Big boy beds and fun runs

I have a confession to make.  My just-turned-3 son has been sleeping in a crib. With a pacifier.  Remember how adamant I was that Ellie be weaned from her pacifier at 1 1/2?  And how she was out of her crib before she even turned 2?  Well, I wasn't in such a rush with Jack.  He could only use his pacifier at night and he never even attempted to climb out of the crib. I figured, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  I mean, the kid LOVED going to bed!  But, with a new baby on the way, I knew I would be needing that crib, so we bought Jack a toddler bed and hyped it up.  Last night, he went to bed without a pacifier or a crib to contain him.  He did pretty well. I don't think he realizes he can get out of his bed!  3 years of being trapped in a crib was good conditioning.  He just sat on his bed yelling for me.  It took a few times of me going back into his room before he settled down and went to sleep, but he was so proud of himself this morning!

But enough about Jack, let's talk about Ellie.  She ran her first Fun Run this weekend.  3 of her cousins ran as well and they were all in different races according to grade and gender.  Olivia, Kolby, and Kinleigh all placed in the top 8 and received a medal.  My girl casually jogged around the track, smiling and waving at people as she passed.  At the end, I asked her why she didn't try to pass more people and she said, "It isn't about winning, Mom, it is about having fun."  I am afraid she has my non-competitive spirit, much to her Coach-Dad's dismay.

Sunday Best: Fancy edition

 I haven't done a Sunday Best post in awhile.  I have been so lazy about getting out my camera the past several months.  It is always just blurry, camera-phone shots.  But this morning Jack was so proud of his tie that I just HAD to take a picture.  Isn't he handsome?

Milestones

About a week ago, Jack insisted he couldn't wear a diaper to bed.  He has been diaper-free during the day for quite some time, but always wore one at night.  I let him go to bed without one, fully expecting to have to change the sheets in the morning, but lo and behold, he woke up dry and he continued to do so every day this week.  I want to do a victory dance about no more diapers, but I know that in five months I will be up to my ears in diapers.

In other Jack milestone news, his language has exploded in the past month.  He is talking up a storm and using vocabulary I didn't know he possessed.  Even more exciting is that you can understand him when he talks!  Jack has a significant underbite which has always made his speech a little garbled.  According to our dentist (aka Uncle Mark), he will have to have surgery to correct it in a few years.

Yesterday, I was literally in tears because I was feeling so nauseous and I was sure that I would be sick this entire pregnancy and that my life was over.  But then I looked back on this blog to when I was 16 weeks pregnant with Jack and discovered I felt the exact same way!  It's funny what your mind forgets when you have a sweet baby to erase all the bad stuff.  Anyway, it was very comforting to know that the end is in sight and I will be able to enjoy food and life again soon!  I woke up this morning with renewed energy, cooked a healthy breakfast of cinnamon rolls and bacon, and am enjoying have a rare Saturday with Tom at home.  It is going to be a good day.

Jack's sports-themed birthday party

A bouncy house,

pizza with cousins,

a little soccer,

and some more bouncing,

topped off with messy chocolate cupcakes,

and some pretty cool presents =

one very happy birthday boy!

Dear Jack

Dear Jack,

Today you are three years old! You are so excited about your birthday. We had to sing Happy Birthday to you several times this morning while you were enjoying your birthday breakfast of cinnamon rolls.

You are such a funny kid, Jack. When you were a baby, I predicted you would be a quiet, sober child. I couldn't have been more wrong. You love to wrestle and chase your sister, tease and make jokes, and just be a total boy. You used to be so shy around new people, scowling at them whenever they approached you, but now you go up to total strangers and start telling them all sorts of random information. You are outgoing and loud and high energy and I couldn't love you more!

You and your sister have such a great relationship. You refer to her as "my Ellie-sister" and want to do everything she does. Your favorite game to play together is "Baby Kitten" where Ellie is the kitten and you take care of her. Not a day goes by that I don't hear you calling, "baby kitten!" and Ellie mewing her replies.

You have recently become potty-trained and you are oh so proud of yourself and your big boy superhero underwear. I try to tell you that you are still my baby, but you get mad and say you are not a baby, you are Jackie Kenny. You also say you are 5, not 3. Did I mention that you are very stubborn? But, Jack, you are still my cuddly boy. You love to snuggle under the blanket with me on the couch and you are never selfish with the hugs and kisses.

I recently reread your birth story and was reminded of the overwhelming joy I felt when you were born. You continue to bring so much joy to our lives every day and I cannot imagine our family without you. I love you, little man. Happy birthday.

Mommy

Hello, baby.

Tom and I both took a half day today to get an ultrasound.  We made a nice afternoon of it and went to eat at P.F. Chang's first.  So, it was with a full stomach that I went in for the ultrasound.  The baby apparently wasn't moving to the technician's satisfaction so she kept punching my stomach to get it to move. Seriously.  It was the most violent, painful ultrasound I have ever experienced.  And all I have to show for it is this grainy picture.