Of course I knew he could but bringing in people who don't see him all the time -- Ga, Ma and Great Ga -- you come to realize just how well he holds a conversation. And let's remember he's not even 2. At a restaurant Monday I asked him if he'd like cheese and he said as clear as day: "I don't want cheese." At this point he's supposed to complete two or three words tops. That's a four-worder with a contraction properly used! Amazing.
3. He notices everything. While there, we visited a home/hardware store that had a mini waterfall on display. He loved it. He and Daddy played with the water the entire time we were in shopping for fun things like electrical cords and light fixtures. The prices there were outstanding and with the new house, we couldn't pass it up. ANYWAY, the next afternoon we drove by the store and decided to stop in for a few last items. As soon as we pulled in the parking lot, Jack got excited yelling WATER!! WATER!! What a memory! We were all shocked.
4. He's a man's man. He loves rocks, dirt, bugs. He likes getting dirty, climbing, throwing balls. He thinks it's funny to wrestle. He thinks it's funny to be sweaty. He wants to do whatever Daddy and Ga are doing and is furious if we make him stay behind with the girls.
5. He thinks he's a grown-up. The kid refuses anything babyish. No bib. No crib. No night-night without Mama and Daddy. He will not sit in a shopping cart and don't even insult him by putting him in a high chair. He laughs along with conversations and if you ask him what he thinks, he'll have input.

Yesterday at school he was bitten two times. Once on each forearm. When his teacher told me about it she said Jack was a tough kid and never shed a tear. Instead, it was more heartwrenching because you could tell he was offended by the invasion. Legally, she can't tell me who bit his arms but told me if I asked him he'd tell me. After a quick run to the drug store (where we had to buy two super balls) we were settling in for dinner and a first-time viewing of Aladdin and I said to him... "Jackie. You have two new boo-boos. What happened?" He pointed to the first one and said, "No, J.J." and then pointed to the next and said, "No Siler. NO!" And then he calmly put his spoon in his Mac and Cheese and continued watching the Disney classic.

Now, how many 21 month old kids can do this? He's setting quite the precedent for all future babies and cousins, that's for sure.

22 May 2006

Twenty-two

We had some amazing news Friday that directly affects Jackson and his future ...
Our insurance company has pulled through. The company will pay for our damages and fight our association.

So what does that mean for our boy?

1. He may actually get a sibling someday.
2. College is much more likely.
3. A car at 16 -- 70 percent.
4. Food? Absolutely.

We are now back playing the baby name game and talking about the possibility of Baby #2 or Deuce as the Hubbie has affectionately named the new addition.

No, I am not preggers so don't even think that but thankfully this insurance news makes it a dreamable dream.

19 May 2006

Twenty-one


Jack and Grandma Rex golfing in Venice, Fla.



Jack and Ga walking back from the pool in Naples, Fla.













Jack dressed himself in Elmo jammies.

09 May 2006

Twenty

So since I last posted:
  • We went to Florida on vacation. While there, Jack got Croup and double ear infections. We didn't make it to the beach one time.
  • Our townhouse flooded. The toilet broke and the water caused damage to the ceilings, walls, and flooring throughout the entire house.
  • Husband had to take the week off work to try to salvage things in the house -- and bring them to the new house.
  • We went to a wedding of an old college roommate and had too much fun. We have three more weddings to go this summer.
  • Continue to fight our association and insurance for $$ to fix our house.
  • Will likely have to cancel my trip to Vegas and Jack and Husband's trip to Virginia because we don't know what's going to happen with the old house.
  • I have a killer cold that makes me sound funny and feel worse.