Songs to remember....

I have always sang songs to my boys from the minute they were born. When Jacob was just a month or two old, Phil sang "Close to You" by the Carpenters
"Why do birds suddenly appear
Everytime you are near
Just like me they long to be--- close to you"
Whenever he would cry- all you had to do was sing that song and he would stop crying immediately. One time we had to sing it for the entire drive from Middleton to Monona- over and over again.

For Noah, he had a song that did the same thing. No matter how hard he was crying just sing - "Mockingbird" and he would stop.
"Hush little baby don't say a word......." Then I made up half the song...

Well, apparently Noah remembers that song. Last night while I rocked him, I sang to him. He looked up at me and said "sing mockingbird mama". I haven't sang that to him in ages!!!


The songs I used to/still sing to Jacob: Baby of Mine from Dumbo, Feels like Home by Randy Newman, Godspeed by Dixie Chicks

The songs I used to sing and still sing to Noah: Lullaby by Dixie Chicks, Baby of Mine from Dumbo, Feels like Home by Randy Newman

Thank god, neither really understand yet how bad my singing voice is!!!

Photo Tagged

Okay, Cheryl... yes I have been slacking on blogging. I've missed 2 birthdays!!! I will be back to update soon!!

I have been photo tagged. I needed to put in the 4th picture of the 4th file. Here it is...

This is Jacob and his cousin Timothy(Phil's brother John's kid) on a sleepover at our old house. They were both 2. We call this Jacob's Hugh Hefner look- the kid loves to lounge in pajamas though nowadays he prefers just lounging in his undies!!

Silver Eagle

Not THE Silver Eagle as in where I USED to spend my weekends, but as in the MASCOT Silver Eagle for Monona Grove.
Took the boys to the Homecoming parade last week- the Silver Eagle mascot was there and Noah practically jumped out of his skin!! He jumped and shook and kept crying OWIE, OWIE!! Phil walked away from the evil eagle, but Noah was still traumatized as long as he was anywhere in sight.
Then, uncle Dan comes driving through the parade in grandpa's t-bird wearing what else but a Silver Eagle head!!!! After he was done in the parade, Jacob, Emma, and Ellie took turns wearing the head and if they walked even a step closer to Noah it was melt down all over again! There must be a specific phobia for stuffed mascots- and if there is Noah sure has it!
Jacob on the other hand enjoyed the parade, stuffed his pockets with candy and proceeded to eat about 20 pieces in 5 minutes. He was loving life!

WHY?

Noah's new word......Why?. It comes after almost everything you say to him and again and again. It is usually finally finished with an OK. Here is an excerpt from our recent conversation why the 3 of us were driving to daycare.
Noah: "Mama balloon broke." (we had been at a festival. The local karate place handed out balloons attached to sticks- ours was no longer attached to stick)
Me: Yes, it's broken
N: Why?
M: Because
N: Why?
M: Because it fell off the stick
N: Why?
M: Because it is a cheap balloon
N: Why?
M: Because they could not afford better balloons
N: Why?
M: Because we are in an economic recession.
Noah: Okay.

Noah

My baby is becoming such a little boy. He is his own person that is for sure. He is so gentle and loving- giving his big brother the biggest hugs and rubbing my arm when I put him to sleep to show he is comforting me too. He is stubborn- he can throw the greatest temper tantrums! (thank god, they only last a minute or 2 but that screech can break an eardrum). He is inquisitive- his latest words- "What you doing?" and then when you tell him he says "ok". He is very polite and caring- he says peas and tank you and "bess you momma" everytime i sneeze, cough, or blow my nose. His belly laugh is contagious- there is no way you can't listen to it without joining in. He is cautious- he will give you the death stare until he knows whether or not he trusts you. He is affectionate- just this morning he leaped into one of his daycare teachers arms so excited to see her. He is imaginative-he likes to read, play with cars/toys, go outside, and go for walks where he usually ends up pushing his stroller or his bike instead of riding it. There is so much to love about him. We are very lucky that he is such a good little guy.

First day of school!!!

Okay, where has the time gone!! Jacob started his first day of pre-kindegarten today! It really is just pre-school but since the school district coordinates and pays for it, it seems a little more intense!! I told him on the way to school that I was going to find a machine to make him small again and then I would carry him around in my pocket FOREVER!! He promptly told me that he was going to get bigger and I could not stop it. I wish!! I enjoy watching all of the new things he can do and love the age he is right now, but I have been getting very sentimental lately and thinking back to when he was just a baby. This has been evident too since my baby goddaughter Maddie started college at UW this week. I was a freshman in the dorms when she was born and now she is a freshman in the dorms. My god- Jacob and Noah will be next!! Ok, so that is overreacting a little.
Jacob made sure that I stayed until he went into his room. I watched him listen like a big boy when his name was called and quietly line up. Another kid, budged in line in front of him a few minutes later and Jacob mouthed to me and used sign language to make sure I knew he cut in line ahead of him. All was good, and he marched off to circle time on the carpet.........

Change we can believe in

Well, my Barack Obama obsession has rubbed off on the the little ones. I am waiting for their t-shirts to show up! Jacob refused to go to bed last night until he could watch Barack's acceptance speech. I know he probably just wanted to stay up, but I made him watch "quietly" so that he could experience history. He properly zipped his mouth and threw away the key-- but then of course became a commentator for most of the speech. Next stop- Madison headquarters.

“The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.” -Rabindranath Tagore

“The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.” -Rabindranath Tagore

Today is fun day in the firefly room for Jacob. He gets to wear his pajamas (he chose Batman), bring a treat (he picked out Tootsie Pops at Walgreens last nite), watch a movie (he claims it will be Underdog) and go through a jumper obstacle course!! What a day, I can't wait to see how it all goes and if he'll crash from exhaustion at 7 tonite!! (DOUBT IT) Last night he went to bed at 8:30- half hour earlier than what we have been working on. IF only I had an exciting day ahead to hold him to that bedtime every night. BUT 9 is at least better than 10-10:30 as it had been for most of the summer.

This morning he stood on the bed in his batman pajamas and declared "I AM BATMAN and I am here to save the day!" Shot his arms up in the air like he was going to fly. He fell forward and face planted on the bed, then mumbled into the pillow " Oh, I guess I forgot my cape....." My little comedian.

Meanwhile, Noah woke up smiling as usual. He did not get being happy in the morning from me!!! The first thing he said was "Mama, brush my teeth". He will brush his teeth for 30 minutes if you let him. Just loves it!!

He is speaking in his own sentences. I usually have to translate for most people but he has his typical ones-- "Mama, red-eee" When is is ready to go or trying to convince you to go somewhere other than being at home.
"I d-why-ve" (I drive) Grandma let him sit int he car one day and steer and now he loves to do this. He will scream the whole way home if he isn't allowed to drive for a few minutes first. We were at the children's museum a couple weekends ago and he drove a small car for 30 minutes.
"Wuv you", Tank you, Yea-cob (Jacob), etc. are just some of the many things he is saying right now.

Beginning Blog

I am starting this because I often find that I can remembr the small details of Jacob and Noah- the funny things they do, the words they say, the memories that we make which may seem small. Since i find it so hard to write it out on paper, i thought I could at least start with this. I am always online and can easily jot down a quick note.