Santa Train 2014

I took you on your second Santa train this year.  You have been obsessed with watching Daddy's Lionel Train set under the tree, and you also broke a musical train box he has had since childhood.

You were so excited to go on the Santa train, and you just looked out the window most of the time staring, like you were in a trance.  Toward the end, you kept chanting:

Chugga Chugga Chugga Chugga, Choo Choo!!

It was so cute.

You gave Santa a high five and sat on his lap.  You didn't tell Santa anything specific, but you did say you wanted some presents.

I love watching your energy and your little boy wonder.  Your mind is always working and I can tell your fingers are into everything not to get in trouble, but to figure out how everything works.  Just last night you found Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the TV using a four button push with the remote.  Your Grandma Smith tells me one day I'll be asking you how to do stuff, and I'll be so proud honestly, when you can help or teach me.

Love you little Dude.

Love mommy

Singing to Ashlynn

Ashlynn fell the other night at AppleBee's. She usually doesn't cry, but this night she did.  I couldn't hold her and had to put her in her carseat.  You asked her to hold your hand, and kept asking despite her telling you no.

I started to sing a song on a signing time video that you both know to make her feel better.
"It's just part of life you bump and bruise and fall.  Sometimes seems like yesterday and sometimes, not at all."

That's when I heard you voice pipe up and join mine.

"When your hurt, you always become better, when you fall down, you always get back up."

I had to stop singing because it touched me so much that I choked up.  Oh Jace.  I love you.  You are rowdy, and crazy, and rambunctious, but I know you have a sweet little heart in there.

Pink eye, climbing out of bed, and other shenanigans

My little Jace is only 27 months old and he has learned how to crawl out of his crib.  Add a cold that makes it difficult to breathe, and Jace is climbing out ALL night.

Last week he had pink eye.  My poor little dude. I called the pediatrician, and it just happened to be the week they were moving...so I was told to go to Urgent Care.  I had to take him in the middle of my work day, which is stressful because I'm at a new school and I don't want to look like I'm missing too much work.

The waiting room was empty thank goodness because Jace was EVERYWHERE.  He was into the phone, the cords, anything he could open.....it's like he knew I couldn't really put him in timeout.  Fast forward to the nurse intake room, and he literally screamed the ENTIRE time.  We were ushered into the doctor's office, and he proceeded to open the cupboards, trash can, hazard material....I ended up putting him into timeout on my lap and he screamed during that until the doctor came in.

The doctor kept trying to establish rapport, but Jace just screamed louder.  Oh this kid.  I can't tell you how stressful it is sometimes.  I told the doctor I appreciated what he was trying to do, but to just move on because it wasn't going to happen.  The dr. prescribed some ointment for his eye and an antibiotic for a "maybe" ear infection.  (It was hard to tell when the child is screaming).

We gave him the ointment, but the next morning he woke up worse!!  He wasn't getting better, so I called the pediatrician.  She prescribed an eye drop and oral antibiotic that she said would work.  It did in one day, praise Jesus.  My poor baby.

Pink eye was passed onto Ashlynn, and then Jace looked like he was getting it again!!  My mom called me about an article she read that said a boy died in New Jersey in his sleep from the enterovirus, but his only symptom was pink eye!  It was later reported the pink eye was unrelated, but I ended up taking Jace to Children's Hospital emergency room just to make sure he was okay. Cody was mad at me for overreacting, so I called my mom and she came for support.

Once again, Jace screamed through the entire nursing exam.  No diversion would work. "Look at the TV" or even the nurse leaving the room!  It's like he knew we were trying to fool him!

Back in the room, it wasn't five minutes and he had already pushed the call button on the remote while I was filling out paperwork, and then the next minute he had climbed up on a chair and pushed the code button, causing 5 people to come running in the room.

Sigh

Next up was ramming the roll stool into the wall until he was corrected, and then pushing all the buttons on the hospital bed.

God help me.  He went into "timeout" five different times for touching the buttons on the hospital bed, but he just would not leave it alone.

