Jace Lately...

Jace is going to be 3 on November 13th... I can't even believe my baby is such a big boy already.  I was thinking back to his 2nd birthday and how much he's changed and grown since then.  He's definitely had his challenging moments during these "terrible twos", but I can say without a doubt that this has been my favorite year as a parent.  He's just such an amazing little kid, I can't believe we were lucky enough to be blessed with him.  He has such a big personality stuffed into his little 34 lb body.  I have loved seeing all of his little quirks, talents, and humor come out in the last year.  I can say with confidence that he will never be a shy person... and likely always be surrounded by alot of people and alot of action.

His favorite things these days are: helping mommy and daddy with a task, playing "dinos", arts and crafts, eating everything in site (the kid finally learned how to EAT!), hanging out in his underwear, driving his four wheeler around outside, going boating and looking for dolphins and aligators in the water, swimming, going to the park, building things, watching "shows" and eating popcorn, getting into everything (and I mean everything), playing with friends, catching bugs, playing make believe with action figures, brushing his teeth and putting lotion on his legs by himself (he gets very proud of himself for being independant!), playing with his water table in the backyard while daddy grills, going for night walks, going to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, making breakfast smoothies, playing in mommy and daddy's bathtub, hugs and kisses... and the list goes on and on.

Jace is definitely a spirited child, but I wouldn't want it any other way.  I couldn't possibly love him more than I do.  I joke that I "deserve" a calm child the second time around... but truth be told, I worry about how anyone could ever compare to him in my heart.  He is a genuinely sweet and loving little boy, who really cares about others and loves to make people happy.  He just has issues with overstimulation, hyperactivity and listening to direction.  No big deal right?  :)

The things that come out of Jace's mouth these days are usually hilarious.  He's picked up all of these phrases that he's learning how to use, but sometimes he doesn't always use them in the exact right context... which makes them alot more funny.  He also has a natural sense of humor that keeps us laughing all throughout the day.

 

 

Jace loves going to "school" (where I work) these days and loves his teacher, Miss Eunjee.  She is so patient and good with him, which let me tell you is not always an easy task.  He learns about a letter and a bible story each time he's there, and does a fun craft.  He really is best in a classroom setting when he is doing a specific task or in with the older kids.  He gets pretty rowdy if he's not focusing on something challenging.  He seems to be a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to crafts.  Which is not surprising considering Tate and I both have a few of our own perfectionist quirks.  I know he's going to really miss going to school once I have the baby and am no longer working.  Although, I plan to enroll him in a preschool in 2013.

 

 

Jace loves hanging out with his friends.  We are having a small low key birthday party for him at the end of this month (aka before baby arrives) and he picked his own guest list this year.  It's crazy to think he's old enough to say who he wants to come to his party.  I'm really excited to celebrate his birthday this year, because this will be the first year he really "gets it" and he gets sooo excited over the simplest things lately.  I think it will a great way to really spend a day celebrating him, before he goes through the big brother transition.

 

Jace is 100% Tate's little shadow these days.  Everything daddy does... Jace wants to do.  He already has a huge desire to make Tate proud of him.  I could say something 100 times over, and have it not sink in... but Tate telling him once will make an impact.  I suppose it's just the different dynamic between being mommy and being daddy.  I love when he refers to Tate as "MY daddy" instead of just daddy.  Sometimes he will be telling me something and he'll say "Mommy, did you know my daddy is going to take me to the park later?"  For some reason it sounds so sweet when he calls him that.

Jace LOVES being outside... like every kid I guess.  He loves riding his 4-wheeler out front or going for a walk to the neighborhood playground or pool.  I'm excited to get him involved in soccer this year now that he will be three years old... I couldn't imagine him loving anything more than playing a sport.

 

 



**Jace, you are truly the greatest blessing in our lives and mommy and daddy could not possibly love you more.  You probably won't understand this complete life-altering unconditional love until you have your own kids... but just know that no matter what I will always love you more than myself.  Some days I lose my patience with you and your toddler ways, and some days I tell you "no" way more times than I want to... I hope that when you're older you realize that parents are human too, and that although I may not always be the perfect mom, you are my perfect child.  You are the first thing on my mind every morning, the last thing on my mind every night, and all of my dreams are for you. <3