Happy Birthday, Jonas

Happy Birthday, to my sweet Jonas. He turns two today. Even though it is the first day of spring and old man winter is trying to interfer....we aren't going to let him!!! We are so blessed to have you in our lives!! I can't imagine a day without you, Jonas! Thank you, Lord for blessing us with such an amazing little man....he's so loving, so generous and full of joy!!! We love you so much, Jonas. Enjoy your special day!!

The day before...helping make the cakes...err...well, eating the batter

Birthday morning fun! Sliiiiidddee!!!!

Happy Boy

1 Day to Go...

Oh my gosh...we got so busy and excited that tomorrow's Jonas' birthday...I forgot to post the blog. Here it is!!

On Wednseday, we took Jonas to the zoo for the first time. I'll save that story for another blog. But, we had a great time and he really loved the penguins. I love how much he has grown up, and yet, I want to keep him young. I'm trying to savor every moment. Something he likes to do to calm himself is to play with my hair. He does it when he's tired, when he's upset, or when he just needs some TLC. Sometimes it drives me crazy, but then Ryan always reminds me...he's not going to do it forever. One day, I'll wake up and realize, he does not play with my hair anymore. Kinda makes me sad to realize...he will grow up...he's doing it everyday.

It surprised me a few weeks ago when I heard him counting to 10. It surprised me when he started saying the ABC's (sometimes omitting sections or placing then somewhere else). It surprised me when he starting going to the bathroom (although we are nowhere near potty trained). Yes, he's full of surprises. Even though I don't want him to grow up, I look forward even more to the surprises that the next year will bring.

Saying "hi" to the elephants

Passed out from too much fun

Getting ready to make our grand entrance at the FW zoo

Getting a hair cut

Planting Elmo tomato seeds

2 Days to Go...

This was not Jonas' official "first snow" day or even Micah's. We had a small snow one day that lightly dusted the ground back in late November/early December...I can't remember. But, this was Jonas' first time to really be able to play in the s-no...as he says it. We had so much fun these two days. We watched with wonder all day as the snow kept coming down. All he wanted to do was go outside and play or watch Christmas VeggieTales movies because they had snow in the movie. We had a blast playing...I think that Ryan and I actually had more fun being kids in the snow! I know that daddy is ready to take us all to Colorado. But, until then, we'll just enjoy this crazy Texas weather!!!

12 inches of snow!! (Early February)

Tasting the snow...it needs sugar (Early February)

Day 2 of the snow...getting geared up (Early February)

My snow angel (Early February)

Having fun with Micah (Mid February)

3 Days to Go...

There is one thing we hear in our house...over and over (besides "no", "stop", or "don't touch") it's three little syllables, but Jonas has shortened it to two. It's "TaleTales!" He loves all things VeggieTales. Not quite sure if it's the sillines of Larry, the care of Bob, or the fact that he can relate to Junior...but, boy does he love them. He loves them so much, in fact, that he is started to sing the songs when we are out running errands and he's got favorite quotes in the shows that he is starting to say along with the characters. Is he watching VeggieTales too much? We try to limit the amount...but, if he's going to watch anything...I'm so thankful that he loves "TaleTales."

Trying to get to "that" one. (Christmas Eve)

Rocking the shades (Christmas Day)

Reading his new "Cars" book (Christmas Day)

Gimmie!! (New Year's Eve)

Santa brought a slide to our house (New Year's Day)

What cookie? (Early January)

4 Days to Go...

Early in the fall and into Christmas, Jonas learned about a new "toy"....it was a slide. Everything became a slide. Oh, he had been on many slides before, at school, at church, at parks...but, it was like all of a sudden he realized just how much fun they were. When we would drive past a park he would see the slides and get excited and then mad if we were not stopping. When we would actually go to the park, he would get so upset when it was time to leave. He loved slides. He turned the bathtub ledge into a slide. Yes, it was only 2 inches, but it was a slide, nonetheless. When we went home for Thanksgiving, Mimi and Popi knew of his newest obsession and had kindly got a slide to stay at their house. He had so much fun going up and down...over and over and over and over. We knew we needed to get this boy a slide for Christmas. Maybe Santa would deliver...

