Cha Cha Cha Changes

I. Love. Oatmeal. This is a new development. I've eaten oatmeal every morning for the past week. Last night I had some as a midnight snack. I dream about it. I'm like my dad in that way. I obsess over things. A couple months ago it was fruit leather. I'm not 100% convinced that I ever even experienced pregnancy cravings because I'm still going through food obsessions. Are postpartum cravings normal or should I go pick up an EPT?

Back to oatmeal. A week ago I thought I hated oatmeal. Now I can't quit eating it. This scenario has been happening a lot lately. I thought I hated onions, now I don't. I thought I hated pot roast, now I don't. I thought I hated shrimp, now I don't. (We had awesome shrimp at Outback Steakhouse last night.) It's blowing my mind. Next on my list are mushrooms.

Adam gives himself credit for my culinary adventures. Maybe that's true. Not sure. Maybe my taste buds are finally starting to mature. Nah, I still love Otter Pops, grilled cheese sandwiches, and cotton candy too much to believe that's true.

I'll keep you posted on my progress with mushrooms. Until then, try this OATMEAL! It's incredible.

1. Fill a microwavable bowl with plain quick oats. fill the bowl with enough water to cover the oats. Microwave for 2 minutes.

2, Add a few tablespoons of butter. (This is the secret ingredient)

3. Add a touch of milk (or 2 cups if you're my dad).

4. Add plenty of brown sugar, cinnamon, and fresh fruit if you've got any.

Trust me. This oatmeal will make you an oatmeal lover.

Texas

 In Texas all the Joneses go on a ride to look at Christmas lights in the same car.

In Texas Jack takes baths in Grandmama's sink.

In Texas we play guitar.

In Texas Jack Jones and Jack Bower hang out. 

In Texas Grandmama spoils Jack with affection. 

 In Texas we wake up at 5:00 am to open presents.

 In Texas we hang our stockings by the chimney with care.

In Texas Andrew met his first love, Amelia. 

In Texas Jack has a stocking as tall as him. 

 In Texas Jack plays with Billings, the Great Dane.

In Texas we root for the Cowboys. 

In Texas we take long, lazy naps. 

In Texas we love Whataburger. 

In Texas Jack is a page turner.

Early Christmases

First we had Christmas at home in Rexburg.

Then we went to Utah, where Molly allowed Adam to pet her.

And Jack had some male bonding time with his cousins. 

 I guess boys will be boys. They all love to watch the train. 

New Stuff for Jack

We went to Carter's last night... BIG mistake. I wanted everything there. My dad had to follow me around the store with Jack's burp cloth to keep me from drooling on the clothes. We got Jack the CUTEST shoes! And they had too many cute guitar/rockstar things for me to resist. We ended up with a guitar t-shirt and sleeper. I could have bought the whole store out and emptied our checking account. But Adam kept giving me the look. So I had to compromise. There are still a lot of things there I want though. So if anyone is still trying to think of Christmas gifts...hint hint... I could do some damage with a Carter's gift card.

THEN today we went to Kid to Kid and got Jack a saucer. I think he loves it a lot. He doesn't like laying down anymore. He needs to be sitting, standing, or eating. So the saucer is perfect!

The shoes. I LOVE them.

It's a Ninja

Adam got me the coolest thing for Christmas. It's a Ninja. It turns ice into SNOW! And it chops onions...

My Mom's Cute

 
I just love her. She's an awesome mom, grandma, and blog follower. She's crazy about her kids and grandkids and will do anything for them. I can always always count on her no matter what. I like when she and Adam give each other a hard time. I like when she gets the giggles. I like when she plays with Jack. She's the best.

Merry Christmas Eve

If you're wondering, I do know how to use a calendar. I know that it's only the 13th of December, not the 24th. But when you decide to have Christmas early, what's to stop you from going earlier and earlier? First Christmas was going to be Friday, then we moved it up to Thursday and then Adam came home from class this morning declaring that it was Christmas Eve. So there you have it. Merry Christmas Eve!

Big Deal, Jack, I Roll Over in My Sleep.

Jack just rolled over. He won't do it again, though. So it may very well have been an accident. He may not be able to duplicate it for another month, but he's done it. For the record. Now when I put him on his tummy he just scrunches up, pulls his legs in, and sticks his little butt in the air.

Sorry

I apologize if the Christmas tree pictures are getting old for anyone. But I just think I keep getting better and better shots. This time he and Comet were dazzled by the tree together. They're buddies because they both share an affinity for elf culture.

Really Good Giggles

 

Don't worry. I aim it better a few seconds in. It's hard to aim it right because if I look at the camera, then Jack will look at the camera and I can't get his attention again.

3 Months

Jack is three months old today! He's had a great day. He got to sleep in until 11:00. Then he got out of sacrament meeting because he was being super noisy. Lots of people at church admired his cuteness. He got to watch the Cowboys win. He was told he should be a model baby and that he was the cutest baby in our ward. He got held and put to bed by a complete stranger.

At three months:

-He's taken after his dad. He's getting super ticklish. I like to tickle his toes, but he hates it.
-He sleeps amazingly. He went to bed last night around 9:00, woke up at 6:00 to eat, then slept until 11:00.
-He sneezes really loud. It sounds something like this... "AAAAAAAAAAHHH CHEW..... oh"
-He chews on his fists constantly.
-He loves to be sang to.
-He loves his Christmas tree.
-He is learning to hold things, like his reindeer. He is starting to get really grabby.
-He just keeps getting cuter. I'm his mom, so I'm supposed to think he's the cutest baby in the world, but I think it's more than just my insane amount of love for him that makes him cute. Every time strangers compliment how cute he is I think, "Oh good, it's not just me."

You're all in luck this month. I got some really cute pictures. 

 Big eyes.

Maybe he had just passed gas.

Dreams Do Come True

Apolo Anton Ohno, the Olympic speed skater, came to Idaho Falls! Of course if you know my best friend, Al, you know that she is crazy about this guy. She has been in love since the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake. Apolo just released a new book and he's doing a book signing tour. So, of course, we were there.

He was scheduled to arrive at 8:00. We got there at 7:00 and waited in line. A member of Apolo's entourage came to brief us on proper book signing etiquette: things like no posing for pictures, no personalization of messages, no lingering, etc. When he finished his little speech Al asked if she could kiss him.

 This is when he first arrived. He brushed right past Al, just inches away, on his way to his signing table. She took in a long deep breath to capture some of his essence.

 This appropriately captures her mood for the night.

 This is as close as we could get to posing for a picture with him.

 Me, Jack, and Apolo

 By his bus.

 Caressing his chest.

Visions of Sugar Plums

This is how we've been doing tummy time lately.

But then all the Christmas magic wore him out.

Jack doesn't know yet that Santa doesn't come when you wait by the tree.