A Birthday Wish for Katie Lamken

Tomorrow is a special day for Jamey and his "girlfriend" Katie Lamken. It is her second birthday, and she is far away from us. We miss her greatly and wish that we could be there to make some of the delicious Elmo cake that Katie's grandma made-- especially since she doesn't like icing. There is a mess that needs to be made of that icing, and Jamey would be perfect to do it. Ah well. Another time.

Because we can't be there in person, Jamey wanted to send a special birthday message to Katie, via my blog. Lately, he has been playing Mr. Cool and allowing us to put his sunglasses on him. Well, the way it works, is Glenn or I put the glasses on our head (quite a tight squeeze). Jamey then sees it, and thinks it is hilarious, and yet also totally cool. Then he grabs them off our face and hands them to us. Tilting his face up, he allows us to put the glasses on him, and then begins to bounce.

Katie loves watching Jamey's videos, we have heard, so we thought this would be a great thing for Katie to get to watch. It would have worked perfectly if Jamey weren't obsessed with anything electronic. He was in perfect dancing position until he saw the camera in my hand. He immediately ran over to me and well, you can see his reaction in the video. Either way, I think it is a totally cute video and I know Katie will enjoy it too!

Happy Birthday, Katie! We will see you soon. Be nice to your little sister when she is born on Friday!!!!

The Evolution of Dance

As many would have guessed, Jamey has inherited some of Glenn's and my dancing skills. Granted, at this point, his moves aren't quite as advanced as ours. He hears oompah music and flails his arms about, rocking his head around. However, we can already see how his dance style is evolving. He even has his own "personal jukebox."

For his first Christmas, Jamey's big gift was his jungle toy which you could learn to cruise and pull up on. There is a ball that plays music when you hit it, and the monkey also plays music when you pull the arm down. Well, Jamey has known about this for awhile, but only lately has he been showing preference in the "classics" played by his jungle. Often, after he hits the ball and the music starts, he will decide he doesn't like that song and will push on the monkey's arm so that the song changes. He will then try to change the song again, by hitting the monkey's arm once more.

Then begins the bounce butt-shake. I have posted a video of this before, but here is the dance in a longer format.

Now that he has learned to walk, though, his moves have changed a little. We still see some of the butt shake, but now, there is the stomping, as I like to think of it. I first saw this at Grammy and Hoopapa's house, while Jamey was playing with the Pooh tree. He pushes a button which ilicits music, and begins to shift his weight back and forth between his feet.

I have seen him pull this move to the tune of the Yo Gabba Gabba theme song, to the radio, and here, in a video, to Glenn's beatboxing. The video also gives you a look into just how well he is walking now.

Baby's First Haircut

For a few weeks now, Jamey's hair has been getting very out of control. Hair was curling out from his head at every posible angle. The back was turning into a mullet. Under no circumstances would his hair look anything close to combed and managable. It took me a while, but I finally convinced Glenn that his hair was in need of its first cut. Some people were even calling Jamey "she".

We were thinking of having Glenn's cousin Susie cut it, as she had cut Glenn's the first time. She even volunteered to meet us in Toledo when we are out there next week, but looking through out Gau schedule, our group leader has us on the run the entire time, leaving no extra time.

And so, yesterday, we set out to Cartoon Cuts and had a cute little woman named Mina cut his hair. She sat him in the tall chair and strapped him on around the waist. At first, it didn't seem to bother him. And then came the buzzing machine.

Jamey has a phobia of any machine that buzzes loudly. He screams LOUD when we use the food processor. Thus, when the machinery to cut his hair was turned on, his expression turned quickly sour. It only got worse from there, as he screamed at the top of his lungs, folded his body in half to try and get away , and batted his arms at Mina. Even singing German dance songs wouldn't calm him. When she used the scissors alone, he was fine, but he would not have the buzzing!

Alas, his hair looks great now, but even more than that, Jamey truly looks like a little boy now. Yikes!

Deep Fried Oreos, a Wedding, and a Carnival.... WOW!

