Taking the Edge Off

In the mighty winds of Desmond’s second (I suppose technically 3rd) year there are still frequent moments of delight and joy for us. He’s regularly entertaining with his speech, play, and physical activities. His imagination takes on new colors everyday.

This pic was taken after a particularly rough day (Sunday – they seem to be the hardest days for me) after finally getting him into bed for the night. I went in later to check on his progress and found him thus collapsed. My heart softened and the earlier tension caused by his boundary-free enthusiasm eclipsed into laughter. Again and again, I’ll take the whole DesmondPJones package! He is so precious to us.

Catching Up

When Heidi visited for Easter weekend she brought a borrowed camera and we've been trying to take as many pictures as we can -- she's left it with us for acoupla weeks. Nicenicenice!

Following are some highlights of the last two weeks.
Having some family time -- Easter Sunday. We went walking around Fort Tryon Park. Desi is taking pretty well to his new big boy position on the stroller.

desi&zoe

Desi and Zoe continue to get used to each other. Des seems to be a little more playful than Zoe is ready for. She now sizes him up quickly and sometimes before he even approaches her will signal her reluctance for a cuddle. Early mornings are the best times for her to weather Desi's big loves. He doesn't yet seem to understand the idea of gentle loves. :::sigh:::

Zoe is three months old now -- she is a love. I miss her quite a bit when I'm not with her. Those dimpled smiles! I can't bury my lips deep enough into her cheeks. Thankfully she can handle my loves! I often get gleeful squeals from her accompanied by these little happy jig movements she does with her whole body. Des enjoys helping Zoe hold her bottle when they are with their dadda. We praise him generously.

Click to see many pics here

Desi Candor II

I’ve gotten an overwhelming response from you regular familyjonesblog readers regarding this segment (perhaps the only good thing to come out of the loss of my camera) so I thought I’d make this a regular on the blog.

After giving DPJ one of those ‘yournamehere’ creditcards that come in the mail, he promptly bent it out-of-shape and came to me dramatically and said, “My card is ruined! Mamma hold me!”

We spent the day with some friends on 181st St. My friend Guadalupe and two toddlers, Kayden and Ruby. I like to go over the things we did and the people we spent time with at the end of the day -- so I was saying what a nice woman my friend Guadalupe was and Desi repeated, “Lupe nice woman.” Then he paused. “Mamma nice woman… mamma nice girl… mamma big woman!”

Desi came to me one afternoon and asked for a drink. I repeated the request as I usually do by saying, “I want a drink PLEASE mamma” to which he replied, “I want a drink NOW mamma.” ‘Now’ is his new favorite replacement for that old tired word ‘Please’.

During our morning routine of raising of the shades in the bedroom and greeting the city with a “good morning New York!” We noticed the weather was gray and rainy and Desi commented, “its snoring outside!” (As in the song, “it’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring”.)

Tonight I asked Des if he was ready for dinner and he responded, “I wanna be a robot first”.

We were watching a children’s program about a cat and his little boy owner and Des turns to me and says, “Sometimes I have a kitty in my house? When I grow up? Big & strong like mamma&dadda grown up?

“I have pizza last year?” He actually meant to say, I think, last week. He’s been trying out many phrases having to do with time.

Desi and I were under the covers creating a cave. He introduced a couple of hangers he’d found as edible presents – so there we were gnawing on hangers in the dark when I finally said mine was “almost gone”. He smacked his lips for a few seconds and said, “Mine’s almost more.”

“I was crying two weeks”

“BabyZoe is a baby? Soft baby? Lovely baby?” I agreed and he went cheering, both arms in the air, out of the bedroom saying, “Lovely baby!!”

I walked into the bedroom one afternoon to see Des silently looking outside the bedroom window. I asked him what he was doing and he replied, “I’m hanging up”. As opposed to I’m hanging out, I suppose.

Desi Candor

I thought in the absence of pics, due to the continued absence of my camera, that I'd leave little snapshots of phrases, etc. Desmond has been saying over the last few days. :)

“Frank be so happy ‘bout me picking those stickers up.” After picking up stickers he’d thrown down just outside the elevator on our floor. Frank's the super.

