Keeping Our Chins Up

Here's a cute video of Jacob enjoying tummy time. As you can see, he is doing a great job holding his head up. At daycare they are putting him in a Bumpo seat that helps him develop those muscles needed to  sit up. Unfortunately, his thighs are a bit too wide for the seat so I don't know how long that'll last :-) Today is Jacob's first full day in daycare. Dan took both boys in this morning so I wouldn't be focusing on that since today is also my first full day back at work. The goal is to just keep our chins up this week and navigate these new waters as best we can. On Saturday Dan watched the boys while I headed to a children's consignment sale with a friend. It was nice to get out for awhile and to get some really great deals on gently used clothing for the winter. I even scored a Spider-Man coat for Micah--that's his latest favorite thing. On Sunday night we went to our church's back to school bash, complete with inflatables, snow cones and hot dogs--in short, kid heaven. It took Micah a couple of tries before he got up the nerve to go down the big slide with the older kids, but he managed! A little girl came up to Jacob and me and said, "Don't take this the wrong way, but I think that's the chubbiest baby I've ever seen!" I told her I wasn't offended at all, and that I preferred chubby babies :-) I'm so glad to hear that our family and friends on the East Coast made it through Irene ok. I know there's been quite a bit of destruction in some places. It seems like no region has been safe from extreme weather this year. I hope the winter is uneventful, in that aspect, this year.

Firsts

 All ready for his first day of daycare!

 Micah enjoying the fruits of his labor

Well, I think we've finally done it (knock on wood). I think we're on the road to having Micah fully potty trained! Without going into too much detail, lets just say that we had a successful weekend with several reward parties :-) Micah loves parties, so we thought that would be a good incentive for him. What wouldn't he do for a chocolate cupcake with sprinkles? :-)

Today is Jacob's first day of daycare. I took him over at noon before I headed into work. I go back full-time next week so he'll be going in full days next week, but we thought a gradual start would be best. I hope he does well! I was encouraged to see a teacher in the nursery who Micah had when he started at this daycare over two years ago. It made me feel a little bit better about leaving him when I could turn him over to her instead of someone I didn't know as well. She's a wonderful, sweet lady. I know it's a good daycare/preschool he's going to--great facilities and teachers, low turnover, educational programming even for the babies--and that helps. There's a little boy in there only 7 weeks old. I feel blessed to have had these twelve weeks with Jacob. But it still hurts.

Happy Face

Here is a photo and video of our sweet baby! I don't know if it's possible, but I think he's almost outgrown another size this weekend. I don't want to jinx it but he's been sleeping 6-hour stretches at night if I top him off right before I go to bed. I hope it continues! We had a great weekend, with a bit cooler weather which allowed us to talk a family walk, and both boys napped on Saturday which meant we got to also! This Sunday was Jacob's first day in the church nursery because we were teaching Micah's class. He did great, but I had a hard time thinking about putting him in daycare next week. Me and every other working mom, right?

Dimples

Here are a few photos I took of Jacob and his room this morning. In the video you can see that he's got dimples--one on the left side and a small one on the right that I'm not sure is a "real" dimple or just a product of all the "cheek" he's got. He's a smiley boy most of the time and it doesn't take much to get a grin from him.

Look Alike?

As I was looking at this photo that I posted in the last entry, I was wondering if Jacob looked a lot like Micah did at this age. So, I posted a photo of Micah at 2 months old below. What do you think?

Full House

Last night was Jacob's first night in his own room. He did very well, waking up at the usual times and even slept 3 hours in his crib! This was the first time he has slept there for any length of time. I was a little reluctant to move him out of our bedroom since I like to have him close but it's only about 12 steps away from us anyway. Silly momma! I realized that now all the rooms in our house are full. It's a good feeling. I'll post some pictures of his room soon--it's the same Beatrix Potter theme we used for Micah but with more green accents.

This just in: Micah has started using "y'all" on a regular basis. Last night it was "Y'all done (with dinner)?" I guess it's inevitable that he will pick up some of those southernisms. I'll have to teach him some good yankee idioms to throw in there, though. A midwestern dad, an east coast mom (with a New England mom) and a southern birthplace. Our kids will have a lot of flavor, that's for sure.

