Jack can now count to 30 fairly accurately and has worked his way to 50 with some help. He can also identify all numbers from 1-30 and most from 31-50 and 100. When he finishes counting cards (no he is not Rainman) he claps and yells, "Yay counting!" He has also added some new shapes to his repertoire: crescent, semi circle and trapezoid (my personal favorite). His new favorite songs "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" (he knows the words and sings most or part of it along with you). He still loves Final Jeopardy (he calls it "Funny Jeopardy") and dances in a circle and sings along with it until the end and claps either for himself or for the song. We think it's the former.
In the not so great milestone category, this morning he fell off the couch and hit the floor (softly) and said, "Dammit!" I am still oddly slightly proud due to the correct insertion of the word based on the circumstance. Looks like we are going to have to watch ourselves!!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Welcome to the Family, Dani!!
Danielle Brooke Soto born 11/30/10 
Jack meets Dani
The new and improved SotosOn November 30th, this blog became about two kids. Danielle Brooke Soto ("Dani") was born at 8:00 am via C-section. We checked in at 5:30 am at the hospital, went through all the paperwork stuff and, compared to last time, it was all a breeze! I had my blood drawn or IV put in at least 4 times and each time it only took 1 stick! My average is 2 sticks but with Jack it took 4 and 3 different nurses, so I was happy! I was nervous about the spinal but that was done quickly and easily and I was numb in seconds. I didn't get the shakes this time either and was so relaxed. She was out in seconds, even though she made it a little tough for the doctors--she didn't want to come out! I was shocked to see how big she was and then the weight check confirmed it--9 lbs 7 oz! No wonder I was so uncomfortable at the end!
The day of my surgery I actually was up and walking around. I felt pretty good. Day Two was awful as I had the built up gas from the surgery and it was causing major pain all over my body. In fact, taking both C-sections into account, I have never felt worse than I felt on day two this time. However, taking both into account, as a whole, this one was so much easier. After Day 2, I didn't take any more pain medication other than ibprofen. I am sore but not nearly as much as I was the first time!
As for Dani, she's perfect. Lots of dark hair, big and sturdy and, most importantly, healthy! She looks a lot like me but I see flashes of Jack too. She's sweet and snuggly and my fears of not loving her like I love Jack dissolved as soon as I got her into my arms! It's so strange to say I have two kids! It's scary and busy but it's early. I get feelings of guilt when paying attention to one kid more than the other but that will get better. We're still feeling out the situation and until we get it all figured out, it's going to be hard but today, as my new family was sitting at home watching our evening Jeopardy, I looked at my family and felt so happy and proud! Our family was perfect before but the addition of Dani has made it even better!
As for Jack, he visited us on Thursday in the hospital. He was interested in Dani off and on but spent the rest of the time just running around the room and talking to me. When we got home today, it was much the same. He would point her out, say "I'm a big brother.", and say her name but he wouldn't touch her. He did, however, show some interest when he noticed her polka dot pajamas as he walked up to her, pointed and said, "Mommy, how many circles?"
The day of my surgery I actually was up and walking around. I felt pretty good. Day Two was awful as I had the built up gas from the surgery and it was causing major pain all over my body. In fact, taking both C-sections into account, I have never felt worse than I felt on day two this time. However, taking both into account, as a whole, this one was so much easier. After Day 2, I didn't take any more pain medication other than ibprofen. I am sore but not nearly as much as I was the first time!
As for Dani, she's perfect. Lots of dark hair, big and sturdy and, most importantly, healthy! She looks a lot like me but I see flashes of Jack too. She's sweet and snuggly and my fears of not loving her like I love Jack dissolved as soon as I got her into my arms! It's so strange to say I have two kids! It's scary and busy but it's early. I get feelings of guilt when paying attention to one kid more than the other but that will get better. We're still feeling out the situation and until we get it all figured out, it's going to be hard but today, as my new family was sitting at home watching our evening Jeopardy, I looked at my family and felt so happy and proud! Our family was perfect before but the addition of Dani has made it even better!
