From MeeMee to Mom

Sure, I'm Ms. Obvious pointing this out, but Jack is definitely growing up. He's gone from calling me "MeeMee" to "Mommy" to "Mom". He uses "Mom" when he's calling out to me from another room or trying to get my attention. It's so weird to hear his little baby voice, now more boy-like, shout out "Mom! Finn-gin down!"

I don't want him to grow up...yet. Working two jobs, I don't get to spend nearly as much time as I want with him, and it seems to me that "Mom" symbolizes the distance I've been feeling from him. I went from spending day and night with him for several months, to getting to see him Tuesday and Thursday nights and half a weekend. I'm only "Mommy" when I'm heading out to the garage on my way to the next job.

For Obvious Reasons, No Picture Included

I don't make a habit out of dressing or undressing in front of Jack, not because I think the human body is something to be ashamed of, but more because I don't want to scar him for life.

Last week, I settled Jack before the tv, hoping that Thomas the Tank would do his usual magic and transform him into a slack-jawed captive. I ran into the bathroom, undressed quickly and began adjusting the shower's water temp until I heard....

"Oooooohhhhh, noooooo!! Oooooh, noooo!!!"

I turned my head to find Jack staring, fear and panic evident in his eyes.

"Where pena (penis) go? Where pena? Oooooh, noooo!!"

"Mommy doesn't have a penis, Jack. Only boys and daddies have penises."

"Ooooooooohhhhhh, noooo!" Jack yelled and ran back to Thomas's safety.

And we haven't talked about it since. So much for not scarring him.

Third Annual Trip to Tanner's Orchard

Tanner's--one of my favorite fall destinations! Jack really enjoyed it this year. His favorite part was the two wooden trains that he climbed all over and pretended to drive. He also liked the long, metal tunnel in the hay maze. As always, he enjoyed the animals, and even tried to give all of the goats hugs. I was nervous about letting him ride in a barrell, but he was really good about staying inside.

Back in Illinois...

For those of you keeping score, we're back in Illinois. After eight months of unemployment, we opened up our job search circle.

More Reasons I Love You

Jack--

Things today that are striking me as some of the MANY reasons I love you so much and am astounded by you:

• You love water--baths, swimming, running through water spray. You've managed to sneak into the little pool with your clothes on and even tried to do it at Aunt Kay and Uncle Doug's today.


• You want to try new things (well, except for food!) Today you watched Everett, Kaylee and Elisabeth playing and you mimmicked almost all of it with a smile on your face.


• You amaze me with your good memory. You remember words in books, names, letters, songs....seemingly everything. I love to listen to you sing your favorite songs while I drive: Wheels on the Bus, Twinkle Twinkle and the ABCs.


• You like to spot things. Right now, as I write, you're helping Diego point out animals. Earlier you were calling "Goooooats" out the window. I know when we go play in the evening shade tonight that you'll run right over to the tree and ask for a branch to feed to Diedra.


• I love how you get excited when we are a few roads away from Aunt Dayna's house because you know where we're going.
• You love to make people laugh and you love to express yourself through laughter, shrieks, your eyebrows and dance.
• You love me unconditionally. When I feel like a failure because I haven't been able to find a job in 6 months, you remind me that when it comes down to it, it doesn't matter. You love me anyway!

New Sleeping Arrangements

Jack was doing such a great job sleeping in his 'big boy bed'. After a few tumbles and falling asleep in odd places while playing, he had been sleeping peacefully (even running to get into bed himself) for about a month.

Now he seems to enjoy sleeping on the floor every night instead of his bed. As soon as we put him to bed, he hopes out on the floor. We go in later while he's sleeping and put him back in, but by morning he's down again, waking up with the carpet pattern on his cheek.

Here he is, passed out, almost totally under his bed.

Countdown to Two Years!

Some favorite things from this past month:

• Jack loves to walk up to random people at the store and give hugs while saying "Ooooo"
• He follows me to the bathroom saying, "MeeMee go pee pee in potty? PooPoo?" If anyone passes gas, he instantly asks, "PooPoo?"
• He started daycare part time to socialize with other kids. Beats following me to the bathroom.
• When one of the cats sneezes, he says "beth you" or "coos you".
• When he isn't running, he's jumping. When he isn't running or jumping, he's probably sleeping.
• He breaks out into random song.
• He can count to ten and count actual things.
• He can do all of his abcs (but can't recognize specific letters yet).
• He still naps!

Sleeping Essentials

Jack has been sleeping in his big-boy (toddler w/o side) bed for about a month now. He's been doing very well! He's only fallen twice and usually lays in bed until I'm out of the room. He then plays for about 15 mins and then crawls into bed.

He's taken to bringing a few choice with him. In the picture to the left, he's chosen to treat his big, fluffy dog to a nap on the big bed.

He's a pretty generous boy. Not only does he love his toys, he also loves his kitties. He seems to think that when they sleep that they also need toys. Below is Charlotte who, while contently catnapping the early evening away, earned a visit from the sleep fairy. Obviously every cat needs a remote and Tonka quad runner while she sleeps, right?

Jack Talk

Some people pride themselves on decoding long-lost languages or even made-up languages (we Trekkie fans...yes, I had a Klingon dictionary in the early 90s); however, no words can describe the pride that comes with interpreting the pronunciations, utterances and shouts of a almost-two-year old.

Jamie and I are quite adept at understanding Jack's language, only half the time having to shake our head in ignorance. To help the non-Jack mommies and daddies, here is a list of his spoken vocab (he understands more words than he says). We didn't count his numbers and letters that he has learned.

	What it means			What it means			What it means
Daddy	Dad (and most men)		Mom-ee	Mommy		Ah, me	Ah, man (Swipper the Fox)
Ah-Pull	Apple		Baby	Baby		DoraBoos	Dora (sometimes Boots)
Go	Goat		Ganpa	Grandpa		Ganma	Grandma
Nana	Banana		Oran-g	Orange		Geen	Green
Eye	Eyes		No	Nose		Ed	Head
Yawhoa	Yellow		Ca	Car		Aarplane	Airplane
Daygo	Diego		BubBob	Spongebob		Door	Door
L-kee	Milk (cup)		itty	Kitty		Patty	Patty
Moo	(for cow)		Moo	Emily (cat)		Shooos	Shoes
Elllllmo	Elmo		Abby	Abby		Zoo-ee	Zoey
Ernie	Ernie		Boot	Burt		NaNa	Nathan
Boo-ook	book		Stow	Star		Art	Heart
Pdoh	Playdough		Bubbles	Bubbles		Ball	Ball
Ceercle	Circle		Angle	Triangle		TanYou!	Thank you
Bye Bye	Bye Bye		El-oo	Hello		Hi	Hi
Go	Go		Dinkle	Twinkle		Fwol	Flower (always followed by a sniff)
Ov You	Love You		Tiki Tiki	Tickle		Moww	Mouth
Coo	Cool		Pee Pee	Pee Pee		Ah Dow	All Done
Puppy	Puppy		WoofWoof	Woof Woof		Kack Kack	Quack Quack--all birds
Pooh	Pooh