Jack Jack turns 2!

Besides birthing my children, there is nothing more that I love doing than celebrating their birthdays! I love to celebrate in general, and birthdays are a really special to me. Plus, having kids I find I no longer have as many creative outlets, so I tend to really enjoy putting together themed parties! Enter Jackson turning 2! We decided to go for an airplane theme, since Jack Jack loves anything that has wheels - semis (he calls them prime, as in Optimus), trains, and planes (which living near the airbase he regularly informs me when he hears a plane passing over the house) Plus I found a really great airplane cake idea online! Jack is such a fun loving kid, loves to make people laugh, and is always good for whatever is going down.

On his birthday we decided to take the boys to Regina, their favorite place to go. I know, horribly sad, but if it makes them happy. First we set up this silly streamer and balloon wall for Jack to see when he first woke up. He and Linc loved to run through it. Then we gave him his gift, which was this loud and obnoxious fire truck called Smokey. It's pretty much a toy fire truck on drugs. It sings, dances, shoots balls and apparently says 95 different sayins. But he loved it. Then it was time to go to Regina. First we took the boys to the museum. They liked it, mostly enjoyed being able to run around freely. Jack was definitely terrified of the mechanical T-rex, and Lincoln wouldn't even go in the same room as it, but I think they had fun. Then we had a ton of errands to run for the business and for Jack's party. So we hauled them around and Jack missed his nap, which made for a very crazy afternoon! We got home very late, and I wasn't feeling well so I had a nap while Stephen played with the boys. We then sang Happy Birthday to our little man and put him to bed.

For his birthday party we had so much fun! We invited Great Grandma + Great Grandpa Siggelkow, my Uncle Brent + Aunty Cheryl, Mike + Debby, Aunty Elise, Uncle Luke, Aunty Emily, Uncle Braden + Aunty Nina and cousins Ezra, Francesca, Cosette, Marcy + Dwight with Gabby +Amara, Brent + Janice and their son Soren. It was a packed basement. We let the kids play and adults talk. We ate food and laughed at the kids. We then opened gifts, ate cake and called it a day! The kids are still so young doing any type of organized activity. Jack loved it when everyone sang. I know because he got all bashful and shy. He actually started acting shy for the first time at his birthday party. I do mean literally acting - he is such a ham!

January - March

Ok, so far my resolution to summarize monthly what has been happening has well, not been happening. But that's ok, because I'm going catch up! We have had fairly normal life going on. We had planned on building this year out on the farm, but that fell through due to sub division taking too long and the cost of developing the land to build on. We have all been sick far too much and it seemed to just cycle through the family. But I think we have finally got everyone healthy again. So as I flip through our shockingly limited number of photos from January, February + March I am reminded that the boys started to be friends, continued to have baths, Jack tried his hand at painting and LOVES IT, Jack also discovered how to put the train tracks together by himself. We enjoyed very few days in the snow, and cheered Stephen on at paintball!

Goals for 2012

As I was holding Lincoln as he fell asleep tonight in his room, I was relishing the moment. Even though part of me want to slip away after less than a minute of cuddling, to get to who knows what, thankfully the smarter part of me told myself to relax. To relish. To be present. And it was bliss. 3 1/2 year olds are amazing, and I hope someway that I can always have one in my life. But as I was laying there I decided to add one more goal, to an already lengthy list for 2012.
Here is my current list of goals:
::To launch a new product I have been working on since November
::To begin my Doula training
::To strengthen my core in preparation for the next baby
::To pay off Stephen's student loan
::To finish our house reno's
::To blog 1 -2 times a month, including pictures and then to print the blog in book form by the time Linc is 5 (14 months away)

I don't think I have ever entered a year with so much anticipation. Maybe its my age, maybe its having 2 little ones, maybe its feeling like we are slowly gaining some momentum. Whatever it is, I'll take it.

Could life get any sweeter?

Although business has been slow lately for Stephen, life has been busy for us as a family, and for me personally. On top of babysitting 3 kids twice a week I decided to try my hand at being a Pampered Chef Demonstrator. It has been way more work than I anticipated, but I just had my first show last night and it went great! I look forward to doing a few more before Christmas, and hopefully it will carry into the new year. I also have been designing a new organizational product, but it's still in its baby stage so mum's word. I also started teaching the 2-5yr olds at church. Even though some days my plate is too full, I have been enjoying having a few things to truly call my own, and look forward to a little bit of extra income!

The boys are incredible. Truly. We are so blessed to have 2 obedient, adorable, intelligent boys! In the last few months they have really become friends and even better for me, play mates! Just today I observed Jackson as he carefully pushed his train around the train track. I don't know when he started being able to do that, but it is amazing to watch. They fight, a lot, but nothing outside the normal brotherly spats. I'm not sure how many times a day I yell from a different room "Boys, stop fighting!"

I recently had Jackson at his 18 month immunizations, and to my dismay he had only gained 1 lb in 6months (weighing in at 18lbs). He is our little Jack-Jack, coming in below the 3 percentile. We are going to take him into the Dr to get further testing done, but the Health nurse didn't seem overly concerned. I pray for him every night, that he would start to grow. He weighs as much as his 6month old cousin, Elias! It is a kick having them together.

