Karen and Debbie

My grandma, mom and aunts Karen and Debbie came over for lunch today. Karen lives in New Orleans and is visiting for the week.
It is always so nice to have Karen in town. She adds a certain element that makes you laugh like you are in grade school. Our main topic of conversation was the blog. Karen, Debbie and even my grandma were determined to be on the blog. Karen kept announcing that what she was doing was definitely "blog material". If a could post a video of the whole lunch I would because I had to laugh at all they were doing. Jack's nap may continue to the next morning. They chased him, played with trucks and puzzles, threw him in the air, sang songs and had him jumping off furniture. It was fun to watch and every picture is "blog material" for sure.
My grandma made the most incredible spaghetti that would rival the best restaurants in Italy. I may eat some more now for dessert!
Karen leaves tomorrow and we cannot wait for the next visit.

Rainy Days

This past weekend, Terry and I took Jack to the zoo with another couple and their two kids. The zoo was great but the weather was terrible. It poured the whole time and we seemed to be the only group without ponchos. The kids enjoyed themselves though and we eventually dried off. Jack did not have a nap the whole day but behaved really well.

Two Pops

What could be better than one Pop? Two Pops of course. Jack had a great time at his great grandparents house yesterday. It is so much fun to see him play and interact with everyone. He really can light up a room.
I keep wondering how the next baby is going to fit into the picture but I am sure it will be seamless. If two Pops are better than one, would you think two kids are better also?

The Bum Scoot

I have never seen a "bum scoot" before, but I think Tadhg McGrath must be the best there ever was. He is very fast and very efficient. Just watch.

Shannon and Megan

Last week my friends from Saint Mary's, Megan and Shannon, visited for a couple of days. Megan lives in Ireland and has two kids -

Ciara, 5 1/2 and Tadhg, 18 months. Shannon lives in New York and is going to grad school in the Fall.

It was a great time. Jack was a little scared of Tadhg at times because he could "bum scoot" across the floor at about 90 miles an hour but Jack was in love with Ciara. They chased each other all around the house, wrapped blankets around their head to wear as long hair and played with Play Doh.

The age difference between the kids did not seem to be a hindrance. There were, at times, some funny exchanges. Jack repeats everything which got him into trouble with Ciara one night. While playing with the Play Doh, Ciara told Jack "my circle" in which Jack repeated "my circle." Ciara would get mad and say "No, MY circle" and Jack would repeat "MY circle." I let it go on for a while but finally told Ciara that he was only mimicking her. She understood and they kept playing.

Megan and Shannon both looked great. It felt like college again. Shannon was her normal quiet yet very insightful self and Megan was, well, Megan. It is great to see her as a mom. I always wonder how she ever graduated but I do not doubt her parenting skills. She is relaxed and fair. Her kids are well behaved and fun to be around. It is only a shame that we all get to see one another but once a year.

Tell Me About the Day I Was Born

As kids my mom would tell us about the day we were born. It was fun to hear and made us feel special. Jack was born 2 weeks early after only about 5-7 hours of labor. The whole experience was pretty much a blur so I will have to come up with a good story to tell Jack but I do know that he was the most beautiful baby! Terry would put him on the changing table and babble with him for long periods of time. It was my favorite time of the day.

At two years old he has the same blue eyes, perfect skin and same hair style! Jack - your baby book is still holding a spot for the locks from your first haircut.

Happy Birthday, Dots!

Our Boy is TWO!

Two years have flown by. Terry and I are so happy to have one of the most amazing little boys. It was touch and go that first year but Jack has evolved into a little toddler with lots of smiles, excitement and energy. He is speaking in full sentences, loves to sing, can play quietly with trucks and trains and is finally enjoying car rides.

I still remember back in February when I was putting him to bed and was thinking there is no way I could love someone as much as Jack. That was the day I found out that I was pregnant. I think God knew I was ready to have another baby. The present Terry and I are most looking forward to is a new brother for Jack. We just know the two will have so much fun together.

We celebrated Jack's birthday with a big party last weekend with about 10 of his friends. It was a great afternoon. I was really impressed that all of the two year olds did so well. Nothing was ruined or broken, there was very little crying and no fighting. Jack ran around and really enjoyed himself. The best part was singing happy birthday and blowing out the candle. He loved it so much that some (Lauren, Ricky and Kathleen) sang to him over and over again and let him blow his candle. This was better than opening presents.

We have spent this past week playing with Play-Doh, drawing on his Aqua Doodle and playing his baby grand piano. We are holding on to some of the toys to give him when his brother is born in November.

I think Terry and I are in agreement that we hope this next year doesn't fly by as quickly as last year's. We are enjoying Jack's independent nature but at the same time, we love that he still needs us to kiss his owies and give him hugs when he sees a "lion". We will always be here for that, Jack! Happy Birthday!

Lake Geneva

Terry and I decided at the very last minute to go to Lake Geneva, WI. He had a golf outing on Friday afternoon so we drove up on Thursday and had Friday morning together. This was our first overnight trip with Jack. I was very worried but he did great.

Jack's favorite activity was playing with the sliding closet doors. He invented a game with Terry in which Jack would go in one end, Terry would wait there and then Jack would surprise him by running out the other end. He played for hours and when he woke up the next morning he wanted to play again. It was hard to get him out of the room.

He also enjoyed the pool. I think he may even be able to breath underwater. Every time he went under I swore I was going to have to give him CPR but he came up smiling and wanting more.

Although short, it was a great family vacation.