We went apple picking one rather hot October day. Jake had a great time and we came home with lots of apples. Luckily, Jake likes apples. I had visions of making apple pie, but never got around to it.
Getting bigger every year.
Hay piles are fun to climb on...
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Monday, November 03, 2008
Quick Jake Takes
I've been terrible about keeping up with the boys' blogs...so tired all the time! Here are some recent cute Jake stories.
***
Last night, Jake gave me a big hug, then said, "Mommy, do you know what a hug is? "No, Jake, what is a hug?" "It's something that you give away and then it grows even bigger!"
***
Jake thinks we get pizza from "Little Sneezers" on Friday Family Fun Nights.
***
Jake likes to talk about what he will be when he grows up. It changes a lot. Currently, he wants to be an actor. Specifically, the actor in the Godzilla suit. But no matter what he wants to be, he gets very anxious at some point and says, "Mommy, when I grow up I'm not going to move away. I'm going to live with you forever." Of course, I always assure him that's fine with me.
***
One morning, I was getting Jake dressed and when he protested something, I offhandedly said, "Come on, you want to look nice for the girls, don't you?" He said, "No! I don't like girls, just boys!" Alex said, "Oh, you say that now, but one day you'll like girls." Jake denied that he will ever like girls, to which I replied, "Don't you want to get married one day and be a daddy or poppy?" Jake stopped for a second, thought hard, and then said, with a horrified look on his face, "No way!"
***
Another morning, Alex was watching a YouTube clip where a guy was pulling books off the shelf and reading the titles, then adding, "...in your pants!" Sort of like when you read a fortune cookie and add "...in bed!" Jake wanted to watch, so Alex let him. It was perfectly clean and the double entredres were going right over Jake's head, but he found the concept hysterical. I came downstairs to see what all the laughter was about and found the two of them pulling Jake's books off the shelves, reading the title and adding "....in your pants." So it was "Journey to the Center of the Earth...in your pants!" Ha, ha, ha. "How The Grinch Stole Christmas...in your pants!" Hee, hee, hee. You get the idea.
Jake kept laughing about this the entire car ride into school, saying titles of different books he's read recently and adding "...in your pants." Lately, Alex has been reading him children's versions of classic literature.
We walked into the classroom and Jake proudly walked up to his teacher and said, "I have Moby Dick in my pants!"
It was a special, special parenting moment...
***
Last night, Jake gave me a big hug, then said, "Mommy, do you know what a hug is? "No, Jake, what is a hug?" "It's something that you give away and then it grows even bigger!"
***
Jake thinks we get pizza from "Little Sneezers" on Friday Family Fun Nights.
***
Jake likes to talk about what he will be when he grows up. It changes a lot. Currently, he wants to be an actor. Specifically, the actor in the Godzilla suit. But no matter what he wants to be, he gets very anxious at some point and says, "Mommy, when I grow up I'm not going to move away. I'm going to live with you forever." Of course, I always assure him that's fine with me.
***
One morning, I was getting Jake dressed and when he protested something, I offhandedly said, "Come on, you want to look nice for the girls, don't you?" He said, "No! I don't like girls, just boys!" Alex said, "Oh, you say that now, but one day you'll like girls." Jake denied that he will ever like girls, to which I replied, "Don't you want to get married one day and be a daddy or poppy?" Jake stopped for a second, thought hard, and then said, with a horrified look on his face, "No way!"
***
Another morning, Alex was watching a YouTube clip where a guy was pulling books off the shelf and reading the titles, then adding, "...in your pants!" Sort of like when you read a fortune cookie and add "...in bed!" Jake wanted to watch, so Alex let him. It was perfectly clean and the double entredres were going right over Jake's head, but he found the concept hysterical. I came downstairs to see what all the laughter was about and found the two of them pulling Jake's books off the shelves, reading the title and adding "....in your pants." So it was "Journey to the Center of the Earth...in your pants!" Ha, ha, ha. "How The Grinch Stole Christmas...in your pants!" Hee, hee, hee. You get the idea.
Jake kept laughing about this the entire car ride into school, saying titles of different books he's read recently and adding "...in your pants." Lately, Alex has been reading him children's versions of classic literature.
We walked into the classroom and Jake proudly walked up to his teacher and said, "I have Moby Dick in my pants!"
It was a special, special parenting moment...
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Awww...
On the way home today, Jake asked me how my day was. I told him I spent it packing for my upcoming meeting. He asked what kinds of things I packed, so I told him. After I reeled off the list, he thought for a minute then said, "Mommy, would you like to take some cereal?"
No trip is complete without cereal...
No trip is complete without cereal...
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Short and Sweet
Recent conversations:
(Jake hands me a strawberry)
M: "Thanks, Jake."
J: "My pleasure, Mommy."
****
(Reading him a story about Blue from Blue's Clues visiting his friends, all of whom are celebrating different holidays)
M: "Here we are visiting Orange Kitten. Orange Kitten celebrates the festival of light, Hannukah."
J: "Oh! I want to celebrate Harmonica, too!"
****
Jake was listening to the mix CD we made for him. When a song would come on that he particularly liked, he would pump his fist and say, "Yes!" When a Springsteen song came on, he exclaimed, "Alright! Rock and roll!" and started dancing.
****
We drive by a middle school every day on the way to and from school. Lately, the football team has been practicing. Jake would say, "Hey look! Those kids are playing Packers!" A couple of weekends ago, his dad took him to see the Wisconsin Badgers play (Jake's favorite part was the band and doing the wave). So now when we pass by the school Jake says, "Hey! Those kids are playing Badgers!"
(Jake hands me a strawberry)
M: "Thanks, Jake."
J: "My pleasure, Mommy."
****
(Reading him a story about Blue from Blue's Clues visiting his friends, all of whom are celebrating different holidays)
M: "Here we are visiting Orange Kitten. Orange Kitten celebrates the festival of light, Hannukah."
