Shocking!

Jack-Jack is stunned to learn he turns 6 weeks old tomorrow!


Whoever said that you take less pictures of younger siblings did not consult with me. Jack-Jack is very photogenic!

Is The Pope Catholic?

We were thrilled when Dash started pointing at pictures of Pope Benedict and JPII and saying "papa". Too cute, we thought. Then he grabbed a framed picture of our family and pointed at Grandpa C and said "papa." Apparently the first ever Lutheran pope is on the way!

Well, in truth, I was a little jealous of Dash's name for the pope. For many babies, mama is their first word. Dash has dozens of words, has called Mr. Incredible dada for months and can say Jack-Jack's real name and he's only been around for a few weeks. But until last week, I didn't have a name. I like to think it is because I am always around. I don't need a name, because Dash only needs to turn around and I am right there. On the day he turned 18 months old he gave me the best present...he started saying mama! Ecstatic, but wary that it make be a fluke, I asked Dash what my name was. "Mama!" was the answer. So I asked him again and again all day long. I can't hear it enough times!

Dash makes us laugh all the time when he talks. Regardless of the context, if you ask Dash what he wants, he responds "cook-cook". When cookies are not forthcoming, he asks for "fish".

He is also smarter than I give him credit for. Last week, as he was sitting in his high chair, he started pointing frantically at the ceiling and saying "trash". In general, trash refers to anything thats purpose cannot be immediately determined, is out of place or is inedible. I was facing Dash and dismissed his comment. But he was persistent and would not continue with lunch until I had seen the trash on the ceiling. When I finally tried to see what all the fuss what about, I saw his jammies hanging from a huge bottle of wine. I often toss dirty clothes over the ledge as they land just outside the door to the laundry room. Apparently I need to work on my aim. And speaking of things out of place...Dash, who has been outside enjoying the warmer Texas weather, thought that our window screens needed to be moved inside.

How Every Polish Catholic Boy...

...takes his sippy cup. I assure you this was entirely Dash's invention.

Na Zdrowie!

Off The Charts

Dash is just a few days shy of 18-months and I took him to his well-visit with the doctor today. I am flabbergasted to report that Dash is in the 100th percentile for height. That means that if you line up 100 18-month olds, he would be the tallest. I was probably off the charts, too...the other direction. From my birth as a preemie baby until present time I think I have been skimming along the bottom of the charts. Clearly Dash did not get his height from my side of the family. 9 months ago, he was already half my height (see picture on right). He also weighed in at just under 30 pounds (the 90th percentile) for the grandparents keeping tabs.

I have also discovered something worse than watching your child get a shot...having his blood drawn. I was in tears such that the nurse had to say, "It's going to be ok, MOM." (Dash wasn't too happy either, but that was to be expected.) So we came home and ate grandmom's star cookies this afternoon (after making a serious mess with some spinach).

Lacking in Superpowers

Our little superhero thinks that he can break though walls. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Dash made a valiant attempt to run through a wall last night when he took off at top speed with a blanket over his head. I don't think x-ray vision is one of his superpowers. I am posting pictures of Dash...and the wall. He left a pretty good dent in it. Today I read a point in The Forge, "Get used to thanking the guardian angels in advance, thus putting them under an obligation." Is is too presumptuous to thank Dash's guardian angel for keeping him out of the emergency room during the toddler years?

















We had to vacuum up the carnage and then soothe ourselves with a little ice pack.
















For those who read this far...here is a picture of little Jack-Jack!

More Side-By-Sides

The first set got such rave reviews by family and friends...here is round two. (To the gradparents: To see who's who put arrow over picture and look at bottom left of browser window to see title of picture.)

I'll try to blog more than pictures as soon as we get settled into a decent routine.

Jungle Gym:



















Dreaming of football....touchdown!

Side-By-Side

Jack-Jack's 2 week stats are virtually identical to Dash's:
8lbs, 1/2 oz
21.5 inches
Jack-Jack looks more and more like baby Dash every day. Can you tell who's who?