The Big Boy Bed

We had such an awesome weekend.  We had lots of fun and spent lots of quality time together, although I didn't get a chance to tackle the mess of dog poop in our back yard.  Anyways, the big news is that Jack finally got his big boy bed.  My dad came over on Saturday morning to help Jeff rearrange all of our furniture.  And, you know, do other "dad/Boppa" stuff around the house.  Jack and I had the best morning - we took Blue to the groomer and then we went out for pancakes.  Afterwards, we went to Target to get our groceries and he got to pick out the stuff for his big boy room.  While he was pretty excited about his pirate bedspread, he really liked his pirate ship lamp and carried that around the house for about an hour or so.  Anyways, I told him that his Boppa was going to come over to put his big boy bed into his room and he just stood by the window until my dad pulled up.  He was so excited.  

Jack really wanted to help the guys move furniture around, naturally, and it was tough to keep him out of the way so they could get their jobs done.  He helped me clean out the rooms while the furniture was being moved and when the bed finally made its way into Jack's room, we couldn't keep him off of it.  He was so proud.  Of course, he wanted to jump on it.  But he also wanted to pretend he was sleeping and I actually had to lock him out of the room so I could make the bed.  Nap time was a different story, but then again, it usually is.  I had to lie down with him for a few minutes in his bed and he got up once before he finally fell asleep.  

So, there's the finished room.  I still need to add a few more things and I want to get him a little CD player, but for the most part, it's kind of weird to think that things will stay pretty much like this until we either move or Jack moves out.  It makes me really sad, in a sense.  I know I can't keep him in a crib forever and it's not like he actually stayed in it anyways, but the changes just seem to be coming at lightning speed.  Maybe that's a good thing, I don't know.  It gives me less time to dwell and mourn the fact that my baby isn't so little anymore, not that he ever was, I guess.  

The other thing that's thrown me for a loop is that now there's real, tangible proof (besides my ever-expanding waistline) that there's going to be another human in our house in just a short time.  I was thinking yesterday that the next baby I take out of that crib will be our baby girl.  I'm glad we've got a few months yet because I'm not quite ready.  There's still a lot to be done, decorating to complete, and things to buy.  I went through the box of newborn clothes yesterday for things that could be considered "gender neutral" and this girl needs some pink in her closet.  Anyways, this is what Baby Girl's room looks like so far:

Like I said, it's not that exciting right now because there's nothing in it - but there will be, hopefully before July rolls around.  I think it also helps Jack to understand that things are changing too.  I keep telling him that the yellow room is where the new baby is going to sleep and I think it's starting to sink in for him.  Yesterday, a couple from church came over to bring me dinner and they asked if they could see Jack and the baby's room and he was really excited to show everything off.  Mostly how he could jump on the bed and climb up on the changing table but, you know, he was pretty proud of everything.  And since he was showing off bedrooms, he brought everyone into our room.  And, when asked the question, "Who sleeps in here, Jack?"  he responded, not with "my mom" but with "Katie."  He completely left Daddy out of the equation.

So anyways, the rest of the weekend was pretty great as well.  On Friday, we met a few friends at the Chatterbox in St. Paul for dinner.  They have a little girl who's about a year younger than Jack.  He could have cared less about playing with her through the entire meal, but the whole way home, Jack kept saying "bye, Juliet!" from the backseat.  Go figure.  Jack was more excited in trying to play all the video games:

  

And here's our big picture from our triple date.

Anyways, like I said, on Saturday we were up early, did a few chores and then spent the rest of the day getting things put away and organized in the bedrooms upstairs.  I popped out for my massage that afternoon and then I came home and picked Jack up to go to Nana and Boppa's for his first official sleepover.  I say "official" because he's stayed overnight elsewhere before, obviously, but never with a friend (or cousin)!  Anyways, bless my parents.  Seriously, I could go on and on about how indebted to them I am.  I know it's a lot to take care of Jack, believe me, I know.  But to take care of Jack, Wim and Bash is an act of sacrifice.  I can't tell you how nice it was to have an evening to relax.  Also, I was surprised at how much I could get done without a two-year old around the house, and how quickly everything was accomplished.  Like getting ready, for example, usually takes about an hour and a half.  I was out the door in half that time on Sunday morning!  Anyways, Jeff and I went out for dinner and then went to see Noah at the IMAX.  It was horrible.  We were both really angry that we wasted two and a half hours of our lives on that movie when we could have done something so much more fun - like sleep.  But still, it was nice to have a night to ourselves and I am so grateful to my parents for giving us that, at least.  And, I got to sleep in a little bit on Sunday morning too.  Blue thought it was awesome.  Even though he missed his buddy, I think he was glad for a little break from all the kicking and fur-pulling that typically goes along with having a toddler in the house:

  

I know that Jack had an awesome time with his Nana and Boppa.  But, I think that the boys really wore my parents out.  They're a lot to handle when they're together because they just feed off each other.  Last night, I called my mom to talk to her about something and she told me that she was just too tired to talk.  I went to church on Sunday to pick up Jack and he was screaming from the nursery because he wanted to go into the church with Nana and Boppa.  Well, he got his way and was actually pretty good throughout the service, but I think he was on the tired end of things because he was really bratty until we got home and took a nap.  

So, while Jack napped yesterday, I cleaned and organized things and I actually got it all done, believe it or not.  Or at least everything I wanted to get done - save for picking up the poop outside.  I tried for a little bit after Jack got up from his nap, but he wanted to be outside with me too.  Which meant he wanted to jump off the stairs on the back deck into a mess of dirty, wet snow.  So that was short-lived.  And then, like I said before, a really fantastic couple from church came up to visit and bring me dinner which is always appreciated.  Last night was the first night in the big boy bed and it went okay.  He got up and came into our room a few times (but again, this isn't really unusual) before he finally fell asleep.  However, I think he had a bad dream or something because he woke up crying at about 3:00 this morning and came into our room, where he slept for the rest of the night.    

So the weekend went by way too quickly.  And I can't believe that tomorrow will be April.  Before you know it, we'll be back from New Jersey and then it's going to be time to settle down and start thinking about having this baby.  Holy cow.

I'm So Excited... And I Just Can't Hide It!

So, I may be a little too excited for this coming weekend.  This morning, as I was talking to my mom, she suggested that we bring Jack over to their house on Saturday night for a sleepover.  Nana and Boppa are taking care of my sister's kids that night, and they decided to make it a party.  My mom and dad thought that it'd be fun, but it would also give me a break and Jeff and I could go out on a real date - to a real restaurant.  Not Perkins.  To say I'm completely overwhelmed and appreciative of the gesture would be an understatement.  I come from good Scandinavian stock and we typically don't ever ask for assistance - even if we need it.  So yes, while I can freely admit that I need a break and that Jeff and I need some time together, it would never even occur to me to ask for help.  And maybe it's just that I'm touched by such a simple and thoughtful act, or maybe it's the prospect of having a night to ourselves, but I am quite verklempt.  And grateful.  And irrationally excited. 

So, anyways, we've had a pretty good week so far.  We're definitely in the throes of asserting independence and Jack does things at his own pace.  There are a few tricks I've learned to help quell the tantrums or speed something along.  For example, whether we're getting dressed in the morning or putting pajamas on at night, it's important to keep naked time to a minimum.  The kid loves running around the house butt naked.  Also, he loves to do gymnastics in his birthday suit.  Jumping on the bed while in the nude is also exciting and fun.  Additionally, I have to remember to talk to him early - and often - about what we've got to get done and incentivize the end result.  Meaning, I'll start talking to him the minute we get home from school about how he's going to have some playtime while I cook, how we're going to eat dinner and then we're going to have a bath.  If he's good, he can snuggle in bed and play with the iPad and watch a Mickey Mouse show.  And I repeat this over and over again.  Lay the plan out and reward the follow-through.  

