The past few days, Jacob has started getting back into his usual routine of waking up at 6:15 or 6:30, which is actually what I prefer. I actually think this is his "summer" routine, because this is what he did last summer, and it has started again. Maybe the birds singing wakes him up, I'm not sure. He still only slept until 7:30 at the latest anyway during the summer, with an occasional 8 a.m. greeting mixed in. But, what I love about him waking up so early, especially in the summer, is that we are outside and enjoying the day before the heat gets terrible. Plus, everything is so much quieter in the morning! I remember when he was only 2 or 3 months old and taking him on walks at like 7:30 in the morning watching people leave for work. They probably thought I was crazy, but I liked getting my baby going without having him suffer through the heat of the day.
Anyway...Jacob woke up at 6:20 this morning. We have been staying at home a lot this week - I just wanted to stick around and not have anything planned this week. We've painted (he calls it his "masterpiece"), done tons of play-doh, lots of sandbox time, and played cars galore. This morning we started playing, I made bread for our neighbor who unfortunately lost her father yesterday to cancer (she has a daughter only a month younger than Jacob, so he was saying "Kylee, bread" the whole time - he loves playing with her!), and we watched some cartoons. Around 8 I decided we should head to the museum and be there at opening time, which for some reason I thought was 9 a.m. We drive there, and there is NO ONE in the parking garage. Mind you, I have a membership, and we have been there a TON, and I KNOW it opens at 10, but just didn't think of it this morning I guess. So, we are in the garage with Jacob talking about dinosaurs and me not wanting to wait an hour to go to the museum. Instead, we just headed over to the zoo, where we also have a membership. We had just been less than two weeks ago, but the zoo never gets old with a toddler.
I must say, today has got to be in the top 5 of my favorite days with Jacob. I just felt so blessed to be a stay-at-home mom today, getting to go to the zoo and take advantage of the cool, sunny weather and not be in a rush to do anything. We usually go through the zoo without a stroller since really, how can you see animals from a stroller anyway? I usually just ended up taking him in and out of the stroller the whole time, which was annoying for both of us. But, no stroller means a tired mommy by the end of the trip. We were there for about three hours today, and I think we were both totally exhausted by the end. I let him run, and run along with him (even though he's almost two, I am still paranoid about him falling on his face). We took a long time at the monkey exhibit, where he was proudly swinging his arms like a monkey. He tossed four pennies into the wishing well and was yelling "wish" with each throw.
I worked at the zoo while I was pregnant with Jacob, and I knew that this time of year is absolutely insane with field trip season in full swing. But, it really didn't impact Jacob or me at all. He tried to join a few groups and would follow some kids around for a little bit, but I usually do the zoo backwards anyway, so we didn't really hit big groups at any exhibit. Jacob's favorite was still the ducks. I swear I should open up an attraction in my own backyard for kids showing ducks swimming in water and that would entertain toddlers for hours. He quacked and tried to feed them pebbles. He enjoyed the seals, and we tried to do the dolphin show, but it was starting late because of the field trip groups coming in, and it was hot, and we took off after the first few jumps and splashes.
I also realized how "old" I am when I knew Jacob needed lunch and wouldn't stay awake for the ride home if we left without lunch. I ordered Jacob a kids meal while we were at the zoo, and nothing for myself because of how expensive it is. I knew I had plenty of food at home, and as long as he was fed, it didn't matter if I had to wait another hour. I went home and ate a frozen meal I bought on sale for 90 cents. I felt old, and proud of myself, at the same time!
I just loved being able to be there to listen to Jacob explain his thoughts, talk about animals, and have conversations with him all morning. I am so lucky to have such a well-behaved little man who rarely throws fits, and when he does, I can honestly say I don't blame him (when kids take your toys, when you have to hold your mommy's hand when all you want to do is run, when you need to stop playing the amazing game you have created just to eat). I loved hearing Jacob tell me about the monkeys, ask to ride the train - which we rode for free today! - put new sentences together, and talk about what he was going to tell Daddy when he got home from work. It was just such a peaceful, amazing day with Jacob that I will always remember. Every day is great with the little guy, but some days you just get this feeling like there is nothing more important in the world than giving your kid an entire day of undivided attention. No, I didn't do a load of laundry or pick up dishes from breakfast. No, I didn't pay bills or clean the bathroom. But, I showed Jacob what a flamingo was. I watched him dance to oldies while we ate lunch in the shade. I saw his smile from ear to ear when the train stopped and rang the bell. I heard him tell me what color the animals were and which ones he liked. I saw him tell kids "no sticks" when some of them were playing with sticks. I heard every word he said and loved every second. Bills and laundry will be there tomorrow, but I would never get these memories if I didn't put other things on hold for the day.
Jacob...thank you for being my best friend and showing me how wonderful a day with just the two of us is. I will always treasure these days with you, and am so thankful your Dad works hard for me to stay home with you every day and watch you grow right in front of my eyes. We'll go to the museum next time...at 10.
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