The march of the ants

Meal time in the Bruns household just became a little more interesting! I just attempted to feed Jack a delicious meal of pureed peas and squash...two veggies that he enjoys. And, he refused to eat them. Now, some of you may be wondering how a 9 month old refused to do something. Well, his lips were locked and arms were flapping which makes getting a spoon to his mouth with food still on it nearly impossible. So, I decided to give up. Although, being the mom I am, knew this lunchtime wasn't over yet. So, I decided we'd try a grilled cheese. As I opened the fridge I was reminded of the left-over baked beans from last night. So, while the cheese was grilling, I started feeding him beans. YUMM-O! The grilled cheese wasn't the hit I was hoping for...I ate most of it! I thought it was super gooey cheesy delicious! And, Jack did okay with me feeding him his beans - with adult silverware might I add. But, he is showing an interest in feeding himself. He doesn't have the motion down quite yet (I bought some overpriced Gerber snacks to help him master the skill). My definition of messy is certainly being redefined! (If only we had a dog!) But, thankfully its summer! I'll let him master the art of self-feeding! Outside!

Jack's First Haircut

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What a hoot!

As I'm sitting in an office chair, staring at my computer, I decided to take a few moments and re-live the experience I'd had this past year!

• A year ago, I was complaining about not being able to reach my toes to paint my nails.
• A year ago, I was wondering how I was possibly going to have an even tan, since I couldn't roll onto my belly. I decided to use self-tanner. My skin thanked me! My nose cursed me!
• A year ago, as my trips to the bathroom were increasing and lack of sleep increasing, I was hopeful, that once Jack arrived, all would be better!
• A year ago I was longing for a glass of wine!
• A year ago I was growing out of my maternity clothes...hoping I'd be able to finish my pregnancy wearing what was in my closet.
• A year ago I was anxious to get back to running & spinning!
• A year ago I was freaking out about my house being clean!

The reality of having a baby!

• I can reach my toes! (I always could...it was a feat, but it was doeable!) But, my toes are painted! Well, they're chipping! Hopefully I'll get to them tonight! Don't even ask me how my eye brows look!!!!
• The tan won't be an issue this summer! I'm working part-time and Jack naps! My skin will hate me! My nose will love me! Although - due to the fact that I have stretchmarks (I'm using Mederma to help them dissappear) - I'm sporting a tankini!
• Sleep! Hah! As I've mentioned - Jack is a horrible sleeper! But, even on nights when he does sleep through the night, I still wake up - to pee!
• Wine! Wine makes me tired. 3 glasses is 1 too many! I don't have the luxury to nurse a hangover!
• Half of my pants still don't fit and probably never will! My hips spread! (I'm coming out of the denial phase.) Yes, I'm amazed at what this body has gone through and Mark says I'm beautiful, but I want my skinny pants to fit!
• Hah! I've run once in 17 months! BRUTAL! The gym membership has been canceled! Shouldn't toting around a 20lber be enough?!?!
• Clean house! Its for the birds! It stays clean for the duration of nap time!

But, my heaven's...the toys strewn about, bags-under-my-eyes, 1 glass wonder, size xxxx pants, and chipping toe nailpolish is all worth it for the smiles, giggles, love, and pure and utter enjoyment and entertainment I get from my little boy!

April Showers

What showers? Mark and I have been suffering from the sneezies this month! Not only has the sun been shining but its been warm! So warm, that our AC has been turned on a couple of times! (Well, part of that is due to the pollen and Mark working in a non-air conditioned school!)

Not long after my last post, Jack started army crawling. Well, it was more worm-like than army-like! And then, he started scooting on his bottom! He's becoming quite speedy and often times I find him at my feet before I know it. We definitely can't put him down and expect him to stay put very long!

Who needs toys when you have throw rugs?

Monkey See Monkey Do!

He is becoming quite chatty and has started babbling "Dadadada". We've been spending a lot of time outside lately! He enjoys our daily walks, has started to like the swing, and loves the slide! We had a play date at the park this week...the kids played in the sand. D.I.R.T.Y. I have to get over this! I have a boy.

