This morning it was cold and rainy. I went outside without a coat and bare feet in my boots - burr!! At moms this morning Kenzie took me downstairs in the basement to show me the raccoon in their window well. Its been there for a couple day - comes and goes. It looked at us and put its paw on the window. Kenzie is really excited about it and has named it Bandit. Jacob got really excited when he saw all the Christmas lights at Nana's. He started dancing to the music that was playing. I took Kenzie to school this morning. She got out of the car and turned around to say that last time I dropped her off, some kids said they saw a rat crawl out of my car. I told her they were seeing things - but she said three kids saw it crawl out. She said maybe it was a mouse or a hamster. I couldn't convince her otherwise. Mom taught Jacob that when she asks, "Who's boy are you?" he says, "Nana's". I picked Jared up from work on my way home. He had to work late tonight.

I got up to pack Jared a lunch and see him off. After he left I stayed up for a while then layed back down. Jacob got to sleep in this morning and when he woke up he started chating. We had breakfast and got ready. Headed into town to the bank, Salvation army, and to get an oil change on the Vibe. I looked in the mirror and saw Jacob waving at the guy walking by the window. After lunch Jacob took a nap. While he was napping I cleaned the house, did the laundry, and wrapped some christmas presents. When he woke up we played and watched Rudolph. Jacob was scared of the abominable snowman. I got dinner in the oven before Jared came home. Its been a warm, rainy day. Jacob is getting much better at getting the cats food in the dish. Tonight he bent over and put the cup right up to the dish to pour it in. Tonight Jacob got his mat out that he colors on and ran to the kitchen and waited by the fridge where the crayons and paper is. He remembered how Daddy taught him to put the crayons in the box. He was very careful to put the bottom end in first and push the crayon down with his finger. Daddy and I were laughing as we tried to through the blocks in a box - Jacob laughed at us.

OUR CHRISTMAS TREE

Had a great weekend visiting family down south. Came home Sunday and Jacob only slept 1hr of the trip. When we got home it was ~9pm. After taking care of the animals we went inside and got out our Christmas tree (which belong to Jared's grandparents). Its pretty old and has a smell to it. Also much of it is turning brown. We took care of that by picking up a can of snow spray to cover up the brown. Jared had fun putting it on and it looks pretty good. After getting it set up we put Jacob in bed cause he was really tired. When we woke him up in the morning I carried him from the crib and sat on the couch with him. He usually has a hard time waking up, but not this morning. He opened his eyes and sat up quickly. Then he stuck out his hand saying, "pease, pease, pease". Pointing at the bulbs, lights, and beads, he said, "dat, dat, dat..." When we'd tell him to be gentle he gently pat whatever he was touching. We brought his highchair out in the living room and he ate breakfast by the tree. Jacob stayed with Nana today and Kenzie came home with us to spend the night. She thanked me for letting her spend the night. When we got home Kenzie hid behind me and suprised Uncle Jared. She was so excited she ran up and down our hallway over 100 times. Jacob thought she was funny and ran with her a few times. We watched Rudolph on DVD til it was time for bed. Truman slept in the bedroom with Kenzie. This morning we woke Kenzie up and then Jacob. Jacob got dressed by the tree. Took Kenzie to school and then Jacob to Aunt Missy's before work. Jacob loved Mel's inflatable snowman in their yard. When I picked him up after work all the kids were outside by the snowman. Stopped at meijer to get a few things on the way home. When I got home Jared said he stopped at meijer too - so we got double of a few things. Tonight we watched Charlie Brown Christmas. Jacob got almost every toy out of his toy box and had them all over.

We took Jacob in to help wake up Kenzie this morning. He was still sleepy and layed next to her under the covers. Kate jumped up and started licking Kenzie. My nephew Max is walking now. He walked over to me with a big smile. When we left Jacob said, "Bye Bye" and gave huggs and kisses. When I got home I started making rolls for tomorrow. Before dinner Jacob wanted to cuddle with Daddy. Daddy took him over to the rocker and rocked him. He tucked his arms in to get comfy. When he was done with his dinner he said, "Dal done". I put one batch of rolls in the oven and set the timer. Then I went in Jacob's bedroom where Daddy was changing his diaper. We got his train down and he was pushing it on the floor saying, "Choo Choo". I said, "Please" and he handed me the train. Right away he then said, "Pease, pease, pease, pease" until I gave it back. We got so busy in there I forgot about the rolls and didn't hear the timer go off. They were too brown so I made a third batch.

