Siblings?

We are still anticipating "baby sister," as she is commonly referred to around our house. I had mild contractions all night Thursday and was sure we'd be going to the hospital Friday night, but no such luck.

We were talking to Jack about how all this "sibling stuff" works and that pretty soon he would have a little brother and a little sister. We continued, explaining that Wesley was going to have a big brother and a little sister. Then I asked him what baby sister was going to have. "A dress," he replied.

Happy Birthday Jack!

I know, I'm a little late in getting this up. "Better late than never" has become my motto in the last month as I try to juggle all the things that go along with this stage of life...

Jack turned 3 last Saturday. In the same breath I can honestly say "I can't believe he's already 3" and "I can't believe he's only 3." In my hormonal state (I think it's true what they say about carrying girls), I can't write all the nice things I'd like to about my eldest without risk of spending the rest of the night sobbing so you'll just have to make up your own nice things and maybe someday I'll get around to sharing my own.

Jack spent the morning sledding with Daddy down our hill in the backyard.

First he went with Daddy...

Then he tried it alone...


Walking up was not much fun...


Four times down the hill was enough. Jack got his shovel and started helping clear the driveway. This should be read, "shoveled small scoops of snow back onto the driveway that Sean had just cleared." Good thing the shovel wasn't any bigger...

Now That's a Time Out

Whenever our parents stay for dinner we eat in the dining room so there is enough room for all of us. Until recently, we've had Jack in the high chair and Wesley in the booster seat with a tray. Well Jack finally outgrew the high chair so now he sits at the big table. The only problem is that his booster seat doesn't fit under the table that well so he ends up sitting at the end of the table - Sean's typical spot. Last night, since he was sitting in Daddy's spot, he thought he would be Daddy and Daddy could be Jack. After establishing this fact, the following conversation took place:

Mommy: If you're Daddy, are you going to help me discipline Jack?
Jack: Yes
Daddy: What will you do if I have a tantrum?
Jack: You have to sit in the time out chair for two minutes
Daddy: What if I'm still crying after two minutes?
Jack: Then you have to sit in Mommy's chair for two weeks!

What's in a nickname?

We've taken to running possible baby names by Jack - he never fails to disappoint us with his response. Here is tonight's conversation:

Mommy: Jack, do you like the name Reagan for baby sister?
Jack: Yes
Mommy: Which do you like better, Claire or Reagan?
Jack: Reagan
Mommy: If her name was Reagan, what would we call her for short? Your name is Jackson and we call you Jack, Wesley's name is Wesley and we call him Wes. What would we call Reagan for short?
Jack: Snake

A Little Corn

Here is a little extra corn to go with your Thanksgiving feast:

This year I am thankful for:

• The way God has worked in my life and drawn me closer to Him
• The wonderful, faithful, supportive, patient, caring husband I have been blessed with
• The amazing father my children have been blessed with
• My children and all the things they've taught me about love and God's relationship with His children (and a little bit about construction machines too)
• My family and the amazing support they've been - everyday life would be much harder without them
• My friends and the things I've learned about the world and myself through them

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you thankful for this year?

Keeping Up With the Boys

Last week Wesley was sick and couldn't go into the nursery at church so he stayed with us during ABF and the service. He made it up to the sermon and then crashed. He was sleeping with his head on my belly and apparently his little sister didn't like him "cramping her style" because she started kicking/punching (who knows what part it was - maybe she was even head butting) him. You could see his head bobbing up and down with each little kick. She's already holding her own.

And The Winner Is...

I love this stage of Jack's life, but it clearly makes it evident that selflessness is something that needs to be taught. Last night I had a glimmer of hope that Jack will eventually grasp this concept.

This was our after-singing-before-I-leave-the-room conversation:
Mommy: I had fun with you today, Jack. Did you have fun?

Jack: Yes

Mommy: Do you like when Mommy stays home with you?

Jack: MmHmm

Mommy: When baby sister comes Mommy will be able to stay home with you every day for awhile. Will you like that?

Jack: Yeah. When baby sister comes she'll crawl right into my room.

Mommy: Baby sister will be too little to crawl into your room right away. But in a year, she'll be just like Wesley is now and she'll probably crawl into your room.

Jack: Then we can all have a race and baby sister will win!