"Come on Jacob, it's time to get ready for bed."
Jacob: "Not yet! In two minutes!"
Or when it's time to get dressed, time to go to the potty, time to leave, or pretty much at any given moment we tell Jacob to do something that he doesn't want to do. And sometimes we throw our hands up, sigh, and choose not to fight the battle. "OK, Jacob, 2 more minutes, and then it's really time." And after 2 minutes pass, I'm sure you can guess what we hear.
"No! In two minutes!"
In the above response, you will see Jacob's most popular AND 2nd most popular responses as of late. First place in the popularity contest goes to "No!" As if this response isn't irritating enough by itself, it is usually said while having a temper tantrum, meltdown, or with an attitude. I swear this started right around the time he turned 3. During an outing of ours today (a picture post coming up soon!), I was using my amazing skills to persuade Jacob to follow me.
"Come on, Jacob, let's go see what Daniel's doing."
Jacob: "In two minutes."
Sigh.
pause for 10 seconds
Me: "Alright, Jacob, come on. Let's get up & go find Daniel & Tricia & Lainey."
Jacob: "No. In two minutes." (calmly continues his activity)
Me: "Well, I'm going to go play with Daniel then. See you later."
Jacob looks up at me & watches as I ever so slowly turn the stroller around, with Alex in it, and pretend I'm really going to leave him.
Me: "Bye, Jacob. I'm leaving."
Jacob: "Okay, bye."
Me: "I'm really going."
Jacob: "Bye, mommy & Alex."
And I walk about 3 steps away, turn around, thinking he's definitely going to follow me now that he sees I'm "really" leaving. Nope. Still in the same spot and totally ignoring me. I look around to see who else is witnessing my stellar motherly manipulation tactics and notice another mom playing with her son & daughter nearby. She gave me one of those "been there, done that" looks and said, "That's a 3 year old for ya!"
Hmm, wonder how she knew he was three?
He finally followed me, but only because of my exciting and enticing description of our next activity. Mothering sure does get harder when your child can walk on his own, talk back, and is almost too heavy to carry when he's being stubborn!
The other day, he wanted to see a picture of himself pouting.
"Mommy, I want you to take a picture of me crying."
Here was his first attempt to force a pout.
Better acting the 2nd time:
"Mommy, I want a picture of me happy now!"
I wonder if it's just mine, or do all 3 year olds make these kinds of requests?
Jacob Quotes
Of course Jacob isn't always a stereotypical 3 year old. In fact, most of the time he's completely charming, adorable, and sweet. Funny too.
Proud Moment
After peeing on the potty the other day, Jacob climbed off the toilet with a big grin on his face. He threw his arms up in the air and said, "I so proud of me!"
Living Situation
Today in the car, Jacob & I were talking about Grandmom, Granddad, & Nani moving to a new apartment. I was explaining that Daddy had to go help them move heavy furniture, and that's why he wasn't riding with us to go purchase some delicious (& nutritious) McDonald's.
Jacob: "Granddad and Grandmom moving?"
Me: "Yes, they're moving to a new apartment. And very soon, you, Alex, Mommy, & Daddy will move to our new house!" (Countdown is on: closing is on the 18th!!!!)
Jacob: "Our new house?"
Me: "Yes, our new house. I'm so excited to live in our new house, aren't you?"
Jacob: (makes a little pouty face & crosses his arms) "I no want to live in our new house!"
Me: "Why not?"
Jacob: "'Cos I no want to!"
Me: "But our new house is big and has lots of room for you to run around. You'll have your big room with your big closet. And our new house is so close to Daniel, Lainey, Tricia, Scott, and Kerri & Matt!"
Jacob: "I wanna live in our apartment!"
I can't WAIT to get out of the apartment.
Me: "Well, I guess me, Daddy, & Alex will just live in our new house then. We sure will miss you. I wish you wanted to live in the new house with us."
Long pause.
Jacob: (all smiles & excited) "Mommy, mommy! I wanna live in our new house!"
