Dear Jacob

Jacob,
Today I am thankful for you... My Son Jacob. Today is the most important day in our lives. It was day of our giving receiving ceremony in Vietnam. Legally giving us full custody. So on this day we became a FAMILY. A son... ours to love.

You are so beautiful. I find myself staring at you thinking ... Is it possible to love some one so much... Cause I do. I love you more than any words can explain or express. You are my everything. You make me laugh, cry, you make want to be the best I can be. I love your beautiful eyelashes, your giggle, your silly ways, the way you talk ( today you said look mommy beep beep and I said yeah can you say CAR... you say tar... I said you know what bud I love when you call it beep beep... lets stick with it~ why would I want to change something SOOOO cute), I love when you say thank you or excuse me ( you are so well mannered), I love when you hug me and give me a kiss & say Love you mommy.

So today I thank you Jacob for all that you are and all that you will become. You have truly been a blessing and always will be. In my eyes you are all that is good. And you have completely captured my heart.

I love you....

Love Mommy

My boys... Best Buds or Are they?

These pictures are of Jacob & simon....

Its start out their buddies... then Simon becomes depressed since Pappy yelled at him for taken Jacobs cheese. Then it the Mommy I swear I did not take jakes cheese look

answer to title... Best BUDs!!

My Father

Today I am thankful for my father. My father watches my son while I work & is a great father & pappy. My dad paints, plays trains, plays with play doh... all that stuff. He has always been there for me. I could not image my life with out him. When I hear some one tell a story of how horrible their father is. I feel bad for them cause my father is my everything & means so much to me. Tonight he stayed late & ate left overs with Jacob & I. Then allowed me to go down and clean out the garage. I am on a mission to find the keys to something... I thought maybe it was stuck in a box from our moved that I have not got to. Also I needed to move stuff around so I can get all of Jacobs out door toys from Pappy's shed. After Jacob wanted to play Yahtzee so Pappy stayed and played that too. At 9:30 he headed home tired but he seemed happy to spend his evening with us in stead of home with my sister & mom who were sick.

My father does so much more... he fixes stuff in our house when needed ( if he can), takes Jacob to the doctor if I am working, sometimes if he is shopping he picks me up stuff & delivers. I am so thankful god blessed me with such a great father & Jacob a great grand father & god father.

Dad I love you~

Our family weekend

I have been reading this one blog and I really like how she has chose to start out here blog. So I am going to steal her idea. Because I want to start my blog post out in a postive way. So Here it goes....



Today I am thankful for Children. I believe that children really do make the world a better place. To see their smiling faces, they way the express themselves through play, and just watching them grow. This weekend my neices, nephew, sister in law, and sister came over and stay saturday night. I made the kids favorite ... spegetti & meatballs. It turned out great. But I made way to much...Got a little carried away I guess~ Left overs....



I had some activities planned and games. We had a blast. We made bunny baskets out of empty milk jugs. We made pop corn and watched cars & Elmo potty time ( not sure why they picked that), all 4 of them got a bubble bath in my huge master tub and used the bath crayons and toys to play. We painted for hours... and hours... then colored.... I made pancakes & sausage for breakfast. And sandwiches for lunch. Then a chicken Terriyaki stir fry ( not a kit... I made it) for dinner & even sent my brother dinner home since he works till middle of the night.

After all was said and done they were on their way home... and I cleaned the whole first floor and the upstairs bathrooms.... Lots of germy germs and stick finger prints every where...and I mean every where the light switches, door knobs, and the kitchen cabinets.

But I truly enjoyed it...

and so did they.. . they begged to stay....

