And Then There Was Chase - Assnots

Chase is into rockets and moons and spaceships and blast offs.

What makes us giggle is that he calls the people in the spaceships  ASSNOTS..
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And Then There Was Chase - You Looooooove Sausages

So we were all driving in the car, and RJ and I were discussing the weekly meals and what to get for groceries.

In the back, we realized that we heard a whispered chant from Chase.

"sausages.  sausages.  sausages.  sausages.  sausages.  sausages."

The Zoe Chronicles - Not going to win the "Mother of the Year" award

Dear Zoe,

Today, Mommy and Daddy were so proud of you. You rode your pedal bike for the first time. AND you rode it like a pro. Push, push, pedal, pedal, whhhhhhhhhhhhizzzzzz! Woohoo! We freaked out. You know, sometimes you amaze even yourself.

Naturally, I videoed the whole thing. Video after video after video. Of you riding your bike like an expert. I mean, YOU'RE FOUR YEARS OLD. You rock.

We even got a video or two of our second child.

THEN.

When we came home from the park, I wanted to watch the videos I just took. I realized in horror that everytime I thought I was pressing "Record" I was actually pressing stop. Which means I have a lot of footage of the side of my jeans and the ground. There was even one amusing anecdote where I dropped RJ's phone and I said "Well, good thing there was a cover on his phone". Yup, that one will be played at our 50th anniversary party for sure.

We made you go back out to the park just so I could video it again. But, it was without all the whoops and hollars of the original.


Alas, Zoe, I'm sorry. Very sorry.

And I call my self an IT expert.
Humpf.

Love,
Mommy
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The Zoe Chronicles - Such Humour!

So, RJ and the kids pick me up after work each day at 4.35.

One day last week I was running late, and when I got into the car, Zoe said

"FIIIIINALLY! I thought we were going to have MILK AND STORIES at your work"

And then she giggled.

And so did we.

Our Annual (albeit belated) Holiday Greeting

2011 has come and gone in a flash, it’s time to try to remember what made it so good!

The most important of all……………. I cooked my VERY FIRST TURKEY. I know. GASP. Shock and awe. When RJ and I got married, I told him “I’ll never cook a turkey”. He still married me. I suppose he knew better. (about the turkey, not about marrying me)

January found us camping on Rottnest Island, our favourite summer retreat. However, after one night, we were evacuated from the island because of some impending cyclone. Yeah, it never showed up.

April was RJ’s first international getaway without the wife and kids in tow. RJ went to Bali with
his friend Jer and they had a blast. Jer was trying to get RJ out of the water to drink and RJ was trying to get Jer into the water to surf.

In August, I took my first “sibling only” trip to Las Vegas. Shopping by day and gambling by night. After day 2 I had to ask RJ to send more money. He did. In this same trip, I got to meet my wee
nephew William, Ryan and Karilynn’s beautiful baby boy. What a cutie! Was missing my family though… wish they could have met him too!

May to November was the longest, coolest, rainiest, darkest, blistery winter yet. I suppose one bad
winter in 7 years is not so bad at all. If you're wondering, I survived.

I was made a permanent employee with Chevron in October (where I was previously contracting for a year) and am still enjoying my ITrole with them.

So, the family recap…

Zoe:
Loves school – was in a preschool 2 mornings a week and loved it. Keeps asking when school
starts again. She’ll be starting Kindy in February. She loves adventure. You know those big scary rides at amusement parks? That’s right. My 4 year old loves them. I can’t watch. And, she loves her babies. Kaitlin and Imogen. She lugs them everywhere.

Chase:
My tough little man. Loves sausages and shoes. And splashing and swimming in pools. You can
actually swim for a bit which is crazy because you’re only 2.

We love your language, it cracks us up.
Mirmiss = Christmas
Bitch = Jeep
Woe = Zoe
Booboo = Beru, his favourite bear
Melmo = Elmo
Wawages = Sausages
Ooze = Shoes


RJ:
Discovered he’s a wakeboarding expert. Never had one lesson but could dance on the waves like a pro. Still loving his stay at home dad gig. Well, because, let’s face it, all he does all day is play.



We hope this letter finds you all well and happy.

Be kind to yourselves this year, and don’t be a “jeep” to others.

