Chance of Rain - 100%

It is a rainy, lazy, sick day today. Jack and I are still struggling with the crud we picked up somewhere. However, Jack slept better last night due to my knockout combo of the cough medicine and Benadryl and Tylenol. Oh speaking of Tylenol, the kid loves those meltaway/chewable children's Tylenol. He even asks for it by its name! Walk up and say "more tylenol". Scary because if this kid ever got a hold of a bottle, he would down it in 30 secs flat.

I really need to go to the commissary/grocery store sometime soon. It has been more than 3 weeks since I went and the shelves are empty. And the cats are outta food. Funny because Erin also mentioned today about her cats being foodless and what they do to her when that happens. Right now our cats are just pissed off because of the constant rain outside. They insist upon going outside and then turn around and want in and then bitch to me about it raining. Like its MY fault. Um, remind me again why pets are a good thing???

Anyway, I have a feeling that a lot of Playhouse Disney is in our future today. If I had some rice, I would do the big ole box of rice that Jane and Erin did. It may just come to the point that I have to go to the store just for cat food and rice!

Naptimes, Storms, Stupid People On Ebay

Naptime has arrived in the Jackaroo house! Yay! Poor kid, he is really miserable. I decided against taking him to the doctor just yet because he basically has a bad cold and cough and there is nothing more that can be done for him. His cough isn't really deep in his chest to alarm to something serious. So I drugged up the boy again with the cough medicine and he's out. Hopefully for at least a couple of hours. He needs it. And quite frankly so does Mommy. Because I am feeling quite miserable myself today.

And they say we are going to be getting the "winter storm of 2006" coming later today. Which means that it is going to rain. These news people are so stupid. They send these reporters out somewhere and it is NOT even raining yet. And they REPORT on the fact that it has sprinkled. Puhleeze give me a break.

I have been trying to buy this on ebay for Jack. But these stupid people keep outbidding me. It is over $200 now and I am not sure it is worth it to bid it up more, but then with tax and shipping for a new one, it is far cheaper. We'll see how rich I feel tomorrow when the auction ends. But I really want to get him something like this for the backyard to keep him entertained for a few minutes outside in the coming months.

Great

Jack is a sick little boy. That cough has turned into something more. He could not sleep last night at all. It was really pitiful because he kept calling out "Mama Mama" and I would go in there and just soothe him back to sleep for another 30 minutes or so until he woke up again coughing. I have some prescription cough medicine for him from the last time he had this awful cough and the stuff thankfully does knock him out, but he still wakes up coughing and so he's in that miserable wanting to sleep so badly but can't because of the cough. Poor kid.

And me? Yeah I have the cough also. And the monthly cramps really bad. And I am really tired from being up most of the night with Jack. But I realized that I can't take a sick day can I?

So instead of going to the commissary today to get our monthly groceries and stock up for his birthday party on Saturday, we are probably going to his doctor. Great.

On Golden Pond

We went to a local lake yesterday to just hang out and enjoy the peaceful quietness that is there. We also took crackers with plans to feed the duckies, but they weren't coming close enough, so we ended up feeding the squirrels and birdies instead.

We also watched the fisherman and checked out the pontoon boats for rent there. We are planning to go back sometime and rent a boat for a few hours and Jack and Daddy can go fishing and Laura and I can soak up some sun. Yeah this girl doesn't fish, you can ask my entire fish-crazy family about that.

But it was a fun and relaxing day. However, Jack and I both have these coughs that are the rattly, deep in the chest kind. Despite the cough and no nap yesterday, Jack was quite the trooper all day until 7 last night.






These last two pictures I took just before we left the house. I couldn't believe I actually captured a picture of him looking AT me with a smile. Never ever happens. The second picture is a more normal one.

Where the Wild Things Are ... Part 2

We had a really fun time yesterday at the Wild Animal Park. We went with the mommy group and there were 5 mommies and 6 kids. The one mother with 2 kids was awesome. Not sure that I would be as awesome as her with 2 kids. She had a 2 1/2 year old and a 2 month old baby AND she was at the zoo by herself! Amazing. I am a wimp.

