Daddy, I want to see your.....

As I am getting out of the shower Jacob walks in.

"Daddy, I want to see your pee-pee."

I ask, "Why do you want to see my pee-pee?"

"Because you have to pee daddy. You pee like a cow."

Jacobisms - a new list

Yes, it's day one of my new lifestyle but, I don't want to talk about that. I want to do something fun!

All in fun, some new Jacobisms!

Chicken Room = kitchen

Captain = Napkin

Fresh = The Polar Express movie

Highland = Holland

A trolls = where mommy works

Relbo = umbrella

Sparkles = The sprinkles on the pink frosted cupcakes from Daddy's birthday (it was Sunday).

Our bed = Mommy & Daddy's bed

Poker Bear = Polar Bear Pajamas

Butter = Peanut Butter

The other night, Jacob and I were in the grocery store, and Jacob said 'hi' to the cashier. She said "hi, what's your name?"

"I Jacob. This mommy. Her Gail. What your name?"

"Damonika, nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you Monca! Bye!"

School starts next week. For us, that means speech and OT start up again. Jeremy and Jacob visited the school a few days ago and Jacob asked for Miss Honche and her firetrucks. It's very interesting to see his memory coming into play now. I'm anxious to see what the therapists have to say about Jacob's progress over this summer. In June, I saw this little boy who struggled with so many things. Coming into this fall, I see a little boy who holds a conversation and speaks quite clearly and with enunciation and emotion, who doesn't grunt and point! We've come a long way!

I think...

Princess?

"Mommy? What these?"

"Panties"

"I wear them?"

"Sure"

"I take my pants off first." And Jacob removes the bottoms of his blue baseball jammies and proceeds to put both of his legs through one leg hole and pulls up the panties.

"I show Daddy."

Picks up a towel and drapes it over his head. "I a princess!"

I tried to get the camera - I really tried!

Fun Stuff

I figured after my last post, the one nobody wanted to touch with a 10 foot pole (it's okay, I wouldn't have either), I'd give you something fun today.

I have a new list of Jacob-isms!

"Fr Fr Fr Fr Fr" = Cement Mixer

"Fighter Fighter Fighter Fighter" = Fire Fighter

"Cupcake" = Reese's Peanut Butter Cup

"Feggi" = SpaghettiOs

"soaped" = soaked, as in wet

"Ticket" = Paper money or coupons

"My song" = The receipt the lady gave him for paying my SPEEDING ticket!

"Big Guy" = Chevy Tahoe equipped for law enforcement

"Black Guy" (nice, I know - wait until he's hollering about it out in front of the county court house on a Thursday afternoon) = Black Chevy Tahoe parked at the Sheriff's department with a red light bar on the top.

"Old Guy" = Old police car with its decals and lights removed.

"Motorcar" = any older, loud, hot rod type car or truck.

"Picker" = A bucket truck - we called them 'Cherry Pickers' where I come from.

He's also started taking a "showder" with us. We've now learned to put the mat in the tub as both Jeremy and I have picked JJ up from a fall saving his head. I do have to say, mine was a little more acrobatic - I caught JJ as he was sliding through my legs. You think those wet and soapy babies are tough to hang on to - try a lathered up toddler that can't stand still!

The other night we had "popfickels". He looked at me "Mommy? This popfickel is wishous!"

Yesterday, JJ and Daddy were playing Play-Doh. "Daddy, I making an elephant, help me! I do it myself."

This morning as we were getting ready for the day, "Mommy, big boys pee on the pottie, not on the floor." (I'm not sure where this came from, he's never peed on the floor). "That's right!"

Remember - JJ's 3 1/2 now - and he's right about crotch height - he walks up to me one morning, sniffing and says "Mommy? I sniff you?" and dives toward me...

I hope you're all laughing and at least one of you shot some sort of beverage out your nose. Have a great day!

"...him a dog!"

Some Jacob tidbits from the weekend:

"Mommy, can I pet her?"
"Honey, Louie is a him. You can pet him."
"No, him a dog."

"Jacob, are you ready to go see Grandma (Edna)?"
"No, she scare me."

"I wike boyoys" For clarification - "boys" are any type of construction worker.

Mocking Bird

It is becoming more and more apparent the importance of watching what you say in the company of the young ones. The other day Jacob pulled a duck shaped soap dispenser off the bathroom sink. I looked out from the shower and saw what he was doing and told him to put it back. He dropped it and it broke, spilling out soap all over the bathroom floor. I said "Damn-it Jacob, that's why we leave things alone." Not the best choice of words, I know.

