Papa and Me...

Papa says I'm a good boy some of the time. He says I'm a better baby than Mama was when she was my age.  Mama says Papa's memory has crashed.  Sometimes Papa  helps me to get dressed and gives me a bath.  I'm short so Papa makes me pick up things off the floor for him.  Papa and I like to eat popcorn.  I got a computer for Christmas, and Papa puts it on his desk so I can help him work.   Sometimes we ride the tricycle or the worm and now we play with our new wagon.  Sometimes Papa wants to share my toys, but I'm not good at sharing.  If Papa counts to five I say, "6,7,8 and 9."  I've learned to open doors, and Papa says this is not a good thing.

The thing I like best about Papa is our walks. 

We always take Turdor and we take Lulu when 

she needs to pee pee.  We have friends and 

stop to talk to them.  Lots of time we walk

to Uncle clarks house and talk to him.

Santa Claus came to see me....

Mama made cookies for Santa and I got to eat some of them.  On Christmas morning Mimi, Papa and Mama watched me open presents.  I was very excited.  Later, Uncle Clark came over and I got even more presents.  I like Christmas.  My favorite toy is a truck that carries other trucks.  Papa says I now have 3 more trucks than UPS.  Aunt Anne and Mimi ate dinner with us.  Aunt Anne helped me play with my toys.  Mama read me my new books.  I had a busy day and was ready for bed at 8:00.

More Alabama..

Peanut, the pony, lives in a barn.  I got to play in the barn with Peanut and my cousins.  Mimi picked turnip greens and gave the bad ones to Papa.

It was very cold, but I stayed warm running around and around. I got to ride in a golf cart and play on a big tractor.  I like being on the farm.

Sweet Home Alabama..

Mama, Mimi and I went to Alabama before Christmas.  Alabama is a long ride.  I got to play with all my cousins and ride Peanut, the pony.  I also played with Bo, the guard dog.  This is a picture of me with great uncle Bill Baker and Mimi.  Mimi didn't want to ride Peanut.

Going to the dogs..

Dede--Lulu--and I are great friends these days.  She only growled at me 3 times this week and only nipped at me one time.  I cry if she nips me. This morning I was going to kiss Dede, and she licked my nose.  I laughed.  Mama says Dede has NO NOSE and Tudor is ALL NOSE.   Mama says sometimes she just kills herself.  Papa says Mama isn't all that funny. 

Papa lets me hold the leash when we walk Dede.  He growls when Dede and I get the leash tangled up.   When Dede stops and sniffs around, I know she is going to pee-pee.  I always let Papa know if Dede is pee-peeing or pooping.  I think Papa growls more than Dede.

Mama, Mimi and I are going to Alabama today.  Lots of kids live in Alabama.  I've been taking medicine for a cough that makes me hi per.  Papa says he and Clark think this is a good time for me to be out of town.  Mimi says Papa is a big chicken. What does bah humbug mean?

Shy Funny Bunny......

Any other time you couldn't shut him up..........

Santa Claus

This morning Mama, Uncle Clark and I went to the farmer's market. Mama was buying presents for my teachers. I got to jump in the Jump Castle and drink white hot chocolate with peppermint. Then we went to see Santa and Mrs. Claus.... Who is this Santa Claus?! Papa says I look like a rock star with my hair standing up all over my head. Mama says people pay a lot of money to get that look.

From Papa: Want that rock start look? Do a sloppy job of eating a peanut butter sandwich for breakfast and wipe your hands on your head. Works for Jack every time. Don't tell.. but someone who hates having his hair washed is getting a shampoo tonight.

Funny bunny gets a haircut.......

Papa took me to get a hair cut. I have a new barber and her name is Ms. Banana --Katana. Papa said he was ready to throw in the towel when I cried but Ms. Banana held me in her arms till I stopped. After that I found out getting a haircut was fun. I got a cookie for being a big boy.

I like to wake Papa up in the morning. He hides under the covers and tell me to go away. Sometimes I have to march upstairs 4 times before he gets up. Papa can't smile till he has Papa coffee. After Papa coffee we walk Tudor and Dede. I like to watch Dede poop. Sometimes I follow Tudor into the bushes and once into someones back yard but Papa got mad.

