Skiing, Mercy Truck,, and other Christmas shenanigans

This Christmas found us in Utah visiting Uncle Brandon and Aunt Erin.

Jace had asked Santa for an "RC truck with a remote control" but it sounded more like "A Mercy Truck with Remote Control."  He got that and so much more that was right up his alley!  Since he loves to tow, he got a tow truck with a chain, a remote control crane, and a tablet that were his top gifts.

It's fun watching him open gifts because he is waaaayyy into it.  Ashlynn enjoys it, but it has never been really the same, so watching Jace is a real treat!

He LOVED playing with all of his cousins, and his cousin's cousins, and feeling like he was just one of the boys.  He parrots everything, and imitating them was no exception.

We visited Temple Square and he would NOT hold my hand, but had to hold a cousin's hand instead.
In the hotel, he played in the hot tub and scared me to death in the main pool because he thinks he can swim and he can't.  He kept screaming at me to let him go, not realizing if I do that he will drown!! I definitely need to remember to bring floaties next time!

Finally, he went skiing and his grandma had bought him some new boots and skis. Jace has some sensory issues too, but the opposite of Ashlynn.  Everything bugs him.  He is hypersensitive to textures, tempereature, and if he perceives his shoe as being too tight it's over.  That was the case with his new ski boots.  He wanted to go skiing so bad, but he just couldn't handle the boots that fit his feet.

We finally gave in and had him use Ashlynn's which are way too big when she came back from her lesson and he was happy.  His dad reported he came out of his boot because they are too loose, but he is getting the feel for staying up on his feet!  Look at that smile!

This month, he also adds "the weekend" to every sentence.  We're going to play trucks the weekend, or "I see that the weekend."  

Oh, and every the thespian, he emphatically "really, really" has to do things now.  This trip it was, "Mommy, I really, really have to go potty."  or "I really really need to play with my cousins."  haha.  That kid always cracks me up.

Similies and comparisons...all at age 3

No one should be shocked to know I'm an SLP.  I happen to be incredibly good at grammar, language, and I think,writing.  Honestly, it's my thing.  It is so natural to me and always has been. It's been a huge learning experience to have a child with a speech and language disability.  It's hard for me relate to.  Speech and language come so easily to me.

Jace though.  My little guy.  Even though he is mechanically inclined, he is also really good verbally. Okay, granted, many things he just repeats, but he also comes up with pretty brilliant things on his own.  Sunday he declared that the plate of sausage looked like a campfire.

Listen people.

"The sausage looks like a campfire."

That is a similie!!  I don't know what grade they start teaching similies, but it's not preschool, and he just rolled one off of his tongue.

He also said yesterday,

"A car is faster than a train."

This is not only a comparison, but the language involved is highly complex.  Okay okay, I know.  I'm being an annoying proud mom, but comparitives, particularly ones said with this complex format are not commonplace at 3.

He is so dang smart and I'm so proud.  Now....if we could just stop his incessant screaming!!

We heard a baby in Target today upset and crying.  A mom in front of me with kids my kids' age how soon we forget and how grateful we are that it isn't our kid!  I wanted to relate, but honestly, Jace still screams.......like ALL THE TIME, like that.  It's just now, he has words to accompany the crying.  I think it's just his brilliance, but even though I believe that, it is still VERY challenging as a parent.

Hey! Who turned out the lights?

If I had a quarter for everytime Jace has said this, we would be going on an awesome vacation.  I have no idea where he picked it up, but it was funny and made us chuckle the first 50 times, and now....well....let's just say it's not AS funny.  He is so cute when he says it though.  He'll pull a hat over his head and walk around bumping into things saying it, or whatever.

He also tells stories and let's be honest, lies.  He states things as facts just to be part of the conversation.  I keep trying to teach him about lying and telling stories, but it doesn't seem to curb them.

Learning colors, you first catch, and "reading" books.

Jace is almost 3 1/2 and is about 3 months into his preschool experience.  There was some adjustment with him learning to share, follow the rules, and listen, but the teacher remains steadfast that he is a typical little three year old boy.