It was really nice to get out and actually have some adult conversation and the toddlers were all within about 5 or 6 months of each other. They had a good time, and the mommies had a good time. We did a lot of walking but the weather was absolutely perfect. Not too hot and not too cold (wow that sounded like goldilocks hehe).

We ended up not doing some things that I would have done if we were alone - like the tram ride. It is an hour ride around the park, but the other mothers said that their toddlers wouldn't do very well for an hour. I think Jack would have been fine because he is so totally crazy about the animals. Most of the other mothers didn't want to go into the petting zoo because they were afraid of germs. I thought that was a little bit ridiculous. They did offer Purell on the way out and isn't petting zoos a rite of passage as a kid? So we will be doing the petting zoo and tram when we go back.

I bought the yearly pass with parking that gets us into this park and the San Diego zoo for the next 14 months. This park is a lot closer to us and I can see Jack and I going here a lot by ourselves or with the other mommies a lot. The yearly pass is only $126 for Jim and I and Jack is free until he is 3 (ALOT cheaper than Disneyland!). If we take Laura, I'll buy her a yearly pass for only $21. Not too bad.

I guess Jack was really exhausted last night because he went to bed BEFORE 7 pm and slept until 7 this morning. And I have to admit the day pretty much wiped me out also.


Jack loved the lions. We also saw a baby lion eating lunch from a baba. Jack kept saying "baby lion" over and over again. And of course when he came up to the lion here, he had to say "ROAR". He got that from the lion on the MGM logo on tv.

Here he is playing with his buddy Sam. They are the same age, Sam just turned 2 last week. They had a ton of fun together. I think Sam is a bit more adventurous than Jack, but Jack had to do whatever Sam did. Or I should say that Jack had to *climb* anything that Sam did. Also Sam has seen the movie Madagascar a few times because he kept looking for Melman all day hehe.

Sam had the really cool car stroller that Jack really really liked. So about halfway during the day, they switched strollers. Jack was in the car stroller being pushed by Sam's Mom, Anna. And Sam was in Jack's stroller being pushed by me. They seemed to accept this arrangement and as long as they weren't screaming, all was right with the world and the mom's were fine with the arrangement also.

Where the Wild Things Are

Jack and I are off the Wild Animal Park today with the mommy group. I was thinking of skipping this today because of a thousand reasons that included cleaning/mopping/organizing and then I realized that we needed to go for Jack's sake. And mine to get out and socialize more. I know I need to do that. So despite it being cold here (alright its not cold, but its down right chilly, okay?) we are going to go.

I'll post pics later when we get home.

There is a reason for adoptions

My jaw was on the floor of McDonalds tonight. Jack and I were eating there because Daddy had to work late and I was lazy. As Jack and I were sitting in a booth, a young couple came and sat beside us. She was about 5 months pregnant and I couldn't help but overhear their conversation which made my jaw drop. What caught my attention was the statement that this pregnant girl said "I can't wait until I am 21 and can go barhopping" !!!! Isn't there something just wrong with this statement?

And then as I continued to listen, my jaw dropped even further. Evidently she has ANOTHER baby because she was complaining about THAT baby being sick and it is a "big pain" because she can't go OUT. I have no idea where this other baby was, but OMG those poor babies!!!

I have no idea if the guy with her was the father to the baby #2 on the way, but it didn't sound like he was father to baby #1 because she spent a good 5 minutes complaining about THAT guy. She said that he just sits on his butt watching tv while she has to do everything. So are they married? Or just living together? If so, not sure who I feel more sorry for. And somebody needs to take those poor babies out of there NOW.

I just have one word - ADOPTION

The 2nd Birthday Pictures

In Jackaroo Style, he latched onto a stuffed doggie they had there and would NOT give it up. So therefore, we also have pictures of the doggie ALSO. The first one is my favorite. I didn't get the photographer that I really like. He has won awards for his work and why he works at Sears is beyond me, but instead we got some 19-year-old girl who didn't know anything about how to please a 2 year old boy. But they turned out okay I guess.

