Wordless Wednesday

{I love these babies more than life itself}

Just Jack

I honestly cannot keep up with the adorableness that abounds from Jack each day.  Don't get me wrong - him building independence is still challenging, and we definitely still have our behavior issues, but my goodness - he just says the cutest things.  This might be a long post - I've fallen a few days behind for a couple of super-cute reasons:)

{Yes - they are my reasons}

*****
Belle likes to eat Jack's food, but Gracie prefers Jack's small toys.  The other day, Jack found Gracie happily chewing on a tiny Bullseye toy.  He promptly took care of the situation, directing her to "get in the crate."  When Belle followed Gracie into their crate, he responded with, "Oh, Cuddlebug, you're not in trouble.  I'm sorry - I didn't mean to scare you!"  Belle does not like to be without Gracie, so she wouldn't come out of the crate.  Jack came up to me and said, "Mommy, she won't come out of the crate but she didn't do anything wrong..."

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One night before bed, Jack wanted us to call Grandma and Grandpa to ask them to come over the next day.  When we tried to explain that it was late and we'd call in the morning because Grandpa was already sleeping, we could see the wheels begin to turn.  Jack's response: "Well, call Grandma.  She's awake."

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At the beginning of last school year, I happened to learn a little bit about an animal I'd never heard of before - an animal called the aye-aye.  Literally, I'd gone 30 years without ever hearing of it.  But my precious three year old can tell you all about the aye-aye, thanks to the nature shows he watches with his daddy.  He'll explain that they take their long finger and stick it in the hole in the tree, and then they eat the bugs all up.  He can even act it out:)

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The other night, while taking a shower with Daddy, Jack got water in his eyes.  Which he hates.  A lot.  From the bathroom, I listened to Daddy try to explain that it would be okay.  Then I heard Jack say, "But you don't understand."  My jaw dropped - I seriously thought that was a teenager phrase we wouldn't hear for many years to come, but clearly, no such luck.

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Upset that Grandma didn't put his cars in their "proper" racing positions, he told her, "Please don't do that EVER again, Grandma."  (A phrase he's heard us use when trying to keep him safe from physical harm.)

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Jack constantly dresses up in his Spiderman pajamas and Spiderman sandals and declares that, "he's actually spectacular Spiderman."  I knew he was a little obsessed - I just didn't realize HOW obsessed until the other night in his sleep, I heard him over the monitor loud and clear.  "Spiderman," he mumbled.  Completely. in. his. sleep.

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His newest phrase is, "Mommy/Daddy, I've got a problem for you."  Then he'll proceed to tell you about something or ask something that really isn't a problem at all:)

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Jack's sock seams have to be perfect on his feet, or else we have serious problems for the day.  One morning after trying several times and becoming more and more frustrated, he told me that they were "tricky socks" and asked for help.

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Last night while the four of us were snuggling in Jack's bed at bedtime, I had Hannah on Jack's chest to say good night.  She was a little fussy because she wanted to eat, and when she cried out, her adorable big brother assured her, "I know Hannah...I have to go to sleep too."  Clearly, he thought she was rather sad about having to get ready for bed.  How sweet is that?

Then, just this morning, Hannah was in the swing.  When she started to stir and make a little noise, I watched Jack rush over and try to soothe her.  He fixed her blanket, and whispered to her, "It's okay, Hannah.  You're alright.  I'm right here."  Man, I love that boy!

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One of Jack's toys broke the other day, and unfortunately, it's not one that can be fixed.  When we both tried to explain that it couldn't be fixed and Daddy made a sad face and said that he was sorry about the toy being broken, Jack wasn't ready to give up.  As he walked away with the broken parts, he said, "Maybe some glue will fix it," like it hadn't already occurred to us had that been a viable option:)  Super-cute, but also broke my heart a little bit.  I hate to see him disappointed.

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During a play-day with Daddy, Jack had a plan.  "First we'll take a nap, and then we'll play for two hours and two minutes.  Okay, Daddy?!"  He's nothing if not precise.

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Along with "why?" Jack also asks lots of other questions, like, "Wasn't that gross?  Isn't that serious?  Isn't that silly?"

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"Let's kiss!" Jack exclaimed to me after I'd asked him for kisses and he was too busy playing.  A few minutes later, he came up to me, determined to get some love:)  And that he did.

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Last Thursday, this is the precious message I got on Jack's daily sheet from school:
     Our Jack is growing up to be such a sweet young man.  Today he helped his young friends sing the lunch time song as well as the steps that go with it.  Jack always puts a smile on everyone!

This mama's heart just beamed, I can't even tell you.

Silent Sunday

{Best. Big. Brother. Ever.}

A Proper Celebration

July/August are busy months for our family...within two weeks we have three birthdays and two wedding anniversaries, and tonight we finally had the opportunity to properly celebrate:)  Dinner at Bonefish was excellent, but the company was even better.  Here are some of our photos from the evening:

A new outfit for Aunt Jess

A very well-behaved Peanut who didn't make a peep the ENTIRE time

Aunt Jess and Jack

Dessert on the house

Grandma, Jack, and Grandpa

Jack's card for Grandpa

Aunt Jess, Jack, and Jimmy

It was a very fun, relaxing evening, and we were impressed with how well our two little ones (omigoodness, we have two little ones!) did at our first restaurant outing since becoming a family of four.

Happy Anniversary, Baby!

I love you,
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.

I love you,
Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.
I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out;
I love you
For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can't help
Dimly seeing there,
And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find.

I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple;
Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.

I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good
And more than any fate
Could have done
To make me happy.
You have done it
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.
You have done it
By being yourself.
Perhaps that is what
Being a friend means,
After all.

~Roy Croft

*****

Brad,

Six years ago today, we were married in the most beautiful ceremony that I'd ever seen.  I got to marry my best friend, and it was then that all my dreams (past, present, and future) came true.  I am so lucky to be your wife and to be living this wonderful life we are building together with these two beautiful children we have since brought into this world.  I couldn't ask for more...

I love you so much.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Grandpa - we hope that you are feeling better and were able to enjoy your special day.  You deserve it!  You are so loving and caring when it comes to your family, and we're all so lucky to have you in our lives.  Jack and Hannah are blessed to have such a special grandpa who loves to spend time with them whenever he can:)  We can't wait to celebrate with you this weekend!

*****

And because I'm behind on blogging, but back-dated for our book version, don't forget to visit this link for Aunt Jessica's special birthday message:)

Peanut, I love you

I think every parent of multiple children worries that they won't possibly be able to love another child as much as they love their first-born.  I know that I felt this way and worried about it throughout my whole pregnancy.  Jack became the center of our world when he was born and my heart is just so full of love for him.  I just didn't understand how I would feel or how my heart would just grow at the birth of our daughter.  But it does.  And I am so in love.

Peanut, I love you.

I love the way you raise one arm up.  It's like you're saying, "I have a question," all day long.  Truly a teacher's child.

I love your toes and how you stretch your legs before I change your diaper.

I love that you wake up wanting to nurse that very second.

I love the way you smile when I tickle your lips while you're sleeping.

I love it even better when you smile around Jack.  You love your big brother already.

I love that sweet-baby scent that you have.

I love that you are helping me to gain back my pre-pregnancy shape.  Just today I noticed that my maternity capris are much looser and almost too big to wear anymore.  Thankyouverymuch.  For that, you can nurse as often as you like:)

I love the sounds you make when you're sleeping.

Mama loves you, Baby Girl.