I still need to get back here & post what I want to start as a traditional list of questions each year - measuring how you change & grow in interests each year...
But due to the virus from the deepest darkest hole of the Earth, today is your first full day back at school since Friday.
So that will have to be tomorrow's project...
In the meantime... Happy Valentine's Day! You & Daddy are my favorite Valentine's!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Today you are 5...
Hmmmm... Where do I start?
As we say hello to a whole new year of learning and excitement, I want to reflect on where we are at today.
Clothes - Mostly size 6's. A few size 5 jeans, but for the most part you are in 6's. Shoes are a size 12.
Nicknames - you have shown you are very particular on being called Jacob. Family can still call you J, but no one else may partake. Monkey is still my primary nickname for you, but sometimes I also call you Bud. Daddy generally sticks with J, Monkey, or Stinky.
Yes, you take serious offense to Stinky. You take it so seriously, that I've shared the secret of my Grandpa Barger, who used to always claim he "stunk pretty". It took a couple of minutes for you to wrap your mind about stinking pretty, but now that you have it - you just throw it back in Daddy's face if he calls you stinky.
School/Spelling - You are a Junior Kindergartner this year. Your report card was full of +, S+ and S's with nothing less than an S. Along with a note about what a pleasure you are to have in class. You have shocked us all with your ability to learn spelling words so quickly, and in general retaining the knowledge you've learned. You are quickly becoming a little reader. We are so proud of you. Math skills are progressing and you are shocking me with what you do daily. You easily count to 100, and have entertained me on the way to school doing it several times now.
That said, learning is on your terms for the most part. You have truly come into your own with wanting to be independent. Recently, Mommy had to have a refresher course with Mrs. Bach about making sure she is giving you enough choices that you don't feel like I'm controlling your whole life.
We've made a good routine of your telling me about your day after school during dinner. Most nights I'm home for dinner, but I do miss our dinners when I'm working late during close.
Structure - We are still loving Love & Logic. You really do well when executed properly. We still have moments of bad choices, but you prefer to be a good boy with such a big heart.
Ring Bearer - you were in not one, but two weddings this year. First Miss Kristie & Joe's wedding, then Uncle Jon's and Aunt Kim's wedding. You loved being a part of both events. You did a great job in both.
My Buddy - We have enjoyed so many road trips this past year. Mini-weekend trips to Michigan for Lake time. The big trip was 19 hours to Marco Island. You were AWESOME! We may have had a meltdown on the way there, but coming home - you were AWESOME. Grandpa & I were so shocked as we made the trip in one shot - driving thru the night.
Favorite Toy - From your birthday thru Halloween, you were a Spiderman boy. The only problem is you don't really enjoy the show, and the more you learned, the less you really enjoyed of it. Then around Christmas you met Power Rangers. Ohmyword. You LOVE them. They are like mini transformers, what you thought you wanted Christmas, but as it turns out - are not ready for yet. Power Ranger's though - they get the bad guys & they do it with cool fighting moves. They protect the innocent. You LOVE them. And I love listening to you... You would practice all day, if I could let, doing your Super Samurai moves. If I had to pick one toy - I'd say your Megazord is your all time favorite toy at this moment in time.
Books - We started chapter books this year. First you read Black Beauty, then we started the Stink & Judy Moody series. Reading with you at night is the best part of my day. Your laughter is contagious. We have the best time exaggerating the silly parts to make them even funnier. You have enjoyed participating in FRA's book read-a-thon's and fundraisers. We have to work better at getting people to support you.
Sleeping - since I commented you had moved to our bed over year 3, I should mention - you've gone back to your own room in year 4. In fact, you have started surprising us with sleeping through the night even some nights. Most of the time you join us by 2AM.
Sports - you are still my athletic boy. You ran a half marathon this year as part of a FRA fundraiser. T-ball we did with Schererville's city league. You prefered to chase the butterflies. Soccer thru the Y though was an awesome experience, as is the basketball. You have surprised me this year with what you retained in form and focus for basketball - year over year. We shall see how you do in Soccer this year, as we elected to try that over tball for summer 2013.
And last but certainly not least... Mommy got bit on the butt for rejoicing in how healthy you've been.
Your singing chorus for your birthday is officially - "All I want for my birthday is a puke bucket, a puke bucket, a puke bucket. All I want for my birthday is my tummy not hate me... And then I could blow out my candles."
I love you so much little man. And Daddy & I are so looking forward to your 5th year... Hugs & Kisses.
As we say hello to a whole new year of learning and excitement, I want to reflect on where we are at today.
