First Kiss, Lasting Love

Hi, all. This is the patriarch of the Durbin family trying out a couple new blog-assistance programs. I do love this picture, though; I’m not sure it ever made it on the Durbin Family Blog . . .

Mommy and Jack -- a First (week) Kiss

This is Annika as a brand new mommy, and Jackson at – still – one of his favorite places: the changing table. Where else can man be himself, but at the changing table? He is naked and honest at that place; his newfound rolling technique is challenged anew by the sloping sides of the foam pad; he is free to express both the vulnerability and the ecstasy of a refreshing wet-wipe, a new diaper, and the occasional baby-boy urine fountain. Even if a man tastes not triumph in the wrestling match that encumbers every new outfit, he is at least privy to some of the dumbest faces and most senseless songs his dignified parents will ever manufacture in desperate attempt of distraction. Where the snaps of a onesie are at their most formidable, where a magic genie supplies an endless amount of olfactory wishes, where the tummy is at its most ticklish, where the lotion is heaven and the snot-bulb is hell . . . where else, but at the changing table?

Actually, Jackson likes it so much there, we’re thinking of naming the hangout and possibly commemorating it with a plaque. We are certainly open to suggestions, but the top-runners are:

• The Happy Halfpipe,
• FlatuLand,
• The InfeStation,
• King of the Ring, and
• Momma Said There’d Be Days Like This

Hats and Mittens

A Sunday afternoon

Jack and Papa

On the go...sort of

Jackson's Nursery

We had hoped to have this nursery finished before Jack was born, rather than by the time he was six months old! Nonetheless, we finally finished and wanted to share some pictures.


The duck and sheep are characters from the "Click-Clack, Moo" books! (Unfortunately, they were sold out of the cows)
We painted this rectangle behind the wall letters, because the letters didn't stand out very well by themselves. It turned out a little bit bigger than we imagined, but it's a definite improvement.
Top picture: our first Mother's Day. Middle picture: Eric and his friend Rishi, with Jack and Rishi's son Ellis at the boys' first Cubs game at Wrigley Field. (Jack was 2 months old!)
Bottom picture: My dad, "Papa," holding Jack when he was just weeks old.

Some of my favorite pics (including our first ultrasound picture) and my first baby shoe.
The silver cup was Eric's when he was little, and his tiny ID bracelet from the hospital is inside it. The picture is one of my favorites that my dad took in Europe of Jack's profile.
You can't see it, but there is a beautiful tree right outside this window.
The long-awaited chair (took five months to arrive!!).
Some favorite books...we read "Good Night Moon" almost every night, but Jack prefers to chew on it these days. I'm saving "The Polar Express" until he's willing to sit and listen. :)

Jack takes communion

This morning was communion at church. I love the way we do it in our service: they have tables up front and everyone comes up and sits down at the table and is served, even the pastor and deacons and elders. Anyway, another thing I love is that you can bring your children to the table with you and the elders will pray for them. So I got Jack from the nursery today and stood in line.

This is always interesting, as he is no doubt a distraction for many (mainly his grandparents!!) as he coos, watches the ceiling fans with much intensity, and gives the congregation enormous smiles. He loves the singing, and listens intently. Unfortunately, he often chooses the silent moments to noisily express himself.

So we finally made it to the table, and once we were seated the elder leaned down to pray for Jack. She took his hands and I closed my eyes. It was very sweet and my heart swelled with gratitude for this blessing. She said "Amen," and I opened my eyes, kissing Jack on the head. As she stood up I noticed her kind of wipe her finger on the table cloth, and I felt bad, thinking maybe his hands were wet from being in his mouth.

I struggle with taking him to the table, as it is not quite as deep a time for me as I hold his wiggly body and keep him from pulling the table cloth off the communion table. Also, I know he is a distraction for other people...but at the same time, he is part of the church family and I love that people love to see him and that they pray for him.

So after the church service today I had numerous people come up to me (including Jack's grandma) and say, "That was so funny when he started to suck on the elder's hand!" Oh my gosh. Poor lady! I just hope he didn't try to bite her with his new teeth!

I hope that as he grows older he will learn that when someone lays hands on you to bless you in prayer, it's best not to try to eat their hands.