I decided to hit colors really hard recently because he is just not getting it and he really is too smart not to know his colors.  Cody would get frustrated and say he's not trying, but I kept with it.  He's getting better and more consistent, but he does still need some practice!  The Christmas lights going up everywhere have given him new incentive!

Of particular note though was that he just could not catch a ball.  Cody and I would play with him, and he would get disinterested after a few minutes.  The other day, we were over at my parents house and my dad played ball with him.  They did silly things like throw it behind their back, hike it through their legs standing upside down, and make funny noises.  My dad started bouncing it and making Jace hold his arms out, and wouldn't you know it Jace caught his first ball!!  He went on to catch quite a few more and I got one on videotape.  When we all cheered his little proud face killed me.  It was so cute.

The other amazing thing he did was "read" the Mighty Dad book from cover to cover.  He had memorized the entire thing.  As I videotaped him that same proud look washed over him and he happily read to us again.

I'm so proud of my smart little guy.

The frog hopped into my mouth again!!!!!

This story really starts with Ashlynn, but Jace is the one who has kept it going!  Both of my kids caught their first cold of the year.  One day, as I was dropping Ashlynn off with her Grandma, I told DeAnn that Ashlynn's throat had a frog in it, but I thought she could still go to school.

Thus ensued the never ending saga of the frog.

Ashlynn exclaimed to her Grandma:

"You know I opened my mouth.....and a frog jumped in!"

LOL

Jace though kept it going.  When he got sick after Ashlynn, he dramatically exclaimed, "oh no!  The frog hopped out of Ashlynn's mouth and into mine!!"

Well, both of them recovered and the frog it seemed had returned home, that is, until today.

We were driving home and Jace coughed!   A look of panic swept across his face as he said, "Oh no!  Mom!  The frog hopped back into my throat!!!"

I can't do anything but laugh.  Seriously.

I cannot EVEN mom.

Jace continues to make us laugh with his sayings and an uncanny dry way of speaking that seems to lend itself to the perfect punchline.

The other day he was trying to pick something up and exclaimed exasperated, "Mom!  I cannot EVEN pick this up!  It is TOO heavy!

It might be funnier in my head, but seriously he cracks me up.  I've always said he is my future engineer, but maybe I can see comedian in his future as well.

This week we were listening to a bible children's CD his Aunt Kris gave Ashlynn for her Birthday, and after so many songs singing "praise him" Jace demanded to know, "So mom, what's the deal with these princess songs?"  It took me a minute to wonder why he thought they were princess songs until
"praaaaaaaise..him" wailed once more on the radio.

ROFL

My favorite part though...I kiss him goodnight and tell him he's my good little boy, and he always responds with a hug and that "I'm his good little mommy" too.  :)  Love that kid.  Here's his first ever school picture.  His eyes are Cody's, but his expression is such a Baskall.  Love that boy.

Mommy

Floating on his own!

I have so much guilt sometimes because Jace's life has been tagging along while Ashlynn gets dropped off at speech, OT, and swimming.  Even though it's work, I don't think Jace sees it that way. Ashlynn gets all the attention, then she is told we are proud of her, and he is left out.

I did enroll him in preschool even though it's costing me over 200 dollars a month just for him to go two half days a week, but I know his self-esteem needs it.  He loves acting big, putting on his backpack, telling me goodbye and sitting at the table with all the kids.  His smile is worth more than the money we are paying.

Since he's been really wanting to swim, I've been having Ashlynn's swim teacher Josh see him the last 5 minutes of her sessions, so he doesn't feel so left out. Today Ashlynn was sick, so Jace got to have the entire session to himself and boy did he make the best of it!

He was jumping in the pool without hesitation, jumped right into his head bobs, and when it came to his back float, Josh let go and Jace floated alone for 10 seconds!  He was soooo proud!!  Look at that smile!  He also did a back kick on his own for four seconds smiling all the way.

He gets so cold easily and was shivering, but he was determined.  He was so tired by the end he couldn't even manage a kick.  He truly gave it everything he had!

