Jacob: 4 Years

Jacob's birthday posts were so fun and long that I didn't have much room to comment on all that he is doing. Today was his 4 year check up and so I think this is a great time to fill everyone in on the wonderful world of Jacob.

These have been four fun years. He is still the sweetest boy I know. He is such a nice boy, he is always happy, and always excited to meet people. He is funny and has a great sense of humor too. He still has lots of hugs and kisses for us and loves his family and friends. He and Paige get along really well, with normal spats here and there. But he genuinely loves and cares for his sister. When she makes sad choices he is sad for her. Even when it is a sad choice at his expense. And I can't tell you how much he loves baby Eli. He is so good with him too. Always gentle and never misses a chance to give him a kiss or a hug. It is really sweet to watch.

He is a Daddy's Boy. He wants to do anything and everything he can with Daddy. I find the times he wants me over Daddy are times when he is hurt or really tired. Every night Travis puts him to bed and they pray and talk about Jacob's day. Travis ends with saying" I love J-A-C-O-B." (Spelling out his name.) And Jacob repeats back: 'I love T-R-A-V-I-S." It's so fun.

He finished his first school year and had a great review from his teachers. He is in PPCD (Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities) and has an Individual Education Program designed for his needs. His IEP last year had goals and action plans laid out for him and was designed to watch for regression of skills that might indicate a bigger problem. Depending on how much you remember about Jacob, he had a severe speech delay that halted his development by months. We saw several specialists and he was given a label of "Suspicion of Autism" diagnosis. Meaning he was too young to really be able to tell and he needs more time to see where his development goes. Doctors, therapists, his school, and his parents are all partnering together to help Jacob and find out if it's just delays or a diagnosis. His year at PPCD was going to help fill in gaps of where he fell on the spectrum if he even was on the spectrum. He had an education program mapped out, a special ed program mapped out, and an autism plan mapped out. Basically, he was in good hands.
We were so blessed and completely blown away with all that his school year gave him last year. His teachers were wonderful and the program was fantastic. He achieved all his goals and was praised not only for his class work but also for his peer interaction. He loved all his classmates and has a genuine care for their well being. It was wonderful to hear the praises. And, they never had to implement anything from the autism plan. He never regressed. He only excelled.
He also sees his developmental pediatrician this coming month and I am excited to hear her feed back on his progress too. All that to say, while it is looking good for his suspicion of autism, I constantly remind myself that Jacob is and always has been exactly who God made him. Whenever I would get anxious about Jacob's development or a label I remembered Psalms 139: 13-14- " For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." AMEN! I will be ready to rule out or accept whatever label a doctor or school needs to give him, and in the mean time I am thankful for his progressing development and the hard work he has done.

Jacob is still very smart. Delay aside, we never questioned his intellect. He loves spelling and is always asking how do you spell this or that. He loves puzzles and is very good at them. Check out this 100 piece puzzle he did all by himself tonight.So proud.He loves movies and likes to recite their lines at random times. He uses them appropriately too. Which depending on the line is not always a polite thing.

He is doing wonderful with speech and OT. He is ready to be released from OT and he is at his peer level with speech. A huge praise and improvement from his "severe delay" diagnosis he got when we started two years ago.

He is very active. Loves running, climbing, just about everything a playground has to offer.

We are working on food, and I will say it's getting better. He still doesn't have the biggest appetite and that's okay.

His allergies have improved and we are hoping that one day as an adult he will be nut allergy free. But in the mean time still no PB & J and we keep an epi-pen with us at all times. Thankfully we have never used it.

His doctor stats today were: Height- 43 inches (95%) (Yes! He can ride Soarin' at Disney now!) Weight- 39.75 lbs (80%). He had to get 4 shots and it was very sad. Not a fun check-up at all.

He still loves his trains and can name them all and spell most of them.

I could go on and on but will wrap it up with how thankful we are to be his parents. We love him SO much and could not imagine a world without Jacob. Our Buddy. Our sweet boy.

Fridge Fun

Eli is up on his knees now, crawling everywhere. I plopped him in front of the fridge tonight and he loves the fridge magnets. I can't help but laugh at how plump my little baby is. I just love it. There is so much of him to love!