Pictures from weekend

Pictures.... the top picture is the paper from the Thomas the Train. I purposely bought him a new wooden train to get this paper than paid 2.11 to get it laminated at staples ... to keep my sanity~ He was lost with out it for days!

my little man sleeping & his LONG BEAUTIFUL eye lashes

and the bunnies we made this weekend as an activity with his cousins....I thought up the whole thing and winged it.... We ran into a fe bumps but we did it.... ( a little super glue here & there ... hee hee)

Reconnecting

Well I joined face book per suggestion of long distance friend so we could talk back n fourth. And now I have actually reconnected with several friends and acquaintances from school. Its weird because these are people you assumed you would never see or hear from again. And now to know where their at, what their doing, and how their doing is great. Some have kids, some married, some are still the same and some have changed 100%. I know I have changed alot since school. I was very lost when I was young. Always trying to find my way, where I belonged and just testing everything. I do not regret who I was. Cause everything I was made me who I am today.
I love my life I have a great husband who is also my best friend. A beautiful son who opened my eyes to so much. Especially the world and knowledge of adoption. I was so scared to travel to Vietnam and now if you asked me to go any where... Id say when do we leave. Adoption has also effected me in the way where I could really get in trouble because If I could afford I would adopt alot of children. The thought of a child not ever knowing the love of a parent or a family haunts me. Some times I think about it and it makes me cry.

Its funny because I am so not the type of person to sign up for something like face book. I also connected with some of our family mbrs we do not see often cause of distance and just we all have our own lives... So itsa good thing...
well good night all

Cloud B Twilight SEA TURTLE & Twilight LADYBUG

Jacobs new favorite toy & sleep buddy. I bought this for him for Easter but I was so excited to see how he would react. I am worse than a little kid when it comes to new toys. I swear~
Anyway I read about this in a magazine.... and thought it may help ease him at night in the dark. Especially since he really loves stars and the moon. I will suggest one thing.... if you are interested look into amazon.com or ebay. I got both the turtle and the lady bug for less than the price of just the turtle. Hopefully a little girl will come soon. Because that's who the lady bug was purchased for.
The other thing I really like is that it came with an adoption certificate. I thought when Jacob gets a little older we can discuss his adoption and kind bring this into play. Or not we will see. I like to do things as it goes.

Well to a star filled bedroom I go...

No More Cabin Fever

Today we broke free from the house for the 1st time in three weeks. Of course it was to go grocery shopping since we had nothing left in the house. But Jacob really did not seem to care what it was for. We enjoyed the day with a stop at Costco, walmart, and Giant eagle. Lets just say every one else had the same idea. It was packed everywhere. You could hardly get down any isles in the stores. But we made it and got what we needed.

Tomorrow I plan to sleep in. My house work is pretty much done. Except I really need to sweep the 2nd floor. I'll get it tomorrow after I clean my sister in laws house. I think I will be making spaghetti tomorrow we have not had that for like a month which is unusual since its our favorite. Could be we were sick and had no taste buds~

So today when we were driving through our neighborhood we past this house and it was obvious someone was working on a van in their driveway. Jacob & I noticed there was small fire starting under the van. We backed up beeped and yelled at the guy who was just coming out of his house. he said he had no water in the garden hose... it was frozen. Well with in moments it was a blazing.... the cops got there. We were well away from the house .... Anyway we got out of there. But Jacob was yelling Woooooooooow ooooooooooo woooooooo ding ding ding.... Police~

Woooooooooo wooooooo wooo ding ding ding Police!

He has never said police or anything like that.... It was very cute... sad for those people but cute to hear he knew it. Tonight we drove by and there was the van completely burned and half their car in front of it. I really felt bad for them. But I am sure they have insurance...right! And as my father taught us as long as no one is hurt ...... your fine~ cars are replaceable.

any way I got to GO..... Oh Jacob said Thomas for the 1st time today and Salty the train....

And also handed me a spider today... which I Hate spiders... Little stinker!

If anyone is reading ... have you ever heard of the Preschool prep DVD, Books, etc

and whats your thoughts.... good , bad, waste of money?

Pictures ....