I really want to find an activity that is just for Jace...maybe Karate, maybe soccer, I don't know.  I want him to feel special and proud in his own right.  He deserves it.

Fascinated by the cowboy, stealing the violin, and other pumpkin harvest adventures.

We went to the pumpkin festival today.  Both of you kids love to dance. We spent a large amount of time with the band, which you loved.  You sat down and banged together your two spoons, staring at the band members.  You have always been that way though.

When you had colic as a baby, we would get out the guitars and you would quiet right down.  You would lay on the floor and listen to us play.  Out of all you crazy and rowdy boy antics, stick live music in front of you and you are calm.

At one point, the woman lay down her violin on the ground.  You were eyeing it the entire time.  I saw you make a break for it and though I jumped up weaving through the crowd as fast as I could, it was too late.  You were holding this violin as though you had found the golden treasure and your eyes were dancing.  I took it away and you cried like you had lost the golden treasure.  lol

Later we watched a cowboy tell stories of life back in the days of the pioneers.  You were the youngest audience member that was completely enchanted by his stories.  You took mental notes of everything, and if I had any doubt, you reminded us later to look for "snakes in our bed" because they might have snuck in during the day."  LOL  How is one three year old so dang smart?  I hope you never lose you sense of wonder (I just hope you learn to reign it in a bit).

Solving life's mysteries

Jace continues to be funny and amazing.

Does the sun wear pajamas?

The sun doesn't have a bed.  He sleeps in the grass.


We had Aunt Dede's wedding this weekend, and you kept me on my feet as I chased you around the venue.  You were upstairs, in the kitchen, behind the bar.....ahhh.  I was so tired, but I picked you up and danced with you.  I know you won't always want me around, so I tried to revel in the moment. Your smile was so big and bright, and you absolutely loved it when I spun you.  I was lost with you in that moment and it was amazing.

Camping brought fun with cousins, but you are still you and want to know how everything works. You kept dismantling this tether ball game determined to figure out how it went together.  Despite getting into trouble constantly for it, you did if fact, figure out how to put it back together by yourself.  Oh Jace.

Bumps and bruises

We went to Boyd Lake this past weekend with the Powers family who has a kid your age (3) and another boy Ashlynn's age (5).

When you were little learning to walk, we used to say you had one speed!  Go!!  Things haven't changed much!

You love camping!  Boyd is great for kids  because there are playgrounds and pavement that kids can ride their bikes.  You zoomed around your big wheel and wiggle seat so fast I just knew you were going run into something!  Vroom Vroom!!!  you  say as you ride.  Wahoooo! is another favorite phrase of yours.

Your dad always says you are going to get hurt, but I always want to prevent it as much as I can.  Some things just aren't preventable though, like this:

I'm sure you're hoping there is a great story to this, but I will have to disappoint you.  You were just bouncing like a crazy kid at the table in the trailer and hit your head on the edge.  It gave you a big goose egg and tired you out from all of your crying.  I was so worried, but I don't think you had a concussion.  While you slept snuggled in blankets from Grandma Smith, I iced your head.  :)  I don't usually think you look like your dad, but this picture reminds me of a picture of Cody sleeping when he was a teengager.  Maybe I can find it and post it later (probably won't happen) haha

Among other things this trip, besides dominating their jetski floatie: 

You tied a knot with one of our tow straps!  We use them to strap down the wagon and when I went to pack up, I had to untie it.  It was very loose, but I was so surprised and proud of you.  No one taught you, you just pay attention and had done it yourself.  You are amazing like that, and you're only three.  I can't wait to see what you can do when you're older!  Help your poor old mom I hope!

I love you little guy!  

Angel of God and Old MacDonald had a Farm. Jace starts Preschool

My baby started preschool today.  Equipped with a new outfit, new shoes, and a new backpack, he was on cloud nine.  today is Wednesday and on Monday Ashlynn started school much to his dismay. He was a terror throughout the entire morning, and when we dropped her off he didn't attempt to move from his carseat and declared, "no mommy, I'll wait here."

"Uh no Jace.  Even if you're jealous, we still have to support each other."

