Favorite Random Pictures

Below are some of my favorite pictures from this month.
Jacob has never fallen asleep anywhere but his crib and the car. The little stinker refused to take a nap today and crashed at 4pm on his little couch. Poor guy! Just couldn't take it any more.

Jacob sees us sitting on the couch and putting our feet on the table. I guess this is the modified version - when your legs are less than 2 feet long, you have to modify the technique a bit : ) He is watching his favorite show (YoGabaGaba).

I think he looks so grown up in this picture!

He has seen this done a few times. Say cheeeeeeeeeeese!

Jacob turns 20 Months Old!

Just 4 months away from 2 years old! The time is flying by. I have noticed a big change from 19 to 20 months.
He is talking a lot more... His favorite word is Cookie - it is actually more like CAAACAAAAA! He screams it every time we enter the grocery store as we approach the bakery counter for his free cookie (daily!).
His favorite "toy" right now is our iphones. He knows more about my phone than I do. He likes to search youtube for videos of himself and YoGabaGaba. We have a few apps download for him (he loves sponge bob and the whoopie cushion). He occasionally makes a call or two to keep in touch with family. Good thing we don't have family in China!
If there is one thing Jacob is full of, it is personality. He keeps me smiling (and laughing hysterically) every day.
Below are some pictures from his 20 month "birthday". We spent the day at Quail Botanical Gardens with his best friend Jack.

Playdate at Auntie Kat's

Below are my favorite pictures from our playdate at Kathleens. Jacob had a blast with all of the other kids. As you can see below - he can not resist a big "cheese face" when the camera is out. Kat's sister Deanna made these amazing cupcakes (show-off!).

Quail Botanical Gardens

This place has become one of our favorite spots to visit. It is like the best kept secret (I almost hate sharing!). The children's gardens are perfect for tots. Jacob loves running in and out of the creek bed at the newest garden... there are giant chalk boards, art stations, forts and fun trails around the plants. The original children's garden has a train, sand pit with dinasoars, water features, a playhouse with books to read - they do story time and craft time. It is just a wonderful place to visit. Here are a few pictures of our last trip.
Oh yeah... I did learn one thing. After playing in the creek bed, change the swim diaper immediately - poop in a swim diaper brings poop to a whole nother level! Let's just say my car, stroller and clothes may never recover.

Jacob's New Hat

During our weekend trip to Walmart, Jacob came across this hat. He put it on his head and wore it for the rest of our shopping day. Of course... we had to take it home. He wears it every chance he gets. Occasionally he likes to wear it sideways.

JW Tumbles (Jacob's Gym)

Anyone that has met Jacob knows the endless energy

that comes out of this kid... ENDLESS... I enrolled

him in a gym this month and he LOVES it. I was really

worried about his ability to sit still and participate in

"circle time" doing follow-the-leader exercises. It took

a few times, but he is doing really well. He makes me

sit down at home and do them with him. We are on a break

until 8-31 and I can really tell he is missing it. (So is mommy

it is an hour that I don't have to dance like a monkey

to entertain this kid!) Below are some pictures I was able to

take during class.

Cugga Chugga Chugga Chugga

On Jacob's 19 month birthday (just a coincidence really...) we got him this train. He was not too sure about it at first. First, he put the possum on it to give it a go. Since he made it around the table alive, he decided to give it a shot. As you can tell in the 2nd picture, he is quite comfortable on it now - reading a book while driving. He takes a lot of toys for rides and has to tell the train hi every morning. (I just loved the poor kid's hair in the last picture!)

Move Over DJ Lance Rock - DJ J-COB in da Houuuse

As you probably all know, Jacob loves his YoGabbaGabba show. He is pretty fond of his DJ Lance get-up as well. It pays music and gives dance instructions. Jacob really gets his boogie on.

Well, I post the above picture at the risk of my husband grounding me from the computer forever - HA! I just could not resist though. DJ B Dawg in the house as well : ). Seriously...

To be fair, I will post an equally humiliating picture of myself!

CHEEEEEZE!

Can you tell this kid loves a camera or what! I got my camera out to check the battery and this is the look I got from across the room. I love this kid!

Happy 4th of July!!

We had a great time at the Quail Botanical Gardens this morning. Very low-key... not many folks and perfect for toddlers. Everyone met at the children's garden with their patriotic rides to parade through the gardens waiving their flags. I was so proud of our decorated wagon, but Jacob was not so impressed. He was more comfortable in Daddy's arms while his friends Ben and Even rode first class. I might have forgot to mention the parade to Billy, and he did ask me what I had got him in to, but he is a good sport for his boy. He already has plans for next year to have battery powered lights for the wagon - Oh Billy!

There were activities for the kids like potting your own plants, bubbles, a train and water features. Jacob's favorite thing was the train. This kid loves trains!

Family photo op!

Our nicely decorated ride!!!

Billy and Jacob with our friends Sally and Austie and (in the wagon) Ben and Evan.

Giddy up!

Ribbit Ribbit!

Playing in the water.

Loving the "choo choo".

More love for the "choo choo"

Jacob is 18 months old!

Well... I don't get good pictures at the Dr. office any more. Jacob is on to us. he knows exactly where he is and he does not much appreciate it.

33 inches long - 75th percentile
23.3lbs - 15th percentile
Says 16 words now.
His newest words are "all gone" as he brushes his hands together. He says THIIIIISSS for everything he wants (and he wants everything).
He now lets us know he has pooped by bringing us a diaper and wipes. He also knows what "go pee pee" means and can do it on command before bath time. Hmmm... potty training in the near future (I don't think so).
He is still a VERY picky eater. I struggle with every meal. He is such a skinny minny too. He eats well with a fork and loves broccoli.
He is quite the little monkey and keeps us on our toes climbing... everything! We are trying a gym for toddlers next week. Hopefully he can get his monkey wiggles out there!

Buzzards and Weasels and Bears - OH MY!

We are home from our big trip to West Virginia. We had a great time with the family.
As always, there did not seem to be enough time. Billy was on-call and had to work while we were there. He stayed in a hotel most of the time. I would take Jacob by once a day for his visit. Jacob knew where we were when we got off of the exit and would scream "DADAAAAA".
I took 763 photos. I will spare you about 700 of them and stick with me "few" favorites.
Oh - I should explain the title of this post. You expect to see wildlife in West Virginia... and I did see the usual deer, turkey, squirrels, groundhogs, rabbits, snakes and so on... but I had never seen a buzzard, a weasel, or a bear!!! I only have pictures of the bear... that visited just outside my bedroom window!!!

The BEAR!

The bear was interested in the deer food just outside my bedroom window. My dad opened the window and yelled at him to go away. The bear kind of looked at him like... "um... I am a bear".


Jacob chased bugs and rabbits all over the place! He had never seen a butterfly or a rabbit before. One of his favorite things to do at the park here is to catch snails. Here are a few pictures of him and the "wildlife" at his fingertips.