Me: "You DO?!"
Jacob: "Yes, I do!" Then he smiles and puts his hands up to his mouth and says, "I so happy now!"
Jacob's Observations
The other day, I had just finished changing a pretty heavy duty #2 diaper of Jacob's. When I noticed Alex was just finishing up a poop, I figured it was a prime opportunity to teach Jacob a good lesson about taking turns. So I told Jeff he could handle Alex's diaper. Jeff was a good sport, and started to change Alex. Jacob & I were supervising. As the soiled diaper was stripped away, Jacob keenly observes, "Look! A turd, just like mine!"
And then, "Awww, look! A little tiny penis!"
Pieces and bits
You know when people say they love someone to pieces? Well, a couple of years ago, I started saying that to Jacob. Only I added to it, and told him I love him to "pieces & bits." I really can't remember why. I guess I was being silly, but the phrase just stuck, and now I tell him that all the time. And I'm the only person who says it to him. I like that it's just between us.
Lately, I'll say, "Jacob, I love you to pieces..."
Jacob: "And bits!"
Me: "That's right, I love you to pieces & bits!"
He always completes the sentence. It's so cute, that I just always trail off after pieces, and let him say the rest.
Jacob: "Mommy, say it again. Say pieces & bits."
Me: "I love you, Jacob, to pieces & bits!"
In other news, Alex took his first steps this week!! We knew this monumental event was coming. After all, it didn't take him long at all to master walking behind a push toy. He was a pro the first day he tried it at Nan's & Pop Pop's house.
And there were times we'd look up to find Alex just standing there, holding on to nothing, looking at us like, "What? You didn't know I could do this?"
He's been walking with the assistance of furniture for months now, and lately has needed less support. When you're steadier on your feet, it sure does make it easier to reach up and play with everything you can get your hands on.
So we've been waiting. We've propped him up against the couch, held out our arms to him, and in our most inviting tones, said, "Come here, Alex! Come to mommy! Come to daddy!" Or sometimes we'd hold up a toy and kind of dangle it in the air, hoping he'd decide it was worth walking for. Until a few days ago, all this accomplished was getting Alex really excited and cause him to promptly plop down and crawl over to us. That's really cute & all, but not what we had in mind. :)
So on July 7th, while Jeff was out jogging, I decided on a whim to try again. And sure enough, Alex took 3 steps to me! It isn't any less exciting when it's your 2nd child. I'm sure I disrupted our neighbors with my cheers & obnoxiously loud kisses on Alex's adorable chubby cheeks.
When Jeff got back, he couldn't believe he missed it. Actually, I'm not even sure he believed that it happened. I think he was skeptical since he probably thinks I'm still a little bitter about missing Jacob's first steps. So I tried it again. And after a few attempts, Alex took about 5 steps over to us! We are so excited! Our 10 1/2 month old can walk! Kind of. He still prefers crawling to walking, and I haven't seen him take so many steps as he did that first night. But I know he will again soon.
I regret having to inform you that I do not have a picture of my baby walking. For those of you who know how I am about taking pictures, you know it's irritating the heck out of me that I haven't been able to capture this moment. But do you know how hard it is to prop a baby up against the couch, scoot back, get your camera in focus with your finger on the trigger, try to coax Alex over to you, and get a decent shot? Usually, he's already crawling over to me before I can even get the camera up. But I did manage to get one shot of him. Sure, he's about to fall, but this is all I have to offer. I'm determined to get a better shot, and as soon as I do, I'll post it!
I still haven't quite come to terms with Jacob turning 3, and now my 10 1/2 month old is taking his first steps? And in just 6 short weeks, he'll be a year old!
Time is flying. And my two babies are growing up so fast. I read a quote the other day that I thought was appropriate. It's helpful to remember during those moments I'm feeling frustrated with temper tantrums & stubbornness:
"The days are long, but the years are short."
And because time is going by so quickly, I'm so happy to be spending my days with these two little guys. I love them both. To pieces and bits.
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