Mini Shower from Grandpa!

Jacob was in love with the lowered shower head bar at Grandpa Chuck & Grammy's house in Long Beach, and Grandpa was so kind to send us one to install in Jacob's bathroom. Jacob & Daddy installed it today and then of course Jacob had to try it out :) He loves it!

Thank you Grandpa Chuck & Grammy!

Tough Day...

This week has been a little stressful for Jacob, with Mama starting up clinicals again (though he loved spending time with Grandma & Papa), his first day of preschool (transitioning to solo), and his 3 year well child examination this morning (complete with 3 vaccinations to get him up-to-date). Thankfully we're all done with immunizations until his 4 year old exam next June :)



All done and in the car enjoying his grape lolly pop

"my legs hurt from the shots..."

First Day of Preschool at the Child Study Lab

Today Jacob had his first day of preschool at the CSL. He's in the 3's class with Miss. Nellie where he's expected to go all by himself. We're taking the transition to going solo slowly, so today Mama was an anchor on the wall (seriously, I sat in a very little chair next to the wall reading my book, trying to be as boring as possible). And it worked! Jacob ventured away to play with Miss. Nellie and some of the other kids. He even went outside with the rest of the class for outside playtime. He just had one minor incident when he came back inside and wanted to wash his hands with my help. Since I'm not supposed to get out of the chair, Jacob got very mad and proceeded to scream at the top of his lungs for about 15 minutes (missing snack time). But he pulled himself together for the last 20 minutes or so of class to play outside again and participate in story time (even if it was from my side).

Daddy, Grandma Tilla, & Papa Chuck got to watch the whole class from the one way mirrored corridor so Grandma Tilla will be prepared to be the anchor next Tuesday while I'm at clinical. We are so proud of Jacob, he handled a very big change amazingly and surprised all of us with his independence.



Jacob with his new green backpack (monogrammed "JP" like Daddy's backpack was) ready to head off for preschool
(Green is his new favorite color)

At the "we all survived but are emotionally exhausted" Baja Fresh lunch

Much rested Jacob after a 2 hour nap
15 minutes of screaming at the top of your lungs (no kidding) really wipes you out!

Jacob loves pretending with his doctor's set that Auntie Kristen gave him. We're role playing for his pediatrician appt tomorrow with the nurse practitioner. Unfortunately he is going to have to get 2 vaccinations, so it is going to be another slightly stressful morning. He said he wants to bring his doctor set to the appointment so he can check out the nurse practitioner and give her a shot :)

Weekend at Pine

A few weekends ago our good friend Marc came to visit from Belgium, so we took him up to Pine to escape the Phoenix heat and enjoy the outdoors. We had a great time walking along the Mogollon Rim, kayaking/paddle surfing at the Blue Ridge Reservoir, and hiking to "The Box". It was a action packed few days and we were so glad share this beautiful part of Arizona with Marc. Jacob really took to him, giving him good night kisses, hugs, foreheads, noses, etc each night. And still, when he sees an airplane in the sky, he says there's Marc going to Belgium :)

Thanks Marc for coming to visit!

Mama, Jacob, Daddy, & Marc overlooking the Mogollon Rim




Daddy & Marc on a rock peninsula overlooking the rim

the rock peninsula from a safe distance...


Daddy & Papa Chuck getting a closer look


enjoying the Blue Ridge Reservoir

Celebrating Grandma & Papa's Birthdays!

Vacationing in CA with Grandpa & Grammy Ward

We spent an extended weekend in Long Beach, CA with Grammy, Grandpa, & Auntie Sarah this past weekend. The weather could not have been any better! Especially since we were coming from the desert where it has been 110+ for many weeks! Daddy got to spend a lot of time playing with his college friends in OC - mostly paddle surfing. Mama & Jacob spent a lot of quality time with Grammy and Grandpa Ward - visiting the Aquarium, going to Seal Beach, and walking around Naples Island & Belmont Shores. Auntie Sarah was even able to drive down from Mammoth for a few days to visit with us. It was a truly glorious 5 days and reminded us how much we miss living in CA.

Thank you Grammy & Grandpa for a wonderful vacation!



Daddy & Jacob playing in the surf at Seal Beach.

Grammy & Jacob checking out the fish at the Aquarium. He was so excited to see the scuba diver and loved watching the Sea Lion & Seal show. He even put his fingers into the sting ray tank this time. And was oh so helpful in reminding Grandpa Chuck to only use 2 fingers :)

Jacob, Grammy, & Grandpa waiting in the hot sun for the sea lion show...Jacob refused to smile. He was beginning to break down, so we made a quick exit after the show ended.


Grandpa & Jacob playing "buzz bomb" at Islands. Buzz Bomb is a something Mama's Grandpa Frank started decades ago, and Grandpa Chuck has continued. It scared Jacob at first, but now he loves it, asking Grandpa for more, and even getting Grandpa back.


Buzzing Grandpa back...

Playing popper with Auntie Sarah


Auntie Sarah & Jacob on one of our many walks around the water


Grammy & Jacob
Jacob has started making this funny face all the time, so I tried to capture it on film...


Grandpa, Jacob, & Grammy buzzing each other


Daddy & Jacob at Seal Beach on our 3rd trip to the beach :)


Grandpa & Grammy