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[jackpjarrett]

4 years old

Been a while. Jack is now 4 years old, and here are some of his accomplishments thus far:

-Can swim!!! We started lessons in January, and now he can legitimately swim by himself properly by putting his head in the water and breathing in intermittently. 

-can do simple addition using marbles

-complete 100 piece puzzles

-can read a few sight words

He’s made a lot of progress the past year, and I am very proud of him. 

Needs to work on:

-sharing the soccer ball during a soccer game. He is a HOT MESS

-using his words when he gets upset

He is a loving boy. Whenever I get hurt or stub my toe or something stupid, he always asks “You OK Mama?” in the most concerned tone. So sweet. Whenever Josh is jokingly yelling at me about something, he tells Josh to stop “being mean to mama”. Even though Josh isn’t actually being mean, Jack picks up on tone of voice and is there to defend me! Ha! 

His favorite sayings:

“You smell like glig glig”

“I have a question, I like firetrucks”. (Jack hasn’t figured out what a question is yet I guess)

“You be crazy” (working on grammar)

[jackpjarrett]

I will fight for you

My dear little boy,

I will fight for you. I will not let others typecast you, place you into a box of diagnoses, and imply you have problems. You are sweet with a good heart. I know this. I will fight to provide what's best for you. 

I won't let anybody ANYONE label you. You are only 3, for crying out loud, and learning the ins and outs of how to control emotions and self regulate. You are improving everyday. Your speech is improving, and I know how much you love to practice. You get excited when I ask you to say a word over again sounding out the letters. 

You are responding to "no" much better. We have work to do with self regulation, but you are open to learning and your sweet heart comes out when you may have acted in not the best of ways. "sorry mama" melts my heart. 

Growth is a journey, and a process, and everyone's on their own timeline. You are a rambunctious boy- a characteristic that's not always celebrated in our feminized education system. But I will fight for you, dear son. 

[jackpjarrett]

Easter has always been a special holiday for us- It was Jack’s first holiday, and in his three years on planet Earth, he has already celebrated four. He also grasped the concept of looking for eggs far before the concept of opening presents. 

It is also a time where we have actually managed to take a picture of Jack to show how much he has changed within a year with his special little bunny Cindy made when he was an infant. 

We had a great easter (and a healthy one minus the cheesecake and chocolates!) and the weather was super nice so we were able to spend sometime outside. 

Looking forward to celebrating Josh and Jack’s first Canadian Thanksgiving in the fall! It’s been 10 years since I have celebrated thanksgiving at home, so I am especially looking forward to it. 

[jackpjarrett]

Almost 3

(photo credit Josh Jarrett, at the Food Truck Rodeo)

So here is our boy, almost three years old.

He is strong willed, playful, mischievous, and always on the go. When we go for a walk, we run. When we go to the store, I have to stay on my toes, and it's never a relaxing endeavor. I am totally against toddler leashes, but if I were for it, Jack would have one. It would make things easier...because keeping up with a kid like Jack can be exhausting. I am not a lazy parent, so I am up for the challenge. 

He can be so so sweet. "I wuv you!" is said daily. He lately has been really really upset about accidentally hitting a friend at school in the head with a train. When Josh and I ask how he is feeling, he says "Jack sad..." a lot, which got us a little concerned. We ask him why, and most times he says "I hit Drew in the head with a train". He has been mourning this event for over two weeks now. He felt so badly about it!

I asked him today if he got in trouble today at school (he often does). He said "yes." I asked him what he did, and he said in his broken english "I need keep shoes on". You see, he's been getting in trouble for taking his shoes off. He feels so badly by it. I think we have a sensitive boy on our hands.

 He is getting closer and closer to being potty trained. He needs a lot of prompting still...and doesn't know his body's signal for #2 (I have to see the signs and rush him into the bathroom), but he's getting there. 

He is flourishing with the alphabet, counting and spanish. He spontaneously counts 1-10 in spanish. He is always singing the alphabet, and knows 95% of the sounds each letter makes. He has read "Me, my, house, and cars". His verbal skills aren't the greatest yet, but we have seen HUGE improvement in the past six months. 

He is still very much obsessed with firetrucks, cars, and enjoys playing with his little fireman figures, putting them in the big firetruck and  with his imaginext police/firestation toy. He loves all the Disney movies we have shown him, and lately took extra interest in Frankenweenie, the Tim Burton film. 

