Corn Face Cutie Pie

 

 

 

Who is this kid?

Do you ever just sit back and watch your child doing or saying something that seems way beyond what you thought he was capable of and ask yourself, "who is this kid!?" I had one of those moments this evening with Jake. I was laying on his bottom bunk watching him cut paper with zigzag scissors. He was cutting with one hand, one finger in each opening, all the way across the page (and with each cut, he opened and closed his mouth with concentration). I said, "Jake! That's really good! Who taught you to cut like that?" His response was something mumbled with his newest word, 'stupid' mixed in. He stopped cutting and nervously looked at me, saw my serious face, kept cutting and whispered, "busted". I said, "yeah, that's right, you're busted." He goes, "HEY! Who taught you that word, mommy? You're gonna have to sit in time out cuz you do NOT talk to me that way!" (cut, cut, cut...) "why did the chicken cross the road?" me: why. Jake: "To get to Chicken McDonalds...HAHAHAH!!!" Ok, now he's telling bad jokes. I felt like he just went from 3 to 6 overnight.

I'm in love

Matt and I are enjoying Sam and this age/stage that he's in so much right now! It's funny because I specifically remember this not being a favorite time for me when Jake was this age, and like so many other experiences I'm having second time around...no two children are alike! I love these pictures I posted for many reasons. First, when I was preparing dinner and portioning out each item, placing more on Sam's plate then Jakes (love the kid's appetite!) I thought I'd cut the corn off the cob and then thought, let's see how this goes. Sam has amazed me with his table "manners"! He sits at the table now, uses utensils (just as well as Jake) and eats from a plate (which would be on the floor as soon as I sat it infront of 16 month old Jake). So should it surprise me that he can eat corn on the cob, I guess not! As soon as I snapped the shot, I got the second, when he quickly pulled the corn away from his face to pose and say "cheeeese!" Sam is full of energy, love, a playful spirit and yet has this feisty tantrum-throwing side to him that Matt and I can't seem to discipline but just laugh at. It's crazy how much harder it is to discipline the second time around. Now I know why my sisters let Ryan/Tyson get away with so much! ;) My theory is, with your first child you're on top of every single behavioral issue. Once you've seen 2 and 3, 16 month old behavioral issues just don't seem like a big deal! Anyway, I am madly in love with my baby, so thanks God, you've really given us a sweetie!

Red Rock in Doughnut

Today Matt had the day off so we headed up to Sedona to take the boys to Slide Rock. Jake was so confused as to what we were doing. His two comments/questions that we got 85 times on the way up was either swimming at the beach or swimming in a pool, and finally he said, "I want to go to the Red Rock in Doughnut"(Sedona). The day could not have gone smoother. After the constant questions and discussions about where it was we were going, Jake and Sam fell asleep on the way up and slept the whole way back, which left a perfect chunk of time to eat lunch and play at Slide Rock. The weather was perfect (about 84 I think) and the boys had a lot of fun. Matt took Jake down the long slippery slide twice and Sam once. Jake went between tears and laughter the first time but wanted to do it again. Sam seemed unphased. The boys were so cold at this point but they kept wanting to jump in to Matt who was standing in a slower, deeper part of the water. It was so cute because every time Sam jumped in he would immediately rest his head on Matt's shoulder and snuggle. Even though he was cold he wouldn't stop! Finally Matt wanted me to go warm up with him on the towels and warm rock. Once they were done with the water we had a snack and hung out on the towels for awhile. Jake did his climbing "tricks" for awhile and Sam just sat with me. It was pretty unbelievable how great they did, which is so God watching out for us in what could've been a disaster! Enjoy the pics...

Recent Jake quotes

Jake: Mom how long until we're home? Me: Two minutes. Jake: (with a cry working up-and very tired) TWO MINUTES!? That hurts my feelings!
Jake: Mom, can I have candy? Me: No. Jake (in the crying voice) THAT'S A BUMMER!
Jake and Sam are eating our homemade popsicles in the back and Jake is totally working Sam for licks of his but not sharing his with Sam. So sad how the little guy gets taken advantage of. Then Jake says "here Sam" trying to trade what is now a smaller popsicle for Sam bigger one. Me: Jake, I don't think Sam wants to trade (Sam's pulling back screaming NO!) Jake: Mom, I can control this. SAM! HERE! (Getting more aggressive with the trade...which led to both popsicles on the ground-one because it fell and one because Jake was p.o'd that it fell and threw his, then quickly regreting that decision and crying harder...NAP TIME!
I was excited about something saying "OH YES!" Jake added "HALLEYUYAH!"
Jake to me many times now "How's my little lady?" or "How's my sweetie pie lady?"
In the check out lane at Target, finding a yoyo toy, Jake says "Now THAT'S what I call STYLISH!" ?
During night prayers I pray "Thank you for dying on the cross, forgiving us of our sins, (interrupted by Jake) "and for Chicken Pie Pie and vities!" BTW I have not made Chicken Pot Pie in at least two months!
When I ask him to do something he sometimes responds "No problemo" (Good ol' Go Diego Go!)
Maddie comes over here a few times a week and Jake loves to call her Miss Maddie Mae. Now when he's getting serious with me he'll raise his voice and say "MOMMY MAE!" I had to explain to him that only Maddie's middle name is Mae, not mine too.
My mom called Jake "honeybun" and he quickly responded "I am NOT a BUN!"

