Jack says the funniest things!

This is Pat and I am now taking my turn writing on our families blog. I love this idea that Nicole had, to capture all of the small, memorable things that happen with both of our boys each and every day.
So there is no doubt that Jack is impressionable! Nicole and I constantly have to remember what we say because he picks up on everything.

Case in point...tonight I was putting Jack to bed and after reading to him a couple of his favorite books, he and I started the nightly ritual of settling down. Part of this process always involves telling Jack a couple of times to put his head on the pillow and close his eyes. Up until tonight, Jack usually will eventually do this but tonight he said something hilarious that caught me completely off guard. When I told him for the first time tonight, "Jack, it's time to put your head on the pillow and close your eyes" he looked at me and said, "Daddy I am sick of this". Not knowing what to say, I rolled over and laughed and then turned back to Jack and told him that he was too young to be sick of anything. Absolutely hilarious.

Another funny story happened a couple of nights ago. Jack woke up around 5AM wanting Nicole or I. I went into his room and he asked me to lay with him, which I did. As I crawled into bed with him, I asked him "what's wrong buddy" Jack doesn't quite say Daddy just lay with me but says a version of that ...."Daddy, lay you". So I snuggled in next to him and put my head down on the pillow and put my right arm on his back and my left arm under his pillow. Now, understand that he really want me to lay with him but as soon as I got myself comfortable he, with his back to me, told me to take my arm off of his pillow and not to touch him. Now I thought I was doing my little buddy a service by laying with him but I guess I learned that I can only do it on his terms!!

I love that little guy.

Time Outs = Funny Moments

Jack had an interesting "listening" day...let's just say he was using selective hearing when it came to his Momma's voice!

Incident #1: You wanted to talk to "Neighborhood Kristy" (as you call her), our neighbor right next door. So, we were out talking to her, when you decided to take off running to our backyard neighbors and into a vacant lot..with no shoes on. Momma was holding Owen, who was about to "go nuclear" as your Daddy calls it...he was very hungry and getting pretty cranky about it. Mommy called your name a couple of times and even gave you the good ole countdown to come back to her, but you simply ignored me. I went to get you and whispered in your ear that you "were in big trouble". As we walked back to the house and past "Neighborhood Kristy" you said, "Kristy, I have to go in, My Mommy says I am in big trouble."

Incident #2: Tonight we were having an NFL draft party at our house. So, Mommy was trying to get ready for this event while trying to get you and Owen dressed and fed. I was rushing you to get dressed and you were hiding AGAIN...you like this a lot and do it quite often. After mommy asked you several times to help her, listen to her, get dressed, let Mommy help you get dressed..NOPE..you were still hiding. Mommy's patience was fading (it was 5:00 pm)..so she had you sit in a TO for a bit..so everyone to calm and recollect thoughts (nice way to put it..HA!) After a few minutes..I asked you why Mommy did this...you himmed and you hawed ..and said, "Mommy, acause..Mommy, acause...Mommy, acause". "Mommy, what did Jack do?"

Mommy, burst out laughing...cause honestly, I couldn't remember either!

Love ya, Buddy...NO MATTER WHAT!

Family Date Night: South Haven III

Shortly after the birth of Owen, Pat and I established "Date Night" as a way to stay connected in the craziness/busyness of having two kiddos! We found a great babysitter for the boys who we and they adore! Every week, we religiously go on a date and it truly has been so great for us! Well, one particular night, our babysitter was unavailable so we decided to make it "Family Night". We headed to South Haven (again!) for a picnic and swimming!

I absolutely LOVE watching Jack swim and run all over the beach! He laughs that deep belly laugh that just makes my heart melt and puts a HUGE smile on my face!


And O hanging out on the beach! He was fascinated with the feeling of sand, he was digging his toes and fingers through it.



Pat and Owen..ahhh..I'm in love!

Taking (trying to take) a photograph of a 2.5 year old and a 7 month old is so difficult, especially when there is sand to play with.


Look at Mommy...over here...OMG, "What's this?"...Look...nope!


OMG..Mommy has some M&M's..want some M&M's, a donut, a cookie..Nope!


Is there a birdie on Mommy's head? Nope!


Please..just look right here guys..real quick..one picture..NOPE!

Oh well..we still had a great time!

South Haven II

The boys and I enjoyed South Haven so much..we had to bring Pat to check it out..two more times!

We went back on a Saturday afternoon to play on the beach, walk out to the lighthouse, do a little shopping and have lunch!


Pat and Owen looking out into the Lake Michigan.