And now....I am up every night in the middle of the night, scared he will run out of the house because he can now hop out of his bed.

Oh Jace is a force of nature.  I only hope as his mother I can channel his energy into positive things so that he is a lover of Christ, a helper of humanity, and remains the little boy who has my heart.

Pink eye

Pink eye!  My little dude picked up pink eye.  This picture shows us at urgent care.  I can't stand to see my baby hurting.  Everytime I look at his eye my eyes water.  I wish I could have it instead of him.  This picture was taken Thursday, and today, Saturday, when I came home from work, I discovered it's in both of his eyes!! My poor baby boy.  I called our pediatrician on call and she said the antibiotic they prescribed wasn't treating his eye!!

She prescribed a new one tonight and I just pray his eyes look better in the morning.  It's not an easy job being a mommy.

You were saved today

Raising kids is scary.  I constantly worry about their health and safety.  I pray every night that the Lord bless them and protect them, and keep them safe and healthy.  Many times I ask for things way more than I am thankful.  However, tonight, I am so, so thankful.

I took my kids to my grandma's house for a garage sale my mom and Aunt were having.  I knew it wold be tough since Jace is sooooo energetic and he's seriously into everything.  I took some pictures and sat down briefly to post them onto Craiglsit.

A man had just bought something and went to leave.  We were in the backyard, so he had to leave going around the side of the house to the front yard. I looked down for less than a minute, and that's when I heard

A squeal of tires

My son's speech

I dropped my phone and ran sprinting. A large SUV was stopped in the middle of the street and my little baby boy was standing in the road facing the side of the car.  The woman inside of the car was cursing.  I ran to Jace and scooped him up.  I apologized to the woman.  She literally thought she had hit my child.  I kept apologizing.  I really do watch my kids.  I really was watching Jace....but that's Jace. He's fast, he's quick, he's smart, he's mischevious, and he's into everything.  Accidents happen, and thank God the accident ended him leaving my sight for less than a minute.

My parents and Aunt were paralyzed in the backyard. No one wants to witness that. I took him inside to go potty. While inside the woman came back.  She was in disbelief he was okay.  She was terrified he ended up under her tire.  After hearing her story, I know my nightly prayers are answered.  I have no doubt that Jace was saved.

Thank you Lord Jesus.  Thank you guardian angels.  Thank you for saving my baby boy today.  Praise the Lord, in Jesus name. Amen.

Busted lip

Jace busted my lip open tonight. Complete with blood and swelling. He was just being rambunctious, and he jumped into my lap while head butting me at the same time. 

Cody yelled at him but I just sat there with my hand over my mouth and then had to get a wet washcloth. 

When I came back I was talking to my niece when I looked up feeling a small hand petting my head.  There was Little Man, looking contrite and searching my face. I scooped him up and hugged him. He smiled with relief and gave me the heartiest hug back. 

That boy may be loud, and he may be crazy, rambunctious and impulsive; but he has a heart of gold. Some may say he's naughty, that he knows exactly what he's doing, and that he's always up to no good; but I know not to buy into any of it. I heard it all before, and I ignored it then too and I'm glad I did, because he reminds me exactly of another man in my life who turned out to be pretty darn amazing: his daddy. 

Glendo 2014

We took our annual Fourth of July trip to Glendo Reservoir this year.  This is Jace's second time, and this one was epic.  

Jace's Birthday is July 3rd, so he will always have some sort of epic birthday party.  This year we celebrated with my family at the house, and then in Glendo in his other grandparents' trailer.

We all joke that Jace has one speed: GO and one volume: LOUD

He woke everyone up bright and early at 6 AM.  

With this face though, it's hard to be mad. He received a big wheel that fit his feet and he couldn't wait to get on it and go for a test drive.  In a few short weeks, or maybe days, Jace is going to have wheels once he gets the hang of it.  

