Ho..ho..hooo!

'Tis the season for a blog update. Let me start off by saying..my New Years resolution is going to be to spend time updating my blog WEEKLY (yes, weekly). I really hoping this resolution goes beyond the first week of January (like 90% of resolutions). I totally enjoy blogging, it is relaxing..and I love sharing news/events of my monster. It's not a chore to update the blog, so I need to stop looking at it like that..and just get back into it. It is such a fun way to scrapbook Jack's memories..I love looking back at his cute, chubby cheeked self last Christmas on here...you know, the baby that just sat there, cooed and smiled? My..how one year can change things.. haha.

I'll start with Jack 18month "stats" and what he's been up to (besides swishing his hands in the toilet, unwinding an entire roll of paper towels and dragging them around the house, hiding in the dryer or getting in my eyeshadow and applying - he's busy)

-weighing in at close to 28lbs (67%), 32 inches (54%)..hopes for a tall one are slowly shrinking - literally, and his head..drum roll...was 89%. :)

-the girls at the doctors office say he is the "Brad Pitt of babies"...haha

-Jack has figured on when shots are coming, which is strange and sad to see him anticipate them. However, a lollipop still does the trick to console.

-Favorite words recently: "ho, ho, hooo"- in a jolly voice.."pee-u".."NO"..."eyes"..."here ya go".. "juice juice"...

-LOVES music...and always stops and nods his head when music comes on..it's adorable!

-Obsessed with "AH"..i.e- Elmo, and "Cook"..Cookie Monster. I let him watch a little Elmo every day while I make dinner. He really seems to learn from Elmo, so I am totally on board. He learned letter "O" and "mouth" the past few weeks.

-As Luke says..Jack is a "bull in a china closet". He is so busy and bulky that he just pushes his way through other kids and doesn't realize his girth. The child needs an off button! :)

We've been staying busy with a weekly schedule. We go to the gym a couple of times a week, where I have gottan back into my BodyPump, and am hoping to get on the schedule to teach. Jack really enjoys the day care..even though he cries for a few minutes every time I drop him off, he is always so happy when I peek in on him. We go to a Music class once a week, the Library another day, and end the week with a trip to the grocery store. This fills up every morning of the week. We usually stay at home in the afternoon, both nap and play outside in the afternoon. It's been working for us because it is cooler out and the fresh air wears that baby out!

OH, don't let me forget that recently, on Mondays, we have been spending them at either the Urgent Care or the E.R. HA! 2 weeks ago, Jack had a 104.0 temperature..this was a Sunday. We were up at 5am and had finished the movie Elf by 6:30..haha..we decided we had a problem. We were at the Urgent Care for THAT...and left with the diagnosis of an ear infection. The next day, Monday, Jack finally started to play a little, he was super cuddly and clingy (which I secretly liked) and he stood up on one of his toys, which flew out from under his feet. He fell flat on his face and..well, we had a bloody, screaming toddler. Once I got him calmed down, I realized he had skin dangling around his teeth, and I thought his teeth went through his lip. UGH. I threw him in the car and drove to the Urgent Care...turns out he tore the thing that connects your lip to your gum. That was fun..NOT. So, we went 4 days with no sleep, and the poor baby not eating ANYTHING. Well, until Nana's cookies arrived:

It was misssseerraable..not only was his mouth hurting, but he was sick, too. He finally recovers and we get back into our routine. One week later, another Monday, I look over and Jack is going "uh..uh..uh" and pointing to his neck. I get down and look and..swear to God..the child has a spider crawling on his neck. Like, a REAL spider. I threw him on the floor and started stripping his clothes off of him, because after I swatted at it to get it off of him, it disappeared. I thought that it was in his shirt. We recover from the trauma, and I look at his neck and the friggin' thing BIT him. He had a welt on his neck. I lost it! Why did I lose it? Well, not only is a spider bite scary, but it is EXTRA scary when you live in the South and a month before you find a HUMUNGO Brown Recluse in the hallway (the same place Jack had just come from). Luke was out of town that week, and I had to call my neighbor to come and kill it. He verified and said it was the biggest spider he had ever seen! Well, this baby spider on Jack's neck looked identical to the big one a month prior. Of course, the flippin ER is 20 minutes away. We got there, and they said that we had to watch it carefully to see if the center turned purple, and if it did..then we would have a problem. THANK GOD, the welt went away and he is fine. Reason 647 I need to move OUT of the country. The saga of my life.. I swear.

