Danger Will Robinson, Danger...

It's written all over his face, he can't hide it...



Yes, he's standing on the chair, and a few moments later he tried to put his feet on the top of the chair back - who knows what he thought he would do next...



Jacob seeks out danger {maybe he's just being a boy, I call it a heart attack waiting to happen}. Where is something he can climb on top of and then cannon ball to the floor? Wouldn't it be fun to climb over the side of the crib and dangle from the side, maybe let go?  Is that a set of stairs over there? Because he's thinking he could jump and clear at least three of them, or body surf to the bottom. And stop grabbing his arm to try and pull him away! Because watch! He can't talk, but he sure can let you know his opinion, and his opinion is that gates are for sissies, then watch him climb right over it. What about that chair he sits in at the dinner table? Can't you rock yourself hard enough to make it tip over backward? Don't you think that's hilarious too?

Today, for example, we had a meeting with an evaluator from First Steps - more on that later - and as we were wrapping up, and Jacob no longer needed to be preforming cognitive tasks that the evaluator needed to see in order to tell us Jacob's brain is in fact turned on, Jacob had figured out that his Little People barn had a loft for the animals. Or better yet, a stepping ladder for Jacob to propel himself up and scale the five shelf tower that stands next to the TV. Didn't I know that it only takes 3 seconds to get to the 3rd shelf 4 feet off the ground? And that looking down and letting go is the COOLEST idea to a 16 month old? Also cool is taking Nannie's keys, army crawling behind the couch and sticking the keys into the ONLY electrical socket that does not have a cover. KID. YOU. NOT. My child did it. Put the key in the electrical socket.

I've had previous experiences with these kinds of kids, but then I got in my Jeep and drove away.

Now I'm left with the task of figuring out how to deal with him, and the solution is pretty much this: DON'T BLINK. {Or invest in a straight jacket} Because in a second he'll be climbing on the stove with a knife from the dishwasher in his hand and a smirk all over his face that says I can't believe I have to deal with these amateurs.

Wordless Wednesday

Briar

http://flynnscapturephotography.blogspot.com/2010/09/update-sweet-briar.html

What a Great Day to Remember

9/11/2010

It's a cool September morning where I am.  And it's game day.
I'm looking forward to attending the game and am prepared to get to our seats early - because I can't wait to be with 50,000 other people today when the National Anthem is played at that game.
What a way to remember.  Tonight we get to cheer on the Red White and Blue of KY. It seems quite suiting and patriotic to me - all wrapped up in a football game.

You Can't Come to School Today

Jacob wore this to school today:

If you look close you can see the WKU hiding behind his hands, Big Red is also on his shirt

When we walked in the door his teacher said... Is he wearing LOUISVILLE colors?
I told her... No, WKU!
She informed me...He has to go home. He can't come to school today. He has to wear UK.
I tried to explain... But my husband and I both graduated from WKU.
She stood firm... We don't wear red here, it's not in our color wheel.

I promptly pulled out his UK windbreaker from his diaper bag and put it on him.  Thankfully, Jacob was then allowed to stay at school

Well it has been over a month...

We've been busy busy busy!
Since my last post (besides B, B & B) we've been on the run.

After Pat and I went to St. John the last week in July,

August weekends started with a trip to Bowling Green, where I wrapped up my first set of Kelly's Kids parties (I'm having another round this coming weekend, would you like to come?). 

Kelly's Kids Reversible Longall to denim with turkey applique

Kelly's Kids Fall 2010

The next weekend we stayed home and celebrated Pat's {GASP} 30th birthday. He survived just fine, and we had a BIG turnout! It was great, he had a wonderful time with everyone. I even was able to surprise him and get him to a restaurant he had never been to here in Lexington, but reminds us all of his favorite one back in Baltimore, Schultz's.