And then, there are the moments that simply escape my control.  Jack has his own opinion about everything - how food on his plate should be arranged, the exact way he needs to be tucked in at night, how he needs to get in and out of the car, the manner in which he holds his blanket - I'm telling you, everything has a process and a place.  This past weekend, Jeff was headed to work and Jack and I were going to church when I realized that Jack's hat was still in the back of Jeff's car - and he'd already departed for the day.  For about thirty seconds, I tried to get Jack to forget that he wasn't wearing his hat and I actually thought about convincing him he didn't need it, but he sat down on the ground and cried, "My hat!  My hat!"  And so, I called Jeff to turn around and bring Jack's hat home for us.  Yeah, I gave in.  He's also been carrying around his "guys" lately - mostly just a blanket, but my dad keeps trying to fold Jack's blanket up so it's easier for him to carry around and it doesn't drag on the ground.  I've had to intervene several times because I can just see the tantrum coming.  You just don't fold the blanket.  Period.  On Sunday, I told Jack it was time to take a nap and he proceeded to lie down on the staircase.  When I told him he had to sleep in his crib, he threw a full-on tantrum for fifteen minutes about how I wouldn't let him take the stairs with him to bed.  Its absolutely not rational, I recognize that.  But it's just another indication that yes, he is my son because I am the same way.  Everything has its place and I've got a process you don't mess with.  And, Jeff says that I will argue a completely absurd principle just because I don't want to be told otherwise.  So, while this is typical behavior of a two and a half year old, perhaps some of it is genetic as well.  

So, this past weekend was pretty low key.  On Friday, Jeff had to work late so Jack and I went over to my parents' house for dinner.  Yet another thing I'm eternally grateful for - not having to cook at the end of the week.  I was exhausted.  Jack had fun, I think, and snuggled for a long time with Nana on the couch.  We went home early and hit the sack - and to be honest, I'm not sure who fell asleep first.  On Saturday, Jack and I hung out around the house in the morning and then went to the grocery store.  Afterwards, I took him to the library, but it was just chaos.  There were kids running and screaming and I was looking for a more low-key environment, so we went over to the mall's play area (yes, it was more low-key!) and had lunch.  After nap time, we laid around in bed for a bit, reading a few stories and then went to meet Daddy at Perkins.  Again.  On Sunday, Jack and I went to church and then to Ridgedale for some playtime and shopping.  Jack was a total nightmare.  I don't know if it was because he hadn't slept well, didn't feel great, or if he was just being a brat (we all have those days, right?) but I was at the end of my rope by noon.  He kept hitting and kicking kids in the play area because he was frustrated.  After the first time, he got a timeout.  The second time, I ended up carrying a screaming, kicking and hitting kid out of the play area.  I hate it when I'm "that" parent, but I suppose we've all been there (or will be) at some point.         

Nap time on Sunday substantially improved his mood and when he woke up, we watched Frozen together.  I loved the movie.  Jack was a little disappointed that Mickey was not in it and so he only sort of paid attention to it.  And that was our weekend - nothing too exciting.  

So, I think I wrote last week about how we're having problems keeping Jack in his crib at night.  He's willing to fall asleep in his crib, but he's got an internal alarm clock that goes off at about 5:15 every morning and I am awakened by a loud "thump" followed by the padding of feet down the hallway into our bedroom.  Yesterday morning, I woke up when I heard Jack's feet hit the floor and I must have lost consciousness again because when I awoke again, there was a man-child staring at me from the side of my bed.  Scared the living daylights out of me.  This morning, Jeff let out a yelp when he woke up to find Jack on his side of the bed, waiting to be pulled in.  But, even though sleep has been cut short lately, I really love it when he crawls into bed with us.  He just wants to snuggle, and I am totally okay with this.  

This weekend, we've got a "triple" date tomorrow night with our friends and their daughter - Jack's first date!  And, on Saturday, I think I'm going to do some furniture rearranging - if I'm lucky, I think I'll have moved Jack into a big boy bed by this time next week.  But I'm going to need some man-slaves to assist me.  I've got a massage on Saturday afternoon and then, it's date night!  Sunday will be more of the same.  It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend, so I'm hoping we can get outside for a little bit.  

I've posted some pictures below of Jack at school and perfecting his "selfie" face.

In this last one, he's helping his teachers fold the laundry.  Yet another thing he insists he must do at home as well.  He loves to put the laundry in the wash, start the load, put the clothes in the dryer and help me put them in the basket when done.  He also likes to help me put away the laundry and actually knows where a lot of the clothes go!  While this may be child labor, I'm taking advantage of it now because it will be rare behavior in ten years or so.  