Fast forward, the other night we were driving around town and had decided to stop and see the police cars at the jail. I was talking to Gail and Jacob and not paying attention and missed our turn. Jacob pointed and whined at me missing the turn and Gail said "It's OK J, daddy just missed the turn. We are going back". "Damn-it," Jacob says. We did what we could to not laugh and to not make a big deal about it in the hopes he would not continue to say it. But hey, at least he used the word in the right context.

Prince Little Bear

Yesterday, I threw a couple of empty shampoo bottles out from shower and later, Jacob was playing with them in the sink. He was dumping water back and forth. I was watching from the bedroom.

"Jacob, are you a scientist?"

"No, I a Prince. Prince Little Bear."

"If you're a Prince, what is Mommy?"

"You're...YUCK!"

He had dumped the soapy water on his hand in the space between "you're" and "yuck". I tried not to take offense...though I did have a good laugh!

I now see an opportunity to work on our royal hierarchy. Queen, my son, the word you were looking for would be QUEEN.

Conversations with Jacob.

Jacob was lying in bed with me the other morning and said, "Mommy, my back hurts."

"Did you hurt it in your sleep?", I asked.

"No, I old.", "Need Dr. Jame. Feel better."

Dr. James is our chiropractor and Jacob thinks he's the best Dr. ever. Well, once Jacob found out that Dr. James wasn't going to touch him. Something like this, "Dr. Jame no hurt no me?"

*************************

Jeremy and I were watching an old Cardinals game on TV yesterday. We asked Jacob, "Can you say 'Go Cardinals!'"

"No, I busy."

*************************
In the car, on the way home last weekend:

"Mommy? Miss Daddy."

"I know buddy, I miss Daddy too."

"Miss Brammie too. Brammie Fif."

"I know, we'll see her soon."

"Miss Brammie Harper, Brampa too."

"I know buddy."

"I miss all a body."

*******************************

He's been sick this week, I think it's just allergies. He told me, "Mommy, I sickly."

Writer's Cramp???

I think I had a bout of writer's cramp. I'd start to write, then I'd say to myself, "Self, what are you writing that shit for?". I'd delete it all and go do something else. I feel like writing today. It might still be shit but, I have to start again somewhere.

It's been hectic for us, that hasn't changed.

Jacob decided to out grow every item of clothing overnight. Jeremy had dressed him one morning and when I looked at Jacob, his sleeves were too short and I could see the outline of his belly button through the shirt. I informed Daddy, when shirts look like that, they're too small. I went out and bought a bunch of new shirts and pants last week - 4T. Luckily, I did manage to find a few great deals (like waffle weave henley shirts and dress pants for $2.50!) to restock him through Spring. I had to get some new summer stuff too and exchange some I had just bought. I thought my 3T bottoms would take me through summer and I was wrong. I did take a giant tote of clothing to the consignment store and I have another tote full and ready to go again! I did score a bunch of 5T jammies for $3.50 a pair while I was dropping off. Of course, I stocked up! Can someone please explain to me why kid's pajamas are so FREAKING expensive!?!

Jacob and I both went to the dentist this month. His first trip! He did pretty well. One of the Doctors has an affection for trains. There is a train that runs up toward the ceiling, around the waiting room, through a tunnel into the exam area, around and back again. They also have a fish tank with all the fish from Finding Nemo - Nemo, Dory, Jacques, Peach, and Gurgle. Like I said, he did pretty well, until he had to get in the chair for the Dr. to look at his teeth. He screamed. Like the Dr. said - If he's screaming, his mouth is open and he can't bite me. Good point. Jacob's teeth are good, we're brushing well and keeping them clean. See you next year. Actually, there is a little concern over an overbite, believed to be caused by the cleft palate but, he said we'd wait to see what happens with the permanent teeth. My appointment was uneventful - "perfect teeth, as always". I had cinnamon polish and they gave me a red toothbrush - as if you really cared.

I also managed to get our taxes done earlier this year. There's a certain sense of accomplishment having finished them in mid-February. We're eagerly anticipating our refund, actually I think Jacob is more than Jeremy or I. You see, we need a new vacuum. Mine broke. The dumb little thing on the bottom that adjusts for the height of the surface to be vacuumed, it broke off (not to mention this damn vacuum has like 5 filters and they need to be cleaned every 5 minutes to get any decent sort of suction). Every time I get out the vacuum, Jacob says, "Vacuum boken. Need a new one. A red vacuum." and he says this with a Sullivan nod. Yes, my speech delayed child does say 'vacuum'. So, by Jacob's special request, we are getting a new red vacuum. Try to contain your excitement, please.

