Merry Merry

Christmas was all sorts of MERRY.

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So merry, in fact, that my picture taking suffered.

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Jack couldn't have been more adorable on his first Christmas...crawling and climbing around, smiling, attempting to eat wrapping paper and ribbon, and making me utterly grateful to have him around this year.

And, while of course Christmas isn't ALL about the presents, it's kind of a lot about presents, so here's a recap:

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Santa definitely thought I was a good girl this year, which was made known by the slew of surprises including a watch, jeans, and utterly fabulous boots and more that were waiting for me under the tree.

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Jack got books, balls, toys that might make us pull our hair out, and an adorable Pottery Barn chair from my mom and dad.

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Brett got his PS3, hats, and a gas powered airplane.

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And, truly the best part of the day was all the amazing family that we had so close to spend time with. We really missed Brett's family, but had a wonderful day that started at my mom's and then lead us to both sets of my grandparents throughout the day.

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These Jones' definitely had a very merry Christmas.

Hope you did too.

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The week before Christmas, we had a adorable photographer by the name of Brooke take some 6 month pictures of Jack.

My mom set it up and outfitted all the grandkiddies to have a cousin shoot as well.

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Jack was rolling everywhere.

Drooling.

Whining.

Reaching for everything.

Eating rocks.

Making silly scrunched up smiles.

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And it was darling.

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Below are a few of the pictures she sent me as part of our preview.

Can't wait to see the rest!

She did a great job with these rascals.

Pure precious.

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This kid's hair is so hard to manage....with sooo much of it and all.

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This hat is sure to never disappoint.

Just like Jack's newest smile.

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Rat. Rat. Rat. Rat. Rat.

In an utterly adorable way, of course.

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Love, love, love these mugs.

Different

The last couple of weeks, since I last posted, have just been different.

(which is partially the cause of my blog neglect).

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As most of you know, I am a bit of a creature of habit.

I am one who definitely notices when things are different.

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A week ago, Jack came down with a thrilling ear infection.

Eating patterns, different.

Diapers, definitely different.

His sleeping, different.

(as seen in the picture below as he fell asleep in his high chair while I was in the middle of feeding him)

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I went to the dentist to have a cavity filled, only to find it needed a root canal.

The goop now left in my tooth until I go back for a crown is annoyingly different.

I think my crown is supposed to look like this...cowboy hat...belt buckle...

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Jack has become more and more mobile by the day.

Walking out of the room and coming back to find him climbing a chair or stuck under a table have become the norm.

Different from the good old days when he'd just kick it on his back for hours.

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Our basement renters finally moved out this month.

As we have our place posted in a few places, the crowd we've turned up have been all sorts of different.

Last night we were so lucky to show the place to Hugh's future Girl Next Store.

A porn star/lingerie model (as made clear when I googled her name) and

her pimp fiance were quite charming.

Needless to say, our basement is still available....spread the word.

Remember this place?

Find someone (normal) to rent it.

I dare you.

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My grandpa Karl's health has been all sorts of a roller coaster the last couple of weeks. He will have the lowest of low days and then spring back to better days.

It is incredibly different to be in this situation.

Stuff like this doesn't happen to my grandparents.

My grandparents were never supposed to get to this stage.

I've spent a lot of time thinking of him.

Our memories.

His influence on my life.

This is not so different.

But, the thought of a time without him in my life is so different that it's hard to even imagine.

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Obviously, my mom has been spending a lot of time with my grandparents the past couple of weeks.

While we go to work, Annie and I have been trading our babysitting services with each other to relieve my sweet mama.

Watching Hank and Max is actually quite enjoyable.

And, I think Annie finds some enjoyment in watching Jack, too.

We're really lucky we have the option of watching each other's kids.

But, different than the normal routine?

Yes.

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Christmas is approaching and it feels so odd to me.

Usually at this time, I am immersed in my 1st grade Gingerbread Play and all the overly cheesy songs and accompanying actions.

As I walked down the hall at work this week and heard the familiar songs echoing from the gym, the fact that I had nothing to do with it just feels...well, different.

Not bad.

Just different.

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Brett's family usually has several out-of-state siblings visiting for Christmas and the days leading up to it are jam packed with all sorts of family-ing.

This year, everyone is staying at their own home.

Brett's parents are off to North Carolina to spend Christmas with his sister's family.

No in-laws in town for the holidays?

Different.

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I went Christmas shopping a total of one day.