Poop

It's kind of a big deal to let you all know that I haven't changed a dirty diaper in about a week - I know that this is due to a variety of different factors, including Jack's schedule, but I can honestly say that I don't think he's had a poopy diaper in about a week.  We have been doing our business on the big boy potty.  This excites me to no end, even though I'll be elbows deep in dirty diapers in just a few months regardless.  But this past week, Jack has told Jeff and me on several occasions when he needs to use the bathroom.  He did his business in the big boy potty on Sunday and I was so proud that we went to Target and bought the store.  That's how you really know parenthood has dramatically altered your life - I can't believe how excited I get over bowel movements these days.  

So, he's turning into quite the little helper at school these days.  He's already developing "first child" attributes and we don't even have a second kid yet.  He likes to help his teachers clean up around the classroom, keep the other kids in line, and he likes to help put them down for their naps.  Now if I could only figure out how to get him to safely hold a baby and get it in the crib....  just kidding.

He's also got two buddies at school - or rather two little boys he's believes himself to be in charge of protecting.  I'm not joking - Casey and Owen are his charges and he is their body guard.  I don't know if it's because they're younger and a little on the smaller side, but Jack takes out anyone who messes around with either one of his buddies.  

Anyways, the weather has been improving here and Jack has actually gotten to go outside for playtime at school.  He just loves being outside.  I think I wrote last week about how I had to drag a soaking wet and screaming kid in the house because he just didn't want to stop playing outside and the trend has continued this week:

I think he's pretty happy to be outside and he's starting to come home in his change of clothes pretty regularly since he apparently likes to soak himself through at school too.  I'm getting pretty excited for this summer when we can actually go outside and play and not worry about melting snowbanks or giant puddles.  I can't wait to open up the back door and let Jack and Blue run around together in the backyard.  

So, Jack has always had a thing for his "guys" - you know, the things he sleeps with every night.  Well, his obsession has gotten a bit out of control as of late.  Currently, he needs three blankets, two smaller blankets with bear heads on them, a giant Mickey Mouse, a teddy bear, and one smaller Mickey just to get into his crib.  Oh, and the latest addition - a football.  I wrote last week about how Jack found this football in Jeff's closet, but he has insisted that this "foot-fall" go everywhere with us.  I think I brought it to Wim's birthday party on Saturday, but I did manage to get him to leave it in the car at church on Sunday.  He loves this thing.  He's learning how to play catch with Jeff and loves to throw and run after it around the house.  

And yes, it must go to bed with him every night.  Jeff and I have talked about the fact that we'd prefer it if Jack didn't play football, but I don't know how we're going to avoid it.  First off, Jack is built like a tank.  Second of all, it's the only sport he watches on television and he's definitely developed an affinity for the pig skin.  I think its just one of the many things we'll just have to get used to.  

So, this past weekend, we celebrated Wim's second birthday.  My sister (or rather my grandpa) had this genius idea of holding his birthday party in the church basement - it's a wide open space with toys, balls and tricycles and there are tables and a kitchen close by.  It's perfect.  The kids ran around like maniacs and the adults were able to eat, socialize, and still manage to keep an eye on the kids.  After the party, we came home and all took naps.  Jeff and Jack went to the gym in the afternoon and then they swung by to pick me up for dinner.  

On Sunday, we went to church and then Jack and I checked out this new play place in Minnetonka - it was perfect.  There weren't too many kids, it was just the right size for him, and there was a lot of stuff to keep him occupied.  He played like a maniac for a solid hour before we headed home for lunch and naps.  

So, Jack's latest thing - whenever he wakes up, he gets out of his crib and runs to find his mommy.  It doesn't matter what time it is or where I am, he sets off to look for me.  Every morning this past week, I've been awoken by the thud of his feet hitting the floor and then thundering down the hallway to our bedroom.  He climbs up into our bed and lays down next to me and snuggles for about a half-hour or until I tell him it's time to get up.  Seriously, this is the best part of my day.  

