Jacob 15 months.

Some days I look at my baby and I see a little boy...I don't know where the time has gone! But I am so thankful for his chubby legs and elbow dimples, because it reminds me that Jacob is still my baby for just a while longer, and to cherish every minute of it.

So, at 15 months Jacob weighs about 21lbs, and I can tell he's getting taller but I won't have any exact measurements for another week. He is now wearing mostly 12 month clothes and is still in size 3 disposable diapers.

I am proud of my little guy! In the past two months he has gotten through a few big changes and milestones. Jacob is now completely weaned from his pacifier, completely weaned from nursing, and he sleeps in a toddler bed! He has consistently been sleeping through the night...about 10-11.5 hours straight. And in the last week he has decided it's time for only one nap a day. Today is only day two of keeping him up longer before his nap and letting him go without a second one, so we'll see if it is as successful as yesterday.

Jacob is a chatterbox. I really have no idea where he got it from, but he talks constantly. He's learned quite a few words now. He says "bath", "M&M", "medicine", "amen", "shoes", "nigh-night", and "bye-bye". I may be forgetting a few. In sign language he knows "milk", "water", "eat", "all done" and "more".

Alex and I keep finding ourselves amazed at the intelligence of our little guy. Jacob loves to go outside, and he knows we need shoes to go out and play, so he loves to bring Alex and I our shoes and help us put them on. He always brings each person the correct shoes, in matching pairs. And yesterday when I was sitting with one of my feet under me Jacob was getting upset. I finally realized that the foot he was able to get too was the wrong foot for the shoe he had. (We've been trying to point out the difference between left and right every time we dress him and put shoes on him. I guess it's sticking?) A bit later Jacob brought Alex his shoes and Alex said "We're not going to go outside, put the shoe back."
 Jacob started walking toward the livingroom and Alex corrected him, that the shoes go by the kitchen door. I pointed out to Alex that he had told Jacob to put the shoe "back" not "away" and that his shoe had been in the livingroom when Jacob got it. We both just kind of shook our heads in amazement.

There have been so many instances like that where we are just floored at what Jacob knows and understands! Just this morning I had Jacob throw his diaper away, and when he started to put it in the recycling trash can I said "No, the other one." and he switched it to the normal trash can.

Jacob doesn't really have favorite toys. He likes anything to do with household chores, and tools. He now has his own little broom and swiffer and he loves carrying them around the house. Most toys bore him after a short time of playing. If I had to pick I would say his favorite right now is his Little People Noah's Ark.

  Jacob has the sweetest personality any parent could wish for. He loves to share and often offers people bites of his snack or meal, he likes to pick up things and take them to people, he is still very sensitive to anybody getting hurt (or even thinking they are) and lately he has become more of a cuddle bug. He likes sitting on mine or Alex's lap, he gives kisses, and usually wants me to kiss any bump he gets...and he gets a lot of them! Jacob has started carrying around his blanket and every once in a while stops to hug it, and then bring it to Alex or I to feel how soft it is. He also loves stuffed animals, and will hug and kiss on them and carry them around.

He's not without his stubbornness though, and we definitely have our rough days.

I love getting to watch my little guy grow and learn. I feel so blessed with such a sweet, obedient (most of the time) boy. It's amazing to watch him and see him do what we've been teaching him to do -even doing it without knowing we are there. It's been a challenging and a
learning experience to know that we are responsible for what Jacob learns, for training him how to be a godly young man, and that we are the biggest examples he will see of how to live rightly. It's definitely a huge reminder to Alex and I that everything we say and do could influence someone else, but especially our little boy.

The ADHD cleaning method.

I only had that one goal to finish before bedtime.

My goal was simple.
I wanted to get our master bedroom cleaned up.

Not a huge job really. A few clothes on the floor, a dresser that needed cleaned off, some beauty samples to be put in a basket and moved to a shelf in the bathroom...simple.

Almost an hour later I still wasn't done, and when I realized why it kind of made me giggle.

Here's how it went:

Pick up the clothes and put them away.
Grab the trash off of the dresser and throw it away.
Move the extra paint tray to the nursery (which is in the process of being painted) and when I realize that the roller and brushes are still dirty and sitting in the leftover paint I go to grab a trash bag to put everything in.
Go to the kitchen to grab a trash bag from under the sink.
Notice the pile of dishes left from dinner.
Unload and reload the dishwasher so the sinks are empty.
Remember what I was originally in the kitchen for and actually grab a trash bag.
Put the disposable paint tray and roller in the bag, grab the brushes.
Throw the paint stuff away outside.
Rinse off the brushes in the kitchen sink.
Clean out the paint splatters and realize the counters are grungy too.
Wipe off the counters.
While wiping off the counters I find the basket I wanted for all my beauty samples.
Look at the clock and realize that an hour had passed and all I had gotten done with my one goal was putting away a few clothes and moving a paint tray...