Although we have many adventures during the week, it is still the weekends that hold the most excitement. I keep saying that summer is flying fast, and this past weekend is a prime example of why that is so-- we just keep going and going.

Saturday, we attended the wedding of friends Edie and Johnathan, who both at Centreville with me. They have been dating for a long time and we were happy to see them finally make it official. We were also happy because it gave Jamey a chance to wear the suit we bought for him about 6 months ago.

After returning a gift or two at some point, we had built up some money at one of the department stores found in most malls. While on trips to the mall, we would often walk through both the women's department to look for clothes for Mommy and the kids' department to find "must-have" outfits for Jamey. It was on one of those adventures that we found this little suit with vest and tie. At the time, he was only 6 months old and we had no reason at that point for a suit. We began wracking our brains for an occasion when we would need this suit. And so my mind landed on Edie and Johnathan. I was pretty sure we would be invited to the wedding. So away it went to his closet.

Which brings us to this past weekend. Jamey got all spiffed up. Glenn matched with vest and tie, and we had to wet down Jamey's "Albert Einstein" hairdo. His hair has gotten to the point that it desperately needs to be cut, so we need to look around for a place to do this. In any case, Jamey was good through the ceremony, saying only an errant word here or there, as we paged through "The Hungry Little Catapillar" in the church. As a secondary way of occupying him, we scrolled through the photos on the camera. Anything electronic is sure to keep his attention.

However, it was the reception where he was the true hit. Everyone admired his suit and after a great meal (of chicken strips for him), he went to hang out in the "Kids' Room" for an hour or two. In a stroke of genius, Edie had hired several of her old student divers to take care of the crowd of kids that were at the wedding. (There was also a pinata for them!) I prayed that Jamey was good for them, but let myself have a good time dancing without thinking of him.

The nice thing about the wedding was that because it was two Centreville teachers, half the people there were from Centreville. Thus, there were lots of friends to talk with and hang out with. And some pretty crazy science teachers to dance with. After the cake was served, Glenn and I went and got Jamey, who had apparently cried a little off and on throughout the time. I think, though, that the reason was because he just wanted to get out and dance.

When we brought him out to the dance floor, although it was already about 9:30 or so, Jamey was happy to shake around. Holding him facing out, he kicked and waved his arms around to the music. All the female teachers gathered around to dance with him and asked to hold him. One might guess that he would sleep well that night, but he was up at 7 AM just like normal. That's our Jamey!

Today we headed over to Frying Pan Park for the 4-H Fair. A lot of new firsts for Jamey. So far, he isn't overly fond of any animal that is bigger than him, with enormous dread for the work horses in the barn. Perhaps it was just the smell that turned him away from the pigs, but there was something. We managed to get him to pet one of the goats onhand before he began whimpering. Among other firsts: sitting in a firetruck, eating a Deep Fried Oreo (not NEARLY as good as the ones Drew made last Thanksgiving), drinking some lemonade, and going on some rides.

Along with the various animals, there were also carnival rides there. Although he couldn't ride anything alone, he sat quietly atop a plaster horse on the carousel. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but he sat there. To make the ride more personalized for him, I sang one of the most soothing songs for him-- the Gamsprung-- which is one of the dancing songs for our group. As I began to sang that, he loosened up and began his anthem of "Doo doo doo doo".

Thereafter he went on the "Fun Slide" with Glenn. Jamey has taken a liking to slides. He scared another mom at the park the other day as he turned around and went down the big slide on his belly-- without our help. I looked at her and assured her that he could do it fine on his own. And so, he loved this giant slide and especially riding it with Daddy.

Every day these days, Jamey proves his "boy" genes for us. Although he is still figuring out the walking thing (he has taken 5 steps, but then gets tired of going so slow and goes back to crawling), he is a pro at cruising and most especially climbing. If it is possible to climb on something, be assured that Jamey will try. When he gets tired of eating, he tries to climb out of his high chair. When when we put him in his swing outside, he turns around and stands up to climb on it. The activity table that is next to the couch, is just a stepping stool so he can stand up next to the couch. We are beginning to wonder if he realizes that you aren't supposed to stand up on the big ride-on dog that he has. He never sits down on it. To put it short, he has NO fear. As I said to Glenn today, "I see broken bones in our future."