J: "Oh! I want to celebrate Harmonica, too!"
****
Jake was listening to the mix CD we made for him. When a song would come on that he particularly liked, he would pump his fist and say, "Yes!" When a Springsteen song came on, he exclaimed, "Alright! Rock and roll!" and started dancing.
****
We drive by a middle school every day on the way to and from school. Lately, the football team has been practicing. Jake would say, "Hey look! Those kids are playing Packers!" A couple of weekends ago, his dad took him to see the Wisconsin Badgers play (Jake's favorite part was the band and doing the wave). So now when we pass by the school Jake says, "Hey! Those kids are playing Badgers!"
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Happy Birthday! Jake Is Four
Jake is four years old now.
It's so hard to believe. I remember being pregnant with him, and him being a tiny newborn, so clearly. It is true what they say: When you have kids, the days are long but the years are short. It's amazing to me that he's gone from:
To this:
He is now 39 inches tall, and weighs 33 pounds. He's still in the 25th percentile for height and weight, but he's on the charts! And he's very healthy. He has seasonal allergies, and tends to get upper respiratory bugs a bit easier than most, but he comes by that honestly (thanks, Mom). He likes a wide variety of food and likes to make healthy choices -- although he certainly also likes sugar, particularly cupcakes, popsicles, and candy.
He's incredibly verbal, with a large vocabulary. He has good fine motor skills and can write his name, and draw circles and other shapes. He can even draw recognizable pictures now -- for his birthday, he made "thank you" cards with pictures of animals and you could actually tell what they were. His teachers tell me that he is a good listener in circle time; he pays attention and can talk about the subject at hand.
Music is still one of his favorite things, and he loves to play his guitars and make up songs. He also likes to play in his playroom, having epic battles of Batman vs. the Killer Butterflies, or make forts for Godzilla to attack and destroy. We play outside a lot (Mommy is his usual playmate) and go walking or hiking quite a bit.
Jake likes to play the Wii. When we first got it, the Sports games were a little beyond him. He would get incredibly frustrated, to the point of crying. If Jake can't be good at something, or win, he gets very upset (it's scary to see your worst traits in your kids!). We're working on the concepts of "trying your best" and "being patient." He's gotten a lot better. We also got him some games he can succeed at. It's amazing how much better he's gotten, both in terms of the fine motor skills and analyzing capacity necessary to play, and in having the emotional control to keep trying and not get upset or give up to easily. He really is not a baby or toddler anymore!
But he's still a sweet, loving kid who likes to snuggle and is very thoughtful and caring. I'm so lucky to be Jake's mom! It's been a wonderful four years.
It's so hard to believe. I remember being pregnant with him, and him being a tiny newborn, so clearly. It is true what they say: When you have kids, the days are long but the years are short. It's amazing to me that he's gone from:
To this:
He is now 39 inches tall, and weighs 33 pounds. He's still in the 25th percentile for height and weight, but he's on the charts! And he's very healthy. He has seasonal allergies, and tends to get upper respiratory bugs a bit easier than most, but he comes by that honestly (thanks, Mom). He likes a wide variety of food and likes to make healthy choices -- although he certainly also likes sugar, particularly cupcakes, popsicles, and candy.
He's incredibly verbal, with a large vocabulary. He has good fine motor skills and can write his name, and draw circles and other shapes. He can even draw recognizable pictures now -- for his birthday, he made "thank you" cards with pictures of animals and you could actually tell what they were. His teachers tell me that he is a good listener in circle time; he pays attention and can talk about the subject at hand.
Music is still one of his favorite things, and he loves to play his guitars and make up songs. He also likes to play in his playroom, having epic battles of Batman vs. the Killer Butterflies, or make forts for Godzilla to attack and destroy. We play outside a lot (Mommy is his usual playmate) and go walking or hiking quite a bit.
Jake likes to play the Wii. When we first got it, the Sports games were a little beyond him. He would get incredibly frustrated, to the point of crying. If Jake can't be good at something, or win, he gets very upset (it's scary to see your worst traits in your kids!). We're working on the concepts of "trying your best" and "being patient." He's gotten a lot better. We also got him some games he can succeed at. It's amazing how much better he's gotten, both in terms of the fine motor skills and analyzing capacity necessary to play, and in having the emotional control to keep trying and not get upset or give up to easily. He really is not a baby or toddler anymore!
But he's still a sweet, loving kid who likes to snuggle and is very thoughtful and caring. I'm so lucky to be Jake's mom! It's been a wonderful four years.
We Can Be Heroes
Jake with his light saber, a fun squirt gun alternative.
Jake likes to play with his water pistols. Because I am his usual playmate, we don't play games where we squirt each other unless it is really hot outside (hey, I don't want to get all wet).
One of his favorite games is to pretend that our front porch is a fort. Now that he's getting into "Star Wars," it's become a Rebel hideout that we must protect from aliens and monsters. I am "Mommy Princess Looey" and he is "Captain Hero Jake." We spot aliens and monsters and then shoot them with our laser pistols, er, squirt guns.
Jake comes up with some really funny monsters. For example, the Yellow Slugula, which drips bright yellow slime wherever it goes. Or the Giant Green Farticus, which is as tall as a tree, bright green with bumpy skin, and lets out a giant fart with each step it takes. Or the Spiderificus, which is a giant spider that likes to eat chocolate.
Sometimes he gets so excited while we're running around fighting the alien monsters, that he just spews out names: "Mommy Princess! Watch out! it's the Goobershnorklegrrblmldfkl!"
The other day, we were getting our squirt guns and going outside to play:
J: "Mommy, you can be the hero and I will be the princess."
M: "Okay, but you know Princesses can be heroes, too."
J: "Oh! Then we'll both be heroes!"
And that's how we spent our evening after dinner...being heroes, making the world safe from the dreaded Goobershnorklegrrblmldfk.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Two Conversations....