Jacob's speech and OT are both going very well. Both therapists are very happy with the progress he is making though they would both like for him to talk more during the visits - funny he won't ever be quiet at home. We have handouts with practice words to work with at home and we're doing just that.

Jacob's SPD is still in full swing. The tags in shirts don't cause as much of a wig as they used to. He'll point out that a shirt has a tag before we put it on him. We always say "it's okay, Mommy/Daddy will fix it, promise" and that's enough for him. He doesn't like to wear jeans or khakis. He prefers "sweats" - don't we all? He still checks his toes every night for fuzz - and he has to check each foot 3 times before he's satisfied. We've had a new battle though. I REFUSE to take his socks off. He's 3! If he wants his socks off, he can do it his own self but, he cries "mommy do it!". Did I say that I refuse to take his socks off for him? He's now resorted to throwing himself on the floor while screaming and crying because I won't take his socks off. It's a great show! I'm still not touching those socks! He is eating new foods and is somewhat willing to try new things - he ate tuna casserole for the babysitter! Did I ever tell you, I HATE cooked tuna fish? We're recognizing more and more often what is SPD and what isn't while trying to stay sane!

I had mentioned a while ago about talking to and meeting Jacob's birth father's parents but I don't think I said that we had. The three of us took a trip over and spent a few hours with them. Have you ever met someone and just know that you were supposed to meet them? We were supposed to meet them! Grandma and I just clicked. I think, I could talk to that woman for hours on end and enjoy every minute - oh wait, I have! Jacob really enjoyed them too. He's been asking for "Bramma and Brampa Fif". I can't tell you how happy I am (or how happy they are) to have them in our lives. I truly look forward to seeing where this relationship takes us. They were so good with Jacob, so patient in letting him warm up. Boy, did Jacob reward them! He had hugs and kisses when we left, and all down the driveway "Bye Brampa, Bye Bramma!". We need to see them again soon. Maybe once both of our houses are done having colds...

Work is going better for me. I have a lot more direction. I've mastered some of my new tasks. I'm still a little unsure of expectations and my internet time is rather limited, I am to a point where I can function rather than just stew in confusion. I have been very busy learning and doing. I've had to dig out a few old hats I had buried in my closet that I haven't worn in a while and I'm relearning what each hat does. The main thing is that I'm doing it and I'm feeling better about it. I still hurt for those who have been forced to move on and it's hard to be the one left behind too.

Speaking of being the one left behind - I guess that's part of why I haven't felt like talking. When you're left behind, the things you once talked to these people about, the things you shared so freely, now are guarded as they're not here everyday anymore. Those people, though you still like them as much as before, they're not part of this atmosphere anymore. You're afraid to disclose too much or to be misunderstood. It's safer to close up. You always just hope they understand while you let them grieve. Hopefully, when their grieving is over, they come back.

I hope you enjoyed, maybe enjoyed isn't the right selection here, my word vomit. I have a few Jacob-isms to post and I'll get back to writing some time soon, real soon. I think I'm going to ease back in, ramp up - so I don't hurt myself.

Mail

Jacob LOVES to get mail.

I said to Jeremy yesterday morning - it's going to be a good week, lots of mail for Jacob.

Last night, I was going through the mail and found a Valentine for JJ from Aunt Cindy and Uncle Ron (my eldest sister and her husband). I called JJ into the kitchen and held up his letter.

"A wetter? For me?"

Yep, a letter for you.

"For me?"

Yes, it's just for you.

"Open it?"

Yes, you can open it.

"Mommie, hewp me."

I start the corner for him and he rips into the envelope.

"Oh wow! A wetter! For me!" With a very high pitch squeal of delight!

He gets very into the card shouting "puppy" or "kitty" or whatever cute little animal is on the front - and white puppies are all "Woo-wie" Then he wants to know who sent him the card and he'll talk for the rest of the night about his mail and who it came from.

It's always the same conversation, be it Valentine's, Easter, Halloween - he doesn't care. He's not fooled by letters to 'Resident' or 'Occupant'. He knows when they're for him! It's gonna be a good week!