Jacobs Birthday pictures from Oct 12, 2008. Since we had no computer up & running then I wanted to still post them... His Theme Thomas Train

Jacobs Updating

Well back to the doctor we went.... Jacobs cough is still hanging on.. We are told this is normal. But the did give him predisone just to assist in his recovery from bronchitis.

I feel like I have not done a updated on Jacob for ever so Here I go.....

Jacob is now 28 months old.... now weighing in at 24lbs.

He is very smart picking up new habits, words and things every day.

He loves playing , singing, dancing and just being silly.

He loves arts & activities. He enjoys painting, coloring ( with color pencils, washable markers, or crayons). He loves coloring books but never in the lines yet...still young for that. He likes painting & enjoys trying to add to mine. (he must not care for Barney much .... I painted my so called Barney and gave him a bloody nose with a big glob of red paint)

Trains... what can I say~ my life, my house and every where else is filled with trains... Jacob Loves trains. He even enjoys watching EXTREME TRAINS on the history channel. He has train table, alot of trains, toddler bed with Thomas train and I made him a fleece Thomas blanket for Christmas. Pj's, shirts, etc...you name it he probably has it. Thomas is our LIFE~ We live, eat and breathe it~ We are actually taken him to see Thomas Live with circus & to ride Thomas at the real railroad. Can not wait to see how he reacts to it all.

Jacobs says his ABC's from A- I with a little assistance. Because instead of F he says S. We're working on it. Can point out the # 1, 2, 6 & 9 . And will only count 1-2 but when by himself or when he thinks no one is paying attention I hear him say more that just those 2.

Colors.... favorites blue, white, yellow, pink & He can say them. But he can point out black, red , green, purple & orange but just does not say them yet.

He is talking some much and comes up with new words every day......moo moo cow, fish, speed ( which is what he calls lighting Mc queen from the movie cars), mee ma ( gram ma), Mee mee is ( aunt mary), apple jacks, cookie, Shadow, sun out, moon, ashley, sam, Joe joe, Yes, happy, and my favorite love you, Tubby ( he calls Simon this & came up with it own his own), Bubble bath, night night, pizza hut ( which I guess he got from TV cause we never go to pizza hut), you alright, or I alright Momma. No matter what he says I love it~

He is very good with his manners & we have gotten several comment on how good he is with them. Thank you, please and excuse me..... He even says excuse me for other people.

He also says sorry... some times for no reason....

He loves to Jump / climb and scare the crap out of me. He does somersaults off the couch.

Is it weird to take him to a gymnastic class.... This is a real question? whats your thoughts... he just loves to play, tumble, roll, hang like a monkey on things....do head stands....

When it comes down to it... Hes the best and I could not be any happier... He is truly the best little guy in the whole wide world...

And mommy loves him more than anything

A Little Bit of Fun

Jump Smart Toddler Trampoline- BY Kid active

My friends son got one of these for christmas from a grandparent & loved it. We happen to be at their house one day and Jacob love it. Well it just so happened at our local goodwill store they had one for sale brand new in the box never opened. Some one had UPS it for christmas to some one and maybe the parents disagreed with it, or did not have enough room, or just hate putting things together. Anyway their loss was our gain... usually 49.99 we got it for 19.99.

Now we did have some concerns about safety. But it only is about a foot and a half of the ground. And we placed it in a well carpeted area. Also you could place pillows or a gym mat or something down to. Place it in center of a room away from everything. The hardest part was putting it together. You have to lace the netting to the frame. Took 2- 3 of us to do it. one to hold, one to pull & the other to lace.

Anyway Jacob loves it.... and so does his cousins and his little buddies. We actually have to say ok Jacob its Ashleys turn, then ok Ashley its Sams turn. This has helpedus with the winter blues are little guy is experiencing since we have been hammered with snow. He loves to Jump and learn from it. Above is a picture of him taking a break from jumping. He also loves to lay on it with his blanket & watch Diego & Dora.

