Blessings

I am taking a cue from Ie Li's last post and instead of sitting here feeling sorry for myself over a little spat with a friend I am going to count my blessings. Since this is my attempt at remembering the "heart" of our life I will try to record my blessings as well from time to time.

I have been blessed beyond all deserved blessing to have found the love of my life at 15. I have been blessed to get to grow up with him and fall more in love with him as he grows as a husband and a father.

I have been blessed with the most kind and loving child. He teaches me each day to love life and to love like it's never going to hurt.

I have been blessed with a family that love me and remind me who I am, especially when I forget.

I am truly, truly blessed.

Mother's Book Club Drop Out

That's right. I'm out. I just have to read this last book and host this month's meeting (how on earth do I get myself into these things) and then I'm officially a mother's book club drop out. Hurray!

Why am I so excited to be a mother's book club drop out? Not because I think I know everything there is to know about being a mother, or because I have it all under control, but because I am so busy trying to fit in reading yet another book about mothering for this club that I am thinking up ways to avoid actually mothering my child. In my head: "Maybe if I can put Jack in front of the tv for just one more half hour program I can catch up with this month's reading and not look like a total lame-o showing up at our meeting tomorrow on page 24." Sorry ladies, that's when I have to call it quits.

So, Jack if you are reading this years from now, I'm sorry I didn't learn as much as I could have about how to raise you -- but if it is any consolidation, know that we are having a great time making it up as we go!

Momma, let's talk

Today, after preschool,(we do a mommy and me preschool with a few friends once a week) Jack and I went to the park and soon after we got there he told me it was time to go to work. (Jack's new favorite game is to pretend he has to go to work like Zack.) He waves to me, says "oh I can't forget my lunch" and then starts walking off somewhere on his own. I followed him and learned more about his work. First off, there is plenty of chocolate there :). There is a basketball hoop, but no paper. Bongo drives him to work in the morning (more about Bongo soon) but Jack has to park the car for Bongo outside the office. He told me that he spends most of his day doing his email (which involves crayons). After work, I took him to get a bagel and cream cheese. This is one of my most favorite things to do with Jack. He gets the same thing every time (mini cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese, not toasted) and then we go and sit at one of the tables outside. We sit together and talk. We talk about the weather, his friends, what we like, what we don't like. We talk about Papa, cars, birds, cars, the other people who must be hungry and need a bagel too, cars and more cars. In these moments I see how quickly he is growing up.

Today I was tired and when Jack was almost done with his bagel I told him to take the rest and we would start our walk back to the car. He stood up and said, "Momma, let's sit together and talk." That quickly, he brought me back to the moment and I was no longer thinking about how long it would take me to get him to the car, how hard it would be to carry him upstairs or to convince him to walk up them by himself and instead I sat down and talked to my two, going on 10 year old.

Momma, you're beautiful

At the most random moments during the day, Jack will look over at me and say, "Momma, you're beautiful." I catch myself looking in the mirror (all too often I've thrown on my gray hole filled sweatshirt that I love and refuse to throw out but acknowledge that I can only wear in private. My hair looks like a two year old has snuggled it and whatever makeup I remember putting on that morning has long since faded) and I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes and saying yeah, Jack, I'm beautiful, sarcastically. But then I remember being a little girl and knowing my mom was the most beautiful mom ever, and I quickly remember that he is only two and as fast as he is growing up, I am still so much his world. I stop myself from rolling my eyes, and feeling a bit more beautiful then I was the moment before, I hug him and tell him how much I love him instead.

Taking the train

Today I, and nine other awesome moms took our kids on a train ride. The morning started out with Jack literally crying his eyes out in the car and telling me "Momma, me having a hard time" I asked him what would make him feel better inside and he told me that a donut would help (HA!). So we made a short detour over to the donut store, and then continued on to the train station much happier for the short stop. (as a side note, am I teaching my kid to find comfort in food? I guess I will work on that one on a day when I am feeling more worthy of the task and less like a chocolate bunny would help me make it through the rest of my day :). For today, the donut really worked miracles). We met our friends at the Sunnyvale station in the morning and rode the train up to Palo Alto. We then walked over to the Creamery for a yummy lunch. Jack loved the train. He was so super excited to be on the train, and even more thrilled by the fact that he was riding backwards on the way home.

The second best thing about the activity, Jack came home and took a nap!!
The absolute best thing about it, Jack and I had a blast spending the day together :)

Happy 28th Birthday to Zack

It's funny the closer we get to 30, the younger 30 seems to sound. :)

Zack took his birthday off and we headed down to Santa Cruz for surfing and fun.



First, Zack and Jack played in the FREEZING cold water. Jack came up to me after a few minutes and informed me that we have to buy him a wet suit like Papa. The boys had a blast in the water. Poor Jack got stripped down to his onesie because I totally spaced and forgot a separate change of close for him. After playing together, Zack went off to surf and the rest of us headed over to the boardwalk for games and rides. Jack loved the carousel and also tried his hand at the race car driving ride. The ride was slow until it whipped us around the corner. Jack got so scared that he put his head in my lap and refused to sit up or open his eyes until the ride was over.

