Almost 2 1/2 & Finally Opened Presents

It seems like Jack is almost 2 1/2 years old already and finally we had enough down time to open and enjoy his birthday presents from his party. Nick finally got better and returned to work, we finally recouped from the weekend, then Jack ended up sick so...it took awhile but please don't think we weren't grateful.

He was a pro at opening his gifts since after all he had a full month long birthday celebration...he got tons of practice before this day.
Thanks everyone!

Another present we hadn't gotten around to putting together was Jack's sick for the backyard. It is great. You fill it up with water, it has a pump, and uses its own recycled water to pump out...HOURS of fun! Thanks Karen (through Stephanie) for the tip about this product and picking it up for us from Costco!

Our little man busy.

For Memory Sake and to shout out to those that helped celebrate Jack's 2nd Birthday near and far here is his gift list (warning: the list is long-this boy is spoiled)

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Cars Crocs, Disney Mickey Mouse Club DVD, Elmo DVD times 3, Money (for college of course), Precious Memories 2 year old train figure, puzzles, books, tub toys, Playdough Center, pet frogs, Mickey Crocs, Aqua Shoes, Fireman Outfit, Shaving Kit, Clothes, Fox & Hound DVD, Pinocchio DVD set, Camera, Savings Bond, Mater Ride On Toy, Wagon with canopy, Gears, Elmo & Mickey figures, Cars Rain Boots, T-Ball Set, Thomas DVD, Fraglerock DVD, Bubbles Machine, Gardening Toys, Crayola Art Set, ABC Wood Blocks, JACK pillow (made by Lisa), & Shake and Go Mater.

Nick called for Jack that night and when he went to run out of his room he tripped and hit his face on his bed. So sad!

Ouch-the bruise is still there!

Family Reading Night-Sick Day with Mom-Fam Round 2

Thursday night was Family Reading Night at McGowen. Jack loves reading books so it was a perfect activity for him to participate in...not like we/he had a choice. Kinder and First did a Jungle theme and read Where the Wild Things Are. There were 2 other rooms decorated where books were read. Afterwards students could answer an inference question to be entered if correct in a drawing on the announcements on Monday. Jack loved our room so much he stayed both readings!

We are in the bottom left of the picture. He's wearing a green shirt and I'm wearing a Jungle Hat (so sorry I'm not in the picture:).
The last reading was in the gym by Mr. McGowen (a Dr. Seuss book...can you tell?!?). There is little Jack with a ball from Nick's office, my jungle hat, his jungle hat, his LSU monkey that helped decorate our jungle, and his Mater shoes. He did have trouble sitting through Oh the Places You Will Go so we left to hang out in the lobby til it was over.

That night after Sonic and lots of cookies from the assistant principal- Jack woke up and crawled into our bed...he was burning up. We striped him down and not 15 minutes later he was throwing up everywhere. It took a long time to get everything cleaned up and check his temperature. School for him was obviously out, the cause unknown (too many possibilities), and my turn since Nick had been out so much lately (even though he has WAY more days than me). So sub plans at 2 AM and slight excitement on my end-not because Jack was sick-but because I got to spend the day with him.
We woke up and made Mickey Mouse pancakes together (you know...add water, shake, and pour). He held them down great so we just went about our day with Tylonel and "juice" (Pedialyte).

After cleaning up from breakfast but deciding to both stay in our pjs all day, we finally pulled out the Playdough set from Aunt Kathy. BTW-At this point we still had not opened his presents from his birthday party. He hadn't even really seen all the ones he opened the day of his party from family...too much going on...taking it easy and letting the fun last on.

"Wow Mom...look at all this cool stuff. You usually only let me play with one color from a mini jar at a time."

"Wait a second...where are all the fun gadgets?"

Once we broke all the stuff out the fun went on for a long time. Making spaghetti/hair...

Cutting out shapes and animals...

Looking all innocent for the camera...

but really destroying Mom's spaghetti with meatballs and mushrooms every chance he got.

Here he is after dancing around singing the "Hot Dog" song before pretending to eat the hot dog that I made him.

