For all those who think I'm losing my marbles

Despite the many and varied stresses in our life right now (again, don't cry for me) I do know that this guy:


















is Nicholas.

And that this guy:














is Jacob.

The previous post's picture was merely a demonstration of the effects of the force that is Jacob. Things have actually been better the last few days. Less of the aforementioned difficulties and more general kindnesses. Let's hope it keeps!

One Month

Over the course of a month Jacob has turned 3, become 90% potty trained (thanks to Grandma Jan), moved from a crib to a bed and finally stamped out the use of his pacifier at night.














It has not been pretty.

There's been a lot of pushing, whining, toy stealing and general angst. I feel for him, as he's got a lot to be getting on with, but come on Jacob! Perhaps a cross country move in a month will ease his troubled heart. Hmmmm.

Toilet Paper City

Bulk paper products have really turned our heads lately. A nice, soft, absorbent building (and knocking down) material.

What a charming little villa.


















(I got this idea from The Toddler's Busy Book. But did you think maybe I thought it up myself?)

Nico-pico

He's just really, really, really cute...even with a piece of cracker in his mouth.














He's also an avid "more" signer. I faithfully signed "more" to Jacob for 6 months and nothing. Nothing. I half-heartedly signed "more" to Nicholas for two weeks and voila! He also says, "Mah. Mah." to drive his point home.














And seriously, what cuteness! What sweetness! Good natured and good lookin'!

How about 'dat, mommy?

Jacob is my little planner. He's taken to rattling off a list of demands and then saying, "How about 'dat, mommy?"

For example, "Mommy, let's go to the park, and then go to Walmart, and then to the store. How about 'dat, Mommy?" When I say that Walmart IS "the store" he says his plan louder and finishes with, "How about 'dat, Mommy, HOW ABOUT 'DAT!?!" in a really sassy, obstinate way. He says "Mommy" but he's thinking "Dummy". We continue in this adorable banter until his plans are either fulfilled or unfulfilled. And really, it doesn't matter if his plans happen or not...it almost always ends in tears.

Would it interest you to know

that both of my boys had birthdays in the last month?

or that both of them were sick due to "the great nursery plague" in the last month?

or that Jacob is almost the conductor of the "Potty train" (completely thanks to Grandma Jan)?

or that Matt and I went to NYC this past weekend?

or that we closed on our house last week?

or anything at all? I am woefully and irrevocably behind on my blog. I have the desire, but the time and focus elude me. Stay with me. I still haven't blogged (and may never) about how Jacob called shamrocks "hamhocks" back in March. March, ladies and gents. The big stuff is in there, but what about the hamhocks?

Little moments have been lots of fun lately. Jacob's just talk, talk, talking. To have him jump up out of his bed, with both arms thrown up into the air, and yell "sur-tlise!" at me. Or to hear him call mega blocks "megafying blogs". Having Nicholas give me a kiss on the cheek (open mouthed and slobbery) when I ask him to. They are sweet times and I want to share.

In between trying to pack a box or two a day (don't cry for me) I will try to go for the bronze and just put something up.

Even if it is just some ramblings and a really cute picture of one of my birthday boys.

Sometimes it's not better the second time around

Little Mr. Nico is not quite the veggie-lover that Jacob is. I knew deep down that Jacob's great eating habits had nothing to do with me. I knew it. But I hoped that perhaps it was because I was an amazing mother who introduced healthy vegetables to her child early. Or just that I had stumbled upon a good vegetable-introducing system that would save me a struggle with our subsequent children.

How do you think my system is working with Nicholas?














Almost as well as the beef experiment of 2006.

One Man Band

Jacob's been a very musical boy lately.

He sings the typical LDS-child canon: "I am a child of God", "As I have loved you", and "Popcorn popping on the papercut tree". He also likes to sing requests (demands) to the tune of "Sing a song". Example: "I want some milk, I want some milk, I want some milk, milk, milk, milk, milk, milk." Sometimes he even replaces a few "milks" with "please". He makes a mother proud.

But now, but now this mother is extremely proud. I have always enjoyed some good-natured scatting. You know, adding a little drum or guitar never hurt anyone. It's not a cool habit, but I guess it's a part of my make-up that I'm passing on to my young.

I really like his choice of song. You will too. I've embedded it to the right for your enjoyment sans Jacob's enhancements. (Notice how in the middle of the first video Jacob takes a break to exclaim, "car transporter!")



Here he is being traditional and singing with the words a bit.



He is one cool scatting cat.

Did I tell you we went to the beach?

We did. Three weeks ago. We went to Destin, FL and had a fabulous time with Matt's family. So, finally I am getting to these wonderful beach pictures and memories.

One of the greatest parts was the dramatic improvement in the car trip. Jacob had alphabert and Nicholas had his bottle and they just did great.




























Also, Nicholas did a little snoozing.














If the ride was this good, imagine what the actual beach was like!!!!!!

So so much to do

Honestly...sometimes Jacob is so poetic. The way his expressions capture my feelings so perfectly. Beautiful.