Clothes - Mostly size 6's. A few size 5 jeans, but for the most part you are in 6's. Shoes are a size 12.
Nicknames - you have shown you are very particular on being called Jacob. Family can still call you J, but no one else may partake. Monkey is still my primary nickname for you, but sometimes I also call you Bud. Daddy generally sticks with J, Monkey, or Stinky.
Yes, you take serious offense to Stinky. You take it so seriously, that I've shared the secret of my Grandpa Barger, who used to always claim he "stunk pretty". It took a couple of minutes for you to wrap your mind about stinking pretty, but now that you have it - you just throw it back in Daddy's face if he calls you stinky.
School/Spelling - You are a Junior Kindergartner this year. Your report card was full of +, S+ and S's with nothing less than an S. Along with a note about what a pleasure you are to have in class. You have shocked us all with your ability to learn spelling words so quickly, and in general retaining the knowledge you've learned. You are quickly becoming a little reader. We are so proud of you. Math skills are progressing and you are shocking me with what you do daily. You easily count to 100, and have entertained me on the way to school doing it several times now.
That said, learning is on your terms for the most part. You have truly come into your own with wanting to be independent. Recently, Mommy had to have a refresher course with Mrs. Bach about making sure she is giving you enough choices that you don't feel like I'm controlling your whole life.
We've made a good routine of your telling me about your day after school during dinner. Most nights I'm home for dinner, but I do miss our dinners when I'm working late during close.
Structure - We are still loving Love & Logic. You really do well when executed properly. We still have moments of bad choices, but you prefer to be a good boy with such a big heart.
Ring Bearer - you were in not one, but two weddings this year. First Miss Kristie & Joe's wedding, then Uncle Jon's and Aunt Kim's wedding. You loved being a part of both events. You did a great job in both.
My Buddy - We have enjoyed so many road trips this past year. Mini-weekend trips to Michigan for Lake time. The big trip was 19 hours to Marco Island. You were AWESOME! We may have had a meltdown on the way there, but coming home - you were AWESOME. Grandpa & I were so shocked as we made the trip in one shot - driving thru the night.
Favorite Toy - From your birthday thru Halloween, you were a Spiderman boy. The only problem is you don't really enjoy the show, and the more you learned, the less you really enjoyed of it. Then around Christmas you met Power Rangers. Ohmyword. You LOVE them. They are like mini transformers, what you thought you wanted Christmas, but as it turns out - are not ready for yet. Power Ranger's though - they get the bad guys & they do it with cool fighting moves. They protect the innocent. You LOVE them. And I love listening to you... You would practice all day, if I could let, doing your Super Samurai moves. If I had to pick one toy - I'd say your Megazord is your all time favorite toy at this moment in time.
Books - We started chapter books this year. First you read Black Beauty, then we started the Stink & Judy Moody series. Reading with you at night is the best part of my day. Your laughter is contagious. We have the best time exaggerating the silly parts to make them even funnier. You have enjoyed participating in FRA's book read-a-thon's and fundraisers. We have to work better at getting people to support you.
Sleeping - since I commented you had moved to our bed over year 3, I should mention - you've gone back to your own room in year 4. In fact, you have started surprising us with sleeping through the night even some nights. Most of the time you join us by 2AM.
Sports - you are still my athletic boy. You ran a half marathon this year as part of a FRA fundraiser. T-ball we did with Schererville's city league. You prefered to chase the butterflies. Soccer thru the Y though was an awesome experience, as is the basketball. You have surprised me this year with what you retained in form and focus for basketball - year over year. We shall see how you do in Soccer this year, as we elected to try that over tball for summer 2013.
And last but certainly not least... Mommy got bit on the butt for rejoicing in how healthy you've been.
Your singing chorus for your birthday is officially - "All I want for my birthday is a puke bucket, a puke bucket, a puke bucket. All I want for my birthday is my tummy not hate me... And then I could blow out my candles."
I love you so much little man. And Daddy & I are so looking forward to your 5th year... Hugs & Kisses.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Happy Birthday Eve
Your last day as a 4-year-old. And you have not let me call you 5 yet.
Although, you did dig waking up to "Happy Birthday Eve" song I improvised on to get your wonderful & delightful smile to great me before we really started our day.
Your treat for school in celebration of your birthday was "Frosted Bagels" again. Great American Bagel loves you as much as I do. My co-workers, much like your classmates, thoroughly enjoyed sharing in your birthday celebration.
You are my snow loving February baby. You love celebrating birthdays so much, that you are almost as excited about the party on Sunday as you are about celebrating your own on Saturday with Mommy & Daddy. We are saving your family party for the end of the month. Until then, we get to just keep celebrating your birthday over & over again.
