It's the LAST week of school!!

It's the LAST week of school!! YAY!! It's the LAST week of school!! YAY!!

Only 2 more days for my big boy and 3 for the other 2! No more homework (and fighting to get them to do it)! No more getting up early (and fighting to get them to do it - we're night people)! No more hurrying to get stuff done in the evening (and fighting to get them into bed)! (Are you seeing a trend here?)

We get to sleep 'till we want to get up! We get to go to the pool! We get to PLAY!

Oh yeah, I'm supposed to write something about Jack! Well, here's an update. We finally got him to stack blocks, roll a ball to Daddy and big brother, and took a tiny step (more like a shuffle)! He's becoming more toddler-like every day. He has definite opinions about being held and loved on :(, and wants to do more himself. He likes to drink out of his sippy cup but has this annoying habit of throwing it down after a sip. We've tried taking it away after the throwing but then he wants another drink and mom is a sap so I give it back. He has a roomful of toys that I put away every night and we dump out again every morning. He has an amazingly soft blue blanket that I got as a shower gift. The friend that gave it, embroidered his name on it. It was with him in the NICU and he's slept with it since he came home. He loves to hold it and cuddle it. Right now he's "combing" his hair with a comb that M threw at her brother 'cause she was mad. Sometimes, he actually does it right!

Another Funny!

Okay, here's one from the child that would prefer to remain nameless :)

This particular child wanted to have toast for breakfast one morning, but we ran out of time and had to leave before the toast was eaten but after it was toasted. I forgot the toast was in the toaster all day so when this child returned home and discovered the still available toast, he/she decided to eat it (yes, after it sat in the toaster ALL DAY). He/she put some jam on it and tried to take a bite. Deciding the toast was too hard (really?!?!) he/she was seen dripping water onto it using fingers only. When asked (by me, trying hard not to crack up), "what are you doing?" the answer was "re-hydrating my toast" as though I really should have known! Who says "re-hydrating"?? Oh my gosh, it still cracks me up!

Quick Jackson update :
He stands from crawling in the middle of the floor, he will take a tiny itty bitty step without holding on very occasionally, he's becoming very opinionated and quite the toddler, but he's still very yummy and gets more kisses than he'd like. We have an ENT appt on Thurs. due to some fluid in his left ear that won't go away. Hopefully, it will be nothing as he hasn't had any infections yet. I'm not holding my breath though.

Mother's Day!!

Well, it turned out to be a good day! Which is surprising since I had to plan when and what to eat (just like any other holiday) and I had to buy my own gift (so I get one). But I already mentioned what I got (BEAUTIFUL DS Awareness bracelet from Amy) and I did get another cool surprise - Ty planted me a marigold at school! He also made me some coupons and drew a few neat pictures for me. There were 3 coupons. This is what they were for:

1. a box of crayons
2. a massage chair
3. time with just me and him together

Is there anything better? Lordy I love that child! Also another wonderful surprise - M made me a picture frame out of popsicle sticks and shells and it had a pic of me and her in it! Love it!! I also got a card from hubby and another from all kids. So, it was a good day!

More good news - my mom has recovered enough from her hip surgery to come for a visit this week-end! YAY! I guess this means I have to clean. Yuck! Oh well, mom and dad are coming to visit! YAY!! Wish me luck on the cleaning!

Jack went camping!

Yep, we camped last weekend! A couple of years ago, before Jack, we decided we liked camping but we didn't like tents. So we bought the coolest camper out there (heh heh). It's fun and we have a bathroom! It'll be better when Jack can walk but we sat by a campfire and took a hike and didn't answer any phones!

He's getting closer to walking. He's been standing from sitting on the floor without holding on for awhile now (maybe a week). We're working on his balance when he's up there; he only stands a few seconds before sitting back down. The good news is, he stands on his own and when he sits it's a controlled sit, not just a big plop.

More news? The diet isn't going well. Darn food. I bought myself a Mother's Day gift - it's a Down Syndrome Awareness bracelet made by Amy over at The Flege Farm blog. When I learn how to make that a link, I will. Anyway, it's just beautiful.

So what am I grateful for today?
1. Jack is a constant source of fun and wonder. I love watching him taking in the world.
2. My oldest son got a haircut! I forgot how good looking he is!
3. My middle 2 are reading together as I type! It's a miracle!
4. My family loves me, even if I need to lose 40 lbs and can't fit into any of my shorts.

Nothing to do with Jack

This post is all about me. I weigh too much. I think I weigh right now approx. what I weighed when I delivered my oldest son and my daughter. I weighed about 10 lbs. more when I delivered middle son and Jack (of course with Jack, I started out lots bigger and only gained 17 lbs!). So, after lots of false effort and no results, I'm trying again. This time with the support my BFF from 7th grade! She and I have embarked on a plan. We're e-mailing our daily food intake to each other and being accountable to each other for what we eat and how we exercize. Now, this is a person who I KNOW will be honest with me but also will celebrate as well. Wish us LOTS of luck!

Okay I have a Jack story too - he's been getting more and more curious and independant so after breakfast, he roams. I keep and eye on him and our house is pretty small so I usually know what he's up to even if we're in different rooms. I followed him down the hall and we went in his room. While I was cleaning up, he wandered into the bathroom. By the time I turned around, he was wearing M's swimsuit that we left to dry on the tub! It was so funny! I sooo love him!

Jackson updates

Okay, I started this blog to provide Jack updates so I guess I'd better get to it!

He was supposed to have a hearing test last Fri. so I took him to the ped. to have his ears checked first, you know, just in case. Sure enough the little stinker had fluid in his left ear. As far as we know, he's not had any ear infections so I was pretty surprised. We cancelled the hearing test and the ped gave him an antibiotic to clear up the fluid so we can try again. I'm wondering now though, do we see an ENT? Do we see the ENT before the hearing test? Do we do the hearing test then see an ENT? Sheesh.

On a happier note, Cap'n Jack got a real haircut last night! He looks like such a little man! He still doesn't have a lot of hair yet; it's thin and fine and wispy; but it was getting longish in the back and I've cut his bangs twice now so they aren't in his eyes. He did fine. Turned his head a couple of times but we were all watching and "helping" to distract him! I took pics and made M use the video camera. I'll post photos soon! Lately, after a bath, I have to give him a comb to hold in each hand so I can use another on his hair and we did that at the haircut too! Otherwise he likes to help comb! He's so funny!

What am I grateful for this morning?
1. We got rain but not a deluge.
2. Jack was so good for his haircut!
3. The kids actually picked up the stuff I asked them to!
4. Holly puppy got a haircut too & is very cute!

Blogs!

I've been trying to compile a list of blogs of my friends. If you'd rather I didn't link yours, please let me know and I'll remove it. I started with the list from Downsyn.com.

M performed at the high school variety show tonight, with her middle school danceline. She did an awesome job! I'll post a photo soon :).

We had a real eathquake here in the midwest! DH was patting me on the back saying "I think that was an earthquake" at 4:30 this am. I sleepily replied, "what was an earthquake?!". It was over a 5.0 and lots of people felt it. Darn it, I didn't. There were a couple of aftershocks that I didn't feel either.

Real quick ('cause I am sooo tired!), the grateful list:
1. I had a great time at the variety show!
2. Jack's sweet little face
3. Allan is home tomorrow - YAY!
4. It's Friday; 'nuf said.