Yesterday we got our Christmas tree. Mama put balls and lights on the tree. Papa drank a Papa drink. Who is Santa Claus? Papa says we got one more year before things get really crazy. Mama and Uncle Clark took me to see the boat parade and lots of lights.

Things I know and do:

1. know red and white colors most of the time.
2. I like things to be in their place and tell Mimi and Mama when they aren't.
3. I'm always ready for bed before 9:00 PM.
4. I'm really good with directions and know how to get to Mimi's and Uncle Clark's house.
5. When I'm in the mood I can count to 10 with some help.
6. I practise talking all the time and can make people understand what I want most of the time.
7. I put two bar stools together and climb all over them.

This kids needs a haircut..

From Papa: Jack does not like to get a hair cut. Last time his hair was cut he and Mimi had a hard time so Mimi has the motivation to wait Jennifer and me out. I wimped out today and made an appointment for Monday. Too bad drugs aren't an option. In the mean time we get those pleasant little toddler suprises everyday that make this whole process so much fun.
.

Can't wait till next year.......

These are the Elmo Slippers Uncle Clark gave me. I wear them a lot. I can put them on myself. I like to walk around in my Elmo slippers and eat waisins [raisins] out of my cup. Mama says I'm a bottomless pit and better be on a growth spurt. Colors are very confusing. I have white shoes. Papa has white shoes. Lulu and Tudor have white shoes. Why are my Elmo shoes called red shoes? Why do I have an orange ball but can't eat it? Papa say I ain't seen nothing yet. Wait till I start dating.

During Thanksgiving, Aunt Jan found my orange ball and when Tudor [Scooter] takes it away, I cry. Tudor won't leave my ball alone. Yesterday Papa stayed with me because Mimi was in Alabama. Papa is a big help--he made sure I had all my stuff to carry. I had my truck, blanket, sippy cup and orange ball. Then Papa made me carry my shoes to the office, and I dropped the orange ball. Later Papa helped me look for my orange ball, but we could not find the ball. Papa says we'll look again next Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving 2008

Mommy's Aunt Jan, her grandmother Marijane and Jan's son Travis came to visit us for Thanksgiving. Travis is a big boy and a lot of fun. He chased me around and around the house and carried me on his shoulders. There were so many people at our house that I got to spend the night at Mimi's house and sleep with Mama. I like to sleep with Mama and don't want to sleep alone ever again. Papa says I can sleep anywhere I want as long as I don't wake him up. Mama says Papa is delusional.

Everyone ate turkey, but I don't eat birds. I like Mimi's pumpkin pie and fish. I walk 2 miles some days and love to pick up rocks and throw them. I like carry stuff when I walk, like my putball [football] or my sippy cup.

Trick or Treat

This is a picture of me in my Twick or Tweet costume taken at Halloween. Papa says I'm a natural born monkey and single handily prove Darwin's Theory. I was very shy at the first house that Papa and Mimi took me to visit and didn't say Twick or Tweet. They gave me candy. I was excited and ready to keep going. At the second house I said Twick or Tweet and got even more candy. I got very excited when we saw some other kids and called out to them but we didn't get to play because they were bigger kids. We went to all the houses on our street that had on lights. I got a lot of candy. I think Momma ate most of my candy. Momma said she didn't want my teeth to rot out. She is a good Momma.

The great walker.......

It was cold outside this morning. Papa made me wear one of his biking hats. I don't like caps and will NOT wear my gloves. We walked Tudoor--Scooter--and Dede--Lulu--around the block. Most of the time I walk unless I'm tired and sometime we go over a mile. Papa says my white shoes are worn slap out from all the walking. I had to wear my brown shoes which I don't like because Papa said my white shoes were at Mimi's house. Mimi says I should not always believe what Papa says and that he is a bad influence.

Last weekend Momma took me to Columbia to see my best friend Tommy and his family. We had a good time. We visited the zoo, and now I can talk like a monkey. Mimi calls me Funny Bunny. If bunnies talked, I bet I could talk like one because I can talk like a horse, pig, sheep, cat, dog and cow. Mooooooo.

