8 IS GREAT!

WOW! My first born is 8 today. This boy has taught me VOLUMES about myself and life in general. As I reflect 8 years ago today all I can do is smile. I or should I say we have come a LONG way. I remember overreacting to EVERYTHING when he was a baby. It is funny how much you change with each child that you have. I was all about Baby Wise. I don't know if anyone is familiar with this book but it was basically my Bible. I followed all of the rules to a T. Nap time, feeding time and play time were at the same exact time everyday. I would NEVER, EVER deviate. It cracks me up just thinking about it. My own husband called me the milk natzi. As a result of this regimented schedule, it bred a child who is unable to tolerate much change. He likes to know what is going to happen throughout the day and gets upset if plans change! I don't know why I should expect otherwise.

At 8, Jake is very sensitive and self-concious. He will get his feelings hurt fairly easily. He is very intellegent and excels in math. I swear he is smarter in math than me which I guess probably doesn't really surprise anyone! He is very interested in members of the opposite sex which in my opinion is a bit early. The ladies seem to like him as well. He has very good manners when he wants to. He is very skinny and won't eat anything. He won't eat cheese, bread, bologna, or peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches. He will only eat a certain brand of chicken nuggets which are the most expensive ones at the grocery store! He basically lives on chicken nuggets. He informed me the other day that he doesn't like pizza anymore either. I have no clue what to feed that kid. He loves sports and I think he is best at basketball. Maybe its because I just really like basketball and I want him to really like basketball! He does enjoy baseball too. He loves to be a "boy" and say things like weiner and pee pee and laugh hysterically. He is getting interested in music and really wants an ipod. It is really funny to watch him dance (albeit he got his moves from his Dad not his Mom meaning......the boy is white, ALL white)! He loves the Black Eyed Peas and most of the music on the radio. He is VERY stubborn and doesn't like the word no. I'm sure most kids his age are like this too. He is persistent and patient. This is one of my favorite things about Jake. If he doesn't succeed in something he usually just keeps at it until he does. He is very resposible for his age. I believe him to be an old soul. He is very considerate of others and shows great empathy toward people. He loves reading and he loves baseball cards. He LOVES his Nintendo DsiXL and his Wii. I do have to monitor that because he is the type of kid who can get really sucked into hours of video games if I let him. His favorite ice cream is chocolate mint and his favorite dinner is spaghetti which I am making for him tonight. No meatballs though!

I don't want to get all sappy and mushy but.......Jake is the one who turned me into a mother. This is the best "job" I could have ever asked for. I am so thankful and feel so blessed that I get to be home and raise my children and not miss one second of their childhood. Being a mother is kind of scary because you don't really know how you are doing in your "job" until later. Not until your kids are grown and on their own. I hope I am providing what they need to be self-sufficient, functioning adults. I guess time will tell. Anyway.....Happy Birthday to my little man who I am so proud of!