Christmas 2007

We had a very quiet and relaxing Christmas. Had our little family dinner on Christmas eve - prime rib, sweet potatoes and green beans - all turned out very edible - surprisingly! We opened the family gifts on Christmas eve - well most of them, saved a few for the morning - as Jakob got sooooooo many! Mark and Jakob played some video games - Tiger Woods Golf - lovely! We took a lot of naps and watched the Polar Express. Jakob and I made sugar cookies a few nights before Christmas - he decorated with quite a lot of sprinkles - Santa really liked them. We left the cookies, and Jakob's pretend chocolate cupcakes, and carrots for the reindeer out. On Christmas morning Jakob actually slept in, but was a bit low blood sugar in the am, so needless to say he wasn't that into his presents - after we got some food into him he was good to go. Jakob said that he "heard jingle bells last night", he was right Santa went into his bedroom and rang some bells and even left a jingle bell next to his stocking! We actually got snow on Christmas, it stayed around for a couple hours, we didn't go out in it - "too cold" per Jakob! Instead we watched Toy Story and the Jungle Book and stayed in our pj's until 4pm. We had Amber and Josh over for blueberry pie that evening. All in all a very quiet Christmas - and no new baby to speak of!

Jakob decorating the cookies for Santa


Mark and Jakob playing video games


Jakob on Christmas eve putting out the goodies for Santa and his reindeer


Jakob opening one of his favorite gifts from Santa - A set of Lions - most of you know how obsessed he is with lions right now!


Our first white Christmas!


This picture was taken on Friday, it's of another one of Jakob's favorite gifts - a 200 piece wood building set that his Aunt Christina gave him - Mark really likes it too! Mark built the Eiffel Tower - which Jakob then destroyed! Jakob is really into building farms, barns or some type of enclosure for his animals with this set.

Holiday Preschool Program

On Tuesday, Jakob participated in his preschool's holiday show. First there was a ballet performance, which Jakob didn't participate in, but did do some ballet moves in his chair. He doesn't do ballet because Ian doesn't do it! You can see in the pictures that the girls are in their ballet outfits and the boys are in theirs (black pants and white shirts). Ian and Jakob were responsible for handing out programs to parents - they did a great job and were very serious about their job. Incidentally Jakob and Ian wore the same shirts - Jakob in blue and Ian in green - super cute.
The show went on with the group singing many Christmas and Hannukah songs. The pictures are of the kids singing "Away in a Manger" and "Jingle Bells". Jakob's rudolph nose was broken, but he didn't really need it as he has a pretty red nose/lip from a recent run in with the mat/carpet at preschool.





Here, Jakob and Ian are showing eachother the cards and flowers they got as a gift from their favorite teacher, Molly.
Note the scab on Jakob's upper lip area - that darn rug burn - hoping the scabs will be gone by Xmas.

Proud Parenting?

Yesterday Jakob did something I never thought I would hear about and be so proud of. He taught another child how to poop on the potty. Linda, his preschool teacher was very excited about this. Apparently, Jakob was going poop when a younger little guy who has not been successful with this, was brought in to try to poop, when Jakob was asked if Nicholas could watch he was hesitant but then was very proud to show off his business! Nicholas turned around and pooped on the potty.
This goes with the many other things I never thought I'd say, do or be proud of as a parent - but we are proud of our guy being a good example in someone elses life!

Gingerbread House

I haven't made a real gingerbread house since I was in Girl Scouts - many many years ago. I thought we would start a tradition of making one with Jakob, well mostly putting one together. I bought a little kit from Trader Joe's, but didn't buy enough frosting - me make frosting - come on! I will have to pick up some more so we can finish the house - but even then, I don't think the frosting will stay on, Jakob basically licked it off while taking bites of the candies we put on it! I don't know if you can see in the pictures, but the licorice has bite marks out of it as do some of the fruit jellies. There is a xmas tree in front of the house, decorated with red oraments, white frosting and a yellow fruit jelly that has bites out if to make a star. Even though it was a bit cheesy, It was nice having the kit because, I don't think Jakob would've had the patience to make one from scratch, maybe next year!