Our pumpkin..

Mom gave me a bath and since I'm a big boy now I got to help Papa carve the pumpkin. Papa says carving the pumpkin makes him want pumpkin pie and my job is to ask Mimi to make one. Papa says I have Mimi wrapped around my little finger and she will do anything for me. From Papa: no one seemed to notice the pumpkin has one square eye and one triangle shaped eye.

I'm learning to pee pee in the poddy. I can stand on my stool and hold my wee wee and now all I have to learn to do is pee pee

From Papa...

He is 2 years old and owns more trucks than Yellow Freight and is a close runner up to UPS. He can scatter all 400 of his toys around the house at a 4 minute per mile pace. He is genetically programed to walk through every mud puddle. He likes to turn off the TV, one night every time he turned it off I'd turn it back on with the remote..after about an hour I gave up and started reading a book.
He can say I wlove you... but more important he says I'm Papa's buddy. It took awhile to do it but the other day he walked 1.5 miles. Most nights he wants to go to bed by 8 PM--it's all those long walks and keeping up with the truck fleet. Our favor food is beans and rice, he likes his meal with milk but I only drink milk in a white Russian.

I went to see Dr. Malcolm on Friday, and I am now 36 ¼ inches (91 percentile) and 33.4 pounds (94 percentile).

Saturday morning Mama let me crawl in bed with her after I woke up at 6 a.m. We went back to sleep for 20 minutes until Dede woke me up; she was snoring.

“Dede go night-night,” I said to Mama.

Mama said nothing.

Cartoons were on; maybe that would get her attention. “I want TV.”

Mama said nothing.

“I want go play.”

Mama said nothing.

The situation was calling for drastic measures. Finally, I said, “I want kiss.”

Mama caved. I got a kiss, a cup of choes (Cheerios) and I got to watch the Disney channel.

I'm 2 years old...

My best friend Tommy is 3 years old which is very old. He came for my birthday party this week end. We played with trucks, went to the beach and ate chocolate cake. Tommy is a very big talker, Papa says he gets it from his Mom. Papa talks a lot too. I can hold up one finger and say TWO which makes Mom smile. I like to say "I wlove you." Papa lets me hold Dede's leach when we walk the dogs.

Party People..

This is a picture of Mimi and me at Mimi's birthday party. Her cake looked just like mine. Papa said I should wear the pink birthday hat because my hair is
so long I look like a girl. Mimi said if Papa gives me a haircut when she is out of town, she will give him a big bobo.

The other day Mimi and I went for a walk to the firestation, and I was disappointed because one of the fire trucks was missing. Where did it go? On the way back home, we saw the missing truck going down the road. I got very excited. I waved and waved and waved. The firemen saw me and waved back. We are big friends.

Papa and his little buddy...

Sometimes Papa helps me eat my dinner. Papa and I like peanut butter, salmon, butter beans, all kinds of fruit, but, most of all, we like pasta.

Today in school my toy stopped working, and I tried to get Ms. Weeeze [Louise] to fix it. She didn't know how to fix it until I turned it over and showed her where the batteries go. I also like to turn on the TV and the stove timer. When I help Papa at his desk he tells me to leave his mouse alone.

This week I had tubes put in my ears and they put me to sleep at the hospital. Mama said I was loose as a goose from the baby valium that they gave me to calm down. Big people are funny because I never saw a mouse or a goose around our house. It's 8:00, and I'm going to bed--I like my big boy bed.

23 months and counting down to two.

I found Mama's lipstick and tried to put it on. Papa said it proved you can put lipstick on a little piggy.

I can repeat anything I hear. Mimi says Papa better clean up his act or they will throw me out of church school where I go in the mornings.

When Mimi takes me for a walk, I tell her where to go. We go to see the firetrucks, and I know the way home. One day Mama and Uncle Clark took me to Mt. Pleasant and I cried when they didn't turn on to the road where Mimi lives.

I can use a fork and spoon with either hand. Papa wants me to use my right hand. Anytime I use my left hand Mama tells Papa so he has to change my hands which makes Mama laugh. Papa says Mama can be a beach. I like trucks and my blanket. Sometimes it is hard to carry my big truck and blanket at the same time. I'll cry if someone takes my blanket away. I like to take a bath with my big truck, but not my blanket. I can say, "I 'you" [I love you].

