Jackism

After I lit the candles this afternoon ...

Mama (sniiiiiifffff) "Mmmmmm. Do you smell that Jack? It smells like Fall!!"
Jack (looks at me like I have 3 heads): "Or it smells like candles."

Jackisms

Another oldie, but goodie ...

Jack and I were sitting on the couch (pre-Luke). All of a sudden a little hand came up from under my armpit and started groping my boob.

Mama: JACK. Please keep your hands to yourself.
Jack: Why, mama? You don't want me to touch your milk?

Jackisms

Jack, Luke and I went to the Isle of Palms, SC this weekend to spend some time with my Georgia Southern friends. Keep in mind we've all known each other since we were 18 and have no personal boundaries anymore (that's 15 years...). While catching up, my friend asks another about basic training ...

Friend 1: Is it true they put stuff in the food so guys don't get boners?
Friend 2: I'm not sure.
Steph: Well, that's an easy thing to figure out - did you get a boner? (obviously being a smart ass)
Friend 2: I'm not discussing that with you, Steph.
Steph: You're right. The last thing I need is Jack talking to me about his boners, too! (seeing it's been a previous issue)
Jack (who was consumed by Diego on the iPad): What Mama!? I DON'T HAVE A BONER!!!!

Lesson learned? Watch what you say ... they are always listening!!

Jackisms

Oldie but goodie. Byah (my mom) was talking to Jack and called him 'Sweetie'. His response?

"I'm not a Sweetie. I am Jack Neal." (pause) "And I'm not a honey, either!"

Jack's 1st Day of Preschool!

Even though Jack moved over to preschool in May, August 7 was Jack's first official day of preschool. Why is that? Because that's the official start of the school year at the Child Development Center at Georgia Southern. AND that's when all of Jack's friends came over from Toddler 1 to preschool as well. (Luke's infant class also started on August 7, however, he won't be going until October 1)

It's like pulling teeth to get Jack to take a picture - much less smile or look at the camera. He's definitely better being captured without him knowing. (see sunflower field photograph for example)

It's amazing the leaps and bounds that Jack grew over the last year. He's no longer in diapers, he speaks amazingly, grammatically correct sentences :), he can touch the bottom the pool, pump a swing, help himself to his own snacks and drinks, dish out his own dinner, pass the butter, dress himself, joke, have conversations, use his manners, draw circles, talk about his feelings, tattle tale, load the dishwasher, open yogurt, talk back to me, tell me I'm not his best friend, manipulate me, reason with me, compromise, negotiate, put his laundry away and tell me he loves me without provoking him.

He's no longer my baby. He's my little boy.

Matchy, Matchy!

The Carter's gave Jack and Luke matching octopus pajamas! Jack loves them - and loves that they match his 'best friend' - did I mention Jack LOVES Luke??

Jackisms

Jack slips off of the couch, slams into the floor immediately and immediately starts to cry.

I ask if he's ok and he tells me he bumped his elbow. I told him he must have hit his funny bone and how it's not so funny when you bump it.

He stares right at me and screams, "it's not a funny bone- its a crying bone!!!"

...

Trying to pack for the beach, I was looking for Jack's water shoes. I asked him which ones he wants to wear - keens or crocs. He told me he just wants to wear his feet.

Jackisms

While getting Jack ready for bed last night, I told him that he needed to get a good nights sleep because we were going to the beach this weekend to see our friends. "Who will be there?" he asked. So I went down the list...

Auntie Lindsay, Uncle Jeb, Auntie Anna, Auntie Maggie, Uncle Dave, Auntie Jill, Auntie Nicole with Jasmine and Jessica, Uncle Drew ...

"Wait, who is Uncle Dave?"
"You know him! He is Auntie Jill's husband."
(perplexed) "Her hump man?"

. . . silence . . .

"Uncle Drew is not my best friend."

Oh, Jack!

My Little Chippendale!! (who would make black toddler skivvies?) 

John & Kate Visit Georgia!

Jack, Luke and I had very special guests this weekend! John and Kate came down from Jersey City for the 3 day Labor Day holiday weekend. We went to the Georgia Southern football opener (which was unbearably hot) and spent a lot of quality time with the boys.

Kate was also gracious enough to snap some great pictures of the boys!

See more on her blog at katenealphoto.com

Happy Birthday to Daddy!

Even though Bryan is away - we decided to celebrate. Can you blame us? We love cake. More than anything, though - it brought a little piece of Bryan home.

Jackism

Jack: Mama, why is my penis so big?
Me: wha?
Jack: Because look ... (starts to pull down his pants)
Me: Oh. Eh. Just stop touching it.

Finally it dawns on me a 'big penis' is a toddler stiffy. Time for daddy to come home, please!!

Jackism

After using the potty, Jack came charging at me pantless demanding I look at his penis.

Jack: Look at my penis!
Me: OK - I see it (trying to change the subject and hurry him along)
Jack: No, mama - say it's nice!!!

Jackism

I don't have much privacy in my house these days. While pumping, Jack barges into my room.