These conversations took place in my car recently:
#1 - Fly Me To the Moon
J: (out of the blue) "Mommy, I don't want to go to the moon."
M: "Why not?"
J: "Because I would really miss you guys."
M: "We would miss you, too, but you could always go for a visit and then come back. That would be cool."
J: "No. Rocket ships sometimes blow up."
#2 - What If God Were One Of Us?
J: "Mommy, what's that?" (pointing)
M: "That's a church spire. Churches have those on top of their roofs, so you know it's a church."
J: "Maybe we should go to a church."
M: "Maybe. What do you think happens at church?"
J: "I don't know...maybe something with animals?"
...
M: "Um...no, actually it's where you go to learn about God?"
J: "Who's God?"
...
...
M: (mustering all her well-honed parenting skills) "Well, some people believe God is a powerful force for good who created the world. And [insert lengthy yet simplistic explanation of the world's leading religions' take on the concept of "god."] "
J: "Oh. Can I have ice cream?"
#1 - Fly Me To the Moon
J: (out of the blue) "Mommy, I don't want to go to the moon."
M: "Why not?"
J: "Because I would really miss you guys."
M: "We would miss you, too, but you could always go for a visit and then come back. That would be cool."
J: "No. Rocket ships sometimes blow up."
#2 - What If God Were One Of Us?
J: "Mommy, what's that?" (pointing)
M: "That's a church spire. Churches have those on top of their roofs, so you know it's a church."
J: "Maybe we should go to a church."
M: "Maybe. What do you think happens at church?"
J: "I don't know...maybe something with animals?"
...
M: "Um...no, actually it's where you go to learn about God?"
J: "Who's God?"
...
...
M: (mustering all her well-honed parenting skills) "Well, some people believe God is a powerful force for good who created the world. And [insert lengthy yet simplistic explanation of the world's leading religions' take on the concept of "god."] "
J: "Oh. Can I have ice cream?"
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Snakes!
Jake got to go to see a real, live snake! Poppy took him out of school early to go to the event.
For days they had talked about what snakes might feel like and look like up close. Jake would say, "I don't know. Maybe rattle-y?"
There were tons of kids there, but Jake was so well behaved that the snake ...dude? guy? handler? bent down and made sure that Jake got to touch the snake.
Afterwards, Jake was pleased to report that snakes are "soft and dry."
Sweet Dreams
But Mommy I Will Miss You
The other day on the ride home, Jake asked me what we were having for dinner.
M: "Spahgetti and cheese toast, I think."
J: "Yum! That's my favorite!"
M: "Do you want to help me cook?"
J: "Sure! I'm a good cooker."
M: "Yes, you are. Do you think you want to be a chef when you grow up?"
J: "Yes! I will a chef and have a restaurant and cook for lots of people."
(pause and then a small, soft voice from the back says)
J: "But I will miss you, Mommy."
M: "Oh, I would miss you, too, Jake. Tell you what, when you grow up, you can live near me."
J: "Yes! I will live right next to you and my restaurant will be next door and you can come visit me and I will cook for you every day."
M: "Sounds good to me, sweetie."
If only it were that easy...I'll remind myself of this conversation in 10 years, when he can't wait to grow up and leave home...sniff.
M: "Spahgetti and cheese toast, I think."
J: "Yum! That's my favorite!"
M: "Do you want to help me cook?"
J: "Sure! I'm a good cooker."
M: "Yes, you are. Do you think you want to be a chef when you grow up?"
J: "Yes! I will a chef and have a restaurant and cook for lots of people."
(pause and then a small, soft voice from the back says)
J: "But I will miss you, Mommy."
M: "Oh, I would miss you, too, Jake. Tell you what, when you grow up, you can live near me."
J: "Yes! I will live right next to you and my restaurant will be next door and you can come visit me and I will cook for you every day."
M: "Sounds good to me, sweetie."
If only it were that easy...I'll remind myself of this conversation in 10 years, when he can't wait to grow up and leave home...sniff.
Monday, July 28, 2008
The mighty hiker, ready for anything. Water bottle? Check. Walking stick? Check. Binoculars? Check. Toy gun? Check. Hat? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Bug spray? Um, bug spray?
Soon after this picture was taken, the mighty hiker moved into the shade. Swarms of the Wisconsin state bird (aka the mosquito) attacked. End of hiking trip...
Sunday, July 27, 2008
What's a Calorie? And Hey, That Man Is Fat!
As a special treat, I took half a day off work so Jake and I could go to Vitense's Golf Land, a fun family entertainment center here in Madison. Jake and I pass it every day on our way to school and work, marveling at the many fun creatures populating the mini golf courses. I told Jake he had been so good lately, he would get to play putt-putt for the first time (or as he calls it, "hutt-hutt").
Before we went, I took Jake to lunch. While we were waiting for our food ("Why does it take so long to cook our food, Mommy?" he always asks) we were building forts with the jelly and sugar packs. Jake asked why there were three different colored packets of sugar in the container. I explained about the difference between sugar and artificial sweeteners, and we talked about calories and making healthy choices. Jake was really into it, and talking about healthy foods. I was mentally congratulating myself for raising a kid with such a good attitude toward food, when Jake informed me he likes sugar.
M: "Yes, I like sugar too. But I don't want to eat too much, because I don't want to be unhealthy and get fat."
J: (seriously) "Noooo." (thinks for a minute) "Hey, Mommy! That guy is fat!" Pointing to customer at the next table, who of course heard him and gave me the evil eye.
So then we had to have the talk about not pointing at people and not talking about them in public....
Before we went, I took Jake to lunch. While we were waiting for our food ("Why does it take so long to cook our food, Mommy?" he always asks) we were building forts with the jelly and sugar packs. Jake asked why there were three different colored packets of sugar in the container. I explained about the difference between sugar and artificial sweeteners, and we talked about calories and making healthy choices. Jake was really into it, and talking about healthy foods. I was mentally congratulating myself for raising a kid with such a good attitude toward food, when Jake informed me he likes sugar.
