Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, though busy, was a very fun day for Jacob. We woke up, ate breakfast and got dressed, and then hopped in the van and headed for Milan. An hour and a half later we were at GGDaddy's (Great Grandaddy--Lee's Grandad). It was here that Jacob had his first experience putting a Christmas tree up! He was quite helpful (see video below). Around 4ish, and still without a nap, we headed for Great Grandmother and Grandaddy Fisher's house. It took him a little while to warm up, but once he did he had a ball! He loved coloring with his 5 year old 2nd cousin, Finn. His hands looked like a rainbow (pictures below)! He also had fun playing with Papa and Bella (the dog). The ride home was memorable. Jacob was so tired that all he could do was cry. Cry, Cry, Cry. The next day, possible high from the holiday spirit, or just wanting to escape the cranky, sleep-deprived toddler, I decided to go out and do some Christmas shopping. NEVER AGAIN! Toys R Us was especially horrible. I can't believe that people can trample through stores like packs of wolves. We are truly animals. When I returned home later in the evening we began putting our own Christmas tree up. I failed to get any pictures or video of this special event because I was so wiped out from my Black Friday experience:( Oh well. Maybe next year.

Trumpet Twosome

I know I have a lot to post. I've gotten a little behind. I only have a minute and can't give Thanksgiving weekend justice, but I wanted to post this video I just took. It's priceless. Jacob wants to be just like Daddy! I promise to do a Thanksgiving post soon.

Jacob's Picks

#1 Zicam Gel Swabs-These are a miracle in a tube. For all you moms who can't afford to be sick, and everyone else in the world who just hates the common cold, here is your remedy. I had the tell tale signs of an upcoming cold 48 hours ago. My throat was already sore and I was dreading the coming days. Then I remembered my Dad telling me that Zicam had worked for him. I also had heard Rush Limbaugh endorse the product. Lee says that if Rush says it works, it works! :) So I had Lee go and get it for me. (I couldn't go myself...I was already feeling sick;) ) Now I am fit as a fiddle and have all of my energy back. I HIGHLY recommend this product, as does Jacob. Because if Mommy is sick it's no fun.

#2 Orchestra Wives-Looking for a new movie? Try an old favorite! Jacob has chosen to watch this movie over Sesame Street on several occasions. He was particularly adamant about watching it this morning. It is an old black and white that stars Glenn Miller's Band as the Gene Morrison Band. It is a story of love between a trumpet player and his biggest fan! There is music and dancing and best of all, the absence of profanity. Our favorite quote from the movie is when George Montgomery's character, Bill Abbott, says to Ann Rutherford's character, Connie Ward: "Now listen, cutie-pie. I'm a big bad trumpet player. And never in my life have I seen anything so gorgeous coming off a dance floor. I've seen thousands. I've kissed some of them. But not like I'm gonna kiss you." And after a very dramatic kiss he asks, "Do you carry a battery?" It's priceless. It is my favorite movie and looks like it might be Jacob's as well. When he is watching it he will pick up one of his trumpets and just play right along.

Potty Progress

For some reason the other day, I decided that it was time to get Jacob his own potty. Lee and I took him to the store and let him pick out his very own potty. When we got home I pulled Jacob's pants off and set him on the potty. I showed him how it was done and before I knew it out came his pee pee and poo poo! It was sooooooooooo exciting. Of course, I just happened to put him on at a good time. I believe that was Monday. Yesterday we were gone most of the day, so I only got a few chances to put him on the potty and nothing. Today I put him on the potty every once in a while throughout the day. After sitting for a little while this afternoon he got up and ran into the kitchen and put his pee pee in the kitchen floor:) Then he started cleaning it up! I wasn't sure whether to laugh or instantly sanitize his hands! I chose laughter...it was easier. Then we went back to the bathroom and washed his hands. I told him that I was glad he got his pee pee out, but that next time he should put it in the potty. Tonight I sat him on the potty before bed and he put his pee pee IN THE POTTY!!!! I'm so proud.

Saturday Night Silliness

I started to title this post Friday Night Fun...then I realized that today is Saturday. Motherhood is really taking it's toll on me. Lee has been working for the last two days, so I have tried to keep Jacob extra busy. Tonight I decided that it would be a good idea to make cookies for Lee. I knew Jacob would love "cooking" because he loves playing with pots, pans, bowls and spoons. He is always anxious to help. I think most people know that I am sort of a neat/control freak, so this was a huge step for me....letting a 21 month old play with flour, sugar, etc?!! We both had lots of fun! As you can see from the video, it took a lot of restraint on my part. I am learning to let go a little. Jacob and I are both learning patience with each other.

Jacob discovered the Peanut Butter Crunch on the counter and decided that it would be a perfect addition to the recipe. He also kept eating it out of the bowl...along with the cookie dough.

