What we've been up to...

Last night was my "Mommie's night out" -J didnt do well, he was fine and then the babysitter showed up and his whole attitude changed, he was reaching for me from her and just kinda fussing, i attempted to feed him before we left and he didnt want that, nothing new if you have heard my griping about my "non-eater" but just his over all personality was tense and confused. My little guy knew something was up, Paolo descirbed him as "nervous". Tania is Paolos neice and has kept J before while i have run to the BX but she was wonderful with him, dispite the fussing.

Today we set out with my friend to find Easter Decor, i think we are hoping it will make spring come!!!!! we did find some cute things. but no spirng yet, just FOG (nebbia) in italian. Althouhg my Tulips have sprouted :)

Jacob and i then went to the church and packed packages for 5 of our church service spouses that are currently deployed, Josh being inlcuded but we are going to save his and send it after he returns, no he hasent arrived yet but we dont expect him till end of next week.

5 times-

Ok so i do not think he is old enough to label yet BUT i think we might have a biter! I know Jacob is teething but he has clamped down on my arms and today my shoulder, 5 times now. OH PLEASE LORD not a BITER

Any adivce other then what i have already heard about biting him back? sorry i dont think a 9 month old would comprehend this.

Jacob is getting so curious about the ways his legs can bend and rotate, i hope it wont be long till he Finally gets on his knees, he did it for a few seconds today but nothing became of it.

He weighs 18 lbs and is pretty much a perfect size 12mth. most 9 mth things are too short and i ordered 12-18 mth for the spring.

THE WALKER

We got a walker, Our house is set up so that if i am in the kitchen i cant see whats going on in the living room, where Jacob spends most our time, so since there isnt any carpet in the kitchen we decided to get a walker for him to scoot around while i do dishes, dinner etc... He hasnt gotten the hang of it yet, and prefers to bounce in it like he does with his Enstien activity jumper. Thanks to Maggie and Issac for letting us have it!!!

Photo-He is clamping those teeth.

HAPPY MARCH TO ALL!!!!!!

In addition

So i left this out in my last blog: In addition to all the others, diapers has been a change as well.



It has been hard trying to find the right diaper for Jacob, while we were in the states we were lucky to be able to get the Pampers size 2-3 swaddlers OH THOSE WERE PERFECT, well here they do not carry them, so we had to keep trying the huggies sumpreme size 3 and within a few weeks they seemd to fit alright.



Well let me jsut tell ya what happened, i noticed a few weeks back that Jacob had bluish rings around his inner thigh, i thought "oh my and am i holding him to hard, or when i try and get him on his knees am i hurting him?" i was so distraught over these burises on my baby i actually considered calling the dr, however what would a dr. do in a case of severe brusing hmmmmm CHILD SERVICES, well i let it go and was ever so gentle when i held him but i noticed it wasent helping, i also noticed after his bath they seemed to vanish-think think think well in the words of Eeorye yes Eeorye because he is the culpirt here. On the diapers is Pooh on the left and Eeorye on the right wonderful BLUE Eeoyre. See where i'm goin here.



correction: think think think is Pooh but oh well it still fits!!!!



By the end of a long nights sleep and through out the day as Jacob wore his diaper the blue was rubbing off onto his legs. So again we had to change diapers, regular huggies seem good so far, very little coloring around the legs.


Courtney, Michelle, Jenny, Molly, has anyone else had this issue?

Everything is changing

K turns 3 today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kennedy, K, Kenners, K-Dee. We love you!!!!

Our very special friend is having a birthday tonight, J and her have been friends since he was born, Kennedy use to ask her mom; Tiana and me if she could "catch" Jacob, in other words hold him! The whole Darling family has been so full of love and support for us since that October day in 2006 when we met at the airport in Baltimore.

Please keep them all in your prayers, Brian has done one delpoyment and with the army i'm sure will come another one.

Changes

Jacob is all doing sotmhing differnt, a ew npise or new giggle, well latley it has been the lack of things. He has decide he no longer want sto feed hmself ANYTHING, if i put things on his tray they end up being smushed and thrown to the ground. Cant even give him a few pieces of pancake to do on his own. HMMMM wonder whats up?

