Monkey Sighting

I just don't bring my camera with me enough anymore. Even if I did I'd really need a third arm to get any pictures. So you may begin to notice a trend of pictures where the boys are strapped in, like this one from this morning.

SPOILER ALERT! Jacob is going to be an orangutan/Curious George for Halloween this year (again, since the costume still fits - yay!). He spent most of the day today in his costume, at the grocery store pushing his own little mini shopping cart, at the playground, walking home on the streets of Bethesda. He tried to eat his lunch in it, but I wasn't having it since he's still not quite what I would call a tidy eater.

I won't tell what Owen's going to be, though. That will remain a mystery.

Speaking of little Owie. He is 16 months now and he understands so much of what we say to him -- he's quite polite and very helpful, especially when asked to put away things like his shoes, socks and jacket. It's such a change of pace to have one of your children hear what you say the first time and then do it. He has 12 teeth, including 4 molars which grew in exactly when he turned 1. He babbles and means what he says. He has lots of sounds that are "words" for things like shoes, socks, basement, belly button, please, water, truck, toothbrush, book, among other things. He walks and climbs very well and seems to have an adventurous spirit (at least on the playground). He wants to do whatever Jacob is doing most of the time and the rest of the time he's just trying to survive being a little brother to a very busy, opinionated, curious, and fast-moving three year old. He and I get to spend our Tuesday and Thursday mornings together just the two of us while Jacob is in school and it's delightful.

In other news, it might snow here tomorrow and it's only October. Sigh.

Pumpkin Patch

We went on our first trip to the pumpkin patch this weekend and we'll be making lots of apple pie this week. The boys got to see lots of farm animals up close, play in the hay, pick apples and choose a pumpkin. Owen didn't stand a chance of staying awake for the car ride home and Jacob practically asked us if he could go to bed tonight. Success!

Seven boys

Got to spend the morning at the zoo with Gretchen and Becky and our 7 boys -- though, only 5 of them made it into our group picture below; we did the best we could. Gretchen was in town from Houston and had her kids Ollie and Drake with her. They are about the same age as Jacob & Owen. So fun to see her and I just wish she lived closer! We watched in awe as Becky arrived with all three of her boys, including baby Jack (pictured), walking up that gigantic hill at the zoo (who thought that would be a good idea, making a hill from the beginning of the zoo to the end?). She's an inspiration!
Very fun day together.

The result of me saying, "Hey everyone look at me for a picture!"

Jacob likes sitting in the panda's lap. Owen likes to sit next to his brother.

The First Month

I've been home with the boys full time now for a month and you might have noticed my blogging has declined ever since. I've been asked how it's going and I would say there have been lots of good days, some not as good days, but as with any "new" job, every week has been easier than the last. I've learned a ton about myself and the boys in the process and while it's been a big adjustment, I'm pretty proud of surviving a month where it rained, or threatened to rain, just about every day (preparation for winter I suppose), getting through the last two days of September without giving Jacob even one time out (HUGE!), meeting some new friends for me and the boys, and getting out the door with all of us dressed, fed, and not crying by 8:45am on school days (usually). It's the little things that keep you going. We'll see what fun October has in store!

Here's a picture of the boys in a particularly loving moment on one of our many strolls through the neighborhood. Also, Jacob loves to bike down the hill on our street, but going back up is quite a different story. So I'm including a video of his first ever successful attempt at biking back all the way up the hill by himself - I spared you the entire event as it did take about half an hour (we had to make a few stop for snacks to build up his muscles).

Jacob Preschool

Jacob's first day of preschool (2 days a week/age 3) was today. His teacher is Miss Rickerby, and while he has gone back and forth the past few days over whether he was excited to go to a new school or not, this morning he just walked into the new class with his new sneakers on, and his new school bag on his shoulder and made it work. I was so proud. Not a tear or a tantrum, nothing. Really nice job Jakey poo. Afterward he said his teacher was nice, that she was funny and talked about skateboards and wheelbarrows and that, quote, "I thought to myself, mommy, I don't want to leave." I'll take that as a good sign.

Rewind

So, back to August...
After 11 years working at C-SPAN, traveling to something like 46 states with the C-SPAN Bus, getting to work with a group of awesome colleagues/friends everyday, having the chance to promote shows and initiatives and collaborate on videos, and write scripts and newsletters (among many other things), for an organization I was proud to work for, I decided to leave it behind for now and stay home with the boys full time. Who knows what the future holds, but after weeks/months of going back and forth it feels good to have finally made the decision (though, I do reserve the right to change my mind on whether it was a good one now and then - depending on the day :o). Very surreal and daunting at first, but I'm slowly getting a grasp on it all. I really missed my boys and feel fortunate for this opportunity.

Me and some of my best buds, Marty, Heath, Rachel, Chris & Doug

And, Brian. Don't be fooled, he's crying inside.

But, I'll be back - for any of you Spanners reading this - for many visits.

Jacob's turns 3 & the beach

Have a seat, this could take a while.

Jacob is three!

At three Jacob is talkative, energetic, independent, clever, confident (except with dogs and other live animals), curious, inquisitive, persistent, and potty trained. He sleeps in a big boy (toddler) bed, he's a protective (usually) big brother and even seems to like having him around most of the time. If you ask him what song he wants to hear, 9 times out of 10 he'll still say "All the Single Ladies" and some of his favorite books include anything Curious George, Amelia Bedelia, and Alexander (and the no good, horrible, very bad day). Having said that, there is a chance he skipped the terrible twos and might be saving them for three, but the jury's still out.

We celebrated his birthday during a week at the beach in the Outer Banks, NC with Memaw, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Steve & the boys

Our annual beach picture is getting harder to accomplish.

Cousins: Owen (15 mos), Anderson (7), Jacob (3), Sam (10)

We had great weather and such fun playing in the water and sand. Owen only ate a little bit of sand this time and Jacob loved going in the ocean. And they both slept sooooo well! We're moving to the beach. Great week, even with a little mid-week earthquake and Hurricane Irene approaching which caused us to evacuate a day and a half early. Can't wait to go back.