Winter Wonderland

We have been busy..shoveling and cuddling and trying to stay busy indoors with all the snow and ice falling outdoors! Not that I am complaining - out of a possible 4 classes I should have had the past two weeks, I have only had ONE with cancellations. I'm not complaining now..but...i'm sure it wont be fun when we have to play catchup. Oh well...such as life in New England.

Last week we too Jake to see Elmo and friends at Sesame Street live. We were joined by our good friends, Sarah, Kevin and their cutey patooty - Lilly.. Jake liked the show, but didn't like it so much when Elmo went off stage. If he couldn't see Elmo he'd ask where he went and then at one point yelled in his cute 2.5 year old voice "Elmmmoooo, where ARE you??"

A couple of weekends ago Auntie Courtney and Mia came for the weekend. Jake was on cloud nine! He absolutely loves Mia and will follow her around whenever we are with them. They played dress up, played in the tent and tunnels, sang, painted and even put on a little dance. The dance pretty much consisted of Mia dancing and Jake tailing her. I love that they are close already and enjoy playing together so much!

Latest updates for Jake..

He loves to count in Spanish..uno, dos, cuatro, tres...lol.. if we tell him to go slow, he can actually count to 5 in spanish by himself.

He still loves the wheels on the bus song and asks us to sing it to him at night when we rock him to sleep. His favorite line "The Mommys, and the Daddys and the Jakes say i love you".. pure cuteness.

Jake loves the snow and loves to eat the snow and step on it. Last night we went out to dinner with friends and his little friend Sidney..while they were waiting for us each of our 2.5 year olds sat on top of the snow. Cute. Wet.

I have been feeling under the weather lately with sinus infections and Jake very sweetly will check on my if I am laying down. He also loves to get into our bed and have all of us get under the covers to hide from the crocodiles. He laughs so hard while we are all under there.

Speaking of laughing..this child still LOVES to be tickled. His laughter is too cute to not tickle him!

While he does love his mommy...he is at the moment a Daddy's boy! Some mornings the first thing he says is "Is Daddy here?" "Can I see Daddy?" He doesn't 100% favor him..but he always wants to be by his side and drags Alex into the playroom to play most of the time.



Here are a few pics from January...

Proof of the Monkey see, Monkey do...

Brrr

Baby, it's cold outside! Or..so I have heard, I have been in my jammies all day doing arts and crafts and such with the little man! I am trying to get as create as possible so that he enjoys what we are doing and stays on task..somedays it's tough because, he is after only only 2! Today we made a heart banner..so that was mostly mommy cutting hearts out and hole punching them..J man did help me by holding the string as I strung them..oh and he also attempted to stand on the 3 stacked 12 packs that I had attempted to stand on to hang the said banner. That was a "do as I say moment".. We also made hand puppets (he calls them muffets) out of socks..


These were a lot of fun!


We have been hit with some illness lately but we are up and at em' and ready once again for a new semester to start! Mommy has a lot on her plate for the next few months..but we can handle it!


For now..we are bundled in our home ready for yet another storm this week!

New Year!

2011! Here we are in the new year and ready for all the changes ahead! 2010 wasn't necessarily a horrendous year for us, but it wasn't the best either. Notably we lost someone close, my little guy Christian, who wasn't so little any more and turned into an amazing 16 year old who lost his life far too early. When I look back on 2010 I think..well it wasn't that bad..and then I remember 9/11 (honestly, does anything good ever happen on that day?) and my thoughts are - just because of that one day, 2010 sucked!
To this day I still think of the what if's..and I know you aren't suppose to live life that way but it's hard. It's hard because he was so loved and such a great person. I met Christian when he was 4, and knew right away that this little boy was special (as were his 3 brothers). When I think of him, I think of that sweet little 4 year old who could melt you're heart within minutes of meeting him. I think about what his brothers are missing as well as the rest of his family. I hate that it happened to such great people. I guess the lesson is..we are here, live like you don't know if tomorrow will come.

