My Jacob: 3 Years Old

My 1st Born is 3-years old today. Jacob Brayden is beginning a new year: the first day of Fall is a fresh start for everyone and it is a new year for Our Little Prince. This past year has been full of change. LOTS of change. Jacob kicked off the year with Halloween where he dressed up as his favorite character (at the time), Mickey Mouse and experienced his 1st true Trick or Treating fun. The next month, he picked up a new title; in November, Jacob became a "Big Brother" to his Little Sister, Emerson. Jacob's life changed drastically this year- from being the only child to the oldest. He has really taken on his new role perfectly. He loves his Little Sis so much. He is so protective, so loving, and so proud of her. He is still learning about "sharing" with his younger sibling...something we deal with on a day to day basis...work in progress. This past Christmas, Jacob was also able to really "get" the season...sang Christmas music, decorated the tree, enjoyed hot chocolate, LOVED Santa, and LOVED presents. It is all getting so much more exciting for him. He is starting to have memories from last year as well...so we are looking forward to this year, and see what his thoughts are from his Christmas past. This past winter, Jacob experienced his 1st BLIZZARD (of '11)...and really thought the whole snow thing was pretty fantastic. Daddy and Jake built snowmen, made snow angels, dug snow forts, and went sledding. I cannot wait to see how much more he will enjoy it all this year. Spring Break, we took our 1st family vacation to Florida- with the whole Morkes Family. Jacob's favorite part of the trip was the sand. LOVES sand. People were walking up to us saying- "he is in charge of the beach. He is the happiest kid here...in the sand." And he was. The ocean on the other hand...maybe next year. Jacob also enjoyed ice cream on a daily basis and hanging with his Aunt Cara- who he just absolutely adores. This past Summer, Jacob enjoyed time with his friends. His new fave- is his friends....all of them!!!

He has lots of girlfriends (well, because 90% of his parents friends have girls his age)- all his gals just want to give him kisses...pretty cute. Jake loves his big, tough, guy friends too- always wants to wrestle, chase, play hide and seek,

and now he is into action figures...this has become a new "pretend play" for Jacob in his 2nd year- he makes plane, car, motorcycle noises, converses with his toys, and has them "battle" eachother. He LOVES to imitate and reenact parts/scenes from books or animated Disney/Pixar Movies. It can get kinda crazy sometimes: especially if the "scene" entails sword fighting, etc. I digress- boys will be boys. The old days of a little bit of calmness are now gone.

My home is a wild place...this kid runs and rough houses everywhere. Outside is the place to be. Jacob loved swimming this Summer, loves the park: the monkey bars and "fireman ladder" is his new fun there. He also has enjoyed Theme Parks (Santa's Village) and Zoos (Brookfield and Cosely)...and cries everytime we must go home.

He is SO full of energy, luckily by the afternoon, Jacob is still ready for a nap (many times it is a 3-hour nap! Woo-hoo- time for mommy to re energize as well). This Fall, Jacob has started a new period in his life: School. Preschool has begun, and he LOVES it. He is meeting lots of friends, and a new sense of independence that he so desperately needed. (Jacob did miss his 2nd day of school; however, because he had his 1st bout of bronchitis!!!) This boy constantly makes us laugh. Every evening, we are exhausted by all of the excitement he brings to our days, yet, he is FULL of energy and ready for more when the sun rises again. The only thing I can do without are the--- "WHYs" -----in the car....the entire ride- "Mommy why did you do that? But, why did they do that? Why is it blue? Why did God decide that? Why wasn't I with you when you were a baby? Where was I? Was I with Daddy when he was a baby? Yes...I was!! Why not?"

Happy 3rd Birthday to our Little wonderer, our Little Lover, our Little Stinker, our Little entertainer, our Little Pretender, our Little adventurer, our Little Space Ranger (Buzz Lightyear). We love you so. Thank you for coming down from heaven for Mommy and Daddy.

As we say every night, "I love you more."