Jack is 3!!!!

You guys. My baby. He's 3.

I'm not sure exactly what it is about a kid that turns three, but it seems to eliminate just about all aspects of babyhood about them. I'm trying not to be sad. But you know, those pregnancy/mama hormones just aren't doing me any favors these days.

I've been working on finishing Jack's baby book the past few days. Yeah, yeah. He's 3. I should have had this done two years ago. Ha.

But it's done now! (Think I'll have any better luck getting baby sister's book done quicker? :P)

It's been so fun looking back on the thousands lots of baby photos I have of Jack. I love remembering all the different stages he's been through and how quickly he seemed to pass through them.

The days are long, but the years are short.

Never have I heard a more accurate statement to describe watching your child grow. Sometimes I even think about how while I haven't even met the little baby girl growing inside me, but she might as well already be 6 months old. Because that's how quickly time flies. I'm going to blink and there she'll be chasing after her big brother.

I do have days when I am just like, okay, bedtime yet??? But then most of my days really are spent enjoying the moments with my boy. I'm soaking the time up even more these days because soon, it won't be just him and I going on adventures together. We'll love having baby sister, of course. But for now, there is something special about knowing these days with just Team Jack Bean and Mommy (as we like to call ourselves - cheesy, I know) are going to be a distant memory. Of course I hope to have have Jack and Mommy days coming up, but they won't be the same.

I'm scared for what that means for both of us. It'll be hard. But hopefully it'll be the best thing in the long run. I think both Jack and I can be a little too attached to one another. LOL.

Jack continues to astound me with how smart he is. I am not even going to apologize for saying that this time because this is his birthday update and I can shameless brag about him as much as I want.

He says all the words. Maybe not all of them. And fortunately not all at the same time. But this kid is a non-stop talking machine. And his words are so clear. You rarely have to ask him to repeat himself. Unless you're my dad and are old and going deaf. lol. (sorry, dad. ha.)

He still says some of his V's like B's and L's like W's. But I kinda love it. I know he'll outgrow this kind of baby talk eventually, but right now I WUV IT! haha.

He does simple math. Not kidding. I don't force it. I actually refrain from setting up official learning games and stuff because I don't want learning to become too structured yet. But if we're playing a marble game, I might throw out, what's 3 marbles plus 3 marbles. And nine times out of ten, he doesn't have to count them all collectively. He practices math on his hands by himself all the time. Or with his food. It's awesome.

His new thing is science and learning about the universe and the Earth. He's obsessed with The Magic School Bus show. The other day he told me in detail all about how honey bees collect nectar from flowers to make the honey. He loves learning. Loves it. He's a very hands-on kid and isn't really one for playing with toys. Unless it's a tool of some kind.

Oh, give this kid a magnifying glass and set him loose outside, he's done for hours. Seriously.

His other obsession is bubbles. Kid has always been a bubble fan.

He also still loves playing with his spray bottle full of water outside. Especially loves to water my weeds. lol. Thanks, buddy.

He's also officially hitting threenager status. Boy has some sass on him that I never expected. I try and not encourage it, but dang it's funny. It's such a struggle to not laugh every time he says something bossy or with major attitude. Coming from such a tiny, sweet little creature, these words are hysterical. BUT, they probably won't be so cute in a couple years, so hopefully it's just a phase. ha.

Like I mentioned in my last blog post, tantrums are few and far between with this one. I've gotten pretty good at figuring out timing on big excursions like to the park and grocery store (after lunch, but before naptime.) to avoid any kind of meltdown. It's a careful balance. lol. One that will surely be disrupted by the presence of a newborn in a few months.

Oh, he naps again. Not every day, but a lot more frequently than the past few months where he didn't nap AT ALL.

Naps are good and bad. They are good for him to get a chance to wind down, but it also means bedtime gets pushed back. So that eliminates my personal time in the evenings since if he's going to bed at 10, I usually can't stay awake past then.

He's still a mama's boy (which I LOVE) but if daddy's home, it's all about daddy. The time away we've had to have from Daniel while he's at his new job has been hard on Jack. I know he's tired when he starts crying for Daniel and saying, "I miss my daddy! I just want daddy back." It's hard.

I can't imagine how tough it must be for military families or divorced families who have to live this way on a more regular basis. Kudos to you all making it work! And a very big kudos to my own mama who did it with four kids (one of which was special needs) for years and years during my childhood. My dad always worked far away for weeks or months at a time. I remember it being hard, but I think we were all just used to it. I am sure it was far more difficult for my poor mom.

Hopefully we'll sell our house soon and we won't have to continue to do this distance much longer.

We're so excited for Daniel to come home this weekend so we can do a little "party" and take Jack to his first movie in the movie theater! We're not going too crazy on a big party or anything just because of our current circumstances.We had a special little pizza party dinner for him last night at my grandpa's house and ate cupcakes! 

And today, his very sweet Aunt Courtney and Uncle Marvin brought him his new BIG BOY BIKE! He'll need to grow into it, but he loves it.

I feel so lucky to see how many people love and adore this sweet boy. I obviously think he's pretty much the sweetest, funniest, smartest and cutest little three year old around, but I'm his mama so I'm obviously biased. Thanks to all of his amazing family and friends who have gone out of their way to send gifts and bday messages to make my little man have a fabulous third birthday. We love you all!

And a special note to my sweet little Jack Bean: 

If you ever read this (you might care when you're older!) I want you to know how honored I feel every day to get to be your mom. Even on the hardest of days, having you by my side has made my life worth living and is by far the most important "work" I've ever done. I can't wait to watch you grow and learn and strive to meet all your goals. You are amazing, kiddo. And I promise I won't call you Jack Bean forever. (Just for a few more years while I can still get away with it. ha.) Love you, baby. More than you'll ever know. <3