Durel and I spent some time thinking about how Jack would react to "the new baby's arrival."  And yet, we didn't want to overthink it. 

(Side note:  That is generally our parenting philosophy.  Think about things, but don't overthink them.  Read a book, but not five books.  So far, so good, I think.)

Anyway, we bought a few small gifts for Jack to be "from the baby."  No great shakes here.  I think it was some markers, a Darth Vader notebook, and a new Star Wars t-shirt.  Jack displayed an inkling of advanced analytical thought when he seemed puzzled that a brand new baby had gotten to the store, but we hastily glossed over that to rave about how great the t-shirt was, and Jack obliged.

So, once it became apparent that Jack really loved Sawyer, I sort of stopped thinking about it.  I guessed that we might have resurgences of big brother stress.  Like, when Sawyer starts chewing on all of Jack's toys because he can crawl to and manhandle them.  I'll be waiting for that.  (It's close.)

But at the risk of sounding completely dense (probably too late, so I'll forge on), I forgot to think about how Sawyer would feel about Jack.  

Because, dude.  Babies are a full-time job.  Is it time for a bottle?  Is he still allergic to dairy? (Yes.)  Did he have a blow out?  (Probably.)  What can he eat now?  (SO MUCH.  He really likes penne pasta.  It's cute.)  Are his diapers the right size?  Why aren't his feet growing into those awesome moccasins I bought him for Christmas?  How many teeth are coming in at once?  (FOUR.) How much does that suck?  (A lot.)  It goes on and on.

Last weekend, the boys were playing.  I captured some moments.  And as I looked at them, it hit me like a bolt of lightning.   

Look.  Look at how Sawyer looks at Jack.

It's like that scene in Elf where Will Ferrell is singing to his dad in his office:
"So, I'm HERE NOW! I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU, I LOOOOOOOVE YOOOOOU!"

Jack is still rocking the Christmas pjs.  Aw, yeah.

This.  I feel this in my heart.

They are two real little people!  And they like each other!  And Jack puts his feet on Sawyer and Sawyer doesn't even care!  Wow.

Hope you are surrounded by bare feet and adoring looks today.

Talk soon,
Heather

chippy the christmas elf

Well, I did it.  It's the last day of 2014, and we STILL don't have an Elf on the Shelf.  

Jack requested one this year.  He was pretty cute about it (as he is), but I stayed strong.

Jack:  "Mom.  We need an elf on the shelf, to watch us!"

Me:    "No, we don't.  Santa is watching.  We're covered."

Jack:   "But, Mom!  I've already named him!  His name is Chippy!"

I'm sorry for you, Chippy.  I hope you find a nice home somewhere.  I hope you entertain other kids with G-rated holiday antics involving candy canes and powdered sugar and whatever else you get into.  

Editor's Note:  I specify "G-rated" antics not because I have a devious mind (at least, not in this context), but because I can't not think of the Inappropriate Elf contest held by Baby Rabies in years past, which is full of gems such as:

(Image credit)
Because if I can't do this, I'm not doing it at all.

As luck would have it, Jack has decided that the Christmas pajamas I got him (Sawyer has a matching set, natch) are his "elf suit."

And so I ask you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, if I have a real life elf, why do I need a fake one named Chippy?

My elf is much cooler, anyway.

Elf Jack accompanied Uncle James and Durel to Central Market for some holiday fixings.
En route, they enjoyed a leisurely holiday lunch at Red's Porch.
These pjs are street style.

Elf Jack listened to some block rockin' beats on Eli's iPad.
These pjs mix.

Elf Jack posed on his new skateboard from Santa,
right next to Durel's new skateboard from Santa.
These pjs don't bail.

Elf Jack likes taun tauns, Green Lantern Legos, and skateboards.
These pjs are ALL BOY.

Hope your street style dazzles someone today.

Talk soon.  Like next year.  

Heather

BatChristmas, 2013

I hope you had a fantastic holiday.

We did.  In no particular order, I will remember this Christmas as the one with a lot of homemade candy, turkey, and Batman.

(Note:  I hadn't actually made fudge before.  I made it on Christmas Eve. I didn't broadcast that it was my first attempt in life at making fudge.  I attempted to vibe out an air of expertise on the matter, actually.  And it must have worked because apparently, it was quite good.  Because, compliments aside, it was eaten.)

(Note:  I am a stalwart defender of the baked turkey.  Aside from the obvious issue that fried turkey gives me flashbacks to my Torts exam in law school, which are certain to last forever in something which may or may not resemble emotional distress, I just don't see the point in the extra calories.  But you couldn't have told me that as we gobbled (intended) the fried turkey as soon as it came out of the fryer.  A point which Durel hastened to make.  I think I actually growled at him.)

As for the Batman stuff, well...