There are things that are going to change for us in 2011 and we welcome them. Alex is getting so close to one of his goals and I can't wait for him to complete it all, officially. The hard work will pay off, we pray!

Jake is already 2 and a half. Really? I know that everyone and their mother says kids grow up so quickly..but really..they do. What surprises me everyday with him lately is how verbal he is. He can tell you what he wants, how he feels, what he wants to do, or doesn't want to do. Not to mention his singing! Just tonight before bed he wanted us all to sing the Wonder Pet theme song..and then the Bob the Builder song..and then combined them! "What's gonna work? Teammmwork. Can we build it? YES WE CAN".

Toys..we have enough to last us the year, that's for sure! Jake asked tonight when Santa was coming with presents again! A LONG time!

New year..new opportunities..new challenges..new adventures...new goals... but it is up to us to accomplish what we want.

Can we do it? YES, we CAN.

For Auntie Kim...

Just chilling on Christmas Eve..ready to head to Aunt Shirley's and Uncle Dennis' house




Dressed up and ready to spread Christmas cheer...



WOW! Santa found us at Mimi & Grampy's house!


Helping Grampy open his presents..





Hanging out in our new sweatshirts! Go Merrimack & St A's!



Heading back to RI...



Up and ready! Santa came to our house TOO!




Go Patriots!









I think I am Buzz Light Year! To Infinity & Beyond....



Thankfully...Santa brought my suit!

Answer of the day

Jake, did you poop?

Jake's answer: I don't know, check my bum.

Merry Christmas!

The madness has begun for the Gregson family!! Christmas season is in full force and we look forward to Friday and Saturday when we get to share the holiday with LOTS of family!

Jake has been battling a cough for weeks now..hoping with the right meds now, it will go AWAY!

We hope that all of our friends and family have a very joyous and Merry Christmas! 2011 is right around the corner - be safe in ringing in the new year!


Here are a few shots from the past month or so...



Riding a pony (Indy) at Daddy's works Christmas party..


This is his 3rd pony/horse ride..he's a pro now!


Checking to make sure Santa's beard was real?


Patiently waiting a gift..


"I want a pig"


The secret is out..Jake wasn't wearing pants in his Christmas card photo shoot!



SUCH a Daddy's boy..



Checking out Santa's pals..


The boys picking out our tree...

What did Jake say?

I was putting the light on and off in the car today, checking back on Jake a few times and Jake said:

"Shut the light off...... What did Jake say? ........Keep the light OFF"



Hmmm.. wonder where he gets that from?

List

We asked Jake what he wanted to buy each of these family members for Christmas..these are his responses:

Yaya- a cookie
Mimi-a christmas tree
Rudolph - a TV
Santa - a computer
Daddy - a spaceship
Mommy - a butterfly
Auntie Courtney - a coffee
Auntie Shelley - a coffee
Uncle Timmy - a spaceship
Grampy - a spaceship
Auntie Kaylin - a computer
Papa - Alicia (Diego's sister)
Mia - a blue book
Bella - An ABC book

Guess we should start shopping...

In over our heads

We are so swamped lately, that we havent had time to blog!

Short takes...

We put Jake's high chair in the basement to make room or a party we had this past weekend..i'm not sure it will be back up. He is very happy sitting like a big boy at the table. Oh boy.

Jake will be 2.5 years old in a few days and just looking at him the past few days - he looks like he has had a growth spurt! He is such a little BOY. I remember this time about 3 years ago..before Jake.. before all the FUN started!

His vocabulary is growing..this morning he mentioned "last week" in a sentence..I wasn't aware of his knowledge of time!

He is VERY excited for Santa to come and loves Christmas trees. He also loves to help Daddy water the tree - he is a GREAT helper!

Toy Story is a favorite..Buzz and Woody go just about everywhere with him. He was attached to Mr. Potato Head as well, until we left him at YaYa's in NH over Thanksgiving break. Oops.

The semester is ALMOST over..we see the light at the end of the table.. hopefully blogging will be better soon!

Merrrryyyy Christmas!!!

