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?) 

2 Months Old! (Luke)

Good ole Red is a BIG boy! We had an eventful day at Luke's 2 month check up today by weighing and measuring in at the 95% of other boys his age. But he's healthy - and that's all that matters! However, Luke grew so fast I feel like I barely had a chance to cuddle with the scrunchy, itty bitty baby. He still sports a small dimple in his right cheek that I try to capture daily. He's cooing and smiling all day long. He loves music and his brother. His hair is still red, but he's getting little blond baby hairs around his hairline. His feet are wide, hands are huge, thighs chunky and his eyes blue. Just like his brother, Luke has a stork bite on his forehead and back of his neck. He's getting rolly under his chin Dr. R suggested I put powder in there. . .

2 MONTH STATS
Weight: 14 pounds, .45 ounces (95%)

Length: 24.5 inches (95%)

Head: 16.5 inches (90%)

Jack at 2 months: 12lbs, 5oz & 23" long - 15.75" head

2 WEEK STATS
Weight: 9 pounds, 5 ounces (75%)

Length: 22 inches (95%)

Head: 15 inches (55%)

Luke is eating every 3 hours at 5 ounces a feeding. The same as his 4 month old friends. We're going to start cereal for his bedtime feeding in hopes to trick his appetite. He's gained 5 pounds and grown 2.5 inches. His 0-3 month clothing are super snug and he's into size 2 diapers. He'll be 18 before I know it.

. . . . . 

Sibling Comparison: 

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

6 Years & Going Strong

6 years ago we said 'I do!' Today we celebrate the good and bad: the hellos and goodbyes of 3 yearlong deployments, 2 homes, 5 jobs, welcoming 2 amazing sons and everything else big and small in between. We've taken each other on a wild ride and I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else. I love you, Bryan! Happy Anniversary!

A photo from our honeymoon in Fiji. Boy have we aged! It's amazing what a couple of kids, deployments and 6 years of marriage can do to someone!! ;) 

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.

Luke: One Month Old!

Dearest Luke, 

A parenting resolution. Even though you are the second child and my life is twice as busy as it used to be. I promise to do my best to photograph, document and write about your life just as I do Jack. 

. . . . . 

My days are melting together! This post is very late - but I'll get it all up here soon enough. 

Luke likes to eat. A lot. If I'm 2 seconds too late on feeding him. He'll let me know. He sucks each feeding down immediately. He's a good pooper, unlike Jack; I'm going through diapers like crazy. He's very strong. He loves to look around over my shoulder. He likes to be in the middle of all of the action. He is a ginger, with a lot of hair (a lot of hair for having two parents with thin, fine hair) He likes to sleep (but will always wake for his food). He sleeps through Jack's rowdy playtime - in the same room, right next to him. 

It's amazing to be a parent for a second time around. And I think Jack thinks it's pretty amazing to be a big brother. He's very affectionate - always giving Luke hugs and kisses. Always. 

Luke doesn't have an doctor's appointment until he's 2 months old. Looking back, I see that at 2 weeks, Luke weighed more than Jack did at 1 month. 

. . . . . 

Sibling Comparison: 

Jack at 1 Month: See Jack's 1 Month Post

Birthday Boy!!

Someone's birthday is right around the corner! Want to send some love?

Letters, drawings, greeting cards - or whatever your heart desires can be sent to:

SFC Neal, Bryan
GA ADT II
FOB Shank (East)
APO AE 09364

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!!