Snow, Snow and More Snow!

Snow, snow and more snow!

This is a view from half way down our driveway looking toward the house.
The snow berms are just about the height of my vehicle (Ford Escape) and the snow in the yard is higher than our deck. Our deck is at least 5 feet off the ground!

Leinna loves all the snow and was trying to figure out how to make snow angels. She didn't like the idea of laying on her back, but enjoying making them on her tummy!

Leinna wanted to help clear snow too! All of the shovels are too big for her so she had to settle for the ice scraper from the car.

In this photo, I'm sitting on the ground looking up at Leinna who is about half way up the snow pile. She has so much fun being outside. If we could just find a way to stay warm, she'd be content to be outside all day long! Definitely a little outdoors girl!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas 2011

We kicked off Christmas Eve with watching the Sound of Music. Leinna loved the ,
"O ho lay dee odl lee o, o ho lay dee odl ay
O ho lay dee odl lee o, lay dee odl lee o lay"

Or maybe it was watching the puppets - who knows - but she was certainly entertained!

Christmas Morning- Leinna let us sleep until about 7 am. We went through 'normal' routine which included playing upstairs for about half and hour and then eating some breakfast. After breakfast - we were all about opening presents!

Grandma and Grandpa Emerson sent Leinna a play phone. She loves it and walks around the house having grand conversations with whomever will listen!

Santa brought Leinna this ball-popper toy, because no momma or papa in their right mind would have :O) Leinna has worn herself out with chasing the balls around the living-room. It's loud- plays music- pops balls out of the top- what more could a little girl want!

Thanks to a tripod and camera with timer, we were able to do a family photo shoot today before church. Must say- it actually turned out pretty well!

Amazing to think Christmas 2012 will entail Leinna as a 2 1/2 year old and our 'Nugget' will have a name and be 9 months old!

We hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas!

Naughty Or Nice

*First my apologies for photo quality as I only had my cell phone nearby to capture these moments.

Naughty Or Nice?

Momma's Point of View: Naughty!

Don't give me that cute smile -

I know you were playing in the Christmas tree!

Leinna's Point of View: Nice!

I'm learning my colors momma and the lights are such a pretty yellow!!

Naughty or Nice?

Momma's Point of View: Naughty!

What is so entertaining about pulling all the towels out of the cabinet?

Leinna's Point of View: Nice!

I'm learning how to organize things momma!

"Getting Into" The Holiday Spirit

It's starting to feel like Christmas in the Jacobsen's home.
Leinna is "getting into" the spirit...

1) "Getting into" boxes that arrive in the mail

2) "Getting into" the Christmas tree.

We had fun putting the tree up last night. Leinna was great about helping straighten out the branches. However, when it came time to hang ornaments- well, let's just say I waited until she went to bed to finish that part. I did decide that there are a few precious ornaments that won't be on the tree this year - just don't want to risk them getting broke. So the bottom up to where Leinna can reach is all non-breakable ornaments and then on top are a few breakable ones- but if they break, I'm not going to be devastated about it. Mostly she's fascinated with the lights - and since our tree is fake and the lights are integrated, she keeps trying to pull the lights off the tree ... silly girl. But with a stern "No Touches" - she backs away and finds something else to play with.

3) "Getting into" the wrapping paper

I have a feeling this Christmas season is going to be very entertaining with Leinna. Every morning when we come down stairs she says, "Lights- off" and when we plug in the Christmas lights she says, "Oooooo" and claps.
So darn cute :O)

We have 7 1/2 school days until Christmas break officially begins! No travel plans for us as we are staying put to get some much needed rest, a few house projects done and save some money in preparation for Baby J #2! All is going well with pregnancy - I'm having a bit of anxiety at the thought that in 1 month I will begin the every 2 week doctor appointments and with Christmas break quickly approaching, this means I have 1 quarter of school left before I go on maternity leave! "Nugget's" literally kicked up his/her activity this past few weeks and bring on the heart burn! Much like my pregnancy with Leinna, this baby is encouraging me to buy stock in TUMS!

We hope everyone who reads our adventures is finding themselves
"getting into" the holiday spirit!

Problem Solver

I give her credit for problem solving...

She obviously couldn't reach what she wanted - so played with the dog food and water so we would take the dishes out of the stand - not 10 seconds later, she climbed in the stand to try and reach what she wanted. Little stinker... although, I must admit that I rather enjoy watching her figure things out!

Another moment of Leinna trying to figure things out - my camera has a timer and I can set it to complete continuos shooting for 3, 4, 5 or however many shots I want it to take. I was trying to self photograph a picture of "Nugget" at week 23, and Leinna was just puzzled that the camera would go by itself. And then...

She thought it was pretty darn funny!

