Craziness

Well, I have decided that the busier your child gets, the less time you have to keep up with a blog. So, you can see that as he started crawling there were less, and then when he started walking a couple weeks ago, I realized I would rarely be on here again. For one thing, he immediately walks over (amazingly quick when he sets his mind on something) and is reaching for the computer. With added size comes added challenges, as we cannot just hold the laptop a little farther back on our laps anymore. There is no safe zone in our house: nothing is off limits, even the power button on our tv. It is now impossible to watch a tv show unless he is asleep...or unless we want to turn the tv back on amidst giggles and pleased looks over his shoulder every few minutes. Brett told us that there is a power button guard for the tv to use as a part of baby proofing and we knew immediately it was something to invest in. In the meantime, LOST and American Idol are viewed after bed time.

As you can tell, Jacoby is now a walking machine. He was taking a few steps at a time off and on, but if he wanted to get somewhere he reverted to crawling to travel quickly. Then, a couple of weeks ago, he one day decided that he didn't want to crawl anymore and walked all the way from his bedroom into the kitchen, turning corners and everything. I about passed out. He is now constantly roaming up and down the hallway and in circles around the kitchen.

Jacoby is becoming quite the talker, although nothing actually sounds like a real word with the exception of momma, dada, and things that we make into words. He will occasionally mimic what we say and sound pretty close, but it all depends on the mood he is in because our chid is kind of a stinker. We can tell he is watching everything that is going on around him. He holds phones to his ear, remotes pointed at the tv, turns the pages of his books (although he always wants to close the book so we will say, "The End!") He recently started keeping a hat on his head for a few minutes at a time before he takes it off to play with it. He claps at absolutely everything, especially at basketball games and even when the other team scores. Overall, we have a very happy and healthy kid...who is a little stingy at times.

We got a new tooth last week, so we are now up to 7. Jacoby can eat most finger foods, although fruit is still a little tricky with its slippery texture. He doesn't seem to like or dislike anything more than others, although when the gerber spaghetti isn't heated up enough he makes an absolutely terrible face. Of course, he comes back for more just a few seconds later, proving once again that he really will eat anything. Eating regular food hasn't stopped him from eating paper, socks, and every other miscellaneous item he can find...although we are improving.

We have a very solid routine, which makes me appreciate my considerate husband even more. Zach gets Jacoby up and ready every morning, which is wonderful although it can lead to disaterous clothing choices at times. (For instance, a maroon shirt with navy pants and red socks.) Then, Jacoby comes into our room and sits next to me as I put on makeup. He immediately digs for the blush brush and rubs it all over his head, and then does the same thing with the hair brush. Some day, we will embarass him by telling his friends that one of his favorite things was my make-up. Another thing I appreciate is the way Zach has stepped up even more since we found out we are expecting again. The morning sickness came back like clock work, and since your sense of smell is heightened during pregnancy, diaper duty has become a little trickier. Somehow, I have not changed a single dirty diaper since 7 weeks, which was 7 weeks ago. I did attempt to tough it out twice, which ended in a cry for help and a trip to the bathroom. I am sure I will be making up for the work I am missing out on when the new baby is here and a diaper change sometimes requires two diapers because they dirty the new one the second you put it on them.

Jacoby hits the big 1 year mark on March 9th. Our baby is no longer a baby! It's amazing to us that a year ago, we would imagine what his disposition would be and whose features he would have. Now we see that he has his momma's eyes and his daddy's everything else. We know what makes him belly laugh and what scares him, and can predict all of the ornery things he is going to do before they even happen. Being a parent has proved to be even more of a blessing that we imagined it would be. A friend from Paxton recently adopted their second child and she often says that no matter how motherhood comes to you, it's a miracle. We have seen that to be true over and over again in the past couple of years in the lives of our friends and by raising Jacoby. We can only imagine what life will bring with this next little one. Can't wait!