Show me what you got!

People used to think I was crazy when I said that Jamey could keep rhythm. And yet, I would watch him at dance practice kicking his feet to the beat, while he was only a few months old. There was no denying it.

Now, as he has gotten older, he has continued to keep his musical instincts. He seems to like all music from Pink Floyd to The Ting Tings and of course, the German dance music.

Happy Birthday, Buckaroo!

While I have had parties at our house before, I think today was the true "Coming Out Party" for our place. It was the first time that every room was filled with people, and most especially filled with kids. And it was the first time I got to do my "Super-Mommy" impression by making everything from Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches to potato salad and the famous "Nuts and Bolts" from my childhood.

Yes, that's right folks. It was Jamey's first birthday party! Lucky for us, his birthday was on a Saturday. With 30 adults and 15 kids, it was sure to be a full event. Full it was, and yet very successful. From the enjoyment of the food down to the opening of the oodles of presents, it was great. I never realized how many kids there are among my circle of friends or how many friends Jamey already has: Christopher, Jaeda, Ciara, Calen, Anthony, Isaac, not to mention all the big kids like Max, Jack, Ben, and the Boswells.

At first I was worried. Jamey was playing his clingy game where he didn't want anyone but Mommy or Daddy to hold him. He didn't want to eat much, but he didn't want to play too much with the kids either. In spite of that, he still did okay. I am not sure meeting so many new people at once is his idea of fun.

Opening presents, too, was not at first a hit. Jamey ripped a bit of paper here and there, but was more excited to open and close the cards. So I quickly assigned he and I roles. I would quickly open the card, give it to him, and pull open his gift. Lucky for me, he soon got some interesting thing to occupy him. Thus, rather than having him pull to crawl away, he was happy to sit in my lap and play with his new drum or kiddie laptop. (Yes, I know, isn't he too young for this, but if you were unable to use your laptop when he was in the room, you would want him to have one of his own too.) Needless to say, he got lots of goodies. The nice thing is that I love all the gifts he got. I can honestly say he will enjoy every one of them.

From there, the next big event was the cake, which turned out to be the highlight of the whole party. Jamey had a trial run of this at my parents' place last weekend and really just liked poking at the icing. I wasn't sure how well he would do. Surprisingly, he let us leave his crown on his head, and stared intently as a crowd gathered around his high chair on the back porch. Thankfully cousin Drew came over to blow out the candle, as it was his birthday too. And then, we laid it down, laid the gauntlet down before Jamey and asked, "Do you dare take on this chocolate cake?"

At first, there was a gentle poke at the icing. Oooh, gooey. Then, I decided to lead by example. I dug my fingers into the cake and stuck some in my mouth. For a few minutes, he got more adventurous. And soon, he was raking the icing up in his hands-- not having put any in his mouth. It was a few handfuls later, and a few minutes, when he dipped one finger into his mouth. His eyes perked and he eyed the cake differently. And soon, the raking was just for fun, it was for food. After that, there was no stopping him. Using his diaper as a napkin, he rubbed some all over himself. And when I leaned down to pose for a picture, he realized maybe he should share this bounty. He stuck his hand in my face and I gladly licked a little from his hand. But it was after he posed with Glenn's parents, that he realized he was tired and wiped his eyes... And that completed the chocolate makeup face.

After that cake, many people left and the crowd tapered down to mainly people that Jamey sees on a regular basis. He was happy to share his new toys with them! In the end, I had to leave a crying child in his crib because he was so overtired. He didn't want to be held of fed. He wanted to sleep, but he wouldn't let himself. At least not for 3 minutes.

Charlie, my photographer buddy, was present to take pictures and I am so glad he was there. I will post up the pictures from the party on Snapfish tomorrow and put a link here. If you have Facebook, you can catch them there too. Otherwise, you will have to stick with the few I post here. Enjoy!

