Meet Baby Jones

Dear Avery -

So, you and I have survived your first couple of days of school. I was nervous, Daddy was relieved, and you, well, I told you all about going to school and stuff but I don’t think you had any clue what was coming.

The night before your big day, I felt so frenzied. At 8p, we still had a ton of stuff to do like take your Lola home (which by the way takes a total of 2.5 hours to complete and doesn’t begin until 9p so you do the math) and complete the 100-page application to your school that I felt like there was no way I was going to be going to bed at a decent hour so I can wake up and not be a crankypuss. I wanted to be genuinely pleasant on Monday so your morning is pleasant as well. But I worried this just wasn’t going to be.

Monday morning came, however, and it wasn’t as bad as I’d expected. While you were still asleep, I got up first and then showered. Before 8 am!! A rarity in our household since you were born. You then woke up and greeted me in the bathroom as I was blow-drying my hair with the loveliest, warmest smile ever. How can anyone be grumpy after being witness to that?

As I was getting you dressed, Daddy started talking to me from downstairs about making sure I took the digital AND video cameras with me to capture your first day at school. I told him that was impossible. There were just too many things for me to worry about that morning that taking photos, as hard as that was for even me to believe, was just the last thing on my very long list. That clearly wasn’t the answer Daddy wanted to hear though because without hesitation, he decided he would go in to work late so he could come with us and serve as the official documenter.

When we arrived at school, you still had no clue what was up. As usual, you were curious about everything, stopping to inspect every picture that was taped to the wall and playing with the toys in the lobby.

Your mood quickly changed, however, when we entered your classroom. All of a sudden, you couldn’t move a thing. You stood in the doorway and just observed everyone and everything. Forever.

After a few minutes of concentrated observation from your post, you finally started to venture away from the door and began to explore once again.

You even became comfortable enough with your teacher, Ms. Ashley, to approach her so you can proudly point to the dog on the puzzle tray.

Daddy and I hung around long enough to make sure you were ok in your new surroundings with all those new people. When it was time to leave, we were instructed to do so like we were removing a band-aid from a wound - swiftly and with our eyes closed. We did that, but it only took you a second to realize that we were no longer in the room. As soon as you realized we had snuck out, you let out a deafening cry.

It broke my heart to leave you and it took every bit of self-control I had not to turn back and snatch you away from your teacher. I kept silently repeating as I walked out of the school, “I’ll see you again in just 3 1/2 hours”, hoping you’ll somehow telepathically receive this message and stop your crying. Sadly, you didn’t get my message because Ms. Ashley said that you cried more than a few tears in class.

When I came to pick you up, Ms. Patti was carrying you as you guys stood by the window. You turned around when you heard the door open and almost flew out of Ms. Patti’s arms when you saw that it was me. I grabbed you from her and immediately, you started trying to tell me about your day. You started grunting while pointing to the outside, to your head, even to Ms. Ashley! It was as if you wanted to say (and as it was reported to me by Ms. Ashley) that you spent some time outside, that Ms. Jen showered you with kisses on your head, and that Ms. Ashley was the leader of the group.

Yes, I know you didn’t like being left with total strangers, but we’re only doing this now because we want you better prepared for when you really need to be in school for longer periods of time. Besides, although there were some sad moments for you, I was told that you had a great time overall, especially when you guys played outside!

Well, the day must’ve been truly exhausting for you because as soon as I put you in your carseat, you were done. I think you napped like 3 hours that day - a record for you these days.

This is the beginning of many years of schooling for you, Avery. You’ll learn so much about so many things and you’ll meet many different people. I am so excited for you and all the knowledge that you’re about to uncover through this educational journey that you’ve began.

Love,
Mommy

Took these photos last week, but I’ve been slacking lately so they’re just now making their grand appearance. Enjoy!

“How old are you, Aves?”



All this because I wouldn’t allow him to eat grass.



Just a second later.

Here are some of my other favorite photos from the “Time to Water the Plants” set taken last week:















“Watering the plants” in the morning has become part of the routine for Avery and me. When the weather permits, we go outside after breakfast, usually around 10 am, so he can run around while he “tends” to the plants. I change him into a “Splasher”, diapers designed to be worn by tots in the water, so he can get wet all he wants as he “waters” the plants.

My mom has planted a full-blown floral/vegetable garden in our yard. I love to look at it, but that’s about all the involvement I have with it. My mom hates that the plants don’t get watered unless she’s here, but no worries as I am training Avery to do the job that my mom expects me to do.

Here’s the little worker bee tending to the grounds:

So I got lucky on Craigslist and scored an almost-perfect train table for Avery for $60 - approximately 70% off of retail.



