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Tue, Aug 5, 2008 7:59 PM
What a difference four years makes.

I considered doing a recap of his "birth story," but really... I don't think we need to go there. He was about 9 pounds... and took his time. Now he's about 35 pounds, and seems to always be in a hurry.

Just in time for his fourth birthday, he learned to pronounce "TH" properly. So, he was "free years old" all year long... now that he's four, well let's just say I'm having a hard time not teaching him to say he's "Thor." Purely for the funny.

Just the other day he asked me if I knew what a black light was for. In typical distracted mommy fashion, I said, "no, what is a black light for?" He replied, "When it's on, it's for DANCING!" Indeed it is.

During the first year of his life I couldn't wait to hear him speak. He showed personality and style all his own from day one, and I was dying to hear it come out. I have to say, I was right to be impatient, there is nothing in the world like hearing him say, "I love you mommy."

So many things go into being a mom. Every day I learn something new... about myself, about my boy, about the world... some days I learn a lot of things. Every day is an adventure.

So, Happy Birthday to you ShortBus. May the sun shine bright, the laughter be plentiful, and the learning endless. I love you more than you know, kiddo.

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Mon, Jul 28, 2008 6:08 PM
I promise to do better. I should at least post once a month with a recap... things have just been so busy. Its amazing how quickly time passes. Especially in the summer months.

So, let's talk July.

Independence day was great! Because we have fireworks about a block away from the house, we don't have to go anywhere, and everyone comes to us.

A small gathering in which Jake was able to run around and entertain everyone, we grilled food, and had a lovely meal, then went out to the park, and watched the show. Jake had a great time running around acting as our pre-show (see the pictures I just added). And, the fireworks were, as usual, nice.

A couple of weekends later, I decided to take him over to the Nut Tree Family Park so he could ride the train. Of course, if we're going there, we're going to need to have lunch at Fenton's Creamery... and yes, milkshakes are required.

I wanted to get a picture of him and his milkshake, but by the time I got the camera out, it was nearly gone.

It was a lovely day, and of course, the pictures are posted in the photos section.

Stay tuned for: the birthday party, the circus, and weekends with Nana.

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Sat, May 31, 2008 10:03 PM
May has definitely brought us a lot of ups and downs.

Jake has started to assert his independence... in ways I had only heard stories about. And, yes, most of those stories were about me and my childhood.

Ya know, that whole thing about, "I hope when you have a kid, they end up exactly like you"... it is the most evil curse on the planet, and I'm only just tasting the beginning of it.

Thank goodness I didn't have a girl.

Though, I have to say, today was great.

We left the house a bit unsure about what the day would bring. I read something about PetCo having an "adoption event" so I figured kittens and puppies would be perfect to soothe the savage pre-schooler. I was wrong.

Apparently, when you are a three and a half year old boy, kittens are really not that interesting. But, birds, reptiles, and fish, totally are. So, I'm left wishing I could be playing with the kittens, and Jake is running through the store wanting to play with everything but. I guess his first pet will be a fish or bird... mine will be a kitten.

We left there to find that the firefighters were collecting donations in the street near the mall. Being the creative and intelligent mom that I am, I said, "Lets go see if there is a fire truck nearby!"

Wow! We hit the jackpot. Not only were there several different fire trucks, but an ambulance, and the Pièce de résistance a helicopter. Totally cool. Jake was in awe... but, told me a couple of minutes into it (after the pilot and EMTs were chatting with him), "Mommy, I'm feeling a little shy."

Ah yes, there's that part of daddy's personality I knew was in there.

No worries though, he perked up after a few minutes... and after they started to give him SWAG. Suddenly, the medics and firefighters were all his bestest friends.

I just picked up a new camera, so if they are out again tomorrow, we'll go back and get some pictures. Either way, expect a bunch of new pictures... I promise.

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Wed, Apr 30, 2008 10:01 PM
I have been on a quest of Holy Grail proportions (apparently). For a couple of months now, I have been looking for a specific style of shoe. I recently came to the conclusion that what I wanted was so far out of style, it was time to start looking at used clothing stores. Today, I decided to take a trip to the Buffalo Exchange in Berkeley.

As I circled the block looking for a parking space, I noticed a Berkeley police officer behind me. Of course, I became the perfect driver - fully stopping for three seconds at each stop sign, being extra cautious of pedestrians, that sort of thing. I found an excellent parking spot right in front of the store, signal (of course), and pulled in. I looked down, put the car in park, and when I looked up again, I noticed that the cop was sitting next to me. He motioned for me to roll down my window.

