Weekend at the Beach

Our little trio went to Ocean City last weekend for the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers 50th Annual Convention (it is a lot more fun that it sounds, trust).

Our handbell choir's director was one of the honored directors and directed about 550 of us ringers on two songs including one that was written just for her. Anne did an amazing job!Jacob and Steve both enjoyed our concert on Saturday afternoon (after rehearsals Friday night and Saturday plus classes on Saturday). Jacob was thoroughly engaged in the music and stayed put on Daddy's lap for all 6 pieces. After the bronze-level piece (an advanced level peice that was rather exciting and got really fast at the end) Jacob turned to Steve and requested, "Again".

While I was ringing away, Jacob and Steve had a terrific time trying to find things to do besides play on the beach as the weather was typical March beach weather. There was lots of rain, wind, and fog. Sunday morning was so foggy that even though we had an oceanfront room we woke up to the sound of the beach...but no view. Just a wall of fog. Thankfully we had purchased a pair of puddle-jumper boots for Jacob on the day we headed to OC. His pants still got wet, but at least his one pair of tennis shoes that fit were still dry.

Here's Jacob on a dune-crossing.Did I mention the wind...and the fog?Jacob was a little scared of the ocean, but totally let loose on a puddle on our way back to the hotel.Jacob grabbed an apple to eat while Steve and I packed up to leave - it was a big apple.

Bliz2010 Part II Pics

Ok - just to make it clear...Yes, Fargo has gotten way more snow than we have in one winter season (I believe 90" is the current record) but they usually get it slowly. Over a period of months. Not all in one week.

Like every other homeowner in the DC region - we have cabin fever, back aches, arm aches (after all, it takes a lot more arm strength to shovel snow above your head), and we're numb to all things white. Enjoy the photos anyway!

Bliz2010 Part I Pics

Videos

Marsha and Al came over Friday so we could all be snowed in together! We had a great time. More photos to be posted later. Here are 2 videos.

Haircut!

I almost totally forgot to mention tha tJacob got his first haircut! He was starting to have trouble with a small bit right in the center of his forehead always falling into one eye or another and another small bit right at the back of his head that kept getting caught in bib snaps.

Mommy was brave and brought the scissors out while Daddy distracted Jacob during a mealtime.

Here are the first photos after the haircut.

I did my best to 1)avoid accidentally cutting a squirming boy and 2) to keep the bangs a bit wispy since that's how his hair has always been.

Bunches o'Stuff

Jacob is really growing up quickly in so many ways. He's starting to combine words, is doing so well with a spoon, is getting better with a fork, can drink out of a regular glass, and wants to be helpful, mostly, when we ask him to do things. These transformations are just amazing!

One recent evening Jacob started saying "Hi Daddy" over and over and over. At the same time he was running around the room only to throw himself on the floor over and over again. I think I captured on video one of the last times he did it that night.


Then, finally, after doing all these things for what seemed like an hour (it may have only been a half hour) he said the 2 words that I had been waiting to hear all day...(listen for it at about 19 seconds)

My heart melted!

He's doing lots of cute things late, like climbing into and out of his toy bins.He loves getting horsey rides from either one of us, which usually end with him purposefully falling off somehow.He looks adorable in the sweater GrandMary knit for him for Christmas.He still loves to flirt with girls. Becky came over the other day and Jacob cozied right up to her for a book.Best of all he obviously loves his Mommy and Daddy.
I just wish he would willingly let me put him to bed once in a while. *sigh*

Merry Christmas! (and photo post)

Wow! What a day it's been! Thank you all for the many well wishes and love. I don't know about your house, but today was all about family at our house. While it was just The Luce Trio here we were still able to connect with family in Fargo, Denver, and Germantown.

It all started last week when Santa visited daycare. Jacob was too scared to get on Santa's lap but was willing to sit on Mommy's knee next to the famous one in red and white. Then last weekend we got hit with roughly 20 inches of snow so we were able to have a white Christmas!Here are a few photos of our day. The happiness started early, as usual, and after breakfast we brought Jacob into the family room where newly erected presents and many more presents under the tree awaited.
Jacob still has a few more presents to open which he gets to do tomorrow - yay for Boxing Day!