One Year Ago....

All day today, I have been looking at the clock and asking Glenn, what were we doing one year ago today. When it was 9 AM, I thought, I was still hanging out at home. When it was 10 AM, I thought, I was calling the doctor to see if the leakage I was having was something to be excited about, and hoping that it was. When it was 11:30, I thought, I was on my way to have a goodbye lunch with Norm before Glenn called to tell me the doctor had returned my call and that we should go in. By noon, we were there and by 1 PM they had told me that, yes, I was having the baby. Most of the day went on with labor after that. Drugs to induce contractions, terrible back pain (but in a really nice room), slowly losing my ability to calmly do crossword puzzles between contractions. On and on it went. Around 5 I gave in and asked for the "drugs." And it was around this time right now, last year, (8:40 as I am writing this), that it was decided that Jamey's head was just too big and we were going to have to do a C-Section. At 9:16, as the old classic "Shake It" played on what I can only assume was 99.5 in the operating room, I felt a push and heard the cry of a little man. A "Little Man" who truly has grown into that nickname by today.

And of course, I don't remember the pain of that labor. And of course, the most important thing to me is the memory of my little boy. But when I look back... when I think back... what are the things that I remember most?

-I remember going to the ER upon arrival and having them ask when my due date was, and the look of shock at my answer. I remember getting on the elevator with a bunch of pregant people and being asked, "Are you going on the hospital tour?" I remember walking to kingdom-come to fill out the registration forms so they could admit me. And I remember the snicker when I asked the nurse, "This is probably a stupid question, but am I having contractions?" Both Glenn and I remember the fantastic service of my labor room nurse, who I only know as Kate. I remember staring and concentrating on the letter "R" on my ID band, as they pushed in the epidural. I remember hearing my doctor come in and talk with the anaesthesiologist as they put it in. And I remember thinking, "HEY, REMEMBER ME? The one you are putting the needle into? Let's focus on me and not chitchat." I remember being unable to find a position that would stop the back pain. I remember laying on a table in the operating room, listening to the nurses get completely pissed that my doctor wasn't there yet. And then I remember my doctor coming in, berating them for paging the wrong doctor. I also remember being paranoid that they had waited so long that I would feel them cut into me. Of course, that was all the drama. It was like everything moved in fast forward until suddenly there appeared a small miracle.

From there, it was a different sort of memory. I do remember that as soon as the baby was out, I became extremely sleepy and dropped off to sleep. (I still think they increased my meds at that point on purpose.) And I remember the moment when I first awoke from that drug-induced stupor. I was laying on my recovery bed. I turned my head to the side and noticed I was alone. Except for one person-- one baby. There, laying in his plastic "wagon" was Jamey with his eyes closed in sleep with his head turned to face me. Looking back, I am glad that there was no one else there. That was our moment. And as much as I would like to explain how it felt, I can't. It isn't something you put into words. It isn't possible to do so. It was pure emotion, and I am sure every mom out there has felt that feeling too.

Looking back on the pictures now, and spending time with friends and family on Jamey's 1st birthday, I again realize how blessed we have been. You just have to look at one picture from the waiting room to see how loved both he and I are. There, sitting and waiting, were not just two sets of grandparents. There, too, was an aunt who is always giving. There are two girls who may as well be my younger sisters, who I thank God every day for having in my life. (Love you, Monica and Marla.) There is a best friend who was there from the very first hour of my being in the hospital. Who came over and sat with me as I went through contractions and made sure I got everything I needed and that Glenn didn't go crazy there with me in the hospital. (Thanks, Jess! Couldn't ask for a better best friend.) And on top of those who were there in that moment, were those that came to visit within days of his birth. We were so loved and visited that my recovery nurse put on my goal list one day, "Don't have so many visitors. Tell them you need to sleep."

As Jamey grows, it is good to know that he has so many different people from so many different places who are going to love him and teach him about life. And it is nice to know that a good number of them will be able to say, I was there when you were born.

Happy Birthday, my Baby Boy.