Time with the Ndjerareous

Jack meets SK and Nate



Your teeth hurt, too?

























Old Friends

Playtime before bed

My new best friend



Helping Mom in the kitchen

A Few Mommy Favorites

The Great Outdoors--Our Backyard

The view from our living room



View from our front door

At the Arboretum

A recent trip to our local Morton Arboretum provided reminder that nature is a necessary element to the human condition. A sunrise may bless my soul as I drive home from work, a squirrel may spark joy within me as he chases a companion amidst the overgrowth, a field of unfettered snow may bring sudden peace to my heart, but sometimes I have need of immersion -- sometimes I must lose myself in the woods (that is, until we live nearer the mountains). Of course, it is difficult to lose oneself on trails so clearly marked.

a Southern path


Jack on a log

Falling Leaves

Mom on a log

Jack on a mom

I know it's not properly focused or positioned, but do you know that it's cool and perhaps awesome?

No man is an island, but that kid sure is standing by himself.

My Favorite Things

As much as I do not particularly enjoy getting up early, it is slowly becoming my favorite time of day, thanks to my precious son. He is so sweet in the mornings; fairly mellow, and very happy to be awake and out of his crib. This morning after he finished his bottle he sat contentedly on my lap, staring at the sliver of light escaping through the curtains, as he rested his head on my chest. He smelled so good, like baby lotion and soft jammies, and I just drank him in.

Then later that morning he made my heart sing as he crawled toward me going, "Ma-ma, ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-maaaa." The first time he's uttered my new name with such purpose...and he did it again throughout the day. I love being a mom!

By the way, there's snow in the forcast tomorrow...snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes don't hold a candle to my mornings with Jack!

All I Want for Christmas . . .

Today I noticed a large white bump in Jack's upper gums, and at first I thought he had some weird growth and then realized . . . "Oh. It's a new tooth!" Then I looked closer and realized that he has not one but a couple little white buds, all surrounded by very red gums . . . I guess that explains his crankiness the last few days . . . wanting to be held, but then wanting to get down, only then wanting to be held again . . . what in the world? Poor little one . . . I'm not sure this is what he wanted for his first Christmas!