Of course on the way there, I would not let him drink or eat or touch ANYTHING for fear that he would get messed up somehow. And sure enough when I let him have some goldfish afterwards, his face, hands, and shirt were all cheesy.

I did end up buying a package for $100 with these 4 poses, so grandparents be on the lookout for pics of the boy in your mail in the next few weeks.

The Whole Internet

is awaiting the birth of Claire's baby. Hopefully will hear news soon that baby brother to Isaac is welcomed to the world.

I also want to welcome to the world Avery Claire. Callie has a new baby sister.

Also expecting to hear the arrival of Jen's sweet pea in the next few days if not sooner.

With all these new babies popping up, my question is What Happened Nine Months Ago? ... Well besides THAT!

Weekend Recap

Did everybody survive the cooolllldddd weekend out there? I know that those of us in California should not complain, but gosh it was cold here too. And rainy.

We went to the big mall near San Diego yesterday to get out of the house and do something besides sit on our duffs at home watching endless amounts of tv. It was fun just walking around the mall looking at stuff. We didn't buy much because of that lack of cash thing. Literally at this moment, Laura had more in purse than we did in our checking account! How sad is that? But then Laura walks around with ALOT of cash all the time. It makes me nervous. But in her mother's house, money is not anything special because they have lots and lots of it. Something about her mother's family having a money factory or something. But anyway thats a whole OTHER post (novel).

We did get Jack 2 pairs of shoes at PayLess. He went up 2 sizes! Poor kid was walking around with shoes that were like really tight. One of the new shoes is a pair of Thomas shoes. We put those on him while we were at the mall. The kid just stared at them while he walked. It was so funny. I think he likes them.

Jack and Laura had a really fun time this weekend. He so loves his Sissy. They played all day on Saturday together. And when it came time to take her back to her mother's, he absolutely broke down and screamed. It really was sad. He just doesn't understand why only see her on certain days.

The boy woke up this morning hungry I guess. He has been referring to himself as "Baby" these days. He will bump his head and walk up to me and say "Baby hurt". Well this morning the first thing he said to me was "Baby hungry". He is now feasting on a bowl of Frosted Flakes.

We have planned today to get Jack's 2nd birthday pictures taken. I have quelched my addiction to Sears pictures to just his birthday and the family pictures at Christmas. I hope to be able to post the pics later today.

A Birthday and a Brag

First off just want to say Happy Birthday to Grandpa A. He turned 79 yesterday. Here's to another 20!

My parents are right now in Florida visiting my brother who lives in Daytona. So here comes the bragging. My nephew who is only 13 years old is a race car driver already! And he is good. He was racing yesterday on Grandpa's birthday and he won the race just for Grandpa. Congratulations Chad! Your Aunt in California is proud of you.

Oh and when he is as famous as Jeff Gordon, just remember you heard of Chad Akins here first.

Lazy Rainy Saturday

The Jackaroo household is having a major lazy day today. It is raining and cold here. I know I know. It is so much colder where you all live, but for us it is COLD. We were watching the weather channel this morning and saw all the low temps around the country. I swear it gave me the chills.

So we are sitting on our duffs watching the Olympics and whatever else seems good. Its kinda fun.

CRISIS!

We have an emergency in the Jackaroo House. Doggie has an owie. He is split open and his innards are coming out. OH NO. Need needle and thread. Stat!

Teach me to put him in the washing machine to give the poor filthy thing a bath.

Trading Places - Jackaroo Style

About a month ago, we set up Jack and Laura's playroom and took all toys out of the family room. Because to be quite frank, it was driving me crazy to have a Toy Explosion in my family room every single day. No matter how many times I picked up that room, it always looked like a toy factory exploded in there.

Jack Space #1. The Playroom. Of course, it very very rarely is this picked up. But I spent an hour this morning cleaning and organizing. Before? You couldn't even see the floor.

Jack space #2. The bedroom. We still have the crib in the room for probably another 1-2 months is my guess. Until the boy is fully in the toddler bed and sleeping the night through on a consistent basis. Then I will take down the bears, bring in a book shelf that the boy desperately needs, and put up the train decorations that I have been buying here and there.