The Little (15 month old) World of Samuel Shores

Matt and I are daily amazed at this little guys' growth! This morning we started counting the words he says now, which we think is at 20, and literally a week ago I would've only been able to count 5! It is so fun at this stage because they get so excited when they learn a word or sign and then when you affirm them with repeating it and cheering for them they get all giddy and excited! It's adorable. So my favorite scenario that's happened a few times now is at dinner. This is usually a stressful time because Sam is serious about success when it comes to being served his food, especially dinner. Well I think he's turning a corner now of having a little more patience, but the last few nights when he saw me beginning the dinner process (reaching for pans, getting out the ingredients) he follows me into the kitchen and uses one of his new words, "diiiiinnrrrr" and starts stomping his feet and clapping his hands as if to say "good job Mom, keep cookin'!" Then when I open the fridge he gets right behind the door to shut it closed (which he thinks is being really helpful because I asked him once to close the fridge). Last night after this routine when the fridge opened he reached in and grabbed a tupperware of tortellini, handed it to meand starting clapping and stomping saying "noooo-lll" (noodle). My other favorite part of this process while stomping for food is I tell him to say please and he says "peas" and pinches his nipples over and over (the sign for please is rubbing your hand in a circle on your chest). Matt and I love to watch his intense emotions of life (sounds familiar) like when Matt and Jake start chasing around the house, or especially when the an outside door opens. Sam starts in with "DO (sounds like dough) DO! DO! DO!" and the arms go pumping up and down with a speed walk! He also does this arm pump right after he throws a ball and says "throw" which also comes out as DO. One of Sam's favorite activities is playing outside, especially with a hose and in mud. We got the boys rain boots the other day and as soon as we go outside, Sam make a b-line for his boots and brings them to me saying "booot. boooot." Yesterday he worked very hard for probably 20 minutes carrying chunks of clumped dirt and dumping them into his bucket of water that he filled up. He loves to play with toys, quite content doing it all by himself. Right now he loves his ball popper (but shoves everything that fits down there: batteries, forks, blocks...). He also loves blocks and any book about animals. He is developing some good dexterity like opening lids to food and drinks (greaaaat). Also he is amazing with a spoon and fork. He really gets it and prefers to eat with one than bare handed. All of these things are so different from how Jake was/is that it is so fun to see there different personalities! He is just such a joy and delight to our family (most of the time ;))

The Little World of Jake Shores

Recently I've noticed that Jake is at a stage that everything is clicking. After TWO AND A HALF years of lessons and working REALLY hard on it, I am excited to share that Jake is finally rolling over all by himself! (See the video) Last week he had Blaire who is amazing, but not his weekly teacher. She had him rolling over consecutively which means he's actually getting from point A to point B now without help (PRAISE THE LORD!) Other fun things that have clicked: Potty Training (another huge praise!) and even often dry through the night which always shocks me. Pulling up his underwear and shorts and putting on his shoes (which he has always much preferred others to do for him, even his friend, Mia!), riding his trike (although he doesn't really enjoy it for too long-but he does love ringing the bell!) and this week he has started pouring his own milk in his sippy cup and filling his water cup from the fridge dispenser. Finally, he can now sing his ABC's from start to finish. He had asked me about a week ago when we were getting my tea at AJ's if he could have the "ice cream cone cookie" from Barb's bakery that they sell there. Well...these cookies are 2.50 so I don't just buy them any old time. So trying to think quickly without saying "it's too expensive" I said that as soon as he is able to sing his abc's by himself we will come back and I will buy him that cookie. I don't know, just trying to give him a little incentive as he usually does well with. He has been obsessing over that cookie and practicing the song daily, it's hilarious! I am so proud of him for all his "big" milestone accomplishments, and also kind of sad that he's growing up. In September Jake starts preschool two days a week and he can hardly wait. He talks about it all the time. Lately when I ask him where he learned something he says or does he says "from school". I have to remind him that that's not possible, he hasn't started school yet! He must just be so excited at the prospect of learning new things at school I guess!