Decorating the Tree

Well, we put our tree up yesterday, Jakob has been asking to put it up for a couple weeks now. Yes, we have an artificial tree, I don't like it but I've got pretty bad allergies to real trees and we live in such small quarters that I would be dying with a real one in our house. Mark grew up with an artificial tree, so he likes it, plus there is no having to remember to water it and the lights are all ready on it - it's very simple, which I have to say I like!
Jakob helped put up some ornaments, mostly on one or two branches, which I fixed later. He got tired of the decorating after about 20 minutes - probably Mom and Dad constantly telling him to "Be careful!" didn't help any. He did put the angel on the top - after a few tries, he dropped it 2 or 3 times - but eventually got it on there with some help from Daddy.
Later, we took a walk in the cold (freezing rain) to see the Moreland Christmas tree (neighborhood tree) that is all lit up now - it was one of Jakob's favorite things to see last year - it's a huge tree and it's so pretty. So, you'll see a couple pictures of Jakob all bundled up before our walk (he's even wearing a scarf that my Grandma made him - so cute). We made it about 2 blocks before we both started to freeze in the rain and wind, saw the top half of the tree and headed home. We'll save that walk for another night - probably not tonight as we are expected to get rain and "hurricane force" winds - gotta love Portland and global warming! (I just took a closer look at one of the pictures of Jakob in front of the tree, and I'm not quite sure what he is doing with his hands - throwing some sort of gang sign? Gotta love Mark's influence on our son!)

We took a trip to Toys R Us yesterday to see what Jakob wants Santa to bring him, of course he still wants an electric train - which we can't afford and really don't want to get (Thanks to the Santa at Sun River who suggested an electric train!). We tried to make some of the other toys look really flashy like, tinker toys, an electric car race track, legos etc, but didn't get a real answer on what we should tell Santa to bring. It's hard to shop for a boy who likes everything and everything that is over $50 - sucks being on a budget too! Of course, he is 3 years old and I'm sure that he will love anything that Santa brings him. He will be so overwhelmed with the fact that he REALLY is getting presents that he won't know what to do!

Jakob and the Belly

I think I am about 34 weeks along now, here is the latest on my belly! Jakob likes to poke my belly button, he thinks he is poking the baby's "foot". I feel like I can't possibly get any bigger, but I'm sure I will, this little girl is quite active in there and is starting to cause a bit of reflux at night - wonderful! She is positioned head down and her bottom and feet rest on my right side/rib area, just like Jakob was.

Thanksgiving in Sun River

We just got back from our trip to Sun River for Thanksgiving. We went with Ian and baby Dillon (and parents Julie and Peter), the boys were pretty wild!
We had Thanksgiving dinner in the lodge and it was wonderful, the boys did so great in the nice restaurant and actually ate a lot of their dinner. Of course the adults loved not cooking and consuming really great food and wine. Saturday, Julie and I went for massages and then we took the boys to what we thought was going to be sleigh rides, but they sold out of tickets - it was seriously a madhouse, we waited outside in the freezing cold forever, so we ended up going back to our room until the fireworks started and the Dad's took the boys outside for that - Jakob missed Santa's grand entrance to the resort - but he doesn't know that! Sunday morning, Julie and I took the boys to breakfast with Santa, they were very excited to see Santa, until they actually saw him and all of a sudden they were attached to their Mommies! We attempted to get them on Santa's lap right at the start of breakfast because they were so excited and there wasn't a line, well that didn't work. Jakob stood about 4 feet away and said "I want trains" and then "Merry Christmas" and took off. Santa knew that the mommies really wanted pictures of the boys with him, so he snuck up behind them as they were eating - but as you can see in the picture, they weren't impressed - they didn't even know he was there, but also didn't smile for the camera. I showed them the picture of Santa behind them, and they couldn't believe he was in the picture with them, so with a lot of convincing that Santa was a really nice guy, Jakob got up to sit next to him but on my lap - well still no smile - he was pretty scared. Santa was great though, was asking Jakob what kind of trains he wants and if he wanted a baby sister - Jakob replied, "I have Gordon...I want an electric train and a baby sister." Too cute!
It was a quick trip with not a lot of sleep and a lot of parenting happening of the 3 year olds - Dillon on the other hand, is a super champ baby - he was awesome!
Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving!