Visit us if you can.


Love,
The Jacobsens
RJ, Andrea, Zoe and Chase
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Dear Blog, it's me, Andrea.

A body at rest will stay at rest. So, that's why I haven't blogged for a long time. I have the LAWS OF PHYSICS working against me.

Lots has happened in the last couple of months. These are the highlights.

Chase:

You love shoes. YOU. LOVE. SHOES. You love your green dinosaur crocs and if we try to help you put them on you chuck a wobble. You love putting Zoe's shoes on. If she tries to take them from you, you chuck a wobble. You put my boots on. You look silly. But, you don't care.

You love meat. YOU. LOVE. MEAT. It's pretty much all you want to eat. I remember not long ago I was freaking out that you were turning out to be a vegetarian (let's face it, they're all weird) but phew, that phase is over. We picked you up from daycare one Friday and the girl there said "Boy, Chase sure likes his sausages. He had about 6 or 7." I informed her that we try to cut him off at 2. No one that's less than 2 feet tall should eat 7 sausages. Ever.

You're still albino. White hair, blue eyes, pale skin. I still cut your hair and do a marvelous job each time.

You love your cars. You don't do anywhere without cars in your hands. Usually hotwheels, or the "neenoo" which is the ambulance, or "kachow" which is Lightening McQueen. You drive them on my couch, you drive them on me, you drive them all over. It's a one track mind. Until you're 14 of course. Then you'll be into video games. Ha.


Zoe:

You are such a lovely little lady. You are polite. You are a good conversationalist. You don't like it when it's "too quiet" in the car. We tell each other stories and I love hanging out with my little mini-me. You still like to tell everyone you see that "I'm a big girl, I'm FOUR YEARS OLD". And apparently you told the termite inspector that you sleep with 5 animals, not 6, and not your baby because she's too hard, and not that baby because it makes noise. I'm sure he was riveted.

You are getting much more confident in your swimming lessons and you still love school. Dancing is a favourite of yours, and so we have "dance parties" in the lounge room all the time. I like this, well, because, I don't get to go clubbing anymore, so this is my replacement. Jumping and arm waving with my 4 year old to the Black Eyed Peas.

RJ:

Still enjoying the stay-at-home gig and had a surf trip to Bali with his friend Jer. Just recently built a most beautiful deck to which he exclaimed "After 3 long, hard, back-wrenching days building a deck… I'd rather watch the kids!".

Andrea:

I had a blast on my sibling trip to Vegas. It was just my sister and brother and I in the city that doesn't sleep. Shopping by day, gambling by night. My visa keeled over and told me she had a headache, but I gave it a couple ibuprofen and off we went!! After just a couple days, RJ had to send me more money. I was "up" from all the gambling, but down down down from the shopping. Then off to Calgary to meet my wee nephew William, what a cutie!!

Am officially a permanent employee with Chevron (was previously contracting). If you are wondering what I do, I'm in IT (for Geosciences). That's all I ever tell non-industry people. RJ doesn't even know what I do. I think he always tells people "something with computers".

I plomise it won't be 4 months again until my next post. Especially since Halloween is coming up, so I'm sure there will be some scaaaary stories. Well, "Chase ate 9 sausages and barfed on the dog" scary, I'm sure.

Take care all.
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The Zoe Chronicles - not quite 4 yet

Dear Zoe,

NOTE: This post poops rainbows and unicorns, if gushy is not your thing, discontinue reading.

You're my little mini me. It's all about Mommy lately, and I'm loving this phase. You tell me all the time "I love you Mommy" and "I miss you when you're at work, Mommy" and once you even said "I love you more than Daddy"… (Ha! Take that, RJ, you've been top dog too long)




We're joined at the hip and this couldn't please me more. We cuddle on the bed and tell each other stories. We cozy up together and go through my jewelry boxes. We go lunching and you are always the perfect date. You want to wear a jean skirt and black sweater, just like Mommy. And when I get home from work you screech and run into my arms. Frankly, I’m surprised they haven't produced a cheesy made for TV movie about us.

You've quoted your first movie. "It's a conspiracy, man" from Cars. Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more proud.