Jack: What are you doing?
Mama: Pumping milk for baby brother (yes, as you know I'm rather frank with my children)
Jack: Oh. I can't pump milk for baby brother.
Mama: Why not?
Jack: Because I'm a boy and I have little boobies. You're a girl and you have big boobies. (pauses) Big, HUGE boobies!!!!

Welcome Home, Daddy!!

Bryan came home Sunday evening after a long, long six days of travel. Jack and I were playing in the garage. Jack knew he was going to see daddy - but kept assuming it was going to be on Skype. When a silver Camry pulled into the driveway Jack asked me, "Who's that, mommy?" I told him I didn't know.

All of a sudden he dropped his toy, whimpered, "Daddy?!" in his sweet little voice - and his little legs darted towards Bryan as he was getting out of the car. 

Of course, I cried. 

Jack couldn't believe his eyes. He just stared at Bryan with a grin on his face, speechless. Then we went inside and Jack showed Bryan his room, LBN2's room, his new fish, my shoes ... everything. 

For the last two days I've heard nothing but, "Daddy, will you play with me?"

Monday Bryan and I went to the doctor to see about LBN2. We got our -hopefully- last ultrasound. We watched together as LBN2 smacked his lips and wow - does he have chubby little cheeks. His weight is definitely on track. I am 2 cm dilated and all the ladies at the OB are obviously nagging Dr. Oldham to help us out.

So after some discussion, Bryan and I will check into the Women's Pavilion at East Georgia Medical Center at 7am Friday morning for an amniocentesis to test his lung maturity. If they are 110% sure he's good to go - we'll stay there and induce. I'll be 37.5 weeks. 

I'm optimistic. I know every baby is different ... but Jack was induced at 38 weeks, perfectly healthy.  Bryan was very stern with me - and said by no means are we moving forward if the baby or myself are at any risk. 

I will not jeopardize our health, but man do I want Bryan home for this.

So please, let's pull together our prayers for a strong baby on Friday.

Jackisms

While playing with his animals, Jack was curious which animals I like the best.

Jack: Mama, do you like giraffes?  
Mama: Yes, Jack, I do.
Jack: Mama, do you like cocks? 
Mama: Excuse me - What did you say?! (Trying not to laugh)
Jack took a moment, thought about it and replied, "Mommy, do you like hawks?"

Not a Morning Person

Jack always finds his way to my room. It's one of those things that I've grown not to fight. Should I? Probably. But my heart gets a little soft for my lonely kid. I told him the other day he needed to sleep in his own room. His response?

I'll sleep in my room when Daddy gets home.

It's fun to figure out what parts of him are Bryan and which parts of him are me. It's not so much fun to find out which of your bad qualities were passed down as well, however.  

Jack has inherited my sleeping. Up all night and a total brat in the morning. It's rather hard to get two sleepy heads out the door in the morning. It was SO much nicer when he got me up for work! 

Good Morning Sunshine, II

Good Morning Sunshine

Will I ever get to work on time when I'm getting TWO little boys ready for school??

Good Morning, Sunshine! It's time to wake up!

Leave. Me. Alone.

Jackisms

Mama: Jack, PLEASE do not wipe your boogers on the couch. You need to go get a tissue.
Jack: No.
Mama: Jaaaack. Seriously? Go get a tissue or I will shut your movie off.
Jack: Ok, I will put it back in my nose (and that he did).

LBN1 & LBN2

Neal's Stand Tall in Georgia Guardsman

So I still haven't talked about Bryan's deployment. That's me, putting things off. However, here's a good reason to start. The Georgia Guardsman published a nice article about the 265th's deployment; this morning, one of Bryan's friends told me we graced the back cover. So as I sat at my desk eating my Frosted Mini Wheats, I looked at the back cover - wow. There were were. Then I flipped to the front and started scanning all the articles one by one, reading about the Georgia National Guard. Finally, I came across the story about ADTII - paired with it a huge picture of my family.

I lost it.

There we stood, staring at the bus Bryan was about to board and Jack clutching his flag that he held onto all day. Moments after this photograph was taken, we let go, I held Jack as he screamed for his daddy and Bryan boarded the bus.

Jack was too upset, so I got him out of there before the buses left. However, during my drive out of Metter, I watched in my rearview as my child cried and the buses followed me through town and onto the interstate. It's something I can't get out of my head.

Open publication - Free publishing - More air force

To start the day, we had lunch at the Metter Armory. It was nice, but it just prolonged the heartache. The food, decorations - everything was donated to the unit by the City of Metter or other establishments.

From there, our soldiers boarded their buses and we met back up with them at the Metter High School where they stood in formation during their departure ceremony. My mind was in other places, obviously, so I didn't catch a lot of what they said. Following the ceremony, they gave families about 30 minutes to say their goodbyes. It was a somber setting - very quiet. Again, just dragging out the inevitable.

Here are a couple of photos from the ceremony.

Metter Amory; Nick in the front, Skyping with his brother in Afghanistan.

Metter Armory

Jack & Daddy, Metter Armory

Jack & Daddy, Metter Armory

Family Photo; Metter Armory

Departure Ceremony; Bryan, back right

Jack & Mommy during the ceremony at Metter High School. (unposed) 

My emotionally exhausted baby.

Slept all day.