After all that playing and cleaning up playdough we had some lunch of avocado...I was crossing my fingers he truly was better and just shaking off the fever. Finally it was time for a little Elmo (not in Gouchland from Willow...too scary)...Elmo Loves You from Uncle Brian. Here is where we drifted off into our 2 hour nap...you know...after reading 2 books.

The weather was absolutely PERFECT so we had our snack in the backyard then took a wagon ride around the neighborhood. Fresh air is supposed to be good medicine!

GG and Grandpa Mac came back through Dallas and stopped by to play before taking Nick out to dinner at Papadeaux's. Them leaving wasn't alright with Jack but my dinner of turkey dog, corn bread muffins, and "juice" made it all better. Pretty sure Nick and them had a MUCH better meal...sorry we missed out!
But after dinner we had fun dancing with Burt in Jack's room.
And playing tickle games.

I'm sad Jack didn't feel good but it felt great spending time with him. It last til Saturday morning...he actually came to get me up instead of Nick (which I am not complaining about because it so rarely happens), sat in my lap to watch cartoons, then it was back to "My Dada". It was great while it lasted. PS- He is doing much better!

24 Months=2 Years

Jack went Wednesday to Dr. Mathieu's for his 2 year check up. Everything went well and he was a trooper...even for the dreaded shots and blood work (although he did start crying as soon as he saw the tray of needles...this is new...in the past he didn't know what they were walking in with).

His stats at 2 years:

Weight- 26 lbs (25%)

Height- 34 3/4 in. (50%)

Head- 18 3/4 in. (40%)

Nick and I made a list of Jack at 24 months the other day...here he is:

*Little Chef-loves, loves cooking in his kitchen and ours
*Politeness Police- will remind you to say please and thank you if you forget
*Responds to questions with "Um Hm" or "Yea" instead of "Yes"
*Finally got past the number 2 (although obsessed with things in groups of 2) & can count to 10
*Can communicate (might take repeating and pointing a LOT) to avoid meltdowns (most of the time at least)
*Passion for reading (always 2 books at a time and it doesn't matter how long they are-he sits to listen)
*Looks like a little man running around in his boxer briefs
*Needs his sunglasses because the sun in his eyes bugs him-Props on head when inside stores
*Wants mom to sit in the back with him
*Entertains himself for hours
*Loves outdoors
*Gives out the best kisses-traditional, Eskimo, butterfly, European (cheek, cheek, lips), and blows them across the room
*Moved beyond just Cars-Mickey Mouse Clubhouse & Elmo too (minus a few characters that make him cry)
*Watches American Idol dancing with the music and clapping when they finish
*Searches for buses...yellow, big, and TWO
*Crawls into our bed nightly now that he has the freedom a toddler bed gives (we'll work on it this Summer-didn't work over Spring Break)
*Amazes us more and more daily!!!

Plump pics, garden stone, & all the other traditions I started when life was easier and I didn't realize how lucky I had it will come at some point...they are on the list if that means anything.

Party Weekend

Thursday Nick's parents, Blake, and GG/Grandpa Mac came in for the birthday festivities. Karen and I stayed up WAY TOO LATE making goodie bags for the party and Nick headed to bed early because he was worn out from working at the high school all week and didn't feel good. Jack stayed at home with them and by 10:30 Nick was passed out in bed at home as well. It's not like Nick to look like this, leave work (due to administration making him), or being willing to see the doctor. Dr. Edwards immediately thought it was an appendicitis and sent him to Presby Allen to meet with a surgeon. I talked to him when he was at the doctor and soon there after had the secretary drive me to the hospital to be with him (he had taken the car earlier that day to go home). Below is how Jack's 2nd Birthday Party weekend started...

Tests came back with no results so they sent him home with nausea meds and pain pills. He was told to return the next day if it didn't get better or if it got worse...this is important later. Shot out to those Friday that helped out-Statia being willing to let Nick go home, Mychel covering my class, Connie for bringing me to the hospital, McWilliam's for purchasing out party outfits, Angela for ordering the cupcakes/getting my medicine/dinner at the hospital, Relles/McMahons for taking care of Jack, and all the friends who were there for and willing to help in any way that they could.
Saturday morning after a late night Jack and I left Nick sleeping to have a free continental breakfast at Papa, Bebe, Betsy, and Gabriella's hotel. It was tasty and free...who needs wedding crashing...we are going to hotel lobby crash.