Poop wars

Papa had to change my dirty diaper yesterday. He said it was so bad there was poop between my toes. He said there were four whole washing machines full of messed up clothes and blankets. He said the smell was so bad the neighbor's dog ran away from home. He said the city is going to quarantine our house. He said the grass was going to stop growing. On the bright side, he said that all the squirrels and mice have left the neighborhood and there are no more bugs in the house or yard. He said that if there is ever a poop war, we'd win hands down. Mimi says Papa is a whimp. What is a whimp?

Beach trip..

Mommy, Mimi, Papa, Aunt Caroline and I went to the beach for a week. We always have a big party when Aunt Caroline comes to town. I wish she would come to see us everyday. I ran up and down the beach about a million times and all the big people took turns watching me. Papa says I worn everyone out trying to keep up. There were other kids to play with and a couple big girls who I really liked talking to. My favorite toy on the beach is my sail boat which moves like the wind. Sometimes I got a little cranky when there was a lot of rain but was worn out and ready for bed every night.

Mimi's back!

Mimi's back after 10 days in Alabama. She went there to shell and freeze butterbeans--more than 60 quarts. Mama said it would have been cheaper to go to Publix.... I don't know about that. Mimi brought back some terrific corn, butterbeans and tomatoes. Dinner was good last night.

Learning to swim

Yesterday Uncle Clark took me swimming at Mimi's pool.... I'm getting ready to go to the ocean when Aunt Caroline comes later in the month.

Big boy everything

On July 5, I decided I wanted to take a nap in my big boy bed. Later that night Mama put me in the big boy bed again. And before I could blink an eye, she and Uncle Clark had moved my baby bed into the attic. (Mama doesn't let any grass grow under her feet.)

I also got a big boy haircut, but it was an accident. The lady cutting my hair was so bedazzled by my charming personality (I was being a pill) that she didn't pay attention to Mama's instructions. It's starting to grow out now, but Mimi is still complaining. Mama said we'll never hear the end of it.

Uncle Clark took this picture of Mama and me. Mama said he needs photography lessons, but she's not really complaining. Uncle Clark has been a rock while Papa has been gone.

Another hard day with Mimi

When I run I run fast. When I play I play hard. But when I eat I fall asleep.

Where did Papa go?

I don't know where Papa has gone. I see people driving his car but he is not with them. His bicycle is gone so maybe he is off riding on it.

She's at it again!

Mama! Taking pictures! For a baby contest! Isn't that like a beauty contest? That's for girls. If it isn't a truck or a ball, I don't want anything to do with it. Unfortunately, Mama is persistent, but she's still not good enough for me. I don't stand still long enough for her to get a good shot, and after a day of running around after me with the camera, she gives up.

Papa

My papa is very far away right now in a place called Montana. It's not as hot in Montana as it is in South Carolina. I don't mind the heat, and I don't know why my papa had to leave me. When I see Nissan trucks like Papa's, I always say his name. And when I see someone with a beard, I say his name. Mom says that he'll be home soon. I sure hope so.... In the meantime, I have a whole lot of new, loud toys that Papa isn't going to like when he comes home. The best one is a lawn mower that blows bubbles. Mimi bought it for me!

Long hot summer..

Jack, Papa is on a cross country bicycle trip this summer and he misses his little buddy. When he comes home you'll probably be all grown up or at least ready to get your drivers licence.

Be good to your mom and say hello to Mimi for me. Also, it would be nice if you would throw the ball to Scooter.

See you soon.

At the beach

When I'm good, Mimi takes me to the beach. I've got my own pail and shovel and dump truck and I have a great time. Mama went with us on Saturday, and we had so much fun that I fell into a deep sleep on the way home and woke up in my big-boy bed.

I'm still a little suspicious of the big-boy bed and at night I still go to bed in my crib.... This morning I woke up on the wrong side of the crib. Mama said I was being a little bear and left me alone while I got right with the world.

You can't leave me alone for 5 seconds

No autographs please

Tool time......