His appetite and manner has changed as well, he seems to be so distracted and has a hard time remembering we're eating here!!! I suppose it's the age and the new things he is realizing are around him.

Jacob really enjoys standing while holidng someones hands so hopefully it wont be long till he is holding onto other things for support on his own.

I cant beleive I can say this but " JOSH WILL BE HOME NEXT WEEK" we're not sure what the date is but when he arrives he will make all the neccesary phone calls.

We have our outfits picked out -yes Auntie Annie he is going to be dressed like a big boy! a very adorable big boy.

The house still needs some work but that will come next week when J is at the sitter, so i can really get it scrubbed.

Jacob has enjoys the sunny days, though it's still cool out there we go for a swing on our new castle toy. he giglgles and smiles the whole time. As he contiues to grow and as the season changes i'm sure we'll spend much more ime out there, which leads me to our prediciment, we have a 30 foot long balcony with wood spaced just far enough for my little bean to slip right through.

We wanted to have the child proofing done before josh has to go back so we are in desperate search for balcnoy netting that will ship to us. O the joys of living overseas. I am hoping the BX can order it to them and i can pick it up. We'll see what they say.

It's been 6 days!!!!!!!!

Well we have been keeping busy busy here in Italy, trying to make the days go by until we get to hold daddy in our arms.

Jacob has been trying so hard to pull him slef up on things, today actaully he attempted and ended up flat on his back with his toy ontop of him, poor guy. Rose and i are hoping in the next 2 weeks he figures it all out!

5th tooth is still working it's way down.

He is mastering the butt scoot and goes quickly now, clear across the room and proceeds to dump out his toy basket.

On the 17th we went to Hannah and Sarah's 1st birthday, it was a wonderful time, the babes played and we grown-ups ate! No Jacob did not have cake, we're waitng till his birthday to introduce that bad habbit:)

Monday was a down day for us, we stayed arounn the house, and did our 2.5 mile walk, it is beautiful out there and it was a bit chilly but as you can see in the photo Jacob stayed nice and snug. Diamond loves being able to roam free off her leash. Tomorrow Tiana and i are doing it with the kids, always nice to have someone to chat with along the way.

Tuesday, Tiana and i again decided we would walk only this time on base and 3 miles, our babysitter is out of town so off we went with the strollers, Jacob then stayed with her while i had an eye appt. again ont he walk he fell asleep, must be nice to be coozy and warm, instead of sore muscles the next day!!!!

Wednesday of course is bible study, i was in the nursery today so Jacob got to play, and his new friend Issac was there, it was fun. I always think it so funny how right about the same time all the babies start to loose it, needing mommy or hungry.

Thursday we had a rushed morning trying to make it out the door for Playgroup only to onve again fidn it has been cancelled, so with the twins and Isaac also a few other babies we wandered over to the bigger kids playgroup, who play on the park putside, it wasent to cold so we stayed for a bit going down the slide and Jacob LOVED the baby swing they had, good thing because we actually just got a slide/swing to play on outside! I cant wait to get it all set up on our patio. After thsi we grabbed lunch and headed to get some groceries, nothing to crazy althoug i did get a crown prok raost, to prepare for Josh's "Welcoem Home" dinner-IT WILL FEED 10! which i was unaware about, guess we'll have company over that night.

Next week is another busy one, cleaning and getting my hair done, the babysitter will be back so it will help to make things easier, i always feel so bad when i have to cart Jacob around to such boring places. On the 28th Jacob is having a babysitter coem tot eh house, Paolo's neice, PWOC is hosting a ladies only dinner, so no Jacob allowed, Mommy gets a night to relax, i'm sure i'll worry the enitre time and rush home but we'll see how it goes! other then that the count down continues to see daddy.

Enjoy the pics!!!

Feeding My Boys

Hello, Hope everyone's V-day was lovely.

So Yes it is finally here the payday when i needed to buy gorceries for not 1 little boy but also a man. Stocking up the freezer with meat and buying some new things Jacob has decided he likes,Nutri-grain bars, Mac & Cheese and oatmeal; my bill at the register never cost so much! wow i guess this is only a peak of what a house of guys may cost us right ~~Aunt Vickie?
I wont mention how much but it was a substantial difference from our bills the last 8 months.

