With all the buzz about kinder in these parts, it's important to remember the other little dude who amazes and delights us on the daily.  We are 17 months into life as a family of four, and there is no way our family would be complete without the mellow cuteness of Sawyer.

For Sawyer, a perfect day would be spent eating three or four breakfasts, unplugging some things, playing with electrical sockets, getting stuck in tight corners, two or three lunches, crawling up the stairs, beating on the dogs like drums, crawling into any kitchen cabinets he could get into.  And you know, anything else that came up and seemed interesting.

Sawyer has little interest in walking.  He walks on his knees, fully upright, carrying things, huge grin on his face.  His little knees are red and calloused.  He cares not.

Apparently, you don't need to be on your feet to rock a splash day.

Sawyer loves the dogs.  And they love him right back.

Let me be clear:  Pablo spent the first two + years of Jack's life in the backyard because he found it stressful and infuriating in equal parts to have a small dictator in the house.  Sawyer's mellow demeanor and Pablo's increasing maturity seem to gel well together.

Sawyer loves Jack.  Sawyer's first wish each day is to wake Jack up by crawling on him while he pretends to sleep.  Sometimes, he'll even fart on Jack's head.  Sawyer's delight at playing with Jack means that he will tolerate "wrestling," even when it makes Mom nervous.

Sawyer's love of Jack means that he will even do hard time with him just to be close.

Hell.  He'll even bring a dinosaur.  Just in case time out requires a bronchiosaurus.

Hope somebody has your back today, and doesn't even have gas.

Talk soon,
Heather

shot with iPhone pre-K

I hung onto my old iPhone "just in case."

On paper, I did that so I would have a backup phone in case of catastrophe.

In reality, I did that so Jack could play games on it sometimes.  (Including very critical times, like road trips to New Orleans.)

Jack is good with an iPhone.  He's been using iPads at school since he was 2 1/2.  That is both awesome and totally insane to me.

But, before I get all Margaret Mead up in here, my point:

I backed up the old iPhone last night, just because I never do that stuff and even if it's my "just in case" phone, I'm supposed to do that, right?

My computer obligingly asked what I would like to do with the 212 photos on the phone.

Huh?

Jack is a budding photographer.  

"Batter on Fire[place]"

"Treat Feet"
(Editor's Note:  Pablo is 11.  He jumps like five feet into the air for treats.  It's amazing.)

"Petting Station" 

"Self Portrait:  Hoping for Dessert" 

"Still Life with Feet; Two Species"

Hope you share someone's perspective today.

Talk soon,

Heather

beware the jingly monster

Hope you're not scared of anything today.

Talk soon,
Heather

Pongo and Pablo

Jack is passionate about his viewing choices.

For a while, it was Fresh Beat Band every day after school while I made dinner.  At first, I demurred when he insisted I do the closing dance with him.  But you only live once, dancing is fun, and you don't have to tell anyone or anything.  

Oops.

Then, it was Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  Durel and I consistently broke his heart when we refused to let him watch more than one episode at a time.  I struggled with that phase.  I know that pirates are cool, but that show plucks my nerves.

Now, we've taken an unforeseen turn straight into the Disney archives.  We watch 101 Dalmations on the daily.  We almost never make it through the entire movie, what with dinner and bedtime and TOYS and all.  But it's Jack's current jam.  There is no denying it.

Side Note:  I was considering being Cruella DeVille for Halloween until I did some preliminary research and realized that it always make you look like a drag queen.  Best leave that one to the experts.

I had an epiphany the other day.  I think I've figured out why Jack loves 101 Dalmations so much.

Check this out:

Pongo, the main canine character and mastermind.

Pablo, our main canine character and the Most Interesting Dog in the World.

Pretty cool, huh?

Hope a spotted dog with a red collar brightens your day today.

Talk soon,
Heather

High Five

Jack adores our dog, Pablo, with utter hero worship.  It is not uncommon for the first morning sounds we hear on the monitor to go something like this:

[rustle rustle]

Pablo!

Pablo!

Pablo...

[giggle]

[rustle rustle]

We have two dogs.  The other one is named Lucy.  She happens to adore Jack with utter hero worship.  To the extent that Jack is all about Pablo, this makes me feel a teeny tiny bit bad for Lucy.  She only spends all day following Jack around, licking his face, nudging him if he cries, and laying outside of his room while he naps.  That's all.

But this weekend, I was reminded that Jack is totally aware of Lucy and her awesomeness.  Because, while he may wake up calling for his black and white hero, Pablo, who does he lay on the floor and high five with?

That's right.  It's all good in our house.

High five and doggie treats to you all,
Heather

Dogs and Balls.

Jack loves Pablo.

Jack loves Lucy.

Jack loves balls.

I mean, he really loves it.  Look at his face!  Yikes.