When I got to Mom's this morning Kenzie was getting ready for school. Jacob wanted a banana so he climbed in the highchair. I did Kenzie's hair and helped her finish up. Papa was reading on the couch and Jacob wanted to sit next to him with a book for him to look at. I took Kenzie to school on my way to work. When I got to Mom's after work Jacob was very excited. He was running around and spinning in circles. Kenzie is spending the night tonight and her bags were packed and ready. When we got home we locked up the chickens in their coop and fed the animals. Jacob carried a scoop of food to the cats - he is getting much better about getting the whole scoop in the dish. Kenzie gave treats to all the horses, but was grossed out when Nutmeg slimmed her. One of the goats had climbed in their feeder so Jared went to help her out. After dinner Jacob had a bath and then Kenzie wanted to take a bubble bath with the whirlpool jets on. I had to turn the speed down or the bubbles were going to overflow. She had so much fun. Jacob would stick his finger on the bubbles and then show me and Daddy.

Jacob fell asleep on the trip home from work tonight. He was a little crabby until he saw we were having pizza for dinner. After dinner Jared and I made an apple pie to put in the freezer to bake on thanksgiving. Jacob smiled when Daddy put some stickers from the apples on his hands. I asked Jacob if I could tell him a secret and he starts shaking his head yes as he hurried over to me. He already knew that I was going to ask if he wanted to tickle Daddy. He walked over to Daddy and waited for me. Of course they got me back.

This morning we heard Jacob shouting, "Da Da, Da Da" from his crib. Jacob and I took the dogs outside this morning and we checked to see if there was anything in our trap - nothing. After church we had pizza for lunch. This evening we went to church to help with the youth groups scavanger hunt. There were a couple teenage girls in our group and we got second place. Jacob stayed at church in the nursery and played with a little girl. The scavanger hunt was to help get complete thanksgiving dinners for families in need. They got points for each item on the list, like 200 pts for a turkey. Our team got 2400 pts. Afterwards there was pizza and pop. They said Jacob was very good in the nursery. Jacob was really tired when we got home. Now when you ask Jacob for something he's playing with and say please - he give it to you, waits a few seconds and then says, "Pease" for it back. He also says, "Night, Night" when he's going to bed.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

This morning Jacob lay in bed between Mommy and Daddy. He smiled as we cuddled. Then he got down, grabbed his blankey and went in our closet. We went out for our Saturday donuts and noticed there was going to be a parade. We got the blanket and made a seat on the curve. Jacob stood in front of us and as the parade started he shouted, "Dat, Dat". He waved at everybody and they through lots of candy. He picked it up and put it in the bag. We got more candy than on halloween. Went home and had some lunch, then Jacob took a nap. We have decided to try and sell Celeste and Nutmeg:( because we haven't been able to ride since I was 8 months pregnant with Jacob. We are going to keep Sammy. A couple interested in Nutmeg came out to ride her this afternoon. The mans wife was scared to ride her cause she gave a couple little bucks. We expected this because she hasn't been riden in so long. We told them if they weren't happy with her in 3-4 months we'd give them their money back for her. I think she's a great horse and we just want her to get a great home. We aren't in any hurry to sell her so we will see what happens. After dinner we headed to Saginaw to go shopping at ToysRUs. We are shopping for birthdays and Christmas for Jacob and the nieces and nephews. We shopped around for almost 3 hours. Things I had wanted to get were sold out. Saw Mel and Bruce there doing some shopping too.

Jacob slept in til almost 9am. I'm off work today so I woke up when Jared got up and stayed up to clean the house. When Jared and I went out to feed the animals we noticed something was in our live trap. Jared held it up and saw it was a opossum. Cleaning was done by the time Jacob woke up so we had the rest of the day to spend together. This morning Jacob went and grabbed his bib that his Uncle Eric sent him and brought it over to me so I'd put it on him. He wore it the rest of the morning and every time I'd say, "Do you want to take it off" he'd shake his head no. I had to get a few groceries and pick up pictures so we headed to meijer. I picked up stuff to make meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans for dinner tonight. Jacob rode the penny horse and put his hands in the air to show off how brave he was. I stuck the meatloaf in just about 15 minutes before Jared got home. He walked in the door and said he smelled meatloaf. Jacob, who has been a pretty fussy eater lately, loved dinner tonight. He wanted more ketsup on his meat and I said, "what do you say", He answered, "Pease". I handed Jacob the phone and he put it to his ear and said, "Ro Ro".

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Jacob and his cousins are in the bathtub after painting little pumpkin's at Aunt Missy's house. I took Champ (their dog) to work with me this morning because he is going to have his teeth cleaned. That little dog doesn't have many teeth to clean but lost 5 more today. Most of my day at work was spent holding a little dog who needed IV fluids and was doing circles in his cage twisting up the tube. I sat in a comfy chair and even got to watch some tv. Most of the time though it was VERY boring and I found myself trying to stay awake watching the thing drip every few seconds. I took Champ back to Mel's when I picked up Jacob. At home we fed the animals and Jacob put scoops of food in the cat dishes. Daddy started the tractor with Jacob sitting on it - he smiled. Every night after Jacob brushes his teeth he puts chapstick on his lips then he runs out to show Daddy.