Jace does everything full throttle, and quite frankly, as a mother that's thrilling but scary.  He got a life jacket for his birthday so he could get up and ride the jetski.  He was so excited.  "I ride the jetski!!  I ride the jet ski!!"  And ride he did.  He got on it and stretched out his little arms just as far as they could go to hold the handle bars, and rode it like a boss!  

Look at that smile!  No fear this kid.  He was convinced he was driving it too!

When it was time for fireworks, Jace immediately declared, "Wow!" and "Whoah" and "Cool!" and "Wook!!"  The noise, the lights, the bustle didn't scare him one bit; which is probably fitting.  Our own firecracker celebrating Independence Day!

Jace's second Birthday!

Two years ago I had my little man!  I knew it would be right around fourth of July, and I always thought how cool it would be that he would have fireworks for every birthday.  He doesn't need it though, because that boy is a firecracker!

He's loud and explosive, but he takes my breath away and has a beautiful soul and energy.  I'm in awe of him everyday.  He's determined and driven.  When he wants something, like to make a train work, how to work the iPad, or how to turn on the TV, there is no doubt he will make it happen.  Sometimes it's to his detriment because he gets in trouble for having his hands into EVERYTHING!  However, I know that his natural curiosity, determination and will, WILL take him far.

He does get frustrated though if he doesn't get something right away.  He's picked up a back habit I didn't even know I had,  of saying, "Come on!!" when something isn't loading fast enough.  It cracks me up, but I try to remind him to be patient.

He still asks for naps, unlike any kid I've ever seen.  He will go full throttle, and then when he's done, he's done.  He wants his paci, his milk, his puppy and blanket and he wants to lay in bed.

He's already ridden the jetski with his dad like a pro.  He had his short little legs strattling the jetski, and his arms reached out as far as they could to hold the handles.  He's proudly exclaim "I ride the jestki!"

I had a Mickey Mouse themed birthday party for him.  When he woke up, balloons were in the hallway and he came running to play with them!   When he saw his birthday decorations he excitedly yelled "Mickey Mouse!!" and "Pretty!"  He sure knows how to make a mom feel good :)

He says so many things it would be impossible to capture all of his utterances, but here are some favorites he uses:

I play with iPad
I take a nap
I want a bagel
I make a train track
I go to the park
Help you (says it to mean help me)
I watch Mickey Mouse
I go swimming!!
Where's daddy?
I go with you
I love you too!
I take a bath

Mothers day

It was a snowy Mother's Day here this year

You asked someone their name

You're athletic

You run into my arms

You are loving

You sang wheels on the bus all fru the town

Jingle bell.......way

I was proud when someone asked me how old you are

I come home, and you come running

I might be biased, but my little man might just be the best little boy on the planet.  Smart, talkative, energetic happy, loving, and funny, he makes my heart smile every time I see him. 

When I come to pick him up from work, I'm always greeted with a full hearted "MOMMY" and he comes running into my arms.  Even when he's doing something fun like the trampoline.  And the trampoline?  Wow can that boy jump! He is a little jumping bean, and now he has the song down "one two, buckle shoe, three four shut the door!"  He used to say one two buckle shoe, one two shut the door, but it only took a few weeks and he has it down pat now.

Though him and his sister fight, they always kiss each other goodnight.  I'm so blessed.

Spring Break 21 months old

We took the kids to Utah and to Las Vegas for Spring Break. Little Jace was worn out a lot, and like a kid after my own heart, he let us know.  He kept telling us, "I need a nap!" and "Go ni night."  Cody kept laughing saying he definitely takes after his mama.  The weather wasn't that great either.  Only 69 for the high, but Cody convinced me to go out swimming anyway.  I was freezing, but if Ashlynn was too, she sure wasn't going to admit it.  Luckily little Jace saved me exclaiming, "I code!!"  MOMMY I code!!"  I hurriedly (thankfully) rushed him inside.

He also started singing his own version of Jingle bells out of the blue!  It's been three months since Christmas, but he broke out in song singing, "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells....way."  lol.  He makes us laugh so much.