Hope you love stuff today,
Heather

Lucy

To say that Jack and Lucy have a special bond is an understatement.  Lucy has, from day one, accompanied me up the stairs to the nursery for every diaper change, wakeup call, or attempt to soothe.  She licks Jack's face at every chance.  She hangs out underneath the high chair during meal and snack times (she's not dumb).  She is determined to care for him as she cares for us, with her very best doggie affection.  She also doesn't mind standing in as a pillow from time to time.

Jack says four words:  Mama, Dada, Hi, and Doggie.  You can guess why.

Hope this weekend finds your tail wagging happily.
Heather

How the Boys Roll

Last weekend, Durel, Pablo, and Jack went to hang out in Zilker Park.  They left the ladies at home.  Lucy and I knitted and gossiped and drank tea.

Here's how the boys roll on a sunny Sunday in Austin, Texas:

Hope this find you rollin' with your homies.

Heather

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Don't look now, but I think there's a baby on my back.

The Family That Eats Together...

The family that eats together, stays together.  At least, that's what Pablo has decided.

Pablo put two and two together last night.  As in, he realized that not all of the delicious food Jack is eating makes it to his mouth.  It does, however, make it to his high chair.

Carrots and saltines?  How delicious!

I definitely didn't stop him.  In my opinion, that's all good.  I'm not sure he could believe his luck, though.  When I approached him to take another picture of his after-dinner snack, he bolted.

Oh, crap.  I knew this was too good to be true.  I'd better get down.

More on the Chronicles of Pablo as they continue...

Hope this finds you well.
Heather (and Pablo)

Schatzi and the Wailers: Rock on, Baby

I took this picture over the Christmas holiday, while Ms. Schatzi from Albuquerque was staying with her cousins, Pablo and Lucy.  As you can see, Jack is entranced with his doggie friends being outside.

Durel saw this picture and said, "If the dogs had an album, this would be the cover."

Indeed.  You saw it here first -- the album cover for Schatzi and the Wailers' first release, Rock on, Baby.

Hope this finds you well.  And here's to a kick-ass 2011.
Heather

Jack's 9 Month Update

Yesterday, Jack and I took a little field trip to the pediatrician.  I told the teachers at school that we were going for S-H-O-T-S.  I'm not really sure why I decided that I needed to spell it out, but it's probably a good habit to get into?

The checkup went great.  Here are the deets:

How big is the baby?:  Jack is 18 pounds, 11 ounces.  He's 29 inches long.  He's right on track with length, but could eat a bit more.  We are entering the "try everything" phase!  (Which is also known as the "hose down the kitchen afterward" phase...)

Teeth:  One bottom tooth is in full effect.  In fact, Jack has a habit of pulling off his socks in the car on the way to school and chewing on them.  This week, I found that one sock had a suspiciously "tooth-sized" hole in it when we got to school!

Food:  Purees are becoming passe.  Yogurt still rocks, but we're about to blow Jack's mind with all of the fun things to try!  We started with scrambled eggs last night.  He wasn't thrilled about anything, following those
S-H-O-T-S, but we did pretty well.

Crawling:  Yes, and fast.  He's everywhere.  That is all.

Sleep:  Yes, and well.  Thank goodness.  That is all.

Words:  There's been a lot of babbling lately, but last night, I heard "dada" loud and clear.  I'm calling it!  Dada is his first word!

Dogs:  Lucy is Jack's Bestest Doggie Friend.  She likes to lick him.  He likes to crawl to her.  They are buds. Pablo is also Jack's Doggie Friend; however, true to Pablo's personality, he's a bit more aloof.

Friends:  Jack has a regular posse at school.  They include:  Gabe, Linley, Jazmin, Mac, Eli, Emma, Lucy, Mason, Liberty, and Aksel.  The Rosewood Oaks Gang!

Jack is 9 months old and all is well.  Hope all is well with you, too!

Heather

Wordless Wednesday

More doggie love.

Two Word Wednesday

Dog Love.

The 411 on Jack at 5 1/2 Months

It seems like time to give a bit of an update on Jack.  I can't quite believe it, but he's 5 1/2 months old.  He's our favorite "Little Dude" -- and we are having so much fun watching him grow and change every day!

Here's the 411 on Jack right now:

Favorite things:  Sophie the giraffe, his toes, bathtime.

Favorite food:  Seems to be sweet potatoes.  (Just like his mom!)  He's still a big fan of the thumb, as well.

Favorite songs:  He likes most music, but he especially likes it when his dad makes up songs!

Hair?  Nope.

Sleeping:  Like a champ.  Like both of his parents.

Favorite people:  Other than his parents, Jack is a big, huge fan of his teachers, Miss Maria and Miss Kisha, as well as his BFF, Gabe, and his girlfriend, Linley.

New things he does:  Jack is a big fan of playing with his toes.