Playing Wii

Uncle Daniel and Uncle Connor were over for the day and showed the kids how to play Paper Mario on the Wii. It was hit!
I love how darn cute he is!

Super Jacob

Jacob got a super hero cape for his birthday from his teacher and we all think it's really cool. Jacob will ask: "Mama! Where's my super cape?" and then will run around once he has it on. It's "Super" cute. He completed his look today. He came in and declared he was "Dynaguy" (from The Incredibles) and had his cape, 3D goggles, and his camo rain boots! It was really cute- I mean Super Cool! ;)
I love the J on the back!

New Ride

Eli discovered the car today and it's his new favorite place to play. I have to sit right by him though since he is still not ready for this toy.Sissy coming over to play on top of the car made it even more fun!

Nose Dive

Jacob took a nose dive today on the driveway and his face skidded on the concrete. Amazingly, his skin wasn't scrapped bad (this picture doesn't show it as much as it showes in person) and there was no blood, especially considering how fast he fell. But, his glasses are all scratched and needing new lenses, and his nose, lips, and chin all got roughed up too. It was sad and he cried a lot. We are all better now after a cartoon. He still looks cute to me. :)

7 Months Old

Sweet Eli turned seven months old today. This is one of my favorite ages. He is just scrum-diddly-umptus!He has started reaching for Daddy. It was a fun game we would play with him up to this month where he would be excited to see Travis but didn't want to leave my arms, where as he always would reach out to be in my arms. But now, he reaches out and wants to be taken by Daddy.He is so good. He is finally sleeping through he night. (Can I get an Amen?) We are very thankful for that. He is doing well on baby foods and has a set feeding schedule we can depend on.
I would guess he is 25 pounds, maybe just past it. We tossed the jumpie seat a few weeks ago since he went past the weight limit, and I think he misses it. He will still get jumping in our arms if we help him. But he is so heavy that we can't last that long.I have been meaning to take a picture of this for a while too. I love it when they eat their feet.He can also give himself a pacey which is very helpful.He is very active. Moving everywhere. He still hasn't pushed up on his knees for a full crawl, but he has no problem getting around with his army crawl. He's fast too. The video he is slow and smiling at me, but believe me, he can book it.He still loves his Jacob and Paige. Smiles so big for them. It's fun to watch them all play with the toys together.I love this picture of Paige and had to include it.He takes two set naps but will also fall asleep for a car ride longer than ten minutes. It has always lulled him right to sleep. He is great at putting himself to sleep too. We think he has had the easiest time learning to put himself to sleep out of our three babies. Praise God!He still has a slight torticollis on his neck. He is so big and strong that it is really hard for me to hold him in a good stretch. But his head is so nice and round and I just love to kiss and smell his head/hair all day long. I love his fuzzy blond hair. I never thought I would have a blond baby.Still no teeth, just like my other two. I don't expect that first tooth until around ten months. He went to the eye doctor last week partly from family history with Jacob and the other part because I have seen his eye crossing. So far he seems normal and the doctor will check him again in a year.Yesterday was a big day- it was his first time in church nursery. It was harder for me, especially since he didn't cry and did great, but we did it together. I hope he stays easy at drop off b/c we have had the hardest time with Paige.He is not taking prevacid anymore. It wasn't an easy process and I didn't think it was helping. I think his spitting up is better. I have found that just keeping him in his high chair as long a possible after a meal (bottle or food) is the best. So that's what we try to do. Some days he hardly spits up and others it is more.
What can I say...I think he is perfect. So fun and lovable. Just delicious.

Zach is Here!!!

We are so thrilled! Zach had some free time this weekend, so we brought him up. He has to go home Sunday night but we are enjoying every minute with him.

Seems Like Old Times

Our friend Sid, from way back when, came over for dinner tonight. It was good to see him and hang out like old times. I have been friends with Sid for probably 8 years now. Travis and Sid were roomies when I met Travis, and Sid was a HUGE part in the two of us getting time together before dating and falling in love. Fun times!
We propped the camera to get a group pic. Is it just me or do Eli's eyes look crossed in this picture???The rest of the pictures were all taken by Sid: Jacob finally got to open his 3D TS3 sidewalk chalk set with 3D glasses.