“I’m happy about babyZoe.” (while cuddling on the bed one morning with babyZoe)

I thought Desi had a fever one morning and told Nate. Nate then asked Des if he was sick and Des responded, “no, I’m a bless you guy”. I suppose he was thinking about sneezing.

“I had a nice sleep.” When waking one morning.

“I want to watch. Mommy come with me.”

“Mommy, I love you so much.” 3-23-06 I have to date this as it was the first time he said “so much”.

“Mommy, I need a wrestling move.”

“I’m farting.” Accompanied by a big smile and Nate’s proud-daddy laughter (!)

“No, I’m too little.” After being asked to put away his toys.

"I make mistake." He said this after dumping his legos all over the floor one morning. Mornings tend to be the times he trys out his new words and phrases.

I asked Des if he wanted to come help give Zoe a bath, which he loves to do. But this time he replied bluntly, "Nope. Sorry mom." A moment later I found him with his hand richly engaged in the butter dish.

"Love you girl mom"

“Elephant has whiskers!” In the bath playing with his elephant. I told him they were tusks. But after trying the word 'tusks' out for a bit and finding it difficult to say he insisted. "No, whiskers."

After taking the garbage to the shoot Desi said, "You wore Dadda's shoes. Supposed to wear Mamma's shoes." He then pulls out my shoes puts them on and demonstrates saying, "walk, walk, walk, walk..."

“You’re my mamma. This my Dadda. This is babyZoe’s Dadda too.” During another morning cuddle. I love this statement as it was the first he’d articulated with words just how much he’d welcomed/accepted babyZoe into our family and understood her connection to us. He’s never once questioned her presence or asked us to "bring her back". He’s claimed her and loved her right from the start. Somehow I knew he would. He’s so open-hearted, most of the time. ;)

YIKES!

I have lost my camera -- hopefully only temporarily -- haven't been able to locate it for over 24hours now. (DESI!)

Whisper a prayer that I can find it!

Can't imagine making another big purchase! Just got a breastpump today, finally . I've been holding out for something on the craigslist boards, but no luck. So it was a full price one, baby! Eeeks! I've also acquired an Ergo Carrier, which I'm so excited about. I go back to work in two weeks and I'm scrambling to get all in order. There is also the issue of what I'm going to wear! Nothing fits yet -- either too big or too small. My accommodating 'comfycozies' just won't cut it at the U.N. Too bad. Might have been able to get away with it in my Dubai days. Hehehe... we were the envy of the building in our jeans and t-shirts.

Anyway, send me your positive finding skills (Holly esp!) through the air. Blow hard!

Cozy Zoe

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Originally uploaded by globalgirl246.

We received a much anticipated (by me) blanket in the mail this week. A friend from New York who has since moved had one of these for her daughter Olive. I couldn't stop thinking about it and finally tracked one down for Zoe. It turned out it was Olive's Grandmother who makes them so I called her and commissioned one!

This is largely just another opportunity to take pictures of Zoe's adorable little face. I am so besotted with her!!

Click here for a series of pics only a mother would take. :)

Dirty Desi

Friday we went to the park in the afternoon and after our usual play in the playground we were drawn to the dump trucks on the baseball fields. They were dumping pretty good sized mounds of clay dirt to be smeared for the games on Saturday. There was no stopping Des as he ran out toward them and I didn't have the heart to stop him! Its a toddlers dream to play in such significant piles of dirt!! So, I pulled out the camera and took pictures. What fun!

Come roll in the dirt with Desi -- Click here!

Baby Contemplations

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Originally uploaded by globalgirl246.

Today is your 2 month mark. Time passes as it inevitably does. I go back to work in two weeks. I will miss you! It is good though for Nathan to have this time with you. He hasn't had a whole lot yet.

There have been times when you are tired, or have woken prematurely from sleeping, and I've caressed your face and spoken softly and you'll drift to sleep. Your nature is calm, happy and observant.

B-E-S-O-T-T-E-D.

That is the word I thought of today that describes my feelings with a flourish! I become more and more besotted with you each day! I want to do all things that will be for your good. You will love your time here on earth. I want to capture all that you do -- the gestures, noises, scents, the size of you -- all that tugs at my heartstrings. The conversations we have (you are so verbal!), how clear and lovely your face is and the way you lift your chin up, the shape your mouth takes, the delicate way you blink your eyes... besotted.