Baby Shower and Visit from Nana

I was thrown the lovliest baby shower this weekend, by my friend Amber. We had tea, yummy food and delicious desserts at Papa Hayden - a restaurant in our little neighborhood. I was showered by my closest friends (that are in town), with beautiful, girly gifts! My Mom flew up for the weekend and has been spending a lot of quality time with Jakob, of course Jakob loves that!!!
Wendy and Carla stayed with me over the weekend, we had a slumber party, complete with Sixteen Candles and pizza, sadly we are all Moms - well Amber was there for the movie and girl talk too, she's not a Mom, but we are all older now and were in bed by midnight and woken up bright and early by Jakob!

We took our official hospital tour today, brought Jakob and he did so good, very patient during the informational session (40 minutes) and then enjoyed seeing the babies in the nursery. Jakob was a bit worried about the babies that were crying "Why are they crying? They want their Mommy and Daddy." Too cute.

Trick or Treat Give Me Something Good To Eat!

Jakob learned this saying at school and apparently said it tonight while trick or treating, he also called the lady next door "Mr. Potato Head" - lovely!
Jakob was a T-Rex for Halloween. On Sunday we took him to the Monster March - a parade for kids that goes thru our neighborhood and tonight Mark took him out with Ian trick or treating. Julie (Ian's Mom) had her baby on 10/22 - Dillon - you'll see his pic with Ian - he's the mini pumpkin - can't really see his face though. He is a doll, anyhow, he went around with the kiddos for about a block then Mom and baby came back to rest with me, while I handed out candy. We actually had a nice night, no rain and not too cold!

All Clear

I went to the midwife today, I'm 29 1/2 weeks along and doing well. This little lady is very active, the midwife experienced it first hand as she tried to put the doppler on my belly to listen to her heartbeat - the baby kicked or pushed it off everytime, it was hysterical. The midwife couldn't believe it.
I met with the Perinatologist today to have a vbac (vaginal birth after c-sec) consult - I have been cleared to go ahead with a vbac - assuming I don't have any complications further into the pregnancy. The doctor went thru all the stats of rupture, every possible complication that could happen and felt that I am at a very low risk for any of them actually occuring. He was also positive about the fact that my c-section was due to the cord being wrapped around Jakob's wrist and not due to me not dilating or being able to fit him thru my pelvis etc. So, I'm all clear! He did make an interesting comment about Jakob's cord, "Around the wrists huh, is that a sign of what's to come - like handcuffs?" too funny, I did tell him he is quite the terror sometimes! But what 3 year old isn't.

Oh - side note - tonight I went to the Thai restaurant around the corner from us to pick up some food, took Jakob with me, when he walked in, he announced - "Mommy it smells like poop in here!" Oh yeah, that was a comfortable moment. A couple customers at tables and in line started to laugh. I told Jakob to keep his voice down and that it smelled like Thai food not poop but he of course had to argue, "No Mommy that is poop, it really smells." So, at this point I bent down, got in his face and told him that he was saying a naughty word and that next time he needed to say it softly to me, if he really felt like he needed to say it. That seemed to work. I have vowed not to take him back there again! The food is great and it doesn't smell like poop - I promise!

Jakob and babies

I am doing all my posting for the next couple weeks tonight it seems! I never have time during the week, so I'll get it all done tonight!

Today I asked Jakob where he thought babies came from, just to see what he would say - I know parents shouldn't bring this up but I really just wanted to find out what his brain is thinking, plus Ian's Mom, Julie is having her baby tomorrow and we're having a baby so I figure the questions will come soon - as Jakob is quite inquisitive when it comes to the body! Jakob's first response to my questions was, "Babies come out and drink from boobs," Ok, back to his obsession with the boobs and not really answering the question. So I said, "Mommies and Daddies make babies with love," and he replied "but how?" I looked at Mark and he just gave me a look of "What the heck did you start this for." So I said "Well (deap breath) Mommies and Daddies get married and mix up all their love and make a baby" and that suficed. Later he told Mark "When I grow up I will make a baby, I will break open my tummy and put a baby in it and break it open to get the baby out when it's ready."
We were dying - too funny! I think he's got the chicken egg confused with the human baby, but he's got the idea at least for a few years that should do just fine!
Kids really say some amazing things!