Such is my life with the ADHD cleaning method.
Disclaimer: I realize that ADD, OCD, and ADHD are sometimes serious mental issues. I not making light of people who have actually been diagnosed as having said issues, nor claiming to actually struggle with them myself.

Baby bean is...

Stubborn!

We had the 20 week anatomy scan done last week and we let it be known almost as soon as we got there, that if at all possible we wanted to find out baby's sex. The technician started looking around and pointing things out and said "Let's check between the legs."

Bean's legs were pressed tightly together, we couldn't even get a peek! So she continued with the scan and every few minutes would go back to check. Nothing. Baby wanted to keep it's legs together. After how active baby bean was at the previous two ultrasounds I was surprised that s/he was staying so still!

Eventually the tech said we could take a break. Told me to go empty my bladder, jump up and down, bounce around the bathroom a little, and then come back. So I did. And I felt like an utter fool doing it, but I wanted to know what sex my little baby is! I felt like I had been waiting forever this time. I came back and she started checking around again. We're having another baby boy!!

I can't say I was too surprised. I hadn't had any mother's instincts before, but the day of the ultrasound I would have been more surprised to find out it was actually a girl.

So after finding out his sex, the technician tried to get a good 3D image of the face for us, and he wouldn't move his hand! Baby kept his hand over his mouth or other parts of his face for a good 5 minutes, until she finally decided we would have to make do with what she had been able to get. So one of the prints we were sent home with it looks like our little man has an elephant trunk. It's just his arm and hand, smack dab in the middle of his little face.

Of course, the crazy hormones I've been dealing with this pregnancy came into play and I may have cried a bit later that evening. Not that I am disappointed that I'm having a boy, Alex and I are both thrilled!!! I was just being irrational and felt like we may never get our baby girl, and I had this slight fear that with as awesome as Jacob is and as adorable as he is, how can another boy be as fun and amazing?

Now don't jump all over me. I know it was silly and irrational (which made me cry harder. I felt like I was being a stupid, bad mom by even thinking it...even while knowing it was silly) After my little cry about it I started feeling better. Alex made me laugh a little when he said that when we do have a little girl she's just going to be so cute that we needed two big brothers to be able to look after her. I like his theory ;) I know that this little man will also be awesome and adorable. And while I know he won't be just like his older brother, I know that we'll love him just as much.

We do have a name picked out, but we're keeping it a secret this time. For now we're calling baby "Chuck".

I have all the nursery colors and some decor ideas picked out and I'm super excited to get started. We just keep running into snags and bumps getting Jacob's room finished and him moved back into it so we can get started in the nursery. (Stories for another post)

Chuck is a mover. I don't know if I have less fluid this time and am able to feel it better, or if this baby is bigger, or if his movements are just that much more aggressive; but whatever the reason I'm loving being able to feel movement so much more distinctly and earlier on than with Jacob.

I can't wait to meet our new little guy! Over halfway there.

Little "Chuck"

Boy or girl? An Old Wives' Tales post

I am a few days from baby bean being half baked, which means we'll be finding out the sex soon! I know everybody loves to make their guesses, and I have fun playing along, so I thought it would be fun to look up all the old wives' tales on how to guess the sex. I'll let you know later on which ones were correct! After all, they all have a 50/50 chance. With some of these I had to ask Alex because I am the worst when it comes to determining something about my own looks.

Here's my 18 week bump, so you can come up with your own opinion/predictions!

Carrying High or Low?
This is a well known old wives tale – so many people will want to look at your belly and think they can guess just from looking! So as the tale goes, if you are carrying low, it’s a boy, or if you’re carrying high it’s a girl.  
 Alex says high = girl

Is Your Skin Dry or Soft?
If your skin is dry, you’re said to be having a boy – and if it’s soft, then a girl is on the way.
Soft = girl



What’s Baby’s Heart rate?
First, to set the record straight, until it’s born, your baby’s heart rate will not be affected by it’s gender. But so they say, if you’re carrying a girl, then baby’s heart rate will be above 140bpm (beats per minute). A boy is said to have a heart rate under 140bpm. A study published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine (1996) has dismissed this theory, as has other research. Your baby’s heart rate will change often during a pregnancy, depending on the baby’s age and it’s movement. Anything from 120-160bpm is normal for an unborn baby.
The heart rate has been anywhere between 152-180bpm = girl

Your Flowing Locks
Has your hair become thinner and dull? Or full-bodied and glossy? Thin and dull says girl, gorgeous and glossy says a boy.
My hair has been thicker and fuller, but also drier and a bit dull = ?


