Pleasant Surprise

Fifty-five degrees in Chicago. In December. A New Year’s Eve tradition I could get used to!

4 Generations

A picture of the boys, my mom, and my Gramps on Christmas Eve. I wish I had been in the picture to complete the chain. I think it’s pretty special that the kiddos have great grandparents. And Jacob loves his “Great Pa Pa”—always is pointing him out in pictures and asking about him. Sweet.

In Your Dreams?

The other morning Jacob woke up repeating that "Mimi helped Mason blow out candles." Strange because that has never happened. And this morning he greeted me by saying "Lady hit car." What? Wild imagination or actual dreams? Who knows.

Ours at Last!

 

This picture was taken in California on my mother-in-law’s camera. And we were finally able to transfer it to our computer. Though I wouldn’t trade the boys for the world, it sure is nice to spend an evening dressed up, drinking wine, having adult conversation, and letting your table-mates cut their own food. Fabulous vacation. Fabulous wedding!

Warning

 

This picture is of the back of a holiday plate we have been eating treats off of for the past few weeks. Interesting information to know…a little after the fact. However, I still don’t know if it is dishwasher and microwave safe :)

Christmas decorating at its finest.

This weekend Jacob helped decorate our counters, our floors, and our cookies with sprinkles. Who would’ve guessed it would take two bowls of sprinkles to fancy up a couple dozen sugar cookies?! Goodbye Type A personality, maybe we will meet again someday.

Three days later

And I'm still laughing at the thought of Caleb taking Jacob to the grocery store in his footed PJs (Jacob not Caleb). But don't worry. No one would know that Jacob was in his PJs because Caleb put pants and a shirt over said PJs, yanked the liner out of Jacob's snow boots and shoved his PJ covered feet right on in. Total guy move.

Priceless Mugs

Meet squeeze-face magoo. Jacob has turned into a squeezing maniac. And no one is safe. Not even sweet baby Mason. Oh goodness!

Spotted

On the road, in the lane next to me: a pickup truck pushing a plow and towing a boat. Seriously? Seriously.

Christmas Morning. Early.

 

Caleb’s family came into town for the weekend to help us celebrate Jacob’s birthday, and since we weren’t going to see them again before the new year, we thought we would kill three birds with one stone and knock out Jacob and Emily’s birthdays and a mock Christmas morning in a span of 12 hours. The weekend was a success even though my brother-in-law ended up with 5 stitches in his finger when opening a beer bottle went terribly wrong, and everyone was stranded 60 miles from here en route to home this morning due to snow and ice stopping traffic on I-80. They will make it home in the morning, and Scott will get the stitches pulled later this week. No more drama, please!

Party Time

Farm animal cupcakes. I’m no Betty Crocker (I had no idea that you mix cupcakes with an electric mixer—thanks Aunt Em and Gaga Joan for guiding me!) This project was a total stretch in my baking capabilities, but I’ll do anything for my babies!

A fun time was had by all!

It took Jacob a bit of time to get through opening his presents. He used a plastic set of drumsticks to tear through the paper (creative, but painstakingly slow), and had to play with each toy after opening. Based on this run through, Christmas morning will likely last well into the night!

Jacob LOVED having 20 people sing Happy Birthday to him. So much so that as soon as the song was over, he announced “more,” and we all sang it again. Perfect!

The hit of the party: A Thomas the Train mobile. Thanks for the gift Mimi and Joe Pa. I think this toy will buy me hours of time!

TWO!

Jacob is two today, and I'm feeling a little nostalgic. I can't believe he has so quickly changed from a tiny little baby with paper thin ears, a feeding tube, and a cry that was so sweet and soft to what he is today: a loud and rambunctious little boy! He loves running around the house, jumping on the bed, chasing after the dog, and repeating (as well as he can) everything he hears. He calls for his mama every morning when he wakes up, and runs to the door shouting "dada" every time Caleb comes home from work. He's a daredevil when it comes to trying new things (except food), and is always happy to splash in the water or play outside (no matter how cold and snowy!). He is a fantastic older brother and loves to help take care of Mason (even if it's not really helpful). He amazes me every day with his sense of humor, sweet personality, and energy for life. He can surely be a handful sometimes, but it's a handful that I wouldn't trade for the world. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACOB!

Lost: Christmas Spirit

I spend my days in a whirlwind of activity: blowing noses, wiping hands, changing diapers, and cleaning spit up off of my shoulder. And--are you surprised--nothing of substance actually seems to be accomplished by the end of the day. Jacob's birthday is at the end of this week, Christmas is just around the corner, and I just can't seem to find my holiday spirit. Tree is still in the basement, lights are not up outside, shopping still needs to happen, holiday cards were just ordered last night (will they even make it in time for Christmas?), and the only Christmas cookies Santa will take with him will surely come in a pre-packaged box from the grocery bakery. I'm in a funk and need a Christmas miracle soon--like right now--if I'm going to accomplish my to-do list. How do other moms do it?!

Take a Drink

Persistence eventually pays off. Even if it means taking a gallon of water to the face before actually getting a sip!

Graduating

A note in Jacob's day care cubby announced that as his second birthday is quickly approaching, he will begin to make the transition to the bigger kid room at school, with January 3rd being his first official day in the new room. I know he will handle the move just fine, it's me I worry about. But I need to put on my big girl shoes and choke back the tears. My baby is growing up. And I will be OK.

Blog Hiatus

Wow, almost a week without a post? Where have I been? Sadly, nowhere too exotic, but rest assured that as soon as the pictures are uploaded from the camera, I will be back to posting...