Not So Wordless Wednesday

{in less than eight days, this little nephew of mine will be in his momma's arms}

{we're all waiting on you, Little Man...you're momma especially so}

{come quick - your cousins can't wait to meet you}

{auntie can't sleep at night - she's so excited}

{tonight would be fine}

Not So Wordless Wednesday...Alternately Titled: Reunited

{Please Note: I do not always get to blog every day, although most days I want to.  I just may not get the opportunity.  So occasionally I back-blog.  I can tell my story and set the date and time for a date that has already passed.  It works for me and my OCD/anal-retentive ways.  So just be sure to scroll down so you don't miss anything if you're one of my dear readers who likes to keep up with what we've been doing.}

Turns out that my little man did, in fact, miss his lovey.  Very much.  After sleeping without him for two nights, Jack asked us where Skinny Bear was.  And he actually asked with a little bit of a smirk/grin which leads me to believe that he knew we'd done something to Skinny Bear.  When we told him we didn't know, he seemed okay with that, and agreed to sleep with his back-up Skinnies.

But then Grandma told us that Jack had told her how much he missed Skinny Bear, with his head hanging low and sad.  And yesterday in the car, as I brought Jack home from school, he reiterated how much he missed Skinny Bear.  In secret, I choked back sobs.

So last night, at bedtime, we reunited Jack with Skinny Bear.  And what a happy boy he was!  He even told us the story about telling Grandma how much he'd missed him.  And reenacted the head hanging low and sad he'd shown her as well.  He's nothing if not dramatic:)

See how happy Jack is to have Skinny Bear back?

{I'm so glad that era isn't over just yet.}

Wordless Wednesday

{good night.  sleep tight.}

Wordless Wednesday

Not So Wordless Wednesday

Here are some pictures to tide you over until I can add my thoughts...let's just say that the last 30 minutes of Jack's night were tricky in the behavior department.  Does it get better at three?  Please tell me it gets better at three!

*****

Edited to include detail:

If I told you that this adorable little boy threw one of the top three tantrums we've ever seen this evening after this photo was taken, would you believe me?

Yeah, I wouldn't either.  Except I was there, and I survived it, along with his Daddy.  After bath time, Jack flat out refused to put on his underpants.  I didn't even know that refusal was an option when you're two, but apparently it is.  I tried my usual "count to 3" routine.  Nothing.  I tried to put them on him myself, which led to a small wrestling match of arms and legs, and I was losing.  We tried counting again, this time with the promise that Jack would not get a story before bedtime if he didn't put his underpants on.  And he still didn't do it.  Finally, (and we're talking like 20 minutes later after much jumping, stomping, and crying) he called down enough for me to finish getting him dressed and cut his fingernails.  The whole time, he was hiccuping and sniffling, and asking, "Story?"  My little heart was breaking.  I snuggled him.  I told him I loved him.  I told him I couldn't read him a story because he didn't listen to Mommy, but that we would read a story the next night if he was a good listener.  With tears in both of our eyes, I tucked him in and left the room.  Then I went to the bathroom and cried.  I hate disciplining.  I think it might be my least favorite thing; I feel so mean. 

On another note: check out the adorable groundhog that Jack made at school! 

And the cute love bug!

I love seeing his artwork hang on the fridge!

Wordless Wednesday

Not So Wordless Wednesday

Early this morning, we were off to a rather interesting start over here.  I went in to wake Jack up, and he literally rolled over and said, "Leave me alone, Mama."

I wonder...how does a two year-old learn to express himself in this way?  Now, I don't doubt for a minute that it's exactly what I would mumble had someone been trying to wake me up before I was ready, but seriously?  At two?  It was just too stinkin' cute to be mad or hurt...he's just such a little person.

Besides, he very quickly redeemed himself, as this morning, for the first time as we were leaving the house to go to school, he came up to me, stuck his little paw up into the air, and said, "Hold your hand, like a big boy, Mama."  (As opposed to carrying him on our way out the door.)  Be still my little heart:)

Today was the first good day at work in many, and Jack also had a good day at school.  When we got there, he gave me a kiss, waved and said goodbye, and then went off to play.  At pick-up, he wanted to finish his puzzle before going home.  He's really enjoying the big boy classroom; as much as I miss the Toddler Teachers, I think Jack had outgrown the room.  I'm so glad that he's so happy.

Daddy came home early this evening, so we decided to go out to dinner (something we don't get to do very often due to his late work hours).  We took Jack to Famous Dave's, and aside from the huge cheeseburger and Oreo cookies that he ate, his favorite part seemed to be the giant bear outside the restaurant.  I didn't have my camera with me, but we took some photos from our phones to tide you over.  I know I've been slacking on the pictures lately, but I'm going to practice some of my new skills this weekend.  Just you wait!

Famous Dave's Bear

Jack must have learned to say "cheese" during Picture Day!

Giving the bear a hug

Adorable, Jack

He kept asking me to take his picture eating his big cheeseburger, and then he'd immediately move.  Oh, the difficulties in photographing a toddler...