I should have known...

Happy Mothers Day!

The day started off so well... I woke up at 6:30, and just could not sleep any longer. I got up and took a shower, made a poster for primary at church, wrapped some presents, wrote an email or two. I don't know- I did A LOT only because I had 1 1/2 hours! Jack did not stir until 8 AM!!! That is by far the longest he has slept in! Who could ask for anything more on Mother's Day. (Why couldn't I take advantage of it and sleep in too?

Jack got up- he had breakfast. I made chocolate covered strawberries, played a little. We had company in town so we had a delicious breakfast. Everything was going GREAT!

When I am working in the kitchen, this is Jack's favorite place to sit! Or on the stool in front of the freezer.

Dan went to church (with our company) he had meetings. Jack and I got ready the rest of the way and ran an errand to Brookfield to drop off some work things. Again- we were doing GREAT!

We made it to church on time. Jack was very good during Sacrament Meeting. He just wanted to sit on our friend's laps for most of the meeting.

Then for primary- 2 hours long- and I had to play piano. So Dan kept Jack, and played with him, let him walk the halls, sat with him in Dan's meetings. Dan is wonderful. Really I start to miss him during this time, so when I saw them in the halls with less than 5 minutes to go, and Jack reached for me, I took him. I had only one more song to play.

I let Jack sit in a little kid chair (still too big for him) but HE LOVED IT! he just smiled, swung his legs. I remember looking at him and thinking "This is what being a kid is all about! Just loving life, enjoying the little things. When was the last time I could just sit and swing my legs, without a care in the world?

Then it was time to play- I thought I would bring the chair closer to the piano so I could be there if he decided to get up. There- that was MY MISTAKE. I should have known...

I turn the page in the music book, and "BAM!" Jack falls forward right into the piano leg. I quickly get up, hand him off to Dan so that I can get through the LAST SONG. Jack is bleeding, bad. All over Dan's white shirt, all over himself. I realize what is going on. A nice woman offers to get us ice. Dan runs into the women's bathroom to get paper towel. And the rest is a big blurr... until we got to the car. Papa Russ made it in the car with us, and we were off to the hospital.

If I had just left him where he was! He would have had just a bruise (if he had even moved. He was really enjoying himself.) Instead, the damage... an inch long vertical slice in his forehead! 6 stitches and a popsicle and we were out the door-45 min! That has got to be an ER record.

Lesson learned: "I know you love it, but your mom should know better."
Happy Mothers Day to a Mother who is figuring things out: one day, one situation, one child at a time.

(Papa Russ took some pictures with his phone- so there may be more pictures soon!)

Just one minute...

Sometimes I just need a minute... like to go to the bathroom, to deal with raw meat, or to open the oven and get something out. Really a job that should only take 1 second, but with a baby in my arms or tugging at my legs it becomes nearly impossible!

So with Jack being sick, he has been held a lot. He is feeling better, so we are trying to let him get a grip on reality. Two activities that seem to hold his attention...

My piano lesson family has this in their music room. He hasn't quite figured it out enough to be really loud, but he loves it anyway!

And last night when we got home from piano, we had a special surprise waiting on our doorstep. A ball pit!!! Jack loves to play peek-a-boo around the middle ball spiral thing, and to crawl around in circles. He is very happy just hanging out inside.


And this morning... "Mom, I don't need you to hold me. I don't need a new diaper, or any clothes. I'm just going to sit in here all day." Sadly the fun had to end.

A Picnic in the Park

Wisconsin weather is beautiful! Springtime is my favorite time of year and I LOVE watching the leaves fill in. I am constantly reminded of the song "For the Beauty of the Earth" and sing it in my head as I'm walking to and from the car, mowing the lawn, or playing outside with Jack.

Last weekend we met up with some friends for a Saturday evening picnic. It was so beautiful and we had a great time (even Dan had a good time throwing a frisbee with a friend and of course the delicious food!)


Sadly there isn't much more to celebrate than that- Jack was sick with "roseola" over the weekend (the contagious period is actually 5-10 days before you show signs of it, so right when we are in Utah. Wisconsin friends-you are SAFE!) I took him to see Dr. Dan on Monday because of his rash- luckily that is the last symptom and means that the fever is over-thank goodness!

