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Beware the Ides of March...

Well, Spring is just around the corner and so is a little boy looking for trouble. He is in full on two year old mode at this time in our lives. Over the past few months, there have been countless occasions where either Justin or I has to abandon the other in a store to remove the screaming banshee trapped in our arms. It's not just the tears, it's the blood curdling yells, the flinging of the body, and the limbs that have become very adept at hitting the right target. In his mind, this behavior will result in whatever action he was hoping for. Whether it be a new Thomas train for his collection, or that we will let him pull down every box of cereal from the shelf, or that we will let him run helter skelter through a crowd of people, it doesn't matter as long as he gets his way. Unfortunately for him, we have gotten to the point where these little displays do not make us sympathetic to his plight in the least, rather, we are spurred even more in the other direction. A note to those people out there who give me dirty looks as I am carrying my rebellious son out of a store - I do not beat him, I do not treat him badly, rather I am a patient mother who loves her child and if you think you can do better with him in this situation, be my guest. I bet you will be running away in just a moment's time leaving me to once again deal with this "phase." What makes it harder, though, is the remorse that he feels afterwards if he accidentally kicks you too hard while in the midst of his tantrum. He looks at me with those pretty eyes still full of tears and says "Sorry Mommy." How can you be mad when your devil turns into an angel instantly? Justin and I took a much needed vacation in February to our nation's capitol - right after the deluge of snow. Yes, we thought it would be a good idea to trek through the grand city through four feet of snow. We had a great time, and so did Jack. He stayed at T and Red's house and learned all kinds of new habits like washing our hands ALL THE TIME. Jack did get a pretty cool souvenir from our trip - an authentic NASA spacesuit for all his outer space exploring adventures. Justin and I argued about who got to give it to him, but Justin tricked me when we got home and gave it to him before I could protest. We quickly learned that our suitcases that were being unpacked were the spaceships and that Gus was required for all space travel. Gus was not keen on the close quarters with a two year old, though, so I had to climb in my own "spaceship" to make the ride with Jack. You know, carry on luggage was not designed to hold a 28 year old woman. This month plans to be exciting with a photo shoot with our favorite photographer Ms. Erin Jaffe on March 13th. I'll be sure to post the link whenever they are finished so everyone can see. She is such a talented photographer and she manages to capture the true personality of everyone she shoots. I love her pictures with Jack. I am including a picture from our last photo session as well so that you can remember just how awesome she is. Her website, if you need a little more, is http://www.erintracy.com/.

2010

I think this may be my resolution for this year - to update and maintain this blog with a better sense of dedication. I mean, really, my last post was in August 2009 and I am sure you are all wondering what Boy Wonder is up to now. Well, he is up to everything in answer to your question. He flys, he digs, he jumps, he climbs - and these are only the activities that involve using me as a springboard. I am his favorite jungle gym with an added bonus - if he falls while playing with this toy, it kisses him and makes it all better. Don't you wish you were still like that? That a kiss from one of your parents would make all the pain go away and you would shout out "better" and really feel it? I wish I had an ounce of his resiliency. Fall and the holidays were big times around the Ramer household. We had a house full of family over Christmas and the boy couldn't have been any happier. I distinctly remember telling everyone that we wanted a low key Christmas and that he didn't need any more toys, but for some reason, no one listened. Now our house is even more like a toy store. We had to chuck out all the stuff in the closet under the stairs to turn it into another impromptu playroom. I would be upset, but this is a really cool space that Jack loves since it has a sloped ceiling. Now all I need to do is convince him that it is not a good idea to bang his head against the ceiling while saying "ouch" and grinning from ear to ear. Catch phrases at this time include: "hey, how ya doin," "s'okay mommy," "no nap, no nap," "hello in there," and "your turn." The "your turn" means that whoever is in the near vicinity must repeat whatever fun new game Jack has invented. Whether it be throwing a ball, climbing under the table, or attempting somersaults, it's all you. The new year holds lots of fun new times including the inevitable transition to the big boy bed. Prayers will be needed at that time. It is looming closer and closer. Hopefully the other big development, potty training, will be complete and may make the new sleeping arrangements a little easier. Stay tuned for more.

First Day of School in Humboldt

Well, as you can see, Jack's first day was so fun that he just collapsed from exhaustion and didn't want to go home. Let me tell you, he really didn't want to leave. In fact, he let me know how much he didn't want to leave ALL THE WAY HOME! You know, after a while a toddler's cries can sound like sweet music to your ears. I am just happy that he likes his new home and his new school.

Jack's Photo Shoot

Check out these awesome photographs taken by Erin Tracy Jaffe. She does AMAZING work and I totally recommend her for any photography needs you may have.
http://flickr.com/gp/ejaffe/UD605v

Mother's Day and an end to the EUMK era...

Well, our second Mother's Day was a huge success! T (Tina) decided to treat me and the boy and take us away to the magical land of Opry for the big day. We had a fabulous mother/mother/son trip with many highlights including Jack's first prom. You will have to ask her to see the souvenir family photo. All I know is that they boy LOVES music and LOVES to dance. We walked in the room and he just started jiving. It was hilarious. He's definitely got some rhythm. He also loved the balloons and refused to give up his new toy until we left the hotel the next day. We ended our wonderful trip with a real treat - Loretta Lynn's Country Kitchen located somewhere between Jackson and Nashville, Tennessee off of I-40. Jack liked the fried catfish from the buffett, but I think that mom and I both agree that those were some of the best sweet potatoes we have ever had. Nothing like a little country cooking to fuel you up for entertaining a boy for the rest of the car ride. Last week was the end of Jack's tenure in the EUMK toddler program. This program has been wonderful and we are so grateful to Ms. Jenny and Ms. Shannon for teaching our little man so much. I attended the year end party on Friday and it was definitely one for the books. Jack decided he needed to lead the class during music time and impressed everyone with his locations for the spider to land. Well, it seems like the tubes we had put in a few months ago are not doing all they are supposed to do, or it could just be that Jack likes to break the trend and not be like all of the other kids who have the surgery, because we once again have ear infections in both ears!! That boy, that boy.

Can Jack come out to play?