Nesting

7.5 weeks until Baby Girl's estimated arrival. I keep thinking that she's going to come early, but that could just be because Jacob did. Everything is looking good - my blood pressure is perfect and everything is looking just as it should. I have slightly elevated blood sugar levels, so I'm watching my sugar/carb intake, but it is nothing to be concerned about. On Wednesday we're going in for a final scan to check my placenta and baby's placement and make sure everything looks good for the final stretch!

A few people have been asking about a registry for the new little bird. Rather than registering at one store, we put together a wishlist on Amazon.com. You don't have to get anything through amazon - there is an option to click on the list and show that you've gotten something somewhere else - that way we can avoid doubles. Most of the stuff is just ideas - we're not picky about brand or needing new stuff or anything. Used is always great!

Can't wait to fill you in as things progress...hopefully the progress quickly!

Spring is just around the corner

I'm pretty sure this is the reason people have kids

Visiting Daddy at work

We used to ride the subway all the time, but lately it has been nearly impossible given that we can't get to the subway without a stroller, and Mama can't lift the stroller up and down the steps by herself. But today (after an extra short nap that left us with a longer-than-usual afternoon) we strolled down to our friend's apartment who live across the street from the subway station, ditched the stroller in their hallway, and hopped on the train to go 5 stops and visit Daddy at work! The subway, the office, the Starbucks, it was all an amazing thrill!

What an adventure!

The Tot Lot has melted!

Praise be for warm weather!!!

Cozy at home

Chatty Boy

Jacob has had a verbal explosion over the last couple weeks. He's now frequently combining words ("Hi, Stella!", "More snack!", "Go taxi!") and picking up new words at an astounding rate. I've counted four new words today, and it's only naptime (block, cow, broccoli, box). I'm working on a full word-list to put up soon.

He's also started "counting", especially pictures with lots of cars. He gets the idea of pointing to objects and counting them out, but the only number he says is "Two". As you can see in the video clip below, he just counts, "two, two, two, two, two..." It's a start.

Also in this clip, I think he says yellow...not sure, though. What do you think? We have been talking about colors a lot, but he has yet to show any meaningful and consistent understanding. I'm sure it's just around the corner.

Children's Museum

We went to the Brooklyn Children's Museum with Grandma last week - a very successful attempt to find new, warm, indoor entertainment. We've been there before, but Jacob was in love with all the hands-on fun toys and, of course, the trucks. The full-size city bus was a huge hit, too.

Today I mentioned the museum to him and he looked at me excitedly and said "Car?!" Apparently taking a livery cab to and from the museum was the most memorable part. Who doesn't like a car ride?

Lauren's long weekend

It isn't very often that we have a post that doesn't feature the mini-Josts, but I thought I'd take the opportunity to post pictures from my recent trip to the Bay Area in California. The trip was a surprise Christmas gift from my amazing husband, supported by his co-conspirator, Lindsey. I got to bask in warm air and sunshine, eat amazing fresh fruit, sit on the ocean, go on a road trip, SLEEP IN, and revel in the delights of the West Coast. A special thanks to Lindsey, Joe, and Michael for entertaining me on my trip, and a HUGE thanks to Zach for being thoughtful enough to think of this wonderful vacation gift and take care of everything at home while I was gone.

Haircutting in action

Out to dinner

After the haircutting, we went out to dinner to celebrate. We discovered that bench seats are NOT the best choice for the mobile toddler, but we had fun nonetheless.

Snuggling with Mama:



Cuddling with Daddy:

Jacob's First Haircut

It finally had to happen - the first haircut!!! It was just getting out of control. But the hairdresser only took off a little, so he still looks like my moppy little man. "We took it from a mullet to a shag," she said. He was not a fan of the process and required a couple mid-cutting hugs from Mama, but he was also pretty calm on the spectrum of screaming kids at the salon. What a big boy!

BEFORE:



DURING:

AFTER:

Fun around the house

It takes a lot to keep Jacob and Mama entertained inside all day during the dark days of winter, but some good truck books and an art project go a long way.

Practicing Brother

After reading a book about having a new baby in the house, Jacob wanted to practice putting his doll baby down for a nap. So he helped me wrap her up, sing her a song, give her a kiss (we even did some practice nursing on Mama) and put her in the crib. He then chose about 10 animals to put in her crib with her while she napped.

I am so proud of him. I hope that this transition is a smooth one. I'm sure it will be rocky at times, but he is such a sweet boy and I just KNOW he is going to be an amazing big brother.

Story Chair

Isn't this just as cute as it gets?!