Mommy Space! I have reclaimed the family room from the Toy Explosion!

This picture I threw in here because I thought it was cute. I got the idea from Jane . Jack was having a grand ole time playing in the bathroom sink.

Can Toddlers Get PMS?

Because there is only one word for Jack yesterday afternoon and that word is - Bitchy.

Geesh there was no making this boy happy for about 4 hours. It started when we came home and he was saying something about a "fysie" (his word for fire truck) and going insane trying to find it in the backseat. I couldn't see it and made him go inside. He gets inside and totally melts down and is trying to get back in the garage to find his "fysie". So we go out to the garage again to look and sure enough his little wooden "fysie" was lodged in the backseat.

I thought all was well with the world once again. The boy had his "fysie". But NOOOOOO. He had to whine, complain, scream, and basically be bitchy for almost the entire night. He did perk up when we played choo choos in the playroom after dinner. And was back to normal (Thank God) when we were reading books before bedtime. But good grief that child can out bitch even the bitchiest woman in Hollywood!

Sleep?

Sleep is just a non-thing around here lately. Poor Jim had to get up at 11:00 last night to go into work and then work through his shift until 3:00 this afternoon. How he does that is just totally foreign to me.

Because he was not around last night, I did not sleep very well. I was up at 1:30 surfing the internet. Then at 4:30 Jack decided that it was time to get up and face the day head on - At 4:30 AM!!! Yeah gotta love that. So I brought him into our bed and he watched Disney while I kinda dozed. But it was hard to do that because he thought it was incredibly fun to be jumping up and down on the bed and then jump on Mommy.

Now, I am off to go do some accounting work for my friend Mark. Extra cash is always good. And Jack gets to go to my friend Janet's house and play with her other daycare kids. And SHE gets to benefit from the extra long nap that I am sure he is going to take in about 2-3 hours.

Fun and More Fun

Jack went to daycare today because I have my *really fun* annual doctor's exam this morning. Can we all say "Yay"? Don't you just hate those things? So yeah, that is the Fun for today. And for the More Fun - probably going to do our taxes since I got a toddler-free environment today. So doesn't that just sound like a hoot today?

Just For Valentine's Day

This was taken by one of the other mother's at the playgroup we were at last week. Just more proof that we are in big trouble in a few years.

The Big Boy Jack Took Over My Baby!

The boy seems to be growing up so fast, everyday there seems to be something new. He is now talking and seems to know EVERYTHING. For instance, he can name all the sesame street characters. Granted he has been watching the show almost everyday for his entire life. He also knows the song to Elmo's World and sings it loudly everyday.

He somehow knows other characters from tv that we hardly ever watch. Like Dora. He pointed out Dora to me in the store the other day. How does he know? Just like all the Thomas and friends. How does he know all of them? I can hardly keep track of them all!

He also counts to ten and loves to count. The other day we were in the car waiting for Laura to show up and he and I were counting all the other cars. He thought that was such a cool thing.

We went to see Chicken Little on Sunday. And I could not believe how good he was. He sat there in the seat next to me eating his popcorn and laughing at the movie. At one point he looked at me, pointed at the screen, and said "Funny" while laughing.

And to solidify the proof that the big kid has taken over my little baby - He slept in the toddler bed last night. He ran right into his room, jumped on his bed and couldn't wait to sleep in the big boy bed. Then this morning, he woke up, and came running into my bedroom laughing. He was so proud of himself.

We need to slow time down people. This is just happening too fast.

Birthday Plans

I can't believe that it is that time again. But Jack's birthday is coming up. We are having his birthday party in 3 weeks from today on the 4th. It isn't going to be very elaborate - just a bbq with friends and neighbors, but I am already starting to plan.

The theme this year is going to be Elmo and Sesame Street. He is going to be receiving the Elmo Knows Your Name from us for the birthday present. The thing comes with a cd-rom and usb cable to program him to say 100 different sayings. Geesh the toys these days.

I also found these for the party favors. So cute. And get a birthday shirt from Erin's store and we got ourselves an Elmo birthday party.