Zack had a great time surfing and after a quick stop for food, and a dentist appointment (Zack's logic: have a dentist appointment on your birthday and it's a sick day off work) we regrouped for dinner at In-n-out and then a two-can cake (think chocolate cake with two cans of frosting).



The cake pan overflowed in the oven, and sunk a bit under the weight off the frosting, but it was so good! Despite having to sing Happy birthday twice, the first time I accidentally sung Happy birthday to Jack (oops) it was a great day!


Happy, happy birthday Zack!

Easter Actvities

We had a fantastic Easter made even better by chocolate bunnies that kept appearing at our door! (thank you Grandma and Grandpa Z - Jack was so excited to get the box, and this time I even let him open it). We took Jack to his first real Easter Egg hunt on Saturday morning over to the park. He was very excited for it, until he saw the basketball hoop and realized he had to wait and look for eggs before he could play basketball. Once he realized that the eggs were filled with chocolate he agreed to postpone basketball, at least temporarily.

Jack and I made a great Easter Egg hunting team and managed to get lots of candy from the hunt. Of course he ate way too much of it (I haven't quite figured out how to tell him no he can't eat all the candy he worked so hard to find).


And finally, the main event...


Later that day we dyed easter eggs. I told Jack we would write his name on one of the eggs and then dye it. Jack then said "j - a - c!" Yes, he forgot the k, but how cool is it that he can mostly spell his name! :)
Happy Easter!!

**Notice the lame blue cord cutting our dinning room in half...I still can't get my computer to acknowledge I have a wireless connection. So sad.**

Why oh Why?

Why oh why won't my kid nap anymore??? This wasn't supposed to happen to me.

So Jack hasn't napped since Friday (it's Wednesday today). We went out this morning to his sports class, during which he preferred to lie face up on his back in the middle of the room instead of participate in anything other then basketball. Then we went to the park with Connor and Addison and Jack had fun as long as he was doing what he wanted, when he wanted. Then to the gas station, where, heaven forbid, I just got gas and didn't go in to buy him a cookie. Jack told me that made him mad inside. Then I had the nerve to go to the store to buy his favorite yogurt drinks and after Jack ran all over the store (despite his promises that he would be good and follow the rules, which he even recited back to me "Stay with momma and papa and don't run away" if I didn't strap him into the shopping cart) and spinning the rack of sunglasses so hard that sunglasses flew EVERYWHERE, I had the gall to pick him up and not let him go until we were back in the car. I wouldn't let him open the bread until we got home (we live less then a mile from the store) and I wouldn't play cars with him while I was driving that mile home. Zack called to check in and see how we were doing.

Me: "I'm praying."
Z: "Oh that bad?"

I then carried a tantruming Jack up three flights of stairs with groceries and saw at the door a box from Godiva full of Easter bunnies from my mom. (An answer to that prayer?) and Jack asked if we could open it. I told him it was Momma's box and no he couldn't open it. I then distracted him, took the box into my room, lay down on my bed and ate a bunny all by myself. (fyi Zack jokes that I spend my days eating chocolate in bed, today I proved him right!)

Why oh why won't he take a nap and wake up less whinny and tantrumy (or at least let me take one so I wake up less whinny and tantrumy) Maybe they don't make naps long enough for that to happen???

The Cheese Sandwich Store

Jack loves cheese sandwiches. To be more specific, Jack loves cheese sandwiches from In-n-Out. He can spot a In-n-Out sign anywhere, anytime. Jack has taken his love of In-n-Out a step further and has a special corner of our apartment that he refers to as the cheese sandwich store. He makes me sit down on one side of the stool and welcome him to the cheese sandwich store. He orders the same thing each time, cheese sandwich, french fries (with ketchup), water (with a straw) and playground stickers (those are the ones with the basketball hoops and balls on them). He then hands me money and tells me to go ahead and order something for myself. He patiently waits for me to call his number, and then unwraps his straw, puts it in the water, dips each pretend french fry into the ketchup and gulps down his cheese sandwich. It's all super adorable.

But what does it say about how often we frequent In-n-Out that he can mimic the experience word for word?

Jack sings the ABC's

And if you just have to see more check out the deleted scene.

Momma, you love it?

"Momma, you love it?" is the question of the month.
Yes Jack, I love cars, trains, your blankee, trees, birds, cookies, salads, broccoli, cars, cars, more cars, even more cars, basketballs, hoops, playing basketballs, drawing basketballs, cars, cars and cars. And most of all I love you.

Let's see how this goes... videos from YouTube

Hi Friends,

This is an old video from way back when of Jack's first steps... if this works out you'll probably see more videos soon.

Have a super day!
-Zack

ps. Please feel free to send in requests, we're always looking for creative inspiration!

