Winter At The Beach

After a 5 month hiatus from the Jersey Shore- mommy and I headed down to visit with some family. We wanted to check in with Aunt Andrea, who is now living with Bud and CiCi. It was wonderful to see everyone. We have seen CiCi a lot at our house...but have not seen Bud since Christmas, so it was a wonderful reunion. Just as important as seeing the humans was getting reacquainted with the canines. Hoover was happy to see me for a minute- but Patchy was thrilled at my arrival and we played and played and ran and ran. I even got to hold Patch's leash when we took a walk up the the beach. Once we passed the dunes and were on the sand, I said to mommy "where are the chairs- we need the chairs?!!?" Apparently the 27 degree weather was not a deterrent for me because I then proceeded to ask mommy to take off my shoes and jacket. Winter at the beach is not quite the same, mommy tried to explain- but I was not buying it!!!! I see the sand- I see the water and I wanted my bathing suit so I could play- just like I do in the summer!! After a wonderful visit and a fun overnight stay- mommy and I headed to Cape May to visit Nana and Papa. Again, I was in summer surroundings, yet not allowed to have my summer fun!!! Papa's pool was closed????? Has no one ever heard of the Polar Bear Club?? Ugh- guess I am more of a summer beach kid- so look out- once the weather warms up, South Jersey here I come for some splish splahin' sandy fun!!!

First Attempt...

After 3 nights of me going pee on the big boy potty and being super excited and impressed with myself, mommy and daddy thought I might be able to start potty training. So- mommy went out and bought provisions...salty chips & crackers, capri sun juice and M&M's. The plan was to have me eat the salty food, which would make me thirsty and want to drink a lot of  juice and then once I would successfully pee on the potty, the M&M's were my reward. Well- after a day of "training" we went through 5 pairs of big boy underwear, many peepee puddles on the hardwood floors, 20 trips to sit on the potty and 2 successes. By the end of the day I was totally frustrated. The next morning, I was even more frustrated and wanted NO PART of potty training. When mommy tried to plop me on the potty first thing in the AM, I had a major pissy hissy fit. At this point mommy decided that I just did not seem entirely ready to get rid of the diapers, so once I am showing more signs of readiness we will attempt again. The one good thing about this process is that I now know how stylish I look wearing only underpants with sneakers!! Attractive, huh??

Southern Cousins

I got a visit from The South this weekend!! Mommy's cousin who lives in Georgia was in New Jersey with her family- husband Paul and sons Bowen, Judson and Nash. Aunt Lizzie decided to have all the young second cousins over to her house so we could all catch up and play. The adults got to come along to chaperone- but the party was for us kiddos!! Braydon was there as well, to round out the boy fest! Jud and I got along right from minute one and we were the energizer bunnies. We ran & ran & ran some more- from the family room through the living room and into the dining room- then back again and again and again!!!! I think the fact that we each ate about 7 dozen M&M's might have added some fuel to our already sparked fire.  The fun continued outside- weilding sticks and posts as swords, jumping in and throwing  leftover leaves from the fall, swinging, climbing trees and trying to shield ourselves from the 50 mph winds. The day was awesome- wild & crazy and full of testosterone. Braydon even called me crazy- which I took as a total compliment!! Thanks for bringing all of us boys together. Quiet and reserved to loud and boisterous, fun was had by all...

The Great Outdoors

Mommy and I have enjoyed spending the last 2 days soaking up some sun and some warm weather. The only problem is that we have had to do it on the driveway. With the expansive yard we have, you would think that we could have played there, right? No way- not yet! It seems as though we need a few more 70 degree days to melt THE SNOW that is still piled up on our property. So- instead of rumpusing in the snow covered grass- we hit the driveway- we ran, played ball and also took to the skies with my army men & helicopter! Come on spring- send us more warm weather, 'cause I am lovin' the outdoors!!!

My Heart Stoppingly Wonderful Son!

Hi! This is Jack's mommy checking in, as I occasionally do. I felt the need to express my complete and utter pride in my wonderful son! Recently, Jack's daddy and I have thrown him some major curve balls and our little guy has handled them with maturity and grace. From licking the paci habit to settling into his toddler bed with ease, I am so whole heartedly impressed. Our baby is a big boy and my heart is swollen with  adoration and  pride. I am feeling things that I never knew I could- and it is all because our son is such a spectacular person! Keep up the good work, Jack-a-roo. You might not always succeed with everything you tackle in life- but you are proving that you are a  force to be reckoned with- and I know you will always land on your feet. Thank you for being the wonderful little man that you are!

Big Boy Bed

I never knew this before, but my crib adapts into a toddler bed. I found that out today when mommy took off the crib piece and replaced it with the safety rail. Mommy told me that when she is in the room with me, I am allowed to get in & out of the bed- but when I am in my room alone, I have to be a big boy and stay in bed. Well- first night out of the gate I listened to what mommy said and did not set even one tiny toe outside of my bed perimeter! Yeah- that's right...I am a big boy now!!!!!!!!

Preschool

Well- it is official!!!! I am enrolled in the 2011-2012 school year @ Zion Preschool!!!!! I start in September, but boy oh boy do I wish it was sooner. Mommy, CiCi and I went to tour the school today and I LOVED IT!!! Every single classroom that I went into I wanted to stay and hang with the kids, teachers and toys. Mommy really did her research while searching for schools and I think she did a great job. 7 months & counting until I am a big boy student. I like the sound of that...