Instantly on guard, and nervous, I began reviewing my driving for the last five minutes. I rolled down the window, and flashed my most innocent grin (no really, I have one, just ask my daddy).

"Good afternoon, ma'am"
"um.. hi"
"oh, don't worry, nothing to be nervous about."
"um... ok..."
"does your son go to [specific school name] in [specific town]"

At that point, I think he must have realized he'd said something wrong. Either that, or maybe he noticed that all the color drained from my face, and my eyes were filling with tears, as I stammered a Fully Freaked Out, "Yes." Because, suddenly, very quickly he began to explain:

"oh no, don't worry, everything is fine, my kid goes to school there too, I saw you this morning, and just thought it was a funny coincidence."

FUNNY?!
REALLY?!

Is this guy for real?!
I thought I was going to pass out.

no.
wait.
vomit. punch him in the face. then pass out.

I have never before in my life wanted to punch a cop. But, he totally would have deserved it.

Because, obviously my first thought was:

"OMFG what happened at my kid's school that a Berkeley cop tracked me down?!"

My next thought was:

"Cop or not, who is this guy who knows me, knows my kid, and knows where he goes to school... a cop as a stalker is probably NOT a good thing."

This is all quite different than trying to explain to security at faire why I don't have my passes with me, and him saying, "don't worry, I know you, go ahead."

Of course, to top it off, I couldn't find the shoes I wanted at that store.

I did however find something that falls into the category of "close enough" at a place in Emeryville. But, I'm thinking it may have been a purchase motivated by emotion. I really want to send a copy of this blog to the Berkeley PD, include a copy of the receipt, and let them know that retail therapy is a form of coping with mental distress... and they now owe me fifty bucks.

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Thu, Apr 24, 2008 9:58 PM
Babies are born with certain innate reflexes, and for the most part they go away between two and six months of age. Replaced by actual learned behaviors, once they begin to figure out the world around them, the innate 'reflex' behaviors disappear.

The Sucking reflex is one of those.

When Jake was born, he had a couple of issues, and spent his first three days of life in the nursery under observation instead of with me in my room. I asked the nurses (multiple times even) to NOT give him a pacifier. I told them to call me if he was crying, any time day or night, if he was crying I would go and soothe him. That first night, I slept, and when I woke in the morning, I was shocked that no one had come to get me. So, I make my gimpy way to the nursery (pulled groin muscles are NOT fun), and walk in to see my precious little bundle of joy sucking away on a hunk of plastic.

Long story a little less long, I explained that my kid was not to have a pacifier, they tried to talk me into it, I stood my ground, and every time I left the room, they shoved one into his mouth. *grumble grumble kaiser grumble grumble* So yes, my son came home from the hospital with an oral fixation.

Around two years old, the "binky" became an "only while you are sleeping" thing. And, honestly, that transition went really smoothly - though, heaven help you if you didn't have it at bedtime.

The other night while house sitting for my parents, we lost it. When I say "we" I actually mean "he." When I say "lost," I actually mean "lost." Just like magic, one second he had it, the next it was gone, and though we both looked all over the house, it had apparently vanished into thin air.

The poor kid was heartbroken, but he managed to fall asleep without it. And, since he has only asked about it a couple of times a day (usually, first thing in the morning, and last thing at night). Over all, it has gone much more easily than I expected.

For Him.

Me? I've been dreaming about the stupid thing.

Two nights in a row now.

And, maybe that symbolism is a loss of childhood innocence. A bit of the old "my baby is growing up, and becoming more independent" syndrome. A little tugging at the heartstrings.

Or, maybe its because I haven't gone through his room yet to be absolutely sure they are all gone. To have gone through the sadness and heartbreak of this little 3 1/2 year old... only to have him find a binky and have to start all over again.

*sigh*

Sometimes, a pacifier is just a pacifier.

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Tue, Apr 15, 2008 5:37 PM
This morning I notice that the sunflower I put in Jake's room was wilted and dead, so I explained to him that it was time to throw it away, and get a new one. The poor kid was heartbroken, very sad that his flower had to go into the garbage can. He felt a little better when I replaced it with one of my silk flowers, but you could tell it just wasn't the same.

So, this afternoon when I picked him up from school, I decided we'd hit Home Depot on the way home, and I'd let him pick out a new plant for his room. After he came to terms with the fact that we weren't going to Target for a new toy, he got pretty excited about the idea.