Well, I want to share some pictures with you of some of our Christmas events...First, here are some pictures of our little house all decked.. This house was SO easy to decorate this year..it took me one morning, which is record!

                           

 Next, Yorktown's lighted boat parade..sooo fun! They had a bonfire, hot cocoa and boats decorated. Jack had so much fun playing in the sand in his jammies..! 

Listening to the carolers..

Jack's visit with the big man... Breakfast with Santa at the beach...it was the sweetest little breakfast. It is such a special memory for Luke and I...they had a guitar player, and a balloon artist..it was the nicest. I think Jack will choose to forget his 2nd meeting with Santa.

We knew it wasn't going to go well..when Santa walked by, Jack started to shake and scream..

"ho ho??"..he talks a big game about "ho ho", but when it comes down to it..

Somehow..this is SOOO cute to me!

ho ho will forgive this sweet face, though!

This past weekend the Wheeler's came to visit us! Luke and I were able to go to his military ball, which was so fun to get dressed up for. We were so lucky to have special babysitters! We came home and they said "He was great!"..we were like.. "um..are you sure?"...haha! We had a jam packed weekend, and filled it with trips to Yorktown and Colonial Williamsburg. The wreaths in Williamsburg were out of this world, I became quickly obsessed with them, and am already planning my front door wreath for next year. Down here they use real fruit and magnolia leaves to make the most beautiful wreaths! Papa taught Jack the word "hosey" - horsey..there were lots of carriage rides in Williamsburg. 

  

Yes, we traded in the black stretchy pants and camo for high heels and bow ties! :)

My JACK o Lantern

Ok-- so I would never leave great grandma and great grandpa in Florida hanging without a Halloween picture! I'm so, so sorry for such a break from blogging. Our life has been c-r-a-z-y. Just when I feel like we are in a routine and I can work in a little blogging ..BAM.. Luke is in Texas for a week..3 days later BAM..Luke goes to Louisiana for 2 weeks, and Jack and I fly to Pennsylvania. Ope, we're back and ready to get into our routine..BAM..a hurricane comes and we evacuate our house. We're back from THAT and I can breathe...BAM..my kid decided he isn't going to sleep anymore. So, in my free time..I have been trying to either a. unpack suitcases from this trip, and then repack them for that trip or b. catch a nap to catch up on sleep.

Here are a few pictures of our little JackOLantern from Halloween! Making him a pumpkin this year was a MUST for me. Next year, I'm afraid he might have an opinion of what he wants to be...and like every other good mommy out there, you gotta go with your child's imagination. I am SURE Jack's little imagination will be swirling with dinosaurs and superheros next year, and the thought of a cliche jackolantern won't even cross his little mind. I told Luke I want to make him a Jack in the Box next year, and then after that..Jack and the Beanstalk..and Luke cut me off saying.."no..no..no..next year he gets to pick ......and its going to be a football player"...sigh! SO, this year...this cute little, chubby cheeked babes was mistaken for a girl AGAIN. EVERYONE called him a "she", or "her". Last year, Jack's named changed from Jack to "Jackie" when this sweet woman went on..and on..and on..about how cute "she" was in her skunk costume. I didn't correct her, and for 5 minutes "he" turned into a "she". At the end of the conversation she said .."by the way, what is her name?". I didn't have the heart to tell her that he was a boy and I blurt out.."JACKIE!". So, this year..again...he went by Jackie. He just has a sweet face......nothing wrong with that..right!?

