Wow! And just like that, our baby is 6 years old today. Jackie finished his second year of pre-K last month, and will start Kindergarten in August. He likes "friendship toast" (French toast), he loves to dance, he loves wrestling, any kind of microphone, and singing along to Ed Sheeran and Kelly Clarkson. He is such a gentleman and always showers me with plenty of love and affection. His compliments are heart-warming. His anecdotes are inspiring. He prays every night, and each time I hear his sweet voice thanking God instead of asking for something, it is a special gift to experience.
Happy 6th birthday to our funny, kind, thoughtful, and awesome boy. I love you, Jackson Donald Rinella.
6 year old Favorites: Song: All the Gold in California (Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers Band) Movie: Trolls Color: Red Food: Pizza Restaurant: Osaka Japanese Steakhouse Thing at School: learning new stuff Summer Activity: Swimming lessons and going to the park Sport: Baseball
To say that time flies is an understatement. This morning, as I entered his bedroom and his sleepy eyes peered back at me, the reality that I've been doing this mom thing now for 3 years really sunk in.
My little baby, born June 26, 2012 is now a 3 year old boy. A boy full of love and laughs, yet unpredictable and always keeping me on my toes. Isn't that the standard recipe for boys? ;)
(I said, "Good morning, Jackie, happy birthday!"
He said, "Mommy, I don't want to talk about my birthday.")
He's a child--full of wonder and full of "whys?" He is equal parts curiosity and killing cats. He finds out by doing. Some moments are exciting and awesome, others are terrifying. But one thing's for sure--he is total sweetness.
He loves eggs, any way except "tar boiled." He loves wearing sneakers for running and "flop shoes" to the pool. When something comes unexpectedly, he calls it a "super-prise." And when he asked who that man was on tv (Donald Trump) he started referring to him as "Dump Truck."
He has been busy this summer swimming, doing Ready Set Learn, Munchkin Music, Story Time at the library and Barnes and Noble, and going to the Little Gym.
Here is a look back from where we started...
Wait, um, technically HERE'S where we started, if I remember correctly.
The first time I laid eyes on you, I felt a love so strong,
And I knew that we'd be super close and with me you belonged.
Not every day was sunshine, there were times we didn't agree,
But I'm proud to be your mommy and I can't believe you're three!
Thank you for being my boy, and enriching my life beyond measure,
You've made me so incredibly happy, and your love is a gift that I treasure.
The days pass swiftly from dawn to dusk,
as we travel from station to station.
It goes by so quickly, they all say.
And they are right in what they preach.
From tiny to tall, to big boy from small,
it's already beyond my reach.
We have sentences where once there were sounds,
where there was walking, now sprints, leaps, and bounds.
Laughing and jokes--(we're comedians, folks)
he amazes, he inspires, he astounds.
Each night as we cuddle before bed,
after bath, books, and kisses on the head,
we ask God to please bless those we love,
those with us and those with Him above.
And one night during the usual listing,
of grandmas and grandpas and cousins,
aunts and uncles, babies and pets,
and friends that we know by the dozen,
Jackie mentioned another young boy,
someone we'd just met that morning,
the kid who had stood next to Jackie,
and hit him square in the face without warning.
Several tears and tissues later,
when frustration gave way to laughter,
Jackie was back to his usual self,
But I was still fuming long after.
And though I like to think I'm his teacher,
it was I who had something to learn.
He was trying to tell me he knew to forgive
so we love and be loved in return.
Today's the day you turn 14,
The best sum of two 7s I've ever seen.
Your beauty, courage, talent, and wit,
When it comes to perfection, you're as close as it gets.
I've known you since the tender young age of two,
and for the person you now are, I am so proud of you.
I love you Kayleigh.
Happy birthday to you!
9.23.14
Here we are! I started this blog when I was just a few weeks pregnant with Jackson, and now he's a two year old boy! I must admit, when Jackson turned 1 a year ago, I was still feeling pretty overwhelmed with it all. But now that another year has gone by, all I feel is happiness and excitement for this special milestone and all that is to come. I can tell we are in for a wild ride!
He is such an active, imaginative, and most of all, loving little boy. He's been treating us to many smiles, laughs, and looks of amazement because it truly is wonderful to watch him at this stage. Jackie is courageously independent, and he reminds us on a daily--sometimes hourly--basis of all of the things he'd prefer to try all on his own.
Jackie likes Barney, Baby Einstein, playing peekaboo barn, Cookie Monster, musical instruments, and anything that involves swinging/climbing/jumping/rolling--things of that nature. He doesn't walk. It's either galloping, running, or hurdling. He plays with puzzles, but likes to tease us and put the pieces in the wrong places, accompanied by a long, resounding "noooooooo?" to tell us he knows it doesn't go there but please just humor him. He builds towers with any kind of block, but HE gets to decide at what point we just say the heck with it and knock it down. He plays the "Go Fishing" game, but it's best if you just sit back coyly and observe while he demonstrates HIS way, which is to dump the fish on the floor because who has time for meticulous concentration with plastic poles anyway?
He eats lots of foods, but his favorite thing about meal time is picking out his own plate, and eating with his own silverware. He loves pizza, chicken, fruit, macaroni and cheese, pickles, ice cream, and then sampling everyone else's ice cream. He always offers me his almostgone cone in exchange for my Buster Bar. (Throw in a kiss and you have a deal there, son.)