As you sleep your sweet dreams, I pray you know how much you are loved. And how totally thankful I am that you are here. You are our miracle baby. You were the answer to so many of my prayers.
Happy Birthday baby boy!
Although, you did dig waking up to "Happy Birthday Eve" song I improvised on to get your wonderful & delightful smile to great me before we really started our day.
Your treat for school in celebration of your birthday was "Frosted Bagels" again. Great American Bagel loves you as much as I do. My co-workers, much like your classmates, thoroughly enjoyed sharing in your birthday celebration.
As you sleep your sweet dreams, I pray you know how much you are loved. And how totally thankful I am that you are here. You are our miracle baby. You were the answer to so many of my prayers.
Happy Birthday baby boy!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
My Letter
I received homework for Jacob... The best homework I've ever done...
Copying here for safe keeping... Version sent to J is hand printed.
Dearest Jacob –
To my wonderful and sweet and delightful little man. You light up my world with your yearning to learn. You have amazed Daddy and me this year with how easily you adapted to full day school. How happy you are when we work on your words or other homework assignment. Even when you are frustrated or just over it, you humor us with doing it again. Thank you for that!!!
I love to listen to you laugh. Sharing your belly jiggling giggles over Stink and his latest adventure is simply the best part of my day. I delight in your creativity. When you morph yourself into a Power Ranger, I’m amazed at how naturally you fill the leadership role of your team. You are always off to conquer evil. Or to find something about a situation that makes you giggle, and all around you, laugh uncontrollably.
I love your energy. Whether you are playing sports, or doing cartwheels or handstands or practicing your Super Samurai moves or simply wanting to take a turn on the elliptical, you go full speed. Your enthusiasm encourages me to be better.
I cannot thank you enough for the pleasure of being your Mommy. I love you all the world and back again Monkey!!
Mommy.
I cannot believe he will be 5 on Saturday... How readily I recall this day 5 years ago. Instead of spending it working, I was spending it worrying. Completing my last biophysical profile. Worrying I would never make to the day I would have homework to complete. Waiting so impatiently for Saturday, February 9th to get here... At 39w 0d, my OB had agreed we could deliver c-section removing me from bedrest that started a week before Christmas.
Copying here for safe keeping... Version sent to J is hand printed.
Dearest Jacob –
To my wonderful and sweet and delightful little man. You light up my world with your yearning to learn. You have amazed Daddy and me this year with how easily you adapted to full day school. How happy you are when we work on your words or other homework assignment. Even when you are frustrated or just over it, you humor us with doing it again. Thank you for that!!!
I love to listen to you laugh. Sharing your belly jiggling giggles over Stink and his latest adventure is simply the best part of my day. I delight in your creativity. When you morph yourself into a Power Ranger, I’m amazed at how naturally you fill the leadership role of your team. You are always off to conquer evil. Or to find something about a situation that makes you giggle, and all around you, laugh uncontrollably.
I love your energy. Whether you are playing sports, or doing cartwheels or handstands or practicing your Super Samurai moves or simply wanting to take a turn on the elliptical, you go full speed. Your enthusiasm encourages me to be better.
I cannot thank you enough for the pleasure of being your Mommy. I love you all the world and back again Monkey!!
Mommy.
I cannot believe he will be 5 on Saturday... How readily I recall this day 5 years ago. Instead of spending it working, I was spending it worrying. Completing my last biophysical profile. Worrying I would never make to the day I would have homework to complete. Waiting so impatiently for Saturday, February 9th to get here... At 39w 0d, my OB had agreed we could deliver c-section removing me from bedrest that started a week before Christmas.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
For the love of sports...
Ahh... We have finally made a decision on summer sports. And I'm content with it. And so very thankful, Mr. M listened to my recommendation, reasoning behind said recommendation, and then agreed with my recommendation.
T-ball last summer was an exercise in patience. J enjoyed hitting the ball. He enjoyed the team stuff. He especially loved chasing butterflies. Really loved chasing the butterflies. Standing - watching all the balls be hit to other people? Yeah, not so much. {See - chasing butterflies}
Come fall, J actually surprised Matt & I with how into soccer he became this year. I love this, as FRA's fall school spirit programs are based on supporting the soccer team. Plus, he seems to have more of a running back type frame, and I'm not interested in seeing my little man get crushed under some line backer.
Winter has been all about basketball. J LOVES it. LOVES IT. I love it. I love how natural dribbling is coming to him. How he is learning to shoot one handed to get proper form over just throwing the ball up there & hoping it goes in. Another thing I love about the Y... The lowered hoops to also encourage the good form. Uncle Jeff would be so proud...
