Jackie tried her hardest last night to get out of bed. She really needed to go to the bathroom (11 min. after she went before bed), she was really thirsty, she needed her special blanket, etc. Oh was it rough. She tried a little tonight, but alas, she still didn't get to get up. She got a shamrock tatoo for St. Patty's day. She calls it her cartoon. She was showing it off to the boys today. Jenna can pull up but can not get back down. It is pretty cute. She also ate dog food last night. Jackie caught her and ratted her out before any harm was done. We took a pic and made her spit it out. She just laughed so hard. It totally reminded me of the cookbook, "Feed me, I'm Yours." On the cover is a child eating out of the dog food bowl. Girls.

End of an Era

Babyhood is over when they swat your hand away. You know I was just trying to show her the on button. But no, she would have no part of that. She wanted to find it on her own. And behold 2 min. later, the TV was on ad NASCAR was zooming by. She was pretty proud of herself, and maybe she wanted the accomplishment all to herslef. She just grinned. My baby. She swatted my hand away. She is growing so big. Now she is pulling up occasionally. Soon it will be walking and we will leave this place behind. I still squeeze her tightly to remember what it feels like to hold on to a baby. Jackie, she's big now. A total human. She brushes her teeth her own way, she wants to "do it" by herself, she has her own agenda. It involves us but as participants in her play. Jenna is still totally dependant, but she is changing. It all starts with the swat of her hand.

The dog learned to play dead this week. She is such a ham. She flops to the floor in a most dramatic way.

Jackie laughed the week, this horrible fake laugh, deep in her chest, and then said, "Oh my gawd." What do you say to that?

Intimacy of Childrearing

I just can't believe how much my baby patting my back made my heart swell. I knew when breastfeeding her as a newborn, the feelings associated with breastfeeding, like how warm their little bodies are, the sweet smell of milk and baby, the sound of soft swallows and coos, and how cute they look when their eyes meet yours, would be intense. But I was not prepared to have some of those same feelings as they grew. Jackie kissed my back the other night before going to bed and it was such a wonderful gesture. I felt more bonded to her in that instant than when she said, "I love you Momma," earlier in the evening. I had no idea child rearing was going to be like this. There are many things I wasn't prepared for. This job never ends, but I show up everyday anyway.

Clear Right!

At least we aren't cussing the other drivers. Mind you Jackie calls it clear when there are 12 cars going 60 miles an hours barreling towards us. But, she gets the concept. Annual hike was today. We saw many new and exciting things at the Preserve. Red Bud trees are starting to bloom. Jakcie collected leaves and rocks. Jenna, she mostly slept in the backpack. Maybe next year she'll be running around. She is getting into many scuffles these days with her new found freedom. She can pull books off the shelves, spill dog water, and of course, eat coins. Off to the races.

Jenna can crawl

We finally had to tell her "No." we are so excited. Now, come next week, we will be frazzled. But for now, we are celebrating her achievement.

Said by Jackie, "I want to go to Depot Home with Daddy."
Also this month, "hair dogs."

we have had a set back in the potty utilization department. I think it is realted to sister infringing Jackie's goods by necoming mobile. Ah, the trials of sisterhood.

I am a slacker

Ok, now I am playing some catch up. I am going to try to be like Allison and keep up with my site now. Mostly to document the things the girls are doing since I no longer have a paper and pencil calendar.
Feb 13th jenna crawled on all 4's more than once and for more than a few crawls.
Feb 14th jenna said Mama. She also started doing a weird posturing thing with her Right hand.
Then it occured to me posturing was a sign of CP. Started researching and am beginning to think jenna might have mild CP. Hmmm... it really explains a lot, reflux, seizures, left hand dominance at early age, poor tone, delayed milestones. We can deal.

Said by Jackie: We are all in bed on night after lights are out. Jackie says, "Mom?"
"Yes, Jackie?"
"Mom, did you hear me winking?"
"No, Jackie, I didn't hear you winking, and I can't see you winking because the lights are out. It's time for bed."
Quiet.
"Wink, wink, wink."
Gales of laughter. "Ok Jackie, I hear you winking. Goodnight."
"Night Mama"

We've had some set backs here too. Mark has relapsed and began using prescription narcotics again in January. He has a new birthday though, March 1st. Yeah. We begin again.

To the continuation of the blog...
-e