Uncle Jason Gets Married

A little over a month ago Jake and I traveled to Utah to see Uncle Jason get married.

While the wedding was idyllic the trip to Utah was not. Unless you count the scenario where you are trapped on a full flight and your child screams the entire time. (Not just 10 minutes, not just 45 minutes, but the ENTIRE 90 minutes.) Yes, that was MY trip. In retrospect I have come to a few conclusions. First and foremost, NEVER book a trip during naptime. It may seem like a good idea at the time when you are booking the reservation. I had good intensions that Jake would nap on the flight - but should of realized he would be too excited about being in public, being in a new situation to be able to settle down. NEVER book a window seat. Book an aisle seat so you can get up and walk up and down the plane OFTEN. DO bring new toys that have never been seen before. DON'T bring cheap new toys that only hold 5 minutes or less of interest. DO bring favorite familiar story books OR new never-before-seen story books. AND lastly, I would have brought chewing gum to ease any inner-ear pain I was too obtuse to pick up on.

I have enclosed a picture of Jason and his new bride, Marin.

I have also included a picture of Jacob with Granpa Meyer and Grandma Sherry. And his cousins R-L Jack, Jacob, Ella & Jonas. Jacob was the first one crying and influence all his cousins to cry. Yep, my kid is the ring leader...

It's Official

It's official. Jacob's legal name has been changed to "Jacob Theodore Daniel Meyer" as of Friday, May 31st. A long name I know... but if I am only to have one child; I wanted to fit it all in.
Beside the name has a cadence that just sounds... right, to me. His name sings in my ears... and my heart.

It only cost two trips the the district court house on my lunch break - including 2 minutes in front of the judge, a sound argument and $100.

I didn't want Jake to ask me why his middle name was Leoncio for a grandfather that didn't have any relative significance in his life any longer. And I wanted to de-hyphenate his last name from Meyer-Robson to just Meyer.

His basic name, Jake Meyer remains the same. I felt really strongly the last 2 months of my pregnancy that Jacob's middle name should be "Theodore" after my dad. Stephen Theodore.

I also think Jacob T. Meyer sounds somewhat distinguished should he decide to be a laywer or a doctor.

If he decides to be a musician however, he may have to come up with a creative diminuitive of the long name I have given him... "Theo" perhaps? He will have to decide. I will leave that up to him...

In the meantime, I find myself trying to divise ways to manage his willfulness. He has enthusiasm and passion just like his mama. And he does not hesitate to allow his passion to show - particularly when I won't let him have something he really, really wants.

It's the age and stage - I know. I just find myself teetering between being too strict or too lenient when his tantrums arise. And I am waffling on a consistent plan of action when his voices finds wind. And let me tell you - this kid has a diaphram and can make some noise. He is also a very sweet boy. Who loves his mama, nina & pompa. He's really discovering his interests and finding his OWN voice and becomes vexed when I come between him and his desire...

plantive and the road is just beginning...

End of May

This month just flew by... I have been busy concentrating on getting settled at the new job.
Jacob is thriving - his new obsessions include playing outside in the yard every time the weather permits. (which is not often - been a cold, grey, rainy spring) And he has mastered going up and down the stairs standing up - which he is very proud of I may add.

Jake often becomes obsessed with small items that fit in the palm of his hand and he will carry them around everywhere for a few days at a time and then he's onto the next item. For example a little plastic film case, my sample size mascara tube, a lid from a propel bottle, my wireless mouse, and the gold string from my mother's day chocolates. He will even take them to bed. I find this habit charming - sometimes I find the items in vexing locations. For example, in a random bathroom drawer or bookshelf etc.

Here are the highlights of April & May

Mid-April cousin Jack visited. Jake had a little trouble sharing toys AND grandma and grandpa. He kept saying, "No!" emphatically to poor Jack. Towards the end of the visit the boys got along well and Jake even showed Jack the best drawers for emptying. Including grandma's towel drawer in the kitchen with all the napkin rings (another Jacob favorite) and mom's makeup drawer. (Thank goodness at the time he still had not figured how to unscrew various make up tubes.)

First weekend in May - went on annual Bainbridge Island camp out. Had a wonderful time! Jake really enjoyed the outdoors and camping even though it rained everyday except the last day.

Mother's Day - Grandpa made breakfast, and dinner. Mom and I scrapbooked most of the day...
And Jake got me some Sees candy. (Thanks Grandpa...)