We call him Jackson, Jackie, Jack Jack, Jackaroo, and Mr. Bluster. And today is his special day.
My baby boy is going to turn two next month. TWO. YEARS. OLD. I can't believe how fast this has gone! It has been the best, most difficult, most life-altering, most precious, breathe in, breathe out, wonderful, how-does-he-run-so-fast? amazing time in my life. I am looking forward to watching him continue to grow and learn about the world around him. But just so I don't forget what he's doing right now, here is Mr. Jackson Donald Rinella.
More than two years ago, when Phil and I were blessed with the news that we were expecting a baby, visions of *many things* danced in my head. But one thing I did not expect was to be staying at home with Jackson for the length of time that I have. I figured I could just "wing it" (HAHAHA!) and sort of cart him around with me oh the places I would go... Boy did I have a lot to learn about babies, bedtimes, habits, routines, schedules, teething, toddlers, temperaments, and everything! Children turn your lives upside down. But in a really really good way. Most of the days. :) Just today, we are back home from an unexpected trip to the pediatrician's office. This is day 3 of Jackie's first time being sick with a cold. Lucky we are that he has been so healthy for the first year and a half of his life.
But the reason for this post is to thank someone. Someone I could not be doing this without. Someone who drops everything to help me. Who scratches his plans to go with me to the doctor instead. Takes me to Walgreen's for tissues, milk, and chocolate medicine. Comes back to bring me a meal when I'm home with a napping sick one. Then goes back to work to do all of his tasks, plus the ones I'd be doing if I were there. He's the one who's often times not seen in the pictures, because while we get to have fun, he's doing the hard part for us. He's the wheel that makes our car go.
Dear Philly, I know you never look for a pat on the back. You do not need thanks for the things you consider your job. You are a hard worker. You are an excellent Dad. A tremendous husband. And you are possibly the most giving person I know. Thank you for working extra hours, learning new responsibilities, hiring an extra employee, all so that I can be here raising our son. I consider myself such a lucky lady to have you as my partner. You are always thinking of what's best for our family. Planning ahead for our future. I know I tell you thank you each day, but I really want you to know that you have made me not only a happy wife, but a happy mom. And I so appreciate everything you do, and all that you sacrifice for us. I love you so much. Thank you for being the husband, father, and man that you are. Love, Karen
Version 1
Version 2
You're one of a kind, thank God you're mine.
Close your eyes Let me tell you all the reasons why Think you're one of a kind. Here's to you The one that always pulls us through Always do what you got to do You’re one of a kind Thank God you're mine. -Michael Buble
While visiting family in Indiana at the end of 2013, my very dear friends Ruthie and her husband Brian spent their new year in the hospital. She was 20 weeks pregnant. Despite all of the love present, prayers both silent and spoken, tears shed, and the support of friends and family gripping to every hope, sadly, their sweet baby did not make it. He was a beautiful boy, and they named him Cormac Michael.
His story is one that resonated deep within me and I was grieving for their loss more than I could have ever imagined. When the heart is hurting, it's very difficult to find words. Along with many others, I am still praying daily that this family will continue to heal. I know that God is taking care of them. And He is smiling while holding sweet Cormac in His hands. A perfect little soul. Keep holding on, Ruthie. You are going to be okay. I love you. We all love you. We are with you. Love, Karen
Not flesh of my flesh Nor bone of my bone, But still miraculously my own. Never forget for a single minute: you didn’t grow under my heart, but in it. -Fleur Conkling Heyliger
born when I was just two and a half, and from that November day, 33 years ago, each day since you've been making me laugh. We shared a bedroom, toys, and our dreams, and though we didn't always want to be giving, we went through so many things together, without you, I just wouldn't call it living. You know all there is to know about me, having been there for each different phase, and the memories I have that include you, fill up every one of my calendar days. Though we always knew we were different, those unique traits set us apart, and it's like we've always been connected, you're an established piece of my heart. You are the best sister anyone could ask for, my best friend, a guardian, my idol, and if I wrote down my life as a story, your name would be right in the title. My love for you goes without saying, but it's more in my style to be heard, so though I don't always get to tell you, I hope you listen to my every word.
I shake my head because even though YOU are the one celebrating the birthday today, how come I'M the one who feels like the recipient of a gift?
You may be the banker, but having you as my sister makes me filthy stinkin' rich in love, laughter, and has me living beyond my means in extreme happiness. I don't know what I did to deserve a sister like you, but I thank God for it every. single. day.
In my 35 years (and *ahem* that's a lot of years), no one has been able to reach me in quite the way you do. You have known when to say nothing, and you've known when to speak up. Your sweet and undying support helped build the foundation on which I stand every day that I'm alive.
When you surprised me and flew out to see me just a few days after Jackie was born, you helped me get through those overwhelming, scary, first-time-mom moments, and you've come through for me every time I've needed you, always putting my comfort above your own. Like two parallel lines, we stick together. You are the exclamation point in my expression, the caramel on my Starbucks, my bridge over troubled water, and an ever present glowing reminder that I am so very blessed in life just to have you as my sister. You make me smile and I thank you for your love and friendship.
I love you beyond measure, Christabelle! Happy happy birthday to you, sis!