Bugs

We stopped to have Christmas with Edna while we were in Manistee. She gave Jacob a bag of fake bugs. At first, he didn't like them, was scared of them. Edna put all the bugs in a pail for us to take them back to the hotel and Jacob scattered them all over the hotel room.

Jacob loves his bugs now. He even took them to therapy with him this week. He takes them out of the pail, one by one, lines them up on my arm and/or leg and he names them as he does this. "Mantis, Earwig, Hopper, Cricket, Pider, Fly, Korpian, Patapiller, Ant, and Crotchroach."

Jacob has a girlfriend

Last night, on the way home from bowling with Jeremy's work crowd, Jacob was jabbering in the backseat and I heard him say "girlfriend".

"Jacob, do you have a girlfriend?" I asked.

"Sarah" he said.

"Is Sarah your girlfriend?"

"Yeah."

"Is she hot?"

"No, warm."

Old.

Sunday night, I was lying on the couch feeling...hmm...out of sorts. Jacob came in and asked me, "Mommy, okay?"

"Yes, Mommy is okay."

"Mommy fick?"

"No, Mommy isn't sick."

"All better?"

"Yes, Mommy's all better."

"No hurt?"

"No, Mommy's not hurt."

"Old." He said. He gave me a nod and off he went.

Backfired

This morning, as I was getting ready for work, Jacob and Jeremy were playing in the bathroom. Jacob was whining at something Jeremy did that he didn't like.

I said, "Jacob? Is daddy a jerk?"

No answer

I tried a different approach, "Jacob, who's a big jerk?"

"You!"

"Did mommy scare the poop out of you?"

Some of you may know that we occasionally get books from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. One of Jacob's favorites is The Gruffalo. Lately he is showing some fear of the dark, although he still wants mommy and daddy to take him in dark rooms and whisper to us that it's dark. Tonight we were all in the kitchen, Jacob looked outside and whispered "dark" while nodding his head. He then whispered over and over "Fuffalo(Gruffalo)". Mommy asked him if the Gruffalo was after him. He whispered "Yes." and started shivering and walking out of the kitchen. Mommy then disturbed the silence with a "BOO". Jacob started to whine and ran to mommy with arms out and said, in that same whiny voice "Poopie". After I was done laughing I asked "Jacob, did mommy scare the poop out of you?". While giving mommy a big hug he said "Yes."

Out of character

I know it's not like me to go so long without a post. I'm here to tell you, it's probably gonna be a little while before the next and I'm also gonna give you my whole list of excuses.

• I am so busy at work right now. I swear, I am running in circles around my circles.
• I am immersed in a project though I know I'll get an empty 'thanks' and never see the results or any true appreciation of my efforts, I'm truly loving every minute of it and the people I have met along the way!
• We're spending every spare moment at home getting ready for Jeremy's surgery. He won't be able to lift for awhile and this hits us at the worst time. Storm windows need to go up, toys need to come in, lawn furniture needs to come in, plastic needs to go up, the air conditioner needs to go in the attic, the new back door needs to get put in. All that fun old house stuff.
• I'm super stressed over our lack of money. But - we did sell our Michigan tickets! And the price of gas is going down.
• My friend Jeannie (Harper's Aunt), her mom is in the hospital (3 days in ICU) and Jeannie's pretty worn out. I'm worried about her.
• Jeremy applied for a General Manager position - again. And didn't get it - again. So he's been putting in some extra efforts at work getting his new boss acclimated.
• I blew out my knee again and I HATE the Dr. I went to before and need to find a new one. Every time I wince - Jeremy says "Call the Dr." I try not to let him see. So sitting at the computer more than I absolutely have to is not an option.
• I saw a mouse! In our back porch (it's enclosed but not finished space) this morning. Moving the boxes of jeans from the porch to the garage is another project on the list before Jeremy is incapacitated. I was proud of myself though- I didn't wig!