Approaching 10 months

Jacoby is now 9 1/2 months old and has enjoyed his very first Halloween, Thanksgiving, and most recently Christmas and New Years. Since his first step, he has taken several single steps but always prefer crawling because he can do it so quickly!
Recently, Jacoby talked on the phone with my mom and then I took the phone back and talked to her myself. As I was talking, I looked over and saw him holding a travel size shampoo bottle to his ear like he was holding a phone! What a smart kid! Since then, he will often hold a phone to his ear and babble. It's so fun to watch him learn things just through everyday interaction.

Jacoby received a snowsuit from Grandma and Grandpa Keith for Christmas so we took advantage and bundled him up for the snow. Zach pulled him around in a sled for several minutes and I envisioned future winters because if Zach was having THAT much fun when Jacoby didn't even really know what was going on, how much MORE fun would it be when Jacoby is having a blast as well?? I'm glad Jacoby has a dad that wants to roll around in the snow with him so that I don't have to.

Jacoby is cruising and eating some new table foods. He wants to try everything we have for meals and the more he likes it, the more he dances. In fact, the most danncing we have seen was when Jacoby experienced his first taste of Pagliais buffet. I don't know if I've ever been prouder.

I tried to upload pics but our computer won't let me. Sorry for the inconvenience.

An Eventful Night

Our little 8 1/2 month old brings so much excitement to our lives. Today, as I walked in to pick up Jacoby from Trish's house, they wanted to show me that Jacoby figured out how to climb up the stairs. (our stairs go down, not up, from our living room so I had never seen this accomplishment before!) Anyway, he accidently bumped his mouth and was bleeding all over the place. It was kind of scary because we couldn't tell where the blood was coming from, so I called up to our pediatrician and he said to run him by. Apparently, Jacoby tore the tissue that connects his upper lip and gums. (I bet everyone reading this is feeling for theirs right now...) Dr. Lowry told us that it won't heal itself, but that he won't really need it and in fact, it causes a slight gap between front teeth sometimes anyways. The only difference would be that we can stick his head out the window and his lip may flap around in the wind. Glad nothing was seriously wrong so we could have a sense of humor about things!!! I'm a little relieved that the inevitable first boo boo is out of the way and that my pediatrician is understanding when we call and say, "How do we know if we are being reasonable or if we are just being overbearing first-time parents?"

Jacoby recovered and was a very giggly boy all night, so I got out the video camera to record him and Zach "racing" (while crawling) across the room. It was getting close to his bedtime, so he was tired of playing and pulled up on the couch. Suddenly, he turned and TOOK HIS VERY FIRST STEP!! I was so pleased that we had the camera on! (Dale Kisker's badgering paid off!) After going crazy, we pushed rewind to check if you could even see him since I was changing positions in the room at the time. Once we realized that it was caught on film, Zach and I were both (to our embarassment) screaming and giving each other high fives. Our lives are just so exciting, right? I think that has to be the most worked up we have been in quite a long time! Great night...very memorable! This one goes down in the books!

Jacoby Loves Dora

I came into the living room on Sunday morning and Zach had Dora the Explorer on in the background while he was playing with Jacoby, who was very much loving it. So, tonight, as I was flipping through, I had to stop and see what he would do. He couldn't stop dancing! I pushed rewind 5 or 6 times so he could listen to the theme song again and it never failed to make him move! It gives me flashbacks to my husband at our wedding reception. Now it's just too bad I didn't realize that I turned my camera sideways for a picture and never turned it back!!!

My Boy Loves Grocery Bags

Here is Jacoby sitting on the floor amidst all of the grocery bags...and it was very entertaining to him.

Long Overdue Update

People keep bugging me about updating the blog, so I figured I would go ahead and do it before I forgot or put it off any longer. We just had a read-a-thon at school, so my camera is not at the house to upload pics, but I figured I can write something now and put pictures and videos up this weekend.

Jacoby had his first doctor visit this week other than a check-up. Out entire family ended up with an upper respiratory infection, so he hasn't been himself for at least a couple of weeks. Sleeping well has been pretty much out the window. Luckily, he loves his new medicine and last night for the first time, he was finally acting like himself and laughing and playing all night. It was so nice to have him back! It's unbelievable how miserable a snotty nose can make a baby. To make matters worse, he got 3 new upper teeth at the same time he had the congestion, so that added ear rubbing and a nose that ran like crazy, not to mention and terrible time feeding him. SO GLAD they are in! I hope the next ones stay away for a little while! 5 teeth is enough for now!

