Baby Sophia

Nope, I'm not a big brother yet, this is Sophia, my dolly. About two weeks ago while I was getting ready for bed, I asked my mommy and daddy if I could have a dolly.

'A dolly?' My mommy replied.

I explained to my mommy that I wanted a baby doll so I could 'practice' with diapering and holding a baby. Yes, I said diapering.

To my surprise my mommy said sure, we could go get a baby doll so that I could practice in anticipation of my baby brother or sister's arrival.

Yesterday I went with my mommy and daddy to the store, and there was an entire row of baby dolls staring at me. Big ones, small ones, ones that cry, go potty and just look cute. There were clothes, diapers, strollers, cribs, car seats, and diaper bags for each of the babies.

Finally after much looking around we decided on this baby doll that cries, giggles, uses a pacifier and bottle, blinks and sleeps with tummy and chest movements, and I have named her Sophia. She is about the size of a

preemie baby.

I really want a little brother, but surprisingly there were no baby boy dolls. All of the dolls were wearing pink or purple.

Anyway, my mommy helped me diaper her tiny bum last night, and I like to hold her. I let everyone know when she is sleeping, and tell them they need to be quiet. I try and make things better when baby Sophia cries by giving her kisses on the head.

I have also taught her how to stand on her head, poked her in the eye and picked her up by the head. Hey, at least I haven't dropped her yet, right?

Happy Birthday Auntie Holly

Today, we took a drive to Rocklin, CA to visit my Auntie Holly, Evan, my Cousin Loren and his new girlfriend Christina. We were celebrating my Auntie Holly's birthday.

The morning started off rough and I have decided that I no longer want to take swimming lessons and I don't like them. The when we arrived at Evan and Auntie's house, Evan gave me a bouncy ball and in true 3-year old Jacob fashion I decided I didn't like it and then hit my daddy in the leg. Oh, please let the tumultuous threes be over soon, for all of us. I have never been so ungrateful. Anyway, after a snack and a pep talk from Christina (who is a teacher), I felt much better.

We went to a shopping center called the Fountains and had a wonderful dinner with everyone and then checked out these cool fountains that play to music. I was hypnotized. The coolest part is my Auntie Holly lives right by a Water park and has a big water fountain right in her backyard. Is that cool, or what? But remember I don't want to go and do not like swim lessons or water anymore. I really need to make up my mind.

By the time we hit Colfax on the drive back I was out, it had been an eventful day.

My baby....????....Hmmm, Sister or Brother? No one knows yet!

As many of you all ready know, I'm going to be a big brother! That's right, a big brother come this December. I'm very excited about all of this and ask my mommy and daddy lots of questions about the baby. Things such as 'What is the baby doing in your tummy, right now?' or 'Did you eat the baby for it to be in your tummy?'

I'm very concerned with the baby and want to make sure it has plenty of toys, a table and is not crying in mommy's belly.

I'm very curious about my mommy's ever expanding tummy and like to give her pats and kisses, and tell the baby hello. I lean my ear to her belly at times, but haven't heard the little peanut yet.

Today, my mommy came home with a video of the baby. I decided I wasn't feeling very well so my daddy had to stay home with me. The doctor felt bad for my daddy and created a DVD of the Ultrasound. It was really long, but I wanted to share some of it with everyone, since I'm so excited. The baby is growing right on schedule and had a solid 158 heart beats per minute. Can you see the heart beating? The baby was quiet and that lent to some good pictures. Everything measured healthy and perfect.

This first ultrasound wasn't offered when my mommy was expecting me, but it a first screening for different birth defects, mainly Downs Syndrome. All I know is I got to see my healthy baby ????. Hmmm, I wonder what it will be???

Visit from Papa

This weekend my Papa from Palm Springs, CA came up for a visit. It was a shot visit, but we sure had a lot of fun. He went with me to my first swim lesson on Saturday. We have had rain for nine straight days, so the rest of the day was a sleepy dreary day, but it was very nice to have him here. I loved rough-housing with Papa, so much so, my three year old little back hurt...ahhhh, what a life!

Summer Swimming Lessons

Today I started my Summer session of swim lessons. This is the first time that one of my parents doesn't go into the water with me. I'm with two other kids and my swim coach was very nice and patient. I immediately trusted her. I did fine with everything except jumping from the edge of the pool in. I do it all the time with my parents, but I decided I would try next week with the swim coach. So this is what I will be doing for the next few Saturdays.

Family Vacation 2009

Wow, what a busy couple of weeks! My mommy had to go to Washington D.C. for work so she invited me and my daddy to tag along with her. We made a big trip out of it spending time in D.C, then New York City, and finally Philadelphia.

I saw three ball parks on our trip, including our beloved New York Met's new stadium Citi Field. I have told my parents on numerous occasions since we have been home that the best part of the entire trip was when 'Gary Sheffield hit a home run for the Mets...I finally got to see the 'apple come up!'

In D.C. all of us were able to tour the White House. Then my daddy took me to have breakfast with Harry Reid and John Ensign our state's representatives then take a tour of the capital building. I walked all the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial and enjoyed watching all the ducks, squirrels and birds around the Reflecting Pool. I even rode in my first taxi! My daddy also took me to see the Air and Space Museum, Library of Congress, and Supreme Court. My mommy was able to join us on a trip the Museum of Natural History and I saw dinosaurs....RRRRRRRR!

New York City was a lot of fun! We went to the M&M store which was exciting. We took a boat out to the Statue of Liberty, we went on a carriage ride in Central Park and did a lot of walking. We rode on the subway which I thought was great fun. We checked out the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier. Drove through the Lincoln Tunnel, loved the double decker buses and shopping at a farmers market. The highlight was seeing Spiderman...he took a picture with me...we did some crazy spider moves. We were also a part of a new traffic test in Time Square where the street is closed down to cars and traffic, allowing you to walk, sit and dance in the streets. it was pretty cool!

In Philadelphia we went to a ballgame and my daddy wore his Met's hat. The Phillies didn't like that one bit, but I still got a great caricature of myself done and had a lot of fun. The weather was very cool and rainy though.
The next day we went to the Philadelphia Zoo, the first zoo in the country. We all had a great time roaming around and looking at the animals. I especially like the gorillas.

We all had a great time and I tried my best to be the best little boy ever and I succeeded only have a couple meltdowns. I was happy to see my bed and puppies the night we returned home.

Welcome Minor Legue Baseball to Reno

Tonight marked the first home game of the Reno Aces, our new minor league baseball team in Reno. I have been jazzed all week to go to the game and it didn't disappoint. It was very slow, but we won against the Salt Lake Bees 11-1!!!
The stadium which is right in the heart of downtown Reno has seats for 6,500 and a lawn area for another 3,000. The place was packed!!!! You couldn't even get into the team store to get a shirt because the line at one point was 250 deep! Let's hope this momentum sticks, it really is a great thing for our biggest little city to have.
After the game they let all the kids run the bases, there had to be 1,500 kids of all ages, I wasn't interested. I will do it next time.
The biggest and best thing of the baseball game was the fireworks at the end! After all the festivities were over, the stadium lights came back on, and the music stopped playing I turned to my daddy and said, 'If my GG was here she would no be happy with how loud those fireworks were.' She would have definitely made that noise she made at loud startling things.
We had a great time! Go Reno Aces!