Lincoln is growing quite a bit lately, I was surprised to put on his size 3 clothing the other day and to find it is getting too small in the arms and the legs! I thought I would get a bit more time out of this size, but hey, that's ok would rather he be growing too much!

Jackson's vocabulary has slowly started to bloom this last month. He likes to say "thank you" which sounds like "day doo". He can say "ko-ko" which is one of the trains on his favorite cartoon, Chuggington. And his Uncle Chris just taught him to say, "Arruga". Another useful word! :) Jackson has no problems saying "mom", in fact he literally yells at me when he wants something, usually in the kitchen. He always starts at a regular volume but quickly escalates into full on yelling, no matter if I am right beside him or not! "Mom. Mom! MOM! MOM!MOM!MOM!" "Jackson! Stop yelling at me!" We have this back and forth several times a day. Probably about 6 weeks ago Jack said his first sentence! We were lying in bed, having morning snuggles, when Stephen came to say goodbye. Jackson took out his soother and said, "Dada go work." Our jaws literally dropped and we didn't say anything because we were so shocked! Then we started laughing, and I said "Yes, Jack! Dada go to work!" And he started smiling so big, so proud that we understood him!

Lincoln is really surprising me lately with how much he is retaining when we read books. Just for kicks one night I started reading part of a sentence but then would pause to see if he could fill it in - and I was shocked when he could, over and over and over again through out the book! Definitely time to start getting some memory versus going!

Jackson loves it when we pray at dinner time, it is so precious. If I am busy dishing up the boy's plates, Jack will sit to the left of me and hold his right hand out on the table until I hold it and we say grace. He always loves to say 'amen!" at the end (even though he can only say 'men' so far). Such a smart little cookie.

We took the boys Trick or Treating this year. I have decided that I love Halloween. I know its a controversial subject within the Christian Community, but you try taking your 3 1/2 year old Optimus Prime and your 1 1/2 year old Turtle from door to door in your community and see if you don't start to love it as well! Lincoln loved it so much, after several houses he would say "Mom, I love trick or treats!" or "Mom, I love you.", as he would snuggle in beside me. He also would say randomly "Mom, I love Nana! (my mom) Nana is so cool and nice!" We had a little incident when we were out. After one house, Lincoln was really excited and said "Oh god! Oh crap!" This had been the first time we have heard Lincoln say oh god. So we both just stopped, and I knelt down and explained to him that we don't ever say that because it makes God and Jesus sad, and it hurts their feelings. But not wanting to come down too hard on him, as Lincoln is a pretty sensitive kid, I said it was ok to say "oh crap" Well after some thought Lincoln turns to me and says "I say oh Crap! That make God happy?"

Jackson lately has taken a real liking to this one cartoon, Chuggington. Its a English train cartoon, and all the trains have these adorable British accents. Thankful it is one of the few cartoons that I can stand! Plus its only 10 minutes long, so I don't mind him watching a few episodes through out the day. He is so precious, when he wants to watch it (which is quite often) he will go find the remote, bring it to me (usually yelling MOM!). And I say, "Jack would like to watch Chuggington?" which is usually met with a grunt - which means yes in Jack Jack. So I say "Say Ko-ko!" And he replies "Ko-KO". So I put it on, and he gets so excited and bounces to the music. It's the only cartoon he will watch, but he sure loves it!

Well, I said I would only blog for 20 minutes, and then I would go to bed, and I am 5 minutes over! So, could life get any sweeter? Even though life is really beautiful right now, I know that yes, it will get sweeter! And that is what is so amazing about life with kids :) (Well, my kids anyways!)

I have a blog? I HAVE A BLOG!

I have a blog???....... Crap, I HAVE A BLOG! Was exactly my thought process when I was skimming over my FB profile information. So I jumped over and was saddened to see I hadn't posted all summer, 3 months! There has been loads to write about, memories to capture, stories to tell, but I guess I have been too busy living life, but more importantly enjoying life with these boys of mine! Summer has been busy, gloriously busy! And beautiful, hello! So many days that were 30+ or more, definitely loved it. Wow, not even sure if I can remember what we all did! Well, summer started with Stephen's brother and his wife and their 3 kids coming from Kansis City.

They were supposed to be staying a month but ended up staying three months! Lincoln really enjoyed having 2 cousins around that he played with frequently. Even though sometimes he really didn't want to go play, so interesting watching different personalities interact and learn to play together!

June was full of celebrations. We celebrated by Grandfather's 77th birthday.

We also celebrated my sister-in-law Elise's graduation, it was great to have the entire Dombowsky Family together for that event!

We also was able to catch the Moose Jaw Parade, as it was going on at the exact same time as the graduation ceremony, and since the ceremony was too boring for the kids, we took them out and watched the parade until it was Aunty Elise's turn to walk across the stage. How great it that!

And then we also celebrated the three youngest Dombowsky kids (Emily, Luke, and Elise) decision to be baptized by water! Oh, and how can I forget that I took Lincoln on his first train ride at the Western Development Museum here in Moose Jaw. Its not a full size train, but he loved it non the less.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from June, since its easier to upload a few photos then to write a whole bunch of pesky words! :) Enjoy!

