For the Record

The bet: boy or girl?
The gamblers: Will & Cara
The wager: choice of lunch spot (obviously Will still buys at either place because I have no money)
Will says baby 3 is definitely a boy. I have wavered back and forth the past few months but the tummy in the rib cage feels very familiar and very Josie-like, not to mention that my pants still fit. I would love to hear any predictions.

Friday Funnies and etc.

1. It's amazing to report that my hubby and I went on two, yes TWO, nights out in the past week. Our brother Sam was able to get us passes to see his friend Jon Foreman of Switchfoot in concert at the Gypsy Tea Room in Deep Ellum. I have never done the standing-room-only in a club/bar setting, so that was interesting being 4 1/2 months pregnant, but it was fun with our friends Will and Kerrie, and the band was amazing. We were able to go backstage after the show and talk with Jon - thanks to Sam. It was a thrill for the two Switchfoot fans, Will and Will. We took this video of one of our fave songs.



Then, last night Will and I joined a few other couples from church at the famous Babes restaurant in Burleson for a birthday dinner. If you have never been here, YOU MUST GO. It is a very small menu but you order your choice of meat: chicken fried steak, fried chicken, catfish, chicken tenders or pot roast. Then they bring out all the sides family style - mashed potatoes, sweet cream corn, green beans, and the best biscuits I have ever had! Really, the meal was fab-o and the fellowship even better. We also hired a sitter for the first time in 3 years! We have been blessed to have my mom so close (and retired!) and a few church friends that serve us by taking care of our children. Anyway, the kids were great for Stephanie, and hopefully we helped pay for her prom accessories!

2. "Two boys, two girls." Jack loves to count everything these days, but his favorite thing to count is people. He tells people often that in our family we have two boys and two girls. Well, stay tuned, because this upcoming Monday, we will be able to officially add a boy or girl to this number. That's right, we're finding out what this little one is....we hope. We realize that sometimes these babies hide so we're not making any promises but we will announce baby 3's gender next week, God-willing! We are so thrilled to begin praying by name for this baby, although Jack is quite certain that he will be getting a "baby brother named Sam" in August. Here is my boy and girl last Sunday after church.


3. And for all you fans, especially our Clay-Jack, here is a video of underwear boy, singing and jumping on our bed with his favorite backup singer, Miss Josie. If you know me, you may be surprised that I allow my children to jump on our bed and on/off the couch....but hey, long and rainy days call for imagination, and often chaos. Jack made up this game, and who am I to discourage his creativity? Notice his obsession with watching himself in the mirror. I don't think we have to worry about his self-esteem.

In Training

Let me just say that I am so proud of my son.
We have said "adios" to diapers during the day and he is doing great!
Now, this has not been easy and it will be a process but he is loving his new independence and his big boy underwear - Elmo and Cars were his choices.
We have stuck to our daily routine and it seems to help, but even when we went to music class this week, and then to Will's softball game yesterday, he told me when he needed to go potty, and he was successful and SO PROUD!

Jack was one cool fan at the game last night.

Painting in my new Cars underwear is "cool."

Josie was more interested in pushing all of the strollers instead of watching the game. She got some great exercise, though!

Friday Funnies

1. The best thing that happened this week - by far - was that our uncle and brother Clif came home! It was a long seven months but he is back to his wife and son in Hawaii and we couldn't be happier. Thank you for all your prayers. We faithfully prayed Psalm 121 over our brother, and God was faithful. Jack has been telling everyone that his "Unc is home to Hawaii!" Clif and Kat, you are our heroes and we love you. Thanks for the huge sacrifices you make daily. Your reward will be great.

2. I hope I can figure out how to get this video up of Jack on his stage. He has many stages around the house....the couch, the trunk at the end of our bed, the window seat in the playroom. We didn't know he even knew the word "stage," but as he was singing his rendition of "This Old Man" on the couch the other day, he said, "I sing on my stage, Mom!" What a performer. I imagine his Dad was the same way. (Mimi, I'd love to hear stories) Here is our little ham singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" at the foot of our bed while watching himself in the mirror. I apologize if it is sideways....can't figure that one out.

3. Sweet Josie is back after a few days with Jojophine. She has also added a few words this week: Minnie, (for Minnie Mouse) uh-oh, Elmo, "bar" for granola bar, and phone. She loves to hug and kiss her brother and he actually tolerates it. I have to get her on video doing her babble as she works and plays. It cracks me up all day!