Jacob and i Spring-ified our house today, well more like our patio, i set out my breakfast nooke, and we made a trip to base and bought a turtle to set out :) also a small Flag pole, the one you stick in the ground!!! We even had PIZZA for lunch and let me say J ate more then me, i am so excited i have been wanting a flaog pole and they had an adorable "Support Our Troops" flag that i cant display now but at the next home i will!!! SO for now it says "Spring has Sprung" although Paolo infoirmed me as of Sunday it will get cold again :( DARN IT!

I am still suffering through my cold, i am actually drinking tea made of some kind of leaf out of Paolo's garden-YIKES, the hotness and honey help my throat so i continue to drink.

Ok the subject that seems to come up when i talk to Family and Friends about Jacob is his hair:) some say its long some say not at all, Well i am firmily standing by the fact i am not willing to cut it until A) Daddy is home and B) he is at least a year old. S accodring to Italian folklore you have to go by the moons and astrological signs within the moon phase. Well bottom line being if he desperatly needs it at at least a year old he can't have it cut until June 9-12. However since daddy isnt home by then we shall have to see!

Nothing else going on until Sunday when we go to the twins birthday party! i will post pics of that i'm sure

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY -yes i am doing it the night before so You All have something to look at the day of.

Jacob dressed up in his attire today for bible study, he was soo cute and recieved many compliments on his outfit-thanks to Tiana who found something in the states for a little boy, other then I LOVE DIRT!!! So he was in his attire and bible study proved to be yet another blessing TOday was a program day, we didnt have bible study but it was msotly fellowsip and a devotional-

Clothe yourselves with compassion,

kindness, humility, gentleness,

and patience...Col 3:12

The rest of the day we spent fighting off our colds and after J went to sleep i did what any anxious stressed woman does-BAKED. I decided since i wont be beign spoiled with yummy goodeis this year w/0 Josh i would spoil Rose, her landlady;Lydia and Paolo of course!

We havent been up to anything else, Jacob is cutting another tooth, this will make 5 so i am praying it is the reason behind his food wars yet again! we are aslo regressing on the sleep habits, Jacob seems to feel the need for a 5 30 AM bottle-Daddy describes this as a morning bathroom run, not sure the two are anything alike but whatever! He gets his bottle and goes back to sleep till around 8.

So yes i mentioned we both have colds, jacob seems to be getting ove rhis and i am inheriting it -THANKS- What can ya do though, it's bound to happen when he spends 85% of the day on my hip. Ok enjoy the photos! his grin cracks me up!

LOVE YA LOTS J & J

THE CRUISE!!

I was going wait one more day to Blog our whole weeked, but since Jacob decided he needed a nap before chruch here i am just waiting, dressed and ready so i dare not start to clean:)
Our weekend went by quickly and usually i dont even aknowledge it's a weekend because in the military, weekends are spent with your family, daddies are home with their babies.

Friday: Jacob and i hit the gym this morning, he behaved so well while i worked out, i hate having to take him all he can do is sit in his storller but he didnt seem to mind. We got home in tiem for Daddy to call, then after soem lunch we walked up to Rose's jsut as she and her Boyfriend and her landlady, Lidia were all going for a walk. I joined them, we never miss a walk opportunity. I had my light weight stroller today NOT my JEPP. so we started out on a beatn path and this path went on and on and on... Story made short we walked close to 5 Kilometers. mostly on rocky roads. Jacob had fun and enjoyed his MILKSHAKE as he ate while we walked on the ROCKY ROADS. After getting back we had coffee at Lidia's and these little sweet snacks, they are the custome treat before fasting begins here in Italy, somekind of fried dough with powdered sugar. I felt we deserve dthem after the walk plus my morning workout.

Annie- if i keep this up the size 8 slacks will need taken in:) go ME
We are invited to go agian Monday but we havent decided because Jacob usually goes to the babysitter.

