We have a name...

We finally have named our second little boy. I say finally, but really I guess we've had the name for over two years, since it was our other option for Jacob. It took me some time to commit because I wanted to make sure I wasn't "settling," and that I still really loved the name. We had come up with list after list of potential names, but nothing that stood out quite as much to us as our first pick. Other names we considered: Nathan, Zachary, Matthew, Drew.

Our final pick....

Joshua Ryan

We are so thrilled to have the baby named and to start thinking of Jacob and Joshua growing up together. I'm sure he won't be a Joshua for long before we all start calling him Josh, which is fine with me. Jacob will remain a Jacob though...no Jake unless he decides to go by that in school or something.

Both of our boys will have the same middle name. I wanted them to share the middle name and have that in common growing up, and if they decide to pass it down to their kids that's fine. Just a little bond they will have, I guess.

Looking forward to meeting our little bundle of joy soon. This pregnancy is going so so fast I can't believe it. Jacob is getting the whole baby concept lately, and says he will share his toys with his brother. I think he's going to be an amazing big brother!

Ho Lee Cow

Jacob has started saying "holy cow," but it really comes out super exagerated and sounds like "ho lee cow!" He is so funny!

Saturday we headed to Wabash for homecoming. We took off early because Bob actually had to work Saturday night so we weren't able to see any of the football game. But, we walked (well, ran) around campus and Jacob ended up playing with a little girl that was about 18 months old for a very long time just chasing each other. Small world that we knew similar people, non-Wabash related, in Indy as the parents. We watched some soccer, hit up the bookstore to get Jacob and brand new sweatshirt and a little onsie for our baby on the way. Jacob cracked us up when we were walking around campus and he stopped suddenly, looked up at us, and said, "this is a strange place." We have no clue where he got that from, but it was hilarious!

Saturday night Jacob and I spent lots of time outside enjoying the fall weather. We played with neighborhood kids for a while, ate a late dinner and rested from the day. I was exhausted!

Sunday was very low key. We were suppose to go to a birthday party for Jacob's little friend, but I out did myself on Saturday and really needed to rest before Bob headed back to work on Monday. We just spent time as a family. Jacob and I went and got donuts from Long's at like 7 in the morning and brought them home for Daddy. Lots of time outside again, and my parents came down for dinner.

Monday has been wonderful! I put a sweatshirt on Jacob and we headed outside at 8:30 and ended up not coming in at all until 11:30. We loved the weather and did everything we possibly could outside! Sandbox, slides, bikes, soccer, football, baseball, playing restaraunt from his little "fort" where he told me he was only serving breadsticks and dip today. We also followed around a caterpillar for a while and Jacob picked him up and tried to hug him. It was very cute. We ate a snack outside and Jacob wanted to give the caterpillar juice, but I told him they can only drink water. So Jacob looks down at the little furry guy and yells, "no drink juice! just water!" My kid is only a little bossy, haha. We headed in for lunch and then back out for a quick walk around the neighborhood before nap.

Jacob is also in love with the book, "Happy Halloween Stinky Face." We only have it from the library, so I'm nervous to return it! He woke up from his nap today and I didn't hear him on the monitor, but heard some noise and went to see. He was up reading the book to himself. I am SO glad fall is here!

Ham and Jam

Jacob has a new book he loves - The Cat Likes to Cook, as in the Cat in the Hat. He really likes the Cat in the hat now that the show is on PBS and he has had this book. He has it memorized now, and he keeps it above his bed. He runs in his room, and I stopped outside his door to see what he was going to do. He picks up the book, and reads it to himself, and gets to the page where the cat cooks with ham and jam and laughs and laughs. It is so cute. I love that he thinks he is so funny!

Yesterday was spent at the Children's Museum, enjoying some trains, dinosaurs, sand, water, and lots of play time in the pretend ice cream shop. Jacob and another boy served their moms some delicious ice cream. I love how nicely he plays, and the imagination he is developing. He has been putting a lot together lately, and it's such a joy to see it develop each day. We weren't planning on heading to the museum, but around 9:30 Jacob turned to me and said, "go to museum?" and I figured, why not? They open at 10, so I just threw a cup and snack in the bag for him and we took off.

