Turkey Day '08

Jace's Thanksgiving was filled with food, fun, family, and friends! He was at Grandma and Grandpa F's (now known as Ma and Pa) from Wednesday until Sunday celebrating and socializing. He was a super boy all weekend and proved what a social butterfly he has become. He was able to meet up with some old friends and make some new ones...and he loved every minute of it! Aunt Erin was in town as well which made Jace EXTREMELY happy. He has always liked her but this weekend took their relationship to a whole new level. They danced, spun in circles, screamed, and even did 'the horsey'. Jace will certainly miss her the next few weeks!
So on to the pictures...and there are plenty!

First, as indicated above, Jace really is becoming a social butterfly. He does not hesitate to play with any kid whether it be a boy or girl, big or small.
Jace and his cousin Emma

Hanging with Preston

Talking things over with Cade

Showing Sydney his Thomas book

Of course, no Thanksgiving weekend would be complete without story time with Pa!

Mommy and Erin drug Jace out on Friday morning to go shopping. Granted, it wasn't very early and 30 minutes+ was spent at Starbucks but Jace still did well. The only request he had was this pretty red headband from Target. Who is Mommy to deny Jace's manly security? Isn't he pretty?

What a great Ma---rolling around with Jace on the floor. Good thing Aunt Erin can adjust her!

Grandma gave Jace an Elmo ornament to take home and hang on his tree. Let's just say there is no way it is going on the tree! Jace wouldn't put the thing down even to suck his thumb--he stuck it under his chin to hold it so he could twirl Mommy's hair too!

Another stop on the Friday shopping spree---riding a BUS!

Jace got to attend the Lighted Christmas Parade on Friday night and he loved it!

Ok, he really did love it but Aunt Erin's warmth and the lack of a nap won out and he fell asleep

And continued to sleep....

And finally, 'The Horsey'!! Thanks to fabulous Aunt's Kay and Debbie for introducing him to it. He definitely says 'please' without prompting for the horsey!

Elmo's Green Thumb

Jace attended his first theatrical performance last night. It was a definite hit! The only change would be to try and attend an earlier show. The show didn't start until 7:30---a time when the prince has usually been asleep for an hour! Jace plowed through however, and loved every minute of the show! Mommy, being the stellar Mommy that she is, got tickets on pre-order so Jace had a front and center seat! There were about 15 of the Sesame Street characters in the show and many of them came down in front of the stage. Jace was able to high-five several of the stars! By the end, if they were down on the floor dancing, Jace would just stick his hand out so they would come over to him. He never took his eyes off the stage and only wanted to go up there a handful of times....Mommy was a little concerned that being so close, Jace would think he could just run up and hang with Elmo! Jace reminded Mommy of a certain scene from Pretty Woman where Julie Roberts is at the opera. She just stares at the stage the whole time until the end when she claps so hard you think her hands might fall off. This was totally Jace! He was in awe until a song would get over and he would clap like he had never clapped before!! It was a great time and something Mommy would love to do again! This morning was a little different story, as Mommy had to literally shake Jace awake! Poor kid. But, by the time he got to daycare he was his old self and didn't even wave good-bye to Mommy as he found his friends.

Grover, up close and personal!

Sitting with Daddy and his $8 balloon.

Jace was so close to the action!

Clapping like he's never clapped before!

J and Mommy getting ready for the 2nd half

One of the characters saying hi to the girl next to us

Jace's first sno-cone. The remnants are still stained on his face today!

