An interview with our three-year-old

You’ve seen these Mother’s Day interviews, and if you have school-aged kids, you probably have your own!  The answers are always great, so I thought I’d try it with Jack! M: How old am I?
J:  31.  (He got that right because we had just talked about it.  He’s three and I’m three with a one beside it, and you say that like 31.)

M: How tall am I?
J:  Tell me.  Wait, I’ll go get my measure and measure you.  Gets it, measures me, and says, You’re 14.

M: What color is my hair?
J:  I don’t know.  But I’ll pretend it’s pink.  Ask me that again.
M:  What color is my hair?
J: It’s pink.  Hahahahaha!

M:  What’s your favorite thing to do with mommy?
J:  Go on adventures.  That’s cool, right?

M:  What makes me laugh?
J:  I smell hamburgers!  (His go-to joke!!)

M:  What makes me upset?
J:  Whispering-Stupid.  We don’t say that word, mommy.  I put all my stupids in the attic.  And we don’t say poop, either.

M:  What do you love about me?
J:  I love that you’re married.

M:  How do you know I love you?
J:  You cuddle me.

M: What is your favorite thing that I tell you?
J:  Well, I really like daddy’s stories.

M:  What’s your favorite thing I make for you?
J:  Dessert

M:  I love you SO, SO much, buddy!
J:  I love you, too, mommy!  hugs me BIG! I give the best hugs, right?
M:  Right, my sweet, sweet boy!!

M:  Who loves you the most?
J:  Jesus

I’m totally doing more interviews like this.  I just love what he has to say.  I want to follow him with a tape recorder, but writing it on the blog with suffice-as long as I write it!

Things I love

I love this crazy, silly, funny little boy.  His personality is the best.And I love his busy, messy, painted-on hands.  They’re so little to me!And I love that he’s patient with me and lets me take silly pictures, but also reminds me to put the camera down, too.  “Mommy, pick me up!”  I love when he reaches for me!

This little one…

This little one is at an age where he is mostly disinterested in my camera.  My silly noises don’t get his attention, my animal noises don’t work, and my “What’s on mommy’s head??” only sometimes makes him curious.  He’d much rather explore his little world, and I love that!  So, I’m going with his flow and working on capturing him in action.I’m all too aware that before I know it, he’ll be two and then ten and then in college!!, and I don’t want to forget any of it!  I want to soak up as much of our first born as I can, because we think he’s amazing! I love when he discovers something new and is so excited to share it with me.  Playing with him really does open my eyes to so many little things and allows me to see our little corner of the world in new ways-what a gift!There are so many things about his t-tiny baby-ness that I love, love!  I love that his sippy cup is almost as big as his face.  I love how his teeny hands look when he claps.  I love his little baby squat-looks like good exercise, and yet that’s one of his favorite ways to check things out. I love that he gets down from whatever he’s climbed on backwards.I love him and I’m so thankful for him.  Looking at him, I know that God is so good!

Because

Because his smile melts my heart,
because his silliness makes me so happy,
because he’s so playful and full of energy yet so willing to give sweet kisses.
because his seventh tooth cut through and he handled it like a champ,
and for so many more reasons that I can’t even begin to put into words-
I love this boy more today than yesterday, if that’s even possible!

Fifteen Months Old

Yep, already! Another month has come and gone, and we love you more than we ever have! Every time you do something new, I say that this is my favorite. Well, I’ve decided that just watching you grow and learn is my favorite! Being your mommy is my favorite! :)

I love all your little facial expressions and how daddy and I can get you to do your “Surprise!” face or smile in an instant. Really, all your daddy needs to do is look your way and your face lights up! Mine, too, buddy buddy! This month you’ve started to have little fits if we aren’t outside when you want to be. Have I mentioned that you LOVE to be outside?! This new attitude is a first for our sweet boy, but Dr. Trey assured us that it is normal for your age, and to ignore it and you’ll learn that fits don’t get you what you want. It’s going to be hard to ignore your sweet little face, but daddy and I only want to do what’s best for you, sweet boy! Even so, when you pull it together, you still give us big hugs and kisses and the BEST smiles!Jack, you’re ALL boy! You love to pick up sticks and pine cones and play yard chips and on and on! I know it’ll come, but your mommy is praying that you stay far away from bugs and lizards for a LONG time! I really don’t know what I’ll do the first time you say, “Mommy, look what I caught!!”. You’re doing good listening to what we tell you to do, so I’m hoping when I say, “Drop it outside!!” you’ll listen! :) You are also fearless, which keeps daddy and me on our toes! I think all the exploring you do is what’s making you a trim, 25th percentile boy, because you do a great job eating! The only thing you still won’t eat is anything with marinara sauce. You love all vegetables, cheese, chicken, bananas, mac and cheese, sauce-free ravioli, yogurt, and applesauce to name a few.Your schedule hasn’t changed in a while, but I’m sure you’ll soon drop your morning nap. Right now-You wake at 7 and eat breakfast, nap from 9:30 to 11:30 (although sometimes you don’t go down until 10 or 10:15-see, I think you’re working on dropping this one), lunch at 11:30, nap from 2:00 to 4:00, dinner at 5:30, and bedtime at 7:30. It’s been the perfect routine for our family, and I think you’ve really benefited from your schedule-you always know what’s going to happen next!And because you know what’s coming up, our bedtime routine is one of my favorite times with you! Not because I’m putting you down-leaving you still makes me miss you (I know I’m sappy), but because it’s such a sweet time! When I get you on my lap, you rarely ever try to get off. You cuddle with me, read with me, talk to me, and listen to me sing to you. I get lots of kisses and hugs, too, which makes me want to sit and rock you all night! I pray with you, and most of the time you just try to clap my hands or push your hand through my folded hands. I know you’re listening though, and I can’t wait to one day hear your little voice in prayer! We then walk over to your crib and I put you down, and you always give me one more smile or put an arm up and open and close your tiny hand wanting me to pick you back up. I would do it every time if I didn’t know what’s best for you! Thank you, also, for being such a good sleeper. Your bedtime gives daddy and me time to spend together just the two of us, and that makes us better for each other and for you! Jack, You are the happiest, sweetest little boy we know! Daddy and I still look at you and can’t believe that you’re ours! We’re so thankful! We love you more than words can say, little one! You make us so proud and so happy each day!'