You sing along to songs in the car. Real songs by real bands (not just Wiggles and High Five, may they choke on their mikes)… and I love it. You sing them just like me. Off key and although you don't know all the words, that doesn't stop you from singing SOMETHING. Poor Daddy.

And now you join us in the "movie production company" game… when a movie starts rolling, you'll shout "Dreamworks!"… (it's the only one you know)




You get your gorgeous hair from Daddy (thank god, frizzy is never fashionable)
You get your singing voice from me (sorry kid)
You get your appetite from me (we go to parties for the food)
You get your height from… well, hey, wait a minute, hmmmm
You get your beautiful eyes and long lashes from Daddy
You get your superior intellect from me (antidisestablishmentarianism was your second word)
And when you want to wear green with orange and blue, that's your Dad coming through
Your wit and humour is all your own though, and it's sharp

Love you, my marvelous mini me,
Mommy bear

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Co-parenting with a 3 year old

Historically, if 3 year old Zoe is really misbehaving or not listening to us, we'll send her to the "bathroom" to think about things. We'll close both the doors for a couple minutes -- although we are usually waiting for her to apologise to someone, so if she doesn't, then she stays in for another couple of minutes.

Cole was playing with his hot wheels (tm). He had "vroomed" it on my coffee table to which I swiftly exclaimed "Cole... not on the table... only on the floor!".

Zoe then led Cole by the hand into the bathroom, closed both the doors and then went up to daddy to say "I just put Cole in the bathroom. He wasn't listening and was putting cars on the table. So he needs a couple minutes."

Thanks, Zoe, but I think we got the hang of this parenting thing.

Next, she'll be telling me which foods to feed him and which school he should go to. Actually, that would be helpful, it's a hard decision.

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Apparently sunsets are in the eye of the beholder

We were driving back from Freo at dusk and the sunset over the river (with King's Park in the background) was just beautiful.

Mommy: Wow, that is such a beautiful sunset.
Zoe: I don't like the sunset.
Mommy (in a mock-Zoe voice): I hate rainbows and puppy dogs.
Zoe: Oh, I like puppies.
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The Call Is Coming From Inside The House

Had a real live scary SCREAM movie moment last night.

RJ was in the bathroom shaving and I was on the couch watching TV. My mobile phone rang. I went to grab it and saw that it was RJ calling. All I could think of in a wraspy evil voice was "THE CALL IS COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE"... I got the shivers whilst answering it and only heard wierd noises on the other end. I walked through the dark house to get to the bathroom to find RJ.

This was all of course in slow motion.

But, big sigh of relief when found him clothed and shaving, his phone and wallet in his pocket, and it had inadvertently dialed my number.

His phone was stalking me.
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And Then There Was Cole - 22 months old

Dear Cole,

The 22 months have flown by… (ok, well it helps that I've blocked out the first 6 months due to sleep deprivation).

You are all about your bike. Bike. Bike. Bike. Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiikkkkkkkkkeeeeee. That's all we hear.

And, when you don't get to ride said bike, you will run screaming down the hallway and fling yourself on whatever you can find. Bed. Couch. Floor. Then you'll look back to see if we're watching. We're not.

Once, during "naked running baby", you bolted to the rug and peed. Officially, this makes you part dog.

You now say "love you". Or, really, it's "wub oo".

Cole, I can't stand how cute you are. But stop peeing on the rug. The last dog that did that ended up outside fulltime.

Wub oo!
Mommy bear

The Zoe Chronicles - 46 months, I think

Dear Zoe,

You've just announced you're pregnant. This is crazy fun because your 3 year old cousin Fiona is also pregnant. You're having the babies in September. You want to wait to have the babies after your 4th birthday in August. You're having 2 girls and 2 boys. You will name them after you have them.

The pregnancy is going well.

My girl, we're tickled pink! I'd love it if you have a big family! When I asked you if you're staying home with the babies or if you'll go to work you said "I'll stay at home with the babies and you can also watch them Mommy". Somehow I think that that means you'll be off shopping whilst I'm home with your screaming pooping 4 babies. I mean, my lovely grandchildren.

Congrats on the news Zoe!!