Today we had our friends over for a play date, including a picnic lunch for the boys on the floor in the living room. Jacob loves playing with his friends, and woke up from his nap looking for his friends all through the house. It was cute to see how nice he was to the little four month old baby that was there. Just a glimpse at how he'll be with his baby brother.

Proud of his sandbox

Yes, Jacob is proud of his sandbox. He told me this morning.

Let me start by saying that lately Jacob has been super pleased when I tell him I am proud of him. He has started drinking out of a "big boy cup" (not a sippy) a few times a day and working on not spilling, and I tell him I'm proud of him. Now, he takes a few sips, pulls it away and says, "You proud?" It's adorable.

This morning we headed outside to play in his sandbox. The sandbox has been out of work for the past month while we have had to find time to dig the old sand out (which mom ruined by leaving a battery-operated toy in there and leaving the lid off during a storm - hello battery acid in the sand) and putting new sand in. Normally I could do this myself, but since I'm pregnant, I can't carry 50 pound bags of sand from my car to the backyard. So, Bob had to do it on Saturday.

Anyway, we went out there this morning and Jacob and I built some ramps for his trucks and he said, "My sandbox all clean. I proud of you, sandbox." It was so sweet!

I haven't posted in a while, but last Thursday we had Gymboree with a camping theme. My child did not go for the camping theme. He wanted no part of the pretend tent. That's my boy.

Friday we headed to Bob's school to tailgate with his department and take part in homecoming festivities. Jacob played with two twin boys who were actually only 5 days younger than him. They were really cute together, and enjoyed throwing bread, hot dogs, and rocks down the sewer. Boys will be boys. Jacob was exhausted from running around with them for over an hour, and hungry, so we got him out of the sun for a while and went out to dinner. Back to the school for the football game, and home soon after, which we expected. Because really, what toddler wants to be at a game where he can't run around?! He had a great time though.

Saturday was the sandbox deal, lots of playing outside, a trip to the library, and family time. I also had to make a trip to buy some much needed maternity clothes for fall.

Sunday we had a visit from Sarah - Jacob adores Aunt Sarah and was so happy to see her. He made her read him a book before his nap and push him on the swing and everything. It was great seeing her again, getting out of the house for a while, and catching up. After she went home, we grilled some burgers and went on a nice family walk. Great weekend!

When I'm Older...

Jacob is on this kick of telling me all of the things he is going to do when he gets older. It all started when he started asking me to go to school a few weeks ago. I told him he could go when he was older. He seemed okay with that, and now tells everyone, "I go school when I get older." He has even told me he needs a back pack and needs to ride the school bus. I'm afraid what will happen when we start preschool with him and he realizes he isn't riding a bus yet.

Now he has told me he will drink pop when he gets older and play soccer. Soccer came from passing the soccer fields that are outside of our neighborhood...not that we are drilling him to play soccer like his daddy :)

In other news, Jacob has a double ear infection. Poor guy.

Weekend Recap

Very relaxed weekend - nothing planned and just lots of family time. Bob and I had dentist appointments Saturday morning, and then mom and dad offered to watch Jacob for the morning so we could enjoy some time out together. We grabbed a bagel at Einstein's, shopped for baby stuff (didn't buy much, but just looked around), and had lunch at Puccini's. We had a great morning, and were so glad to spend some time together. Jacob had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa, like always, and the afternoon was spent with walks, playing outside, doing some shopping, getting ice cream, and having a yummy roast dinner from mom.

Sunday, Bob slept in while Jacob and I had breakfast out together at Bob Evans. He is such a joy to sit and eat with when we go out together. He talks and laughs, and likes to ask about other people at their tables. We then headed up to see my parents again. Mom and I took Jacob to a playground and ran around for a while. He has so much energy!

Every night before bed I ask Jacob his favorite part of the day. He loves doing this while we are in bed together, and now he started asking me! Last night he said, "mommy, your 'shavorite' part of day?" I told him it was eating breakfast at Bob Evans with him where he had chocolate milk and pancakes. He got the biggest smile on his face, and I could see that he had forgotten about breakfast, and I made him remember. So nice to have those moments with him right before bed, and to have him think of what a great day he had.