Another first

Last night Mom was talking to Papa when I walked into the kitchen.

Papa looked at Mom and said, "I thought you put him to bed!"

Mom said, "I did!"

For Pete's sake, I'm 3-feet plus--of course I can climb out of my crib.

Mom seemed a little unnerved, especially when I demonstrated four more times.

Papa comment: When your Mom got sick and tired of cute I took over. Every time you would stick your head out of the bedroom door I'd say in my deep voice, "Boy, you better get back in there!" Your bottom lip would stick out but you didn't cry. After a while I went in you room where you were playing on the floor. I put you in bed and told you I would protect you and that I loved you. You went to sleep--all that climbing had you tired out.

My first boat ride

Saturday was a big day. It was Memorial Day weekend, and I went for my very first boat ride. Mom and I went to the country to see Mom's friends. Before Mom was finished unloading the car, I had jumped in Morgan's golf cart and was busy steering.

Mary took us for a ride and we saw a real live bunny. Then Dickie took us for a ride in the boat. The weather was funny. It got cold and dark and started to rain so we didn't stay out long and went up to the house for hamburgers and milk, except that I was the only one drinking milk. Morgan sat with me and made me laugh.

Mary played blocks with me, and Dickie threw me up in the air. I didn't get to see much of Diedrich--he had to study and then took off with a friend. We loaded up the car around bedtime, and I was asleep before we got off the dirt road. It was a fun day.

We can't remember...

Playing in the yard is fun. I like to dig in Mama's flower beds--Papa calls me a the dirty little digger. I also like to play ball with Dede and Scooter. Scooter always steals my ball, but if he tries to steal Dede's ball she gets mad and growls. Scooter and I don't play with Dede when she growls. Papa says he thinks I'm crying because Scooter, Dede and I were running and we all ended up in the same spot. Then again maybe I helped Mama out by pulling up some flowers. Does it look like I'm crying because I got my body or my feelings hurt?

Note from Mama: You were crying because you pulled Dede's tail, and I told you not to do it anymore. You little, stinker!

Ball Park

Summer time and the living is easy....

These are my friends who live in the neighborhood. They like to throw the ball to Dede and Scooter and play with me. Papa says Mama is a better babysitter than he is cause she likes to boss people around. He also says we should form a ball team and call ourselves the Rugrats. Scooter could be the short-stop, but he would run away with the ball. Dede could be in charge of vending, but she would eat the popcorn.

I'm innocent....

I wanted use the drapes on the glass door for a blanket and Papa hollered at me just when they were about to come loose! He called me a little curtain climber.

A New SRV

This is my new SRV (sports recreational vehicle) that my sweet, generous Mimi bought me. In the old days they were called tricycles, but Papa calls his a pedicab, so I decided to one up him. It's a Radio Flyer. It has a canopy to keep the sun off my face, and there's even a box in the back to put my tools in... I love Mimi!

Firetrucks, birthdays and other fun stuff

Last week Mimi and I went for a walk. She wanted to go straight, and I pointed left and did that thing that annoys Mama--I said, "Uh, uh, uh, uh!"

Mimi, being the accomodating grandmother that she is, turned left. At the stop sign, I pointed left and uh-uh-uhed again. And at the next stop sign, again... until we came to the fire station where the great big red fire trucks are.

Mimi thinks I'm brilliant, and my Mama, who can't find her way out of a hole, is wondering if I'm her kid!

Friday was my birthday, but everybody forgot. I'm 19 months old now. On Saturday, after I finished my breakfast, Mama took the tray off my high chair and put it on the barstool. After she got me down, I picked up the tray, like Mama does, and put it on the floor so that Dede could have a snack.

Also on Saturday, I held the gate open for Mama to walk through. She clapped her hands and said I have very good manners.

I like yogurt...........a lot.

Hair of the dog..

Papa took this picture before I could talk, around Christmas 2007 and here is what he said:

"Jack likes to play in Scooter's bed, which makes his mom nervous. I figure a little hair of the dog never hurt any of us. Which reminds me, we went for a walk yesterday and he came home with muddy pants and I explained to his mom,"You learn to cross the ditch by crossing the ditch."

My favorite toy..

