Countdown to 2 has begun

Nine days until Jacob hits 2 years old. We've gotten the representative pinata for his day to re-enact last year (a big "2") and we've nearly finished the grocery and party 'shopping' (wahoo 99 cent store!). Additionally, Jacob is close to being able to hold up his 2 fingers when asked how old he is and he's asked us for birthday cake several times over the past few weeks; a sure sign that he'll be more interested in the cake this year over last year....

Closing in on 2, Jacob is becoming more hysterical by the day. He has become selectively more snugly where he hugs tightly and plants kisses all over your face and grins contentedly. He talks a mile a minute as he is an equal opportunity parrot and knows more words than we ever remember saying. He would have us read him books for hours if he got everything he wanted, and he can recite Dr Seuss' Hop and Pop all on his own.

He eats all the time. Seriously. All the time. We eat dinner- which he eats, too, though he is showing a bit more pickiness as he grows- then we go for a walk. When we arrive home, we hear, "Hungry-snack please. Jacob hungry. " And yet, this former chunk continues to loose his pants he's so svelte. Perhaps it's the running, jumping, skipping (more like wizard-of-oz skip on the yellow brick road), balancing on edges, organizing, and constant energy exertion.

(Organizing letters into a straight line...and the "Jacob" was there in the beginning, but he can verbally spell his name)

(Walking on the edge....as usual...big ol' cloth diaper bootie profile)

(Picking flowers for daddy on the evening walk)

Recently, we began the potty-training adventure. During this past week, Jacob has had numerous successes and actually asks to spend some time reading on his potty- usually accompanied by George.

We made it to the airport and back and to a small farm and back without accident (though, much to Jacob's delight, a flower or two on the farm had to drown). For the most past, he's wearing training pants (we call them big boy briefs), going free during naps, and wearing a diaper at night. He gets to pick a sticker to put on his door chart each time something happens in the potty and it seems to please him to no end!

At the airport, we rode the tram with daddy and (grand)Ma, whom we had just picked-up!

Jacob loved feeding the pigs, chickens, goats, and cows....but the goose nibbled his finger and he stopped feeding them.

Then we went to the zoo with Ma and snacked with the elephants. What fun!

The next few weeks will be crazy what with me completing and defending my thesis, Ma visiting (yay!), Daniel finding out about internship next year (FYI: we may be in Phoenix next year), and Jacob turning 2...so we'll do our best!

Smooth operator

So, no real pictures...sorry! The weather has been gorgeous these past few days so we're out and about for hours on end and I never remember the camera. I'll work on it for sure.

I just though I'd leave you with some Jacob-isms of late. He's picked-up on our 'common phrases that we didn't know we used a lot' and uses them with extreme ease...it's hilarious. For example, snack time goes something like this:
Me: "Jacob, would you like yogurt or cheese?"
Jacob: "How 'bout....pretzels?!"
Me: "That's not what i said."
Jacob: "How 'bout...cookie monster?" (all cookies are called cookie monsters. quite silly.)

Another example would be on our walk tonight, we heard a dog bark a few times which left Jacob a bit unsettled, so this conversation ensued:
Jacob: "Where's that dog go?"
Daniel: "I think he's at his home with his dinner."
Jacob: "yeah, dinner. Let's go check."
Now when Jacob is unsure about something it becomes "let's go check."

Jacob is also an avid rule-enforcer. This doesn't always equate to rule abider, rather he's an expert at noticing when another kid is hitting, pushing, yelling, etc. He goes up to them, says "no pushing (or other verb)" then tries to hold their hand and go play. It's quite funny to watch the other kid- they are generally confused until Jacob starts grinning and patting their back- then they're ready to play!

That's it for now so I'll end this in the words of the munchkin, "see you later!"

Easel fun

We love Ikea, especially on rainy days here in Berkeley- it's like a fun playground for parents and kids. And, as we've previously mentioned, there have been plenty of rainy days in 2010 so far. About a week or so ago, we visited the local Ikea for a desk organizer but instead found a great deal on Jacob's birthday present from daniel and myself! Though he still has 4 weeks to go until turning 2, we figured it'd be fun for all of us to break in the Easel now.

Though he's a bit shrimpy now for the big board, he'll be using it for years to come. He already knows that to reach those top spots he just needs to get his stool. Daniel and I have really loved drawing with him....and sometimes drawing even after he's walked away.

You think he likes it? We do!

February in photo form

I can't believe February has already come and gone. Quite a lot of memorable times were had, what with petting cows, riding a steam train, and tree-climbing in addition to a quick NC trip for great-grandma's memorial service.

At the church for G'ma's service, Jacob discovered the joys of preschool classrooms. Little did he know that I, and all his Chell aunt and uncles, played and learned in the same rooms as kids. (And Uncle Dana and Aunt Emily even found a play tunnel in the classroom now with which they played many years ago!)

These baby strollers, books, and play kitchen paired with the playful companionship of our dearest family friend Patty, allowed us all to be present and savor the beauty of grandma's service. Thanks a million Patty!

Though a quick trip, Jacob still talks about Chell family members as though they're in the other room....then giggles as he acknowledges that they're not here. Late night and early morning lounging pictures are what we've got with family as he was rarely still- usually dragging one 'sucker' adult to play somewhere or another.

And we got some beautiful Christmas pictures edited from Uncle Josh...this is by far the sweetest thing!

Life's pretty much back to 'normal'. We eat popcorn, read books, hold cute baby Rosie, get outside between downpours (though it's supposed to be the sunny season now....hmmm).

Happy March 2010. Time sure does fly by......