Since we have been at my parents so much lately, this morning I had a lot of picking up to do, dishes, laundry, etc. But, Jacob and I still played, went outside and had a blast. I found my old horses from when I was young in the garage, and we played with those outside for a while. It's nice to see Jacob enjoy other toys instead of just traditional boy things. I love that he plays with Little People toys for hours, and that our day isn't consumed with cars all the time. Yes, trains and cars are his favorite, but I love that he can switch gears and leave his trains alone for days now.

Spiders and Oven Mitts

Last night, Jacob and I drove home from my parents' house pretty late. He took a late nap, and he usually falls asleep on the way home and it's not a big deal. But, he stayed awake the whole ride home, so when we got home I flipped on the lights and got ready to change his diaper when I spotted it. The LARGEST spider I have ever seen in my whole life. Not kidding. Just sitting in the doorway of our master bedroom. I was terrified. I had visions of trying to kill it and it biting me, and I'm pregnant, and I have Jacob with me. Or, it running loose and biting Jacob.

I told Jacob to get on the couch. The little man bolted and jumped on the couch and would not get off even after I kept asking him if he wanted to see the spider. He said, "no, mommy, don't know where he is." So, I watched the spider. And made my dad drive all the way to my house to kill it for me. I'm a wimp. And yes, this was ridiculous to make my dad drive to my house to kill the spider. Thanks, dad.

And what was my brave son doing during all of this? Sitting on the couch, wearing oven mitts. Yes, oven mitts. He had one on each hand. Whenever I asked him what the oven mitts were for, he just said, "don't know where he is." I don't think I have a brave little boy on my hands, but he is smart!

Then, this morning, when Jacob knew Grandpa had successfully killed the spider, he walks right into my room and said, "me looking for spiders." Thanks, buddy. Glad you waited until the coast was clear. Maybe your little brother will kill these bugs for me.

It's a BOY!

We had our ultrasound yesterday, and I was right...we are having another boy! I'm pretty sure everyone (except my dad and me), thought it was a girl. I've been convinced from the start it was a boy.

Jacob seemed to actually understand there was a baby, and he got to hold one of the ultrasound pictures and carry it around.

What fun two boys will be!!! Although I told Bob we definitely need to get a deep freezer now...I saw how much food just my brother could eat on his own, let alone if he had a brother to help out! Hello grocery bills, haha. I'm entering unfamiliar territory for the first time - I knew what it was like to have a boy since I have a brother, but I am sure I have a lot to learn about what kind of mischief two boys can get into without a little girl there, haha. Bob grew up with a brother, but they have always been very different in personalities and not as "buddy buddy" as I hope our boys will be, so he's in for a ride, too! We are so excited, and happy to hear that everything is going well and the baby is healthy and measuring correctly!

Time to go shopping :)

Almost here...

Tomorrow morning is the big day...BOY or GIRL?! I still have a feeling boy, Bob has no feeling, and the rest of the family and friends we talk to feel like I'm having a girl. So excited!

This morning Jacob and I enjoyed some breakfast, played Play Doh for a long time, and then we headed up to Jenny's house to play with a whole bunch of kids. Jenny has her two, then is watching her nephew, and is also watching our friends' two toddlers while she is away for work. Her hands are full, but she is a great mom and one of the few people that could handle it all! We ended up staying for lunch as well, so Jacob was excited to eat with his friends. He had a great morning of cars, trains, and running off some energy outside.

Just waiting for the morning to get here!!

Holiday Weekend

This past week has gone by in a blur. I don't remember what we did each day...we just have been enjoying this weather like crazy! I loved having the house open, turning the A/C off, and spending long days outside. Lots of sidewalk chalk, attempting the bike, riding the motorized power wheel (the one for 1-4 year olds, not the large ones that go so fast) that Aunt Kris and Uncle Mike got him for Christmas, planting mums, cleaning out the garage, playing with neighborhood kids, etc. Very busy, but so much fun. My parents came down one night for dinner and some cards, and we went to their house one night for dinner and some fun outside.

Jacob is starting to ask some really great questions, which is a lot of fun. He's putting a lot of concepts together, and I'm amazed at his memory. Tonight he started telling us about how Grandpa works downtown, and drives his car there to work. He asked where Grandma works, where mommy works, and where daddy works. He's getting very curious, which is a lot of fun.

Some pics from the weekend:

Only two more days until our ultrasound!