He likes to wave at strangers, and has shown no sign of shyness. He LOVES his Papa and Cici, and really misses them if we don't see them in a week. He requests to say goodnight to Beaker and Marxy every night (after Josh and Matt). 

He loves "Brown Nuk", which is actually chocolate almond milk. He also likes "Pink Nuk", which is strawberry and honey greek kurfir. He is a pescetarian like Josh and me, basically because he would rarely eat the meat at school when it was offered. He is now on the vegetarian plan because he wouldn't eat the meat (his choice). We eat fish 4-5 times a week, and we make sure to eat fish that is low in mercury. He loves strawberries, black berries, blue berries, and most fruit we offer him actually. 

He is a boy of routine. If we stray from routine, we all feel the effects. It ain't pretty. 

He is very very spoiled. We are looking forward to when we can give Jack a sibling because I think it would be very good for him being he is an only child right now, and an only grandchild on Josh's side. 

We are joining the cream of the crop fitness center (Lifetime Fitness Cary), and we will be spending the spring and summer in the pool learning to swim, playing in the gym, practicing soccer on their turf field, and indoors, and he will also get to enjoy staying in their huge daycare center where he can play with older children, and see them do things that he may want to learn. I think it's so good for children to have older children to look up to. I am excited for the opportunities this place will give us.

I can't believe Jack is almost three... What a whirlwind! Time has never gone faster. 

I love my son's blossoming personality. He is adventurous, wild, thoughtful, impulsive, and very smart. He is a challenge, and always has been. Even though we have to put him in time out for not listening occasionally, he is always deeply sorry. "Sworry" with a big frown as he comes to hug you with deep apology. He doesn't mean to be bad all the time...he is just so impulsive. We have noticed him using some restraint lately, and we know this is very normal for 2-3 years old.

I will try to post more often, for my own records as well. I love blogging because it's a journal easily found. I recently read my pregnancy blog, and was blown away by how much I have already forgotten. I want to always remember these times, and blogging is a great way to do this. 

I obviously don't have hundreds of people reading this blog, and this blog was never intended for me to make money with sponsored posts etc. like popular mommy blogs do. This blog is intended for me, and my family in Canada who unfortunately is too far to know the little details of Jack. 

And to Jack in the future (weird how he will be able to read this when he is older), I want you to know I am writing these stories not because I want to embarrass you, but because I want to remember every little detail of you. Your little feet and long toes, and the funny mispronounced words you say. I can't wait to see you grow, but there's a part of me that wishes you could just stay this age forever. 

And that's that. 

Kate

[jackpjarrett]

It's been a while

I haven't posted much on this blog lately. This I will change. Jack has changed so much in the past year...it's wild. I'll update soon. Life is busy...and it's about to get busier with our new family gym membership (that I am super super excited about). Anyways, I'll do a proper blog tonight. I am about to get Jack's bath ready!

[jackpjarrett]

Training has begun 

[jackpjarrett]

Another year has passed. I am 29. One last year before I complete another decade. My third one. About to enter a decade that really communicates “Adult”. My first 9th year of my first decade I was in third grade. I was at Northdale Elementary (rest in peace, sweet little school) in Mrs.May class....

[jackpjarrett]

This is what Tommy does when he leaves the house. 

[jackpjarrett]

Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.

Margaret Mead  (via fawun)

[jackpjarrett]

[jackpjarrett]

Jack Attack

Take this society. 

[jackpjarrett]

Now for music... This is his dance move.

[jackpjarrett]

Jack is enjoying his aquamat art work! A great compromise for art with the toddler who likes biting crayons.

[jackpjarrett]

Letters to Jack

My sweet baby Jack,

I love you so much. You are a very strong willed, independent nature boy. You have been strong willed from the day you were born. So determined. So strong. We watched a video of you trying to crawl when you were just five months or so, and we watched you grunt, and push your upper body up and were reaching. You were so determined! You started walking at 10 months. You are always looking to do more. You are confident in your decisions, even when they aren't the best ones (walking in the road is never a good idea, boy). You surprise me when you take it upon yourself to change our activities, or direction of our walk. I have learned to go with it, and yesterday after I tried to force you to turn back to walk home, you turned on your own. You said, I think it's time to walk back home. And I thought...wow. I need to trust you more, and realize you are a smart little two year old that is sometimes reasonable. You have taught me to be more patient and to go with the flow even more than I already do. 

You love being outside in the woods. You pick up a stick and you are in your element. If you are irritable, we simply just go outside and your mood changes instantly. 