Pat's Bucket of Beer Cake

Gag gifts are always a hit

The top of one of the beer bottles

The next weekend I went away for Brownie weekend in Alabama.  The 5 brownies took a long road trip to northern Alabama and spent that Saturday on the lake! It was loads of fun, relaxing and reminded me of being back at Kamaji - just girls in the wilderness, no electricity (but we had it anyway) or makeup required.  The last weekend in August we went back to Bowling Green for my cousin's wedding, and turned right back around Sunday morning and came back for a play date at Monkey Joe's - FUN! 

This weekend we headed to Lake Cumberland for our first time this summer, and since last Labor Day - how time has flown!  We have ourselves a little water baby.  Jacob had a great time out on the boat, took a trip on the molecule, and got in the lake twice to splash and float around. And we even snuck in a family picture.

Hanson Family picture - watch for the Christmas Card

Jacob and Aunt SJ on the boat

I expect September to be full of football games, WEG and then "birthday season" - it will be here before I know it. 

Jacob turned 15 months a week ago today, and Friday he had his check up and shots.  Did I mention that we've also had a staph infection at our house? Two weeks ago poor Jacob had quite a traumatic experience at the doctor's office.  He had developed a skin infection on his upper right thigh and resulted in having the spot drained, a week of antibiotics and warm baths three times a day.  He's all better now, but he's still a little leery when you change his diaper and need to undo the right side...

Anyway, he made it through the shot (only one!) with only a few kicks and screams, once it was over he was all better.  He weighs 22.5 pounds (25th percentile)  and is 30.5 inches tall (also, 25th percentile). 

{Flashback - 12 months - weight: 21 lbs 8 oz (25th percentile) height: 29.5 inches (50th percentile)}

Jacob remains strong and a busy body.

We also had a checkup at the allergist and Jacob has been given an epipen.  Daycare asked if he could have one and after a chat with the allergist, it was determined we should have been given one the first time he was there.  So Pat and I have been trained, and we'll be showing those who take care of Jacob how to use it.  Hopefully it will NEVER be needed, but it is nice "peace of mind" to know it's accessible if we needed it. Jacob's been doing really well on his egg free diet.  We have seen great improvements in his overall health and his skin.  We just have trouble looking for new things to eat - so we tend to eat the same things and go to the exact same places. I don't mind, I hope Jacob doesn't get bored with the food selection.

Worth the Read

Beautiful pictures that tell a touching story of old friends of mine. They could use your prayers and encouragement, as they continue on their journey. 

http://flynnscapturephotography.blogspot.com/2010/09/maternity-brandon-brooke-briar.html

photo: Jessica Flynn - Capture Photography

I feel fortunate to know them and keep up with their life in the little ways I do.  Brandon's mother and my mom work together, and Brooke and I have been able to reconnect sometimes through blogs and her dedication to taking care of her body - in ways I only wish I could want to do.

This was Brooke and I in Baltimore the night before she did an Iron Girl Triathlon. YES. TRIATHLON. 

She had contacted me since I was in Baltimore and she and a buddy of hers had dinner with me after work one night. It was one of the best nights I ever had when I lived there. Lots of old stories... lots of new stories and catching up, as if time had not passed us from high school.  I'm not sure I ever told her, but there were few positive things I took from my two years "up north" and that night with her was one of them {Thank you for that night}.  Brooke is honest, sweet, thoughtful and loving.  She is a God fearing and loving lady.

Oh and Brandon... if you only knew Brandon (and if you do, you understand that statement).  He is one of the funniest guys you will ever meet. Always up for an adventure, always a "grand idea", he has very little fear to try crazy things...and has even tried to breast feed a baby --- you can read about that here.

Brandon and I swam together (and against each other's teams) in middle school and high school, did the class officer thing together, he even did a stint teaching me the 8 Seconds dance for Mr. TCHS (that began my days teaching boys dances for group performances...it all started in the halls of TCHS and in the Hahn's basement) he even introduced me to my first Cheech and Chong movie.  Brandon is a hoot, he is grounded in his faith and a genuinely good soul. 

Read their story on Brooke's Blog.  Follow it - it's always worth the read, no matter the topic.  Add this precious family to your prayer list and be mindful of them.