This is a picture of me with my favorite toy taken in November 2007. Here is what Papa said:
"This real wood toy, unlike the cheap plastic toys, makes a BIG racket when banged on the floor. Jack seemed a little young for it, so I put it in the garage for awhile. Now I can't seem to find it. Oh well, it'll probably turn up in a few years?"

Early morning...

Guess who the sleepy head is?

Bless his heart...

This is a picture of my first black eye. A mosquito bit me near the eye yesterday when I was helping Mama paint the fence. Papa said he figured it was over due since I'm always running around like a little Indian and running into
things.

I like to help paint. Mama says she can't wait for me to learn how to use a brush instead of my hands. Now I have my own paint shirt.

Today Uncle Clarke and Mimi ate dinner with us. I wanted to show off so I ate pineapple with my own fork. I like my fork. Last night I slept 12 hours...Mama says that's really showing off and I'm a smart boy.

Papa says Mimi was mean to him....why would anyone be mean to my Papa?

Thing I know...18 months

I know what a car, a truck, a ball, a set of keys, a blanket, a pair of shoes and a highchair are.

I can tell you when I want raisins, milk, my blanket or to go for a walk. (Note from Mama: he often doesn't articulate this; he points and goes, "Uh, uh, uh, UH!!!") If you don't get me food and plenty of it, I will let you know, and I need extra food so I can feed Dede.

Just ask me where my eyes, ears, nose, feet, belly button are, and I'll point them out.

I can help put up toys, put stuff in trash, fetch books for Mama and help brush my teeth.

If I feel like it, I can make a sound like a cow, a duck, a sheep, a puppy dog, a kitty cat, and a horse. I like it when Papa and I make duck sounds... we're funny.

Things I like: 1. walking with Mimi, 2. when Mama comes home from work, 3. being Papa's shadow, 4. going to Earth Fare with Uncle Clark for cookies 5. riding my worm, 6. taking my bath, 7. playing in the yard, 8. playing with my green truck and 9. going to school 10. looking at the turtles, ducks and kitties when I'm on a walk.

Mama says that best of all, I can get my blanket and wait by the bed at night for her to put me to sleep. What does it mean when people say, "I need a little boy break?"

Like a weed.....

This is a picture of me at my first school. Papa always take pictures of me when I'm in my farmer overalls. Mom calls Papa names--what is a country bumpkin?

I wasn't very hungry last night so I only ate blueberries, banana, rice, avocado, Cheerios, Alaskan salmon and a couple of kiwis. My overalls are getting tight, Papa says I need some new ones.

new truck..no nose

James Jackson Wallace

My first picture with Papa:

Jackson James Wallace
7 pounds, 10 ounces.
20.5 inches long
born 12:30 AM
Monday October 9th 2006

Squeaky Baby

This is a picture of mom and me when I was a new baby. When Mom went to the hospital to get me, she had a list of people to help out, but since I came early, no one was ready. Mimi was on the top of the list, but she was in Alabama. All of Mom's other friends were also out of town so Mom had to call Papa who was sailing that day. Papa said that since he was finished sailing, he would help out. Mom said he wasn't much help but did manage to stop talking long enough for me to show up.

Dr. Baker said I was a nice-sized baby, but I think I was small then. After I arrived, Mom was very hungry. The nurse brought her a sandwich and a piece of chocolate cake--she said it was my birthday cake.

Jack Goes to the Country

I went to the doctor last week for my 18-month checkup. Dr. Malcolm says that I'm doing exceptionally well. I weigh 30.6 pounds and am half an inch shy of being 3 feet, which makes me off the charts.

For my birthday, Mama and Mimi took me to the country. There were tractors, horses, cows, and acres and acres of pasture to run around in and play chase with little cousins. I had a blast and was very tired every night. Mama said she had to wash my clothes in the heavy duty cycle because I got so dirty!

Meddling...

Mimi and Mama say that I'm too busy meddling these days... They seem strangely familiar with the concept... I wonder.

I cut my lip on Saturday. When I stood up in the chair in the backyard, it closed up on me and I bit my lip and fell on the ground. Mama said to be sure to tell everyone that it was on Papa's watch.