This photo has, starting at the top and going clockwise:  insane Christmas morning hair, Superman Underoos, the BatBoat, Ironman sneakers, and the Gotham City prison.  This is serious, people.

This one has, clockwise from the top:  the BatBoat, Gotham City prison, (partially obscured) BatCave, and in the center, the BatStare.

This one features Tow Mater pajamas (soon to become hopelessly uncool, I suspect), and the BatBook (which I will soon have memorized).

And, to round it out, we have the BatSmile and the BatJammies.

Also, despite the fact that Jack has never seen the Adam West Batman show, he's learned that the right thing to say when you race around your grandparents' house with the BatBoat is:  "Nananananananana nananananananana BATMAN!"

Because, how can you not?

Hope your new shoes make you feel like a superhero today.

Talk soon,
Heather

gigglefest 2013

The other night, this happened.

We were having Mexican.  I made a crazy face and demanded a kiss.  Hilarity ensued.  (Luckily, the intrepid videographer didn't capture my face.)

Hope your day involves some giggles and a kiss at the end.

Talk soon,
Heather

philosophers and giraffes

I read this quote recently and just loved it:

"Nine requisites for contented living: Health enough to make work a pleasure. Wealth enough to support your needs. Strength to battle with difficulties and overcome them. Grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them. Patience enough to toil until some good is accomplished. Charity enough to see some good in your neighbor. Love enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others. Faith enough to make real the things of God. Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future." - Johann von Goethe

I'm not sure there's enough Goethe in my life right now.  Or enough literature.  I'm going to fix that.  (Kristin, help me.)

Anyway, I don't have the mad ego to say that I "disagree" with Goethe.  Those nine things are beautifully expressed and seem pretty comprehensive to me.

But I know, without a doubt, that Jack would say the tenth requisite is Legos.

So you can build towers.  Which he does, all the time.

And giraffes.  Which is new, but super awesome.

Hope your day has some Goethe in it.  Hell, hope it has giraffes in it, too.

Talk soon,
Heather

Friends

Friends are the best thing ever, you know?

Jack and his buddy, Gabe, know that.  The other afternoon, they shared some dude time, some sliding, and some snacks together.

Hey, Jack, you've gotta try this.

Yeah, but I don't want to put down my ball.

Concentration, Part 1

Concentration, Part 2

I agree, Jack.  Friends make me feel happy inside, too.

Here's hoping your day had some great friendship moments in it.  Mine sure did.

And here's to infectious grins,
Heather

Metaphors on the Playground

Jack's approach to the slide is a pretty good approach to life.

If you want to do something, you've got to start with the climb.  It needs focus, determination, and maybe a hand rail.

From there, you should stop and assess where you're going.  What's the goal here?  Are you ready?

When it's GO TIME, make it count!  Scream!  Clap!  Giggle!  Live the dream.  You did it!

Because it's not "just a slide."  You know?

Carpeing the hell out of this diem,
Heather

Learning As I Go

The playground in our neighborhood is Jack's new favorite thing.  Each time we pass it in the jogging stroller, he starts pointing and gesturing wildly, while repeating, "SLY?  SLY?"  (That means "slide.")  So, we stop and slide.  And it is awesome.  

The other option would be to tell him that we'll come back to the playground later.  That we don't have time to play right now.  That Mamma needs to check her email/make dinner/do a few things in the house.  

You know what?  That option is a big biscuit.  

Because my heart already aches with how quickly Jack is becoming a big boy.  And I know there will come a time when hanging out with Mom is the last thing he wants to do and that playground is for "babies."   And when that time comes, I do not want to regret the days that he wanted to slide and I told him I had to check my email instead.

Just sayin.'

Source: murraymitchell.com via Heather*Proper on Pinterest

Have a fabulous weekend,

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

My Dog is Named After Picasso

It's true.  Jack's dog is named after Picasso.  His name is Pablo.  Contrary to popular opinion, that's not Neruda or Escobar, but rather, the famous artist.

Why did we name Pablo after Picasso?  It's hard to explain.  He just shares some quirky, European je ne sais quois with his namesake.  I'll leave it at that.

Anyway, given that Picasso is his doggie's namesake and that his Aunt Jenny is a bona fine artiste, Jack decided to take matters into his own hands, literally, with regard to his artistic development.

I'm starting with primary colors.  You know?

I prefer working outside.  Nature is my studio.

I think I prefer the table as my canvas.   Until my grilled cheese comes, that is.

Watercolors and grilled cheese to you,

Heather

Under the Table and Dreaming

Hey, my friend

It seems your eyes are troubled

Care to share your time with me

Would you say you're feeling low and so

A good idea would be to get it off of your mind

See, you and me

Have a better time than most can dream

Have it better than the best

And so can pull on through

Whatever tears at us

Whatever holds us down

And if nothing can be done

We'll make the Best of What's Around

(Best of What's Around; Dave Matthews)

Indeed.

Heather