Class clown

This morning as soon as Jack arrived at school his teacher Sheryl adorned him with this cap, which, she observed correctly, suits his personality very well!

Dinner out

The other night G and I had a mdoest dinner out at a little Italian place. Jack sat at the table with us for the first time and held forth on various subjects in a boisterous voice, very jolly about it all.

New sensations

Jack was less than enthused at his first few bites of mixed veggies and potatoes:

Apologies. . .

. . . for the dearth of holiday posts. The old' festive holiday stomach flu has been rampaging around the house and had your noble editor under the weather and playing catch-up big time. Still a little under the weather, but getting there. Enjoy the updates below. All Disney-free, for you grumps who complain.

Baby New Year

Well it has been a great year, if more exhausting on so many levels than any other year I can remember. Not only have G and I been working harder than we ever have before in our lives by a long shot, but little Jack, well, as I was saying to Teige and Becca the other day, people can tell you all about it until you want to punch them, but there is nothing better to convince you that you don't have a shred of energy or sanity left in your body than your third or fourth night at home with a newborn. After a couple of weeks you start to get a grip, but it is so unbelievable, an utter sea change in every single way you have ever measured your existence. And though you do stabilize, it's still plenty exhuasting. I mean, there is no doubt who's the boss of the house.

And you know what the amazing thing is? As a reward, you get to look into that smiling little face that lights up like a million-watt lamp when you come in the door. Who's never been as excited or happy as when he sees you. Who delights you every day with something new, some amusing antic, some silly sound, some funny face. And no matter how tired you are, you go all to pieces. I mean, you would have to be a real hard case to look at that smiling face and feel even a little but bad about most anything, now, wouldn't you?
Welcome to 2006, little buddy. Hopefully Mommy and Daddy can make their little piece of the world a little safer, a little more fun, a little more comfortable, a little better for you in the next year. And hopefully, for you and all your little pals, the rest of the grownups in the world can get their act together, at least here in this country, which frankly I would rather see you and your daycare class governing than the chimp we have in there now.
As usual, I can't decide which of these cute photos of Jack in the outfit his Grampy bought for Christmas is the one to go with. I adore them all. And Jack, too, and Genevieve. This is going to be a very big year for all of us. 2005 will be hard to top. I mean, how do you improve on this little guy?

Jack's First Christmas

Christmas dawned bright and early at the Sheehan facility in 2005. Daddy was up and at 'em with the camera to get a pic of Jack's grand entrance. But first let's fire up some lights and see what Santa dropped off . . .

Why, that right jolly old elf has taken leave of his senses! What a glorious array of items, sure to bring a sparkle of avarice to any young lad's eye.

And that ain't hay, bub.

Jack's first big score was this swell "exersaucer," courtesy of Mr. Claus. It is a big hit with Jack and also serves the noble purpose of keeping His Increasingly Mobile Highness in one place while Mommy and Daddy cook or clean or just exhale.

Jack loved it and took some time to figure out all the high-tech gizmos.

Speaking of high tech -- did Santa bring you a large, vibrating pig? I didn't think so.


Hands down my favorite gift from Santa is this battery-operated monkey. When Jack hits it it exclaims "oo-oo-ee-ee-ahh-ahh!" and waggles its arms and runs away playing wacky music. I think actually I like playing with this toy more than Jack does.
Jack models a lovely outfit courtesy of Aunt Skooze. (If you don't see your present here, please don't take it the wrong way. I didn't get shots of everything, sorry!)


Not only is this outfit in good taste, it tastes good!
Jack with some incredible presents from Aunt Maura!

This is one kid who knows how to talk to a sock puppet.

I love the tongue sticking out in this one, a regular occurrence, together with frequent "raspberry" sounds." Jack was really getting into the present-opening!

Get a load of this psyched expression for his little football from cousin Devon! Jack LOVES football. It is the only thing on TV he will watch with full attention for a long span of time.

Jack eyes a new kiddie tool set from his cousins with great interest. Mommy too seems interested in the possibilities of this fine set.


Hmmm, what have we here?
Is it tissue paper? Well that's a good appetizer but . . .Why it's a large plush bear from Aunt Megan!
It's DELICIOUS!!Nanny and Pop sent a nice outfit and a playpen of sorts...
Boris dropped in for a quick holiday smooch.
Jack looks kinda like the Dalai Lama in this fine towel/robe from Grammy and Grampy (I think.)
I love, love, love, the "caught in the act" guilty look on Jack's face in this one. We get this a lot. And then when we say "No, Jack," in our sternest voices with our sternest looks he laughs in our face. Literally, he finds our attempts at discipline laughable. Lord help us.
Grampy scored Jack some quality duds.

Baby Tad is a chatty little chap courtesy of Aunt Beth. Like the Gund bear he proved delicious!

And so little Jack enjoyed the spoils of his first Christmas Day with these presents and many more from all you lovely people. Hope your day was at least as happy as Jack's!
Later Mommy and Daddy dialed it down a peg and had a nice mellow Christmas night.

And after all that fun, Jack-Jack settled down for a long winter's nap.