I think its official - we have a HORRIBLE sleeper! We had to endure a few nights of crying again in order to get him sleeping through the night. We had quite a few nights of sleeping in the guest bedroom together and a night that I only got 4 hours of sleep. Then it was time to put the kabosh on his nonsense! Eva has also mentioned she has been unable to get him to take 2 naps because he wants to be where the action is. But, any sleep book will tell you that being overtired doesn't equal a good nights rest. Although, this past week I found out why he might only get 1 nap. We endured a couple afternoon's of "not wanting" to go down. Thankfully, I have the luxury of giving it another 15 minutes before trying again.

I just love how tiny his feet are!

We discovered a food allergy - kiwi. Thankfully his reaction was mild - just a blotchy face. But, I was amazed at how quickly it appeared. And, we think he's cutting more teeth. He has another runny nose and his fingers are in his mouth - a lot. We hope it happens soon!

We've had some busy weekends this month! We celebrated Easter at our house! Nana, Papa, Uncle Hube, Aunt Katie, Madison, Avery, and Poppy came down for the day! (Lolly was in Denver with Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle JB, & Ben!)

The Easter Bunny came!

This red ball is so cool!

The dump truck is fun too!

Playing outside with Nana & Papa! Waiting for everyone else!

Hoppy Easter!!!!

Hanging out with Poppy!

We also went to Coldwater to celebrate Madison's 2nd Birthday!

Happy Birthday Madison!

Avery's socks are yummy!

James Benjamin Garza

Introducing the newest member of the Kensinger Family!

James Benjamin Garza

March 25, 2010

10:27pm (MST)

8 pounds, 4 ounces

20 1/4" tall!

Lucky # 7

I know I say this every month, but in all honesty, where has the time gone? I cannot believe Jack has filled our home with giggles, squeals, fussies, smiles, poopy diapers, and love for the past 7 months! I still get butterflies of excitement when I pick him up from Eva's! March was a fairly slow month! I don't feel like I have a bunch of milestones to report...we're still not crawling, although he'll turn from a seated position onto his knees for a few seconds before flattening out. He obviously does a bit better on the carpet than wood floors and I am thinking as soon as it warms up some more, and he's no longer in long pants, we'll get it down. He is getting really good at standing and enjoys using the ottoman's to hold himself up and pound away! Everything makes noise you know! And noise he makes! He's found his vocal cords and has such a lovely voice! One day, while in his excersauser, he noticed that if he yells loud enough the transmitter in his room will pick up his voice and the receiver that is in the family room will light up. This has been the cause of much laughter this month! I'd also like to mention that Jack hugs! He's been doing this for awhile now but its only getting better and better! He'll throw his arms around your neck and hold on tight! The really good hugs are when he scrunches his legs into you too! He is a character!

Patiently waiting for supper! "Blue Sheep"

This is the wrong end Dad!

Eating (clean) socks in my fort!

And with another month in cold and flu season we ended up with another cold and ear infection. But, this cold was a bit different as his low-grade fever spiked to concerning levels. I received a frantic call from Eva letting us know that we needed to get Jack and take him to the Doctor. Because I've done this a time or two, I knew I needed to know his temperature, which she said was 106. Holy Moses! 106! (We were informed at the Drs office that her thermometer was likely broken but I'm sure his temperature was still on the higher end.) But, because we told them his temperature was so high, they decided to run him through a gamut of testing. It was awful! For both of us! Jack was screaming because he just wanted to be held and I had to keep reminding myself that they're torturing my baby to try to figure out what is wrong. When I was FINALLY able to pick him up, I shed a few tears along with him! Of course everything came back "normal" (other than his white blood cell count being high) and he got to spend a day with Lolly!

Jack & Lolly! (Lolly is going to kill me ;-)!)

Once we were finally healthy and the weather warmed up, we've been able to spend some time outside! Mark hung the swing on the tree in our backyard and we've spent lots of time sliding down the slide! Nana & Papa also came for a visit and got to babysit while Mark and I went to the Booster Bash.He also knows his name! I've caught him reaching for the curtains to chew on and when I say "Jack, no", he stops, looks at me, and continues playing. Of course since he's a male and has selective hearing I have to redirect his attention 99% of the time. I hope he doesn't think his name is "Jackno" or "Nojack", because he's hearing the word no more frequently!

Big boy using (sort of) his sippy!

Yummy, Yummy, Yummy, in my Tummy, Tummy, Tummy

Jack has had a weekend of a few more "firsts"! He sat in the grass for the first time (dead winter grass...pretty unimpressive)! Licked the brownie spoon! And ate some baked potato!