Random

Jake pinched Daddy's nose.

daddy: Jake, say your sorry.
Jake: Soooowwrrryyyy
daddy: Say it like you mean it Jake.
Jake: Meeeann ittttt.

Love him.

He did proceed to hug and kiss daddy to make up for the pinching.

Cutie

Jake has been talking more and more lately and I thought I'd document some of our favorites.

I asked him the day after thanksgiving if he wanted to go to 5 guys and have a burger..his response: "No Mommy, I want to go to 5 girls and have a hotdog". Ok.
He walked up to me the other day while I was getting ready for work and told me: "Daddy had a boog in him's nose". Daddy was not home at the time..not sure when he saw this boog.
Recently one of my best friends had a baby..while I was telling Alex about how baby Corey had to stay in the hospital for a few days and Magaly (the mommy) could go home Jake came running in and said "Let's ggooo.. we have to go to the hospital to see the baby!"
Lately when we wake him up for school he just wants to stay in his crib and continue to sleep..JUST like his mom and dad!

When asked what Santa will bring him its: "pwesents"

Thanksgiving

Thankfully my car was fixed in time for our holiday travel.


Jake and I went to Lowell, Methuen, Tewksbury,& stayed a night in Chelmsford all in MA. We ate turkey in Hollis NH and then ventured to Fitzwilliam NH for a night with YAYA. Off to Nashua NH the next day for lunch and shopping and then back to YAYA's and then back to RI. We spent A LOT of time in the car but it was well worth being able to spend our holiday with so many people. We are so thankful to be able to visit so many people and be invited so many places! Daddy went to only half of these places and back and forth to work a few times.

Pictures to follow..i'm beat!

"I don't like tow trucks"

Neither do we, Jake! Mommy's car has been acting funky, so away it went on a tow truck tonight. Jake at first did not like the tow truck and it's loud sounds and lights. When I explained what the man was doing and held him at the door, he loved watching the car go up the ramp and onto the bed of the truck..although he was a little confused as to why it was being hauled away!

It wouldn't be a holiday week w/o one of us having car issues! I know this car is older, but really it works just fine (most of the time) and I have no desire for a car payment! So..let's hope it is fixed and cheaply!

We are headed to MA/NH for thanksgiving, with the idea that Jake and I would go early Wed morning and Alex would follow later that night, as he has to work that day and needs his own car to come back early to work yet again on Friday. Pending the outcome of the car, who knows what our plans will bring now. We are 100% going to see my family one way or another!

Thanksgiving, giving thanks, gratitude, grateful. All of the above! The Gregson family is grateful for it all..although we may have car issues right now, we will survive! The semester is nearing an end and we are all getting closer and closer the goals we have set for ourselves. I am so proud of our family!

Yesterday as Jake and Daddy were about to go upstairs for bedtime I walked over to give them our routine group hug and Jake smiled so cutely and just put his arm around my neck and the other around Alex and pushed us gently together for a smooch. I am so grateful that he is at the age where he loves to see his parents show affection. It's not like we are overboard about it..but I want Jake to grow up in a family where he isn't afraid to hug or give a quick smooch here and there. I want him to know that he is loved and to show him that his mom and dad love each other to the moon and back.

We wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and are so very grateful for the amazing family and friends that we have!

Life according to Jake..

I explained to Jake tonight that he used to be in my belly and when he was big enough (7lb was big ENOUGH for me) he came out. He then attempted to try to get into my shirt and wanted to go back in. I explained it's a One Way street and once you're out, you're OUT.

I said "Daddy came out of MiMi's belly. Where do you think Auhnie Kaylin came out of?"

Jake's response..

"Daddy came out of Mimi's belly and Auhnie came out of Grampy's belly".

November

November is here..our first snow came yesterday and Jake man loved it! He looked outside when he woke up yesterday morning and said "it's snowing!" It melted quickly though, so he really hasnt had a chance to play in it. This winter should be interesting, as he is at the age where it will be really fun for him to get out in the snow and roll around.

Nothing too new to report..we are plugging along here, getting into the last month or so of this semester and we can't wait until it is over! It's too bad that we wish our weeks away by wanting the semester to end quicker! Someday classes and school work will be a thing of the past..some day.