How will you ever remember? I am your mirror. I pray I never forget.

You must feel how greatly your brother wants to love you. He's still learning how to express it. I coach and encourage him with gladness. He is an affectionate boy and I know that you will always be grateful for the love your brother has shown you. I know that he will always be grateful to have loved you. He desperately wants to love and hasn't quite found obliging peers (who can handle such bear hugs at this age?!) You, I feel, will fill that and return it.

I am so grateful to be a woman -- a mother enabled by womanhood.


-- a composite of journal entries.

Zoe D.K. Jones -- 8 Weeks Old

Doctors visit today. Zoe weighed in at 12 lbs. and 22 1/2 inches long. That's a growth of nearly 4 pounds and 2 1/2 inches since birth. Go babe! I took this pic while we were waiting. So quiet, so cozy... so cute! :):) Dr. Heidi Buetler also said everything checked out perfect: her ears, mouth, eye movements, joints, etc. I'm so grateful for her healthy growing body. She even talked to and smiled at the doctor.

desi&lexi -- Central Park Zoo

Kendra and Lexi Cope showed us a great time on Tuesday! I was feeling up to a big excursion so I told Kendra to plan something for us to do together this week - she's always doing fun things downtown. The weather was perfect, in the 50s, nice sunshine and Des and I were so ready to get out&about! Des immediately reached for Lexi's hand, once they both were set free from their strollers, and walked to the Rain Forest exhibit hand-in-hand. Kendra just about died!

Curiously Des wasn't so interested in the animals as he was the space -- where the doors lead, what to climb on, etc. He also did a lot more people watching than animal. We had lunch with the sealions and they put on this great show! But Des hardly watched as he was more interested in navigating the steps that encircled the tank. Once we got to the childrens zoo area, where you can pet and feed what was essentially farm animals, he took greater interest esp. in the sheep and cow. There were also bunnies and pigs!! He told me that he was scared of the pigs. Ha!

Zoe rode snuggly in the BabyBjorn and slept during the entire 2+ hours.

Tons of pics here

Sunny Days

Hooray for warmer weather! A couple of days in the 60s and high 50s sends us running for the parks and spending longer hours there. We've been getting reaquainted with the ducks and there are definitely more kids for Des to play with. He's playing more with children now -- sitting in the dirt with a group of little boys with trucks and guys, following a little girl all around the play gyms and embracing her when he can. He's always been one to embrace. Des couldn't be happier. He loves being with kids!

Zoe did her best to enjoy the day, in the shade and over bundled. :) She enjoyed nursing and watching Desi swing and listening to all the children laughing. Next summer sweetpea you'll be tearing up the playground!

Various photos here

Organically Growing II

Another revisit with Zoe DK Jones. One of my favorite pics of Desmond P Jones (which Heidi took) features him at about 1 week old in these fun clothes brought fresh from Berkeley, CA from Auntie Hailey. I love the look on his face and still think it, above all other photos, captures his adorable developing self. It's been on our fridge since. It was taken in the early days before our digital camera so I've taken a picture of it. Zoe is 6 weeks old in this pic.

In other news, Zoe seems to be easing (already at 6weeks) into a night time pattern which, I have to say, benefits Nathan and especially me greatly -- she's sleeping through the night!! 5 nights and counting where she'll generally go down between 8-9pm, sometimes later, and won't wake again till a quarter to 5am!! I have definitely had more bounce in my parenting due to uninterrupted zzzzz's.

Zoe also continues to verbalize in the most heart warming way. This morning Des was awake at a very early hour and began with his, "I want to cuddle" morning mantra which awoke Zoe and she shortly began with her oooooing and coooooing in response. I suppose she took it upon herself to answer him as Nathan&I were desperately trying to cling to our unconscious state. It was so sweet to hear them -- he'd say something meant for us and she'd answer and he'd laugh in delight, "babyZoe making cute noises!"

click here for a series of pics

Desmond's Weekend in CT with Auntie Heidi

Mr. Grown-Up Desmond P. Jones hit the road last weekend to spend a day & a night with Auntie Heidi in CT. I waited till mid-day Friday to tell Des that he would be seeing Heidi in the morning. He took his time to think about the news before commenting and when we put him to bed that night he reminded us happily, "Heidi coming in the morning!" He was very eager Saturday morning for her to arrive. Heidi and I weren't sure what to expect when the moment for goodbye came but there was no change of mind and he happily said goodbye to Zoe&I and carrying his overnight bag walked quite independently to the elevator. Heidi later told me that while they were in her car driving there was a silence between them for about five minutes and then suddenly Desi began to laugh and when Heidi, laughing in return, asked him what he was laughing about and he replied, "Desi happy!"

