It's been an incredibly busy 3 months since I last posted, but I feel like a) that's true for everyone and b) I say that A LOT.
I just need time to slow down...or back up, on occasion so that I can make sure that I soaked it all in.
I will tell you that moving across the country was hard enough when we just had to worry about the dog. Moving across the country with a toddler, a gigantic truck, 3 cars AND the dog? Completely Absurd.
Jack was very impressed by the "biiiiig truck"...and we were equally impressed by his packing skills (I'll just wear this helmet and hold my bat and hat to make sure we don't forget them.)
Let me clarify...the movers were aaaahmmmmmazing. They packed our entire house, moved all the boxes/furniture/etc and loaded/unloaded it all. I even thought I wanted them to unpack for me. Until they did. And they just took stuff out of boxes and - rather than putting it away - they laid it. Everywhere.
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| August 23 - 20 Months Old |
To tell you that September was busy would be a complete understatement. After we moved and unpacked a minimal amount (thanks to Becky!)....we attended the FSU home opener where Jack figured out by the 2nd quarter that there was FOOTBALL going on right in front of him. As soon as that realization occurred, he turned into the football fan that I knew he would be... yelling "gooooooo" and "ohhhhh" and making his grunting noise when a big hit happened ("oogghhh"). It was hysterical to watch him really get into the game and the big hits....right until one of the FSU players climbed up the wall and almost into our front row seats. That did not go over well with Jack at all.
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| With Meme and Gooddaddy |
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| Jack's version of "4" for the 4th quarter. |
From the Maryland Game:
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| Completely passed out after cheering on the Noles to a 62-0 win over Maryland. He passed out in the 4th! |
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| Party Animal! |
I'm not sure if we've discussed yet, but it should be noted that Jack only wants to be outside ("OUUUsigh"). So much so that Jack has taught himself how to crawl through the doggie door in order to get outside when the door is locked. The dog won't use the doggie door, but our toddler will. What the....
Luckily, Papa Bear (aka, Matt) likes to be outside too though-- so they do all sorts of fun things outside together.
They race the dump trucks:
They investigate insects.
It's so fun to watch Jack discover new things....the curiosity and amazement that Jack has over things that we all take for granted is mind boggling sometimes. This encounter with a caterpillar was easily a 25 minute Q&A session.
And, ants? Oh don't let Jack see an ant running around. That's it! Jack must know where he's going, what he's doing and who his momma is. That kid of mine is so nosey. He totally gets that from Matt.
In completely unrelated news, Jack was also in his first wedding (Christine and Kurt!) this past month. Jack celebrated Aunt Teen all day with his Auntie shirt:
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| At the Rehearsal |
We've reviewed previously, but Jack? He's a hugger. Here's a play by play when you ask Jack for a hug....
So Jack was a ring bearer....and I'm not gonna lie -- I was worried about him making it down the aisle. Between a little teething, a good "terrible 2" session and complete reluctance to put on his tux, I was certain that this was all going to end in a total meltdown for the ages.
As with most things related to parenting -- I was wrong. And, so happy about being wrong! He did wonderfully! He carried his golf club and followed the big kids down the aisle....even stopping to take a few practice swings, just like his Schneider genes would suggest.
These pictures, this age, these smiles....make me long for time to standstill - or back up a few hours, days, weeks...and let me relive it. Let me soak it all in again. Let me not worry about if his bowtie is straight (because no one noticed anyway). Let me squeeze him to my cheek again, because he'll be 16 tomorrow and interested in other things (and people) besides his momma.
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| Dancing with his cousin Bridget...right before he put her in a choke hold. |
The following day, the family fun continued for Brennan's birthday. We visited a corn maze - Jack's first - and he seemed to enjoy himself...even getting secretly scared by Matt jumping out of the cornstalks at him. He thought that was hysterically funny.
Somewhere in the midst of packing, learning about caterpillars, moving, FSU games, stalking families of ants, unpacking, getting settled and celebrating Christine and Kurt's wedding....Jack turned 22 Months Old (Sept. 23).
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| Sept 23 - 21 Months Old |
And, somehow - we made it through most of September and October without many debacles, except for Jack's new phrase.
"Back Up, Mommy...Back Up"
I'm sorry. Pardon?
The only good thing about this is that he's somehow picked up on me telling the dog to "back up" -- he's seen the dog respond and has figured out that I may also respond in the same manner. Nice correlation, kid, but not so fast.
So I ask again....pardon me?
But, but...you need help with that yogurt that you are getting all over your face everything. You need help taking a bath. You need help sitting on the potty. You need help with your shirt. You need help navigating the stairs. You need help reading that book. You need help climbing that ladder and sliding down that slide.
Oh. You think you don't? You can't tell me to back up, kid! I made you. I carried you on the INSIDE OF MY BODY. I worried about you before you were even born and then so much AFTER you were born. I nursed you 1000 times/day (because from the beginning you were a piggy baby) and nurtured you and held you (that one time) when you were sick. I wipe your tears and your little butt and the dirt off your hands. I kiss your boo boos. I would walk through fire for you. I love you more than life itself.
So, you can't tell me to Back Up.
But you did. And you do....and have forced us into learning the art of disciplining children while holding back laughter and rage and confusion and emotions that we didn't even know we had about you.....because every time I hear those words "Back Up"...and it's coupled with your little hand pushing me back....
I just grit my teeth a little, grumble under my breath, shake my fist toward God...and consider calling my mom to apologize.
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| My Loves. |