Tired but happy

Van Gogh no more

It appears that Jace will not have to re-enact Van Gogh's famous cutting of the ear. It was a legitimate possibility for a while as Jace's first ear infection of the season required a visit to the family dr., a visit to the ENT, 2 bottles of ear drops, and 2 oral antibiotics. Is it finally gone you ask? That remains to be seen. Jace's follow-up with the ENT isn't until the week after Thanksgiving. Luckily the icky drainage has finally ceased, making for a much more attractive Jace. When the ENT called with Jace's ear culture results, she told us that 3 different types of bacteria were found in his ear with just one swab! And to think that was all running down his cheeks for almost 2 weeks!
And an additional story about another of Jace's 'identifying features'. First, Mommy must make it clear that she absolutely LOVES Jace's hair. True, it causes problems at times and will not, under any circumstances, lay flat. It is SO Jace though and totally adds personality to his look. Mommy styles, lifts, and gels that hair with pride daily. One day, Jace and Mommy were wheeling through Wal-Mart when a nice lady stops and says, 'oh my goodness, look at that hair!' Now, Jace and Mommy are used to this kind of reaction from strangers. There is something about a 22-month old who looks like they stuck their finger in a light socket that gets people's attention. Mommy smiles at the lady politely. The lady proceeds to explain that she is a hair dresser and she has never seen so many cow-licks. Yes, Mommy smiles, thinking Jace is so rare in having this wonderful hair. As the lady walks off, she looks back at Jace and says, 'It's ok, my daughter would know how you feel..........she has really big ears'.
Ok, so Mommy only has a few pictures to share at this time. Being the true E-bay addict that she is, she has decided to try and start selling some of Jace's old items. Therefore, much of her camera is full of pictures of used baby clothes. Anyway, Jace will be heading to Sesame Street Live in a few days so stay tuned for some sure-to-be cute pics!!

Checkin' out Daddy's tattoo, which displays Jace's initials

Hmmm. How old do I have to be before I get one of those?

Little book worm. Can't even get through breakfast without a little reading material.

Thanksgiving #1= Happy

First, let Mommy explain the title of this post. On Sunday, Jace, Mommy, and Daddy went to Nana and Papa's house for Thanksgiving #1. The reason this equals happy is because there is a 1 behind the word Thanksgiving. If there were not going to be subsequent Thanksgivings, there would be no need for the #1. Therefore, more scrumptious food is still to come in the following weeks. This makes Jace's family very happy.

Now, on to the pictures as of late!

Wrestle Mania 2008! Looks like Daddy lost!

As if Jace weren't saturated in Thomas already, he has now discovered the Thomas website. Ok, Mommy had a little to do with it but she has learned her lesson. If he isn't asking to WATCH Thomas he is wanting to go to the website. Ahh, the 21st century.


Seriously, does anyone else have a dog that goes to bed whenever he feels like it? On this particular night, it was 7 pm and Ozzy gets off the couch, looks over his shoulder, and goes up the stairs to bed. Ok, so he had a little help being tucked in (Daddy) but he did go to bed all by himself. Crazy pooch!

Reading with Nana

Jace actually took a nap on a big boy (or girl) bed at Nana's! Mommy had to take a picture of this momentous occasion as proof. Don't expect to see a similar picture for a long time!

Again on Thomas.com.....Note the concentration! Oh and the fact that he still must have Thomas in his hand too!

I'm cool!

Could this be Jace hiding from winter?

Helping Nana.......or playing with Thomas while Nana cleans up.

Funny boy!

Nana gave Jace some pretty cool little markers...that happened to get all over his face. He is so strange about being dirty or messy. This is him making sure all of the markings are OFF his face!

And one to leave you with.............AHHHHHHHHH!

Mommy is a genius!!

Mommy finally decided to figure out the video camera she has had for almost a year. Almost an hour and half later, she is proud to present her very first video. Now please, no slack about the fact that the video is nearly a year old! This was a test video and there will be more recent ones to follow. For now, just enjoy the sight of our shaggy, pre-haircut Jace.
Oh yes, this is from last January, right before he turned 1!

A New Background

In honor of the wonderfully awesome performance put on by the Hawkeyes this weekend, Jace and Mommy decided a new background was in order. Daddy was lucky enough to enjoy the game in the flesh but Mommy and Jace cheered them on from the comfort (and warmth) of home!

It snowed nearly all day on Friday! It was warm enough that it didn't stick around for long but Jace did have a nice view of it Friday morning. He kept saying 'now, now'! (translation: snow, snow!)