Back in the room Jack and Gabriella played, enjoyed some Wiggles, and watched Papa get ready for the day.

Jack was very willing to show off his house and playroom to Gabriella...but not so willing to share his toys (or his Papa/Bebe) with her. But no worries...by the end they were just great together.

Can you tell he watches American Idol with Mom at night?!?! He loves it, dances, and even claps when they finish. I bet he would love a Family Karaoke night!

Jack wanted Gabriella to ride the sit-n-spin with him so bad...but she was busy making cookies like her mom.

"Papa, I know that Dad has been under the weather and Mom swears the stress of ordering Dickey's for dinner was too much on her monkey heart...but your blood pressure is through the roof. I think we are going to need to give you a shot and a Cars band aid to fix this up."

Gabriella wasn't really down with our crazy parachute fun here in Allen...

but sure thought it was funny to watch.

After a day of playing in the morning, kids napping while we hit the road (literally for Gabriella who slept in the car the whole time), it was time for the big dinner. Nick was still miserable (and not being the most honest about it...very noble to not want to ruin anyone's weekend...but not very wise) and we were only able to convince him to let me take him to the Urgent Care...even though we all knew where we would end up.

So more test showing nothing and the Urgent Care highly recommending he return to the Emergency Room due to the heavy guarding when his stomach was touched, but lack of data to support a finding...we were off again. More tests, many people to get a line in (his veins were almost non existent from dehydration), and hours later we were back home. Meanwhile back at the house everyone waited for Nick to return to open Jack's presents. Some bailed out...others were in for the long haul...

Jack and Nana played for a long time in the playroom,

Papa and Gabriella just couldn't wait any longer. Mom and Betsy worked on the cupcakes, cleaned, did laundry, and drank wine...while Mr. Paul supervised (and agreed to take the blame for anything that wasn't done to my satisfaction).

We finally made it home around 1 after 2 nights in the ER and a trip to the Doc in the Box. Nick truly did look like the Patchwork Rag Doll that the nurses named him. It was too bed and for me...a cat nap before the chaos continued.

The weather finally warmed up. Don't mind the yard...we clearly aren't getting yard of the month. Blame the rain, cold weather, and Nick's funk! Papa had his little ones right where he wanted them...by his side!

Everyone had fun on the slides before lunch.

Papa flew his little birthday dude inside to eat and then open his presents from the Antie Crew.

Look at all his loot!

Jack had to open his gifts quickly because it was getting close to nap time before the party (playing with them wasn't an option). He quickly adapted his opening style (getting on the gift) to make the process go faster. While napping we were non-stop, getting out the door was a beating, sadness of Nick not being able to come to the party consumed me, the stress of setting up was more than I expected, Nick stayed, we all survived and the party was a BLAST.

Papa and his crew headed out after the party and we went back to the house for Jack to open the Relle/McMahon gifts. By now he was a pro and not nearly as rushed as round one earlier in the day.

His very own camera-"Say Cheese!" Everyone headed out around 10:00 and for Jack and I it was getting ready for the week ahead-for Nick...one more day to recoup before heading back to the gym.

Jack and I relaxing in the backyard after the storm calmed down by riding in his new wagon from Papa and Bebe...it has a basket and canopy too that weren't put on yet...like there was time...I'm impressed Dad and I were able to construct it in the speed race manner we did before he opened his presents.

Loving his wagon!

And his 2 frogs from the McWilliams. They are super neat, only have to be fed 2 times a week (but can go 10 days without), and their aquarium water can go/should go 6 months without changing thanks to special living gravel, bamboo, and the hard working snail.

We introduce Jack's first official pets-no name yet...but we are all enjoying them.

I have pics from the party and more from Blake's camera coming but tomorrow is Family Reading Night at McGowen and then Friday GG/Mac come back in town so I wanted to let you guys know that we are alive, are relatively sane, and more pics are too come from the Party Weekend.