Happy Birthday Jake

Jake turned 3 on Christmas Eve. His birthday being the day before Christmas presents some challenges, and I'm still trying to find that balance. But, it does make the Christmas holidays so much more special.

His friend Grant sent him a Toy Story birthday card in the mail. Jake was so funny about it. He was so excited about it and just kept walking around with it. He kept telling me he was "reading" it.

On December 23rd, we had a mini family only birthday party for Jake. We'll have his big birthday party in January, but we always try to have a little something & cake around his actual birthday. Mimi & Granddad came over, as well as Nana, Gran and his cousins Maddox & Marrell.

Happy Birthday Banner

Mimi made him a train cake. Isn't it the cutest?!?!

Blowing out the candles

Thankfully Marrell was there to help him open some of his birthday presents.

Jake at 3 years old:

• Sleep: We start getting ready for bed around 7:30-8:00. We take a bath, read some books, get all the animals ready for bed. He is usually pretty good about going to sleep on his own, but some nights he will cry when we tell him he has to go to bed. He usually sleeps until about 5:00 and then comes into our room. We don't really fight it, we let him climb into bed with us for that last hour or two. Sometimes he will come in around 2:00 and those times we do take him back to his room. He is a very sound sleeper. One night, Robbie was in the garage working & the fire alarms in the house went off. Our fire alarms are extremely loud and there is one right outside Jake's room. He didn't even stir. He still takes a nap. Usually once we get home from Mother's Day Out, so it's usually between during 1:00-3:00.
• Eat: He has definitely become a more picky eater as he has gotten older. Long gone are my happy days of him loving grilled chicken & vegetables. About the only thing he will eat for dinner is mac & cheese, chicken & fries or a Gerber Toddler Meal. He loves all of the typical toddler foods... gummies, fruit, goldfish, applesauce & yogurt.
• Play: He loves to play with his toys. He is still into trains, LOVES cars, still loves balls, coloring & looking at books. He is really good about playing by himself. On Monday's I have to work in the mornings & that is not a day he goes to MDO, so it's just me & him. He is pretty good about playing by himself in his room while I work in the office. Sometimes I feel guilty, but I hope that he at least gets a few positive traits from it. He loves to play with older boys. He thinks that they are very cool. He is in no way interested in any kids younger than him, unless it is a baby that he can hold. Also, he loves to sword fight & tackle. We have to remind him that there are only certain places & times that those things are socially acceptable!
• School: His school has been an answered prayer. Any mom that has dropped off a screaming child knows the heartache & worry it can cause. So it is an absolute joy for me when I drop him off & he is so excited. He loves his teacher Mrs. Michelle and she is so awesome. He talks about the kids in his class. His favorite friends are Carson, Miller & Riley Grace. I love to hear him talk about them.
• Talking: He talks up a storm. You can understand most of what he says, but he still throws in some gibberish. He of course mispronounces things, so that can make it hard to understand him, but it also makes it very funny when you figure out what he is saying. He has got "please" & "thank you" down pat. We are working on "yes sir, non sire, yes mam, no mam". So far he only says "yes sir". So any time he answers with a yes, no matter if you are a boy or girl, you get a "yes sir". And usually it is a slight yell. But I'll take it. He also copies things we say. Like "do you understand?" and "you need to calm down". Those are always pretty funny.
• Potty Training: Oh potty training. It has been a very slow process for us. Maybe if I pushed it more consistently, we would have gotten further faster, but between trying to balance everything, we are just doing the best we can. He is pretty much completely trained on peeing in the potty. He will not go if we are at a place that doesn't have a kiddie potty, but he holds it until we are home. I know that it probably not the healthiest, but at least he is not peeing in his underwear. He has pooped in the potty only a few times. Every time he does, we celebrate & he gets treat. I'll think we've turned the corner, and then the next day he'll poop in his underwear. So we'll still working on that.

The past 3 years have been the 3 greatest years of my life. I laughed, worried, loved, hugged more than I ever thought possible. And because of a little blond haired, blue eyed surprise souvenir from Mexico. Love you Jake Bush & Happy Birthday!