That one is pleasantly different than normal.

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Maybe things don't feel quite the same as usual.

Especially for Christmas being this week.

But, when it comes right down to it,

how can you not like Christmas?

(or this face)

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I'm excited for this week.

Different or same...

I think it'll be a goodie.

(Just like Jack's face in this picture).

Pure joy.

I remember.

I was wearing these shoes.

Blue yoga pants, a dark pink t-shirt, and a white cardigan, too.

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That's what I was wearing.

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The day Jack was born.

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I still remember.

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That means that it couldn't have possibly been 6 months ago.

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I remember looking down at these shoes as I lay in the hospital bed that morning while I was being observed for my silly stroke-like symptoms.

It was so odd how they disrobed me (with the ER curtain open, might I add) and covered my bursting pregnant body with a gown without ever taking my shoes off.

I remember thinking my ankles didn't ever get swollen.

Probably the only part of me that wasn't swollen that day.

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I remember lying in the MRI, basically in the buff and still wearing my shoes.

I remember counting, constantly.

Playing silly games about the number I'd get to when they'd finally let me out.

I remember wondering if I'd give birth in these shoes.

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I remember the nurses commenting on my shoes.

My delivery nurse even said she noticed these shoes that morning as she was leaving and I was being wheeled into the ER.

Then, when she came back for her night shift (to deliver my Jack), she saw that I was

"the shoe girl," and she knew she'd like me.

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I remember later when the nurse finally took my shoes off and put on some sweet blue, rubber soled socks.

And then. I knew. Jack was coming. They meant business.

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I often find myself grasping to things that will make me believe more and more that Jack is still my tiny baby.

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The truth is, he is my crawling, jumping, teething baby.

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And he's 6 months old today.

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Gulp.

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I know I say this every month, but I think it.

Another month? Really?

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What is it about 6 that puts a little lump in my throat?

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Perhaps it's his clothes that are starting to look giant sized.

Maybe it's the fact that he can turn his own music on in his crib.

Could be that when I leave him for 2 seconds, he manages to come find me, all by himself!

Or that he eats food with a spoon and can uncover his own face when we play peek-a-boo.

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He's getting so big. So smart.

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My green and blue Nikes are definitely not cute enough anymore to get the attention I got that day in June.

They're dirty and worn.

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But, Jack is still my baby.

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He is unpredictable just when I think he's predictable.

He requires multiple outfit changes a day.

Wears shirts with snaps.

Still likes to be held.

Spits up like a fountain.

Sucks his thumb like the day he was born.

Cuddles up to me when he's tired.

Looks to me with complete and total trust.

And depends on me for (let's see....) everything.

Oh, how I love this boy.

My baby.

My Jack.

For lack of a better word, he really is so incredibly awesome.

We are so lucky to have him, and I never want to seem like I don't know it.

Because I do.

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I'm so thankful for his 6 months of life so far.

Incredible.

Miraculous.

I'm trying to savor every moment of this experience we're all having.

As he learns, we learn.

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While I'm sure we'll have other kids, the experience will never be this experience.

First times for all of us.

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And I'll swallow this lump in my throat because of the fact that I have the next 6 months+ to enjoy

just

as

much.

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Jack,

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I am obsessed with you.

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Can you blame me? Really?

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Happy 6 Months, pal!

(This little impromptu photo shoot happened this morning as Jack was trying on his half-birthday boots. Deeee-lightful!)

An Amusing Morning

A play by play of our morning today:

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We were in the midst of our morning routine of eating, bathing, and getting dressed.

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8:30

There I was admiring how adorable my little buddy was as he was joyfully splashing in his tub. Suddenly a change in his expression and an abrupt interruption in his splashing told me that Jack was up to no good.

I quickly hoisted him from the tub...and sure enough...

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Poop.

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"Oh, crap," I muttered.

(slightly amused at the irony of my statement)

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Jack was tossed onto his towel like a naughty little puppy to wait until I cleaned up his damage.

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I found him like this...

proud as a peacock.

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After some serious disinfecting and re-bathing, it was time for the circus of getting dressed.

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8:45

(Jack's response to me catching him)

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8:55

Bribed to sit still with the old Tylenol-bottle-trick.

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9:10

Finally ready for the day...

and exhaaaausted.

Little turd.

(but a really cute little turd)

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Total "getting ready" time: 40 minutes.

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(other than poop fishing)

I loved every one of them.