I'm not even sure what Jacoby had accomplished the last time I wrote, so I will just venture on the safe side and put EVERYTHING that might be applicable.
Tricks he can do:
crawling
clapping
pulling up
cruising? not very interested yet but sort of
letting go and standing for a number of seconds
playing ball

New foods he's tried: (this is where I will have to list anything in the last couple months)
peaches
pears
sweet potatoes and carrots finally stay down (he loved them but spit up all night when he had then originally...we tried every once in a while and the last time was finally a normal feeding)
puffs...blueberry, peach, and strawberry banana
water and apple juice out of a sippy cup

We tried a mashed up banana, but it didn't end well
We have discovered that Jacoby has a pretty sensetive gag reflex...like his mom I think. If a puff or something is on the back of his tongue, he will gag himself and throw up...often. I cannot even tell you how many times I have seen that familiar look on his face and just reached out my hand and waited for it to fill up with puke. Ah, the joys of motherhood.

Jacoby has also tasted the flavor of some random things. These are things he can't eat but we let him put his mouth on it to try it out, for example a tootsie pop (not so sure) and an apple (loved it!).

Most of all, Jacoby looked right at Zach and said "dada" this weekend. He did it again a few other times after that. Then, tonight, he was in the living room fussing because he could see me making his cereal. He cried and watched me and then started saying, "mama, mama". I KNOW he was really crying for me! I about fell over. We knew that it would be easy to tell when he was really saying it because he is a man of little words...while most babies his age have been babbling for a couple months, Jacoby seems to prefer not to say constanants. He makes the same noise several different pitches, like he is really saying a sentence but usually there is not constanants. (If that makes sense). Bottom line: I was not expecting it so I was so surprised but it felt pretty amazing.

Every time he is a month older, I think, "Wow, this is the best age." But then, he gets another month older and I think, "No, THIS is definitely the best age!" That's my disclaimer before I say that 8 months is most definitely the best age ever. He is learning SO much and has new tricks up his sleeve that he reveals every day.

Kind've a poopy night

A special guest blog entry by Holly:

So tonight was my second night to come over and bond with Jacoby. I worked through the mental list that Amanda had instructed me with. After I fed him his mushy rice and soft pink-colored bananas (don't know what was up with that), we headed toward the tub for bathtime. I was a little nervous as I've never given a baby a bath by myself. Everything went pretty smooth until suddenly he began to make an unusual face and his body position became awkward. He looked as if he was in pain. I felt bad for the little guy and didn't know what to do. Perhaps he was uncomfortable in his little tub chair. I picked him up out of the tub and I looked down to find two floating brown pieces of feces. I immediately froze with fear! (I am a person who isn't good with burping, farting, and especially not poop!) The one thing I feared about little kids (and dogs) and it happened in the tub of all places! I took him to his room, dried him off, and put him in his pj's. Now it was time to face the music. I reluctantly walked back into the bathroom, drained the tub, and contemplated how to conquer this fear of mine. I decided I would just have to pick it up with some tissue and put it in the toilet. I figured if I picked up the chair and tried to angle the poop into the toilet I'd miss and have an even bigger problem on my hands.

Unfortunately, I never got that far. Just looking at it and imagining my plan in my head was enough to send me into a major gagging fit, complete with coughing, watery eyes, and a red face. Jacoby thought it was pretty funny. I decided it wasn't going to happen and texted Amanda:
"So Jacoby pooped in the tub and I really tried to clean it up but I kept gagging. So I guess it will be here when you get back. I'm sorry"

I really do feel very bad. I am a bad babysitter. After all that, I couldn't figure out which way his diaper went on and his usual bottle/rocking chair routine didn't put him to sleep like it was supposed to. In the end, though, I was able to get him to sleep with a simple sway and back pat with music playing in the background (that is very relaxing by the way!). It was a very sweet moment.

Amanda and Zach, please don't band me from babysitting!! I'm learning! And I look forward to Jacoby and my's adventure next week.