Where Are You Carrying Extra Weight?
Even those extra pregnancy kilos are said to give us an insight into your baby’s gender! If you are carrying extra weight at the front, then you’re having a boy… but if you are carrying extra weight on your bum and hips, then you have been carrying a girl. What about dad-to-be? If he’s gaining weight with you, apparently you’re having a girl. If he’s put on no weight, a boy for you!
I think most of it went to my tummy, but some of it did go to my hips/love handles = boy
Alex's weight is the same as it was 10 years ago...= boy


Numbers…
If you combine your age at the time of conception with the number of the month you conceived and the resulting number is odd – then it’s a girl on the way. If the resulting number is even, then it’s a boy for you.
Conceived in Oct, and I was 22 = 32 = boy


Sweet, Salty or Sour?
Another well known old wives tale!!! Are you craving sweet foods like juice, fruits and chocolate? if so, old wives say that you could be having a girl. But if you’re craving sour or salty foods, then you could be having a boy. It’s also said that if you are having a boy, you will crave protein like meat and dairy.
I was craving spicy food, and I want sweets, but I'm very particular about which ones...they have to be "fancy" sweets, like lindt truffles, cheesecake, homemade pie, etc. Store bought cookies, and boxed brownies just don't do it for me right now. And meat is somewhat revolting. = girl


Wedding Ring Test
Get your wedding ring (or other ring/needle/pin) and attach it with a strand of your hair or some string. Lie down and dangle the ring over your belly. If it starts moving in circles, you are having a boy, or if it moves like a pendulum from side to side, then you are having a girl.
Pendulum = girl

Got Morning Sickness?
Did you experience morning sickness in early pregnancy? If you did, then you’re said to be carrying a girl, but if you didn’t have morning sickness, then it’s a boy.
None at all = boy

How About Those Cold Feet?
If your feet get colder than they used to pre-pregnancy, it’s a sign you have a boy on the way. If your feet are the same, then it’s a girl!
I think they're the same = girl

How Do You Look?
Do you look better than ever while pregnant? Or has the pregnancy done your looks no favours? As it goes, if you look great during pregnancy, then you are carrying a boy. If you don’t look too fresh, you’re having a girl, because she’s stolen all your good looks!
Alex says better than ever (he's so sweet!) = boy
I don't feel like I look as good = girl

Pimples, Schmimples…
If you get acne during pregnancy, apparently you’re having a girl, and if you don’t, then you’re carrying a boy.
Definitely breaking out! = girl

Are You A Lefty or a Righty?
When you sleep, do you sleep on your left? Because if you do, then it’s a boy for you! On your right, a girl is in sight.
I usually start on my left, flip to my right, fall asleep on my left, and continue turning all night = ?

Check Out Your Wee!
Okay…. now apparently if you have bright yellow urine, then you’re carrying a boy, but if it’s dull / clear, then you’re carrying a girl. On a serious note though, if you have dark urine, up your water intake as you may be dehydrated.
Dull. I've been doing my best to stay hydrated anyway! I think this is one of the silliest OWTs ever = girl

What Does Your Belly Look Like?
A basketball or a watermelon? Because if it looks more like a basketball, then old wives say boy, but if it more resembles a watermelon then it’s a girl.
Alex says watermelon = girl

Hairy Legs?
Has the hair on your legs grown faster than normal? Or has it grown just like normal? Because if it’s growing faster than it did pre-pregnancy, then you’re said to be having a boy.
 Mine have been normal, maybe even slower! = girl

If a toddler shows interest in you, you are having the opposite sex of the toddler. For example, a girl toddler expresses interest in you means you are having a boy.
Jacob has been quite clingy = girl

If you are moody, you are having a girl because of all the extra female hormones. 
Yes! I have been insanely moody = girl

If the linea nigra stops at the belly button, it's a girl. If the linea nigra goes all the way to the bottom of the rib cage, it's a boy.
Don't have one at all =?

If your face swells and gets rounder, it's a girl. Long and narrow face, a boy. 
 I have never had a long narrow face, but I think mine has gotten a bit rounder = girl

If you find yourself clumsier with pregnancy, it's a boy. If you remain grounded and still in control of your body, it's a girl.
Not any more clumsy than usual...most of the time = girl

The final tally is:
15 = girl
5 = boy
3 = ?