Balance..

Balance..something I am NOT good at, and trying to become better at. I am just one of those people who likes to do everything to the best of my ability..i.e - a perfectionist, but am slowlyyyy learning that "somethings gotta give". It feels almost impossible to be a good mom, a good wife, a good housekeeper, a good cook, a good friend, a good blogger, a good coupon-er, a good dresser (heck, it's a  SCORE if I get a shower some days)..SO, I have taken a little break from A LOT of things lately, just trying to decide what is really important, how to get the most out of my day and end it with feeling successful, rather than "I wish I would have..". Obviously, my main focus is my main man. I've learned that making a little time for myself, by either going for a run outside, or to our new gym, makes me a better mom. Taking a 30 minute nap for myself during Jack's naptime, makes me a better mom. I am experimenting, as we are finally getting settled in. It's definitely not easy to move, and just pick your life up and set it down in a place so unfamiliar. It's not so bad when things are just utter chaos, because you adopt the theory, "It is what it is"..it's when things settle down that I start to reflect, which really results in me becoming an emotional disaster. I often wish I was more "go with the flow", but it just wasn't the way that I was wired...so I need to find ways to work through it. You know, who hasn't had a quarter life crisis before? ;) "This too shall pass"...

Enough about me, it's not why you read this blog anywhoodles.

No one ever mentioned that the terrible 2's started at 15 months? We are in full tantrum mode, people. Tonight, I watched (from a distance..trying to use the ignore approach) Jack bang his head off the floor over, and over, and over again..while screaming his cute little face off..all because we had to come inside after spending 3 hours at the beach. Oh. my. Lord.  I know, you don't even believe it..but, it's true. 5 minutes later, my sweet baby was back giving me kisses and holding a conversation with me (in his own language). This deserves another... "this too shall pass" (in about 3 more years). It has totally occurred to me why some of my students were the way that they were, though. I mean, I have an education background, and was taught skills in college to deal with kids and situations that you can't necessarily control.  Most people don't have that, and most people in America do NOT have patience...so, of course kids end up walking disasters. When I do go back to the classroom, I will surely have a new understanding...

In his non-tantrum, happy state..Jack is beginning to like to copy us (or cross dress).  I found him getting in my drawer and putting on my pajamas. It was precious..he didn't get very far without stumbling over ...a little long.

He also finds matching sunglasses for he and Daddy! Cool dudes!

A few weeks ago, Jack's cousins made a stop here while on their way to the OBX. What a fun weekend. They got in on Friday evening and left early Sunday morning. Jess and I were outnumbered by boys by 5-2..7-2 if you count the kitties. We were so busy enjoying the weekend, which we filled with a visit to Yorktown, the first PSU game of the season, and a campfire, that I didn't get many pictures :( Here are a few, though..

#1, 2 and 3...missing Graham, #4

Anthony=happiest baby on the planet!

Happy boys..food and football.

                                    
 We DID try to do a photoshoot with the boys before the Tracy's left..it went a little something like this:

Take 1..

Take 2..

Take 3..

You get the picture...Dominick was a baby holder, and tried his hardest, but was unsuccessful. 

We took advantage of Luke's 4 day weekend and visited the Living Museum..They had a dinosaur exhibit, which was a total hit with our little dino lover.. a little hesitant at first, but warmed up nicely.
                                    

Love this picture- Jack is eying up that fish, and that fish is eying him up back!

Fun w/ his BFF, Da!