He came, unhappily.  Needless to say, he was elated to go to preschool today.  I scrambled the night before to print out our family pictures so he would have a current picture to put on an "all about me" sheet the teacher wanted.  I thought I had the picture of him on the jetski, but it didn't print.  You on the jetski or pretending to tow cars would really describe your personality perfectly.

Well this morning I picked up said pictures and also had to get a composition notebook for you.  What the heck a three year old will be doing with a journal I have no clue, but I got you one.  Grandma S is out of town so Cody took off work to watch the kids.  He took the kids to school and I told him he had to take a picture or I would "kill him."  It sounds funny, but I this is how much it meant to me, and I was so sad about not being there myself.  A picture could at least document it forever.

I didn't get a picture.  I called Cody after preschool was done.

"Where is my picture???" I demanded.

"I sent it.  Didn't you get it?"

"No!??!"  "If I got it, why would I be calling?" I vented.

"Okay, I'll send it again," he said casually.

I had to write a text to ensure he sent it, and that's when I received this

Okay first of all, Jace is adorable and looks crazy happy.  However, THIS is his first day of school pic???  I had the ladies I worked with look at it.  

"He is so fired" said one.

"That's a man for you," said another.

Ugh!!  I was devastated.  Where is his backpack??  Where are his new shoes??  

Okay, but where is his backpack??  I begged my husband to please take a backpack pic.  I could tell he was annoyed.  I begged some more.  Doesn't he know how important this is to me?  I couldn't drop off my BABY on his first day of preschool.  The least he could do was to get a presentable picture.

I figured he wouldn't do it and that's when I saw this.....

My heart swelled!  Look at that little guy!  He looks so grown up and definitely ready for preschool. He was so stoked to go.  I hope he always loves school.  When I asked him the other day what he was going to learn in preschool he proudly declared, "my alphabet!"

I don't doubt it.  That face is the face of a winner, an inventor, a succedor (if that's word).  If we can guide him right, this boy is going to move mountains.

Tonight when I asked him if he was good, he said "yes" but then when I asked him if he got in trouble he also said "yes."  I asked him what happened and he said, 

"well, I stood up and the teacher said, 'Jace! No! Sit down!'  

I asked him, "Did you?"

Oh yes mom, I did!  

LOL  Good boy.  I love that kid.

Since I missed him so much all day I read his story and tucked him into bed.  he's been doing good saying the prayer "Angel of God" with me at night.  I decided to see if he could say it himself.

"Angel of God and my guardian dear to whom god's love commits you hear...lakdjadkjfskdjflskjdglaksdjgklasjg  Old MacDonald had a farm."

ROFL  I could not stop laughing.  Oh my goodness.  That boy. I called his Grandma Baskall and Grandma Louis and they both laughed out loud as hard as I did.  "Oh dynamite!" said my Grandma Louis.  "I pray for them two every night."

"Thanks Grandma!" I said.  "They need it!"

Parenting peacefully

I ran across this today, and it reminded me of my sweet Jace. Dynamite is the nickname my Grandma Louis has for him.  

Cody is determined to parent him peacefully, without violence, and I respect him for that. I honestly could have gone either way, but we are a united front and we must parent together.  Jace is no doubt a strong willed child.  Fiercely independent and strong, but with a soft heart and gentle soul.  When I yell at him he immediately yells back, but will fold into my arms needing a hug.  

Cody started that too with Ashlynn.  Do you need a hug?  She would always say yes, Jace would always say no, but I soon realized just because Jace said no didn't mean he didn't need one.  I started responding with love during those moments.  Those same moments that would have earned me a smack in the face or a paddle with the wooden spoon, I hug my son instead and afterward have him say he's sorry.

I see a difference.  He asks for hugs now.  I don't even have to ask.  He knows when his emotions are so high and he doesn't know what to do, he comes asks for a hug.  I think this is parenting peacefully.