M: "Yes, I like sugar too. But I don't want to eat too much, because I don't want to be unhealthy and get fat."
J: (seriously) "Noooo." (thinks for a minute) "Hey, Mommy! That guy is fat!" Pointing to customer at the next table, who of course heard him and gave me the evil eye.
So then we had to have the talk about not pointing at people and not talking about them in public....
Jake in July
What a busy month! Earlier in July, we went to my parents in NC for vacation. Jake had an awesome time. MeMe and PapPap spoiled him, of course. Here are some highlights:
Jake went to the beach for the first time! He was very excited. He loved the sand, the waves, the salt air....just like Mommy does. He had a blast with his Uncle Nate, who took him out "way far!" in the waves and helped him ride the boogie board MeMe bought.
Speaking of MeMe, here are Jake and my mom at the estuarium in Washington, NC. Jake really liked all of the open tanks they had with different crabs, shrimp, turtles and fish. They also had a baby alligator, which fascinated him.
Happy Fourth of July!
We had a lot of fun in NC -- sometimes too much fun. Jake's schedule got a little off some days. He handled it pretty well most of the time. He had a blast on the Fourth of July -- we had a cook out, he played with the neighbor girl, he went swimming (it was really hot while we were there), and of course we went to the fireworks down by the river. He got to stay up until 10:30 pm and have ice cream! He thought the fireworks were really cool. Either Nate or I held him the entire time (Poppy, who is not a big fireworks fan, stayed home with Charlie) and Jake just oo'ed and ah'ed the entire time. Here he is at the end of a long day. Thank goodness he isn't too old to want to snuggle with Mommy.
Here's the family, after our $900 Mexican dinner (there was a little error on the Visa charge...oops!). Uncle Keith is taking the picture, and once again, Poppy is home with Charlie, enjoying some peace and quiet. Everyone just loved Jake, and couldn't believe how big he's gotten. It was really nice to spend time with my sister and brother, and my brother-in-law and niece.
His vocabulary is certainly much bigger than most three-year-olds. He and PapPap were talking about something, and Jake said, "That's very disturbing!" We were talking on the phone to MoMom and PopPop and PopPop was surprised that he could 1) hold a conversation and b) understand everything Jake said, very clearly. You can tell and Alex and I don't talk down to him. If Jake doesn't understand a word, he just asks what it means.
Madison has its decorative cows, Washington DC has its donkeys and elephants, and Washington, NC has...crabs. (Insert your own joke here.) Jake really liked finding all of the different crabs around town. "They are so pretty, Mommy!"
Jake's cousin Elle is staying with MeMe ad PapPap this summer. She was so sweet to Jake. They liked to play "Chuzzle" together on the computer, and she would watch his cartoon shows in the morning.
Jake's very first friend was Morgan, the daughter of my parent's next door neighbor. They were born just two months apart, so she's an older woman. Morgan's mom is also an older mom (ahem), so we had a lot in common. We used to take Morgan and Jake strolling around the neighborhood. Now, they were old enough to actually play together. Morgan has a four-wheeler and an electric Jeep--lots of fun, although Jake asked her to "Go slow! Slow down!" when they were driving. Let's hope he still feels that way once he gets his license! This picture makes me think of the future, when Jake will be going on real dates, instead of play dates...sniff. Let's hope he dates teenage girls as sweet and nice as Morgan.
Here are the Pipsoes on vacation. We really did have a great time. As usual, it went by too fast. Jake keeps talking about the trip, saying, "I wish we could go see MeMe again today!" Me too.
Jake went to the beach for the first time! He was very excited. He loved the sand, the waves, the salt air....just like Mommy does. He had a blast with his Uncle Nate, who took him out "way far!" in the waves and helped him ride the boogie board MeMe bought.
Speaking of MeMe, here are Jake and my mom at the estuarium in Washington, NC. Jake really liked all of the open tanks they had with different crabs, shrimp, turtles and fish. They also had a baby alligator, which fascinated him.
Happy Fourth of July!
We had a lot of fun in NC -- sometimes too much fun. Jake's schedule got a little off some days. He handled it pretty well most of the time. He had a blast on the Fourth of July -- we had a cook out, he played with the neighbor girl, he went swimming (it was really hot while we were there), and of course we went to the fireworks down by the river. He got to stay up until 10:30 pm and have ice cream! He thought the fireworks were really cool. Either Nate or I held him the entire time (Poppy, who is not a big fireworks fan, stayed home with Charlie) and Jake just oo'ed and ah'ed the entire time. Here he is at the end of a long day. Thank goodness he isn't too old to want to snuggle with Mommy.
Here's the family, after our $900 Mexican dinner (there was a little error on the Visa charge...oops!). Uncle Keith is taking the picture, and once again, Poppy is home with Charlie, enjoying some peace and quiet. Everyone just loved Jake, and couldn't believe how big he's gotten. It was really nice to spend time with my sister and brother, and my brother-in-law and niece.
His vocabulary is certainly much bigger than most three-year-olds. He and PapPap were talking about something, and Jake said, "That's very disturbing!" We were talking on the phone to MoMom and PopPop and PopPop was surprised that he could 1) hold a conversation and b) understand everything Jake said, very clearly. You can tell and Alex and I don't talk down to him. If Jake doesn't understand a word, he just asks what it means.
Madison has its decorative cows, Washington DC has its donkeys and elephants, and Washington, NC has...crabs. (Insert your own joke here.) Jake really liked finding all of the different crabs around town. "They are so pretty, Mommy!"
Jake's cousin Elle is staying with MeMe ad PapPap this summer. She was so sweet to Jake. They liked to play "Chuzzle" together on the computer, and she would watch his cartoon shows in the morning.