Friday night, Jace, Mommy, and Daddy decided to hit Chuck E. Cheese for some play and pizza.


After filling their bellies, Jace and Mommy rested on the kitchen floor. Why?....who knows!


Mommy heard that the cardboard box has been nominated for the the toy hall of fame. It's no wonder....



Sunday, Jace and Mommy met Grandma F. at the mall. Jace shopped at Bed Bath and Beyond and LOVED one of their beds. He seriously wanted to nap there!


He also visited Barnes and Noble to play with their Thomas Table. This is an activity that Jace could do for HOURS on end!


Jace finally got his wooden Diesel 10 on Saturday. For those who don't know Thomas well--Diesel is the only 'bad guy' in the Thomas stories and he is Jace's fav! Great. Mommy was equally happy with her purchase--a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. For those who don't know Starbucks well---pumpkin spice latte is the best!!

While Daddy is away......Jace and Mommy will play!

Daddy went to the Minnesota Timberwolves game tonight so Mommy and Jace flew solo. Mommy had planned on having cake and cookies for supper but decided it would be great if J actually slept.......so she ate them after he went to bed! Shhh...don't tell him! Unfortunately Mommy and Jace's day o' fun is not documented because...well, there was nobody to take pics! Here are some other recent picture to scratch your Jace itch!

What up Elmo


Some more of Jace's oh-so-cute new PJ's


Coloring a picture from the book Aunt Erin sent him for Halloween


Another Monday. Blah--Jace really does say Blah! all the time. No idea.


Chillin' reading a book

I Am a Toddler......

If it’s on, I must turn it off.

If it’s off, I must turn it on.

If it’s folded, I must unfold it.

If it’s high, it must be reached.

If it’s shelved, it must be unshelved.

If it’s pointed, it must be run at with top speed.

If it has leaves, they must be picked.

If it’s plugged, it must be unplugged.

If it’s not trash, it must be thrown away.

If it’s in the trash, it must be removed, inspected and thrown on the floor.

If it’s closed, it must be opened.

If it doesn’t open, it must be screamed at.

If it has drawers, they must be rifled.

If it’s a pencil, it must write on the refrigerator, computer monitor or table.

If it’s full, it will be more interesting emptied.

If it's empty, it will be more interesting full.

If it’s a pile of dirt, it must be laid upon.

If it’s a stroller, it must under no circumstances be ridden in without protest. It must be pushed by me instead.

If it has a flat surface, it must be banged upon.

If Mommy’s hands are full, I must be carried.

If Mommy is in a hurry and wants to carry me, I must walk alone.

If it's paper, it must be torn.

If it has buttons, they must be pressed.

If the volume is low, it must go high.

If it's toilet paper, it must be unrolled on the floor.

If it’s a drawer, it must be pulled upon.

If it’s a hole, I must stick something in it.

If you do it, I wanted to do it.

If you want me to do it, I want you to do it.

If it’s YOUR toothbrush, it must be inserted into my mouth.

If it’s MY toothbrush, it must be inserted into YOUR mouth.

If it has a faucet, it must be turned on at full force.

If it’s a phone, I must talk into it.

If it’s a bug, it must be swallowed.

If it doesn’t stay on my spoon, it must be dropped on the floor.

If it’s not food, it must be tasted.

If it's food, it must NOT be tasted.

If it's dry, it must be made wet with drool, milk or toilet water.

If it has a tail, I must yank it.

If Mommy wants me to come, I must run away.

If Mommy wants me to let go, I must CLING ON FOR DEAR LIFE!

If it’s stacked up, it must be knocked down.

If it’s sticky, it must go in my hair.

If it's bath time, I must run around naked until I am caught!

If it is a rock, it must be picked up.

If it is a doll, it must not wear clothes.

If it is Mommy or Daddy, it must be hugged and loved forever.

I am a Toddler!!

Note: Although Mommy is extremely talented and thoughtful, she did NOT (as Daddy thought) come up with this on her own. She just felt it rang very true in Jaceland!