As for Jack, he visited us on Thursday in the hospital. He was interested in Dani off and on but spent the rest of the time just running around the room and talking to me. When we got home today, it was much the same. He would point her out, say "I'm a big brother.", and say her name but he wouldn't touch her. He did, however, show some interest when he noticed her polka dot pajamas as he walked up to her, pointed and said, "Mommy, how many circles?"
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Dear Baby Girl
As Jack's blog becomes Jack and his sister's blog, I feel it's only fair to write my soon-to-be-daughter a little letter:
Dear Baby Girl,
I can't believe you are almost here! It seems like I have been pregnant for an eternity this time around. Maybe it's because it wasn't so long ago that I was pregnant with your brother or maybe it's because I've been running around after your brother this time instead of just relaxing whenever I want. Whatever the reason, it's felt long.
I'm so looking forward to your arrival but, if I'm honest, I'm a little scared. I've never known what it's like to have a sibling--Mommy's an only child, her Mommy's an only child, etc. I really wanted you guys to have each other so that you wouldn't feel some of the pressures that I felt as a kid. My parents never put any pressures on me, I put them on myself, but I don't want either of you to have to deal with that. I also want you to have each other. As playmates when you are little, hopefully as friends throughout your lives, and to lean on someday when we are gone.
Anyway, I think your brother is going to have a tough time at first, which is another reason I am a little scared. He likes being an only child. I think that he's going to be pretty mad at Mommy and Daddy for a little while. But I think that he is going to really like you and be very protective of you. I think that he won't like sharing the center of the universe with you, but that will probably be good for him. I am excited for him to have a little sister because I think you will become good buddies and he will like looking out for you. He's very easy going in most respects and he's really sweet. I think that you will really like him too. He's a cool kid who likes to do lots of stuff and be active. Hopefully you'll like to play together--once you can play!
There are a lot of traits that I hope you both share. I hope that you are as happy as he is. That you find joy in the simplest things. I hope that you love to learn like he does. And I really hope you are as good of a sleeper as he is!! Other than that, I am so curious as to what you will be like. Will you have Daddy's black hair or my brown (I was suprised when your brother got mine!) Will you get Daddy's beautiful skin tone or will I have to show you how to apply copious amounts of sunscreen? Will you love to laugh and experience new things? Whatever you are, I promise that I will love you with all my heart and try to always be the best Mommy possible.
I can't wait to have a daughter. I have such a special bond with my own mom and I hope that we will not only be mother and daughter but also good friends. We are going to have so much fun together. I look forward to having girls' time with you. However, I will apologize in advance for not being very girly. I am not very good at doing hair or applying makeup or picking out cute girly clothes. Actually, I thought maybe you could help me out in that respect.
So that's about all for now. November 30th will be a wonderful day for all of us. By the way, if you could just wait until that day, I'd really appreciate it--I would really like to have the doctor I picked on hand when you are born. I would also like to tie up all the loose ends at work and NOT have to do labor again! So if you could just sit tight until we come to get you, it would be much appreciated. If not, we'll get over it! I can't wait to meet you and hold you and snuggle with you! You take care, keep growing well and rest up--I hear that whole birth thing is a pretty tiring experience for babies too! See you soon, baby girl!
Love, Mommy
Dear Baby Girl,
I can't believe you are almost here! It seems like I have been pregnant for an eternity this time around. Maybe it's because it wasn't so long ago that I was pregnant with your brother or maybe it's because I've been running around after your brother this time instead of just relaxing whenever I want. Whatever the reason, it's felt long.
I'm so looking forward to your arrival but, if I'm honest, I'm a little scared. I've never known what it's like to have a sibling--Mommy's an only child, her Mommy's an only child, etc. I really wanted you guys to have each other so that you wouldn't feel some of the pressures that I felt as a kid. My parents never put any pressures on me, I put them on myself, but I don't want either of you to have to deal with that. I also want you to have each other. As playmates when you are little, hopefully as friends throughout your lives, and to lean on someday when we are gone.
Anyway, I think your brother is going to have a tough time at first, which is another reason I am a little scared. He likes being an only child. I think that he's going to be pretty mad at Mommy and Daddy for a little while. But I think that he is going to really like you and be very protective of you. I think that he won't like sharing the center of the universe with you, but that will probably be good for him. I am excited for him to have a little sister because I think you will become good buddies and he will like looking out for you. He's very easy going in most respects and he's really sweet. I think that you will really like him too. He's a cool kid who likes to do lots of stuff and be active. Hopefully you'll like to play together--once you can play!