Thanksgiving is coming up - we cannot wait to spend time with family and friends! This year we will be spending time with the Conlin side, so exciting! Last year we made a list of things we were thankful for, and it was fun just now to go back and read it. Thankfully we still have our health, our home, our friends and family and our jobs. TImes are tough out there...but as our newest piece of art in our sun room states- We are in this together. We have a lot to be thankful for and most of all I am so thankful to not only have the cutest little 2 year old ever, but to be able to share this awesome journey with my best friend & husband.

Here are some pics of Jake's first URI football game and a day spent on campus..


Go Rhody!


Celebrating the TD!


He loved Rhody the Ram in the bookstore..


Only Jake...







Cruising the campus!



..he wasn't a fan of the real Rhody..





Mommy's work..

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween 2010!

Jake started out the halloween season wanting to be a spider..so we went out and bought not one but two (thanks to his doting grandmothers) spider outfits. Well.. the dinasour/dragon outfit we tried so hard to find weeks ago magically appeared at Old Navy yesterday..and for $5 who can resist? We also splurged on the bumble bee as well..never can have enough costumes for playtime!
Halloween came and Jake wanted to be the dinasour! I must say.. he rocked it!

Happy

Happy birthday to Auhnie Kaylin!!! We love you and loved spending part of your special day with YOU!

XXOOXOOXOXOXO

Updates

It's been a while..but this is what has happened:

Alex and I got away for a fun trip with 9 friends to a friend's wedding in Baltimore, MD. We ate crab (too much), shopped, ate more crab, went to an Orioles game, ate more crab, hung out with friends and went to a fun wedding. Jake stayed with MiMi and Grampy and had a blast as well.

Shortly after coming back from out trip, our beloved cat Zak freaked out on us. We think he was sick and just flipped his lid. After much thought, we decided to put him to sleep. It wasn't the easiest decision considering Zak has been our first real pet together and he was part of our family. When we first settled in RI and I didn't know a soul, we got Zak to keep me company while Alex worked days and nights. But, the fact that he had attacked me as I held Jake last week just freaked us all out. He had done it before (rewind 4 years to Alex calling the cops/animal control on Zak. True story.) and we just couldn't take the chance that he would do it again, and possibly to Jake. He was a large, cuddly kitty and he will be missed!

It took a full day just to catch him in order to even put him in his cage..but we did it and believe he is in a better place. Jake misses "titty tat" and still states his has a "titty". We told him that kitty went to a farm to help catch mice. He then stated HE wanted to go to the farm too and catch "ice".

Right after this Jake and I came down with strep throat and were out of commission most of the holiday weekend and week after. It was a bummer because we were suppose to go to MA for some family time and apple picking. It just couldn't happen with the way I was feeling.

That's been our October in a nutshell! We are happy to be over the sickness and look forward to upcoming Halloween!



On a special note - HAPPY BIRTHDAY Auntie KIM!!!!!!! We love you!! Hoping to get to see you soon and to celebrate your 3#th! xoxoxo

Hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween! BOO!

Checking in

I've been M I A. I actually started a post that I will someday, somehow finish, but it's going to take a while. It's sad and sweet and it's about someone special, Christian, whom we lost recently too soon. I tweek the blog here and there..honestly because I want it to be just right. That's what he was. Annddd...here come the tears. This is why it's not finished!

SO..we've learned valuable lessons over the past month..love those around you with all that you have. You just never know when something is going to happen. Life is full of ups and downs and we are still fortunate to be on this Earth to experience all that there is out there. Good and Bad. Never take anything or anyone for granted..if you love someone, tell them. If you want to do something, do it. If you want to hug someone, hug them. You get my point.