It's hard to be judged from family members so critically.  I'm constantly being told how bad my son needs spankings. The other day at this birthday party, my mom took away car keys from him and he yelled at her and slammed his door.  My sister-in-law piped up quickly to declare "my kids would never slam a door.  What did we make you do when you slammed doors?" to which her sons quickly replied "kiss it."  She was so indignant and proud until I said, "oh yay, I'm so glad I get my parenting slammed on my son's own birthday."  

She did apologize, but those things are hard to hear.  I know in my heart though, the approach we are taking is right.  I know spanking just causes rage as an adult, proven in study after study.  I have rage and I hate it.  My brother had a saying all kids come out of childhood needing therapy.  I think about that now and I don't think that needs to be true.  Maybe we are wrong, time will tell.

Jace though is absolutely destined for greatness.  He is smart, ingenuitive, strong willed, assertive, but also has a great heart.  Cody and I have to teach him to channel all those strengths into something positive, because Jace is a game changer.  I love that little boy.

Well there's a will there's a way!Well,

Jace, you are an amazing little person.  Underneath your quick temper is a vulnerable heart a loving spirit.  You are also incredibly smart.  I know you get that from your dad and Grandpa Baskall.  I grew up knowing your Grandpa B. could fix anything, and then I married your dad and it was the same.  I just told your dad the other day that I will probably go my entire life with learned helplessness since I had my dad, then Cody, and now you.  You are only three and engineer things at your disposal all the time.  You do things I don't think I could honestly even have come up with myself.  Maybe, you'll invent something amazing someday.  I wouldn't doubt it.

After my last post, you have gone on to get more and more creative in how to two your vehicles.  For your birthday, you got that toolbox and one day while I was on the phone, you asked me to put these:

on the back of your big wheel.  I complied.

and before I knew it you had hoisted your wiggle car on the back and were effectively "towing the jetski."

Well, today, I walked out of the bathroom to find that you had found a tow strap (a lanyard) and looped it around the two handles of the push cars and were "towing a car."

Raising a future engineer/inventor isn't without it's downside.  You manage to break quite a few things in the process!  Flashlights have been dismantled, a screw in the playstation luckily didn't break the system but did render my workout DVD useless, and well, I won't go on.  I won't go on because the casualties are worth the payout, and they payout is I know you have a smart little brain in there that needs to grow and explore.

Our future engineer turns 3!

We celebrated Jace's third birthday this past week, with his actual birthday being celebrated in Glendo and then a family celebration at our house.
Jace's birthday will probably always be in Glendo, so it's a good thing this kid likes his trailer and camping.  He's always announcing to everyone walking by, "This is MY trailer.  My trailer is bigger. Yeah, this MY jetski."  He sure is proud of his daddy's toys!
Just his morning I found his trying to hook up their two push cars as he announced ,"I"m towing the trailer."  Genius!  This kid is so smart he amazes me everyday.

Of course, he had to settle on this setup, because two days ago he was in big trouble for playing with the real jetski trailer's safety chains and hooking them into the spokes of his tricycle.  When I told him no, he took off running.  I didn't see where he went as I was getting the chains out of his spokes only to find him seven houses down laughing trying to evade a neighbor.  NOT good.

For his birthday, I knew he's be happy with anything he can snap together or build.  He got a tool box from his grandma Smith and played with it the entire day.  

A marble run and mega blocks were also on his hit list. This kid loves to engineer.  He needs to know how everything works.

The other day Cody had to fix his truck and took it over to Grandpa Baskall's house since my dad has all the tools one could need.  Jace was right in the action, and when he was told to get away, he was at the window wanting to see what his dad and Grandpa were doing out there with the tools.  When he finally got to go out and help he was so happy.  

He kept sneaking wrenches from Grandpa's tool bags and pretending to fix Ashlynn's bike.  My dad finally figured out what was going on when Jace kept taking wrenches from the metric bag and putting them back into the standard, and taking wrenches from the standard bag and putting them back into the metric!  He has a lot to learn, but he's on the right track.  Engineering and fixing things is in his blood, so my dad and Cody couldn't get too mad.  

He's also my little lovey, giving me lots of random kisses and telling me he loves me.  So blessed to have this little guy in my life :)

I went poopie mommy. In the grass!