I asked Heidi to do a write up about their weekend for the blog which I've included below:

Desi and I had so much fun. He is talking so much now and repeats almost everything. I picked him up around 9:30 Saturday morning and drove to CT. A few times he warned me that he was going to "choke-up" (throw up)... at one point I had to pull over the car and roll down the window to give him a break. He takes after his mom when it comes to car sickness. Poor guy. We managed to make it to the aquarium... choke-up free and he seemed to have a good time. More so watching the other kids and imitating their enthusiasm for the sea creatures. He definitely is more interested in the people than sea life of any kind. They had a special dinosaur exhibit where he showed a lot of bravery going into. The room was dark with very large mechanical dinosaurs roaring and moving around. He looked up at them with wide eyes and quietly said, "scary dinosaurs" but continued through with curiosity. Luckily he wasn't too scared by the exhibit. He ran into the gift shop picking up everything dinosaur related saying, "Desi want this". We walked out with a stuffed "nice dinosaur" to remember the trip. :)

Later I took Desi to his first movie "Curious George". On the way, he fell asleep in the back seat... I had to wake him up for the movie and I gave him a choice. I said we are at the movies but if Desi is tired we can go to Heidi's apartment for a nap and come see "Curious George" later. With his eyes still rolling around and barely open, he said, "no, I watch Curious George now" Decision was made and he managed to keep his eyes open during the whole movie with his popcorn bag to his side. He got a little anxious for Curious George during the previews but the little monkey popped up on screen just in time. We both enjoyed our special movie night. :)

A Target trip for some diapers, was necessary before heading home. He was very good sitting in the cart until the very end when he managed to convince me to take him out. The second he hit the ground he began chasing a little boy across the store with his arms spread out and giggling he managed to corner him near the elevator and they both were happily giggling. I finally caught up to them and spent the next few minutes searching for the other little boys mother. Desi loves making new friends! :) Once we got back to my place he was curious to see every room. He walked in and out of each room saying "Heidi's bedroom", "Heidi's living room", etc. We ended our fun day with a fun night, eating dinner together, having a bath, and watching "Toy Story 2", followed with a story and prayer before bed. Desi took the lead on the prayer and said, "thankful for this daaay, thankful for this daaaay, thankful for this daaaay", to which I had to interrupt and also be thankful for other things in our life, including my little nephew Desi P. Jones.

I love that kid!!! Mwa

Click here for more photos.

Zoe's Blessing Dress

We neglected to take photos of Zoe in her blessing gown on the day of her blessing so Grammy Simkins left the dress (that her daughter's Heather, Holly, Heidi, & Hailey were all blessed in) so that I could take pictures. Zoe was exactly 5 weeks and 3 days old when these pictures were taken.

The blanket Zoe is laying on here I also had as a background when I took pics of Des in his blessing clothes -- might as well continue the sentimental link to things. Also, interesting to note is that they both smiled some of their first smiles during these photo shoots.

Unfortunately, I didn't have my digital camera in the Desi early days so I can't blog any of DesJones photos from that time to group with Zoe here.

Click here to go to our photo hosting site for more pics.

Zoe weeks 4 & 5

Zoe DK Jones is getting used to us methinks -- and she seems to like us. She relaxes more when Desi holds her and has dosed off in his arms once or twice. It's still a struggle for her to finally relax and sleep deeply in the evenings. She's a reallyreallyreally good babe -- I'm loving having a baby again! She's mellowmellowmellow. Can't believe my luck in having another easily consoled babe. When she's awake her whole body seems to be alert to the sounds and actions going on around her. Nate finally came up with her first nickname inspired after receiving a package from Grandma Jones yesterday addressed to Zoe DK Jones -- "Zodiac" (ZoDaK). Grandma Kathy sent the sweetest little pillow for her Zoe. It says,

" Granddaughters are forever -- I am so glad you're mine".