Speaking of dinos..I guess it's time to unveil Jack's new big boy room! Lots of love and hard work went into his room! He "roars" every time we walk in! :)

Balance and dinosaurs...strange combo :)

Hotel Wheeler

Well, Luke had to go away for 2 1/2 weeks to do a training exercise in New Jersey, so Jack and I opened up Hotel Wheeler. I would surely rather fill our time with friends and family, rather than sitting here, staying up all night with my tazer in hand ;) The first week, my mom came to visit! It was such a fun week with the three of us. I think picking her up at the airport goes down as one of the sweetest moments. I put Jack down, just because I wanted him to walk over to her when she came through the gate. Rather, he got SUPER excited and screamed out..smiling and laughing. It was heart warming to know that he recognized her...it really started our trip off on the right foot. We kept busy the whole week, as I had a million and a half projects to still do around the house, and having my mom's hands to help was wonderful! She is no longer "Grammy", instead "Nana". I try to teach Jack all of his grandparents names, just by saying them over and over again..and "Grandma" comes out "Na-Na"...much like "no, no!" Here are a few pictures of her trip here:

Enjoying the beach ALL to ourself! We liked to go early, before Jacks nap and before it was too, too hot. So we set out at about 8, and stayed until 10ish. Barely anyone was there, which was glorious!

Love this picture, especially the sky!

Even walking in the sand, which is a lot more effort than the concrete!

"Helping" around the house...not so much.

This picture captures the mischievous side of my little guy...I love it!!

We went for a nice swim!

Taking a break at Colonial Williamsburg..

Jack and I watching the sheep eat their breakfast!

This picture looks like it belongs in a magazine...minus my arm holding Jack on the fence..HA! I might edit that out!

The onlyyyy problem when Grandma comes to town is...well, she lets Jack make MANY messes. I ran into the jeweler to take care of my crushed engagement ring, and came out to find THIS! Needless to say, we picked dirt from under his finger nails for days.

                                                 

The bridge opened one day while we were at the beach. Through it came a Navy Ship..it was so cool!

If you look closely, you can see the Sailors lined up at attention..

Some quality time for Jack and myself with my Mom was special, one of those times you lock up in your heart and treasure forever! 

The following week my friend Melissa and her little guy, Colton, who is 3 months older than Jack, came to visit. Melissa and I met in North Carolina..lets just say..back in our prime! Both vibrant Kindergarten teachers, both taking 1-2 classes a day after school at the gym.. We now meet up, both run down, exhausted Mom's with wet hair and bags under our eyes. So funny! :) We had a great visit- it was so nice to have some "girl time" after the boys went to bed... We spent the week going to the Splash Park, the Bounce House, the beach..and we even squeezed in a trip to TJMaxx..ha, which lasted until the goldfish were all eaten and then we had two screaming boys in the middle of the store and we just looked at each other..I said "abort?"...haha!

..and while of this nonsense was going on..THIS beauty was being slapped up in our backyard as a big birthday surprise for Luke!! 

Luke has been talking about a firepit since we moved in, as we have a large wooded back yard..and it just screamed "BUILD A FIRE PIT HERE".  He loves it, and I was pretty excited with how well it turned out, but am more excited for s'mores whenever I want ;) Don't let the picture fool you, there is a LOT of yard work to be done around it.. The planning of it, and organization of materials was no biggie..it was dealing with the contractor who called me every day, five times a day, and said this " Umm..Miss Melanie, this is _____ I need me some money so I can get some gas" or..." Miss Melanie, let me run out back of my house real quick and see if I have some color for concrete, but I'm in my underwears..hope my neighbors don't mind seeing me in my underwears." Good times!

It worked out nice b/c others were also able to participate and buy Luke bday gifts to enhance "The Pit". The Tracy's sent skewers and moonpie/smore makers- Hallelujah! My parents bought Luke the chairs, and my brother and Jenna sent us a table, the tiki torches and a really cool citronella candle! Luke also came home to a package from his parents and the Campbells which consisted of a personal Beer Maker. No kidding, I think he loved it more than the fire pit! :)

Jack and Daddy both saying "Oh wowww"...Luke "wowing" at the beer, and Jack "wowing" at the box and mess!:)