We love you!
Daddy and Mommy

I’m so happy with my sewing machine!

I’m so happy with my sewing machine because I love to see my boy in mommy-made clothes! They’re never perfect, but they’re always made with love, and the possibilities are endless!

Even more, I just LOVE my little boy and I love being his mamma! He is wonderful-simply wonderful! Thank you God!Jack, one of the main reasons for this online journal is for you. I hope that you’ll read this one day and get a sense of just how much your daddy and your mommy love you! You already make us so proud and bring us so much joy-it’s unbelievable really! You’re the best, little one!!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

One year ago today was my due date, and it’s safe to say that this past year has brought Mark and me a {LOVE} like we’ve never known!  My heart swells with such joy, such pride-so much {LOVE} every time I look at this sweet boy, hear his sweet giggles, or see his sweet smile.  Even when he’s fussy from teething or because I’m wiping his nose, I’m just thrilled to be his mommy! Much {LOVE} to you from our almost one year old sweetheart!  (See him showing ONE in the first picture!)And a very special Happy Valentine’s Day to my most favorite Valentine!  I love you so, so much!  Thanks for being Jack’s wonderful daddy and my Valentine! :)

He’s just so fun!

Mark and I continue to count our blessings each day-this little boy is such a gift!  He makes us smile and laugh at the little things and has made our hearts so big!  He is nothing but a joy, and he is just SO fun!

Check out his new moves!

We love you so much, Roo!  You’re such a happy, good natured little baby, and we’re so proud of you!
Love,
Daddy and Mama

Dear Jack,

It just keeps getting better! Each day you do something new-make a new face, learn something new, try something new-and being your mama just keeps getting better, and more fun!When we put you to sleep each night, I can’t imagine loving you more when I see you again in the morning, but when I see those little eyes light up at the sight of your daddy and me, I do! Your mama loves you more than I’ll ever be able to tell you, sweet boy, but I hope and pray that I’ll always do my best to show you!And even though you’re growing up before our eyes, the book is so true-“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, and as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be!”

Love,
Mama

You are my SUNSHINE!

Mine and Daddy’s sunshine!

You make us happy, when skies are grey!

You’ll never know, Jack, how much we love you!

Please don’t take our sunshine away!
{Another one of our favorite songs!}

We’re so happy with your easy going, easy to please demeanor, sweet boy! Your attitude is something you can always choose, and life is so much sweeter lived looking for the good!

We love you!
Mommy and Daddy

Oh how HAPPY!

We sing that song to Jack all the time, and oh, how true, how true!! We wear a constant smile on our faces because of the pure joy this little guy brings us! He seems to grow and change each day, and we don’t want to forget a minute of it! I love all the fun faces and sounds he’s making and his super soft, fair baby skin.We had some pictures taken of him on the Horseshoe on Sunday, and I can’t wait to see how they turned out! In an effort to take advantage of the digital age and provide a bit of instant gratification, Jack and I had our own little photo shoot today! I know once I see Ashley’s beautiful work, I’ll realize how much I have to learn!He’s using his hands a lot to reach for toys, our faces, anything that catches his eye really, and he pats a lot! My favorite is when he pats my hands! He’s pushing up with his arms so much right now and really wants to get moving! He does this fun thing where he puts his face down and pushes up with his legs. Then he looks up to see if he’s made any progress! Almost there, little guy! Oh how happy you have made me,Oh how happy you have made me!! We love you more than words can say, sweet boy! I pray that you will always keep your happy, positive attitude-everything is so much better that way!

Yep, he’s a keeper!

I don’t think I can love him any more, and then I look at him again and I do!You’re my heart, little one, and I love you!

This Boy of Ours

This boy of ours-I love him. I love that when I look at him now, I can see a bit of his daddy in him. They have a lot of the same facial expressions, and I love that!I love that he is so happy and so playful. I changed him into his jammies tonight, and then we played in his room. He kept flipping from back to belly and then smiling with pride when he pushed himself up. I love that he shows us such joy in all the little things.I love that he's so easy-going and willing to learn new things. We practiced sitting up again, and Jack showed us how flexible he is!Jack, I love that you're such a little cuddle bug. You've started wrapping both arms around us, and we take that as a big bear hug!! I think you're getting close to reaching for us--that's going to melt my heart!And of course I still LOVE those little baby toes! You've been using them to stand with for about a month now, and they're starting to become ticklish!Jack, you have made your daddy and me SO happy! We thank God for you each day and LOVE, LOVE each moment that we have with you!

Sweet boy,

I love to kiss your cheeks and nose and neck and hands. I love to look into your eyes wondering if they'll stay deep blue and see you smiling back at me. I love to cuddle with you while you're sleeping in my arms. I love the way you smile at your daddy-that melts my heart! I love that you have such a big smile. You give us a big open mouth grin and the happiest little eyes I have ever seen! I love to pick you up out of your carrier-your little legs are still all curled up! I love your little baby toes.Jack-a-Roo, I just love being your mommy!