Sample utterances from Jace:
I love you too!!
Thank you mommy!
Thank you daddy!
Mommy, I hungy.
Mommy, I poop!!
I want a drink, cracker, cookie, tanee (candy), pesle (pretzel)
I run!  I down!
I read it!
I need a nap!
Ashlynn, here ya go
I color.
Answers basic yes/no questions

He's generous with his kisses, loves to laugh, pushes every button in sight, always has to have the remote, phone, iPad - can't stay away from the laptops.

Loves to sing, give hugs, snuggle, sleep, likes his alone time but also loves to play, curious, playful, wonderful.

He can sing his Abc's, Twinkle Twinkle, and the baby Jace song!

My little man

My little Jace is already 20 months old!! He is just a little bitty guy in the 3rd percentile for weight, but boy his lungs are anything but little!  Jace has been on a mission since he was born to be older.  He wants to be a big boy and do everything his sister does.  I write so much about his sister, I thought it's only fitting for me to write about him too.  He does new things daily and I want to remember everything when my babies have grown older and I am left with only memories of these times.

Right now, Jace can sing the alphabet.  Yup, the whole alphabet.  He also just counted to 12 by himself, without any help from my husband or I.  He replies with "I love you too" when we leave him, and isn't stingy with his kisses.

The other night, I came in late from work just as my husband had put him down to bed.  Laying there so sweet in his blanket, I just had to pick him up for a quick snuggle.  As we settled into the rocking chair he said, "dkakdjals...song." He has a habit of adding jargon to the first part of his sentences and then the last word is something we can all understand.

I wasn't totally sure he said song, and then he started humming twinkle twinkle little star.  I've sang this song to him since he was a colicky newborn, crying late into the night.  It's the only song that calmed him.  I happily sang it again.

Then today, I was looking for his washrag.  He quickly told me, "downstairs!  wash it."  I'll be darned if he was right.  I had just done a load of towels that I forgot about earlier in the morning.  Dang he is smart!

Don't grow up!

Today we took Ashlynn took school as usual on a Monday morning.  I put on your shoes this time, instead of leaving you in your footie pajamas.  Boy were you stoked.  Upon getting out of the car, you immediately announced, "Down!!"

I let you down and you had fun running all the way up to Ashlynn's classroom.  You were out of breath, but you didn't mind.  You kept trucking up as fast as your little legs could take you.  When we entered the classroom I helped Ashlynn with her things.  I quickly glanced around the classroom and didn't see you!  "Where is my son?" I asked worriedly.

That's when the teacher pointed to you.  Sitting in a chair with the other 4-5 year olds acting so big and so grown up.  You were attempting a puzzle and were trying to do so without me noticing.

On the way to pick her up, you once again ran ahead of me.  I captured this picture of you thinking one day you will be full grown man.  Don't grow up to soon baby boy!!  Please stay my baby for a little while longer.

"Song"

Tonight, I came home from work, and Cody had just put Jace to bed. I missed him so much, I ran in to tell him goodnight. He looked so sweet snuggled in his blanket, I just had to pick him up and hold him. While I was kissing his head, he said, " aksjdhdhdhdjdj......song"  He has a tendency to use a string of jargon before saying an intelligible word.

I literally melted.

Before I could sing, he started humming a tune.

I happily sang him the baby Jace song, a song I made up to the tune of twinkle twinkle little star, many sleepless nights.

Little little Baby Jace,
How I love your smiling face.
When the day is done and through,
I just want to be with you.
Little little baby Jace,
How I love you smiling face.
Chubby cheeks and curly hair,
Baby Jace my snuggle bear.
Little little baby Jace,
How I love your smiling face.

With love,
Mommy

I no like it, it's nasty!

Tonight at dinner, Jace devoured his lo mein. Guess he likes Chinese food. As he was finishing though, I asked him if he wanted a cookie. He immediately swiped all the food to the side and held out his fingers that still had some noodle on them and declared, "wook! I no like it, it's nasty!"
Oh man, for only being 20 months old, he sure has a lot of opinions already!!