Buddy...I mean, Jonas the Elf (Mid-December)

Christmas Gift (Mid-December)

Too much fun...fell asleep at the table (Christmastime)

Sliiiiiiide (Christmastime)

Justa Swangin' (Christmastime)

5 Days to Go...

I love the way Jonas talks. He's been talking for a while. I have had several people tell me he talks a lot for his age. Strangers that we meet at the store (yes, even they are our new best friends) always guess that he's at least 3 because of his vocabulary. Recently, he talks all of the time!! Sometimes, it's his own language...mixed with a few detectable words. Other times, it is clear sentences. It's amazing! We play 'peek-a-boo, I see you' with Micah. One day, Jonas said, "Micah, I see you." Ryan and I just stared at each other with our mouths wide open. When did he learn to talk? From there on, it was many other sentences, "Who is that?," "Where are you _____ (fill in the blank for anything missing)?," "There you are.," and just recently it's been "I'll be right back (as he takes off running)" and "Don't move" (taken from me and Ryan for when he's sitting on the counter-top helping us cook...now he tells us not to move---ha!). I love seeing him grow. I love the influction in his voice as he gets so excited just to find his shoes...it's like finding a long lost friend. These are precious days, indeed.

Two paci's...double the fun! (Early November)

Tower of blocks...sitting in mommy's old rocking chair (Thanksgiving)

Watching the fish...with Simba! (Thanksgiving)

Getting ready to run me over (Early December)

6 Days to Go...

When Micah was born, Jonas had to "grow up" quickly. It was hard at first, learning that he could not always be held by mom and dad and learning about this new "brother." But, he rose to the occasion. Many people had warned us about sibling jealousy and to watch Jonas around the new baby. We heeded those warnings, but prayed above them. Jonas is such a sweet, loving big-brother. He has never shown any anger or jealousy towards Micah...just utter care and love. When Micah cries, he lets us know that Micah's is upset...and sometimes even becomes upset, too. The first time I put Micah in his crib, Jonas was very upset and worried about him (maybe because Jonas did not like his crib--ha!). He has been so good. He loves to tickle Micah and make him laugh at the dinner table. Yes, I believe I'm going to be in trouble as these two get older....and, that makes me smile!

Peeking in on Micah (Early October)

Bath time with Auntie Reanna (Early October)

Quick shot for Auntie Reanna (Early October)

Loving Micah (Mid-October)

7 Days to Go...

Summer of 2009 was a blast! It was hot and I was pregnant...but, that did not stop us from having fun!! Summer of 2008, Jonas was still just a lump (of sugar). So, it was so much fun this past summer getting to see him enjoy what everyone loves about these hot months...the baseball games, 4th of July parties, going to the pool, our family trip to Schlitterbahn, and just having fun!

Fort Worth Cats Game...waiting for the fireworks (4th of July)

Eating my first cupcake in honor of our great nation (4th of July)

Love from great pa-pa Clyde (Schlitterbahn, end of July)

Poolside with Daddy (Schlitterbahn, end of July)

Getting onto dad and Popi (Early September)

Daddy's hat (late September)

Hip-hopping in bunny slippers and daddy's other hat (2 days before Micah was born, early October)

8 Days to Go...

The day Jonas (finally) decided to let go of my hand and that he could walk on his own, he took off...no fear! He was about 14 months and had already taken steps, would stand on his own...but, he was not quite ready to let go. But after months of practice and wondering, he finally let go. It was so much fun to watch. We were at home and I watched him walk across the living room to get a toy. He probably took 10 steps, but that was the most he had ever done. Then he did it again! Later, at a friends house, he watched the other kids walking (er, running) and decided he needed to get in on the action...so, again he took off. When Ryan got home, he showed off his new skills...a little. It wasn't until that evening that he really strut his stuff. We just happened to be going to Chuck E Cheese for a friend's birthday party. Jonas was all over that place! It's a good thing we went and bought him a pair of shoes before going, because he's just like his dad...always barefoot! So, that is the tale of how my little side-kick, always attached to my hip, decided to stretch his legs...and run!!

Sitting patiently at Starbucks (June, Father's Day)

Passed out on daddy's old sleeping blanket (June, Father's Day)

Playing ball with Ma-Ma (June, Father's Day)

Almost ready to go swimming...just need to get dressed! (End of June)

9 Days to Go...

It's amazing how much these little things grow in a year. Actually, when Jonas turned one, he was not walking, yet. When I look back over this past year...and how much he has learned to do...it blows my mind. He is so amazing!

First popcicle (Memorial Day)

Me and my little man (Memorial Day)

Garage Sale...Jonas earned a portable DVD on this day...Thank you, Lord! (Early June)

Watching and waiting for cookies (June)

Cookie Monster trying to find a way to reach the cookies (June)

10 Days to Go....

Jonas was born the 1st day of Spring...it's an amazing testimony of life!! If you have not heard it before, go back and read last year's blog from March 2009 titled "God's Promise." I retold the story on that blog. It's a good one...about the goodness of our God!

Hope you enjoy our little countdown....

First Easter...such a look of awe (April)

Texas Bluebonnets outside College Station, TX (April)

Tired hiker (April)

Getting ready to hike the south rim of The Grand Canyon (May)