Too Young for School

Jack wants to go to school. He is dying to go to school. No, not because he wants to learn to read, write, or add, but because the school in our neighborhood has 10 basketball courts. Jack and I see the kids at school during the week and watch the kids at PE running around and playing on the courts while we play at the park next door. He waits (somewhat patiently) for all the kids to go home for the evening or the weekend and then his only desire is to go to school and shoot hoops.

Zack lifts Jack high above his head and Jack shoots. If he misses he tries and tries again. If he makes it, he moves on to the next basketball hoop.





Zack was a trooper despite an injured back. What great fun!

Foot in Mouth Disease

Ever have one of those days when seriously every time you open your mouth your foot jumps in it? Zack has :).

After a number of seriously did you just say that moments, including kissing me and saying "oh Melanie" (*pronounced Melanie, but spelled melon-y referring to the flavor of my new lip balm, but never the less shocking in the moment) and honestly a very nice calm Saturday we sat down for dinner. Zack looks over at me and says, "man, if this is what your Monday through Friday is like, then your life is awesome." Yes Zack, the 2:1 parent to child ratio, breakfast, lunch and dinner that appear as if out of thin air, the hour you spent in the Nike outlet childless while I roped and wrangled an exhausted 2 day nap-less Jack in the mall, a two and a half hour break/nap when Jack actually did fall asleep, no errands, no time outs, no one watching while you go to the bathroom thinking its funny to run off with the toilet paper, no massive amount of work that you are expected to get done for your job while desperately attempting to be the parent your child deserves. Yes Zack. It's exactly what my Monday through Friday is like.

PS. Despite it all, the only thing Zack is better at then being a father, is being a husband.

A San Francisco Treat

Rachel and Christine came out this weekend for a visit. First of all, they are awesome for taking time out of their busy lives to come and be a part of our busy life. :) Too bad over the course of the weekend Jack: threw up 3 times, got conjunctivitis, a high fever, and an awful cough. He was a trooper though. Friday flew by in a blur of In and Out Cheeseburgers and Cheesecake Factory Fudge cake. Saturday we headed up to the city and after taking a few photo ops with the bridge in back, we walked across the Golden Gate bridge. To make up for the calories we burned, we headed over to Ghiradeli Square for ice cream and chocolate and then home. Here are a few pictures to remember the weekend by...


Jack wrapped in a blanket on our walk

Hand me downs...we love them!

Jack loves hand me downs. Thank you to Sarah who is not only supplying Jack with the shirt on his back but the amazing train for entertainment! He loves both the big boy truck shirt he is now big enough to wear and getting to be a train conductor!
See how happy they make Jack?

Taking it personal

Yesterday Jack climbed up on my chair by the computer. He was click-clacking for maybe 2 minutes and managed to erase my wireless network. It's gone. 1 hour with tech support and they still have no idea what he did and how to fix it. Lame.

Jack looked at me while he was typing and said "Momma, I can't play cars. I doing work."
Lamer.

My worst fears voiced by a 2 year old. All the attention I give him can't erase the 10 minutes I steal for myself or work.
The lamest.

Jack the Movement and Motion Graduate

A few months ago I signed Jack up for a Movement and Motion class through the city. His friend Connor signed up too which made it even more fun. Since Jack walked at 9 months, and didn't crawl until 15 months, there are certain things that young babies are confident doing (ie climbing, crawling through tunnels, climbing steps) that Jack has been cautious with. This class was great and really seemed to give him more confidence in using his body.
Here is a picture of the graduate

They had the kids slide down the slide to receive their "diplomas." Jack's said "Jack Zack" I think they must have run out of room on the role and thought we saddled him with a name like Jack Zack!

Jack climbed up this tall rock wall all on his own!

I was so proud of him conquering the tunnel. Here's our awesome action sequence...
In:

Through:

Out: (this is the one we worked the hardest on.) Not completely graceful, but I was so so so proud!

And finally, a cookie to celebrate!


We are now taking a Tot's Sports class where Jack gets to play Basketball (!!!), soccer (he's not so thrilled and keeps picking up the soccer ball and pretending to shoot baskets), and baseball starts next week. He loved the basketball weeks and kept volunteering to come up and help the teacher demonstrate to the other kids. He honestly volunteered - it was all him!

"Momma me swimming!!"

Last weekend was perfect. It was nearly 70 degrees and the first sunny day in months. We celebrated by meeting friends at their heated pool. We bought Jack a pair of floaties which were AWESOME. He was able to swim around by himself (well a few feet away from a very watchful parent) but he was so proud of himself!!! What a big kid!

Role Reversal

Today, after I got Jack's room all ready for naptime (pulled down the blinds, turned on his fan and music and turned off the lights) he told me to lie down on the futon close my eyes and announced that he was going to go do some work in the other room. :) Hey, whose in charge here? What he doesn't realize is I would love to be shut up in his room taking a nap...