There are a lot of traits that I hope you both share. I hope that you are as happy as he is. That you find joy in the simplest things. I hope that you love to learn like he does. And I really hope you are as good of a sleeper as he is!! Other than that, I am so curious as to what you will be like. Will you have Daddy's black hair or my brown (I was suprised when your brother got mine!) Will you get Daddy's beautiful skin tone or will I have to show you how to apply copious amounts of sunscreen? Will you love to laugh and experience new things? Whatever you are, I promise that I will love you with all my heart and try to always be the best Mommy possible.
I can't wait to have a daughter. I have such a special bond with my own mom and I hope that we will not only be mother and daughter but also good friends. We are going to have so much fun together. I look forward to having girls' time with you. However, I will apologize in advance for not being very girly. I am not very good at doing hair or applying makeup or picking out cute girly clothes. Actually, I thought maybe you could help me out in that respect.
So that's about all for now. November 30th will be a wonderful day for all of us. By the way, if you could just wait until that day, I'd really appreciate it--I would really like to have the doctor I picked on hand when you are born. I would also like to tie up all the loose ends at work and NOT have to do labor again! So if you could just sit tight until we come to get you, it would be much appreciated. If not, we'll get over it! I can't wait to meet you and hold you and snuggle with you! You take care, keep growing well and rest up--I hear that whole birth thing is a pretty tiring experience for babies too! See you soon, baby girl!
Love, Mommy
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Kit Kat
Today I was eating a KitKat. Jack took a sudden interest in it, even though he has never had one. In fact, he isn't much of a sweet tooth (didn't get THAT from me!). He's had ice cream and cake but we haven't given him any candy at all. But he eagerly accepted the little piece of KitKat and stuffed it in his mouth.
"Mmmm, chocolate," said Paul.
Jack didn't appear to love it but didn't dislike it either. However, he came back for a bite of the second stick and said, "KitKat". My eyes bugged out of my head. I had never given him a KitKat nor had I said the word when offering it to him. I looked at Paul. "Have YOU given him a KitKat before?" He hadn't. The only other option was Grandma, who never gives him sweets. So now I'm thinking that the kid can read. I couldn't figure it out but then I said, "Jack, say 'chocolate'." "KitKat" he said. So there's bad news and good. The bad news is that he can't read. The good news is that 1) he's only 21 months old and 2) he only heard the word "chocolate" once before he started using the word!
"Mmmm, chocolate," said Paul.
Jack didn't appear to love it but didn't dislike it either. However, he came back for a bite of the second stick and said, "KitKat". My eyes bugged out of my head. I had never given him a KitKat nor had I said the word when offering it to him. I looked at Paul. "Have YOU given him a KitKat before?" He hadn't. The only other option was Grandma, who never gives him sweets. So now I'm thinking that the kid can read. I couldn't figure it out but then I said, "Jack, say 'chocolate'." "KitKat" he said. So there's bad news and good. The bad news is that he can't read. The good news is that 1) he's only 21 months old and 2) he only heard the word "chocolate" once before he started using the word!
Pronunciation
Jack's pronunciation seems to get better every day. I find myself missing his less clear "words" for things. Like when he used to call the letter "W", "Blum-blum". Blum-blum is WAY cuter than "double u". He also used to call his stuffed monkey "BuhBEAN" instead of Bunky. My little boy is growing up. Sigh.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
More Love
Today Jack said to me, "I love you too much." I wonder if he's going to start loving me less now...
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
A Whole Lotta Love
Sometimes Jack gets a certain phrase in his head that he wants to work on. The other day, it was "I love you.":
"I love you, Mommy! I love you, Daddy! I love you, Grandma! I love you, Nonny! I love you, Poppy! I love you, rice! I love you, meat! I love you, noodles!"
"I love you, Mommy! I love you, Daddy! I love you, Grandma! I love you, Nonny! I love you, Poppy! I love you, rice! I love you, meat! I love you, noodles!"
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