Jake's very first friend was Morgan, the daughter of my parent's next door neighbor. They were born just two months apart, so she's an older woman. Morgan's mom is also an older mom (ahem), so we had a lot in common. We used to take Morgan and Jake strolling around the neighborhood. Now, they were old enough to actually play together. Morgan has a four-wheeler and an electric Jeep--lots of fun, although Jake asked her to "Go slow! Slow down!" when they were driving. Let's hope he still feels that way once he gets his license! This picture makes me think of the future, when Jake will be going on real dates, instead of play dates...sniff. Let's hope he dates teenage girls as sweet and nice as Morgan.
Here are the Pipsoes on vacation. We really did have a great time. As usual, it went by too fast. Jake keeps talking about the trip, saying, "I wish we could go see MeMe again today!" Me too.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Jake: The Third Year
Here's a video of Jake from his second to third birthday, with a soundtrack by one of his favorite bands (he is only three...)
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Little Stories...
At school, they do a fun activity every month for the kids -- field trips, special visitors, etc. This month, Wayne the Wizard, Magician and Ventriloquist, is coming next week. Jake asked, so I explained what a magician and ventriloquist are. I asked what he will think when Wayne comes. "I will be so freaked out!" Hee, he makes me laugh...
***
Jake is ready to move on. The other day he said, "When Pluto is gone, I should get a hamster." He can even tell you what kind of hamster. I guess Pluto won't be missed.
***
Jake always notices what I'm wearing. He particularly likes necklaces.
Recently, I wore a couple of necklaces, layered. One of them is a small "P" Jake says "Mommy, I love your neck-a-lace" (always a three syllable word with him). "You have a P for me!" "Me too, Jake, my name is Piper, too." He looks at me as if I'm crazy: "No you're not, your name is Mommy!"
***
We went to Door County for the weekend. (Happy Anniversary to Mommy and Poppy) The parts Jake liked most? The swimming pool and game room at the motel. Really, we could have stayed at the Holiday Inn down the road and he would have had just as good a time.
***
Jake likes to play mechanic. The other day, he was "helping" Poppy. Alex gave him a real screwdriver, figuring he couldn't do anything with it. By the time I came outside 20 minutes later, Jake had removed every visible screw from his electric car...
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Just So We're Clear...
Jake has many stuffed animals, but he is particularly fond of Bunny (a gift from Grandma on his first Easter), Emmephis (a stuffed elephant his Aunt Abby gave him when he was born), and Froggy (a gift from MeMe). Those three get to hang on his bed and sleep with him, instead of being relegated to the Pile (by his bed) or the dreaded net inside his closet (where bad stuffed animals go).
Tonight, Bunny was MIA. I had looked around, but could not find him. This conversation ensued:
J: "Mommy, where is Bunny?"
M: "I don't know, sweetie. Maybe he's on an adventure!" (brightly)
J: "Why?"
M: "Well, maybe Bunny went on an adventure so he could tell you all about it tomorrow."
(pause) J:"Mommy, Bunny is a stuffed animal."
Tonight, Bunny was MIA. I had looked around, but could not find him. This conversation ensued:
J: "Mommy, where is Bunny?"
M: "I don't know, sweetie. Maybe he's on an adventure!" (brightly)
J: "Why?"
M: "Well, maybe Bunny went on an adventure so he could tell you all about it tomorrow."
(pause) J:"Mommy, Bunny is a stuffed animal."
Monday, May 19, 2008
Olbrich Gardens
We went to beautiful Olbrich Gardens here in Madison. It's near the lake, across from the Capitol. It's a gorgeous spot. It was a perfect spring day and Jake, Poppy, Charlie, and I had a wonderful time (Charlie slept the entire time). We would tell Jake to run ahead to a certain spot (like the tulips) and he would take off running, then talk to the flowers until we caught up with the stroller. He and Poppy had a great time exploring the Rose Garden tower and the Thai temple (only one in the United States).
Mother's Day
Hairy Is Beautiful
The other day, Alex was changing shirts and putting on deodorant. This
conversation ensued:
Jake: "Poppy, what's that?" (pointing to Alex's armpit)
Alex; "That's deodorant."
J: "No, no, what's THAT?" (pointing again)
A: "Oh, that's my underarm hair. You'll have it when you grow up, too."
J: "No, I won't!"
Me: "Sure you will. All men have it."
J: "No they don't."
M: "Yes, they do. Your daddy does, too."
J: "No he doesn't!"
M: "Honey, he does. He has hair on his chest and face, too. When
you're a man, you are hairy."
J:" No, my daddy isn't hairy! He's beautiful!"
Boy, is he in for a surprise when he sees his Daddy this summer in a bathing suit...
conversation ensued:
Jake: "Poppy, what's that?" (pointing to Alex's armpit)
Alex; "That's deodorant."
J: "No, no, what's THAT?" (pointing again)
A: "Oh, that's my underarm hair. You'll have it when you grow up, too."
J: "No, I won't!"
Me: "Sure you will. All men have it."
J: "No they don't."
M: "Yes, they do. Your daddy does, too."
J: "No he doesn't!"
M: "Honey, he does. He has hair on his chest and face, too. When
you're a man, you are hairy."
J:" No, my daddy isn't hairy! He's beautiful!"
Boy, is he in for a surprise when he sees his Daddy this summer in a bathing suit...
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Preclampsia Walk
Did you know that although more than 200,000 pregnant women get preeclampsia every year, no one knows what causes this sometimes deadly disease? Very little research is being done to find out causes, and possible cures, for this disease, which can cause premature births, developmental disabilities or delays, or even death and permanent damage for mother and baby. The Preeclampsia Foundation works to raise awareness about preeclampsia, HELLP, and related diseases, with the goal of getting more moms and babies the help they need, and ultimately, finding the cause and cure.
Alex, Jake, Charlie and I will be participating in the Madison Walk-A-Thon on Saturday, May 31. Your pledge will help enormously. Please email me if you'd like to support our walk for babies and moms. Thanks!
Friday, May 02, 2008
A Three Year Old's Love is Conditional
Sometimes, Jake looks so sweet and cute.
