Thank you, God.

Last night, as I was putting Jack to bed, I thought we should say an extra little "thanks God" because we've been so blessed lately. Jack proceeded to tell me that he was too shy and he would tell me and then I could tell God...

Mom... tell Him I said, "Thank you for my mom and dad...
And watermelon...
And family...
And... ummmm... oh yeah!!
FRUIT SNACKS!"

Introducing... The Jackalope

Every new blog needs an introduction, yes? So here is ours!
Jackalope was born on a hot summer day 2006 in Frisco, Texas. Actually, I barely remember the heat... or the weather, aside from the fact that it was definitely not raining. After a full forty weeks of an awesome pregnancy - aside from debilitating heartburn, that is - I was just so excited to finally be having contractions!! I won't go into a lot of detail about labor, so don't get all squeamish and run from the room. Mostly, I don't remember much. I remember breathing through contractions. I remember my sister, Riann, being very very concerned about my contractions and asking me (after the 2nd epidural), "Whoa. That was a big one. Did you feel that?" I have video that proves Wayne brought the camera into the L&D room while I was contracting... I pretended not to see him as I breathed through it but quietly said, "Do not video me while I'm having contractions." Given my hot-headed nature, I thought that was particularly calm of me. But this blog isn't really about me... (If you're interested in me, pop over and read Call Me Crazy.)
Jack came into the world with a hoarse, complaining cry somewhat reminiscent of a grumpy cat. He didn't scream, but he did cry a bit. He was 8 lbs, 20 inches, with large feet and a broad chest. (Both of which were remarked upon by nursing staff.) The most common remark made when we were showing him off was, "AW! He looks like a little man already!" Reflecting back, I'm unsure as to whether this was just a clever way to avoid lying about his cuteness level. Obviously, we thought him to be the cutest, cleverest baby in the world. Go look at pictures, though, after your teeny infant has grown for a few years and you may find yourself - as I did - saying, "Wow. He really wasn't as cute as I thought. He actually looks kinda weird."



Thankfully, he outgrew the weirdness and now, of course, is a gorgeous creature who should be a STAR!


Honestly, he is nearing four years old and is by turns hilarious and frustrating. He can be the sweetest boy one moment, and the rudest the next. But only for us, the people who gave him life. For everyone else, he's an angel. Sweet, funny, smart, helpful. Picks up his toys, never makes messes, never ever talks back. I've become quite spoiled by the attention he garners and whenever someone doesn't immediately fall in love with him, I am somewhat stupidly offended. I have caught myself quite literally wondering if so and so really talked to him or tried to get to know him because how could you NOT love him? But then... don't we all do that? I try to keep myself in check - seriously. It's like the opposite of if you have low self-esteem. Rather than combating negative thoughts with positive ones, I am reminding myself that he is just a boy. A boy who is loved and blessed with a particular brand of funny that his father and I both would like to claim as our own contribution, true. But he has his faults and like any boy, he cannot and will not be loved by all. And it's their loss. Hahahahaha!!!

Wrapping up, I swear!!!

This blog is meant to be about the Jackalope and all his funny, frustrating, sweet, and sour moments. About parenting, in a sense, but more a journal of his journey. (I may also use this as a place to mom it up, but we'll see.) I should have begun this 3 years, 11 months, and 2 weeks ago but I didn't.

Currently, his favorite things to say are:

• Haha! Take THAT!
• I'm not Jack. I'm Superman! [Strongman and Spiderman, as well.]
• My best buddies are... [an interchangeable mix of Keoni, Corgan, Jay, Erin, Brittany, Caleb and Bill]
• My pretend friends said... [usually, that he doesn't have to do anything Wayne or I tell him to.]
• God wants me to... [varies between "do everything you say" and "do nothing you say."]
• I want a snaaaaaaaack!!!

So, that's it. For now. Because he's naked, climbing on the back of the couch, and pulling the curtains... which either means the neighbors are gonna get a show or he's going to pull the curtain rod out of the wall - a project he's been working on for 3 years now. He's a determined boy, this Jackalope!!!