Playtime

 Micah cools off in the sprinkler

 Jacob enjoys some tummy-time

 Micah keeps Jacob company while he takes in the wonders of...the ceiling fan

 Mommy and Jacob get ready for a hike to the library

It's hot. Like 100+ degrees hot, everyday. So we have to be creative when it comes to play time around here. Micah's been living it up in the backyard sprinkler and sometimes, the kiddie pool we set up on the porch. Jacob stays indoors for the most part since it's just too hot for him. Luckily, he is easily amused :-) His latest favorite pasttime is the mobile in his crib. He will happily watch the moons and stars go around and listen to the tinkly music for 10 or 15 minutes! We did manage to get out the baby carrier from Aunt Helen one day and walk to the library across the street. Hopefully, we'll be able to do more of that soon when it cools down this fall. Jacob had a great weekend, sleeping for 6 hours on Saturday night! He was having some trouble with fussing while eating so the Dr. recommended we try some Zantac to help with possible reflux. We think it may be working because he ate without any problems yesterday and ate like a horse! Not that he's suffering that department anyway :-) I noticed that not only have I had to let out the straps in his carseat, but I also had to do it on Micah's--looks like the kid is finally starting to grow taller! I know, I should enjoy this phase now before I am forced to buy him new pants every 4 months :-)

So Thankful

 Pop Pop in his glory

 Family resemblance

The shirt says it all...

Happy boy!

Here are a few more photos and a video taken a little over a month ago. I've been going through all of these and just feeling so grateful for:

• two healthy and happy sons
• two good jobs (although I wish I could spend more time with the boys)
• a great family and friends who love and support us
• our 10-year wedding anniversary last week!
• the AC, which is still working through these 100+ days

...and a lot more things.

It might be a little chaotic at times getting used to having two children but I can't deny that it's also a blessing at the same time. It helps to remind myself everyday of the things I'm thankful for and try to take life one day at a time.

Happy Birthday and Father's Day!

 Enjoying cake and ice cream!

 Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Dan finds his gift, the grill

This year we got to celebrate Father's Day and my dad's birthday with him in person! We had a delicious cake with candles, which Micah helped Pop Pop blow out, and opened gifts. Micah and Jacob gave Dan a grill. We just smoked a brisket on there this past weekend and it tasted great! When you live far away from family, it is special to be able to celebrate these occasions together.

And here is another picture of the brothers!

Big Brother

While we've been busy with little brother, big brother has been growing up right before our eyes. Micah's latest new skill is riding a bike with training wheels all by himself! He got the bike last summer and had been practicing, but this summer he mastered the technique and can even turn in circles without falling off now. He also loves storytelling and Curious George, and of course, stories about Curious George. Although he no longer wants to have singing time before bed like we used to, he enjoys singing along to all kinds of songs, the theme to Thomas and Friends, his sing along CDs from Aunt Lyn and Uncle Dick, and songs he makes up about...Curious George :-) Can you sense a theme? He has a wonderful singing voice.

"Do I look like Micah?"

Big Boy

 All my guys

 Gramma Lynn gets some love

 Papa Roger teaches Jacob the fine art of napping

Mama and Jacob and first bath

As you can see we got the have both sets of grandparents come to visit and help out in June and July! We needed the help, especially with entertaining Micah while I was up all night with Jacob and Dan was working out of town. We had a great time and wish everyone was closer!

Well, Jacob had his two-month doctor appointment today. He is now 16 lbs and 12 oz and 24 inches long! I think he is headed for sumo wrestler territory. What a cutie!

Mobile

Here is something new for the grandparents :-) ...a sweet video of Jacob in the cradle swing we borrowed from some friends. He just loves the mobile on it. You can hear him "talking" to the teddy bear and stars as they rotate.

Introducing Jacob!

First photo of many!

Going home from the hospital

Big brother's first visit at the hospital (with Pop Pop)

(Grammy and Jacob)

Sorry to keep everyone waiting on the photos! Here are a few of his first few days. My parents were here to help out and Dan was able to arrange his schedule so that he had 5 days in a row he wasn't working. (Dan's been working a show about 2 hrs from home for the past couple of months, so this was a big deal). The birth went smoothly and we spent two days in the hospital before coming home on Saturday. Jacob was another healthy, big baby like his brother Micah, who was 9 lbs at birth. We have enjoyed every minute! I have had a smooth recovery and today is my first day back at work. I am doing part -time for the next four weeks while Dan is home. Then I will return full-time when classes start up again at the end of the month. Jacob will be attending the daycare where Micah is. So far we are adjusting pretty well. Micah is taking on the big brother role very well. He wants to be helpful and is learning how to play quietly while Jacob is sleeping, which is much of the day! Jacob was almost 13 lbs at his 1 month appointment, so he isn't wasting any time catching up to Micah! We will fine out the latest stats at his 2 month appointment tomorrow. Other than a small cold Micah had, we are all healthy and weathering the sleep deprivation. I will be posting photos and videos soon, including Papa Roger and Gramma Lynn's visit!