There really isn't more to this story than that!  Oh Jace. What will I do with you!

Is it my turn to ride the jetski?

This  year we have deemed "Summer of the Camper" since it's our first summer with our trailer.  We are now able to hit up quite a few different lakes and this time we went to Guernsey.  You are sooo proud of your jetski, trailer, and dad.  When walking to the beach to meet your dad you proudly announced, "I'm going to ride the jetski with MY....DAD."

In your spare time, you tell anyone walking by "This is MY trailer!! This is MY jetski!" It's bigger and faster.  Oh my, how does one learn to brag so young?  Hope I can teach you some humility when you get older!

You seemed to think though that every other turn was your turn.  Someone would barely get off the jetski and you were asking "Is it my turn now?"  "Is it Jace's turn now?"  If you were told "no" it was a full out tantrum.  In fact, you threw quite a few tantrums this trip, with one costing you no jetski or beach the first day.  You could not leave the door alone, and if I told you not to play with the door you kept doing it anyway or yelled at me no and threw something.  After everyone left I tried to give you another chance, but you just couldn't leave that door alone so you didn't get to go that first day.  You were so devastated you cried for 45 minutes.  It was just as must punishment for me!

When you could go though you were in heaven, bouncing your little head up and down with a big smile and letting out big giggles when you went over bumps. You had some interest in playing in the sand, but mostly, you just waited around until your next ride.

You sure are going to have fun in Glendo!  

You are so pretty mommy

I was eating lunch with my kiddos the other day, and I was scrolling through facebook.  The Duchess Kate just gave birth to a baby girl, and the internet was buzzing about how hours later she was up greeting the public looking fresh as a daisy.

Mom's everywhere were apparently gasping, in awe of how amazing she looked after giving birth. Many were feeling bad about themselves and remarking they didn't look like that.

I can honestly say I wasn't jealous of her at all.  How ridiculous!  Duchess Kate doesn't live real women's lives.  She obviously had a glam squad.  Sure, I'd look like that too if I had people like that. I wouldn't have wanted to though.  That's not reality.  That's not beauty.  Not to me.  Beauty is the miracle of childbirth.  Beauty is in the body that grew a life and then birthed it.  Beauty should be in the sweat and in the certain smile that only a new baby can give a woman.  I remember my picture after giving birth.  I have no makeup, my hair is disheveled, I'm in pain and I'm wearing a hospital gown, but I am smiling a genuine smile snuggling with my baby.

My son, I want you to see the faces of real women with no glam squad.  Real women who look beautiful with no makeup and no team of beauty experts.  I want you to see these women and think about how you love them, and then make sure when your wife births a baby, you see the beauty in her too.

As I was thinking these things, I glanced over at you and you were looking up at me.  "Mommy," you said, "you are so pretty."  I couldn't believe it!  It's like you read my mind.  Love you Jace.

Mommy & Jace

Aunt Amy & Josie

Aunt Kris & Jerod

Aunt Erin & Brody

New discipline plan

Jace is so defiant and it's wearing everyone down. We use timeouts with fidelity(locking him in his room), but it doesn't seem to be affecting much change.

Cody has been putting him on the top bunk, which he doesn't like, but again, doesn't seem to be affecting much change.

I was talking to a co-worker who said she had very obedient kids.  I said I didn't know how that was possible unless you spanked them into submission ( like I was).  She said she never spanked.

Curious to know more, I told her my story with Jace.  She said timeouts are obviously not his currency.  Interesting.

It got me thinking about what IS his currency, because if we continue on this path he's going to be in jail.  He has zero respect for authority.  Two days ago his grandma reported he kept spitting at her and telling her to shut up.  Sigh.

Well, yesterday we told him if he was good he could play with the iPad.  He was good the whole day!  We let him play with iPad when Cody got home.  Unfortunately, he screamed at Cody when he said it was time for bed, so we pulled his beloved puppy and told him he couldn't sleep with him tonight.  Turns out, his puppy might be currency.

