A Dog-Gone Good Birthday Party

We had Jacob's birthday party on Saturday, December 4th at 4pm. It was at our house. We had the dog theme for our party. We had a dog balloon, colored paw print balloons, and plain colored balloons. There wasn't as many as that makes it sound though. I tied some balloons to the back of Jake's chair, and the other two bunches to stuffed dogs. We put one by the food and one on the big table. We got blue and green streamers and Matt put those up around the house as well. I had meant to set out his dog pillow pet somewhere as well but I forgot.

The menu consisted of hot dogs, dog food dip, and puppy chow, which I served in {clean} dog bowls. I had really wanted to serve the dog food dip in one of the bowls but it has to be in a fondue pot so I just put the fritos in there instead. (As an added bonus to the theme, fritos smell like dog's feet) I also made warm fruit salad even though it didn't go with anything because we needed something healthy and I felt like having it. My brother also brought over bruschetta.

My parents (dad) brought over another dog balloon. It happened to be the other one from the theme that we didn't get so that worked out good. He had that attached to a can of Alpo dog food (which is what dog food dip looks like) He also brought over a small bag of dry dog food. He thought that could be a decoration. So we had that sitting up on the counter with the food.

The guests that came were Lolo, Papa, Uncle Sean (Buddy), Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Melissa (Minnie), Grandma Joan (G.G.), Kaytee, and June. When everyone arrived we had food and chatted. Jordan wanted to nurse so I took him into the bedroom for that. We were all stuffed after eating so we opened presents next. Jacob received lots of great things.

From Matt & Me:
- Workbench with tools
- Hard hat
- Dinosaurs
- Firetruck
- Pluto, Mickey, and Minnie stuffed animals that were mine when I was little

From Grandma & Grandpa V:
- Tag Junior reader
- Tag books: If I Were..., Pooh Loves To..., Curious George Color Fun, The Backyardigans Opposites, Cars Shapes
- Carrying case for Tag Books/Reader
- Tools
- Flashlight

From Lolo, Papa, and Buddy:
- $100 for college savings
- Christmas PJs
- Shapes book
- Puzzle (animals)
- Thomas the Train: Follow Me Thomas
- (Also the Big Foot robot which he got the next day)

From G.G.:
-Brainy Baby Books set

From Kaytee and June:
- art supplies: pad of paper, pad of construction paper, finger paints, markers, paint, paintbrushes

From Grandpa H:
- remote control car

From Auntie Sarah & Uncle Bill:
- $40

From Grammy:
- $25

From Grandma Lois:
- $50 savings bond

Jacob had a blast opening his presents and being the center of attention. I think his two favorite things (that night anyway!) were the firetruck and the working drill from the tool set from his grandparents. He played with both of those most of the night.

After presents we had cake. I thought it looked ridiculous but everyone said I did a good job on it. It was a dog's face. It didn't look like it was supposed to but I guess it turned out okay. It tasted really good though! Jacob blew out his own candle. It took several several attempts but he finally got it.

After we had cake we just sat around and talked and the kids played. Jacob had a really great time at his party and that is all that matters. He had ended up having diarrhea from drinking apple juice and I felt like the world's worst mother when I finally realized it -- only AFTER taking a picture of him and noticing on the screen that his pants were soaked. Poor kid!! But other than that little incident, it was a great night.

All About Me in 30 Days: Day 7-12

I got behind in this. Time for some catching up!

All About Me in 30 Days

Day 7 – a picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

This is a picture of my mom and me on my wedding day - June 24, 2006. I don't have any recent pictures of us together (Note to self: I'm going to have to fix that soon) Though we've had some difficult times (read: middle school years) we've really always had a close relationship. I am so blessed to say that my mom is my best friend.

Day 8 – your favorite quote

"Begin each day as if it were on purpose"

This comes from the movie "Hitch." Or at least that's where I know it from. I try to kind of live by that motto, although I am NOT a morning person!

Day 9 – your dream house (description or photo!)

Oh goodness gracious! I could be here all day answering this question! I have a strange passion for houses. I often spend hours looking online at houses I have no intention of buying and falling in love with this, that, and the other thing about each of them. There are a few qualities my dream house would possess. The first, and most important, being that it would be located somewhere other than Michigan :-)

Aside from that, it would have a spacious kitchen with an island. It would have an open feel to it. It would have ample lighting, a big fenced in backyard, and lots of room for storage. It would have walk-in-closets, a scrapbook room, and a big front porch.

Although it doesn't quite fit all the criteria of my dream house, the best house I've ever seen was our house in Alto. I really loved living there!

Day 10 – a photo that makes you happy

Pretty much any picture of my family, especially my boys makes me happy. Here is a recent one from Jacob's birthday party on Saturday. I love the face he's making. He makes me smile.