On Sunday after his nap, I was working in bed and he came running down the hallway to see me and watch an episode of Mickey while I finished up.  Another thing - he's been OBSESSED with Mickey's Christmas Carol as of late.  I don't know why, but every day he asks to watch "Mickey Carol" when we get home from school.  So anyways, after that was done, we went into the bathroom and he did his business on the potty and I told him we'd go to Target to buy him a special toy for going poopy on the big boy potty.  So, we get to Target and he's telling everyone that he did a "poopy big boy" and he gets to pick out a "Mickey toy" but nothing Jack does is ever quiet, so he kept screaming "POOPY BIG BOY" as we were walking down the aisles of Target.  He ended up picking out a Thomas the Train toy (or "cool train" as Jack calls it) and then he wanted a "Mickey Hero" DVD, so I got that for him too.  I think we'll probably move to stickers and other rewards from here on out because that's a little extreme for anyone's bank account.  

When we got home, we fixed supper, watched "Mickey Hero" and played in the basement for a while.  We've got nothing too exciting going on this weekend, which will be nice and I'm looking forward to some down time.  Maybe I'll actually get to Ikea and pick up Jack's big boy bed.... 

Sugar and Spice...

I had been waiting to write this week because we had our 20 week ultrasound this morning.  And I'm quite pleased to announce that it looks like we'll be welcoming a little girl in July.  Sometime in July.  Unfortunately, I've got a condition called placenta previa - which isn't serious yet, but it can be if it doesn't resolve.  In a lot of medical mumbo-jumbo and girly stuff, my placenta is too low, which means I can't have the baby naturally.  Fortunately, as Baby Girl grows, my placenta should move and everything should be fine.  If it doesn't, then they'll schedule a c-section when I'm about 36 weeks pregnant - which is kind of scary, since that's less than four months away and I haven't done anything to get ready for her arrival yet.  In addition, because I've been having so many problems just being pregnant this time around anyways, they were talking about scheduling a c-section at 36 weeks regardless.  So, my body has some work to do if I can expect to have any hope of delivering Baby Girl naturally.  If the scales balance in my favor, she's due to arrive on July 27th... if not, I guess we'll have a baby on the Fourth of July which would be pretty cool.  So, they'll keep a close eye on me - check my blood levels regularly and I'll get routine ultrasounds for the next several weeks (which pleases me to no end) and hopefully I can avoid bed rest and preterm labor.  Unfortunately, it feels like I've been on an express train to just that destination.  But anyways, today is a good day and I'll take it for what its worth.  So, here's Baby Girl Storms, sitting pretty at just under 21 weeks:

When we were pregnant with Jack, both Jeff and I swore that we could tell he had Jeff's nose just by the ultrasound.  This time around, Jeff still is confident that Baby Girl has his nose, but I remain undecided at this point.  I don't know - you be the judge.  I think she's got my profile.  She's also been named since I was about ten years old, so I'm glad that's taken care of.  I don't know what we would have named the kid if it had turned out to be a boy.  He would have been eighteen and Jeff and I still would have been arguing over what to call him.  

Anyways, Jack remains blissfully unaware that a baby is coming in just a few short months.  We try and talk to him about the baby, but he doesn't really care to process the information.  I've got a few books on becoming a big brother, but he won't sit still to look at them.  He knows that his mom has been sick and likes to bring me my water bottle and tells me quite frequently to take my medicine.  He's been pretty good about keeping his energy levels in check this past week, although he has developed quite the attitude.  He's also got tons of new words and the things that come out of his mouth just make me laugh.  

Anyways, his favorite food continues to be his "moo-mes" although I think he likes them more for the fact that he gets to lick the spoon after I'm done putting everything into the blender.  He thinks this is awesome and dances around the kitchen until I hand him the spoon:

His face is covered here in Nutella and peanut butter.  He definitely digs on that.  

Anyways, I started getting sick on Friday afternoon, so I had an appointment with Duckie and came home and got into bed.  Jeff picked Jack up from school and we all had a pajama party in bed where Jack continued to practice the art of the selfie:

He's getting better at it, I think.  Anyways, on Saturday I had to go back to the doctor for some more blood tests and then spent the day in the hospital getting IV fluids and nutrition.  I told you, this kid has been difficult.  I can only imagine the headaches she'll give me in fifteen years.  Anyways, Jack and Jeff had a "boys" day - which included going to the gym and out for pancakes.  