Jake. He's been hugged and hugged and hugged all month long! There were a few days after Christian passed that I just couldn't put Jake down. I mean, i still want to hug and cuddle with him all the time.. but there were points in that week after that it's all I wanted to do. Jake is going to grow up..and he's going to go out on his own and experience life. I want him to have the best of everything and experience the world and to be safe. Be safe. The hardest thing I have had to see this month was a mother after she lost one of her four children. The saddest part of all is that it didn't have to happen. But it did. I keep thinking "if only". But life can't be "if only's". It just can't. That sucks. That REALLY sucks.

Tonight Jake told us, as I was changing his diaper: "I love my family." Melted my heart. He knows that his family consists of "Mommy, Daddy, Kitty and Jake". Someday he will realize that family is even more than those in our home. He's got one great big family!

On a funnier note..Jake gets on his truck and pulls up next to me as I set on the love seat - "Chicken Nuggets and Fries, please". Taps my hand and drives off. Been to a drivethru lately, ya think? We honestly don't go THAT much..but I guess he enjoys it ;)


Alex and I are off on a much needed getaway soon. MUCH needed.

Be safe.

Monkey See, Jake Do

Jake: "What you doin' Daddy?"
Daddy: "I'm going to lay on the floor:
Jake: "OKKkkkk Daddy, I lay on the floor too. I get pillows"


He LOVES his Daddy and loves to mimic him. Copies the exact way Alex will lay on the floor, down to his feet crossed at the ankles, or how his arms are behind his back.


Jake peed on the potty tonight. After bath he actually told us he had to, and almost knocked Alex over on his wait to the potty. We are so proud of our little man...and should probably do potty training boot camp soon..

September 10'!

Summer has come and gone. Sad. It was a hot one, so we are all looking forward to less air conditioners and more windows open with fresh air flowing through! We are trying to take advantage of the time we have now, to do stuff outdoors. The past 2 weekends we have had weddings, so it has been tough to do too much. However, this weekend we managed to get Jake to Roger William's Park twice (that means three rides on the Carousal!) and he and Daddy got to go to story time today at Barnes and Noble. Jake also got to go to the beach and Mystic Aquarium last weekend with Aunie Kaylin and his RI grandparents..and this weekend MiMi and Grampy took him to the Woodstock Fair ! What a lucky boy!! He is beyond exhausted, as we all are!

September brings lots of new things for our family..it's super busy at URI with the kids arriving this weekend..and grad school has started up once again. I pray that we use our time management skills better this semester and have as much family time on weekends as possible! It wont be easy..but some day it will be worth it. This semester brings new challenges for me, as I teach my first course, URI 101, as part of my 150 (ugh) hour practicum. It will be an interesting semester, for sure.

Jake continues to grow before our eyes and cracks us up! Just tonight with story time - he knew it was time to go upstairs to go to bed, but he did anything and everything in his power to delay. "I sing Itsy Bitsy Spider, okkkkkay?", "I read 'nother book, okkkkaaay?" his favorite meal is still popsicles and we can pretty much bribe him to do anything, as long as popsicles are in the equation. He is getting so big, and can run the playground like a champ. I still get a bit stressed that he will just fall at one of the large openings at the very top of the playground (really, are those necessary?) but for the most part he goes straight for the slides anyhow.
He is still cuddly and will wrap his arms around your neck and ask for a "big hug?" at any moment. Today he demanded that "daddy "tiss" mommy" (aka kiss) in the middle of the supermarket. We still have a few years before that is embarrassing to him, I suppose.
His memory is still something to continues to amaze me as well. The other day, out of the blue he told me "Auhnie was a mouse". There is a picture of Auntie Shelley in her living room, and she was dressed as a mouse. We haven't been over their house in a couple of weeks..so it's not like he sees it every day.

We hope you all enjoyed your summer as much as we did! Cheers to September, may it be a great month of new beginnings!

Happy Birthday YaYa!

August 24th is a very special day in our family..it's the day we celebrate Jake's YaYa Connie!

Mom - you are the sweetest, kindest woman I know! We love you to pieces and wish you the very Happiest of Birthdays!! Hoping this year is filled with love, happiness and a winning powerball ticket ! ;)


A few pics of our celebration this weekend...

How could you not give this boy a piece of cake?
>








Whoopy!