We walked up and down the rows of flowers for a while, discussing the different colors and naming the different varieties, but he was having a difficult time choosing. And really, trying to explain to a 3 1/2 year old that he can't grow an orange tree in his room, even if it "really is" just his size, is difficult. Especially after already telling him he could pick out whatever he wanted.

Then he saw them. The tomato plants. The large pictures of shiny red tomatoes, at exactly his height, rows upon rows of them.

I've never attempted to grow tomatoes in the house before, but I figure it's worth a shot. His room is really sunny... and what's the worst thing that can happen? I have to go buy a container of cherry tomatoes and strategically place them around the pot? I can totally do that.

So, we look carefully, and choose the perfect little plant. The ShortBus picks it up, looks lovingly at it, and says, "I'm going to name him Nero."

"um... Nemo? Like the fish?"
"No. Nero."
"Like the Roman emperor Nero?"
"Yeah. Nero."
"okie dokie then. Are you sure you're three?"
"No, silly. I'm three and a HALF."
"oooohhhkie dokie then. Let's go pay for Nero."

Now, I don't know if I should maybe be a little worried. Nero wasn't exactly a "nice guy"... it has been said that he actually executed his own mother. Where did my 3 1/2 year old kid hear about this guy? And, why would he name a tomato plant after him?

There are some questions that one should never ask. Mostly because if you ask them of a pre-schooler, you aren't going to get a logical answer. For now, Nero he is, and he's happily sitting on a shelf in the sun in Jake's bedroom.

I'll let you all know how this works out.
Unless Nero lives up to his name, and kills me in my sleep.

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Tue, Jan 22, 2008 8:14 PM
Jake just came running over, holding his empty hands out, laughing so hard he could barely speak.

All I could make out was "look," "magic," and "disappeared." He was so fully entertained by himself it took five minutes to get the full story... and even then I'm not sure I have it right.

Apparently, he had something in his hand. He then stuffed it in his sock and made it "disappear." He was convinced he was doing magic for me.

The only full sentence I could get from him was "I disappeared it!!" And really, "full" sentence is pushing it.

Yes, just like mommy, he has no problem amusing himself into hysterics. Yet, severe problems communicating said amusement to others in a way which amuses them to the same extent.

That's my boy.

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Tue, Dec 25, 2007 5:33 PM
"Mommy?"
"Good morning sweetie, happy Christmas!"
"Did Santa come?"
"Well, what do you think?" (gesturing to the pile of presents)
"OH WOW!" (scrutinizing said pile)
"Can you read me this book?" (which he carried into the room with him... not a new book, one that has been around forever)
"Of course, but...um... don't you want to open your presents?"
"Yes... after you read me this book."

He snuggled down into my lap, and I sat under the (tiny) tree, next to a pile of presents reading my adorable little ShortBus a story.

Today, that was his gift to me. To start out Christmas morning deciding to cuddle in my lap listening to a story before he opened his presents. That was seriously the best gift ever.

I always tease that he may look like his dad, but his personality is all me. And, usually I do it when he does things like... um, I dunno... shove 90% of a piece of cake in his mouth all at once. But, beyond all the sillyness, and the stubbornness, and independence, there is that sweet side that just wants a cuddle and a story. All the other stuff can wait... it'll be there... right now, we have time for the cuddle and the story, and that's what I need.

Happy Christmas to everyone... hope you get what you want, and what you need... but most of all, I hope you all get the unexpected happiness you deserve.

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Sun, Nov 4, 2007 8:28 AM
Our trip to the zoo yesterday was big fun!

I think Jake's favorite animal is the Giraffe. Mostly because when we told him we were going to leave him at the zoo, and Jake was asked which animal he'd like to spend the night with, that was his answer.

He had so much fun, that when looking at the pictures this morning, he asked to go back today.

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Sun, Aug 12, 2007 10:26 AM
For Jake's birthday, I bought him a digital camera.

If you've ever asked yourself, "who in the world would be crazy enough to buy a three year old a digital camera?!?" You now have your answer.

He loves it, and has been taking pictures almost daily. And really, I've been impressed with how quickly he learned how to use it, and some of the great photos he's come up with.

For now, I'm going to put them here, but very soon I'll have a link to his very own photography site.

Also, I'd like to note that I did not edit these photos for content, just quality. The only changes I made were to adjust the color and take out some of the pixelation.

Enjoy!

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Cami: Hooray!!! How exciting

Audra: well where are they???????????????????

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