The long-time coming pregnancy rant

In case you missed it...which -unless you're a facebook friend- you have. I am currently 19 weeks pregnant with baby number 2! I guess this post is my blog announcement.

Now, when I was pregnant with Jacob, I thought I experienced some pregnancy hormones. And obviously I did cause pregnancy changes hormones, but compared to how emotional, irrational, and easily irritated I am with this pregnancy, those "hormones" were a walk in the park.

We all know the phrase "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all." And for the most part, I have done that (except when talking to Alex about all the irritating things people do. Poor man, he has been a saint putting up with me lately)

It was brought up to me that maybe doing a once a month "pregnancy rant" blogpost might be a good way for me to vent, and it might reach some readers who find it amusing or familiar. So I figured it might be worth a try. But, for the sake of feelings all around, I won't mention specific people. I will try to keep my ranting to things that the general public have done that drives me insane. (I might have some about myself, and maybe one or two about hubby if he's okay with it ;)

Driver's, they drive me insane (haha, see what I did there?) For the sake of staying active, and getting me and the little man out of the house, I go for a walk pretty much daily. And I live in town, which means busy roads, crosswalks, and parking lots to venture across. Before I was a pedestrian such a huge percentage of the time, I didn't realize just how inconsiderate motorists can be! The biggest things that irritate me lately are as follows
*Cutting off the pedestrian (which = me and Jacob, and sometimes my neighbor and her little boy) We'll check the traffic and start across the sidewalk that crosses the entry/exit of a store parking lot when suddenly someone speeds their way in or out of the parking lot. Usually cutting us off, or getting so close behind us we can smell their exhaust. They have literally been so close at times I could have touched the vehicle, had I attempted it.

*Not waiting for the pedestrian who has the walk signal. Now some of the crosswalks are tricky, as they give me the signal to walk at the same time as the people in the turn lane get a green light. I believe it is technically the law that they are not supposed to go as long as a pedestrian is in the crosswalk at all. Now it doesn't bother me too bad that people don't wait until I am completely across the road before turning in front of or behind me...but when they barely wait for me to get out of the lane they're turning into?? It drives me insane. It is so very dangerous, and uncomfortable for me. Keep in mind that almost 100% of the time that I am going for a walk, I have Jacob in his stroller and am pushing him.

And sort of on the same subject, it irritates me every time I see this cute little card posted online:

And this is the nicer version..

I am almost 5 months pregnant, pushing over 30lbs, and you stopped for me. Do you really think I'm going to sprint? Although people seldom stop to let me cross. When they do I make sure to wave my thanks, because I appreciate it so much.

*Pulling halfway -or more- into the crosswalk at a red light. There are lines there for a reason, it's called a crossWALK for a reason, back your big stinky truck up two feet so I can fit where I'm supposed to. The 2 feet are not going to make you late because you're that much farther back when the light turns green.

*whew* I feel a little better already ;)

Cigarettes also bother me. A lot. I am normally quite sensitive to the smell, and when I'm pregnant it is many times worse. There are now laws in place about smoking in public. The main one being that you have to be at least 10 feet away from an entrance to smoke. People do not obey this law, especially when it's cold. I will be walking out of the store and there is often someone smoking right there...about 2 or 3 feet away. I (only halfway jokingly) told Alex I was going to start carrying a tape measure and re-adjusting people. Seriously, cigarette smoke makes me ill, and when smokers don't follow the law, I have no way of avoiding it. And yes, I will go out of my way to go in a different door if possible. It's that bad.

People talking to Jacob implying that I'm a bad mom "Where's your hat?? It is too cold outside!"
Yeah, the hat is in the stroller, he takes it off and throws it when the chin strap gets in the way of his drink. Where's your hat? And yes, he is in his pajamas. No I'm not too lazy to dress him, I think his feet being warm is more important than him being in "real clothes", the fact that they are footie pajamas keeps him from being able to pull his shoes and socks off. Which he does as soon as he can, and throws them when I'm not looking. He's lost one of each in wal-mart.

The other day I was so emotional that while we were out to dinner, when Jacob said hi to a couple that was leaving, and they ignored him, I wanted to cry.

I sometimes cry if Alex doesn't get the chance to call during his lunch break.

It is extremely sad to have a mail day where we don't get anything. Junk mail is even better than nothing.

I very easily take things too personally right now, and if you suggest that something I'm doing is unhealthy or dangerous, I may just jump to the conclusion that you're saying I'm a terrible mom and don't care about the health of my unborn child.

I think that is all for now. Ladies, have you ever been extra hormonal? What were some of your craziest moments?