Things going well:

• Jacob had his test with the speech therapist. He did GREAT! Alex said Jacob's comprehension level is really high. Alex saw the fear in my face over some of the tasks Jacob couldn't perform and said "That's okay - those are ABOVE his age level". We'll have the full results of the test next week.
• Miss Carrie - our development therapist came yesterday and said that after talking to Alex, it looks like Jacob will just have to do 'drop-in' therapy once he turns 3. As he's made so much progress!
• A friend of Jeremy's from high school is going to come up and help us out getting things done before Jeremy's surgery and he's also going to come entertain Jeremy during his recovery. I love that guy!
• My knee is feeling better - sometimes - I'm still slow, I still limp and have trouble with stairs. Ugh! Carrying Jacob is still a nightmare.
• I made a new friend, her name is Lisa. I met her through my project. She's a great woman and I look forward to spending more time with her.
• My other project is turning out far better than I anticipated. There are truly some wonderful and generous people in this world.
• We bought our new doors for the house and the garage. Thankfully, The garage door can wait.
• My brother is doing great in his new job. I talk to him a lot more.
• We're planning a mini-trip up home for the end of the month. I'm very excited.
• I bought a new pattern book and have found that I can crochet a dishcloth in one evening.
• After what seemed like forever, the pool is down and put away.

I'm also going to start giving you some Jacob-isms - as we call 'em.

A few nights ago we were talking with Jacob.

"Do you like Mommy? Is she nice?"

"nn-yeah"

"Do you like Daddy? Is he nice?"

"nnn-No, he bite"

Word Explosion!

I don't know if it's the new speech therapist or he's just ready to talk now but Jacob is just saying all kinds of new things. Honestly, he says something new everyday. Daddy keeps saying he doesn't say "L". I keep telling Daddy "it's perfectly normal, most kids have trouble with L."

Jacob now says:

I play
I bump - just this morning and he laughs every time
help
home
three
five
eight
move
Alex - the speech therapist
ear
snake
zoo

He'll repeat the letters of the alphabet and numbers. He's also repeating most anything you ask him to or at least trying to. Big Da and I, we hang on every word! Everyone keeps telling me "once he gets going you'll wish he'd shut up". No, I don't think so. He has the sweetest little voice, every word out of his mouth is music to my ears. Hmm, except for in the car when he says "momma, momma, momma?", I say "what?" and he points to Jeremy and says "Big Da!". He knows it bugs the hell out of me and so he keeps doing it, over and over. Or when just Jacob and I are home and he chants "Big Da!" until he goes to bed. Yeah, those moments are a little annoying but, it's still such a relief, knowing he's almost 3, and finally speaking!

The absolute best though:

"Jacob, say 'I'"
"I"
"Love"
"Wuv"
"You"
"YOU!"

In other news, I only have one white foot now. My right foot is back to normal but, the left still has a way to go. Jacob saw the painted feet last night and said "EEEUW!" then started picking at the paint which only tickled and didn't remove any paint. I have one more coat to spray on the chair and a wooden plaque to paint this weekend. I'll post picks when I'm done with this project.

"Awww...Woo-wie"

My sister, Karen (#2) and her shih-tzu, Louie (or Woo-wie, if you ask Jacob) came and spent the weekend with us. Jacob had a great time with them. They read books, they walked Louie, they played with cars, they played at the park in Saugatuck. And they both loved every minute!

I came downstairs this morning, Jacob met me at the bottom, "Woo-wie?". I said, "No, honey, Louie went home." He walked behind me nodding his little head saying, "home". I had hoped to get a pic of Jacob and his new friend but, well...kids and dogs - need I say more?

It was great to spend time with my sister. She helped me solve a few craft issues while she was here. I showed her a beautiful, lacy, afghan that I'm working (started pre-Jacob)...and all my other projects. My sisters are always making something. They knit, crochet, quilt, sew, cook, bake, paint and well...you name it, they can do it. I'm working on a new address sign for the house made with river pebbles. Karen and I saw them at the art fair in Manistee. Karen is on to faux chenille scarves for the church bazaar. I can't wait to see how our projects turn out!

I'm actually tempted to go home the weekend of the church bazaar that Karen is prepping for. It's at the church where we grew up. When I was younger and still at home, Karen and I would usually go to it together. I miss that church - I haven't found one even close. I mean, our church is okay - I guess, my problem is - it's not the church that my dad chose. It's not what he would have wanted. Anyway, they turn the whole gymnasium into this bazaar. They have different booths, Christmas, flowers, antiques, etc. with a luncheon that has the BEST German potato salad - well, it used to, I think the lady who made it died. Anyway, I sent Karen home with my crafting leftovers as a contribution to the bazaar.

Thanks for coming to see us Aunt Karen. We had a great time with you! We were so glad to have you and glad to feed and take care of you for a change. We promise to get up there this fall for a visit. I'm looking forward to seeing how those scarves come out. Jacob will be looking forward to seeing 'woo-wie'!