Sigh.  We'll see. Parenting is hard.  I know Jace's behavior is only going to get worse unless we get it under control now.

Pray for us!

Give me back my HOE!!

Oh my!  Jace is at it again!  Easter just passed, and in their Easter baskets they both got a gardening set that had a rake, shovel and hoe.  Ashlynn stole his hoe the other day, and I hear him screaming, "Ashwinn!!! THAT'S MY HOE!"  Cody happened to pass by at that moment and sarcastically said, "yeah Ashlynn, that's HIS hoe. Give him back his hoe!"

Sigh.  This is my life, but what a funny, happy life it is.

NO...TOUCH...MY POOH!!!

Jace and Ashlynn got cards from their Grandma Smith the other day at the dollar store.  Jace picked up some Winnie the Pooh the cards.  They were doing well keeping them separated, you know, until they weren't, and Jace's cards started to get mixed up with Ashlynn's.  After trying to spread them out and keep them separated, Jace finally said in exasperation

"ASHWINN!! DON'T...TOUCH...MY POOH!"

I know it's not that funny, but you have to know his inflection and animation.  It was just too funny.

My little engineer in the making: like daddy and Grandpa

Cody's parents always described him as a child who had to touch every button.  I didn't realize how trying that was until I had Jace.

Jace is not yet 3, yet he is constantly touching the remotes, cell phones, playstation controllers, and plugging and unplugging cords.  He is obsessed with learning how things work.

It's not just his dad in his genetic make up like that.  His Grandpa Baskall was reportedly the same way.  Always tearing apart radios, he ended up being able to fix literally everything in my house growing up.  Heck, just the other day he came over and fixed our washing machine, something Cody had been having some difficulty with.  Jace was right in the thick of it.  "you fixing it grandpa?"

When Cody met my dad, he usually found him tinkering with something or working on a car.  It is a known fact that yelling and cursing at inanimate objects is part of my dad's talent in making them work again.  It actually might be the secret ingredient.  Jace is still just a little boy, but boy can that little boy YELL.   I came out one day finding him trying to shove a shape in a box and he was yelling "come on!!" over and over and over again.  His dad told him to stop yelling and try another hole, but inside I was chuckling.  Oh he would have...eventually.  It was just part of the creative process. :)

Jace is also always cold.  Total opposite that way of his dad.  The other day he shivered after drinking some ice water and declared he was "chilly."  He went and turned on the space heater (because yes, he knows how to work it) and just sat in front of it.  I was on the phone with my mom at the time, and she remarked how that reminded her of a story my dad's mom used to tell.  She would come home from work and find my dad, the oldest of 4 boys, asleep on the floor in front of the heater.

Jace also likes to "hide" in closets.  Another trait he apparently picked up from my dad; although, my dad hid in closets for much different reasons then my son. :(

The last thing I remembered was my husband and I talking the other day about our kids.  Ashlynn is so tough due to her under responsive sensory system, but Jace is not baby.  He just gets mad when he's hurt.  As I was telling this to my husband, it reminded me of my dad who my mom says gets "madder than a hornet" whenever he gets hurt.  lol

I like seeing my dad in my son, and seeing my husband in my son.  It's cute and endearing.  I love that little dude.

Jace's sayings

I want to keep a list of all the funny things Jace says, and here it is :)

Let's go to the alligator (elevator)
Mom, my butt hurts.  Can you get the sour cream?
Daddy, I want panpapes! (pancakes)
Mommy, is this daddy's squirts? (cologne bottle in hand)
Daddy!  We saw a pirate today!  He's a good stranger! (Referring to the paramedic at Chick Fil A)
I see a cranky!  (referring to a crane)
Dad, watcha doing with that waffle maker? (referring to the portable grill)
Mommy, will you turn on my night moon?  (referring to his night light)
Sahara!  Go to your candle!  (kennel)
Daddy!  My butt burns!  It burns like a toaster!

I farted in my mouth...and other sillies

Jace has one speed....GO.
Jace has one volume.....LOUD

Jace is my full throttle kid, just like his daddy.  He likes things loud and fast!  He is hilarious and even though I still don't get sleep (and now I have started melatonin therapy, but that's another blogpost) he is also loving and affectionate.