I was feeling better on Sunday, so Jeff left to go to the office and I told Jack that we'd have an adventure.  We got up to get dressed and he ran into the bathroom to go potty.  He did his "tee-tee boi" and I asked him if he could try going poopy.  He screamed, "Poopy!  Yeah!"  and proceeded to grunt, let out a huge toot, and then laugh hysterically.  Apparently, farting is just inherently funny to boys.  Anyways, Jack looks up at me and says, "I can't, Mama.  It's stuck."  Go figure.  I should mention that everything is "stuck" these days.  He tells me he's "stuck" when I buckle him into his car seat.  He will, rather frequently, get himself stuck in between the railing on our staircase and scream out that he's "stuck" until I come and get him.  He'll wedge himself in between the couch and the wall and do the same thing.  He tells me he's "stuck" if he can't get his feet out from under a blanket or if he doesn't like the way he's tucked in at night.  Everything, and I'm telling you, everything is "stuck" these days.    

Anyways, after we got dressed, we went out to run to the grocery store.  Afterwards, I ended up taking him to McDonald's Playland for some fun running around.  I can honestly tell you that I have brought Jack to McDonald's exactly once in his life - and it was like a year ago.  So, imagine my surprise when we pull up to the restaurant, he looks up and says, "Oh, Mama!  McDonald's!"  like he's been there a thousand times before.  I seriously don't know where he learned that.  Behold, the power of advertising, possibly...

Anyways, Jack played like a total maniac in the play area.  He ended up falling asleep in the car on the way home, which hasn't happened in a while.  He took a killer nap and when we got up, we went to meet Daddy for dinner.  

Monday was an okay day for me - I was a bit tired so I headed home from work on the earlier side to rest.  And it was gorgeous outside.  The sun was shining, it was warm - it was awesome.  So, I got Jack from school and took him outside to play.  He currently loves playing with a football that he found in Jeff's closet.  He had so much fun throwing the football and running up and down the street with it.  We took Blue outside with us too, and Jack loved throwing the tennis balls for Blue and running around with him.  His favorite part about being outside, however, are the puddles.  He loves puddles.  Loves to jump, splash, wade and just hang out in them.  However, the ones here in Minnesota are currently HUGE.  So, what does he do?  Dives headfirst into one, soaking himself from head to toe.  That effectively ended our playtime because he was freezing, yet I still dragged a screaming, dirty kid inside - he did NOT want to go back to the house.  So, we ended up taking an early bath and eating dinner late.  

Yesterday, Jeff had to go to a dinner so I took Jack out on a "date" to Perkins.  It's our favorite restaurant, apparently.  Plus, kids eat free there on Tuesdays, so it's kind of a no-brainer.  Anyways, here we are on our big date:

We had a good time and we talked a lot about what it would be like to be a big brother and that it's going to be a lot of fun with a new baby in the house.  Again, Jack could care and was like, "fine, fine.  There's a baby coming - where's my Mickey at?"  After dinner, we came home and got into our jammies and hung out in bed, reading stories.  So, this is my favorite new trick of Jack's - while "Row Row Your Boat" is still a favorite jam, he currently loves singing "If You're Happy and You Know It" and asks me all the time to sing him the "Happy" song.  I discovered this almost by accident - it was a song on one of his Mickey CDs, and it got stuck in my head one day.  I was singing it when we got in the house, and Jack looked at me when I started the song and got the biggest grin on his face.  It was like he was so excited that I knew that song too.  So, I started singing it, and he knew all the actions.  Seriously, the cutest thing I've ever seen:

Anyways, I think that's it - he's at such a cool stage right now.  I just love it.  He's so happy all the time, loves to give out hugs and kisses and says some of the funniest stuff.  Here he is with his Ms. Lala - his favorite teacher at school:

  

I go back to see Duckie on Friday and I'm sure he'll have all sorts of stern warnings for me.  Part of me doesn't wonder if this placenta previa business is why I've had such a rough go of things.  Every doctor I've seen seems to strongly suggest that I refrain from having any more children.  At this point, I'm certainly happy to comply!  This weekend, my nephew turns two years old - I can't believe it.  We've got his birthday party on Saturday and then I think I might try and take Jack to the Mall of America on Sunday to go on some rides.  Plus, I need to find a pair of maternity pants.  Boo.  Hiss.  And, given the fact that we could have a baby here in less than four months, I suppose I should start getting her room in order...