Day 11 – a photo that makes you angry/sad

Another picture from Jacob's birthday party on Saturday. This picture makes me sad because I didn't realize he had that huge wet spot on his pants until after I took this picture. I knew his pants were wet but I thought he just spilled something on them and they would dry. Instead, they got worse (see picture) He had had diarrhea from his apple juice and the poor kid sat in that diaper for over an hour because of my negligence. I win the world's worst mom award :-(

Day 12 – something you are OCD about

I am kind of OCD about a lot of things but the one I am willing to admit right now is my closet. My clothes hang color-coded by style. I'd take a picture to show what I mean but 1) I'm too lazy to do that right now and 2) it's slightly embarrassing!

Jacob Michael: Two Years

Jacob is two years old today (yikes!) He has amazed us beyond words as his personality has developed. He has become such a sweet and happy little boy. Looking back at the Jacob from a year ago and comparing it to the Jacob today is just astounding. What a year of growth and development it has been!

Last year on his birthday he wasn’t walking. He wasn’t talking. We had no idea that he was going to become a big brother – and such a good one at that! At a year old he weighed 24 lbs and was 29 ¼ inches tall. Today he weighs 32 lbs and is 34 ½ inches tall.

Jacob loves SO many things. Books, trips to the library, Barney (a new found love last week – not sure if it’s actually Barney or the fact that he’s finally allowed to watch TV), puzzles, cars and trucks, trains, tools, climbing, blocks, animals, milk, water, zippers, buckles, music. He loves playing with just about everyone. He will grab your hand and pull you to wherever he wants you to be or point to the floor or the chair he wants you to sit in. He’s become clingy to stuffed animals. His “friends” that go almost everywhere with us are Mickey (“Minnie”), Donald (“Nanal”), and Grinch (“Nee”). He also likes Curious George (“Guh”). He’s finally able to sit still to listen to a story – sometimes.

There’s not many things that he dislikes but there are a few. Brushing his teeth and being told no, for instance. He is stubborn.

Some of his favorite foods are pancakes, waffles, pretzels, crackers, peaches, grapes, blueberries, bananas, frozen peas, and cheese. He likes most fruits and very few vegetables. He doesn’t like to try new things.

I’m not sure what a typical two year old knows but I feel like Jacob is really smart for his age!

Body Parts he can identify: head, hair, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, face, arms, elbows, wrists, hands, fingers, back, chest, belly, bellybutton, bottom, pee-pee, legs, knees, feet, toes

Body parts he can say: head, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, back, belly, knee, feet

Colors he can identify: red, blue, yellow, green, orange, purple, pink, black, brown, white. Sometimes gray (sometimes he calls it black and sometimes he calls it brown)

Colors he can say: red, blue, yellow, green, purple, pink, black, brown, white, gray

Animal Sounds he can make: dog, cat, elephant, lion, alligator/crocodile (claps hands), sheep, cow, duck,

Counting: He can count to three without fail. He can sometimes count up to five. He can hold his fingers up for one and five.

Letters: He can pick out the letter D and O. When given only a few choices he can pick out more letters (he’s done E and F for sure, I am not sure of all the others he has done)

Words: He says tons of words. Here are what I could think of: airplane, applesauce, apricot, baa, baby, back, bad, bag, ball, balloon, banana, barney, bath, battery, bean, bear, bed, bee, belly, bib, big, black, block, blue, boat, book, boot, bonk, bouncer, bowl, box, bracelet, Brandon, Brrr, brown, bubble, buckle, Buddy, bunny, Bye bye, candy, car, Cart, chair, Cheese, chicken, chip, chocolate, couch, cow, cracker, cross, daddy, deer, Diaper, digger, dip, doctor, doggy, door, Donald, Down, dragon, draw, dressing, drink, Duck, ear, eye, fan, Fishie, Five, Four, George, ghost, girl, giraffe, gobble, golf, golf cart, graham cracker, grandma, grandpa, gray, green, grinch, hand, haircut, hat, hello, hi, hot, jacket, jakey, Jesus, Kitty, Knee, Lawnmower, leaf, leg, library, light, Lolo, lotion, mail, mama, Man, me, Meow, mickey, Milk, mine, Minnie, Money, monkey, Monster, Moo, more, Mouth, Naughty, nice, night, no, nose, off, olive, on, one, ow, owie, pacifier, pancake, pants, Papa, Pear, peas, pee, Pee pee, Piggy, pink, Peaches, pilgrim, pizza, Please, Pool, pop, potty, pretzel, pumpkin, puzzle, Quack, radio, rain, Read, Red, ride, robot, Santa, Scarecrow, seat, Shhh, sheep, Shoe, snow, sock, spoon, syrup, teddy, Thank you, Three, tractor, Train, tree, truck, turkey, turtle, tv, two, uh oh, umbrella, vacuum, waffle, Walk, wall, walrus, wash, Water, wet, white, why, wind, witch, woah, Woof, Wow, yay, yellow, Yes, yogurt, yuck, yum, zip

At two years old Jacob’s evening routine is: dinner, bath with daddy, jammies on, playtime (usually on mom and dad’s bed but not always), milk, brush teeth, story (Good Night: A Touch and Feel Book) in the rocking chair in the bedroom, then into bed with his cross and pacifier (which we will be weaning him from this week!)