At Melissa's this morning Jacob said, "Lailey" to call his cousin Hailey. Tonight he sat next to Daddy on the piano and occasionally would lays his head on Daddy's arm. Then he got on the floor and wanted to play with the frog we put our change into. I told him to say please and he said, "Pease". Lately when I get the camera out he automatically smiles at the camera and waits for me to take the picture.

This morning when we went out to feed the animals and open up the chicken coop we found Jan, one of our original chicken, had died over the night. She had a wound on her back and maybe was run to hard by the fox. Her and Mary have not come out of the coop since. We also realized we never found Martha. So the fox killed 4 of the 6 hens that were in the coop. The rooster and roadrunner were sleeping in the barn that night. Jacob is staying with Mom today and he started calling "Nana" as soon as we walked in the door. She was not back from taking Grandma for radiation. He always wants some cheeze as soon as we get to Nana's in the morning. When I picked him up after work he was waking up from his nap next to Papa on the couch. My dad was excited cause he can say "Papa" really good now. Tonight Jared swung Jacob around in circles and they both got dizzy. Jacob was a "Daddy's boy" tonight. They built a tent on the chair in the living room. They we went and played a "Moose Tracks for kids" cd on the computer. Jared put on different screens with designs that moved with the music and Jacob sat on his lap and watched. He said, "Ohhh - dat". Jacob now will not go to sleep unless he has 4 certain stuffed animals in with him.

Saturday am: Jared took the dogs outside but soon came in saying there were no chickens in the coop - only feathers. We searched for chickens and found 4 of our 6 hens and our rooster. Sadly we also found the remains of the other two hens - Beatrice and Cindy - who had been caught by some fox. Our neighbor said he had seen 3 young fox on his property across the street. Now I can only wish we had locked them up at night. We had really become attached to Beatrice who would come watteling towards you when called. We did go get our donuts/muffin this am and walked through Salvation army. While Jacob was taking his am nap Jared and I went outside to work on getting things ready for winter. We put a new window on the chicken coop and fixed the place up a little. Then we got heaters set up in tanks and fixed some fencing. We moved the horses over into their paddocks for winter. This evening is our neice Kenzies birthday party. When we got there Jacob went around to everyone. He said, "Ro Ro" (Uncle Rody) over and over. Then he wanted to climb up the steps. The kids played some games and Jacob joined in. He dropped some clothes pins into a bucket and threw the bean bags. Then we had cake and ice cream. Jacob was copying Uncle Rody spinning around and Jacob was laughing hard. Then Kenzie opened presents. Vikki and I were sitting on the floor and Jacob kept going back and forth sitting on our laps. Aunt Vikki set him in a box which he thought was fun. My Dad let Jared use his shotgun and riffle in case he could get a shot on the fox. When we got home Jacob was ready for bed. Jared and I went outside to the hayloft where we planned on staying the night. We locked up the chickens but set the dead chickens out for bait. I was really cold so we went inside at around 1:3oam.

Sunday: Slept in til 8:30am today. Very tired from the long night. Got an email that Kat had gone into labor and we excitely awaited the arrival of our new nephew. At church they told us Jacob was a very good boy - they said he was very quiet. Jacob was excited to have pizza for lunch and ate two small pieces. Grandma R called and said our nephew, Andrew Eric Jay Russell was born via an emergency cesection. I gave Jared a haircut while Jacob was napping. When he woke up we went to town to walk thru the new PetSmart. It's Truman's b-day today and we got him a nylabone. The place is really nice. Jacob loved looking at all the fish, birds and other animals there. Truman loved his bone and didn't want to drop it the rest of the night. Jacob took his book and sat on Daddy's legs to read. Before bed tonight he saw the box of diapers sitting by his dresser. He wanted to sit on it and then he wanted me to hand him his blankey and his stuffed animals. He wanted them to sit next to him but there wasn't much room. I lay him in his crib and he stood up and noticed that his elephant wasn't in there. He wanted me to get him and was really excited when I handed him it. He put all his stuffed animals in a pile and layed down.