ZDK is posing in the above pic with her pillow.

She's quite the cooing ooooing baby. Its very touching and we've had some lovely conversations. She is so yummy! I just can't dislodge my lips from her soft cheeks.

Des has shown in recent weeks an increase in his usage of please, thank you, your welcome, excuse me, sorry, it's ok. In fact, when he's engaging in imaginary play with anything from his action figures, to beans in the highchair, to staples and pens at the desk, these words come up over and over again and show very impressive manners!

I took a number of bathtime pictures today. We started real baths this week and she's now kicking around in water daily -- which she seems to enjoy more than the sponging. I often get a satisfied "cooooo..." from her when the warm water is poured over her belly. Desi loves assisting in bathing her and considers himself quite the helper, which he is. :)

Click here to see manymanymany more pictures of this irresistible little girl -- I can't get enough of her face!

Posing for Auntie Holly

Auntie Holly sent a surprise package this week and we're happy to showcase Zoe's cute little self in her new clothes. Thank you Sister-of-mine!!Zoe's in an unusually lucky time in her life where most of her clothes are new and will be at a steady clip for years!! In comparison, I've recently ousted some of my winter clothes that I swear I've been pulling out and shrugging on since at least 1997!!

Snowy Weather

A sampling of pics from yesterday and today. Big snowstorm yesterday! Before leaving for school, Natee took Des out to playplayplay in the snow. He's had all his gear ready since September but we haven't had any snow and his snowboots are now too small.

Zoe received a package last week from AuntieGena full of cutecutecute girlie clothes. So, while Nate&Des were out we played dress up and, of course, I had to take some pics. I LOVE HER!!!

Des got out my pans yesterday and today to wear and generally make obnoxious noise with. He's got an old vintage fisherprice people boy with what looks like a pan on his head. So Des, wearing his pan, and the peopleboy wearing his pan enjoy 10-20 minutes at a time playing and being a pan boys together.

All so interesting, I know!

Des was cuddling with Zoe yesterday and said, " babyZoe cute girl". I can't move her from one room to another without him noticing and asking, "babyZoe go?" He constantly wants to kiss her and finds her absolutely irresistible. This morning he wanted to share his beverage with her -- she was sleeping in his crib and when he's in his crib to sleep he always has a beverage -- so he reached up and dropped it down on her and unfortunately it landed right on her head. We've had a few of these unintentional injuries already (and a few intentional) and it always strikes me with complete horror. I freeze, gasping, and feel like the world is collapsing around me. I gather her up and sheild her and love her and apoligize to her and cannot look Desi in the face for some minutes. He feels awkward and smiles and trys to be silly or make some absurd request. I know he's looking for cues on how to behave and when I gather myself, I require that he apologize and kiss her better then I very shakily explain how we can love her better.
Click here for more photos

Day by Day

We are beginning our third day without Grammy. Yesterday, I felt a new energy and we got ourselves ready in time to go out to the LunchBunch -- a new playgroup. Wooohooo!! It was a success and I wasn't completely wiped out either to handle the rest of the day. My body is bouncing back! Finally!

DesJones averages maybe one nap a week. What does he do while in the crib for an hour if not sleep? Get naked. The process is frustrating for him, I can hear his cries, as he sometimes ends up in some form of twisted straight jacket-type position.

The above pic was taken yesterday after Des got out of the shower and joined Zoe&I back in bed. Follow this link for more: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=etiqe5t.1zg638gp&x=1&y=wdtshf

Here's some great pics my dad took when he was here: click here

Zoe had a photoshot today after we got back from the playground (Yes, I continue to improve!!) She wet through her clothes so I took the pics as I was changing her. Her body is so cute and little. I'm really loving having a baby again... lovemybaby. Oh, Mom, the hairbow pics are for you!!

Morning Exercises

Des has become particularly enthusiastic about Zoe's "tummy time". This morning when I intiated it Des ran into the bedroom to get a blanket for himself so he could have tummytime too. He thinks its so fun. Grateful for those easy to please moments.