In like a lion...

March is one of my most favorite months.  I know that sounds a bit weird, but let me explain - first off, Girl Scout cookies get delivered in March.  I love Girl Scout cookies and look forward to eating them every year.  It may be an unhealthy obsession of mine because I always buy way too many and I get irrationally angry if Jeff takes any of them.  They are MINE - and yes, I'm fully aware that I'm too possessive of my cookies.  Secondly, there's March Madness - I love March Madness.  I will absolutely admit to the fact that I do not follow college basketball at any other time during the year, but in March, I'm all about the hoops.  I love filling out tournament brackets.  I love scoring them every day.  I love trying to figure out which team will make a deep run into the tournament and I really love picking the upset teams.  Third, the weather finally starts to improve in March, which substantially improves my outlook on life.  We're supposed to get above freezing temperatures this week and the entire state seems as if we're finally starting to inch our way out of our winter weather depression and finally turn towards spring.  Ah, spring.  I love St. Patrick's Day for all the wrong reasons, warm weather vacations typically happen in March... I just think this is a great month.  

Alright, so enough of me waxing poetic about this month.  I'm actually having a tough time remembering what we've been up to over the past week or so... Last Friday, I went shopping.  I had finally hit the point in my pregnancy where I was just feeling badly about myself.  I'm at the point right now, if someone looked at me, they wouldn't be able to determine if I was pregnant or just thick around the middle.  Not much of a true "bump" there yet.  I know that gaining weight is all part of the package deal, but last week, I was just feeling frumpy.  It probably has more to do with the weather than anything else, but I felt like a potato or something.  I wanted to feel good about myself.  The good news is that this stage hit a lot later this time around - I remember, when I was pregnant with Jack, crying on the bed in our townhouse because I had nothing to wear.  Jeff was frantically running around the house trying to help me with my clothing choices.  He still laughs at that display of hormones - I think his favorite phrase was "I don't WANT to look like a chubby gladiator!"  Anyways, I saw the signs coming and so off I went to Macy's.  And they were having a sale.  So, I did some damage.  My girlfriend Catie and my sister also donated to the cause, so I've got a completely new wardrobe hanging in my closet.  And let me tell you something - maternity jeans really do change your outlook on life.  On Sunday, I was wearing a pair of my regular jeans and I slipped on a pair of maternity pants to see if they fit and my whole mood changed.  Probably because I didn't have denim cutting into my waist, but it made me quite happy.      

On Thursday, we went over to see my grandparents for dinner.  I should warn you, this is going to be a pretty disgusting story, so skip ahead to the next paragraph if you don't want to read about poop.  We went down to the VFW that was attached to their building.  Jack was simply a delight.  He was sweet, loving, and behaved extremely well throughout dinner.  However, as we were getting up to leave, a suspicious odor was coming from him, so I bent down to take a whiff - my mistake.  He had blown through his pull-up and I ended up with a poop-smeared face.  Gross, I know.  I freaked out and started frantically cleaning my face.  I got Jack out of the high chair and the blow-out was so bad that nuggets fell on the floor.  This might be too much information, I know.  Anyways, I took him to the bathroom, stripped him down, which caused him to get upset and basically gave him a wet wipe bath.  I was trying to soothe him while we were in the bathroom, telling him that accidents happen and that I'd get him feeling better.  There was a woman in the stall next to us that kept asking if she could help - I think she felt badly for us and I'm surprised she could stand the smell.  But, we got all cleaned up and in a new pair of clothes and he emerged from the bathroom, happy as a clam and skipping back to the table to see his Gammy and Gampy.  Probably about three pounds lighter too.  

