WANTED: Nighttime Nanny

We are looking for someone who has a HUGE heart to help care for our little angel at night. He goes down at 7:30 but then gets up about every hour and a half screaming uncontrollably. Once he is calmed down, no matter what time in the night/morning...he is ready for someone to play with him. Job requirement also includes wiping his nose frequently, diaper changes often from the antibiotic tummy reaction, oinment application to his sores, and constant monitoring since he is able to now break out of the "cage". When he is down we only ask that you don't rest yourself...but rather clean up after little Jack and his sick mother and father.

If you are interested in this position please note thatthere will be no travel rembursement or payment for your time. We will however make sure you get a thank you note in a timely manner.

Attached you will find a picture of baby Jack sleeping so peacefully....disclaimer....you'd probably never see him in this state while under contract with us.

Does Hallmark Make a Happy Birthday Jennifer-Get Well Jack Card?

I guess this is being a Mom...nothing is about you anymore...but that is alright because Jack is so cute he does deserve all the attention...I just wish it wasn't because he was sick. Monday night Jack cried the ENTIRE NIGHT! We tried everything and then when he would finally fall asleep...lightening, thunder, and hail would wake him up. He kept puling at his ears and would only fall asleep sitting up in his swing (good thing he is so skinny and still fits in it!) so Tuesday morning exhausted, I sat with the phone in my hand until 8:30 when I could call the doctor. Our appointment was at 11:30 (my hair appointment was at 12:30 across town- YIKES).

Dr. Mathieu's said his ears were fine but that he had a sinus infection. When I mentioned the sores around his nose he said that when the nose drainage is the color and consistency of Jack's that it is usually bacteria related. So off to my hair appointment we go with antibiotic script in tow. We managed to make it and by the time we got to the pharmacy another sore had popped up. I won't go into details but these things are nasty! After being on the roads all day Jack and I were glad to be home and I was ready for my birthday night on the town.

Here is Jack helping me open my birthday cards. We kept looking for one that said Happy Birthday Jennifer-Get Well Jack but no such luck. He was just as happy though helping me tear them open and really enjoyed dancing to Blake's since it played "Happy Birthday!"

"Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday Dear Mommy, Happy Birthday to you!"

"I know you don't want my germs Mom but it tickles when you kiss my ear."

"Enough already Mom...go out with your friends and enjoy what is left of your Birthday. I have a little present for Dad and it doesn't involve watching ESPN or sleeping."

Angela, Ashley, Morgan, and prego Lisa (my designated driver) took me out to Kelly's Eastside in Plano for drinks, dinner, and they even had a cake with the number 29 (not 92) candles on it. It's been awhile since I've gone out to drink at a restaurant with the girls and I HAD A BLAST! Can't wait to do it again soon, but on a night when Nick is around to tend to Jack the next day. Thanks Girls-Love ya!

Once I got home Jack had finally settled down for the night and did well (the house on the other hand was a DISASTER). The sores got worse this morning so Dr. Mathieu's called in an ointment to put on them instead of Neosporin and we are just monitoring fever and how he is acting to make sure the bacteria doesn't enter his bloodstream....scary sounding huh?! He is in better sprits and we've decided we are going to skip swimming and Gymboree (even though he isn't contagious) so that he can get back to feeling good. Now we have Nick to tend to because he too is under the weather and spent this afternoon at Dr. Wright's office for the throat funk. Good Times!

What's For Dinner Mom?!?!

Jack has been having more and more table food lately. Some has been a hit...and some has not...

Last night was beef in beef gravy (Gerber puree) with mashed potatoes and peas. As you can see...he likes to check out his meal...sniff, touch, play, throw-he used all his senses to explore it.

The mashed potatoes were a bit too mushy for him so...he would take a bite, reach back in, and of course wipe his eyes and nose...which results in the picture above.

Here he was after we finally gave up once he started taking it out his mouth and throwing it across the kitchen. Here I thought he just didn't like the mashed potatoes...turns out he didn't like the peas either and had been hiding them in his bib so that we thought he ate them.

"Enough with the picture, clean me up, and just give me a bottle. Can't a boy eat in peace?!?"

Tonight's dinner went much better. Vegetables in beef (Gerber puree) and Annie's Organic White Cheddar Macoroni and Cheese...just like the big kids eat...shells and all.

Much cleaner and he actually enjoyed it. I had it too with my roast...even though I had some on my plate Jack would eat a shell then feed me one...he is so good at sharing!

"Yea Mom...much better than the mashed potatoes!"

He finally learned how to clap and has been good at giving us positive reinforcement when we do things he likes. Now on to walking...

Could The Weather Be Any More Perfect?!?

This weekend has been very nice. Friday after Gymobree Ashley and Nathan came over so the boys could play. Saturday Nick and Jack headed out for the day (Birthday shopping I think-hope!) and I was able to finally start Jack's scrapbook and got as far as his birth. My back was killing me but I am determined to get it done by his First Birthday....so we are going to leave it spread out all over the kitchen table in hopes that during the week I can work some too. Maybe the motivation of getting it picked up will help me get it done quicker.

Today the weather was absolutely beautiful so we headed for a picnic on the lake in Mckinney.

Jack is in a phase where he gives everything to everyone....including crushed up leaves. The whole time we were there he would reach back, grab a fistful, and then pass them on to us. Of course there were a few fistfuls that didn't make it to us...got sidetracked into his mouth.

What a little angel!

No worries...he was holding our empty chip bag while eating Puffs!

"Is this how you want me to pose Mom?"

"Want some leaves?!?"

No words, pictures, or video can caputre how much I love this little boy! He is my heart.

Sniff, Sniff....don't those teeth make him look like a two year old?!? Oh well, he is almost one and gets more fun everyday!

"It's hot out here...should ya'll reapply my sunscreen?"

"I'm brining home some crushed up leaves and dirt. Won't my Mommy be so proud of me."

We knew at this point that Jack was getting a little too adventurous and that it was time to strap him in and walk the lake in hopes of a nap. Didn't nap, enjoyed looking around, and is sound asleep in his crib right now dreaming about his fun time at the Lake with Mom and Dad...well, probably about the leaves and dogs he saw at the Lake.