Meeting Aunt Klaire

She hadn't held many babies. But she's a total champ already.
Oh yeah, Uncle Mike was there, too. These guys are buddies.


I knew Mike was coming into town to help my dad with some stuff, but I had been told repeatedly that Klaire couldn't make it. I was sad, but figured we see her at Christmas. Well, it isn't easy to surprise me, but sure enough, Saturday night as I put Jack in his bed, I hear the front door open and down the hall comes Klaire. I was shocked and happy and tearful. It was so wonderful to see her and to introduce her to our son. What a happy day. We got to spend the whole day with them Sunday and breakfast Monday before they headed home. Surprises are so rare for me, and I was thrilled.

Squirrel Girl and her family

This post was preempted by Jack's 3 month letter, but I just can't wait any longer to write about our visit from our Florida friends, Sara, Roger, and Max. We had such fun. They made the 9 or so hour trek from the Panhandle to the Upstate.

I got to meet this guy:

Max is a bright, beautiful kid with the sweetest smile and the best little mischievous sense of humor. It only took a few minutes for him to warm up to us and by the end of the weekend he was saying "Non," "Kah-tee," and "Ack." Love that munchkin.

We took walks around the neighborhood:


We drove up to Asheville and visited downtown and the Biltmore Estate:
Daddy patrol.



We went to Falls Park in downtown Greenville:




We got hot dog shirts:


Aren't they a cute family?


Jack loved his Auntie Sara.


Thank you, dear ones, for the visit. We had a wonderful time and we can't wait to see you again soon.

3 months

Dear Jack, my little Goose,

Today you are 3 months old. I vacillate between feeling like there is just no way, these 90 days or so have flown by, and a distinct feeling like there almost was no life before you. Of course there was, and of course I remember it - but distantly, like a photograph that jogs a memory I didn't quite hold on to. There is no before and after, really. The fluidity is surprising. Maybe I was always your mama, and I just had to be born, too.

Enough about me. At three months, you are such a fun kid. You started laughing about two weeks ago and heaven help me if it isn't the most delightful thing. It's so spontaneous (though yes, I try to draw it out) and rumbles up from your belly. It's a little goofy, too. I kind of hope it stays that way. Your Dad laughs really loudly and it's one of my favorite things about him. You're a happy kid, most often content to take in your surroundings and be loved on. I hope this contentment stays with you, too.

Over the last month, you have grown a lot and started drooling. You love to blow spit bubbles and the neck of your onesie seems to be constantly drenched. You've figured those things attached to your arms are your hands and you like to clasp them together and try to eat them. In fact, you're a bit quieter now that you've always got some fingers or a knuckle in your mouth. You've also started grabbing your feet and I'm pretty sure they'll be in your mouth soon.

Your hair is fuzzy and sticks straight up like a buzzcut. Your eyes are brighter and brighter blue. Your smile is broad and encompasses your entire face. As your great-grandmother puts it, you "smile with your eyes." I may apologize one day for passing onto you my enormous cheeks, but for now they are the perfect little parentheses around your grin.

You're just plain delightful. See?



I'll end with an excerpt from the letter I wrote when you were a 3 month old fetus. When I read it now, it means so much more:

...most of the time I'm thinking about how much I love you and how I'll do anything to give you a good life - even though that means some sacrifices. But sacrifice is the wrong word - it implies that I'm letting go of something I love. There will be changes of many kinds, but we gain, in you, tomorrow. You beckon us into a new era, a rich one. We follow you there gladly.

Love,

Mama

just some pics

Tia Khelen.

You, in a word, rock. We miss you too much already.

Seeing my sister holding my son - there are no adequate words. The constant friend of my childhood with my child...I don't know. It's a feeling I could never have anticipated. Too wonderful, too surreal. Khelen is a rare bird with a huge heart and a sharp wit. I'm so glad she's Jack's aunt. I can't help but wonder what she will teach him and how much of it I'll never know. :)

Thanks, sis, for being here for my birthday and for loving your nephew so.

Oh, yeah. Thanks for cleaning my kitchen, too. Love you.

Putter Putter.

Jack's new cousin

Kat Kuhns, born August 20th. Welcome to the world, Kat!

good enough to eat

Those toes of his.