Not only did we get the huge smile, but she did a little dance for us. I've been having troubles trying to post the video I took with my phone. Leinna has a little dance she likes to do, which involves stomping her right foot and spinning in a circle.

Oh, it makes me laugh to the point of tears!!

There we are with "Nugget" at week 23. I head to Anchorage next week for my next check-up and the lovely glucose testing - blah... although excited to spend the full day in Anchorage and catch up with my dear friend! Will post how the appointment goes - and how Papa handles a full 24 hours without Mama :O) I'm sure he'll do great!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I thought Leinna may enjoy helping me in the kitchen this year, however she was very content to sit in her high chair and watch what Momma was doing.
Maybe next year I'll have a little helper...

Above she is enjoying the fruits of Momma and Papa's labor.

Leinna's wonderful day care provider did turkey-hand prints on Wednesday. I just love it and I'm sure there will be many, many more of these projects that I will cherish.

I'm A Fish!

It's been clear skies this past week in Cordova, which means some chilly temperatures. I'm not complaining though- with all the snow we had last week, I'm glad it didn't warm up - it would have been a slushy mess! With the cold temperatures and it getting dark so early, I thought it best not to go out and walk the dogs in the evening like I typically do. So, by Friday, we are all experiencing a bit of cabin fever. Thankfully, our friends Ms. Sara and Amelia invited us to go the pool on Saturday.


Now, I didn't have my camera at the pool - but captured this picture later during bath time. Leinna is a fish!!

Leinna absolutely LOVED the pool. It took a few minutes for her to realize the fun she could have - but once she did... I just can't find the words to describe it. We will definitely be going back - even "Nugget" liked the pool. When I got out of the pool- the baby was very active!

In other news in the Land of Leinna- everything is...

YELLOW
She's figured out how to say the word yellow. When she has her coloring time, every color is "yell-o" or toys that we've said the colors to she brings over and says... you guessed it, "yell-o". She even said yellow on the phone to Grandma today :O)

Like I said, it's been chilly and clear skies here. It did warm up to upper 20s today, so while Leinna was napping, I took the dogs to one of our favorite walking spots.

Hartney Bay


With Thanksgiving approaching, we are very thankful for many things.
We hope each of you has a wonderful week and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Lovin' All the Snow

This past week is best described as, "Snow, snow, snow and more snow!" With day light savings ending, it was too dark to play outside by the time we picked up Leinna from daycare. So, first thing we did after breakfast Saturday morning, was bundled up to go outside and play in the snow.

Leinna LOVED being outside, but it took her a minute to figure out how to walk with all her winter gear on.

Papa decided to give Leinna a ride in the shovel! Who needs a sled? After Papa was done shoveling, Momma pushed Leinna in the shovel all around the driveway. Needless to say, if Momma stopped moving, Leinna let me know to get going again :O)

We ended our fun morning outside with a ride on the four-wheeler. Again - she LOVED it! Her little cheeks were getting cold and her eyes were watering, so I knew it was time to head back inside.

Needless to say - Leinna was very unhappy to be back inside. Papa had just a little more plowing to do and Leinna stood by the door crying as she watched Papa finish. I think a sled may be in Leinna's future as our driveway has just enough of a slope that she could really have fun sledding at such a young age. With all this beautiful snow, I sure hope the rain stays away!!
So far, we've had a beautiful, clear and cold week.

Half Way There

This week marks the half way point of "Nugget's" development. On Wednesday, I was will officially be 20 weeks. I was able to go to Anchorage for my ultra-sound this week - it's so exciting to "see" the baby. And it's a .... NOPE - NO PEAKING!! Just like with Leinna we wanted to be surprised - so we won't know if Nugget is a girl or boy until baby is born. My due date is still for March 28th

Unlike Leinna, this baby did not want a profile picture taken. This was the clearest shot we could get. With Leinna, we were able to capture all sorts of profile shots- even a few 3D images. Nope not this one... In fact the baby started to put up his/her hands like in a boxing position- saying that was enough of trying to see his/her profile!

We were able to capture this 3D image of the baby's legs with his/her feet crossed at the bottom of the image.

During the ultra-sound you could see the baby drinking fluid - I mean actually see the baby's mouth opening and closing- that was pretty cool. Also, just like Leinna, this baby had the hic-cups! The ultra-sound technician would get lined up and ready to do a measurement and then - hic-up- the baby would jerk and the position would move. Ha,ha....

If the second half of pregnancy goes as quickly as the first half, before I know it I will be blogging whether Leinna has a little sister or a little brother.

Leinna has started to realize that my belly is getting bigger. She likes to lift my shirt and give the belly a kiss and hug. I wonder if she can hear the baby when she lays her head on my stomach? Regardless - it's cute and makes my heart just melt when she says, "Baby" and gives the belly a kiss.

