I'm 1!!!

Okay, so it's been almost a month since I've taken the time to sit and write about my exciting life, but what can I say I've been super busy walking around and loving life as a toddler. We're finally back in VA after two months of traveling all over the place. We were in Loveland, CO, most of July looking for a permanent home . We also spent sometime at Grandma and Grandpa's farm. I even got to celebrate my birthday (twice) with lots of family. Overall toddler hood is bringing on a lot of "No, no!" from M&D, while I try to run and get into everything. Rarely do I sit down during the day (unless it's for one of my naps/feedings) and I'm talking up a storm. Life is great and toddler hood is a blast! Now onto my highlights of the past couple weeks:

50 week highlights:
-We've been taking our nightly walks here in VA. It's been super hot and humid, but we all love being outside, so we just take water breaks throughout the walk.

-I love to go into the kitchen and open all the cabinet doors. I insist on helping Mommy out wherever she goes (all the time)! She put together a cabinet that I can drag anything out of it I want, but I'd rather take/play with things from the other cabinets.

-I absolutely love walking around everywhere and of course getting into everything. I'm just a toddling machine!

-Anytime I'm playing with something that has wheels, I make truck noises. My parents think it's so funny and "cute!"

-I love figuring out how everything in this big world works; I especially like opening and closing things.

-Not only do I love opening and closing things, but I love putting things into bigger containers and then dumping them out of course.

-Knocking over blocks that Mommy stacks is probably my favorite thing to do!

-Helped Mommy pack us for CO. I actually am a better unpacker than packer. Mommy puts everything into the suit case and I pull everything out. I'm a BIG help!

-A car, a tram, an airplane, a bus, and a boat......all in on day! What can I say; there's never a dull moment in my life!

-I took my 14th flight to CO to find our new home! I did great on the 4 hr plane ride, but clearly once we hit the 3 hr mark I think we were all ready to get off.

-Transitioned to Mountain time when no trouble.

-We stayed in a hotel for a couple days before moving in with the Polansky's for the week. I loved walking around and getting into almost everything I could get my hands on (the frig, the drawers, mirrors, the tp); what can I say, I'm a toddler!

-I love to walk around and can even make complete turns now (no help necessary anymore).

-Got to see my twin! Okay, so maybe Aleah is not my twin (just my cousin), but we look like we could be with our blue eyes, blonde hair, and we're about the same size despite the 7+mo difference between us. We even play like we're brother and sister. I have a feeling this is not going to change for the next 18 yrs.

-Aleah insist on calling me "baby!" every time she sees me. Clearly she better start calling me by my name or we're going to have a problem!

-Aleah has the classic red big play car and all I wanted to do was play with it the whole time we were there. Grandma also has one that I love to "drive!" I love to get in and then get out. At first I would just crawl out, but now I've figured that if I step out I can get right back in. Anytime I grab onto the wheel I just go crazy steering it back and forth and of course beeping the horn.

-Despite being in so many places and traveling so much, I've been an amazing baby. I've been napping/sleeping in the car and in numerous pack 'n plays, and yet it barely seems to phase me. I did however, not sleep very well when I was in the unfinished basement at Gina & Mark's house. Once I moved upstairs though I did a lot better.

-I did great the whole week house hunting with M&D and John (the realtor). John would keep an eye on me napping in the car, while M&D would scout out the home. After my naps I would join them and toddle around the home with them.

-There were a couple days when I only took 1 nap, but I'm definitely still a two napper kid.

-I absolutely love going for boat rides, but am not a big fan of the life jacket!

-I got to see Mommy water ski for the first time. She did great and she even got up on the first try.

-I've been on boat rides on both Lake Loveland & Horseshoe. I've also floated around in both of them.

-I absolutely love giving open mouth kisses, which are very wet and juicy on the cheek. Mommy taught me when somebody says, "Give me a kiss," (and does the kissing sound) I lean over and give them a kiss. I love to kiss my toy monkey, baby, M&D, pretty much anything I love. I'm definitely a little boy though, when I'm not in the mood to give kisses I'll just ignore you.

51 week highlights:
-Did more house hunting with M&D. We've found a couple homes and lots, but nothing is set in stone.

-I love running around and playing with Aleah.

-Aleah loves to pile toys on top of me. One time she brought almost all her toys to me and put them on my lap. Not really a big fan of this game!

-Went on a train ride with Aleah at the Lake Loveland park and loved it!

-Traveled to Grandma and Grandpa's. I did great during the 3 hr trip. I was out like a light in my car seat since we left when I feel asleep for the night. Even when we got to Grandma's I stayed asleep.

-I love being outside and especially love being on the farm.

-I love riding the lil 4 wheeler at Grandma's. However, I actually prefer to push it around. Daddy says I'm going to be an O-lineman because that's all the do (push the sled)!

-Got to hang out with my cousin Jenna and Olivia while at Grandma's.

-I've started pointing at everything.

-Ate corn on the cob for the first time and LOVED it!

