Grandma Jane had this chair made just for Jacob.

Lydia taking her turn to smash Lightning McQueen.

Avery’s turn.

Hannah’s turn

Jacob’s turn.

Finally, Uncle Fonz’s turn to smash it. He did have to be blindfolded though.

The kids diggin’ on the patio furniture.

So excited to see all the cars.

Playing Cars with his cousins.

Dressed and ready for Christmas dinner

suffering from RDS(respiratory distress syndrome), 2 NEC(necrotizing enterocolitis) infections,

and the daily struggles for being so small & premature.

He spent 11 weeks in the NICU

and came home a healthy 5lbs. 7oz. little boy

all thanks to prayers, love, and the March of Dimes.

November 17th is Prematurity Awareness Day and is dedicated to raising awareness of the crisis. Take 3 steps to help fight premature birth:

1. Visit marchofdimes.com/fight.
2. Put a badge on your blog to help spread the word.
3. On November 17, blog for a baby you love and to help others.

We need to fight ― because babies shouldn’t have to

We were able to hitch a ride on the tractor even though Jake was reluctant at first. As you can see from the smile, he warmed up to the idea when we started to see pumpkins.

He had so much fun looking at all the pumpkins.

Jake picked out this pumpkin. We took it home and made it part of our scarecrow.

This was about the time that mama decided to go search for the perfect white pumpkin. Ever since my parents took me to the pumpkin patch I have always bought a white pumpkin. I think they are so neat.

Follow the leader.

Can you tell that he was having fun running?

More follow the leader.

We found an awesome pumpkin that hadn’t been picked off the vine yet, so Jake got to pick it.

Then, he tried to carry it, but it got too heavy so the pumpkin was given to Dada to carry it.

Too bad that Dada didn’t get in this picture.

He sure has grown from his 1st and 2nd trip of pickin’ pumpkins.

Meeting the goats.

Baby goats.

Meeting an ostrich!!!

I think that Jake liked the baby goats the best.

Meeting a donkey

“Peeg!” We all liked the pig a lot.

Buffalo, his name is Henry too!!!

We whipped out the cotton candy after we got home. Sugar-highs are best handled in a controlled environment.

At first, he wasn’t thrilled about the paint on his hands. He was wanting them cleaned off, but I showed him that he could just wipe them off on the shirt. I think he enjoyed being messy.

He loved it and the shirt came out fantastic. Even dada said he wanted a shirt made by Jake! It’s a possibility but we might be biased.

Being an artist is exhausting!!!

For breakfast, Jake munched on some donuts. It’s the best way to start a birthday celebration.

On his birthday, we had a little party with the family that is still in town. We ate pizza and cake and of course, we opened packages.

Jacob loves cats and cars.

He also loves Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!

Yummy! Chocolate cake.

You are amazing Jacob! Mama & Dada love you very much little man.

He runs around non-stop for the most part and talks constantly.  My favorite word that he says right now is “but” which means belly button.

He just got over his first ear infection. It took him about 2 weeks to get back to his usual active self.

He got his second hair cut a few days ago and it made him look so much older, it is kinda sad.

He knows how to fake laugh just to get you to laugh at him and when he sees a camera, he will say “chssss” and smiles.

“Ow Ow” is his favorite show and for those who don’t understand the language of Jacob, that means Wow Wow Wubbzy. And his “caaat” (stuffed cat) has to go “ni ni” (night-night) with him or else.

Oh, and his attitude after “ni ni” time, it is definitely not a time to ask him questions or even talk to him. He needs his moment to wake up. Steve says it reminds him of someone else he knows. I just don’t know who that is!

HAPPY 23 MONTH BIRTHDAY JACOB!!!! You amaze me everyday. I can’t believe you will be 2 years old in one month. Love you monkey.