4. We had well visits this week at the pediatrician. (18 months/3 years) It was actually fun, painless except for one shot for Jack, and I had all my questions answered, from dry skin to potty training! I know Dr. Halsell loves it when I walk in with my spiral notebook full of questions. Both children are healthy and growing well and we thank God for this. We don't take their health for granted. Last time we were at the doctor (2 weeks ago I think) was during Jo's diarrhea spell and Jack announced to the whole waiting room, secretaries, and nurses that "JoJo is sick and her bottom hurts." Someday I am sure she will be embarrassed of his candor.

Love to all - have a great weekend!

Jojo-phine

Let's be honest here. Our children are not always perfect, precious, loving, and happy. Sometimes they are whiny and mean. I realize that I sometimes have on "rose-colored glasses" when it comes to my daughter Josie. Her sweet disposition is endearing and we are truly bonded. However, this little girl also has an alter ego that appears every once in a while....usually preceding a new tooth, diarrhea, or other unfair growing pains. This alter ego says "no" more than enough, becomes a bully to her older sibling, and can cut glass with her glare. We refer to her as "Jojophine." Jack coined this term because it seems that each time this "visitor" arrives, she is corrected and disciplined by her mom and dad with her full given name, Josephine. Jack picked up on this and can now recognize the terror.
So....Jojophine is visiting for a few days and I have been trying to capture this on camera. I think this photo was successful. Caption: Jojophine has had it with the constant teaching from her brother Jack. She wants to mow the lawn all by herself and pushes big brother out of the way with a shriek, a "nah," and narrowed eyes.


JoJo, we love you and someday you will read these words. We love you unconditionally, alias and all. But, please bring back, bring back, bring back sweet Josie-bug to me, to me........

Friday Funnies

Happy Friday, actually Saturday morning.
We had a good week here at the LHIGP, and hope you did too.
My memories of this week mostly have to do with Jack - again. He's just at "that" age where his verbal ability is hilarious and interesting. Josie will be there soon, but for now, most of our Friday funnies will probably be about our firstborn. So, enjoy.

1. Will took Jack to a Grace Prep baseball game, and the report when they returned was that Jack had his first "date." A little four-year old girl fell in love with Jack. (not hard to do with the big blue eyes!) They played, they chased, and then she asked if she could buy him a snow cone. Yes, somehow Jack managed to get the girl and the freebie. This was a proud moment for Will! Jack innocently asked his Dad, "my (his words for may I) have a snow cone, Daddy?" Will said he wanted to talk to the girl, get to know her family first, etc. but instead allowed the date to continue. It was a big night at the ballpark.

2. I am reading Kevin Leman's book "The Birth Order book: Why You are the Way you Are." So many things are making sense. For instance, I am a middle child but have never felt like one. If you know me, I am a perfectionist, overachiever, and a little OCD. Leman explains that when you are the first of a specific gender in your family, you can take on those "first child" characteristics. Anyway, I am seeing myself in my firstborn SO MUCH these days. For instance, each night before he goes to bed, he has to know exactly what the next day will hold. We discuss what will be for breakfast, what cartoon we will watch, what we will play, what we will do while Josie takes her am nap, lunch, nap, outside, stroller walk, dinner plans, EVERYTHING. And the funny thing is, he remembers each step the next day and is upset if we don't follow it perfectly. This morning was evidence of this when he was eating his blueberry muffins that he had "ordered" the night before. I could tell he was not quite happy how the morning was going. I was letting Will sleep in, and Jack reminded me of our nightly discussion. He said, "I am eating my muffins first, then I watch Mickey with DADDY, remember that plan, Mommy?"

3. Time to get serious around here with potty training now that Jack is three. This week we had a few successes and I giggled when I overheard him in the bathroom with his Dad, saying "Daddy, it's working. I'm doing it!"

One and a Half (x2)

Suddenly Josie is looking like a big girl to me. Maybe it's the hair, or the babbling, or the running, but she is definitely becoming less of a baby. I'm not going to say she is not a baby anymore, because in my mind she is still my baby girl. Today Miss Josephine turns 18 months old. When Jack was 18 months, he grew up real fast and became a big brother! I have included a picture of him at 18 months for comparison....and just because he was so cute! I am going to hold on to these last few months (5 more months and counting down) that she is officially the "baby" in this family. She has filled these shoes perfectly with her sweet smile, cuddly nature, good sleeping and eating, and all around easy-going personality. Makes me a little worried about what #3 might bring to the family! Happy one and a half, Josie-girl.

Friday Funnies

1. I am new at this youtube thing but this is our daily dose of singing in the backyard! Hope the neighbors enjoy kids praise songs, and theme songs to cartoons. This video is titled "Whistle While you Work." Jack loves to sing and dance as he works and plays each day. The songs included are "This is the Day," the alphabet song, and the theme song to the WonderPets.