Weekend before Memorial Day - had a family dinner with Aunt Kelli & Uncle Michael Sattler (mom's youngest sister). Michael on much pain medication but on the mend. Doctors didn't think he would live after being in the ICU for 8 days. Ol' guy is as tough as ever despite two broken feet, broken hand, broken clavicle, dislocated shoulder, a few broken ribs and punctured lungs.
We are all grateful he's still with us.

Memorial Day weekend - went to visit Jared & Jessie in Oregon. Jake & Ella had a wonderful time chasing each other. And Jake was captivated by Ella's tricycle. We even convinced Ella to give Jake a ride. There were a few tussles involving taking toys from each other. And lil' Jonas was recovering from a fever all but the last day. And the noise 3 children can make! They love joyfully screaming at each other - especially during mealtimes. I will be glad when this phase of development passes.

Jared was busy installing a sprinkler system in his front yard, and I helped Jessie build a rock wall for a flower garden in the back. While the kids were napping. Grrl power!

Hope all is well with each one of you!
Love, Jodi & Jacob T

"Deekub"

Last night Jacob was "extra" fussy at bedtime. I have found if I go in and spend a few minutes visiting with him, talking, playing a little silly game after our bedtime routine (bath, bottle, story, bed) that - he will settle down fairly quickly.

Last night he was chattering, "Deekub, deekub, deekub" which I realized meant Jacob. He was singing his own name to himself. Then I asked him to say, "Jodi". And he said, "Doey".

Sidebar: Normally Jake doesn't call me Jodi but earlier that night Mom was calling something to me from the kitchen and I was folding laundry in the family room. Jake who was in the kitchen with Grandma would scurry to the top of the entry way stairs and yell, "Doey?" And then a string of gibberish - almost as if he was Grandma's self appointed messenger. Whatever it was Mom wanted me to be doing - Jacob wanted to be sure I got the message.

Flash forward to Jake and I talking before bedtime. So them I asked Jake to name the following family members.

Mommy - Mama
Grandma - Nina
Grandpa - Pampa
Cousin Jack - Gak
Aunt Jaime - Nini

Then I asked him what the following animals said:

Cow - Moo
Doggie - wof, wof (his version of ruf, ruf)
Kitty - Eow (his version of meow)
Piggie - Ngk, ngk (his version of oink, oink)
Froggie - Rrrrr (his version of ribit)
I have tried to add Horse, Bird, Mouse & Sheep - but he doesn't seem as captivated by their noises.

Last Sunday we had Sheppard, Jake's half sibling over for lunch - He is 2 months older than Jake and just as cute as a button. I feel it will be nice for Jake to be friends with someone who is from a family like his but they are also related. My hope is for the boys to be friends the way I hope Jake is friends with his many cousins.

Jaime & Jack are visiting this week so I hope to have some great pictures and stories from their visit. I can say after Jack's arrival today - Jake followed him around the house saying, "No!" I thought Jake would be saying no over the toys - but Jake was more jealous about sharing Pompa, Nina & Mama.

Teeku, Teeku Little Lah

I was hanging out with a group of friends a week ago (maybe 2 weeks ago) and I was watching Jake move about the room singing to himself. I realized after a few minutes that I recognized the melody of, "Teeku, Teeku Little Lah" as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". He knows the first 3 words of all the verses and then resolves himself to Lah, Lah, Lah or Do, Do, Do... whichever monosyllable strikes his fancy at that moment.

We have all been very charmed by Jake's beginning of communication beyond one word commands. (And let me tell you this kid can "COMMAND". He really believes he is in charge of this household which to my realization, we have all kind of fostered in one way or another.)

I have also realized Jacob is passionate about his convictions. (Which feeds into the command / center of his universe persona) which is totally age appropriate but I have had the jagged pill realization - this kid is dramatic. Kind of a karmic payback after years of trying to get my own drama/ passionate convictions into a reasonable, pragmatic expression parameters. Oy Vey!

Jake is also very bright and has after being scolded by either grandma or I for less than desirable behavior - will initiate a hug or a kiss to apologize or "make nice". He figured this behavior entirely out on his own. He is all together too clever for his own good and very charming. (Now if I can only "channel" his super powers for good....)