It looks exactly how it was advertised - “Like New!” It has no visible scratches and it is sturdy as heck. Should last us many, many years.

The one I really had hoped to get though was a similar table (’cept it was white) with 2 rolling bins underneath for storage PLUS about 100 pieces of Thomas the Tank train stuff for $100. Sadly, another psycho mom who thinks her child’s life will forever be negatively affected without a Thomas the Tank train set got to it first.

I’m really digging Craigslist lately. Besides the train table, I’ve also bought a Blackberry 8700c and been happy with the transaction. I’ve not tried to haggle because I’m just too tired lately, but I’m sure I’d be making out like crazy if I even gave it half the effort. Sooo much better than eBay because you know, it feeds into the whole instant gratification thing that I just completely live for!

Anyway, after I picked up the train table from the seller’s house (thanks Carole!) in Ardmore on Saturday night after work, I made the trek to the Target in Plymouth Meeting. Those who know Philadelphia and its suburbs would be able to appreciate the running around I did for the sake of my son’s happiness. I mean, everything was on the way back to our house, but geez Louise did I do some driving that night.

I emerged from Target with a wooden Thomas the Tank train set for $40 and bought 2 boxes of track extenders for $25/each.



I also bought another train set that’s battery-run, but that’s going back since I realize that 1 set is plenty for right now especially since Avery’s interest in the train set is limited to dismantling it and then trying to eat the pieces.

Go figure.

Sunday, July 20

Avery loves to death some blueberries. While looking for something wholesome and outdoorsy to do, Melvin and I got the idea to go on a Pick-Your-Own-Blueberries adventure. We chose Highland Orchards in West Chester, PA.

Avery’s adult companions (Melvin, my mom and I) didn’t have as much fun as we thought we would. But, it wasn’t about us. It was all about Avery. And lemme tell you, Avery had a blast!!!

Yeah, Avery really enjoyed picking and eating blueberries. He so obviously could’ve stayed out there all day, but his adult companions were this close to succumbing to heat stroke (it was hot as heck out there!), so we called it a day after about 45 minutes.

This was our picken’ at the end of our adventure. The entire tray cost about $7+, quite expensive considering we could’ve bought them at the store for as much or cheaper sans the hard labor. But hey, the activity was immensely enjoyed by Avery and for that, we’d pay anything.

Saturday, July 19

Avery’s Pop-Pop and Nana visited from MD today. I unfortunately had to work (darn having to work!) so I couldn’t join the fun, but hubby tells me a great time was had by all.

First stop was the American Helicopter Museum in West Chester, PA. I’d suggested the place because Avery’s Pop-Pop is an amateur pilot (he flies Cessnas) so I figured he’d be able to appreciate it. Besides, it was too darn hot to do anything that involved the outdoors so it was perfect.

(Playing with a propeller)



(Cap’n Avery in the “cockpit”)



(In a kid-sized helicopter)



(Avery following his Pop-Pop around. Maybe one day they’ll fly together, huh?)

The second half of the day was spent at QVC Studios. Hubby used to do IT consulting work there and had always wanted to go, so what better time than then?

I don’t know whether flash wasn’t allowed inside (very likely), or if Melvin left the flash home (even more likely). In any event, this was the only photo taken inside (Avery watching a live broadcast from the glass-enclosed catwalk above the studio) that came out half-decent because of the lack of lighting thing.

After the QVC Studio tour, the fun really got started!



(Questions: How many Joneses does it take to change a diaper, how much powder does a child’s bottom need, and why did the diaper fall off 2 hours later? *Hee hee hee*)



(Daddy flicking Avery with bird bath water and Avery thinking it is the absolute most entertaining thing in the whole wide world)



(The two loves of my life having such a great time)

Monday, July 14

The newest member of the Jones clan, Lizzie, was born to Melvin’s brother, William and his wife, Cara, on June 18. They arrived in the States (Cara is in the Air Force and is stationed in So. Korea) the second week of July to visit, so we met up with them in Bowie, MD.

Avery and Lizzie’s Pop-Pop treated everyone to dinner at the Olive Garden that afternoon. Here are some photos taken there:

(With Nana and Lizzie)



(Just think, in a year these two will be running after each other)



(First time eating with a fork)



“Yummy, yummy, yummy, meatballs in my tummy.”

After dinner, the gang went for a walk through my parents-in-laws’ neighborhood.

(Riding on Uncle Tim’s shoulders)



(The gang from L to R: Cara, Pop-Pop, William, Nana, Tim, Avery and Melvin)

“There are the horses, Mommy!”

Got Avery his first pair of stringed shoes the other day.

He obviously finds the string very intriguing.