Learning is always good...but this week has had Jacob learning some things that are, how should we say, not likely to send him to the top of his class.
Double fisting.

Shoving cookie cake into his mouth and hoping for more.

Having NO hesitiation to lick chocolate chip cookie crumbs from the table. Similarly, attempting to lick dripped hummus from off of his chest...which in case you weren't sure, is not possible-thus making it hilarious to observe (he laughed too, so we didn't feel cruel).

And most recently, Jacob has been making attempts at drinking milk. Today he discovered the joy of blowing milk in his bubbles- straw not even necessary.


Never a dull moment. Ever <3

Are we ready for some football?

Football has officially begun. Though I swear it's been a top conversation fixture since July, Thursday marked the official beginning to the season. Jacob and Daniel were ready (who is shocked that Jacob managed to have a Cardinals jersey? Yeah....that's what happens when he spends the night at his Didi and Yaya's house!).
Moving on to different things: we can't be prouder of our munchkin's learning at preschool! He brings home great artwork daily that covers number, colors, letters, seasons, etc.- and much to our pleasure, he comes home singing new songs all the time. This past week, he has been emphatically singing 2 songs constantly: one about the days of the week (pronounced weeeeek), and another about numbers that counts to 20. Or if you have Jacob's sense of humor, twenty-teen.

While he is certainly a typical 2 1/2 year old learning his boundaries, testing his independence, and sampling the range of emotions, we are so pleased he is able to have such social and academic stimulation- and are still so at ease with the preschool route. Sure, there are some moments where Mommy isn't desired like before, Daniel and Jacob have special jokes that happen when I'm at work, or Jacob tests if mommy and daddy really will discipline him.

But, what better age to: work on right/wrong behavior, understand the importance of healthy and strong relationships with both individual parents, that mommy and daddy love him including setting and enforcing boundaries that he disagrees with.... Great timing in terms of Jacob's age and a great time in terms of what changes are a-coming with the addition of Thomas! Obviously, we're feeling quite content these days <3

3-day weekend!

So, as previously promised, here's the Thomas belly at 24.5 weeks.



At a dr's appt on Thursday, I had gained more weight than I understand.... This happened around the same mark with Jacob's pregnancy ( actually, a few weeks earlier). So, I guess here marks the beginning of stay-puffed Ashley. Bummer, my sister gets married Oct 2 and I selfishly wanted to not have chipmunk cheeks for photos.



In other news, Jacob, Daniel, and I handled a half week of our new life just fine! Actually, Jacob went to full-days of preschool every day this past week- he actually napped 4 out of 5 days and didn't have a single accident! One day, he awoke crying after nap....but aside from that, he's handled this change-over like a little pro...we're so proud and relieved.



A sad but happy-for-them change in all our lives is that Olivia and her sweet family have all officially moved to Knoxville, TN for her dad to take a call as a Lutheran Pastor. Yay and so sad. We had them play, dance, eat, and be merry one last time for this phase in life and captured some footage.



They really are just too precious, a bit precocious, a ton brilliant, and a lot hilarious.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

This Wednesday, I finally begin my career. I'll be a high risk dietitian for several Phoenix WIC clinics- which is pretty much what I've wanted to do since beginning school (at least the purpose of the organization is what I've wanted to support since forever). As a M-F all day thing with a hefty commute, this family has some serious change coming soon...though let's be honest: Daniel and Jacob will be fine. I will take longer.
Despite employment as a dietitian, let this be said: cookies will continue to be made and consumed in this household- if not by me, then by Jacob!


It may mean there is more video footage like this:

And with Jacob going to preschool everyday from 8-3:30....we'll see if naps go extinct.

In other topics, Thomas is growing well, the belly is certainly growing, and the idea of him being a calmer baby than jacob (at least in utero) is quickly fading. We'll get a picture of said belly up pretty soon- at nearly 24 weeks (on Tuesday), I'm feeling really good and not any larger than last time (phewww).

As previously promised

After Daniel tinkered, returned some parts, and tinkered to get this internet satisfactorily up and running (merci for sure!), here are some photos of the past few weeks.

Jacob and I made hand-shaped biscuits for early morning sustenance and entertainment.

After being sent to his room for a time-out away from frustrating whatever it was, he discovered he could shove books under the door. He got lucky with this title.....and we couldn't stop laughing.

Jacob before his first day of preschool:

And after. Deliriously happy.

Jacob the frog (and sometimes monkey).

(Pictures soon)

So, Jacob started school last Friday.
He loved it. He's in the monkey classroom early in the morning, then due to teacher sharing, they move to the frog room for lunch.
He loved it so much that he literally cried when he saw me in the afternoon and moaned "I want to play more, no mommy, I want to play!!" Which is a great and let's celebrate his independence...except when this same child has had his first accident in 2 weeks and he's standing in the preschool hallway with his wet briefs down around his ankles and his bare nether regions exposed to the rest of his class sitting quietly against the hallway wall. Yeah...
(Regarding the accident, we think we may have it figured out- he didnt' know to ask for help and they are regular sized toilets without stools or seat inserts...now he "knows" to ask for help. Fingers crossed!)

Now to catch everyone up on these past few weeks:
First, I FINISHED my Masters. Everything. I successfully defended, edited, dealt with nutty professor and his one last attempt to mess me up, and then turned it in to the bookstore for binding. I'm done. Wahooooo!!!

The next day, we went and had our ultrasound where we saw that we're having a little BOY! We still aren't sure on a middle name, but we do know that his first name is Thomas (no, not after the toy engine but after my maternal grandfather). He's very healthy as am I and everything looked great (phew). Turns out, he's already head down and just likes to give me some kicks in my hip bone...but othewise he's happy to just hang-out in there!

The following day, we began moving into our apartment! We're still unpacking, decluttering, and putting pictures up on walls, but we are in love with this home. Jacob has a twin bed, his own little dresser and book shelf (thanks for the loans Phoenix Pugh family!), and loads of space for toys, crafts, and his easel. We got the guest room set-up this past weekend, including reassembling the crib Jacob has graciously given to Thomas- and now Jacob likes to inform us that it in fact belongs to Thomas now.

To close this post, I'll leave you all with some new Jacob-isms that had us laughing pretty hard.

While sitting at the table for lunch:
Jacob: There's a monster in my tummy.
Me: Oh, really? What kind of monster?
Jacob: It say "grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr".
Me: Does it stop when you eat?
Jacob: Yeah, it's okay now.

While pointing out Mickey Mouse and friends on a picture:
Jacob: There's Mickey Mouse! And...Mickey's doggy!
Me: That's right, there's Pluto.
Jacob: No, his name is 'blue dog'.

While watching football with Daddy:
Daniel: Did you see him throw the ball, Jacob?
Jacob: Yeah, I see it! That's my boy!

well...

I've been trying to get that aforementioned video up since the night before I posted that last post. I does not want to go up!
So here's a different out-take with a taste of his delight...