My little pumpkins...Comparison

When I dressed John today, I realized that two years and one day ago, I put Jacob in the same outfit.  So, I decided to take a picture of John with a pumpkin in honor of Halloween.  John is technically six weeks older than Jacob in terms of age, so that's why he looks older!  They probably weigh the same, though. 

Random Vidoes (to help me remember this time in my life)

This happened a couple of days ago. I told Jacob his feet were dirty, and then I caught him doing this about two minutes later! I wouldn't normally encourage this, but it was just so cute, and he was so

proud of himself! 

 

 

 

 

 

Not very exciting, I know...But I posted it so I could have proof that I've taught John how old his is. This movie was probably recorded over a month ago.

15 Months!

Some days I cannot believe that my little Johnny is already 15 months old...however, in the same breath, I can't believe he is ONLY fifteen months old!  I feel like he has aged WAY more than three months since he turned one.  He is a completely different person!  He has become more independent, he's starting to communicate, he walks everywhere, he figures out how to do new things every day, and he is starting to understand simple commands!  So, for those of you who get bored easily, this post is really just for me to remember.  I'll post some pictures once I find the camera cord! 

Here's a few of his likes and dislikes:

Food:  likes toast with butter, hotdogs, cheese, deli meat, any fruit we give him, crackers
           dislikes most cooked meat

Activities:  he loves to do anything outside; anything Jacob likes to do, he wants to do; he loves to play in the car, but he hates to get in his carseat; I think he loves nursery, but he screams for the first couple of minutes after I leave;  he is obsessed with balls.

Some of his accomplishments:

Words I can understand:  Momma, Daddy, ball (ba or baba), bottle (baba), juice (ju), bye (ba with a cute wave), Jacob (dayda), uh-oh, cheese (cheee)

Skills: walking everywhere, he does a funny lopsided run, too!; climbs into his own seat at the table; folds his hands when we pray or when I ask him to say Amen; points to items he wants; gives hugs and kisses; points to his nose when asked; sometimes points to eyes when asked; can answer what a dog says; sometimes will say what a cow says, but it sounds like "mmm", can point to his "ding-dong" (belly button); will pull up my shirt when I ask, "Where's the baby?" 

Sleeping:
His sleep patterns are constantly changing, but for the last three days (while my mother-in-law had Jacob I really worked on this new schedule) he has been only taking one nap (for about an hour and a half or a little longer) and sleeping at night from 8:00 until 7:30.  I LOVE it!  Of course, that could change pretty easily.  Before switching to one nap, he was sleeping at night from 9 until 5:45. 

Other random things I want to remember:  He has twelve teeth, but his bottom eye teeth are on their way (red spots where they should be coming in). 

Stats:
shoe size: size 5
Height: they measured 33.5 inches, but I think that's a bit too long...
Weight: about 27 pounds
clothes size: shirts are mostly 24 months or 2T, some 18 months.  Most of his pants are 18 months

Breakfast with my boys!

 

Not that exciting, but I think it's cute anyways!

Three!

I can't believe Jacob is already three years old!  Well, we've been celebrating his birthday for over a month now, so I guess I should say that I couldn't believe he was still two years old yesterday!  He's been acting three for a long time now.  He's SO helpful and does a lot of things by himself now...getting his toothbrush ready, picking out his own clothes, buckling his own seatbelt, getting himself juice (and something juice for his little brother).  He can help set the table, too!  It's nice to have some help around the house now that he's getting older.  He can even vacuum! 

I'm going to need all that help in four 1/2 months when the baby comes, so I'm REALLY happy that he's going to be almost three and a half and will be able to help me with his 18 month old brother!

Anyway, here's a big about Jacob (in his own words--some of these answers I'm not so sure about)

Favorite drink: soda
Favorite food: fries
Favorite TV show: Scooby Doo
Favorite color: purple  (normally it's blue--he could mean red)
Best friend: Simon de Jong (although I really think it's his cousin Matijs)
Favorite thing to do outside: playing outside with Johnny
Favorite animal: cow
Favorite place to go:  my house

That's about all I can get out of him right now.  Here's a few pictures of our day so far.  Later we plan on making his birthday cake (while Johnny is sleeping), and later we are going to the pet store so he can pick out a new fish!

We went to Winchell's Donuts for breakfast--first time here in Salinas and Jacob and John's first time ever! 

Then we went to the park! 

(Jacob got himself dressed today including the hat!)

 

Big Shoes to Fill!

John has some pretty big shoes to fill...as a BIG BROTHER!  Yes, we are expecting a third kid early January (depending on when they'll schedule my C-section).  

I am currently 16 weeks pregnant (almost 4 months for those of you not used to calculating in weeks), and things appear to be going well.  I do enjoy being pregnant and don't really get sick, but I'm glad that the tiredness and fatigue of the first trimester are over!

When the baby comes, John will be almost 18 months and Jacob will be 3 and 4 1/2 months!  I'm going to be pretty busy, but Jacob is SUCH a big help already, and John is usually pretty happy (except when he's teething!).  

Party!

Last Saturday we had a party for both boys' birthdays. (Jacob's birthday is August 22, but I didn't feel like having a separate party.)  It was just for the Zylstra family.  (We'll do one with my family when my sister Deb and her kids are here from Idaho.)

Anyway, here are the pictures!

John enjoying the wrapping paper...and the blanket Beppe made for him! 

the older boys helped John open his present! 

cutest swim shorts ever! 

John's new bike from Pake and Beppe

Jacob was excited to get a couple of presents, too! 

T-ball set from Uncle Phil and Auntie Rosaline

singing to John--Tijs got to blow out his candle! 

Jacob blew out his own in one blow! 

messy boy--Jacob picked out chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles.  He also helped me make the cake!  

silly face

John was pretty happy with the cake!