Skateboarding

Jakob was outside skateboarding with Daddy today, he likes to do "tricks". As you can tell we may need a sponsor in the future!!

Jakob plays Doctor

After Jakob's visit to the Doctor, he decided that he was going to play doctor and listen to the baby, of course he heard a lot of bubbles going thru my tummy, which he thinks is her "blowing bubbles". He also thinks that he has to put the stethoscope on my belly button to hear anything! Too cute.

More Jakob Funnies

I took Jakob in for his 3 year check up yesterday, he was so good! He did everything the nurse told him to do and when Dr. Amundson came in, Jakob greeted him with "Hi Doctor, I'm 3 years old now". Jakob really likes his Pediatrician, he is so good with him, The doctor was asking Jakob where his body parts were and Jakob of course knows where everthing is and informed him that, "food goes in your mouth, down down down to your tummy and out your buns!" The kid knows the basics I guess.
Jakob told the nurse that he was going to have a baby sister and when asked what we will name her he said "Dumptruck." I had heard that he said this from one of his preschool teachers, but hadn't actually heard it come from his mouth! The nurse died laughing and said "That's very interesting but it's kind of a long name," Jakob's reply "That's ok, I like it."
So, apparently Dumptruck is in the running!!
Jakob's physical went well, he is in the 75th for height and 85th for weight - the kid grew 5 inches since last year - amazing, I always have thought of him as being so small, because he always has been on that side - but he's catching up. Although, I don't really think he'll be that tall - we'll see. Jakob got his Hep A and his flu shot yesterday - in his arms, he was so good, but asked "Why did she poke me?" and cried quite a bit with the flu shot. He got his Hep A and didn't really know what to expect, the MD had said that they were out of flu vaccine so I got him dressed, then the nurse came back and said they just deilvered a shipment, so I got his arm out of his shirt and he was trembling in anticipation of the shot - soooo sad! So, I think that's more of why he cried so much w/the flu shot - also because it was cold. But, he recovered once he saw that he got a lollipop and a dinosaur - plus I bought him a little dinosaur movie as a reward - this kid gets it all when it comes to being good at the Doctor's office - bribery works!

Pumpkin Patch

On Sunday we took Jakob to the pumpkin patch. This pumpkin patch is great, you get to ride a train out to the pumpkins, and then take a boat across a small lake back, super fun for the kids. Of course it was pretty muddy at the patch, so those of us who have boots (myself and Jakob) wore them. But after about, hmmm, maybe 1 minute in the pumpkin patch, Jakob took a header/belly flop into the mud! This year I was prepared, I knew it would happen, luckily it was pretty packed mud, so no big deal, last year he actually got stuck n a big muddy puddle - it was horrible! So, we had a better year at the pumpkin patch thank goodness!
We got to the patch early and had a lot of great pumpkins to choose from. Jakob chose a special reddish/orange pumpkin for his baby sister because "she will like red," and he chose a white pumpkin for himself (you can see Jakob pointing to the reddish pumpkin he picked out for his sister in one of the pictures). My parents are here for the week so we got enough pumpkins for Nana and Papa too. It was a lot of fun, Jakob really liked to pick the pumpkins out, try to lift them into the wheelbarrow and of course liked riding in the wheelbarrow!

Jakob's 3rd Birthday Party

We had a small party for Jakob on Saturday at the Washington Park playground. It was really cold, but it didn't rain - hurray!
We invited a few kids from Jakob's preschool and from our neighborhood. We didn't have any tantrums or meltdowns by any of the kids. We didn't get too many pics as the kids were playing like crazy, which was wonderful! Jakob really liked his cars cake and his party hat! We didn't open any gifts at the party - which I highly suggest to parents - as we didn't have anybody fighting over new toys or yelling "That's mine". It made for a really calm party.

Happy Birthday - Part Two

Jakob graduated from a triker to a biker today.

There was no hesitation... he jost got on the bike and went.

After a few trips up and down our street, we went for several rides around the block.

Pre-order your X-Games tickets now.

Jakob likes to think of himself as a well rounded individual- not just athletic, but intellectual too. Gigantic puzzle, no problem.

(ok, we helped a little)