A week with Mimi!

Mom was here for a week and went home yesterday. It was nice to see her again since last time it was such a hard time for everyone. It was different though, without having Dad call and check on us or listening to Mom brag to him on the phone about stealing all of Jay's kisses. I'm sure he would have come up for at least half of the week this time. I told Wes that she was different and he responded with, "well, so are you, shannon" and it hit me that I guess we won't be normal, the way we used to be, for a long time. But even though we had some sad moments and talks, most of the time we were just happy to be playing with Jay. We can't help but laugh and smile with him around....and to get lost in the innocence of a child is so peaceful, despite how bad the reality may be. We didn't do an awful lot while she was here....she babysat while I went to faculty orientation at USC and for me and Wes to go out, we went back to the children's museum where she bought us family passes (thanks mom!), we ran errands and went for a few walks in the wagon. And this week Jay started day care. We weaned him in starting on Tuesday and he did pretty well. The first day he jumped right down and started playing while I slipped out. The second day, however, he had figured out that I was going to leave and started crying as soon as we walked in...and did the same today. I told Wes, I'm glad I will only be taking him two days because three days almost killed me. He did fine after I left, of course, played well, participated in "circle time", ate with the kids, and even napped, which was a miracle in itself as far as I'm concerned. So I think once he gets used to it, he will fit right in. Here are the pictures from the week: Jay started this game the other day....falling down the slide backwards. Ughh!!!! I swear it is his goal to give me a heart attack!

He is cracking up....while I am gasping for air

Reading...wearing his new hat mom bought him.

I gave him his bookbag after I packed it for daycare...he wasn't sure what was going on.

Posing while he and Wes ran up and down the sidewalk after we had dessert.

He didn't bother to stop this time but, as you can tell, was having a blast.

playing with jake.

Fun on the porchI love his sweet hugs!

playing horse with mom.

Kissing Mimi.

Saying something very interesting.

Riding the tractor at Edventures

He found his way through the tunnel at the firehouse.

Driving the firetruck.

He is pointing at the butterflies...he does this in our yard every day.

Playing in the yard...

He has NO fear.

Why I don't cook very often anymore...(I'm sure all of my mommy friends can relate)

Edventures...Aunt Carrie....Carronoak Apts.

Here are some pics from the past week. Mom got here Wed. so I'm sure I will have more to post in a few days but for now, this is what we were up to last week. Cutie pie with Aunt Amy's glasses on... The next several pictures are of Kurt's new apartments. They are as close to campus as you can get and is the perfect place for college kids. He has been working nonstop for the last month getting them ready and students are moving in now. They are so nice and I'm sure will be one of the most popular complexes among the students. It is already 100% occupied for the fall. He has done an amazing job! So, spread the word about the hottest place in V-town...

At Edventures children's museum: Jay loved this place....we had to pull him kicking and screaming out of every room so we could get through as much as possible before they closed. He was a bit confused about the fireman pole though...

He loved the grocery store and filled his cart up with all kinds of goodies.

These keys made music when you stepped on them and Jay jumped all over them, completely amazed.

Playing drums with Daddy

He ran up and down this bridge over and over....

And kept going back to the canoe, just to sit in it

I forgot to take pictures last weekend when Carrie (and Jay's best puppy, Dixie) came to visit until right before she left. So here is Jay giving her goodbye hugs and kisses....and then walking her out like a true gentleman.

He did NOT want her to leave....

"Mom, I am just going to go with her"

Dancing in the techno tunnel in the music exhibit....

Goats bark too!

Talking to the fish Feeding the goat...which Jay was convinced was a dog and barked the entire time we were feeding them...and I can't really blame him...they do kinda look like Jake with their big floppy ears and the way they desperately beg for food.

"Come back dog!"

He thought the gorilla was kinda cool but he just wasn't moving enough for anything more than a short observation.

Jay had more fun with the displays in the gorilla room

Checking out the elephants...again, not quite enough activity for Jaybird.

"Helping" Wes on the ladder.

His world fell apart when I popped him for climbing up the ladder after the 20th time of me pulling him off and saying no...he is so stubborn. You can see the defiance in his eyes.

Whatever was going on here was obviously amazing.

Here are pictures from the last week. We went to the zoo on Sunday afternoon thanks to a rainstorm that cooled things off (for about 12 hours--it's back to 100 degrees now) so we headed out and let Jay see the animals. He notices more every time we go. This time he had a ball feeding the goats and looking at the reptiles. Last time he loved the penguins but completely ignored them Sunday. I guess it will be a new favorite every time we go. It makes it fun though.

The grocery store has also become a new adventure. We have to go down the pet aisle whether we need anything or not. He thinks all of the dogs are so wonderful and barks, literally, the entire time we walk down. He is surprised after every bag of dog food that we pass and thinks he is really doing something special by seeing (and barking to) every single dog. He also has to say hey to every person we see at the store. He will start yelling "hey!!" as soon as we start walking toward them, even if they are on the opposite end of the aisle. He will reach his neck all the way around so as to not miss anyone and, if they are really special, will start up a game of peek-a-boo as we walk past. It's both super cute and really embarrassing at the same time. Thankfully, these strangers are really good sports and play along with his little games.

I am getting ready to start work next week and getting everything set up for Jay's childcare. I will be teaching two nursing clinicals at USC on Wed and Thursdays during the fall. I found a great daycare that offers 2 day a week rates so I was thrilled to have that worked out. I had been looking for someone to come into the house all summer without success and was worried that I would have to hire someone before really getting to know them so I am so relieved that I found this place. He is so full of energy and is obsessed with being around kids so I think this will be a great change to our otherwise boring schedule. I am really having a hard time keeping him stimulated every day now that he is a wild toddler and it will give me a break from staying at home all of the time...which I've decided is necessary for my sanity. :) I think he will do fine as far as playing, snacking, etc but I am worried about him taking a nap when he is supposed to. But I'm sure he will be so tired from playing they won't have to coax him to rest for long before he is out like a light. I'm sure I will have some humorous stories once he gets started....I told Wes, "I'm not worried about him being bullied....I'm worried about him BEING the bully." So we will see how this plays out.

He started this little trick a few days ago and thinks it is the funniest thing ever...such a boy.