Now we are looking at Spring sports. Summer sports. And I was feeling overwhelmed. At first it was a given, he'd do tball. But talking to him, he also wanted to do soccer. And at first for us, it was a no brainer. He'd do both.
But something held me back. Something kept me from enrolling him online in both. Instead, I wanted until the last week, then attended a soccer public sign-up, and learned about it. 2 practices a week, generally Tuesday's and Thursday's - then a game every Saturday morning. Add that to the 1 practice a week with games every Sunday for tball, and I just could not imagine this going well.
First of all... What 5 year old, not already destined for the Olympics needs to be in practice 3 nights a week, plus 2 game days. This starts in March. 3 FULL MONTHS before school gets out. EEK!!!
Needless to say, after meeting with the soccer staff, I was certain we wanted to do soccer, so it was tball that really held me back.
Circling back to the Y... Tball at the Y. Tball inside. 6 weeks - 1 day a week. 6 glorious weeks of not freezing or boiling.
Yes, soccer will still leave us open to the elements. And yes, soccer may interfere with Tball. But Tball at the Y - cheap in comparison to the $220 price tag the city league charges.
Thereby we will have a fair chance to experience soccer & put J in a better position for what he wants to do next summer. Each year he is maturing into his older person. Into his own personality. From wanting to be responsible for dressing himself to showering with only a watchful eye ensuring he gets all those little boy crevices.
We want to keep him exposed to the various sports. We don't want to make the decisions for him. But I also cannot imagine him so busy in addition to school.
And let's not talk about summer care... It's not final yet, but right now it looks like J will spend 1 night a week - 2 days with Grandma & Grandpa, then a day with Miss Cheryl, a day with Daddy, then another day with Miss Cheryl. If we had to keep all those practices straight on top of the daily transfer of care, I'm certain something will fall thru the cracks.
Yes, I'm already looking to next summer... The Y takes children 6+ for all day summer care. Field trips, swimming, running other kids, crafts, care from 6a to 630p daily, and mommy never has to say good night over the phone.
I know this summer will be awesome for J. I know the experiences will be great. And I know he will love getting weekly sleepovers. But that won't change mommy missing her nightly snuggles during story time... Or the overnight snuggles that are ever so slowly dwindling. It started with J not coming until the early morning hours, and grown to some nights he doesn't join us at all. On his own, he is naturally building independence. He is growing wings and flying.
For now, we will cherish the time we have. We will cherish the moments we share. And Mommy will continue to try & not over schedule us so we miss the most important moments.
T-ball last summer was an exercise in patience. J enjoyed hitting the ball. He enjoyed the team stuff. He especially loved chasing butterflies. Really loved chasing the butterflies. Standing - watching all the balls be hit to other people? Yeah, not so much. {See - chasing butterflies}
Come fall, J actually surprised Matt & I with how into soccer he became this year. I love this, as FRA's fall school spirit programs are based on supporting the soccer team. Plus, he seems to have more of a running back type frame, and I'm not interested in seeing my little man get crushed under some line backer.
Winter has been all about basketball. J LOVES it. LOVES IT. I love it. I love how natural dribbling is coming to him. How he is learning to shoot one handed to get proper form over just throwing the ball up there & hoping it goes in. Another thing I love about the Y... The lowered hoops to also encourage the good form. Uncle Jeff would be so proud...
Now we are looking at Spring sports. Summer sports. And I was feeling overwhelmed. At first it was a given, he'd do tball. But talking to him, he also wanted to do soccer. And at first for us, it was a no brainer. He'd do both.
But something held me back. Something kept me from enrolling him online in both. Instead, I wanted until the last week, then attended a soccer public sign-up, and learned about it. 2 practices a week, generally Tuesday's and Thursday's - then a game every Saturday morning. Add that to the 1 practice a week with games every Sunday for tball, and I just could not imagine this going well.
First of all... What 5 year old, not already destined for the Olympics needs to be in practice 3 nights a week, plus 2 game days. This starts in March. 3 FULL MONTHS before school gets out. EEK!!!
Needless to say, after meeting with the soccer staff, I was certain we wanted to do soccer, so it was tball that really held me back.
Circling back to the Y... Tball at the Y. Tball inside. 6 weeks - 1 day a week. 6 glorious weeks of not freezing or boiling.
Yes, soccer will still leave us open to the elements. And yes, soccer may interfere with Tball. But Tball at the Y - cheap in comparison to the $220 price tag the city league charges.
