Secretary of Transportation

It's widely accepted in this family that this kid has some sort of future in transportation. He can identify and name the following modes of transportation: hummer, bus, motorcycle, wagon, bike, airplane, tractor, truck, car, train, RV, semi-truck, crane (mode of transportation? don't think so, but he can identify and name it, nonetheless), dump truck, Jeep...I feel like I'm leaving many out...but, yeah, he's got the transportation world in the palm of his little hand. I'd much rather him be interested in animals, animal rights and things of that nature, but I guess things with wheels would be a close second. He has taken to walking this little dog pull toy. He will get "Puppy," bring him to me and ask, "Walk outside?" So, there is some hope.

Thomas the Train is going over very well. I have to admit that I will let him watch segments of a Thomas the Train video and, while it's far from fascinating to me, he loves it. I am particularly not fond of the Harold the Helicopter song. What an awfully dull song! Interestingly, the show is narrated by George Carlin and there's nothing that has to be bleeped out. I do imagine that 'ol George got a big kick out of saying the line, "Thomas, why did you come so fast?" (crass, I know....sorry...) I am pretty certain that George had to find ways of entertaining himself throughout the incredibly boring taping of the train series or maybe I have to find ways of entertaining myself throughout the incredibly boring watching of the train series or maybe my husband's juvenile sense of humor is becoming my own.

Anyway, the kid still pretty much likes no one; still doesn't really like to eat much other than grilled cheese, bananas, baked beans, things that he can put "Cin-men" (cinnamon) on and milk. He tantrums several times a day, which is typical for his age. He does enjoy trains, cars, trucks, most things with wheels, walks and swimming. For his birthday next month, Brian and I have purchased a train table, complete with trains "choos", tunnels "tuns", bridges "brid", cranes "cane" and many other fun train table stuff. Since we're at Mike and Nancy's, setting up the table will have to wait. But, judging from his reaction to the Thomas the Train table at the Toys R Us play date last Saturday, it will be worth the wait. He freaked out when he saw the table, complete with squealing and kicking his feet up, and he spent a significant amount of time playing on it. Brian and I just stood around with other parents of Thomas the Train lovers and listened to the cacophony of kid-made train sounds.

Things are going well at Mike and Nancy's, at least Brian and I feel that they are; Mike and Nancy might have a different take on things. They have been so gracious to give us the master suite, while they have taken up residence in the guest bedroom. And it looks like we will be having baby #2 while living with them, so quarters will get much tighter, I'm afraid. Having said that, we do have 2 homes that we're interested in and may be making an offer on one later today (keeping our fingers crossed).

Jacob has kinda taken a shining to Grampy, although no one's really sure why. Not that Grampy isn't awesome, it's just that Grampy is a very busy man and is probably the one who spends the least amount of time with Jacob. Regardless, Jacob is smitten with him! The other day, Brian and Grampy arrived home at the same time and Jacob pushed right past Brian and flew into Grampy's arms. We were all kinda stunned, Brian more so than anyone. He remarked, "Yeah, if that's going to continue happening, we gotta get out of here."

Anyway, baby #2, most likely Andrew, is doing great. I've got about 10 more days to go. It's crazy how the time has flown by. I will be glad to get back to having sleep position options. I miss sleeping flat on my back and on my stomach. This side-sleeping is getting old.

Oh, Jodie and Zeke are doing great, too. Thanks for asking. I think they've handled the transition back to NC pretty well.

Here's a little video just to show you how cute my kid is. Like you need proof, right? He may not be friendly and he may not like you, but you gotta admit that he's cute!

Pat

34, 35 and now 36. These past 3 weeks have gone by soooo quickly. Prolly because soooo much has happened. Yes, Brian, Jacob, Jodie, Zeke and I are once again residents of NC!! Woo-Hoo!! Granted, we're residents of Mike and Nancy's for the time being, but it's NC, none-the-less!

Jacob has really taken to parroting us. He will say many things that we tell him to say, which is always good for a laugh. My personal favorite, for the time being, is "Good Lord!" Granted, if you were to hear him make this exclamation, you'd have no idea what he's saying, but we would, and we'd laugh. He's also become exceptionally fond of his pacifier. Since there's been sooo much change and upheaval, we've given it to him more often (bad idea!) and now he's almost lost without it. He calls it "Pat". Today he wanted it so badly, and while I was trying desperately not to give it to him, he began crying these huge tears and looked up at me with those big blue eyes and said, "Paaaaaaat. Paaaaat." So, yeah, he got his Pat.

I've switched doctors and things are going well in that department. The baby is in the proper position for birth and he continues to do somersaults in my belly. We think we've settled on a name: Andrew David. But don't hold us to this. We've still got some time and our taste may change between now and then.

It is kinda sad that all of our belongings are in storage. It's weird to think that our lives have been reduced to and fit in a storage unit. It's kinda depressing, really. Additionally, all the baby items are in there, too, and it's going to be a big pain in the *&^ to fish them out, seeing as how we practically played Tetris getting everything in that little unit. So, fishing these items out will undoubtedly make for good time. I mention this because I have some pics that I'd like to post, but I have no idea where my camera is located. In a box somewhere....where the rest of my life resides.

Now that things have settled down a bit, it's my intention to get back on track with my weekly blogging. We'll just see how that goes!!