‘Tis the Season

We’re in fully swing, Christmas-mode around here. We’re reading The Christmas Story every night before bed, we’ve bought lots of presents, we’ve seen Santa – twice, we’ve eaten our weight in pre-Christmas goodies (candy canes, etc.) and – my personal favorite- are receiving Christmas cards in the mail from friends and family everyday!

Jake’s school Christmas program was this week. His sweet little 2 year old class sang “Go tell it on the Mountain” and it was precious!  His teachers have taught him so many songs this fall.  He is constantly singing “Jingle Bells,” “Father Abraham,” “The Lord’s Army,” and so many others. I just love listening to him sing and tell me all the things he is learning.

Speaking of learning, he is obsessed with shapes! He loves to point out octagons, squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles EVERYWHERE!

This weekend, we went to Searcy to see my dad’s side of the family for Christmas. It was a full house, but lots of fun. I don’t get to see this side of my family very often, but most of my cousins have small kids, so its fun to get together. Jake had a great time!

We’ve finally decided to name our 2nd born – Eli Gregory.  Its been so sweet to hear Jake talk about Eli and ask questions. Just tonight, I was sitting in the floor with him reading books before bed. Because I’ve been on the move all day, I was having some contractions. Well, a pretty big one hit me and took my breath away. I stopped reading and closed my eyes. Without realizing it, I had my hand on my stomach. Jake said, “Is Eli giving you a boo boo?”  I said, “Mommy and Eli are fine. Mommy just has a boo boo on her belly right now.”  Jake leaned over and said, “want me to kiss it?”  Then, he kissed my belly!  SO SWEET!  He is at such a wonderful age right now and truly has a heart of gold!

30 weeks and counting

We’re in the downhill slide of this second pregnancy! We’re still not settled on a name, but I guess that will happen soon.  This little guy has measured big every visit, so we went for an ultrasound today to see for sure.   Dr. Taylor was right – he’s a big boy!  Jake’s baby brother is measuring about 3 weeks bigger and is already nearly 4 pounds.  We’re set for a repeat C-section on February 7th!

Here he is sucking his thumb!

A profile shot…

Jake, on the other hand, is slimming up and looks more like a big boy everyday.  He’s doing great sleeping in his new bunk bed and is saying the funniest stuff.  Today, when I picked him up from school, I took him to eat at Burger King and play.  Greg had to go out of state tonight unexpectedly, so we decided to go have a little fun!  The playground at Burger King is definitely made for bigger kids, which – you guessed it – means Mom has to climb into the play gym and help Jake get up and down.  Yea, it was a pretty sight – a 30 week pregnant woman climbing around a Burger King playground.  When we were leaving, he asked to go to McDonald’s across the street and I answered—“maybe later.”  Well – now, Jake’s answer to everything is “maybe later.” 

Me- “Jake, can you sing me a song?”   Jake – “maybe later.”

Me – “Its time for bath, Jake.”   Jake – “maybe later.”

We bought a video monitor for Jake’s new room. I never had one when he was little, but decided to get it when we moved him to the big boy bed across the house. I can hook up a second camera to it for the new baby, so that will be nice too.   I bought one my friend, Tabitha, suggested.  It has a feature that allows you to talk to them from your monitor.  This morning, Jake was in his room playing in his bed. and I spoke to him through the camera in his room.  It was hilarious. He didn’t know what to do or where it came from.  When I went into the room, he was laying in his bed with the covers pulled up. He said – “its talking to me!” He was pointing at the camera like it was a monster!  This could get fun!!  

Pre-Thanksgiving Work Week

I took off the week leading up to Thanksgiving this year and it was a much needed break from work and travel.  I spent the first two days decorating the house for Christmas and doing a little early Christmas shopping for family.  Monday night, I brought Jake home from school and showed him the tree. His response..”What is that, momma??”  I explained it was a Christmas tree and that “Ho Ho” would put his surprises under the tree during Christmas.  After that – he was sold! Then, he went around to every Santa I have in the house (and I have lots thanks to Nan and Papaw) and told him that he loved him and he wanted toys.  This kid has it figured out already!

We also introduced the “big boy bed” to Jake this week. He slept in his new room, all by himself on Monday night. He did GREAT!  I’m so glad, because I truly thought this would be a battle. He loved his crib and his old room, so I was really worried.  So, with Jake all moved into the big boy room, I’m ready to start on the nursery.   I, obviously, won’t have any furniture to buy, but plan to have it painted and some new things for the walls.  I also plan to re-arrange the room, so it doesn’t look like Jake’s old room. I , for some reason, believe this will make him less likely to be jealous of baby brother ---- who still doesn’t have a name!

Wednesday, Jake and I went shopping.  He tolerates the shopping, because he knows I always take him to “Chick and Play” (Chikfila) afterwards.  Today, he suffered through the post office, a furniture store and hobby lobby before he said, “I done shopping. Where’s Chick and Play?”  I agreed- he deserved a break!

Needless to say, its been a busy few days. I’ve been running lots of errands, re-organizing the house and (I suppose) doing a little nesting.  The next two days will be strictly for eating, watching football and hanging out with family! 

Kids say the funniest things…

Everyone keeps telling me to write down all the funny things Jake says, and I can’t think of a better place than the blog! I really do plan to have it all printed and bound into a book someday….someday….

So, let’s see…  I took Jake to Holiday House with me this weekend to do a little shopping. He was a TROOPER!  Well, on the way out, he saw “Ho Ho,” (or Santa to other kids) and insisted we go look. Last year was a total bust in the Santa picture-opp world,  so I wasn’t even planning on trying this year.  Just a few weeks ago we saw Santa at Silver Dollar City when we were driving by and Jake ducked in the car.  So, needless to say, I thought there was no way he’d talk to Santa at Holiday House.  Well, to my surprise, he wanted to go see him. So, we strolled on over --- still thinking he’d back out. Nope. He couldn’t get out of that stroller fast enough to go see him. Of course, I had him dressed in sweats and he had pretzels all over him.  He walked right up to Santa and told him all about Elmo. As soon as Santa bent over to pick him up, Jake threw up his best “back off” hand and said “No touch, Santa, No touch.”  Then, Jake went right back to reading the book with Santa.  Hilarious.

Jake is also a big fan of the B-I-B-L-E song lately.  Only, in Jake’s version you scream “BIBLE” at the end at the top of your lungs. Of course, for those that don’t speak toddler, it just sounds like he’s screaming “Play Ball!”  Again, hilarious!

Jake also tells me “good job, mom” all the time. If I fix Elmo, he says “good job, mom.”  If I give him milk, “good job, mom.”  He’s so supportive! 

Greg was trying to talk to Jake about going potty the other night and Jake said, “cheer up, Daddy!”  Hilarious.

He is truly an amazing child, and I am so grateful everyday that God is allowing me to be his mom.  Life flies by , and I am trying to just enjoy every sweet moment with Jake!  Soon, he’ll be a big brother and our lives will be even crazier!