Oh what a week this has been! It would be a lie to say it has been the best week ever recorded. In fact, with the exception of yesterday morning and today it would be a lie to classify this week as anything other than trying and hellish. Each day for the past week our darling little boy has been replaced by Jack the Grumpster.
The week started out ok. Jack was only a little moody. In fact, as long as he was allowed in the kitchen and allowed to play with various kitchen gadgets, Mommy was able to get a lot of cooking and baking for freeze and store meals. With Mommy’s classes starting back up on August 23rd, Mommy wants to make sure I have a nice little squirrel stock pile of meals to ensure that even on the busiest of nights Mommy can still provide healthy meals made with love for the family. So, while Mommy made a wide array of meals and muffins Jack was extremely helpful in his mashing of imaginary food.
It’s hard to believe that the very same evening as our nice day of cooking, Jack’s mood devolved into something that can only be described as primal. Mommy and Daddy had hoped that Jack would be better the next day after a nice night of sleep. Unfortunately, Jack was up every two hours which meant that Jack didn’t sleep well. A night of not sleeping well led to a day of being grumpy and tired. This turned into a week, followed by a weekend of not only throwing tantrum after tantrum, but he absolutely refused to go bed at night.
Last night was the worst. Jack absolutely refused to go to sleep. He stood in his crib screaming until 8:15 despite Mommy and Daddy’s best efforts. Eventually, we let him out of his bed and allowed him to run around his room for a little while to work off some of his energy. He was super cute as he ran from one side of the room to the other giving each of us kisses. It was this display of cuteness and love that helped Mommy and Daddy feel a little bit better about the evening’s botched bedtime.
Jack’s mood improved long enough on Sunday evening for us all to gather around for our traditional weekend family movie. This weekend Mommy selected Meet the Robinsons. Even if the storyline is a little awkward one can’t help, but love the positive message of “Keep moving forward” and the rib grabbing laughter that ensues when the villain attempts to use a giant T-Rex to do his bidding. It is beyond Mommy how anyone can fail to laugh when they hear the line “I have a big head and little arms. I’m not sure how well this plan was thought through.” Jack even seemed to be captivated.
Yesterday was really when Jack’s mood seemed to take a turn for the better even if his bedtime was botched by Jack the Grumpster. Part of this elevated mood during the day can easily be attributed to Jack getting reacquainted with his wooden blocks.
From time to time Mommy will cycle toys in and out of rotation to help keep them fresh. Also, as Jack matures he is able to play with toys he wasn’t before. The wooden blocks were toys that had to be taken away when he was experiencing the constant need to chew on things. Since they are wood, it is conceivable that he could bite off a piece of wood and hurt himself. However, now that Jack is getting more mature he is able to handle playing with these blocks without Mommy or Daddy worrying about his safety. On Monday, after Jack’s nap, Mommy gave Jack his wooden blocks and we began to play.
For about an hour Mommy and Jack sat on the floor in the living room stacking blocks and knocking blocks down. Mommy would stack a block and Jack would stack one of top of it.
At one point, with the help of Mommy, we had built a tower that was taller than Jack! The height of the block tower actually had Jack a little freaked out and he began to cry when he realized it was taller than him. Due to the height of the tower and Jack’s propensity to flail at things that scare him Mommy decided to pick up Jack and let him knock it down from my arms. The last thing I wanted was to scar Jack from being able to play with blocks in the future because a large tower collapsed on his head. Yes, yes, the odd things Mommy worries about.
When Daddy arrived home later that evening he and Jack spent a long time playing with blocks before dinner. In fact, Daddy built an even taller tower with Jack, but Little Man wasn’t nearly as afraid. With Daddy by his side I don’t think there are many things that Jack is afraid of.
Today was a super duper awesome day! Not only was Jack in a great mood, but he had a special play date with his little friend Kiera! To get ready for the play date Mommy and Jack spent the morning picking up around the house. Jack loves to Swiffer the floors and vacuum whenever he can get the chance. So, while Mommy was taking care of chores she had, Jack took care of some of his own “chores”. Mommy knows that Jack is only imitating Mommy, but I hope that all of this cleaning helps Jack to learn to take pride in his home and enjoy the feeling of responsibility. Regardless, Mommy appreciates his willingness to help.
While we were cleaning in the kitchen, Jack decided to explore the pantry. In there, he discovered some Yukon Gold potatoes. Jack doesn’t have a Mr. Potato head just yet, so I think he was improvising.
After we were all done with our chores it was play time! Jack, of course, gravitated to his wooden blocks. So, Mommy and Jack sat on the floor playing with blocks and building more towers. Eventually Mommy moved on to reading Green Eggs and Ham, but once Jack’s attention began to wander, we were back to the blocks. Jack even picked up his container of blocks and carried them out to the living room! What a strong little guy!
After Jack’s nap and lunch it was time to have fun with Kiera! Although Jack was initially a little wary eventually he warmed up, especially after he tasted the yummy strawberry and banana smoothie JaNae and Keira brought for Mommy and Jack. While Jack and Kiera played in Jack’s playroom, Mommy and her best friend JaNae scrapbooked in Mommy’s office. It was so much fun for all of us! The cutest/funniest moment of the afternoon was when Kiera desperately wanted JaNae to pick her up and bring her into the office. “Mommy! Mommy!” she exclaimed. “Get me outta here quick! Baby Jack is gonna eat my shirt!” It was the single most outrageous and cute thing Mommy has ever hear a child yell. I couldn’t help, but laugh.
We had so much fun that we have plans to do it all again on Friday! Here’s hoping that Jack’s mood holds.
After a very trying week and weekend, it’s always nice to end on a happy note. Mommy and Daddy work hard to remember that Jack, even though he’s our baby, is still a little person. So, like the rest of us, he has his good days and his bad days. He can’t be happy all the time despite our greatest wishes for him and in all reality, to ask that of him isn’t fair. So, Mommy and Daddy weather the storm as a team and try to be good examples for Jack to follow as he gets older. Besides, weathering the storm isn’t so bad, especially when watching the rain together is so nice.
Quick Jack Facts
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Perhaps it’s because Jack sees Mommy on the phone a lot or because when Jack Jack gets his hands on a phone it’s seriously awesome, but lately, regardless of the item, to Jack it’s a phone. Jack will pick up his little play phone or a piece of plastic and hold it to his ear. When the “phone” is properly in place he then says “eh” takes a pause and says “eh” again, but with a different intonation and then hangs up. It is so cute. It’s also nice that everything is a phone rather than other items. Mommy and Daddy have had experience with children with whom everything regardless of shape is a gun. We’ll take a chatter box any day.
- Jack loves playing games and recently one of his favorite games is to play “Hello and Goodbye”. Little Man will walk in and out of his playroom, waving as he goes. He will even close the door on occasion for added drama. He loves it when Mommy exclaims each time “Hello Jack! Welcome back!! Mommy missed you!” or “Goodbye Jack! See you soon!” He thinks this a great game especially when he comes running back for hugs.
- Mommy just wanted to post a couple pictures of Jack and Daddy having fun together. They have so much fun that it makes Mommy’s heart glow. It’s definitely a wonderful thing when you sit back a realize the beautiful legacy you are building just by loving the heck out of your baby.
