Frozen Produce.

Mommy has tried various techniques over the course of the last week to get Ms. Peanette to turn. Probably the most humorous was propping her hips 12-18 inches above her shoulders to encourage Peanette to do a somersault. Let's just say Mommy was extremely glad she did this in isolation as it was NOT pretty. And it didn't work.

Next was using frozen produce. Mommy put frozen spinach at the top of her belly and her Ipod headphones at the bottom (The directions Mommy read called for classical music to be playing but Mommy figured Peanette is a woman of the now so she played Mariah Carey...Peanette appeared to be a fan). The theory is that the ice cold will be discouraging while the music draws Peanette's head down. She definitely was not happy with the cold and did do a lot of moving but Mommy couldn't tell if she turned the entire way. So, Mommy is leaving it alone until her apptointment next week and will go from there.

Mr. Jace has officially been in the 3-year-old room for a couple of weeks now and is adjusting well. He has finally taken to the idea of wearing underwear instead of a pull-up. Nana's glow-in-the-dark undies from Halloween were the ones that made him change his mind. He also has given up the little potty and is using his seat on the big one. Mommy and Daddy were pleased with this development as cleaning poopy out of the potty didn't seem extremely sanitary.

And a few pics to leave you with....

Apparently he has had his picture taken a few times....



Jacer doing his first homework assignment. Each kid was given a shape and had to bring in several items from home of that shape to share with the class. Jace had a square so he took a block and a book.



Daddy and Jace's self-portrait. Mommy never knows what will show up on the camera when she is gone!



Jace loves to lick the beaters....even if they are from mashed potatoes. And note Jace's p.j.'s. He had pajama day at school so he got to wear them ALL day! Lucky little dude!

8 Months with Peanette!

Mommy is currently 8 months pregnant with Little Miss. At her check-up yesterday everything looked great...except the little stinker is still breech. She has a few more weeks before they will try and manually maneuver her. From what Mommy has heard, this procedure is not pleasant so she's going to try and talk Peanette into doing it on her own. Mommy has also noticed a funny (or not so funny) trend in her weight....it seems her weight almost always matches up with Peanette's heart rate. Unfortunately, the old wive's tale that girls' heart rates are higher seems to be ringing true! Also, unfortunately, Peanette's heart rate is not 110. Bummer.

A comparison of Mommy at 8 months with Peanette (left) and Jacer (right). Mommy can almost trick herself into thinking she looks smaller this time. Although she does think she is carrying a little differently.



Another 8-month shot.



Not to leave Jace out...here are a few of him doing what he does best. Eating junk.

Pudding!



Nothin' like coffee and donuts on a Saturday morning. (The ladies at the gas station love him and always give him water in a coffee cup so he can be just like Daddy.)

Jace and Daddy

Jace and Daddy have had the opportunity to spend some quality time together lately. They attended the UNI basketball game last weekend for a guys night. Jace had such a great time and doesn't understand why the Panthers don't play at home every night. His favorite part (Mommy thinks) was the mascot and the popcorn. Mommy was a little nervous about Jacer being sidetracked at a crowded basketball game and having to pee. He had no troubles however and told Daddy once during each half that he needed to hit the bathroom.





A month or so ago Daddy bought Jace his very own shovel. He and Daddy were able to get outside this afternoon and get some slush off the driveway.





After working so hard at shoveling, it was only fair that Daddy push him around on his sled for a bit.







Mommy does not recall putting a tie on Jace so this picture must have been taken during Jace and Daddy Wednesday. He wears it well....too bad nobody saw him in one at Erin and Tom's wedding!



Jacer playing with his tinker toys....a little architect perhaps????



True Panther fan...donning the hat even after suffering a loss last night (sniffle sniffle).



You may notice a theme in many of the pictures. Those would be Jace's new Thomas pj's compliments of Tina, Davon, Haley, and Amiya. Peanette's baptism class was last Saturday so Jacer got to spend the morning with them....and they brought presents!! Obviously he loves the pajamas. It took some convincing to get him to change for daycare!

8-month picture coming soon....a few hints...big, large, oversized, jumbo, etc.

Mommy knows she's nearly 8-months pregnant when.......

-her 3-year-old says he needs a tums.

-she is forced to add another pillow to her group of 5 already needed to sleep (that would be 3 to prop her up so she doesn't puke in her mouth, 1 on each side of her to support her belly, and the newest one between her legs so she can walk when she gets up in the morning).

-her 3-year-old wants to tell her his tummy hurts but instead says, 'My baby hurts'.

-the number of people increases from 90 to 92 who ask daily if she is due within the next week and if it is twins.

-95% of her maternity shirts no longer fit as her belly hangs out the bottom. Sigh.

Above Zero.......

It's not only above 0....it's above freezing! The warm temps and day at home with Daddy warranted getting out those boots and snowpants and doing some serious playing outside! Check it out!

Sizing up his new duds



Plowing through the snow on his monster truck...Daddy taught him to do donuts on the ice. Nice.



Jace- King of the World!



Jace's first snowman!



Apparently it wasn't quite done



On the potty training front....Jace still hasn't had any accidents! We're talking #1, we're talking #2, we're talking OVERNIGHT! The kid has made Mommy's year! He has only been at daycare 1 day since he mastered this new found skill and to say Mommy was a nervous wreck all day would be an understatement. He did great though,staying dry all day and telling them when it was time to do the duty (no pun intended). Jace even survived going out to lunch with Mommy and Daddy today!! Jacer...you rock!