When it was time for clean up I was amazed at how little mess there was. Although I did find some dirty silverware that was put back in the drawer! I felt like CSI Catherine Willows, taking pictures of the crime scene!

Then, all hopped up on sugar, I somehow got him to take a bath and got him into his p.j.'s. But the silliness continued with the hat. He is very into shoes and hats these days. I took about 6 pictures of him in the hat and the entire time I was conducting this "photo shoot" he was saying, "CHEESE!" He is such a ham!

Here is a photo of the fruits of our labor. Also a shot of the sheet of cookies with the three that had peanut butter crunch in them. It ruined every cookie on the sheet! They didn't cook at all, and looked like they were floating in oil! I know not to put peanut butter crunch in the chocolate chip cookies anymore! In fact, I'm not sure if I'll even eat peanut butter crunch anymore:(

It's Official

I unpacked the last box yesterday during Jacob's nap! The office is coming along. You can actually see the floor and the top of the desk now. It's so exciting. The boxes you see in the pictures are not boxes to be unpacked. They are just waiting for a home:(

A word about the bookshelves. Aren't they beautiful?! I had them custom made!

My Dad made them. He's the best carpenter in the world and he made them for free! It doesn't get any better than that.

Painting

I thought Jacob might like to do some water coloring, since he loves water and loves to color. It didn't go exactly as I had envisioned. He would dip his brush in the water, and then spread that water over the paper. I tried to show him how to stick his brush in the paint several times, but he was just not interested. Maybe he is still a little too young, but we had fun anyway!

The Joys of Living on Base

"We're under threat charlie. I'm gonna need you to pull under that tent over there."

This was our greeting at the gate this evening as we returned home from church. In the tent we had to turn off the van, pop the hood and trunk and exit the vehicle. Jacob got to stay in his seat, though. Then there were two soldiers that searched the vehicle while we were watched over by a very serious guy holding a shot gun. I wonder if Jacob will have nightmares about this? Lee told me that they are doing a simulation, so it wasn't real. I couldn't help but giggle when the guy told us to pull over to be searched.....since I knew it wasn't real. I guess they pulled us over because we were in a van. The other cars went right through. Or maybe Jacob looked suspicious. We were practicing winking today and it did look kind of scary.

In other news, Jacob added a new word today...."NO". He keeps repeating it over and over and over and over..as if he is afraid he is going to forget it!!!

Toddler Trickery

I often feel like I am hovering over little Jacob. But then I think to myself, "He's not even two, you can't exactly leave him all alone." I often wondered how other children got into such mischief when there mother's were home with them..(Yes, Carrie, your boys come to mind:) ) I leave Jacob alone much more often these days, allowing him to play by himself and not thinking twice about him running into another room while Lee and I are trying to have an adult conversation. Imagine my surprise when he came into the bedroom with the last piece of left over pizza last Friday! Granted, this isn't a bad thing per se, but I had no idea he was capable of reaching where this pizza was. I don't even think he was hungry...it was bedtime. We were so tickled at his little trick that we let him stay up until he finished his pizza. I wonder if this is the beginning of his mischievious days!?

The shoes are his favorite. Every time he sees them he tries desperately to put them on. Maybe he associates them with going to church and being in nursery with his friends.

P.S. Grandparents: he is not in "time out". He just chose to eat his pizza in the chair!

Toddler Talk

Jacob is really coming along with his words. He can now be heard running through the house yelling Mommy or Momma and a very clear DaDa as well. Sometimes it's Du. In fact, this morning he had woken up and finished playing in the bed by himself, so he sat on the side of the bed and yelled, "Momma, Momma, Momma" emphasizing the second syllable, until I came in to get him. "How did you know what he was doing?" you might ask. I have a video monitor. Today when we were playing at the playground I would chase him and say, "I'm gonna get you!" Then he started saying, "Git you!" It was hilarious. He is also trying to count, but seems to favor two...which is pronounced "t you wa" (very long and drawn out, like we do when we are counting for children). Sometimes he says one, "un". He is also getting better with his sign language. "More, please and thank you" are the signs he knows and can use in the correct context. He is a blessing and a joy!

Balanced Breakfast

Jacob enjoyed a blueberry bagel with cream cheese
this morning. There's nothing unusual about that. Only this morning he decided that the
bagel would serve very well as a hat. He was trying his hardest to balance it on top of his head. I was unable to get the camera in time for a picture of this fashion statement, but I was able to get shots of the aftermath. He had absolutely no qualms about putting the bagel on his head...cream cheese side down! Fascinating.

Halloween Happiness

Our second night of Halloween was a little better. Jacob was in good spirits because we were at Grandaddy and Grandmother Rein's house. We took the puppy around town to a couple of different houses and then enjoyed some Wendy's for dinner. And a cupcake for dessert. So who ate all the Halloween Candy? :)