Jackson, did you know? (@ 15months)

Jackson, did you know that you only allow us to read you one book at night? "Dogs" - it is your favorite, with the big pages and fuzzy dogs through out. We have tried to read other ones to you but you quickly squirm out of Dad's lap and find your book saying "dog, dog" (well maybe not so clear, but we get it!) And you usually like it read twice. Did you also know that you love to drink coffee? It is your favorite, and your dad sneaks it to you often! Whenever we go to starbucks you make sure we are aware of your presences in the back seat until someone has relinquished their frapp to you. You are never eager to surrender it back! You also, at 15 months, have no interest what so ever in walking! We like to stand you against the couch or the coffee table and then step back a few feet and begin to make total fools out of ourselves trying to convince you to walk to us. You think about it, then with your decision made you get this goofy smile on your face, drop to your knees and boogey over as quickly as possible! We quickly place you back, but this time you don't even think about it, your legs just crumble beneath you and away you go. But you know what? We don't mind at all. We love that you are doing things your own way. Your dad looks at you, usually after you have done something very clever, and comments on how smart you are. We are very excited to see where you will go, who you will become. You are a momma's boy through and through. Somedays it can be exhuasting, but most days I revel in it! Whenever we take you to grandma + grandpa dombowsky's, so mom and dad can go on a date, I always return to the news that you did so great. That after 8:30pm (your bed time) you had to be held the whole time, each family member taking a turn. That you worked so hard NOT to cry, even as the evening wore on and you became more and more exhausted. You always hang in there. Such a resilient little guy! You are getting blonder and blonder as the summer goes on. Breaks my heart... well not really, but I was really hoping for a brunette!
Did you know that at 15 months you have the most beautiful eyes? We can't go anywhere without someone commenting on how big they are or blue they are. You are just all around cute!
Did you also know you are very very very patient? In a weird way, I may have your brother to thank for that! He is pretty rough on you, I guess we could call it brotherly love. But you rarely fuss and have yet (even though I know it won't be long) to retaliate.
You also love to go for car rides, especially with your dad. In fact, just a few days ago we were all in the kitchen. Your dad said, "Lincoln I'm going to the bank, would you like to come with me?" You, over hearing this, quickly as your little knees would carry you to your dad, climbed up his legs, pulling at his pants, making a loud protest, "I WANT TO GO!" Is what we were sure you were saying. Well, instead of making your father try to juggle both of you, we all climbed into the jeep, just so you could go along!
We love you dearly Jack, you add so much to our family!

Jack-Jack's first step-step

It has been a long time coming, but Jackson took his first step tonight! It was a complete step followed by a full body collapse, amazing non the less! He is 14 1/2 months, which is super late for taking steps, standing, walking, all that fun stuff, but we don't mind the least bit. He is just starting to stand (where as his cute little friend Gabby (10mos) has been standing for quite some time!). Lincoln was similar, start walking at 15 months, but within his 3rd time trying he was walking 15 or more steps, so I am sure Jack will be the similar. Jack has also started nodding yes. It really helps in trying to communicate with him, as he doesn't say any words. So knowing he can give me a legit answer with the bobble of his head is awesome. He is still really cuddly and such a momma's boy. He loves to give little hugs, and regularly gives me 2 little pats on my back when I scoop him up out of his crib. He has started to love ice cream, and loudly protests anytime we get ice cream cones and do not hand him his very own. Jack also started climbing up our slide we have in our basement, something that Lincoln just learned to do this year. Jack has a real musical bone in him - he loves music and always bops away and thrashes his hands around to the radio. His favorite toys are our piano table, play guitar and play microphone. He adores them!

Lincoln is doing really well with potty training (finally!). If we are home he is fully trained, even though he gets distracted when playing outside and still has troubles making the dash to the potty! His vocabulary is expanding all the time, forming full sentences! "What are you doing there, daddy?" He just said as he hopped onto the couch to check out what Stephen is playing on the iphone. He has a Dinosaur floor puzzle that he loves and can do all by himself. He doesn't really take interest in counting, or learning how to spell his name, but we still try and pound it into him! He recently has been introduced to 'bad guys' by his cousins ezra and francesca. So now he likes to find his nerf gun and 'kill the bad guys!" so cute. Since Stephen has been doing paintball, fixing guns has become a regular occurance at our house. Well Lincoln loves gun fixing night, and has claimed the largest paintball gun as his own, and insists on sleeping with it. His latest obsession is race cars! He loves pointing out race cars as we drive "OH! MOM! RACE CAR!" (as the red cavalier drives past!) and he loves buying race cars "IDEA! Go superstore, buy race car! YEA!" and he loves playing race cars! We are taking Linc to Cars 2 this summer for his first move at the theatre! Lincoln also loves playing soccer in the backyard. He places the ball about 8 feet from the net. Stands up, claps his hands. Kicks the ball into the net. Runs, and kicks it, while in the net, so it hits the back of the net. Throws is hands in the air, commences running while yelling "SCORE!" Ah, priceless!
The boys are awesome, and we are loving watching them grow!