Jacob 13 months

This morning I had a bit of a shocking moment. I was watching Jacob play and I realized that he looks like a little boy now, not really a baby any longer.

His top teeth are coming in now. He got the two side top teeth first, and now the middle ones are coming in.
Last time he was weighed and measured  Jacob was up to 20lbs and just over 28 inches. Jacob runs now. He is an active little man and always wants to be on the move, he has such short legs that he ends up with a very unique run. Just over the past two days he has started dancing while walking too.

Jacob has started copycatting too. Whether coughing, laughing, clapping, using a tool, "knocking on wood" etc. He tries it as soon as he sees it done. A good reminder to Alex and I that we are his role models, and that a lot of what he does depends on what he sees us do.
Jacob will eat almost anything, though he dislikes some meats. His latest favorites have been life cereal, peas, kix. Pretty much anything he can pick up and feed himself. He likes feeding himself with a fork or spoon too, and makes much less of a mess than he used to. His main problem is getting loose foods to stay on the utensil he is using.
We still can't figure out which hand is Jacob's dominant hand. Just this evening I was watching him eat dinner with Alex and he was using both hands equally to grab and feed himself food. Maybe he's ambidextrous?
Jacob's also learned "where's your nose?" and for "where's your belly?" he points at his chest, so, close. He gets bored though and once he's learned something new and shown it off a few times he wants to go on to something new and will seldom do that "trick" again.

Jacob has made some major improvements in sleep! I am so proud of him, and so upset at all the problems he was dealing with that we didn't even know about. When we took him to the doctor for his one year check up, the doctor said he may have allergies, since he has had almost chronic coughing, sneezing,runny nose, and rubbed his nose a lot as if it was itching. So, he was prescribed some baby clairitin. The doctor also said that if the previous tenants had been smokers or had pets, the residue from that may also have been causing problems. Not a week later Alex and I realized there was yellow stains running down the nursery wall...and we assumed it to be nicotine. Long story short, after a month of stress, little help from the landlords, and continuing health problems and sleep trouble with Jacob - we moved him to the spare room as we completely clean, primer, and repaint his room. We'll also be paying to have the carpets cleaned. Besides the nicotine we've also discovered mold, and that there was a gas leak outside the corner of the house where Jacob's room is. In one week he has improved so much that he no longer needs Vick's on his feet, we no longer give him tylenol just before bed, and he went from sleeping 4 hours straight at best, to sleeping 8-9 hours straight, then another 4 before getting up for the day.

All in all, Jacob is growing and learning like crazy, has no end of energy, talks constantly, and brings Alex and I such joy and amazement that we can hardly stand it sometimes.What a blessing our little man is!

Jacob: one year!

My Jacob is a year old. It's gone by so very fast!

When he was weighed and measured two weeks ago Jacob had gained a pound in two weeks! He was up to 19lbs 5oz, and just a hair under 28". Which puts him up to 19th percentile for weight, and 2nd for height! This is the first time since he was a month old that Jacob has been above the 1st percentile for height.

Jacob is always learning new things. Alex is especially amazed by it, as he is so used to animals -who seldom learn much new once they are able to walk on their own.

 Jacob has learned to sign "all done" when he is finished eating now. He also waves "bye-bye" and "goodnight". While I know how smart he is, it's exciting to have an understandable form of communication. So far most of Jacob's learning has been problem solving and physical. Until now he hasn't shown many signs of wanting to communicate with us. A few weeks back Jacob took his pointing a step further too when he was consistently pointing to the correct item when we would ask him "Where is the tree?", or, "Where is the light?" and now he'll even point to "dada". Because of how much he liked his whistle, Alex and I bought Jacob a little kazoo. He quickly figured out how to hum into it to make noise, and for a few days he walked around the house with it. Just today he figured out how to turn a light on using a light switch. We've been letting him turn lights off for a while now, but today was the first time he was able to get the switch up. He was so proud of himself! He started flipping the light off and on just to show off what he had learned.

Christmas was a lot of fun. Jacob got to have his first chocolate covered pretzel, and he made a huge mess! He decided the pretzel was no good once the chocolate was gone. He also got to open some gifts. It took him a few tries to get the hang of it. Mainly because he was so used to us telling him "no" when he messed with the presents under the tree that he got jumpy when we tried to let him open one. By the end of the day he was able to tear the paper off like a pro. It was fun to watch him just tearing into his birthday presents yesterday.



Walking is Jacob's main way of getting around now. He may very well be running in a few weeks, he's almost run a few times now when his daddy is chasing him.

What a crazy, fast, wonderful, exhausting, challenging year it has been. And I wouldn't trade a day of it. I love my little man!