Jacob wanted to run in and see Kenzie this morning. Kenzie woke up saying, "One more day til my Birthday". I had to stop at Mom' s this morning cause Kenzie forgot to put her bag in the car and didn't have any clean clothes. After taking her to school I headed over to Grandma's where I am meeting Mom with Jacob. Work was VERY busy today. A client at my work brought her little dashund in and she is going to stay at our house for a week. She is 13wks old and a little cutie. Jared meet me at Mom's after work and we had dinner there. Then we went to Toy's R Us shopping for Kenzie's b-day gift. We also went to Walmart, then back to Toy's R Us and to the mall. Mom and Kenzie were shopping at Toy's R Us and we walked through with them. They also went with us to Walmart. When we got home we played with the puppy.

This morning at Mom's I waited while until she got back from taking Grandma for radiation. She called and said Grandma had to see the Dr so she was going to be later than expected. I called work to let them know. Papa got there around 8am and then I left for work. After work I stopped for a few groceries and then headed over to Mom's. Jacob and Kenzie were there to greet me. I asked if Kenzie wanted to spend the night since I was taking her to school in the am. We went upstairs to pack her bags and get her things ready. Jacob held her build-a-bear pup the whole way home. Tonight Jared practiced Kenzie's spelling words with her. She was scooting down the hallway and Jacob was following her. Jared and Kenzie had another talent show tonight.

Jacob woke up before we when into his room this am. He fell asleep in the car on the way to Aunt Missy's. This evening when I took Jacob's diaper off for his bath he started peeing on the floor. He looked down and smiled. After his bath I put on some "big boy" pants and he went to show Daddy. Then he ran up and down the hallway. He loves to brush his teeth sitting on the counter with the water running. I read him some books and then he lay on the dog bed with Daddy.

This morning Jacob staggered over to me from Daddy. He sat in my lap and then wanted Daddy to hand him Barry and his blankey. I left for Mom's about an hour after Jared. Mom is taking Grandma for radiation and won't be to her house until 8:00. Dad met me at the car when we got there and took Jacob's hand as we walked up to the house. Jacob wanted to hold my hand too so we could swing him. Grandma came into work for dogfood today and she looked great. When I got to Mom' s after work Jacob was asleep on the bean bag. I had to wake him so I could get home and vote. We left to vote as soon as I got home. Tonight I would whisper to Jacob, "Do you want me to tickle Daddy". He'd shake his head yes and run over to wait by his side. I'd tickle him and Jacob got so excited. He shook him arms and stomped his feet as he laughed. Then he would give me a five.

Had an ultrasound done today. They didn't really tell me much. I asked if I could work more hours and they had me wait in the waiting room while they checked with th Dr. I told them they could call me and let me know but they said it wasn't going to be long. It took longer to find that out than my ultrasound itself. Then she came out and said I could work 40 hrs with no lifting at all. She asked me if thats what I wanted. Really I just wanted to know what was ok for the baby. After work I was so happy to get home and spend the evening with Jared and Jacob. Jacob was cracking up when I'd take his hands and have him dance with me. Aunt Vikki called and he talked to her. After she hung up he kept calling, "Bippi, Bippi" I tried to call her back so she could hear but just got a message.

This morning we went out for donuts/muffin since Jared wasn't there yesterday. When we got home I wasn't feeling to well so I lay in bed for a bit. Jacob cuddled under the blankets with me. Then he climbed over me and wanted to go find Truman under the covers by the end of the bed. Soon it was time to get ready for church. After church we ate lunch and then Jacob lay down for a nap. Jared and I played monopoly. We have used all the $500 & $100 bills from this game and our other combined. We have resorted to only getting $20 for passing go cause we have broke the bank. Jared won't show me how many $500's he has and it drive me crazy. I know at one point he had every $100 bills. We made deviled eggs for a pot luck dinner with a church group. We are celebrating the birth of a couples new baby boy. Jacob had two little girls to play with but he preferred to entertain the adults. He loved making the group laugh. When we got home we watched the Colts game. When they scored a touchdown Jared and Jacob would put their hands in the air to cheer them on.

Jared left at 9am to go to the Michigan football game with Pastor Shane. Soon after he left Jacob and I headed out to get donut/muffin from Dunken donuts. We both got choc. milk too. It wasn't the same without Daddy there but Jacob and I had fun. Then we walked around Salvation army and went to meijer. I picked up round steak and corn for dinner tonight. Had lunch when we got home and then Jacob took a nap. I started the round steak and gravy in the crockpot and then cleaned the house. Then I peeled potatoes and made dough for rolls. Worked on laundry and more cleaning. Jared got home around 6:30pm and we ate dinner. Then Daddy gave Jacob horse rides on his back. Jacob would purposely fall off, laugh, and then want back up. Daddy had him laughing really hard. Then Jared took a rest on the dogs bed. I told Jacob to lay next to him and he ran quickly to his bedroom. He reached in his crib and wanted his blankey. Then he ran out and lay down by Daddy.