For the most part, he is. But he's reached that stage where he had demands -- demands which are not always met to his liking. When they aren't, he can get a tad....upset.
The other day, he was mad at me for something or other, and he told me he didn't love me. I asked why. "Mommy, sometimes I love you, and sometimes I don't, and that's just the way it is," he patiently explained.
"Well, I love you all the time," I replied, trying to hide my laughter. It's hard to argue with logic like that.
For the most part, he is. But he's reached that stage where he had demands -- demands which are not always met to his liking. When they aren't, he can get a tad....upset.
The other day, he was mad at me for something or other, and he told me he didn't love me. I asked why. "Mommy, sometimes I love you, and sometimes I don't, and that's just the way it is," he patiently explained.
"Well, I love you all the time," I replied, trying to hide my laughter. It's hard to argue with logic like that.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Boo Boo
Jake has had a fun weekend, but he hasn't been his most graceful. Friday night he managed to walk smack into the door frame, bonking his head. This morning, he did a face plant on the rocks by the driveway. He scraped himself up pretty good with that one.
Most of the time, Jake barely notices when he hurts himself. We've had issues at school where he comes home bruised or battered and we don't get a "boo boo" notice--and it's because unless the teachers see the cause, Jake rarely complains or tells them.
Today he cried a bit when he fell, and we went in and washed him off. I asked him if he needed a band-aid and he said no, just some "special cream" (Neosporin). And then he went about his day quite happily.
Tonight during his bath, I noticed that he really had scraped his arm. He noticed me looking. Once he saw his boo boo, he became very dramatic. "Oh, I need a band aid!" he said. I told him once he was dried off and in his pjs, we'd get him a band-aid and his "boo boo buddy" (a gel-filled ice pack that looks like one of the characters from the movie "Cars.")
While I was drying him, he kept saying anxiously, "I hope my pjs don't cover my angle!" Huh? His leg wasn't hurt, so I knew he wasn't talking about his ankle. He kept saying it and I kept not getting it until finally, in exasperation, he pointed to his elbow and said, "My angle, Mommy!"
Well, I guess it does make an angle when you bend it...
(Oh, and he got his band-aid and boo boo buddy. And short-sleeved pjs. All is well.)
Most of the time, Jake barely notices when he hurts himself. We've had issues at school where he comes home bruised or battered and we don't get a "boo boo" notice--and it's because unless the teachers see the cause, Jake rarely complains or tells them.
Today he cried a bit when he fell, and we went in and washed him off. I asked him if he needed a band-aid and he said no, just some "special cream" (Neosporin). And then he went about his day quite happily.
Tonight during his bath, I noticed that he really had scraped his arm. He noticed me looking. Once he saw his boo boo, he became very dramatic. "Oh, I need a band aid!" he said. I told him once he was dried off and in his pjs, we'd get him a band-aid and his "boo boo buddy" (a gel-filled ice pack that looks like one of the characters from the movie "Cars.")
While I was drying him, he kept saying anxiously, "I hope my pjs don't cover my angle!" Huh? His leg wasn't hurt, so I knew he wasn't talking about his ankle. He kept saying it and I kept not getting it until finally, in exasperation, he pointed to his elbow and said, "My angle, Mommy!"
Well, I guess it does make an angle when you bend it...
(Oh, and he got his band-aid and boo boo buddy. And short-sleeved pjs. All is well.)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Quick Takes
Jake has taken to trying to stuff his doll, Phil, up his shirt so he can be "pwegnant." He also likes to "feed" Phil like Mommy; he pulls up his shirt and puts Phil up to his chest.
Each day at school, he gets a note that tells me what he ate, when he napped, what his mood was like, and what his favorite things to do were. Imagine my surprise when his favorite thing was, "feeding his baby." At least he's nurturing his pretend baby and not trying to kill it!
*******
The other night, Jake laid both of his hands on my cheeks, looked at me very sweetly, and said, "I care for you, Mommy."
*******
Jake has started eating vegetables again (he used to love them). The other night, he actually asked for salad!
*******
We bought Jake a bunch of glow-in-the-dark stars for his ceiling. He also has Twilight Turtle, which projects stars onto his walls and ceiling. We turned the light off to see what the new stars looked like, and he said, "Look, Mommy! It's a whole consolation!"
*******
I was doing laundry today when Jake appeared about half-way down the basement steps. "Are you in the water, Mommy?" he asks. "Where's the water? Is it invisible?" He had heard us talking about how the basement was leaking...
Each day at school, he gets a note that tells me what he ate, when he napped, what his mood was like, and what his favorite things to do were. Imagine my surprise when his favorite thing was, "feeding his baby." At least he's nurturing his pretend baby and not trying to kill it!
*******
The other night, Jake laid both of his hands on my cheeks, looked at me very sweetly, and said, "I care for you, Mommy."
*******
Jake has started eating vegetables again (he used to love them). The other night, he actually asked for salad!
*******
We bought Jake a bunch of glow-in-the-dark stars for his ceiling. He also has Twilight Turtle, which projects stars onto his walls and ceiling. We turned the light off to see what the new stars looked like, and he said, "Look, Mommy! It's a whole consolation!"
*******
I was doing laundry today when Jake appeared about half-way down the basement steps. "Are you in the water, Mommy?" he asks. "Where's the water? Is it invisible?" He had heard us talking about how the basement was leaking...
Monday, March 31, 2008
Fish Are Friends, Not Food
Jake has a new pet! Welcome to Pluto the betta fish.
Jake has wanted a pet for a while. Since he can't have a cat (his first choice), we decided a betta fish would be a good starter pet. They're extremely low maintenance and inexpensive; the tank, food, accessories and fish all cost less than $20. And it's a lot less smelly than a gerbil and there's no chance of escape (or biting). Plus, Jake's classroom has a betta fish so he's familiar with them.