-Started making the transition to cow's milk. Mommy gradually added it to her milk in my sippy cup.

-Went irrigating with Grandma, Grandpa and Mommy. I loved playing in the water and even tried to eat some mud, which really didn't taste very good. After the little taste in my mouth, I decided I'd just play in the water.

-Went for a combine ride withe Grandpa. Although they'd just finished up wheat harvest, Grandpa still drove me around and ran the header for me. Grandpa also let me push some buttons and steer the wheel.

-G&G have a scooter that I loved to be pushed around on. I stand completely still and just grin cheek to cheek the whole time we're going.

-I love to make out with the cheerleading doll and G&G!

-I love going for rides on the Ranger and checking farm things with G&G.

-Helped G&G change a pivot tire. Okay, so maybe it hit my nap time and I just slept in Grandma's arms, but I was there!

-My 7th tooth is cutting through. It's coining in the bottom, to the left side of the front two. With the tooth cutting through, my drool and runny nose have picked up.

52 week highlights:
-I officially turned 1!!!

-Celebrated my actual birthday at Front Street in Ogallala with some of the McBrides. I wasn't a big fan of the cake, but loved all the attention. Spent the rest of the day with G&G on the farm.

-Spent half of my birthday and the next day with G&G, while M&D went back to Loveland to continue the house hunt. I did great the whole time with them and got a much needed break from M&D!

-My Aunt Angie's cousin took my 1 year pics in Ogallala. I did great, despite having a little runny nose. I was all smiles and they really turned out great!

-Mad the transition to cow's milk. Mommy started about a week ago, simply adding a little to her milk and gradually increased it every day. And by my birthday I had made the full transition to cow's milk and no longer Mommy's milk. Mommy made her goal though, she had me naturally and exclusively breast for a year.....Way to go Mommy!

-Went on the train in Loveland again and loved it!

-Feed the ducks at Lake Loveland with my cousins! Even ate some of the duck food (bread)!

-Played at the Lake Loveland beach with Jenna and Aleah!

-I got to help John drive his boat for the first time and even figured out how to make it go faster!

-Tried a sucker for the first time and loved it! First taste of candy!

-Had my officially birthday party on the 24th at Uncle Mark and Aunt Gina's house. M&D did the movie Cars theme and between party hats, pizza, cake, and laughs it was an over all great birthday! Again, I didn't care for the cake (again), but loved getting some new toys. My Daddy and cousins helped me open all the gifts, while I tried to play with each new toy. Okay, so it honestly went something like this: Jenna gives Daddy a gift, Daddy open gift, gives it to me, Aleah then takes it and I try to get it back and repeat! The cake was suppose to be a #1, but somebody goofed up the order and we just ended up with a sheet cake. Nonetheless, I still got my own cupcake, of which I didn't eat!

-Had a blast playing in the fountains at Centera with Aleah and Daddy!

-Took my 15th flight! Denver to Dulles! Did great again!

-Finally made it back to good 'ol VA. I had a rough evening when we finally made it back to the apt. I didn't want to be put down and just wanted to be held by Mommy. After a day, I was back to myself and causes trouble (of course).


So at a year:
-I walk everywhere!
-Am a nonstop talker!
-Sign and say a couple words!
-Love to receive praise anytime I do certain signs (esp. arms up and clap)!
-Am getting my 7th tooth!
-Love to be outside!
-Am built more like a 18 month old!
-Take 2 naps a day!
-Eat everything, but am not too fond of fruit though!
-Love yogurt, veggies and chicken!
-Love to drink milk!
-Wear 12-18 mo clothes!
-Wear size 4 diapers!
-Face forward in my car seat!
-Weigh around 25 lbs!
-I stretch out to 31.5-32 in!
-Love to play with rocks!
-Sleep 11-12 hrs at night!
-Love to watch my videos and do my words!
-Get into everything!
-Cuddle up to my snuggle puppy when I sleep!
-Am a fairly healthy baby!
-I point at everything!
-Love going to the park!
-Can follow simple commands!
-Wiggle my behind when I dance!
-Smile almost all the time!
-Have had 3 haircuts and am in need of another one!
-Have the bluest eyes ever!
-Always on the go!
-Love to watch and touch bubbles!
-Loves animals!
-Gives kisses and "loves!"
-Would play in the water all the time!
-Been on 15 flights!
-Lived in 2 states!
-Traveled to 7 states!
-Am growing by the minute and loving toddler hood!


Jacob, you are such a blessing to Daddy and I. It's been a fun and very eventful year with you. We love you so much and give thanks to the Lord each day for the blessing of you! We truly couldn't even begin to imagine our lives without you! You make us smile and laugh every day. Thank you for being such an amazing kid! We love you so, so, so much Jr!



*Well I made it a year! However between discovering this new, big world and trying to grow, toddler hood has left me very little time to sit and write about my life. But since my Mommy loves to snap photos of me almost every day, I've decided to change my journaling blog into a daily photo blog.

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him."- Psalm 127:3