V-Day Play Date

Not only did I get to see CiCi on Valentine's Day- but Mommy and I hosted a V-Day themed play date. All the kids brought Valentine's and we exchanged them. Mommy had little bogs with stickers and treats in them and also had all pink/red snacks for us kiddos to eat. We had pink muffins, pink yogurt covered pretzels, strawberries and cookies with hearts in them! I think everyone had a great time. I know I did. You would think my fav pat was the candy and treats i got to eat- but surprisinly that was not it. I actually liked the Valentine's... I keep dumping out my valentine bag a few times a day and looking at all the nice cards I got from my friends! What a  great day to be surrounded by new friends and wonderful family!

Valentine's Day Guest

We were super bummed that we were not going to spend Valentine's Day with daddy this year- so CiCi came to the rescue!!!! She came and boy did we ever play! CiCi invented a new game-  it is called HI-YA!!! Basically this consists of CiCi throwing pillows and spinning them off my head- and then me falling down, flailing for a while and then throwing the pillows back to her so we can repeat 1,000 times! This was the best V-Day ever!!!!!!!

My Artistic Process

Mommy and I do art projects all the time. Most of them are really fun, but this one that we did last week was  SUPER FUN!!!! Mommy pulled out all the stops this time- we used gel glitter paint, my hands, the rim of an old yogurt cup and a wine cork to make these masterpieces. More important than the finished project this time was the process. We got down & dirty! I had a blast- but mommy did second guess her judgement while doing massive cleanup on my blue and purple stained hands...

Paci Progress

So- today is the first day since mommy so rudely robbed me of my pa's that I did not ask for them once!!! Not even one little peep...
Wooo Hooo for me!!!!

Purple Pancake Eater

Apparently mommy is trying to fill the paci void by feeding me. First cake, then this morning...

Purple Chocolate Chip Pancakes!!!

Gimme Back My Pa

After the first fateful nap of screams, whimpering, frustration, sadness and many many many tears, I have gotten better with the mourning of my gone but not forgotten pa's. Mommy was explaining to me that there are different stages of grief. Right now I am in the angry stage. I was told that the dragon fairy took my pa's away and gave them to babies that needed pa's more than me. Well- I am mad at those babies!!! They do not need them more than me! Those paci's are not the babies pa's- they are Jacks pa's!!! Other than that small bit of frustration- I am actually transitioning fairly well. I am a bit more restless at night and I flat out refused my nap yesterday- but all considering, I feel as though I am handling this drastic change with massive style and grace! Oh- and mommy has gotten me a few small toys that have motivated me to be a big boy. How long do yo think I can get sympathy and toys for this? Another week? Two? Yeah- you are right...I should not push it- We'll say 4 more days- that sounds just about right for my mourning period!!!!

Telling the babies to give me my pa's back! Apparently I even want to fight them to get my extra special paci's back.

Enlisting the help of my "Toy Story" gang to assist me in paci retrieval. I ask Woody, Buzz, Bullseye, Jessie, Solider Men and T-Rex to "go go go- move move & get my pa's!!!" Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

So ANTSY!!!!!! I just could not settle down without my beloved paci's. I even redecorated & rearranged my crib to try to get rid of the ants in my pants!

Farewell, Dear Pa!!

Mommy has been talking about saying bye bye to my beloved "pa" for a while now. She was even able to sneakily take 3 of the 6 pa's out of my crib without me realizing what was going on. She would extract one- then wait about 2 weeks before taking another. Apparently her initial plan was to whittle me down to only 1, then send that one away to the paci dragon fairy- but that plan was not followed through until completion. Instead, with the 3 remaining pa's- she and I, about 4 days ago, started having conversations about how big boys get to pick out a toy when they are ready to give away their paci's. The paci's are given away to little babies who really  NEED them, instead of just WANT them, like me. Well- yesterday mommy asked me if I was ready to be a big boy, get a toy and give a baby my pa. I initially said no, but about 30 minutes later I came up mto her and said..."mommy- I am a big boy and I want a toy." So- without a moments hesitation, she threw me into the car and off to Target we went. I honestly felt like I was in the eye of a tornado. I was unsure of what was happening. My head was spinning from what was occurring around me. I felt like I was watching the whole thing unfold as opposed to be a participant in my life! So- once home it was time for a nap and I said good-bye to my plastic pieces of perfection. After mommy left the room (with ALL my friends) I immediately regretted the decision and started screaming for my pa's to come back to my nice warm comfy crib with me. Mommy is a stickler, though- and told me that she had already given the pa's to a baby when she came in to check on me 30 minutes later. What the heck?? How could she have done that so fast?? Moms really are amazing, aren't they?? I then proceeded to tell her that "babies do not like pa's- only big boys do" so could I please have them back now? Again- she was not biting. Then I started pleading and bargaining with her...If she would please just give me back my pa's I would give back the toys. Again- no luck!! Bed time was much better, though. I just asked for my pa's and talked about them- but did not cry. I just miss them so much. I am trying to be a big boy and make mommy and daddy proud- but this is the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life!!!  If any of you heard my mommy talk about where she was sending my pa's or maybe know which baby got them- can you please tell him or her that I really want them back!!??!!?! I will give them ANYTHING they want...even the "NO PA" cake that mommy made me today or being such a strong big boy. It is really good- with chocolate in the middle, white cake and cream cheese frosting. No takers? DARN!!! Well- stay tuned for my progress..