Jake picked out a lovely purple and white fish and a matching purple "house." (He wanted a green fish but you can't really find one.) At first he wanted to name his fish "Will" (rhymes with "Phil?") but ultimately decided on "Pluto." He's a little disappointed that he can't take Pluto for a walk, but so far has been a very responsible pet owner, carefully feeding Pluto each night.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Current Events Boy
The other day, Jake took a copy of the local paper, spread it out on the floor, and lay down to read it (I must confess, one of my favorite paper-reading positions). He quite seriously read through all of it, paying close attention to any car ads he saw. For some reason, he's convinced that we need a new car. He also muttered to himself at the articles, I guess disturbed by the news...
Happy Easter!
Jake had a great Easter. The Easter Bunny came to Daddy's house in the morning and at home in the afternoon. Double the sugar, double the fun!
Although at home, Jake's favorite Easter egg filling was quarters. And MeMe and PapPap sent money in a card. Jake said, "Look! A dollar!" We explained that it was FIVE dollars, but Jake insisted it was A dollar. Either way, he was happy. He spent his $5 and his $2 in Easter egg money on a book later that day. That's my boy...
He had a great time helping to make dinner. We made banana pudding with Nilla wafers, pudding, whipped cream, etc. and then topped them with purple Peeps. He was very artistic, layering his ingredients and putting the Peeps on just so.
He does NOT liked deviled eggs though. He took one taste and was practically scraping it off his tongue! Must be his father's side, everyone else in our family loves my deviled eggs...
Although at home, Jake's favorite Easter egg filling was quarters. And MeMe and PapPap sent money in a card. Jake said, "Look! A dollar!" We explained that it was FIVE dollars, but Jake insisted it was A dollar. Either way, he was happy. He spent his $5 and his $2 in Easter egg money on a book later that day. That's my boy...
He had a great time helping to make dinner. We made banana pudding with Nilla wafers, pudding, whipped cream, etc. and then topped them with purple Peeps. He was very artistic, layering his ingredients and putting the Peeps on just so.
He does NOT liked deviled eggs though. He took one taste and was practically scraping it off his tongue! Must be his father's side, everyone else in our family loves my deviled eggs...
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Just Drive...
Monday, March 17, 2008
Man Nipples?
Jake has a habit of getting completely naked during his evening "Poop Break," which was created to make sure he "goes" -- otherwise, he'd hold it for days with predictably uncomfortable results.
Anyway, I was sitting on the stairs outside the bathroom waiting for him. Suddenly, Jake got a very puzzled look on his face and the following conversation ensued:
J: "Mommy, what is this?" (pointing to his nipple)
M: "That's called a nipple. Everyone has two."
J: "But why?"
M: "Well, mommies like me use them to feed our babies, like I feed Charlie."
J: "So can I feed a baby?"
M: "No, only mommies can. Boys like you have nipples, but they don't work. They're just for decoration." (Well, what was I supposed to say? Not even scientists agree on why men have nipples!)
J: "But why? I want to feed a baby!"
M: "Sweetie, I don't know. But everyone has them. You do, and Poppy does, and so does Daddy."
J: "No, Daddy doesn't have them."
M: "Yes, honey, he does. Girls and boys have them, just like we have noses and toes and ears -- everyone does, including your Daddy."
J: "No! Daddy doesn't!"
M: (sighing yet laughing) "Yes, trust me, your Daddy has them, too."
J: "NO! Poppy does, but Daddy doesn't!"
M: "Okay, you can check next time you see Daddy. But everyone has them, Jake."
J: "Not Daddy."
I'm not sure why Jake insists that Daddy is nipple-free, but he is going to be sadly disappointed next time he sees Daddy...
Anyway, I was sitting on the stairs outside the bathroom waiting for him. Suddenly, Jake got a very puzzled look on his face and the following conversation ensued:
J: "Mommy, what is this?" (pointing to his nipple)
M: "That's called a nipple. Everyone has two."
J: "But why?"
M: "Well, mommies like me use them to feed our babies, like I feed Charlie."
J: "So can I feed a baby?"
M: "No, only mommies can. Boys like you have nipples, but they don't work. They're just for decoration." (Well, what was I supposed to say? Not even scientists agree on why men have nipples!)
J: "But why? I want to feed a baby!"
M: "Sweetie, I don't know. But everyone has them. You do, and Poppy does, and so does Daddy."
J: "No, Daddy doesn't have them."
M: "Yes, honey, he does. Girls and boys have them, just like we have noses and toes and ears -- everyone does, including your Daddy."
J: "No! Daddy doesn't!"
M: (sighing yet laughing) "Yes, trust me, your Daddy has them, too."
J: "NO! Poppy does, but Daddy doesn't!"
M: "Okay, you can check next time you see Daddy. But everyone has them, Jake."
J: "Not Daddy."
I'm not sure why Jake insists that Daddy is nipple-free, but he is going to be sadly disappointed next time he sees Daddy...
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Baby Van Gogh
This morning, Jake was sitting next to me with his paper and pens.
M: "What are you doing, Jake?"
J: "I'm drawing Monster Trees."
M: "Wow, Monster Trees! That's cool! I can't wait to see!" (trying to be supportive of my child's creativity)
J: (very exasperated) "No Mommy, I said I'm drawing a MASTERPIECE."
M: (face red) "Oops, sorry."
M: "What are you doing, Jake?"
J: "I'm drawing Monster Trees."
M: "Wow, Monster Trees! That's cool! I can't wait to see!" (trying to be supportive of my child's creativity)
J: (very exasperated) "No Mommy, I said I'm drawing a MASTERPIECE."
M: (face red) "Oops, sorry."
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
How Was Your Day?
Sometime during dinner, I usually ask Jake, "How was your day?" and then leading questions about what he did at school.