This evening I gave Jake a spoon and an open container of apple sauce. Partly to foster the desire to feed himself,partly to encourage fine motor skills and partly to keep him engaged enough for me to get dinner on the table. After a few minutes of quiet - I checked on Jake and found after he dumped the entire contents of the container on his tray, he had smeared a large portion in his hair. He was also dipping the palms of his hands in the puddle of applesauce and clapping his hands together and marveling at the little spots of applesauce that would spatter himself and the nearby refridgerator. So I have enclosed pictures of the latest groovy experiment by the "professor".

And I have pic of Jake playing with Cooper who is 2 months younger. Cooper's Mom, Cory and I worked at Expedia together. Our offices were right next to each other when we were both pregnant.

Love y'all - Jodi & Jake

The Adventures of Jacob T Meyer

Jake is 16 months and continues to be a source of amusement and joy for all of us.
Here's the latest in Jake's adventures.

What happens when you sneak a bag of cheerios out of the cupboard... carry the bag upside down and shake while walking about the entry way? All the while minutes before I am set to leave with Mom?

Hmmm... very interesting... ahhh... yes... testing my hypothesis on the scattering theory. (In mathematic and physics, scattering theory is a framework for studying and understanding the scattering of waves and particles. Thank you CBS...)

Then as I tried to sweep up Jake's scattering theory experiment - he started to throw cheerios into the living room. (Not as a protest mind you - more like the absent minded professor working out the next step in his hypothesis.) I can see the wheels in his brain turning.

"Since mom foiled my scatter theory experiement - I should save the cheerios I can and... hmm throwing them on the living room carpet works..." And just to add insult to injury while I was picking cheerios up from the living room carpet - he saved what he could and started to line them up on the coffee table.

"A boy's work is NEVER done..."

Cousin Reagan (Shay's daughter) was here to visit 2 weeks ago. Jake seemed very interested in her pacifier and enjoyed patting her on the tummy when they were in the bath together. Other than that he was very cordial except the time he tried to climb on her to get to the back of the couch. I see I have my work cut out for me in oh so many ways...

Jake is a sponge and has learned 3 words this week.

1. Pompa - Grandpa
2. Nah-Nee - Mommy FINALLY!!! (not to be confused with Nee-Nah which is Grandma)
3. Moo

Grandpa also says he said the words, "eat" and "cheese" this week but failed to repeat them under interogation. So we are unsure if these words will be utilized in the full vocab rotation.

Until next time...

Jodi & Jake

Waaaay over due Jake Update

Jake is thriving - he is walking, (starting to do a jaunty run) He goes up and down the stairs on his own and can climb down from the couch and chairs but not up yet.

He is a chatty social baby who loves people. His newest thing is to say, "Hi" to everyone while we're in the grocery store.

He can also say about 11 words. (A friend of mine who is a public health nurse is really impressed that Jake has more than 4-5 words which the average for a 1 year old)
His 10 words in order of frequency are:

1. NO! (with exuberance)
2. Nina - Grandma
3. Uh - Up
4. Ow - Down
5. Lye - Light
6. Nye - Nice
7. Eee-Ouw - "Meow" for Kitty. (He calls our Kitties - Meows)
8. Uh-Oh - for anything he drops or throws
9. Tee-Too - ThankYou
10. Gacker - cracker
11. Ba - Ball

Yesterday I got him to say, "wheel" and "coupon".

And when he wants me - he just calls out. He doesn't have a name from me yet. (Sometimes it seems he is calling me "De-de" for "Jodi" but it has been too inconsistent for me to be sure.

He does call specifically for grandma and sometimes he calls grandpa Nina too. (Nina may be generic for grandparents.)

At 15 months he has also been practicing the art of the temper tantrum. (Which I didn't think I would see until around 24 months) He does throw himself back on the floor, scream, get red in the face and hammer his arms and legs into the ground. I just ignore him - so far it has only been at home and he hasn't embarassed me in public yet.

Jake has also shot up. We went to the doctor two days ago for his shots/checkup and he has grown 2 inches since his first birthay in November.

Here are the stats -

November / 12 months
Weight - 22 lbs. 14 oz. 50th percentile
Height - 30 inches 50 percentile

February / 15 months
Weight - 24 lbs. 12 oz. - 55th percentile
Height - 32 inches 75th percentile

Yup! My kid may be tall... and he hair is start to curl a little on the top.

Included is a picture of Jake naked in a rocking chair.
He ran away from me during a diaper change and climbed into the chair.
I couldn't resisit a photo...