No Naps = Grumpy Jack

I knew the day was coming - had heard tales and stories - but I just kept thinking (wishing, hoping, praying "pleeaasssee God") that Jackson would be one of those kids that napped until he was four or five (or seven). But, alas, my little napping boy suddenly stopped napping. Now, he still needs a nap (at least in my opinion) but he WILL NOT take a nap no matter how tired he is (have I mentioned how stubborn my curly-haired cutie is?)

Of course, Jack decided to give up his afternoon siesta while Lee was out of town. Not only did he give up the nap but he ALSO started waking up at 5:00 (yes, A.M.!!). Does anybody else's child wake up earlier the more tired they are??? Needless to say, I was exhausted when Lee returned from his golf trip to Pinehurst where I'm sure he worked way harder than I did with our fiesty little man trip out of town. Our afternoons and evenings have contained many more meltdowns than I would like but I think we have adjusted to the loss of this afternoon siesta (well, maybe Jackson but not me).

Why, you ask, am I spending an entire post devoted to the napping habits (or lack thereof) of a 3 yr old? Especially when I haven't blogged in ages?? Because -I have had some of my funniest and most treasured moments as a parent during this tiring and trying time.

I do require that Jackson stay in his room quietly for at least 1 hour during the afternoon. He needs some downtime and so do I. This has been way more difficult that I would have ever thought. This. child. is. so. strong-willed.

One afternoon as I was getting him ready for his "nap" I gently remined him that big boys stay in their rooms during naptime. He gently reminded me that he preferred to "rest" in the hall outside his room. To which I replied, "No, Jack. You stay in your room" To which he replied, "No, Mommy, my knees will be in my room but my nose will be in the hallway" And, honestly, that is exactly what he did.

On another afternoon after our "nap" Jackson decided that he wanted to play "nap", only he was the mommy and I was the non-napping Jackson. So, I would lay in his bed and pretend to "not nap" with all kinds of crazy requests and needs while he came in and out of his room being the mommy. All was good until he came in the room, put his face right next to mine and said "If I have to come up here one more time you WILL get a spanking. Do you understand me??" and left the room.



Probably one of the best things associated with the little guy giving up his naps - the late afternoon, football watching, nap with Daddy.

Need For Speed

Man, I love this kid. This is how we spend our mornings - in our jammies (dont forget your goggles!!) speeding through the neighborhood. This is Jackson impersonating a motorcycle driver ("I need my visor" (helmet) he says as he puts on the way too small goggles). And away we go!!

Minding Your Manners

We've been teaching Jackson about manners - table manners, speaking nicely, saying please and thank you, etc. He does really well with most of this stuff - it is amazing how quickly they pick up on things!! While we are still working on table manners (3 yr old boys are quite squirmy and we know this will come in time) he does amazingly well with his pleases and thank yous. It is automatic for him to say these, especially the thank you when someone gives him something.

So, I have had a cough for several weeks now. It just will not go away. A few days ago Jackson woke up with the same annoying cough. When I asked him where he got such a bad cough he replied with "From you, Mommy" and then ever so sweetly "Thank you for my cough".

19 weeks

13.1 miles here I come. The Tobacco Road Marathon (and 1/2 marathon) will be held March 21,2010 (19 weeks from now) and, you guessed it, I'll be there with my running shoes laced up. I haven't been running as consistently as I would like to and felt like I needed something to step up my motivation. I think the challenge of running a 1/2 marathon will do just that.

I am so thankful that God has blessed me with good health and the ability to run. I can remember being in the hospital or recovering at home for many weeks after my ruptured appendix and feeling miserable. I knew from that point on that I would never, ever take my good health for granted again. I would enjoy every day that God blessed me with good health and do everything I could to remain healthy. And from that point on, well, I ran. I love the sound of my feet hitting the pavement; knowing that with each step I am becoming stronger. Running has taught me a lot about perseverance and endurance and has allowed me to see a part of myself I would not have seen without running.

So - if you want to be a little extra motivation for me ask me how my running is going next time you talk to me. Ask me the last time I ran and for how long. If I have slacked off, I'll tell you. And you can be sure, if you give me a hard enough time, I'll be out there later that day getting in a few miles.

Mickey Mouse!!!

Jackson reeeaaalllyyyy wanted to be Mickey Mouse this year - no matter how much Lee tried to talk him into being a Carolina football player. He also wanted Lee to be Goofy and Mommy to be Minnie. We didn't follow through on the costumes for us but were able to put together a Mickey costume for Jackson (thanks to help from Mimi!!!). I couldn't find a way to make good yellow shoes and it was too warm for the white gloves but he was the cutest Mickey ever!!!!

We went to a local trunk or treat to show off his costume and are getting together with some of our neighbors to hand out candy tonight and wear our costumes.

Knock! Knock! Duck! Duck!

Lee taught Jackson all about knock! knock! jokes - it is so cute to watch/listen to him do this. He laughs at completely the wrong time in the joke (at the very beginning) and always says "who boo?" instead of "boo who?". I recorded this while we were staying at my mom and dad's house this past weekend - just a little taste of Lee and Jack knock! knock! time.

Jackson also now loves to play duck, duck goose. He learned this at church - I looked in on him one day before getting him to see his class playing the game and we've been playing as a family ever since. I laugh so hard the whole time we play my stomach actually hurts. We played this at Mimi & Papa's also - this was hilarious!!! Mimi and Papa would struggle to get off the floor in order to chase Jackson around the circle - by the time they got up he would already be in their seat. I wish I had recorded that!!

Slight Detour

We took a slight detour on our way back to NC from Charleston. Right through Myrtle Beach. Now, MB is not usually my favorite destination - especially during the summer months. But, since moving from Charleston my beach time has dwindled dramatically. I take any opportunity I can to visit the beach. Even if it is for just 20 minutes.

That is exactly what we did - headed off the main road and right for the water. We stripped off our shoes and dipped our toes in the (COLD!!!) water. It was a very nice break from an otherwise very long drive.

Sometimes a slight detour can make memories that will last and last and last. Totally worth it. Dont you think??