Last Sunday, Jake came home from his dad's and we sat down for dinner. Jake leans over and very seriously and sweetly says, "Mommy, how was your day?" When I said, "Pretty good, but I missed you." he replied, "I missed you, too! What did you do?" and then proceeded to make comments and ask more questions as I told him what I'd done that day. He did it again last night. The kicker is that he seems genuinely interested in the answers...too cute!
Last Sunday, Jake came home from his dad's and we sat down for dinner. Jake leans over and very seriously and sweetly says, "Mommy, how was your day?" When I said, "Pretty good, but I missed you." he replied, "I missed you, too! What did you do?" and then proceeded to make comments and ask more questions as I told him what I'd done that day. He did it again last night. The kicker is that he seems genuinely interested in the answers...too cute!
Friday, February 22, 2008
More Coolness
Jake got a temporary heart tattoo from one of his school friends for Valentine's Day (along with way too much candy, but that's another story).
He was fascinated! He thought he was so cool to have a tattoo "just like Poppy." He really wanted another one and finally I found some acceptable ones at Copp's, the local grocery store (they are made in America from all-natural vegetable dyes). He loves putting in his 50 cents (from his piggy bank) and seeing what cool tattoo he gets.
Of course, we had to explain that he can't get a permanent tattoo until he's 18. I softened the blow by explaining that he can try lots of cool different tattoos between now and then. Meanwhile, he loves making "muscles" and showing off his tats.
Cool, Man...
Some things, like leather jackets, just never go out of style when you are a cool rocker...
The other day, I asked Jake what he wanted to be when he grew up.
J: "A rock star, Mommy!"
M: "What kind of rock star?"
J: "Like Bwuce!"
M: "Oh, so you're going to play the guitar?"
J: "Yes, and I will sing, too. I will have lots of different guitars, because Bwuce does." (I love how he has that Elmer Fudd thing going on with his "r"s, it's so cute.)
M: "Bruce writes his own songs. Do you think you will, too?"
J: "Yes, I will use my words and be on videos!"
Hee. Jake talks a lot about "his words" lately. I think it's because they are focusing on getting the kids to "use their words" as school, instead of hitting or getting mad. When Jake gets upset at us, he will say, "Listen to my words!" Of course, then he often cannot tell you exactly what words he wants you to pay attention to...more that he wants you to pay attention to him, I think.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Wheels On the What?
Jake's teacher told me that Jake and his friend JT were playing music -- they were using the big wooden blocks as pretend guitars and microphones. Jake was singing one of his songs (probably the Goo Goo Doll's "Better Days," his most recent favorite). Apparently, JT asked, "Can we sign "Wheels on the Bus'?"
It's tough to be ahead of your peers...
It's tough to be ahead of your peers...
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Thanks, Mommy
Jake tends to get twisted up in his covers when he sleeps, or they get knocked off the bed. Usually, I check on him a few times a night, when I'm up with baby Charlie, but sometimes Jake will call for me because he's cold.
Sometimes, but not always, I'll hear a soft little "Thanks, Mommy" when I go in to tuck him back in, even if I think he's asleep. It's so sweet!
Sometimes, but not always, I'll hear a soft little "Thanks, Mommy" when I go in to tuck him back in, even if I think he's asleep. It's so sweet!
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Roar!
Jake got some giant building blocks for Christmas -- the large cardboard kind that are great for building forts. (And causing scars -- Mommy has a scar on her eyebrow from being hit in the face with one of those blocks as a kid, although to be fair, the block opened an existing wound that came from sliding off a bald man's head. Really. Okay, on second thought, never mind the block story, it's just too weird and I'm sure they've improved the cardboard technology since 30 years ago.)
Jake likes to build forts with the blocks. When he builds them with Poppy, they pretend to be Godzilla and Mothra and knock the forts down while roaring loudly. When he builds them with Mommy, they make interesting architectural statements and play inside the fort.
Here is Jake and his doll Phil in a Mommy fort, being attacked by Godzilla. Shortly after these pictures were taken, Phil was thrown to Godzilla as a distraction while Jake escaped...
No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem...
In one of his videos, Bruce Springsteen plays his guitar without wearing a shirt. Jake has decided that he wants to be "like Bwuce" and so he's started taking off his shirt to play, too. Always willing to take things to the next level, Jake decided that if no shirt was cool, no pants must be even cooler. So now he likes to play rock 'n' roll while dressed just in his underwear. He's moved from Springsteen to Red Hot Chili Peppers...
Sunday, February 03, 2008
I'm a Big Brother!
"Yeah, well I caught one that was THIS big..."
On January 17, Jake became a big brother again. Charles Spenser Finnegan was born at 8:43 am on Thursday, January 17.
Jake got to meet Charlie on Friday, although he wasn't allowed to hold his baby brother, due to an RSV scare with his other little brother, Kyle (Jake had been staying at his daddy's house with Kyle, who was sick). Jake thought Charlie was pretty cool, and he was really glad to see Mommy.
Jake enjoyed visiting the hospital (Mommy was in for four days) and having room service and eating on the hospital bed. Charlie got Jake a "Jack's Big Music Show" dvd to watch while hanging out, which went a long way to making Jake happy about being in the hospital (although I'm not sure he realized the baby would be coming home with us).
Jake decided that the bassinette was a "baby aquarium." One day, I put Charlie into his Moby wrap so we could all take a stroll around the hospital floor for some exercise. Jake got a very puzzled look on his face and said, "Mommy, take the baby out of your tummy and put him in the baby aquarium."
Poppy decided that he didn't need to take Jake out of the room when the doctor came to check my incision. He thought it might help Jake be a bit more empathetic. The look on Jake's face when he saw it! Poor little guy, I think it might have scarred him for life... Although he certainly has been more empathetic. He's very sweet, patting my tummy and asking if I'm okay.
So far, he seems to enjoy having a baby brother. He wants to hold him, and he's always putting his hand on his forehead and saying "He feels hot, Mommy. Is he okay?" He's definitely acting out a bit more, and wants Poppy a lot more than Mommy, but I'm sure he'll adjust...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)