Sleep well now, dear, you'll know why come September!

xoxoxoxox
Mommy bear

My Personal Shopper

So, Zoe and I went for breakfast today for mother's day at a restaurant by the beach. JUST Zoe and I. Cole wasn't invited this year. It's not that Cole is a rotten kid, he's just work. Like going to the dentist. Not horrible. Just would rather not go.

And it was LOVELY. Zoe had the pancakes and I had my eggs benny. She was a lovely dining companion and we had a blast.

On our way home, we were driving by a mall and she said "I want to go to Karrinyup to look around". Me: "OK" (like it's hard to convince me to go shopping)

We went into David Jones and she said "I'll just go this way, and I'll meet you there". With her nose all crinkled and being serious, it was a classic moment.

Love you Zoe -- my little mini me.

And Then There Was Cole - 21months old

Dear Cole,

Well, you've had your first big boy injury. You tripped at the French doors and broke your fall with your face. On the bricks. And, to make matters worse, your dad was replacing the door knobs so there was wood chips and sawdust all over your face when you got up. Blood and wood chips -- you wore it like a man.

Just the other day, you climbed up the chair to the table trying to get a cracker. You pushed the chair back out from underneath you and dangled on the table for a millisecond. And then it came… the (what appears to be slow motion) slide backwards hitting your head on the chair on the way down. It stunned you and I was able to distract you out of it and nary a tear came from you. You're one tough little dude.

When you wake up the first thing you do is run to the basket of movies, pull it out, grab the "Cars" movie and say "piTOW, piTOW, PITOW!!". That's your catch phrase for "Kachow" like Lightening McQueen says. It's a love affair. I think you're also smitten with Sally, whom you affectionately call "YaYa".

You say a million words. Or, at least it feels that way since Zoe was a late talker and took some encouragement. You will try any and all words. Bumblebee (your favourite song), cookie, juice (although I don't know why this is one of your words, you've never had any) (to my knowledge) (maybe your dad is secretly feeding you juice and cookies for lunch), bus, truck, choo choo (you LOVE trains which is convenient since we live beside train tracks), water, up, nigh nigh, baby, push, wee (for swing or slide), out, bickie (for cracker), lellow (for yellow), the list goes on and on. And, you're starting to do two word sentences… last night you said "Love you!".

* Proof that the second born will always be SO FAR ADVANCED and MUCH MORE EASY GOING and TOUGHER and SILLIER than the first. He he he.

You've got a massive beer gut. It's obviously from all the juice and cookies that your dad is sneaking you. Or, it's because you are the biggest eater (you hold the record at 6 adult size sausages) but you don't seem to be getting taller. Just ROUNDER.

You run everywhere. No walking. Run down the hallway. Run into Zoe's room. Run to the table. Run outside. Run and trip out of the French doors, oops, we covered that.

You're tough like diamonds, so much more shiny and much more precious, we love you!
Mommy Bear


* Ok, busted, this comment is because your dad and I are the second born and OBVIOUSLY FABULOUS people…

The Zoe Chronicles - 3 and a half and a bit

Dear Zoe,

We were on our way to a friend's BBQ:

RJ: "Oh no, I forgot to get some drinks"
Zoe: "Don't worry Daddy, they'll have water at the party, I PROMISE"

We give you a two minute warning when we leave playgrounds, or friend's houses, etc. But now everything is two minutes with you:


"I love you Mommy. In two minutes."
"I'll go get my jacket. In two minutes."
"Are we having dinner in two minutes?"

Your new favourite songs are Bumblebee by Art vs Science and Jane Says by Janes Addiction. Unfortunately, that bumblebee song is catchy and we sing it for everything:

Bumblebee bumblebee bumble bumble bumblebee.
Polarbear polarbear polar polar polarbear.
Zoegirl Zoegirl zoe zoe Zoegirl.
You get the point, get the point, get the, get the, get the point.

We recently went camping with Nadia and her family (Giacomo is your age, and Alessia is Cole's age) and we went to a 5 star campground. You loved the giant jumping pillow. You wanted to jump the whole time. Waiting for it to open at 9 (since we were awake before 6am) was hard on you.

You've drawn on our freshly painting dining room walls with pen. Twice. And we thought you were the good one.

Love you more than all the toddler doodles on all the coffee tables in all the worlds.

Mommybear
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