We are back to school and just enjoying our nights together. We can't wait for another fun weekend ahead! Either fishing with Dad or Jack's first trip to the zoo- we'll see what's in store!

Goodness knows I am a little uptight when it comes to keeping a schedule, getting things done, and sticking with what works. But apparently, this all goes out the window on vacation (and boy, am I going to pay for it!)

Jack and Sadie playing at the playground.

Marcia feeding Jack dessert pizza.

Grandma Cindy helping Jack drink from the straw. NOT soda- like 7/8 water, and a very little bit of pink lemonade. He also enjoyed drinking my Jamba Juice through a straw.

Birthday Cake... He likes frosting just like his mom.

Sadie's car seat ended up inside on Graduation morning. Jack had to sit in it while he ate his breakfast, and watched tv at the same time.

A little morning nap at graduation. The late nights really started to wear on all of us.

Jack and his friend playing the the ball pit. We LOVED this!

Our friends who we get to visit in Utah each year. The boys are only 3 weeks apart so they are VERY FUN together!

Driving home with Papa Russ (we are parked at the rest area.)


And a couple of funny videos- Jack and Sadie taking a bath together. This is VERY late Thursday night. You can tell Jack is getting delirious.



And our ride home, JACK DID GREAT! Really, I think he might have done better this trip than when he was only 2 months old and we drove the long drive home. He was very funny, laughing at himself and talking to me. We read books, played his toy piano, and figured out how to use a new toy. We only watched 20 min. of a dvd when the sun was shining in Jack's eyes. If we could guarantee our ride would be this good EVERY TIME, we may take more long road trips.




I am actually really glad we had this time together to just play and be happy!

We made it!!!

Here we are! Provo, UT

We survived the flight out and are enjoying our time in the "college town" I once called home. We have done lots of bargain shopping, bought a couple of good books, and LOVE spending time with our cousin Sadie and Aunts & Uncles.


Jack loved playing at the airport play area in Milwaukee. Sadly they didnt' have one in our terminal in Denver.

Jack got his FIRST sucker! He loved it!

Grandma Diane- look what you started... I had to open the box before we even checked out. I don't like to do that, but it kept Jack happy!

Homemade pizza at Auntie Manda's house. Thank you for letting us play and let our friend come over. Here's the three kids all playing together, they keep us on our toes!

Daddy- we really miss you! I hope you are having fun and we can't wait to see you soon!

We love you!

I little PREVIEW...

Jack and I are headed to Utah this week! We are going to fly to Utah to meet Grandma & Papa Russ, and then we will be taking the 21 hour drive home with them. Auntie Manda is graduating and we are very excited to see 3 Aunts (2 uncles) & our Cousin Sadie who is going to turn 1 in a week! (CRAZY!)

As a little warm-up for the LONG car ride, we took a little trip to Indiana this weekend. Jack did great on our 4 1/2 hour ride there and just ok on our way back. But our time there was FABULOUS!

Dan's cousin Laura was celebrating her recent marriage! This is Jack and his ________ (second cousin, second cousin once removed, who knows... Dan's cousin, Kevin's baby.) We tried to get the other cousin's kids, but it didn't work so well.

Grandma Diane met us there from North Carolina. Pretty lucky! She surprised Jack with a big kid soccer ball and a big Tonka Truck. Jack especially enjoyed walking on the dance floor and dancing with the bride during her "Dollar Dance." We skipped the swimming pool, but Jack did get to party with Grandma Diane in her room while I took a shower- Dan was still sleeping.

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Our Friday before we left was nothing less than exciting! We got haircuts in the morning and playgroup and Grandma & Papa's house. You'll see more pictures of Jack's big kid haircut- but here it is! I LOVE IT!

Like Father, Like Son

Dan and I both had the afternoon off yesterday, so we took Jack frisbee golfing! Well, Dan frisbee golfed and Jack and I followed him around. Hole #18, Jack liked being involved in the action.



A couple of fun ones- just Dad and Jack hanging out!
Jack crawled in the love-sac all by himself. He really likes to climb the stairs, on the furniture, and on top of his leap-frog table.


Jack taking a breather at Grandma & Papa's, reading the dictionary-upside down. Dan also likes words/word puzzles. We have a well-used dictionary at home too!

Dan and Jack playing on the trampoline. They have a lot of fun together!


I'm pretty lucky to have both of these boys around!