He is into knowing how EVERYTHING works.  That kid has his hands on everything: the remote, the playstation controller, the space heaters, the car stereo buttons, and my personal favorite...shoving everything into an outlet!  If this kid doesn't get eloctrocuted, I know I will have done my job well because it's full time with this kid.

The other day it got quiet downstairs.  I called down to the basement, "Jace?  Are you being good?"
I hear the pitter patter of feet, and matter of factly he tells me, "No.  I was playing with the heater."

Oh this kid!

At his Grandma's the other day, she said he burped.  He quickly announced, "Grandma!  I farted in my mouth."

Oh boy!

He recently picked up riding the tricycle and big wheel and he is starting to fly down the sidewalk!  I don't know if 2 years 7 months is advanced, but it sure feels that way.  Jace is my baby, but I feel like he came out wanting to be all grown up.

He never wants to be held (unless it's bedtime or he's hurt), but even then, after hurting his knee one day I went over to hug him.  He patted my back and said, "It's okay.  I'm okay mommy."

Oh Jace.  I love you baby boy.  You are a force to be reckoned with.  I only hope I can help you channel all that amazing energy!

I waive my white flag

Jace, today you broke me.  Yes I realize I'm 34 and you are 2.5, but you broke me.

As an infant, you woke up every 2-3 hours around the clock.  Speculations were that you had colic, and then acid reflux that you were medicated for.  For a little over 8 months, I was the sole person in charge of waking up with you, because your daddy has bipolar disorder and needs to take meds that knock him out so he can sleep and function like the rest of us.

I understood this though.  I did.  I had to go back to work when you were six months, and I'm not quite sure how I survived on 4-5 hours per night total.  Not even straight through.  I made numerous paperwork errors, but God only knows how good an SLP I actually was.

You took a pacifier and finally started gaining weight, and I thanked God for the sleep!!  You LOVED going to sleep (as long as you had your paci), and when you woke up at night you easily found your paci and went back to sleep.  From 1-2 years old I had my best sleep ever.

After two, your sleeping habits became erratic.  Closer to 2:3 you were soo demanding you get your paci, Daddy finally took it away cold turkey.

It has been downhill ever since.

We theorized I was giving you too much to drink before bed and that was what was keeping you up.

No.

Once you learned how to scale and get out of your crib, my life has been nothing but a haze again.  Your dad tries to help, and he does do what he can, but I don't have prescription medication to make me sleep, so even when he takes you, I am still left wide awake.  Awake to feel the alertness only a mother can feel when confronted with the cries of her own distraught baby.

Last Friday I tried to put you down for a nap, but you weren't having it.  Determined to stick with the "stay in bed technique" it took me 85 times of putting you back in our crib before you finally decided to take a nap.

We tried to get you a "big boy bed" and despite my worries, bought you a bunk bed because your dad insisted.

Today is Monday, and I tried to put you down for a nap 335 times.  I want to fold up in a ball and never wake up.  You were so defiant.  You peed on the floor twice because you stripped down naked.  I tried from 1:30 to 4:30 and by then I got you up because it was time for dinner. You need to eat.

I sat crying on the floor.  When daddy got home he was just mad at me.  Mad the house was a wreck and mad I couldn't handle you guys today when for the next two night he would have you alone since I go to work.

I'm exhausted.  I'm worn down.  It would seem you have no respect for me.  I prayed and prayed and prayed today.  I love you so much.  You are my baby Jace.  My prayer to Heavenly Father is as follows:

Dear Lord, I pray you bless my family and protect them. Guide Cody and I into making the best decision for their health and well being.  I pray my children grow up to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  That they accept Him as their Lord and Savior.  This I pray, each day, forever and ever, Amen.

Oh Jace, I love you.  I feel inept at raising you.  If only there were a manual I would follow it down to the last punctuation.

Above all, know that I love you.  I always will.  You are my baby and nothing can change that.  I pray I raise you right.  This I ask in Jesus' name.

Amen.