Thereby we will have a fair chance to experience soccer & put J in a better position for what he wants to do next summer. Each year he is maturing into his older person. Into his own personality. From wanting to be responsible for dressing himself to showering with only a watchful eye ensuring he gets all those little boy crevices.
We want to keep him exposed to the various sports. We don't want to make the decisions for him. But I also cannot imagine him so busy in addition to school.
And let's not talk about summer care... It's not final yet, but right now it looks like J will spend 1 night a week - 2 days with Grandma & Grandpa, then a day with Miss Cheryl, a day with Daddy, then another day with Miss Cheryl. If we had to keep all those practices straight on top of the daily transfer of care, I'm certain something will fall thru the cracks.
Yes, I'm already looking to next summer... The Y takes children 6+ for all day summer care. Field trips, swimming, running other kids, crafts, care from 6a to 630p daily, and mommy never has to say good night over the phone.
I know this summer will be awesome for J. I know the experiences will be great. And I know he will love getting weekly sleepovers. But that won't change mommy missing her nightly snuggles during story time... Or the overnight snuggles that are ever so slowly dwindling. It started with J not coming until the early morning hours, and grown to some nights he doesn't join us at all. On his own, he is naturally building independence. He is growing wings and flying.
For now, we will cherish the time we have. We will cherish the moments we share. And Mommy will continue to try & not over schedule us so we miss the most important moments.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Reading, Writing - things to love
J has done outstanding so far on his sight words for his spelling tests - both written & read. To say we are proud of him would be a supreme understatement.
I love how bedtime story has become - "let me read..." {insert words} from the pages I read.
I love his excitement.
I love watching him gain confidence in sounding out words and trusting himself to *know* what he is reading.
I love watching the knowledge grow and grow...
Most of all - I love me love notes.
See J has taken to writing me a love note to stick under my pillow each night - only to be found upon my going to bed. This brings him such joy. Generally, it is the same message, but my heart could not handle any more pleasure in those moments.
"Jacob M love Mom love Jacob"
I know when I send notes in his lunch, he is starting to be able to read them & they bring unexpected smiles to his face. They encourage him to continue to work on his spelling words, as I try to incorporate one or two each day. This is a new thing. Not every day. But an unexpected note, for the most wonderful blessing I have ever been granted in my life.
I love how bedtime story has become - "let me read..." {insert words} from the pages I read.
I love his excitement.
I love watching him gain confidence in sounding out words and trusting himself to *know* what he is reading.
I love watching the knowledge grow and grow...
Most of all - I love me love notes.
See J has taken to writing me a love note to stick under my pillow each night - only to be found upon my going to bed. This brings him such joy. Generally, it is the same message, but my heart could not handle any more pleasure in those moments.
"Jacob M love Mom love Jacob"
I know when I send notes in his lunch, he is starting to be able to read them & they bring unexpected smiles to his face. They encourage him to continue to work on his spelling words, as I try to incorporate one or two each day. This is a new thing. Not every day. But an unexpected note, for the most wonderful blessing I have ever been granted in my life.
Monday, January 7, 2013
2013 - A new year...
I'm not sure why, but I always looked at life in times of school years, as opposed to calendar years. It's weird. I know. But it's me...
So while I hoped to get all my 2012 pictures and stories logged in 2012, I'll be honest - I appreciated not thinking (work,school,tasks,etc). Not computering.
Just being...
a mom.
a wife.
a friend.
an Aunt.
a daughter (and daughter in law).
a sister (and sister in law).
Today, I returned to work. Today J returned to school. And as much as we hated it... As much as going back was a drag, we both seamlessly rejoined the real world with smiles & laughter.
We have soaked up the past two weeks of laughing... of playing... of being...
And as we turn the page to 2013, starting new habits at the tail end of 2012, I foresee many more growth changes for us in 2013. J turns 5 here shortly. Bittersweet. Wonderful times.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday season. A wonderful break from the every day. A wonderful time to be.
So while I hoped to get all my 2012 pictures and stories logged in 2012, I'll be honest - I appreciated not thinking (work,school,tasks,etc). Not computering.
Just being...
a mom.
a wife.
a friend.
an Aunt.
a daughter (and daughter in law).
a sister (and sister in law).
Today, I returned to work. Today J returned to school. And as much as we hated it... As much as going back was a drag, we both seamlessly rejoined the real world with smiles & laughter.
We have soaked up the past two weeks of laughing... of playing... of being...
And as we turn the page to 2013, starting new habits at the tail end of 2012, I foresee many more growth changes for us in 2013. J turns 5 here shortly. Bittersweet. Wonderful times.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday season. A wonderful break from the every day. A wonderful time to be.
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