P.S.

Jay - I wanted to document you have spoken your first word. And it is "please". You make me beam with pride.

So, let's see your favorite words/sounds are: Mama, Dada, and please. And I can see you working on other ones, especially, "Andrew" and what I thought was "where Andrew?" For a while I thought your first spoken word was going to be "more" but, it makes me so happy that instead the first word is "please".

xoxo
Mama

Happy Birthday, Jay! (aka PumpkinPie, Jaybird, JayOne, JayJay, JayJay the Jet Plane)

Dear Jay,

Happy 1^st birthday. I doubt I will ever forget your promptness, arriving very early on your due date. You decided to be born on September 11^th no matter how much I originally did not want you to be. When I was holding you in my arms shortly after 6am, I realized you wanted to be born on this day. I must admit it crossed my mind that someday you might be a politician. Jay Osler, a true American, born on September 11^th, with great accuracy! I’m sure that was just conjured up in the deliria / afterglow of childbirth.

You woke me at 12:45am with strong contractions. And I hope I’ll never forget the feeling I had laying in bed, in the dark, being one with just you. It was such a special time. The calm before the storm, I suppose. I spent a few moments listening to you, feeling you, knowing I would not have you all to myself for much longer.

Your father and I were completely shocked by your quick arrival. Dr. DeMeo must have been too, because I remember how he remarked, “this baby is coming fast and furious.” And like a flash, you were out and a part of this world. And I would have to share you with this world. But, I don’t mind. I’m so proud to be your mama that it’s fun to share you and your wonderful nature with others.

In the early weeks of your life, I often felt amazed by how constant caring for you and your brother felt. Now, I look at you and I am just constantly amazed by the boy you’re becoming. You have always been a very content baby. I would comment that “life on the back burner seems to suit you.” Feeling somewhat guilty about admitting that you were even on the back burner of my attention. And yet, your father and I started to notice that you have a very strong independence. You were more than content to play with your Little People farm by yourself. As you get bigger in our arms, we notice you are not a snuggler either. Perhaps, just another form of showing us your independence.

You are such a happy child too, very content from the beginning. You have a wonderful smile and I delight in seeing your dimples every so often. I think my favorite smile right now, is the one I see when you are in your high chair and see me approaching with your tray. How you love to eat! We have yet to encounter a food you do not like. Even though you have now demonstrated that you have learned the sign language for “more” and “all done”, we rarely see you make the sign for “all done”.

I delight in watching how you admire your big brother. Since you’ve been able to notice Andrew, you have always been watching him. I love in the morning watching you light up when you see Andrew first thing. There was a time when Andrew would bound into your room to greet you while you were still in the crib, with a cheery, “Good Morning, Jay!”. How you smiled then.

We always get a kick out of watching you crawl. It is really fun to watch, when you crawl super fast across the floor after something you spied across the room. You are a quick learner too. Already just a few days after you mastered climbing the stairs (thanks to Opa teaching you), you were able to follow instructions on how to get back down the stairs...sliding on your belly. Impressive! Now, you are on the verge of walking on your own. You do mighty fine already with a little bit of assistance. I can’t imagine you’ll be bounding all around the playground in a few months time.

Jay, you are my special boy. I love watching over you, guiding you, caring for you. I am so very proud to be your mother. Watching your personality continue to grow will be such a treat this coming year.

So glad I have a front row seat.

Happy 1^st birthday, Jay! I love you.

Love,
Mama

Ahhhh....vacation

Dreams

When Andrew was learning to talk (actual words) he would seem to be the clearest right as he was waking up either from a night's respite or his afternoon nap. He would rattle off a whole lot of words. The words were clear. The point often was not. As we are anticipating listening to Jay's onslaught of speech, I've overlooked how incredibly well-spoken Andrew has become. He is so easily able to explain his ideas, fairly patient with us when we don't get it the first time (or 20x) and has started to really come to utilize a rich imagination coupled with a long memory. (This can be good and bad.)

I was reminded this morning, however, of those early days when he would prattle on about what I assumed were his dreams. Upon waking, he asked me (as he searched in the bed and on the floor by the bed), "where did the boing-a-boing go?" I asked him what a boing-a-boing was, and he then as only (I think) a boy can...described with lots of gestures with his fists and arms, and motor noises that a boing-a-boing goes boing! You know, engine noises, movement, boing! He said it twice for clarity. It reminded so much of a time I woke up in the middle of the night searching in my sheets for my softball glove because I was having a dream about being 9 and searching for my glove in the dugout of my little league team before we took the field. Well, it was neat to see him operating in that world where you're awake but not fully conscious of reality and still have one foot in the dreamworld.

