Bright Eyes

You came into this world already alert and curious. In the hospital, the nurses called you Bright Eyes.
You are adventurous, confident,  fiercely independent and brave. Very very brave. Qualities I hope to see you hold onto and develop as you grow.
You are wild. I wouldn't change it for the world.
But deep down, your fearlessness terrifies me.
Because keeping you safe is hard to do when you are always looking for something to climb, an edge to get close to and a new adventure to have.
And somehow Jack Vincent, I know that this is only the beginning. That I will be having these feelings for a long time. Because you will continue to test limits. Yours and mine.
Right now you are my little boy. I can watch closely as you explore. Intervene when necessary. It won't always be so.
I will try hard to walk the line between safety and smothering.
I might hold on too tightly at times. Be patient with me. It isn't because I don't believe in you or your abilities. I do. Its because I'm your mom.
We will find our balance.
I know you'll need freedom and room to grow.
First I'll teach you and then I'll have to trust you to be brave but not careless. Adventurous but not reckless.
I want you to always be courageous and curious.
I am going to have to let you fall. You are going to have to learn to get up.
I want your bright eyes to find all that they seek. Knowledge. Experience. Life.
You are going to do really great things kid. I know it.

This kid.

"How does someone so small hold my heart so tightly" -

JJ Heller

Happy Birthday

To the Kirk to my Spock. Jack and I love you and are lucky to have you.
I am so glad you were born.

One Man Band

This morning Jack and I ate breakfast at One Man Band. The breakfast spot my dad used to take me to every Saturday morning. They serve greasy breakfast food anytime to loyal customers who sit in red vinyl booths on black and white checkered floors.  I helped Jack slide a quarter into the jukebox and watched his face light up as the old thing came to life.  I was flooded by memories of my dad placing quarters in my hand and telling me to "pick out a good one." Jack devoured his french toast and chatted excitedly to everyone who walked by. It was just breakfast. But it was so much more.
I feel so incredibly grateful for all of the good memories I have in that diner and so incredibly blessed by the opportunity I have to create more.

Jack Vincent

When you were a kid, did you know you were in big trouble when your mom said your first and middle name? I did. Parker did too. And it looks like Jack is going to figure it out pretty quick.

One day I know I will laugh about all of this…

Five things that make me say, "Jake Vincent!" everyday:

1. When he escapes mid diaper change. It turns into a full blown wrestling match.  Every. Single. Time. Do you know how hard it is to try and wrestle a wriggly little boy while trying to change a messy diaper?? Do you know how catastrophic it can be if a little boy gets away with a messy bum??

2. When he takes off his pants and his diaper all by himself.  After all that work to get his diaper on he just crawls away and takes it off anyway. Then he waves it over his head and laughs. Just to make sure I know that he won.

3.  When he makes big messes all around house. The days of him playing with his toys in the play room are long gone. He leaves a trail of destruction wherever he goes… and he goes all over.

4. When he throws food. I don't really know how to put a stop to this. Because he will throw a handful of food and then put a handful of food in his mouth. So he isn't throwing food because he is full or because he bored. I can't just clean him up and take him out of the high chair. He just thinks it is down right hilarious to throw food. And his aim is improving.

5. When no matter where I hide it, he finds Daxter's water dish and pours it on himself.  Which requires dry clothes and yep a dry diaper.

He is my best little bud and can be such a little toad. You can count on Jack Vincent to always keep things interesting.

I Spy

With my little eye, a little Jack who is trying to hide. 

Jack is a stuffed animal kid. And as you can see he has quite the collection. When he wakes up in the morning he goes and checks on them. He pats each one to make sure they are all there and all ok. It is pretty adorable.