Day 2 - No Pacifier

Today was day two of Jacob not having his pacifier. Amy and I had been talking about it for a while as to when the day would be. I left it up to her as we decided it would be soon, but an actual date wasn't set.

Amy and I noticed a change in Jacob's pacifier using habits after he no longer was drinking from a bottle. He greatly increased his "want", not need of a pacifier. We can only imagine that this is very normal. After already talking about removing this "fix", we spoke about it with the doctor. The doctor said that babies really only need a pacifier, if they use one, for the first months of their life. After that, they have the ability to do/use other things to soothe them.

So, back to yesterday. I came home and Amy said that today is the day. Jacob was done eating and took out his pacifier. Amy decided at that moment that she would try not giving his pacifier the rest of the day. I think to both of our surprise, he didn't really look for it. We did keep him busy which helped to keep his mind off of it. You could tell at times that he was looking for it, but wasn't desparate. Then night night came. REALLY surprising to both of us that there were no issues at all and went right to sleep.

Day 2 found Jacob looking for his pacifier a little more. He was a little cranky, but we think it was a combination of things. Jacob was definitely searching for a pacifier. He was somewhat looking in his toy box and was DEFINITELY looking in his basket where they used to be stored. Then it was time for night night once again. There was little resistance and he went right to sleep again.

Hopefully, day 3 will go just as well or even better and this will be the last day of issues. We can practically say that there hasn't been any thus far, but we are waiting another day or two before we claim success. Thank goodness we won't be one of those parents that has a four-year old still using a pacifier...

Jacob's Present - 18 Months Old...

Okay, so we didn't really get Jacob a present specially for his 18 month birthday. However, we did get him an outdoor climber at the same time he turned 18 months. So why not just say it is for his birthday. For those of us with fall/winter birthdays, you know that you don't get any spring/summer stuff and the Easter bunny isn't as rich as Santa Claus... ;)!

With my new found free time (my plans failed and Amy and Jacob's got better...), I have found some time to edit the video of this week's project. The project entails putting Jacob's present together. ***Side bar*** I actually had to leave Jacob's dr. appt. early to go pick it up before the place closed since Amy had it set aside. Whew! Just made it before the doors close. Why was it tight? The dr. had to put stitches in a 3-year old. I left at 5:15 and Amy and Jacob didn't get out of a 3:30 appt until 5:45. I actually had to leave before the dr. was done at Amy's pushing... Pretty unusual for this practice to be that late, but if and when we ever needed the immediate attention for stitches, etc. it is nice to know that we would be a priority and would be taken care of. Let's just hope that we never need to find out for sure...

Anyway, so here's the video. (trying out some new editing skills and will keep tyring new things... "somebody stop me!" With my free time, maybe I will try and do another video from a month or so ago of another familiy project. Don't hold your breath though because there wasn't much footage of that fun.

I wasn't able to get a good 18-month face shot today, but hopefully these will hold you over... He certainly looks like he is up to something. We spent some time outside this morning in the backyard playing on the climber and Jacob checked out his new playground while I did a little yardwork.

Happy 18 Month Birthday Jacob

Being 18 months old isn't a real birthday, but it is one of the understood milestones in a toddler's life. No plans to celebrate the milestone other than being with Jacob and enjoying the day.

18 month's sure goes by fast!!

My baby boy is growing up so fast! He has gone from boobie, to bottle, to big boy cup! He had his 18 month doctor's appt and made a great impression. We met with Jacob's favorite doctor so he was busy the first part of the appt flirting and showing off all his talents. The doctor couldn't stop smiling and remarking about how happy and cute Jacob was. Tell me something I don't know!!! We were assured that Jacob is developing right on schedule and is doing great! His stats are 32 inches long and he weighs in at a whooping 23 pounds and 7 ounces. The doctor did her exam and Jacob seemed to take it all in stride. Everything checked out great. We were told that Jacob has some fluid in both ears but there was no sign of infection so it's just something we will check on again in a month. We discussed the best way to break Jacob of his pacifiers for that will be our next challenge. He seems to have gotten pretty attached and we feel it's a good time to address that so it's not an issue a few months from now. Then came the dreaded vaccinations. Luckily Jacob only needed one shot! At his last appt daddy was smart and took advantage of being able to get a vaccination and we were told that it was a little too soon for another, so Jacob will get that in a month when we go back to check his ears. So the doctor's appt went very well and Jacob was a shining star!!

In just the last couple of weeks Jacob has become quiet a chatter box! I have no idea where he gets that from. HA! His vocabulary now includes Ma Ma, Da Da, Ellen (we watch The Ellen Show everynight and he loves it), yucky, wee, no, dog, duck, ball, bubble, cheese, fish, and apple. Along with his verbal communication Jacob also knows the signs for thank you, please, cookie, bird, eat and more. I'm currently working on "I love you". It's so adorable....he's almost got it!! He is just so darn smart and cute. I just can't believe it's already been 18 months! People always warn you that time goes by too fast and that babies grow up so fast.....they're right!
Every day is a precious gift!!!

Bye Bye Bottles

Well, I guess you can say that it is official now. Jacob is no longer using bottles and has completed transitioned to sippy cups. The first morning that he didn't get a sippy cup was almost a couple of weeks ago. He decided to sleep in which then didn't give much time to get ready for school. So, he was fed his morning cereal first thing. The second day, not much thought was given to going right for the cereal as he wasn't given the option. On the third day, I got up with him and walked passed the cupboard where his cereal is and he started pointing and whining toward that cupboard. So, I fed him cereal then as well and now there is no looking back.

Next stop, bigger sippy cups. Some of which will be insulated for the summer months... These are also bigger so we are just waiting to introduce them to Jacob. He is handling the small ones without issue. However, it sometimes seems that he is "shotgunning" them... So, he may be getting bigger sippy cups introduced to him more sooner than later...

Thriving At School

Late last week Amy was told a little story about Jacob. She was told about how Jacob has not only adjusted to being at school, but is also thriving. The adjustment has gone so well that he now known as a ring leader. The story goes that at least one time, Jacob and all of the other kids in his class were sitting at the table, he started laughing out of the blue for no reason... Once all of the other kids were laughing, he stopped. Then he started again so that the kids would start laughing again. So, evidently, Jacob has Amy's personality and enjoys the attention... ;)!

Yummy, Yummy, Yummy!!

Move over Chef Ramsey, Jacob is sharpening his culinary talents in his new kitchen. He has been watching his mommy, daddy and Chef Grandpa Randy for months and is now practicing everything he knows. Let's take a look at how it all began.

Here we find Jacob checking out all of the spaghetti of parts all over the floor. Notice Frankie in the back snooping around for Jacob's delicacies...

Jacob is seen here rethinking the new project/endeavor for the weekend.

Jacob is checking the instructions for backup. He didn't think this project should be taking so long... He was anxious to try out a new recipe he came up with and was a little skeptical at his dad's methods...

After determining dad, along with some of mommy's help, Jacob determined he was okay with how the progress was proceeding. He also determined that he might be able to save daddy some time if he sat on his lap and helped things along. Wouldn't ya' know it? It really did help get the project done even faster.Jacob's kitchen is now open for business. Who will be his first victim, uh um, guinea pig, uh um... customer... ;)

Hey! Leave me alone. Taste testing here!!! Get it!! You donut stealing animal cracker grabbing meat eater!! How was that for rivaling Gordon?!?! All kidding aside!! Tastes great!!

Disclaimer: No ovens, mixers, stoves, etc. were used by any children in the making of this blog. The chocolate donut depicted in the picture above was purchased by mommy and was only used as a prop to certifiy the authenticity of this entry.