Lets Hear it for the Boy!!!!!

Mommy is beyond excited! After Jace's 3-year checkup on Friday, Mommy decided to 'buckle down' and really work hard on this potty training thing. So, the first 12 hours or so were pretty rough. Quite a few tears (Jace started to get really down on himself) and accidents. But then, like magic....he GOT it. Unfortunately he 'got it' around midnight, yelling to Mommy that he needed to pee. Sure enough, he did! And to shock Mommy even more, Jace then woke up with a dry diaper, only to promptly put his pee in the potty again! Since then it has been smooth sailing with NO ACCIDENTS! Woot Woot to no diapers.....for like 2 months. Whatever, you get more for your money in the newborn size.

And now for just a smidge more bragging....Does anyone remember Mommy's estimates for Jace's 3-year measurements?? If not, let her remind you...31 lbs. and 37 inches. Low and behold, Jace was 31 lbs and 37 1/2 inches! Does Mama know her man or what? She was even more pleased to hear that Jacer is back in the 50th percentile for height!

And now, a few pics from the weekend.

Wrestling with Daddy



Mommy and Jace really need to get out more



Jacer, playing with his play-doh ice cream maker from Gaige



Jace played with it for nearly an hour and Mommy heard probably 50-60 times, 'Can I eat it'? Every time, Mommy told Jace it was just pretend ice cream and he responded with 'oh, ok, can I eat it?'

Birthday Pics and then some

Mommy is finally posting the birthday pics...and a few others of Jace being silly. There won't be much wonderful commentary as Mommy is still in a little smokey, cheese and cracker, Daddy's homemade shrimp sauce coma from the Hawkeye game. So, with no further ado..........

Jace's Curious George Cake made by none other than Daddy himself!



Jacer lovin' his cake



Who is that????



Munching on pizza with Gaige



Opening presents



More presents....one can never have too many.



So excited as everyone sang to him



Playing drums with the tinker toy can....even when he isn't given a musical instrument, he finds a way to turn his gift into one.



Treats for daycare



And they get the thumbs up



More new toys from Mommy and Daddy!



Jace being silly with Mommy



More silly Jace



Poor Oz

A Conversation With Jace

Mommy and Jace were recently driving when they passed a blue city bus.

Jace: Look Mommy, a bus! I rode a bus to the pumpkin patch.
Mommy: Yep, but that bus is blue. You rode on a yellow bus.
Jace: (with exasperation in his voice) No, the bus was orange.

Jace and Mommy continue driving for several minutes in silence.

Jace: (pointing to a bright yellow sign on a building) Look Mommy, THAT is yellow. Understand?

Sorry there are no birthday pictures but the Hawkeyes are about to start and they need Mommy's undivided attention. Tomorrow. Seriously.

Happy 3rd Birthday Jacer!!

Mommy's little man is 3-years old today! She can hardly believe that it is possible to love him more every day but somehow it happens. Every year (or month), Mommy says, 'This is the best age', but seriously 3 has been the most fun so far. Jace was so excited for his Curious George party yesterday and to take his treats to school today. Mommy will update again soon with pictures from the party yesterday and his fun today! Until then, she wanted to share a little of who Jace is at 3 years old (for your reading enjoyment and because this blog has turned into his 'baby book' journaling his childhood).

Jace at 3-years old.......

*Favorites still include Thomas and Curious George. He has also added the Smurfs to his list.

*Has a baby doll he calls his ‘baby sister’. He wraps her up, pats her, and gives her bottles.

*Knows all of his colors, shapes, and letters.

*Can count to 20 and for the most part can count objects that high.

*Can spell his name and recognize it in print (although he still thinks it's funny to drive Mommy nuts and add an x to the end).

*Knows the corresponding sound with about ½ of the letters.

*Is still working on potty training. He goes better at daycare but falls apart at home. Could be that Mommy is lacking something in the teaching.

*LOVES to help...cooking, cleaning, etc.

*Enjoys doing puzzles, building things, coloring, and painting.

*Is becoming more daring and independent…will jump off things or try things he hasn’t before. Although it is more nerve wracking, Mommy is glad to see him take more chances.

*Is very sensitive. Loves to be silly and clown around but is easily upset if his feelings get hurt.

*Is very imaginative…loves to pretend and appears to have several imaginary friends.

*Is usually fairly agreeable but can throw whoppers of tantrums when he wants to.

*Thinks his new bed (which turned out to be an air mattress after seeing how much he liked Grandma and Grandpa's) is the best thing since sliced bread.

*Doesn’t have his Dr. appt. until the end of the week but Mommy is estimating him at 31 lbs and 37 inches tall.

Christmas '09--the final post!

This is it! The last post for Christmas '09!

Jace spent Christmas morning at home and was over the top excited to have Santa come to his house. Santa did not disappoint.....

Checking out the goodies Santa left in his stocking





Opening his George baseball glove....silly Santa forgot that Jace was left-handed so he has a little trouble throwing the ball back after he catches it.



SMURFS!!



New Thomas watch



Jace, Mommy, Daddy, Tom, and Erin went to a restaurant where they cook the food in front of you for New Year's Eve. Jacer thought the fire was awesome!



For the first time EVER, Mommy actually had to cut Jace off while he was eating. The kid could not get enough rice and noodles and Mommy was afraid his stomach was going to explode!



Jace and Mommy posing to end 2009.