Pat and Jackers watching the boats go out into the Lake...he loves this!


A really nice couple offered to take our picture..these days, this is the best it is going to get! Just makes me laugh!!

Here are some of Jack playing in the water..he loves this and chasing sea gulls all over the beach! He wants to catch one so bad..poor buddy..great effort though!






And when we got home, Jack was ready to swim in his pool and run through the sprinkler...love his boots!!

South Haven, MI

Our current residence is Kalamazoo, Michigan. After moves to PA..IA..WI...we are currently Michiganites. We moved to this lovey state in December the middle of terrible snow storm..or as they like to call it here..."Lake Effect Snow".

So, after months of being cooped up while the snow poured down on us..the sun finally began to shine and the weather turned warm. We (Jack, especially) love to be outside exploring the world around us. This includes looking for bugs, worms, rocks, flowers, Bobcats, bulldozers, diggers, dump trucks, plus a plethora of many other various things.

One place we have become fond in our exploration of this state is South Haven, a very cute little beach town located on Lake Michigan which is only about a 40 minutes drive from our house! We have now gone there about 5 times and truly have had a blast each time.






There was an older boy digging this big hole on the beach. Jack walked around this hole several times peaking down into it until he just jumped in! You loved it and wouldn't get out!

Grandma GG wore Owen in the Baby Bjiorn for our walk on the beach! Here he is blowing some bubbles!


Jack watching the boats come into the marina and out to the Lake. He could have sat there all day, one boat was better than the next.


Some views of the lighthouses!

MORE TO COME.....

Big O!

Well...since the last time I posted (1 year & 4 months ago)..so much has happened!

Most importantly..our precious Owen was born! He is a precious..perfect..happy little boy! He came into the world weighing 7 lbs. 2 oz. and now 7 months later he weighs a little over 20 lbs. He is a true joy..always smiling and wanting to explore the world around him. He is almost sitting up on his own and he is almost crawling (currently doing the army crawl). He babbles and laughs a lot!

He already watches his big brother, Jack, in amazement! He just stares at him and wants to do what he is doing! Jack was not so sure about his new baby brother in the beginning.Their relationship has truly blossomed over the last 7 months! It is beautiful to watch as a mother. I am so excited for what is yet to come..they don't even know how good of brothers and friends they will soon be!

Here are some pictures of Big O over the past 7 months!


Owen: 1 day old


Owen: 1 week old


Owen: 2 weeks old


Owen and Jack after bath time!


Owen (1 month old), Jack (26 months old): Valentine's Day


Owen (2.5 months)...HeeHee..this picture just makes me laugh! Needless to say..Jack had a hard time adjusting to his new brother..typical for a 2 year old, so I hear!

With Great Grandpa Frank..Owen shares his middle name along with his birthday with his Great Grandpa!






On the "Choo Choo Train"...Jack loved saying "All Aboard"!


In June, after a morning of swimming at Lake Elmo Beach.


Owen at 6 months..almost sitting up on his own!




Ohh, how you've grown!!

Not so good at blogging!!

Okay....So, I posted my first blog almost 2 months ago! Eeek! I am not so good at this, I guess! Well, here is a second chance and I am really going to do this this time! I have decided that I am going to try and blog something new about Jack every week... if not more than that...but I don't want to get ahead of myself..now! Jack is now 16 months old and is changing so much everyday that I think this blog will help me to remember all the great things he learns and shows me has learned..plus I get to share it with all of our family and friends!

So...here is alittle about Jack:

At his 15 month check-up his stats were as follows:

Weight: 27 lbs. Height: 32 1/4 inches Head Circ.: 50 cm WOW!!!

He is running all around this house and finally outside, he is talking..his vocabulary consists of: "mama". "dada", "geegee", "kitty", "hot", "all-dee (all done)", etc........he understands almost everything we say and/or ask him to do, some examples:
-we say: time for a bath..he starts crawling up the stairs to the bathroom
-we say: should we eat breakfast?...he goes to his highchair and pulls on it
-we say: time to change your diaper...he goes to the spot we change his diaper and lays down
-we say: let's put your shoes on..he goes and gets his shoes and brings them to us and sits down on my lap and sticks out his feet

And just recently...Jack finally got his hair cut for the first time!!!! He has always had a lot of hair..bright blonde, thick, straight hair..that basically, I just could not find the heart to part with....well, when his bangs started growing past his eyes..it was time! So, it looks super cute..and Jack is officially a "Big Boy"!!



And here are a few from easter:


Ty and Jack The boys with GeeGee Jack, Ty and the twins: Abbie and Maggie