So anyways, Jack and I both had doctor appointments on Friday afternoon - I went first to see Duckie for a check-up on the baby and it seems that things are FINALLY back on track.  I go back at the end of next week, but everything seems to be improving.  I certainly feel better, so that makes all the difference in the world.  Jack had a doctor's appointment to address a nagging cough, runny nose, eczema, and a possible ingrown toenail.  I am pleased to report that he weighs a whopping 42lbs., which is more than the average five-year old.  He actually did pretty well with this appointment - he surprised me.  He was actually more nervous when it was my turn at the doctor.  He did not like it when Duckie examined me and insisted on sitting right next to the exam table and holding my hand.  Um, how cute is that?  Anyways, because of the duration of time Jack had been dealing with cold-like symptoms, they gave us an antibiotic, and he's doing much better now - at least the runny nose and endless booger supply have abated.  

Anyways, I can't even remember what we did on Friday night.  Probably nothing.  We're wild like that.  On Saturday, Jack and I did our usual chores and went to the grocery store.  He was a total maniac - probably because of his antibiotics or something but he had a lot of excess energy.  We went to Target, which is always an experience, but he was in rare form on Saturday.  He screamed out everything I put in the cart.  So, imagine pushing a kid through the grocery store, screaming, "GRAPES!  SAUCE!  COFFEE!" I figured I'd turn it into a learning experience, so I started asking him questions - like, "what color are the grapes, Jack?" and he'd scream "GREEN!  GREEN GRAPES MAMA!"  And there's nothing you can do but laugh.  Actually, I'm kind of proud at how much he's learning and saying these days too.  However, I did break a glass last week and Jack may have repeated my expletives.  Oops.   

After the store, we came home and got to cooking in the kitchen.  I made a lasagna for a girlfriend, spaghetti sauce for my grandparents, Thai peanut noodles, pulled pork, and an egg bake.  And then, Jeff came home and I went to my girlfriend's house for a sleepover.  Yes, an old fashioned sleepover.  It was wonderful.  I had so much fun sitting around with my friends, laughing, playing games, drinking water (they had wine, don't worry!), and reminiscing about our college days.  We stayed up late and I slept in the next morning, which again, was heavenly.  Jack and Jeff fared pretty well - they went to the gym and went to Perkins for pancakes.  Anyways, I got home around lunchtime, did a few things around the house and then my family came over for dinner.  

Unfortunately, our washing machine broke on Sunday.  This is a huge deal because I bet I do about ten loads of laundry a week.  I had a guy out yesterday to look at it and he needed to order a new part - to the tune of a lot of money.  So, I went to a laundromat yesterday to wash a few loads of clothes.  Grandma Jersey bought Jack a few pairs of Thomas the Train pajamas and Jack has been asking every night to wear his "cool train" pajamas and he had quite the meltdown when they weren't available.  They're supposed to come back tomorrow morning to install the new part, so hopefully our washing machine will be up and running soon because laundromats are weird places.  

Anyways, Jack has been so fantastic the past two nights - he's been snuggly and sweet.  I just love it.  When I went to get him from school on Monday, he ran up to me, gave me the biggest hug and took my face in his little pudgy hands and gave me a big kiss.  Then, he stroked my cheek and kept saying, "Mama pretty."  He sure knows the key to winning me over, huh?  Anyways, he's loved sitting on the couch with me at night, reading stories or watching Mickey while I work.  

Anyways, I've mentioned before that Jack is really getting into "cooking" and helping me around the kitchen.  I let him do as much as I can without him interfering in the whole process.  They've been doing some "cooking" at school too - they made pizzas and pudding this week for lunch and snack.  Jack likes to help put the toppings on the pizza and stir stuff.  At home, I've been letting him put ingredients in the blender for his "moo-mes" and he helps me put stuff back in the cupboards when we're done.  

He's also picking up about a dozen new words a day and stringing them into bigger sentences.  It's still kind of like learning a foreign language because you really need to be paying attention to what he says and you also need to be aware of context clues too.  We've also been working with him to "use his words" to express his emotions.  He usually whines to ask for something, and "Jack, use your words and ask Mom/Dad for what you want, please" is a phrase repeated constantly in our house these days.  So, Jack usually goes, "eh eh, milk, please."  Meaning he first whines and then asks for what he wants.  We'll get there, I know it.  

And that's about it for this week - we've got no real plans this weekend, so I'm hoping for an adventure or two.  It's supposed to be very nice out and, since I've been feeling better, I'm hoping to get Jack outside so I can play in the snow with him!