Saturday: Jacob and i attended another basketball game at the high school. He loved it and got a huge kick out of the clapping and cheering that went on, since he can join in now he DOES. After the game we had lunch with Tiana, Brian and Kennedy, who are all back from the states now. Jacob chewed on a french fry.

NOW THE MOST EXCITING NEWS- OUR FIRST CRUISE!!!
All day Jacob seemed for interested in trying to pull him self to standing, well he fell a few times but he is learning, so anyway after dinner Paolo came over to visit and we were in the kitchen he had Jacob by the hands in standing position and was encouraging him to walk. WELL he did, holding on of course but usually we are moving his legs for him, Nope this time he was actually taking steps!!! i got it on film but i have no idea how to use a video camera on this so i wont be able to post it. the only bad thing out of this situation is i kept thinking "it should have been Josh holding his hands" Just a few more weeks
i suppose we'll get ready to leave now, Church starts in 5 minutes but we'll be late, hope J isnt to cranky!

Alive and Well

I'm forgiven

Because you were forsaken

I'm accepted You were condemmed,

I'm alive and well

Your Spirit is within me

Because you died and rose again.

Jacob and i had an amazing morning, Starting to rustle around 6:30 and since i tossed and turned all night i just could'nt get up, so i gave him his bottle and put him back to sleep, Not until 8:45 did i get up and get my shower before he woke back up. AHHHHHH how refreshing!

Served breakfast, we have been introduced to Weetabix, an English kinda granola biscut. Add water or milk and fruit YUMM. or at least Jacob thinks so, Mom has'nt tried it yet but it looks great. The since the sun was shining and i was actually warm with my vest Jacob got to play in his playpen on the balcony AGAIN. Lets hope this weather isnt just a tease:)

Off to playgroup what a joy it was so many babies today all from ages 8 mths-1 year. Laughing and screeching!!!

After playgroup we met, Shari Capelli one of the only other wives stationed here with me, she sat with Jacob while i got my hair cut FIANLLY, in the near future, color will be added something i've never done before~ GET READY~ Jacob slept through lunch and then we headed home.

We stopped in at Rose's she had friends over and they just loved Jacob" bello" and "grande" were words used to describe him, beautiful and tall.

UPDATES:

After a week of practicing, Jacob is a full blown clapper!! he loves to do it and when he gets a response from a crowd he kinda gets shy but then joins in.

Wavign bye-bye is coming along, he does it first thing in the morning i guess waving Hello!!!

CIAO FOR NOW

Cheese Please

What a blessed day,
Today started out crazy, we had to get Diamond to the groomer, and then off to meet Emma and the twins to go search the market for some yummy cheese and i wanted a new apron. So we met them at her house-Yes i found it all by myself, another amazing accomplishment, after the girls were ready we headed to base and parked, we though we'd walk to the market, sinc ethe rian finally stopped;for now anyway. We bought some cheese, the kind in season right now is soaked in grapes/wine of some kind i had it once before and liked it so i ordered it in ITALIAN "Mezzo Kilo" Grazie!!!! Translation HALF a KILO, couldnt find an apron so we headed back to our cars.

Back to pick up Diamond, and then Jacob and i had lunch at the bx.
We then went and bought 2 little baby items for 2 ladies at PWOC who just had babies. It's the 6th for one of the ladies GOD BLESS HER, and keep Loretta and Nathan in your prayers, baby nathan was born with part of his bladder outside his body, he was transported to Treieste alocal hospital and just imagine how frighting that must be. I pray that Jacob will hold off on the dare devil stuff until daddy is home and even till we are in the states. Not sure i am ready to ask How Many Stitches, in Italian.

Speaking of Daddy- We have R & R dates, the date he was givne i beleive is when he will go to the airport to get a flight, the flight could be that night or 2 dyas later, lets hope sooner then later. I wont say the exact date but he will be home in time fo rus to attend Miss Kennedy's 3rd Birthday as well as our resort vacation in Germany- dates the 9th-12th- Like i said What A Blessed Day:)
Love
J & J

Baby Neptune is BACK!!!