This is sold on line at Target.com

also if you type the name of it in the yahoo search area it pulls other places who sell it

Heres a little info:

Bilingual TrampolineLimited Supply! This brightly colored fun kids trampoline is not just a bouncy good time. It's a learning tool also. This JumpSmart toddler trampoline features a five in one multi game sound system that makes learning fun...counting...music...rhythm, special effect sounds, recognition and memoryThe JumpSmart trampoline by Spin Master, Kid-Riffic and Kid Active requires 3 "AA" batteries (not included).

Jumping Mat Measures 27" x 29"
Measures 42"x36" and holds up to 80 pounds.

Bronchitis again

So today I wake up clean the house completely with bleach..... I did not want to cause I felt like Crap~ But the last 3 months we all have had colds. Not that I never clean... I do. I am a neat freak. But I think it needed DEGERMED.... With Germ killing powers. Tonight after dinner I just could not take any more. I was really having issues breathing if I did I was coughing. Wheezing.... it was horrible. So my father took me to the urgent care and Michael stayed home with Jacob cause he to has bronchitis...... Well that is what they dx me with to. I am to use Jacob Nebulizer with adult abutorol. Well of course all the pharmacy's are closed around here at 9:30. So I came home and did Jacobs treatment with 1 of his albuts. I felt horrible using one of his but I needed it... and he seems to be doing much better. And I do not think he will end up using all of his. Can you tell I feel guilty. Anyway.... I just wanted to let you all know... and I will blog later tomorrow. I have a great toy that I got Jacob you may all like.

till then good night

Done with Winter.....I Wish

Again we wake up to see unwanted snow on the grounds, covering the drive way, the deck and everything else in its path. Don't get me wrong snow is beautiful but we have had enough. My little man is so bored with being in the house and with the cold temp's you really can not have him out side. I have never really been a winter out doors girl myself. I was always the little girl watching the other kids from our huge living room window growing up cause I was sick with a cold. And every time I had a cold it moved to my chest when I was little. So I do not blame my mom for letting me go out.
Well here they said it would be flurries and its looks like we have accumilated 2inches. Plus the wind... Last night I ran to the store for basic necessities....milk, eggs, bread...etc and it was lighting. And now snow... Just odd~

Spring is around the corner... I know it. But try telling your 2 year old that. I plan on spending every minute that I am not working out side with my boy. At the park, fishing, Swimming and walking ( I need to lose some weight & get healthy again)

This winter has been the worst for us... Today Jacob is going to the doctor he has our cold and is running a temp. He had the chills last night the high fever, then coughing and yellow goo pouring from the nose... Lovely image ..... sorry.
I guess all we can ask for is for god & mother nature to move winter along QUICK....
Well break time is over back to work

At the End of My Rope

I am sure you already know what this post is about.

I am going crazy!!! Call it terrible 2's or what ever you want....my little man is testing me to the end of my rope the last 4 weeks. Climbing on things, jumping off things, somersaults of the couch, not listening at all, I can say his name a million times and he ignores me. WHY..... WHY I ask....is he being this way? I talk to my friends and they all say... that normal~ I ask how do you get him to stop?

You can't they say. When I was little all my dad had to do is raise his voice and we listened.

I do and Jacob laughs at me. And I have to admit cause I want to laugh to.....

All I want him to do is listen to me..... instead of saying please pick up the blocks.... 20 times. Then picking them up myself. Sitting him in the corner or time out does not work he does not stay. Taking toys or taking away TV time nothing works ...I tell you~

Give me your tricks or tips... or are my friends right.... just deal with it.

I want him to grow up with respect & to be a good boy.

PIctures

Ok some more pictures since we have missed so many months...

Birthday party.... thomas theme... we live, eat & breathe Thomas

We are going to see Thomas Live & to ride Thomas in Stratsburg PA

Halloween.... Move over Bob the Builder theres a New BOB in town

Merry Christmas and a visit with HO HO as Jacobs calls him

Jacob with His uncle Steve ( my brother) He loves Uncle Steve