2. On our way to the zoo Wednesday, we were stuck in traffic. Jack has inherited his Dad's impatience in traffic....and let that show by yelling at the cars, "Move away from here, cars! Don't stop here. Get away from Mommy's car." I obviously had to turn this into a lesson of patience and kindness - between laughs. After yelling his frustrations, the traffic finally began to move and clear. Jack, shocked and in disbelief of his own "power," said, "Mom, they "hear-ded" me." This is proof that the whole world still revolves around him.

3. Josie is saying more and more words. Her favorite book at the moment (this was Jack's too) is Baby's First Bible Songs. She sways and "sings" to each song. Tonight when I reached for the book, she clearly said "Jesus." Some other words in her repetoire are ball, hi, "nah" for no, bye, mom, daddy, "Jock" for Jack, "Mem" for Mam, "Goc" for Doc, and night-night. She babbles a lot and makes all animal noises but these are all of the clear words at the moment.

Three Looks Good on You

Happy birthday to Jack Kennedy Davis, born on March 8, 2004, at 1:31 pm.

It has been a sweet year with our little guy, and he has grown up so much. I have a lump in my throat as I write because I am thinking about the first moment I saw his face, as they held him next to my face in the operating room. I thought that he was the most perfect baby I had ever seen. I couldn't hold him just yet but I sung to him as he cried. Then he was whisked away to the NICU. He made quite an appearance that day, and still does!

Some of our favorite times with him this year have been playing outside, singing and dancing each morning, and going to the farm. He has a love for books, puzzles, music, (do you see a trend?) cars, Mickey Mouse, Sesame Street, and all outdoor activities.

This year for his birthday we have had a two-week long celebration! He was excited to attend Sesame Street Live with his buddies Tanner and Ethan a few Saturdays ago and came home to an Elmo party, where many of his friends and family gathered to celebrate. He also had a party at his school last Thursday with cupcakes and juice boxes. This morning Will took off so we could take the kids to the Ft. Worth Zoo. It was a perfect morning - amazing weather, active animals, half price Wednesday, and the best fellowship! Jack especially liked the "lion king" but didn't understand why there were no penguins.

Three years ago, Jack changed our world for the better and we are thankful to God for his birth and life. What a boy.....the best boy, as we tell him each night. Thanks to all of you who have made an impact on his life. We would love for you to leave a birthday wish for our birthday boy.

This year, Jack knows his birthdate and year thanks to his Mam and the following song, sung to the tune of "Take me out to the Ballgame."
"He's Jack Kennedy Davis, but we just call him Jack.
Born on March 8th of 2004,
Dallas County, a Texan for sure.
Yes, we'll root, root, root for Jack Davis
as he grows to follow God's plan.
For it's one, two, three, turnaround, he will be a man."

I have many memories already of singing this song with him while I swing him in the backyard. As soon as he crawls into the swing he says, "sing to me, mom." Each time I sing it, I imagine what he will be like as a man and I praise God for making him. It is true that in a moment he will be a man, but today we sing "This is the Day" and thank God for our little 3-year old. Happy birthday, son.

Isn't She.....

Sugar and spice, and all things nice?
We think so.

I don't know what I'd do without my Josie-bug.

Friday Funnies

In my attempt to be a better blogger, I am creating a habitual journal each Friday where I write about something funny that has happened here at LHIGP during the week. It is getting more and more difficult to sit down and write in my journal as I have always done each week, and I want to remember these funny moments. I would love to hear your funnies as well, so feel free to share!

I also want to be more like my friend Ginny, who seems to really capture the everyday, ordinary happenings that make this stage of life so extraordinary. So, here's to Friday Funnies and all the laughter that is to come. Let's hope it lasts, and enjoy.

Week of 2/25:
1. Jack goes to Mother's Day out/preschool each Thursday. His teacher Mrs. Tammie is wonderful and always writes in every kid's folder things like: attitude, compliments, what he ate, how he napped, if he shared, what he did at recess, and what he learned. This week she shared that, while she changed Jack's diaper, some of the other 2-year olds were lurking and getting a little too close for Jack's comfort. He looked over at them and said, "hey guys, I need my pace."
2. Random conversation in the car:
Mom: Jack, am I your mother?
Jack: Yes, and Mam is your mother.
Mom: Silent.
Jack: And Mam is my grandma.
This was funny for many reasons but mostly because we have never used the word "grandma," and what 2-year old understands that his grandma is his mommy's mom?