You are still VERY stubborn when it comes to certain things. You love playing inside cars, but when you do, you leave mama's hazard lights on without her knowing and her battery dies. Lately, you DEMAND pretzels at dinner. I do appreciate you eating the rest of your dinner, but man you are obsessed with those pretzels! 

Jackster, bubba, Jackie...your smile and hugs melt my heart. You can be a major punk at times, but I gotcha. I know it's hard having a brain of a toddler. You can't control yourself sometimes. I know... I promise to not take things too personally, and to remain calm so you learn by example. I will protect you as much as I can, but now is the time for you to explore the world a little more. You are now in day care- away from home, from me, Dada and Matt. You are doing so well with the transition! We are so so proud of you.

I can't wait to see what this next year brings us. I know when I am much older, I will look back on these days and wish that I could just travel back in time just to cuddle you in bed and play with your toddler toes. I love the games we play, and the bond we share.

As Marge said to Bart, You are my special little guy.

You are my world, my lamb, my love. 

Mama

[jackpjarrett]

2 years young

Jack is a 2 year old! And my mama was right- he's SO much easier now than he was from 15-20 months. He's a little person- he understands most of what I say, and listens to instructions. He still has typical 2 year old mannerisms, but he is MUCH easier to deal with and he is much more reasonable. It's amazing.

He is 36 inches, and 28 pounds. He's slowed down on the weight but he's very active and is growing tall like a weed. He wears size 8 shoes. 

His favorite words lately are 1) Moon and 2) Balloon. He points to the sky everytime he sees the moon and says "Moon". He's been doing this since Christmas- it's something so fascinating to him. And the moon is pretty crazy. I remember one summer evening sitting on my back porch with my dad before bed, and he explained to me what we know about space, what stars are and the distance between us and those sparks flickering in the sky. I remember the exact night. Summer, calm, clear skies, warmth. I am still so curious and still share the frustration of the lack of answers I was given then as we are faced now. Where does the universe end? What is beyond the borders? Is it never ending? Are there other life forms? I can't wait for those conversations in the future.

Balloons are every toddler's dream. For some reason, it's just a spectacular thing. 

I have noticed Jack is pointing to random objects and asking what they are. He's been much more inquisitive about his environment. Still not talking much...but that will come. 

His birthday weekend was fun. We had pizza, cupcakes and he opened a few presents on Friday. Saturday, he opened a few more. Sunday, we went to Marbles in the morning, and he had his birthday party with grilled cheese, tater tots, berries (his faves), and he opened his presents. He still doesn't really care for presents. I think that will come later. He loves his Mater bubbler. 

Jack got some amazing pajamas from Megan, Mia, Joe and Thomas. It has a cape and it's BARTMAN! They are size four but fit him (a little big), but he will be able to wear those for years to come as well. 

Jack got a lovely homemade card from Ellen, Dani, and Pavel as well as a cool puzzle, baby penguins, stickers, and a book. He is very excited to see his cousins this summer in August! 

Jack received a tool kit which he LOVES from Great Grandparents Williams, along with other toys and goodies. 

Jack loves his HUGE Toy Story fleece blanket from Uncle Ben. Fleece blankets are his favorite. When he falls asleep, he looks like a kitten gripping and releasing the blanket by his face. It's so sweet.

Matt got Jack a Little Tikes Basketball net, which is a favorite. Matt claims he always gets Jack his favorite gifts. 

Cici and Papa John got Jack a big wheel tricycle. It's a little big at the moment, but he will hopefully fit it by mid summer. Luckily in this climate, we can use it year round! 

Babi and Gee-off got Jack a sweet little soccer outfit. I need to find Jack some sambas and he's good to go. 

Thank you to everyone who wished Jack a happy birthday, and also for the gifts. We are so lucky to have family that cares for our little guy so much. 

Jack is excited for his St. Louis trip and Canada trip this summer! 

I am looking forward to see what these "terrible twos" are all about. I am excited and ready for the worst. 

I am also experiencing a little baby fever right now...but we can't afford another baby at the moment. I would most definitely have to quit my job if I were to get pregnant now as 2 children in daycare would cost over 2,500 a month. I really am working right now for a few hundred dollars/month after gas, but I NEED health insurance and so does Jack. It's a shitty situation. I also need my job to stay in this country until I become a permanent resident which I am in the process of doing. 

Ah, such is life. A family of 3 is pretty perfect right now, though. 

Till next time...

[jackpjarrett]

23 months and a half and 3 Easters to date

[jackpjarrett]

Egg hunt at Cici and Papa Johns