Oh, how I wish I could see into that little mind. Still, I'll settle for these wonderful glimpses.

The Power Nap

I've never been a believer in the "power nap". I realize there is scientific evidence that napping for just 20 minutes will cause you to feel re-energized, increase productivity, relieve stress etc. However, it has never worked for me and is working EVEN LESS for me today now that Andrew has become a power napper!

All he needs is 20-30 minutes (usually in the car no less) of sleep every few days to recharge those pre-schooler batteries! I have finally (after weeks of fighting it) given into this new habit. I have come to realize that he has basically given up his nap all together and that these power naps when they happen are a blessing.

Still, look at him, he just fell asleep while having a snack! I mean, you fell asleep while eating yet, you tell me you don't need a nap???

Remember me???

I have heard people say that the transition from having one child to having two children is not as difficult as the transition from zero to one. Well, I guess that would be true if you take the easy route and stay living in the same home, city, state, keep the same job, etc. How boring! Mark and I thought the true way to keep things interesting would be to have him start a new job in a different state just before our second was born. Therefore, we could move with said children to a new home in a new city, new state, where we'd have to meet new people. I must report that so far it has been just that...interesting! We love our new home town and are doing great. Part of this transition was finding a new routine. The one we've found keeps us incredibly busy. There's story time, lunch with Daddy once a week, the MOMS Club, playdates, going to the pool, and more. I guess that's my excuse for the lack of posting here. I will aim to do better. As the pictures and blog ideas piled up it felt more and more like too much of a challenge to tackle in the little bit of free time I do have to myself. But, I'm going to get this off the to do list so we can get back in the blogging game so to speak. Hope all is well with you!

What keeps us busy:

Trips into D.C. on the metro


MOMS Club events at My Gym (a gymastics place for little ones)


A visit to our local fire station


Doing crafts


Jay's been learning how to feed himself.


Visiting Krispy Kreme everytime MumMum and PopPop visit


Going for nature walks


Washing the car


There was Uncle Jay & Aunt Malissa's (Red, White & Blue wedding)


There was a trip to the Jersey Shore








And my first run in about 5 years!!!

I knew the sun would come out today...

...we finally found rain boots for Andrew!

Adoration

In looking through some recent photos to send out, I noticed there are more and more pictures of Jay watching Andrew. He is in full adoration of his big brother. And we've reached a point too, where Andrew enjoys it and enjoys making Jay laugh. Jay has always been content to get a passing glance from Andrew but, now that they are interacting more, Jay is always watching.

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

These are construction paper hearts Andrew and I made to hang in our front window. I just loved the shadows the late morning sun created on our floor filling our home with love.

Unfortunate Timing

Jay has learned how to make raspberries with his mouth and we just started solids. Talk about unfortunate timing. Feeding him peaches this morning was like being front row at a Gallagher show. (Ok, it wasn't that bad. It was actually very cute. Messy but cute.)

Jay eat it....

Lately Adrew has been noticing (and pointing out) that Jay puts a lot of things to and into his mouth. (i.e., toys, books, his toes, Mommy's necklace, etc.) Whenever he sees Jay do this he says, "Jay eat it." OR "Jay eating it."

Today, Jay made his first attempt eating something other than his toes. He had his first taste of rice cereal today and seemed to like it.

Merry Christmas!

It was a very merry Christmas indeed. Andrew and I waiting for Santa to come down the chimney on Christmas Eve. And again on Christmas morning playing with the train Santa brought Andrew. (Mark and Jay had a merry good time too!)

Season's Greetings From The Nation's Capital

We took the metro train into D.C. today to see the National Christmas Tree. There were lots of other trees too, trains, Santa and hot dogs! Andrew loved walking along the streets of a city. Looking forward to the many trips to D.C. we have in our future.



Standing in front of the National Christmas Tree (unfortunately the lights weren't on)


Mark and Andrew watching the trains


Andrew in front of the Massachusetts tree


Mama, Andrew & Jay in front of the Pennsylvania tree


My, the Bush's decorations are lovely!


Enjoying hot dogs for lunch


On the metro train going home...