Teeth?  Seem to be on the way.  He chew on Sophie like crazy, and drools like a little, drooly monster.

Dogs?  Loves them.  He particularly likes petting Lucy and grabbing her tongue when she licks him.

Parents?  Couldn't be happier.

Babies: Furry and Otherwise

Pablo, circa 2005

Way back when, in 2005, Durel and I welcomed Pablo into our home.  He has amused us and all of our loved ones since then with his floppy ear, love of carrots, and general panache.  Then, in 2007, we did what all young married couples do:  we got a dog for our dog.  Enter, Lucy.  She has amused us and all of our loved ones since then with her ability to annoy Pablo, penchant for ice cubes, and unending need for petting.  She has also shown her utter dedication to Durel and I.  Her love knows no limits.  Case in point:  She is willing to dress like an elf and do a 5K with my pregnant self.

Then, in 2010, Jack arrived.  We had given some thought to how the dogs would react to a baby's arrival, but, let's face it.  Once you learn that a baby is on the way, the dogs get bumped down the totem pole of the household.

Pablo and Lucy, running the show.

I am pleased to report that Pablo and Lucy are both awesome with Jack.  Pablo likes to give Jack's head a good sniff about once a day.  It's like he's checking to make sure he's still the same baby, that he hasn't been anywhere Pablo didn't know about, and that everything smells okay up there.  Lucy, on the other hand, likes to lick Jack.  Feet, hands, whatever.  Lucy will lick it.  I realize everyone has different comfort levels with these kinds of things, but I let her do it.  My thought process is this:  (1) dogs' mouths are cleaner than ours; and (2) Jack will not be allergic to dogs this way.  Hey, whatever works, right?

Last weekend, Jack was in his swing/throne in the living room, and Lucy approached to give him a sniff and lick.  He is making real connections with grabbing things -- and he looked at her and reached out to touch her.  He got her nose.  Fine; this is Petting 101.  She thought it was terribly exciting and began to lick Jack's hand.  At which point, he thoughtfully and decisively grabbed her tongue, mid-lick, in his fist and SQUEEZED.

My heart stopped for a minute.  Lucy was completely unfazed.  The tail kept wagging; the love continued to flow.  Jack let go; Lucy licked a bit more before she was contented, and then cruised off for a nap in the corner.

My heart started beating again, and swelled with immense pride in my good dogs and my cute baby.

I will say this:  We make a point to do a few things with the dogs.  First, when we enter the house, we always say hi to the dogs first.  We want to make sure they feel loved and not forgotten.  They are members of the family and they deserve attention and priority, too.  Second, any time they interact with Jack, sniff him, or even just walk by him, we praise them for being so good with the baby.  I figure, if they get praised for co-existing with him, they will not only keep doing it, but they will see him as a good thing!  So far, so great.

Hope this finds you well.  I am looking forward to a fun weekend with my family and the babies, both furry and otherwise.

Heather

Carrots Rock

I like carrots.  Durel likes carrots.  We are carrot-eating people. 

Our dogs even like carrots.  We discovered this accidentally when we had just adopted Pablo as a puppy.  We were about to get married, and were having a "two days before the wedding" party at our little rental house.  Among other things, I had purchased the requisite veggie tray for the occasion.

Both my dad and Durel's dad were quite taken with Pablo (as was everyone else; he's a handsome lad).  In particular, they wanted to give him lots of treats.  Out of polite desperation, we gave them permission to give Pablo baby carrots from the veggie tray.  A party animal was born.  An hour later, with the carrots on the veggie tray dwindling supiciously, we saw a punch-drunk Pablo pawing around the party with carrot crumbs on his head.  Carrot.  Fragments.  On his head.  From his exuberant chewing.

I digress.  Jack not only likes his rattle in the shape of a bunny driving a carrot car, but he is also learning what his hands can do.  Developmental milestones are fun.

My Bedrest Buddies

A lot of you are checking in on me lately to make sure bedrest is going okay.  Thanks for thinking of me!  I am doing fine, but bedrest is definitely an adjustment. My days of 5:30 AM walks and runs with Lucy and Pablo are on indefinite hold...and when they resume, they will be with Cheeseburger!

The dogs are adjusting remarkably well, though.  In fact, they might be my best role models for how to reeeeally relax and take advantage of this time. 

Pablo is happy to demonstrate:

In fact, is that a little doggie smile I see on his face?

He also posed for a still life for his napping portfolio:

Lucy is also a professional relaxer, but she was a bit more excited at the prospect of being included in the blog, so she wanted to make sure I got a close-up:

She is, by the way, cozying up to my brand new leather recliner, which has been dubbed Mission Control.  Mission: Bedrest, that is.  Pics of that to come; I'll need someone with opposable thumbs to help me document this part of the experience.

Ta ta for now!

-- Heather