Leinna's also been busy trying to figure out how to use silverware. Just couldn't resist snapping this shot of her using a spoon to eat some prunes!

Hope everyone enjoys an extra hour of rest with day light saving's ending tonight. I just hope Leinna gets the message too :O)

BOO!

Happy Halloween 2011~

A little stroll down memory lane...

October 2009 - newly pregnant and no one knew our news yet!

October 2010 - Leinna's first Halloween!

October 2011
Leinna definitely has the "Boo" figured out!


And we look forward to next year with "Nugget" joining the festivities!

Dress Up Part 2

The snow has stayed in the mountains so far, but Leinna's ready with her new boots. She was so excited to put them on and stomped all over the house.

She also found it quite entertaining this weekend to put her socks on her hands and try to pick up her toys. I thought for sure she was going to get frustrated, but nope- she just kept trying and would laugh at herself when she couldn't do it.

While I was brushing my teeth, I told Leinna to go get her shoes so we could go to church. When I came out of the bathroom she was stomping around in my walking shoe. Too funny...

She also has a new game of putting my hat on and walking around the house. I don't know how she can see where she's going...

but she comes running (no joke) around the corner of the kitchen into the living-room and pulls the hat off with a look of - ha,ha... I scared you!

Such a silly girl ...

15 months & 15 weeks

October 6th marked 15 months of life for Leinna!

I thought the "independent stage" wasn't suppose to start until age 2, but we definitely have 'little miss thang' ruling the house right now. I love the picture above - looks like she's got so much attitude! We are definitely experiencing some 'terrible two' symptoms. I love it when Leif looks at me and says, "What's wrong with her?" HA, HA, HA!!! Poor Leif has very little experience with young children. I usually reply with, she's testing us to see if she can get her way everytime - so when she throws herself on the floor and screams because she didn't get her way - walk away and don't give her any attention. Leif tells me he's glad I know what I'm doing. HA, HA - again -- if only I did know what I'm doing.


More times than not though we have our happy, smiley girl!

Her 15 month check-up went well. She's almost 25 pounds and 31 inches tall.
Yah, she's no small child that's for sure.


We also celebrated 15 weeks for "Nugget" on October 6th.

I'm already slacking on my photos for "Nugget" compared to my pregnancy with Leinna. I suppose it's due the fact that I'm so tired by the time Leinna goes to sleep - the last thing I want to do is take a picture. Fortunately, I snapped this one before going to work - a rare morning that we had some extra time :O)

Old Man Winter - Just around the corner

Finally - the weather is changing in our part of the world. We had some heavy frost on our deck this morning. While it was a sunny, beautiful day in Cordova, the sun did not hit our deck and we had the same level of frost when we got home. We know it's getting closer to winter when the direct sunlight doesn't hit the house anymore. :o( Although, I'm looking forward to Leinna playing in the snow. She loves being outside and I think she'll have fun playing in it.

Exploring With Dress-Up Clothes

Where do I even begin to tell this story... Papa was off to a training for work and Momma was taking a shower. As long as Momma leaves the door open, I'm happy to entertain myself until she's done. Today, I decided I would try her clothes on.

Momma laughed so hard when she saw that I put her shirt on by myself. I was a little upset that I couldn't get the shirt back off, but when I found the arm holes, I thought it was pretty fun to play dress-up!

I also like to pull open the shower curtain while Momma is in the shower. She's finally got smart and holds it closed with her toes until I find something else to amuse me. Anyways- it was fun wearing Momma's shirt this morning.

Momma also wanted me to share that "Nugget" is doing well. She's feeling good and getting a bigger tummy. When Momma asks me, "Where's Momma's Baby" - I'm so smart and point to her tummy. We head to Anchorage on Friday for a check-up for me and my "Nugget" (aka - Baby #2). Happy October 1st and have a wonderful week!

Just the Girls

This past week it was just Leinna and I. Leif was off to Anchorage for a one day conference and then went north for some moose hunting with his dad. No luck moose hunting, but Leinna and I had fun just the two of us plus the dogs :o)

The weather has been pretty rainy and yucky but we did have some sunshine on Sunday. Before Leif flew home, we got the dogs out for a walk. As you can see, Leinna is just as excited to get out of the house as the dogs were. I wish I could take credit for the owl hat, but I must give credit to our wonderful friend Heidi who bought it as a gift for Leinna.

When Papa would call for the night - Leinna would get so excited to hear his voice!

I think Leinna is trying to give me a hint that we need to get her her own little chair to sit on. I don't think Koda much appreciated being used as a resting spot.

With "Nugget" (aka Baby #2) on the way, we find it rather entertaining that she likes to put her diapers in the trash. When she's completed the task, we always tell her thank you or good girl. Now she beats us to it and says "goo-grl" or "ank-u" - so stinking cute!