Baby Makes

(in the car driving home from daycare/work, having just exited off the queensway)

Jackson: Momma, I crying.

Momma: Why are you crying, Jackie?

Jackson: Because I scared.

Momma: Why are you scared?

Jackson: Because there smoke and a snake and the fire engine spray water.

Momma: (desperately trying to figure out which topic to tackle) Well, the fire engine sprays water on a fire to put out the flames, right? So there’s smoke from the fire, and steam from the water…right? Is that what you’re thinking about?

Jackson: Yes. And the car. And the wall is for cars, and to keep out the sound.

Momma: Jackie, are you talking about the smoke that comes out from a car? When you see cars driving, do you see smoke coming out behind them?

Jackson: Yes, but I don’t think so.

Momma: Honey, that’s the kind of smoke that is supposed to happen. You only have to worry about smoke when it’s happens at the same time as burning then you tell an adult straight away like momma or dada or your teachers. (pause) Do you want to talk about the snake now?

Jackson: No…because, I don’t think so.

Jackson: Hey Tigger, whatcha doing? Ya bouncin’? You crying, you sad, you bouncing on Rabbit? You time out. Say sorry.

(listens to Tigger’s belly for response)

Momma, you hold Tigger like a baby? (brings Tigger to Momma)

Tigger have football? I sleep on Tigger. (rests head on Tigger holding football)

One of my favorite things in my life is watch my boys take enjoyment from items that have been in our families for decades or longer. Cameron was swaddled in blankets I was covered with as a baby, and Jackson wore the clothes his brother wore before him. As the time gets closer and closer to my neicephew being born, I look forward to watching that baby enjoy things from our family as well. Here is Jackson wearing a plaid shirt that his father and uncle wore as kids of the same age. It’s almost too small for Jackie, but we’re loving every minute he can get out of it.

Note to selves, if you think letting the kids lick the beaters is a good idea, take a look around the room they walked into next.

MOMMA: So guys, what did you think of my friend Bea? Did you have fun playing with her?

BOTH BOYS: Yeah!

JACKSON: She has beautiful hair.

MOMMA: Yes she does!

JACKSON: It’s beautiful and long hair.

Cameron took a personal day today, and lucky boy got to go to Costco with Dada and Yaya. Looks like fun!

Heard from downstairs as Jackson lies in his bed:

“Duh duh duh Dora! — and Boots and Diego and Baby Jaguar… because… I don’t think so.”

*                      *                      *                       *                      *

Picking Jackson up from daycare:

“Momma, today I cry and I sad because I don’t think so.”

*                      *                      *                       *                      *

MOMMA: Jackson! Did you hit Cameron?

JACKSON: Yes.

MOMMA: We don’t hit our friends. Why did you do that?

JACKSON: I don’t think so.

*                      *                      *                       *                      *

JACKSON (6:15pm): Momma, can I have a cuddle?

MOMMA: Sure babes. (settling into couch) Why do you need a cuddle?

JACKSON: Because, its lunch.

Raising Awareness: Being Different Isn’t Always a Bad Thing.

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When Jackson was a baby, but still sleeping in the BouVanReganeau bassinet, Yaya made him a crib/nursery set. In a jungle theme, it consisted of bumper rails with ties, a fitted sheet, a window cover, and a duvet cover. Since being out of the crib for some time now, Jackson only uses the duvet, and WON’T sleep without the duvet cover, what he calls his Giraffe blanket. I fact, we didn’t realize what a big deal it was to be without the Giraffe blanket until we came home from Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa’s and remembered that Yaya had borrowed the Giraffe blanket while we were away to make a bigger better one. It was a rough bedtime that night and every blanket in the house was refused  but boy was Jackson pleased when the blanket was returned, new and improved! He folded it up and sat on it like a pillow, he curled up with it on Momma’s chair, then the couch, the back to the floor. And that night, hoo boy did he sleep well. he likes to be covered right up over his head; he calls it “The Dark One”.

Cameron watched all this with little interest. He’s not a fan of his bed the same way Jackson is. Cameron’s a bit of a night owl and really feels strongly that beds are to be avoided, or at most, jumped on. Bt Yaya had another trick up her sleeve. What Cameron didn’t know was that Yaya was building him a duvet and cover too, and last night he got to see it in all it’s glory. It was a theme of suns and moons and Cameron agreed whole heartedly that the suns were right from the movie Tangled. He climbed in and covered up, and you couldn’t help but be warmed by his oh-so-pleased smile. Although bedtime was still a bit of a challenge once the light went off, we are pleased to say that Cameron was only up twice in the night ( a HUGE difference from most nights) and he was warm and cozy like a little prince.

Tank you Yaya.

FROM DEC. 24, 2011

I’ve been feeling disturbed lately, in this Christmas season, with all the talk of Santa and his reindeer. When I was a child the talk was about the baby Jesus and the reason why we give gifts and what the star really means.

I know the boys get all this talk from daycare; Santa came to daycare last week to give every body a gift, and I was pleased. I was happy for the boys. But tonight, for what was I think the fist time in my life, we did the whole cookies and milk for Santa thing and clementines for the reindeer (Jackson’s idea). I felt weird.

When I was a child and I was trying to answer that question we all have when we’re little I asked my dad “Do you believe in Santa Claus?” and he always responded with “I believe in the spirit of Christmas”. I was always happy with that response, and decided that when I became an adult I would say the same thing to my kids. But they aren’t old enough to ask the question, and here I am putting cookies out and photo documenting a gift that is going to BLOW my kids’ minds…but I feel weird.

So in the car home from daycare, we talk about the baby Jesus, and the star, and gift giving. And eventually I will bring them to church with me so they know what I’m talking about, but for now I have to find a way to come to terms with feeling weird.

Their faces tomorrow are going to be worth it. And one day when they’re parents they’ll think of this train table and the half drunk milk and the spatters on the letter we left and think we were an alright family. It’ll all be worth it.

Merry Christmas, everyone. May your holidays be everything you need. Love, the Hopkins-Macdonnells.