Standing Tall

Can you tell I just got a CD with new pictures of Jack today? Little Jack is standing more than playing in his play pen these days. Just so cute!

Look of Love

Little Fish

Jack started swimming lessons last Saturday. The facility lets babies take their first lessons at the age of six months. Of course, we didn't do a whole lot. The idea is to get babies used to the water. I think Mike and I had more fun than Jack. We did submerge him very quickly a couple of times. The part I loved the most was walking backwards through this little water walkway with Jack laying on my stomach. It was so peaceful and he seemed to enjoy himself.

Like most parents, it's important for me that my child learns how to swim someday. It's especially important to me because my mom doesn't know how to swim. Growing up, I often wondered as we drove over river bridges how I would save my mom if a freak accident occurred sending our vehicle over the edge. Would I be able to drag her to the surface? Mom tried taking a water exercise class several years ago but the instructor took the participants into the deeper part of the pool and left her behind in the shallow end. Needless to say, she stopped going.

Jack has six more lessons to go. Perhaps my little fish can teach Big Fish (grandma) how to swim someday.

Lesson Learned

About a week ago, on my way home, I found myself driving behind a neighborhood boy near our subdivision. He was on his scooter in the road. I was a little upset considering he wouldn't pull over so I was crawling at a slow speed when all I wanted to do was get my son home and feed him dinner. I think I was in a bad mood anyway. So, this is my public confession in an attempt to get this off my chest and somehow cleanse my dirty soul. I was behind another vehicle and when I pulled into our road, I honked, partly out of protest, partly because I think it's very dangerous for kids to be riding their toys in the middle of the streets. I've been behind a kid who has swerved back and forth on his little scooter like a motorcycle on a more traveled road.

Tonight, I was walking through the neighborhood and talking to some really nice ladies. I was so excited because I don't know many people in our subdivision. One asked about where I lived. Well, come to find out, it was the owner of the vehicle I was behind that night I honked. She also happens to be the mother of the kid who was on the scooter...the night I honked.

I've often said I could be a good snob if I had the money to justify it. However, I am poor and really need to start acting within my social strata.

So, lesson learned. I am the biotch of the neighborhood. It's official. Mike and I now need to move into a different hood so I can establish a better rep. I am an idiot! Serenity now!!

Cause for Sainthood?

Do you have a favorite saint? Consider these two up and comers for future sainthood.

Picture a man willing to turn his car around to go the extra mile at a time when gas costs $3.79 a gallon to save a reptile called the turtle. This man is sick to his stomach until he locates the turtle and realizes that he is too late. (Then, he's really sick.) The turtle didn't make it. Not all of his missions are lost causes. If you see a man along the side of the road endangering his life as he scoops up turtles and then delivers them to area parks, tip your hat at him and say a prayer that he doesn't get hit by a car. Saint Mike, Patron Saint of Turtles. Now, picture a woman, leash on one hand while she pushes a stroller with the other. In the midst of her walks, she can't help but notice the mass suicide that lays on the sidewalk. She presses the brakes on the stroller and asks her pooch to be patient as she bends down, picks up the slimy critter, dirtying her immaculate hand, and places the worm in the grass. The next time you see a worm, carry on this woman's mission, and spare the slimy creature its life. Saint Rose, Patron Saint of Worms.

Showered with Blessings

Last weekend was busy. I woke up before the sun on Saturday to volunteer at a rummage sale fundraiser for a local non-profit. I'm a board member of that organization so I was happy to help, just really tired.

I found myself embodying Kungfu Panda near the entrance as people tried to leave the sale that way. Last year, we had traffic issues and couldn't be certain that people paid for things when they tried to exit through the entrance. Anyway, how many different ways can you tell the incoming crowd about the exit location? I felt like a tour guide at a busy theme park, like a broken record.

As I walked through the sale, Aerosmith's song "Dream On" kept playing in my head. All the cute clothes looked so cute because it was so small. I checked out the same skirt at least twice, wondering why I didn't consider it more seriously the first time, then checked the size, size 4. Oh, okay, that was why. A great number of people turned out for the event so the non-profits (there are a few besides my organization) should receive a nice donation from the university.

After the sale, I was able to see a dear friend of mine. I met this friend when I worked part time at the local university's Psychology Building. It had been two years since we'd seen each other. Wendy is destined to be a published author. Hopefully, her future success will motivate me to finish some of my musings. Wendy gave baby Jack some wonderful gifts including a cute outfit. Of course, seeing her was the best present. And I couldn't believe how old her two boys were. Wow, I remember holding the youngest one when he was just a baby. Man, doesn't that make a person feel old.

My family hosted a baby shower for Jack on Sunday. I had been really bad for two weeks, checking the registry and worrying that very few people would come because not that many items were checked off. It would have been sad if there had been lots of no-shows. Silly worries. It was almost like a family reunion minus most of the boys. A lot of my relatives and friends came. It was so nice to see everyone.

I enjoyed seeing everyone at the shower, but I'm relieved that it's over. It's humbling to think that so many people came to see Jack and bought him things that he needs. But what do you say to that? "Thank you" didn't seem enough. I like to be on the other side, bestowing gifts on family and friends.

We also saw Mike's family at the shower. Our little nephew, Dalton, is a cutie patootie with blue eyes and light, curly blonde hair. He's going to be a heart breaker. His daddy would say, "One, two, three" and Dalton would yell, "Go!"

Tonight, I received an invitation to a friend's baby shower. I look forward to showering her with some blessings in a couple of weeks.

Poo Perfume & Baby Magic

Every day is filled with possiblity and discovery when it comes to Jack. I've discovered that even if it's not your primary hand when it comes to changing a dirty diaper, the scent of poo can still linger on your secondary hand. Like a really old, warped perfume that you accidentally sprayed on your wrist, or, in this case, finger, and you can't seem to shake. I didn't shake the stench until half of my day was over and after many hand washes today.

Also, babies are capable of magic. When it comes to Jack's boogers, now you see them, now you don't. He's very good about sucking them in so that mommy or daddy can't wipe them off. Ew, ew. I just wish he'd let me wipe them but he can't stand the attack of the tissue and fusses like crazy.

Jack started crawling last week. I love watching his little tush as he goes. Swish, swish, side to side, goes my little baby's behind.