Monday Mornings with J & J

up at 7am today after a nice long night and a hefty dinner last night, do i dare say the eating wars are over? Jacob ate a whole grilled cheese minus the crust, a jar of pears/pinapple and half a jar of apples/chicken mixed with cottage cheese, all this for dinner last night. he also guzzled his lunch a bottle at the sitter today. Jacob goes on mondays and tuesdays to Mrs. Kim's house for 2 hours, i go to the gym and do some errands.

Jacob made his first REAL mess in his room, he was sitting by his bookshelf while i was getting his bath ready and he proceded to pull ever last book off of the bottom shelf. SEE PHOTO- look closley at the grin on his face.

Toy Replacment- I realize jacob doesnt give 2 hoots if a toy goes missing or breaks, however i seem to feel the need to replace it. Examples: Jacobs music on the go from Grandpa- went missing right before we came home, i hadnt let him paly too much with it- i was saving it for the plan ride, well it went missing and so grandpa replaced it for us, while we were home my friend here in italy ended up finding it in the church nursery, second example Jacobs first friend-SEE PHOTO- this toy we wore out, yes in just oh -5 months, i would say we totally wore out baby Neptune, however we recieved a new one TODAY after being added to the waitng list at Toys R Us.com! He just loved it so much when we changed his diaper etc.. i couldnt resist getting another one.

Tantrum- Jacob was having a fussy part of his day, i craddled him in my arms to try and relax him and he literally kicked his feet and screeched :( no cuddles for mommy.

I felt so good after picking J up at the sitter, she really loves having him but today she was so nice and complemented me on what a happy baby he is, now i feel i have both cute and happy but i feel like being told your child seems so happy is way better a compliment then "soooo cute" it just warmed my heart to know someone realizes what a job this is and thinks i am doing a good job at it.

Off to prepare dinner, we are trying chicken and noodles YUMM-O

GOODNIGHT FAM AND FRIENDS

venturing out

Hello all and happy groundhog day.

The weather is at us again here in Italy, after 2 days of crucial fog we now have rain, we are all hoping it wont last as long this time. However i ave seen some places starting to sell the first of their spring plant sand flowers, Rose and her landlady bought some, i am feeling pretty jealous. Soon enough however my balcony will be covered with geraniums again, NO Petunias!!!

So we had a wonderful night Jacob slept until 5:55am when he woke up he was still acting crancky so i fed him his bottle in his dark ,warm room and he slept again until 8 am. Since we were having a good morning we had our breakfast and then got ready to venture out to Pordenone ALONE. This is big for us since i never make it past Casa Del Cane "house of the dog" for Diamonds gromming appts. So we were on our way yes even in the rain, to search out my light bulbs and a new computer chair. Mission complete, i found the place just fine-i've been there at least 5 times just never alone, It's connected to a big toy store and so of course i had to browse and ende up buying J a bath toy, they had lots of outside toys for the summer i am going to contemplate over.
We could not find replacment bubls for my night lights so i had to buy different night lights- all is well we just can put our decorative fixtures on them. I found a computer chair as well. Hooray for Jacob and I, He did through a little tantrum and managed to kick of his shoes and socks. Just sleepy i guess.
Once back home we went for a visit to Paolo's, Jacob has become quite fond of him, maybe because he has been off of work all week and has visited often. He's very interested in making sure Paolo's face has all it's parts; nose, eyes, ears. He seems to want to touch him constantly.


While we're thinking about it
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT ASHLEY AND NOAH -Feb 4th and 6th!!! Uncle Matt, Noah, J and Aunt Ashley at xmas

What a big boy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACOB, 8 months old yesterday!!!!!!!!

I have been putting my food process to use these days, making fresh babyfood, it's it time consuming but a great way to use up the fruit that i can't seem to eat! Jacob doesnt seem to perfer it over the jar food but has enjoyed my apple/pearsauce and squash!

I have also made mixed vegetable and carrots, didnt seem thrilled with the carrots but he is a very textile boy and carrots are hard to breakdown so they were more gritty then the jar kind.

I will try to post video tonight i promise, last night kinda got away from me. I bought a new book to read now with my down time in the evening so i went to bed early to start that, "The Misadventures of a Military Wife" purley entertainment, Laine and Tiana i'll lt ya know if it's worth a laugh.