What else can I say about Jacob? He is a sweet little boy. He doesn’t like to see anyone upset and will give hugs and kisses if they are. He loves to laugh and make people laugh. He gets a little wild sometimes, usually at night. We are just crazy about him!

Five Question Friday

I'm up with the babe snuggling him back to sleep so I figured I might as well do something useful. Not entirely sure how "useful" this really is, but hey!




1. What's on the top of your holiday wish list and why? It was really hard for me to come up with anything to put on my wish list this year so I'm going to be cheesy and say just seeing the joy on Jacob's face when he sees all his new things. And of course, health and happiness for all my loves.

2. What is your favorite Christmas gift from the past? I've received many many wonderful gifts. It would be hard to even pick. One that sticks out from my childhood was my dollhouse. Recently, my mom ring and my cricut are right up there.

3. If you had life to do over, what would you be when you grow up? The same thing I wish I was now - a stay at home mom. I also wish I would have been a vet. Or I'd like to work with pregnant women/babies. There is still time for that last one...... someday!

4. When do you put up your tree? It varies. Whenever we are inspired to do so. We try to wait until after Thanksgiving but haven't always. This year we put it up either the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving, can't remember now. But we didn't decorate it for two days!

5. What is your favorite Holiday? Easter & 4th of July

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for my parents. They have always been there for me growing up and have always helped me in any way possible. They have been especially helpful now that I am a mom, taking care of the kids so I can have a break or get things done And going places with me to lend an extra pair of hands. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful, caring parents.

2 Year // 2 Month Dr Appointments

Yesterday (December 1st @ 10.20am) the boys went in for their doctor appointments. My mom came with us to help out which was GREATLY appreciated. Jacob was a very curious boy and decided while he was there to wear one arm out of his shirt -- which he proceeded to INSIST on doing for the rest of the day. What a goof!

Jacob: Jacob was seen for his 2 year appointment. He weighed 32 lbs 2 oz which puts him in the 90th percentile for weight and he was 34 1/2 inches tall which puts him in the 50th percentile for height. He didn't have to have much else done besides that - just a quick check from the doctor. Everything looks good for him except he still has that sore on his penis. It just isn't healing. We were referred to a pediatric dermatologist for further treatment of it because our pediatrician is now stumped. So I'll be calling today to make that appointment for him. I also asked about the bumps on his bottom which the doctor said was not related at all to his sore. The doctor said he should be saying 20 words now, which he well exceeds (I'd say he says at LEAST 100!) He also said he should be putting two words together. When I said he hasn't been doing that he said it won't be long before he does. Jacob must have taken that to heart because when we left the appointment he did it! "Hat off" he said. Later he said more as well. It is recommended that Jacob start taking a multivitamin since he's such a picky eater and is not getting enough of the food groups in. So we'll be heading to the store today to pick out his very first vitamins! What a big boy! He received 3 vaccines (Prevnar, Hepatitis A, and flu) He was such a brave boy! He just sort of looked at the girls who were poking him but that was it. He happily showed off his bandaid the rest of the day! He got a blue heart bracelet (he loves those goofy things) and a Toy Story sticker. He goes back in a year.

Jordan: Jordan was seen for his 2 month appointment. He weighed 11 lbs 11 oz which puts him in the 50th percentile for weight. He was 22 1/4 inches long which puts him in the 25th percentile for height. And his head circumference was 15 inches which puts him in the 10th percentile for head. He was very calm and quiet for the appointment and checked out well. All of the things I asked about (his rash which of course I just had to describe because he didn't have it then, the spots on his eyelid and back of his neck, and his leg twitching) are all normal things and he will outgrow them all. The rash, as I suspected, is likely just due to him becoming upset. (He tends to get it worse when he's crying) The spots are birth marks, or "stork bites", that should go away by the time he is 2-3 years old. Jordan also got 3 pokes. He received the DTaP, Haempohilus B (I probably spelled that one wrong), Prevnar, Hepatitis B, polio, and rotavirus. He gagged a little on the rotavirus because she gave it to him way too fast. Next time I'll ask to do it myself. He cried when he got the shots but stopped once I picked him up which was probably a minute or less later. My boys are so brave! He was fussy and sleepy for the rest of the day, but never had a fever or anything like that. He goes back in two months.

I am very upset with myself that I forgot to bring my camera along. So I have no pictures to share from the appointment :-( Bad Mommy!!

All About Me in 30 Days: Day 6

All About Me in 30 Days

Day 6 – your favorite book

This is another hard one for me to answer because I have SO MANY favorites. My most recentfavorite, though, is Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. I read -- and liked -- the whole series (although, to be honest I found the fourth book rather boring) but my favorite was the first book. I liked the mystery of finding everything out. I also, of course, liked the love story. I haven't been that sucked into a book in a long time - especially one I didn't even want to read in the first place!