Jackaboo
Oh, Jack. Jackaboo. J-Dubs. Jacky. Jax. Jackerdoodle. Number 1. My Jack.
You know, Jack...I always try to figure out how to start these sappy blog posts. I usually make a joke about searching for lost time under a couch, or commenting about how time flies. But, in all honesty, how in the hell are you 8? How, when I remember everything about being pregnant with you SO VIVIDLY, can you be 8? How, when I remember everything about your delivery SO VIVIDLY, can you be 8? Eight, Jack. EIGHT.
When I found out that I was pregnant, I often wondered what it would be like to be a Mother. Would I be a strict mom? Would I have patience? Would I be a nervous mom? Would I be a good mom?
On July 8th, 2007, I figured out the answer. I would be Jack's Mom. Always and forever. All thoughts about strictness, or patience or nervousness flew out the window. Who cared about those things? All I cared about at that moment in time was how to be the best Mom I could be to Jack. Jack was my world. Jack still is my world. Jack will always be my world. Jack made me a Mommy, something that I never knew I wanted to be. I cannot thank you enough, my boy.
You are such a sweet soul, dude. So sensitive. So caring. So smart. You are the exact kid that I wanted! You make me smile. You make me laugh. Your dimples are amazing. Your laugh is contagious. Everyone who knows you, loves you because you're just that kind of kid.
We do have our rough moments. As I write this (7/7/07), you're taking a nap because I sent you to your room for tormenting a sibling. You're turning into a bit of a snot, also. That will come with age, and that is isn't something that I'm going to sweat, at least not for now. You're the oldest of 4 kids and you like to be LOUD in order to be heard. This is a newly discovered thing, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm used to you being quiet, so to hear you raise your voice was a little surprising at first. I don't blame you, though. At times, this house is so loud, it's hard to hear anyone, so I get it.
You played soccer this past season. You liked it and you want to do it again. I'm proud of you for sticking with it, even though it wasn't always easy or enjoyable.
School didn't come as easily for you this past school year, but you really worked very hard and are officially becoming a third grader! I'm so proud of you. It was a rough year, very frustrating, but with the help of your teacher, and hopefully with a little help from me, you really turned it around. Great job!
You're into very stereotypical 'boy' things, these days. Dinosaurs, Transformers, Pokemon. You love Legos and cars, and you're starting venture into the land of non-"baby" TV shows. But, I'll still catch you watching 'Team Umizoomi' or 'My Little Pony' with your younger siblings and that just makes me smile. You love to draw and make up stories. Your spelling is great and you love to help me write things on the kitchen board.
You're a great big brother. Alex looks up to you so much and I love to see my boys together. You and Sara have a very good relationship--the summer kid bond, as we call it. Emma is your best friend and worst enemy. Because you two are so close in age, it's always been 'Jack and Emma' and I can tell that may be getting old. You're loving to do more things without her, which is good, so we're going to work on more 'Just Jack' stuff.
When you were a baby, I'd sing this song to you. I'd sing it to you when I was changing your diaper, or when I was changing your clothes. I'd sing it to you when I was feeding you or rocking you to sleep. I sang it all of the time. It went like this:
Jackaboo, I love you
Yes I do, my Jackaboo
I love you
Daddy does too
We both love our Jackaboo
It's not going to win a Grammy or anything, but it was my song to you. and boy did it make you smile. It made you smile, like I smile when I think about you!
You know, as a Mom, I had lists of things that I wanted to teach you. Never did I realize that you would be the one teaching me. You taught me more in your first weeks of life than I ever could have imagined. You still teach me, every day, something new. How do I thank you for that, Jack? Is it even possible? It's because of YOU, I am who I am today. We've been through a lot together, kiddo, and we'll be through so much more together, for sure, but holy crap, you are the best teacher I could ever have and I know that whatever gets thrown our way, we'll get through it together.
I hope you know how much you mean to me, Jack William. I hope you read this one day and you see that you and your siblings are the most amazing gifts that I could have ever asked for in life. I may not say it as often as I should, but I love you, Bub. I love you today, I love you tomorrow, I love you forever.
I hope you have the happiest of birthdays, and that all of your birthday wishes come true.
And I thank you for choosing me
To come through unto life to be
A beautiful reflection of his grace
For I know that a gift so great
Is only one god could create
And I'm reminded every time I see your face
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| Now |
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