Life with a Toddler is Busy!

This is long overdue, but like the title says, Life with a Toddler is Busy! Now that Jacob is two, we've been on the move, going here, there and everywhere.  After the worst winter I've ever experienced, we've been taking every opportunity to hang out outside.  We go to the zoo at least once a week (thanks to a great family membership).  There's also lots of playgrounds around that we like to visit.  One of Jacob's favorite things to do is go down to the Herring Run stream behind our house and throw rocks in the water.  He says they go "splash!"  He's a very chatty boy and talking more and more all the time.  Here's some pictures from our recent adventures:

On a spring day, we tried to get some family pictures at a local park, but Jacob was stingy with his smile.

Mommy, Jacob, & Mama

We've been going to the zoo a lot.  Here we are feeding a giraffe.

Jacob takes a ride on a banana-plane.

Smelling the flowers at Sherwood Gardens.

Hanging out with his buddy Aidan at a PJ Shabbat at the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation...

And for old time's sake, here's a picture of the boys from about 2 years ago:

The Video I Promised

This is the video I wanted to show you last month.

Two!

In the midst of all the snow that fell on us, Jacob turned two years old!  Grampa came to town and we celebrated with cupcakes.  Jacob's birthday party is postponed until we can see our street again. (Actually most of the snow has melted, so we're in good shape provided we don't have any more blizzards.)

Caroline created a great word and skill chart that marks when Jacob said which words and did which big skill over the last two years.  Jacob has around 90 words in his vocabulary! And the list keeps growing and growing.  Today he said "song" to me for the first time!  He loves music and loves listening to his Putumayo CDs.

Here's some recent pictures:

Listening to "Happy Birthday"

Eating cake (one of his new favorite words).

Riding his fire truck.

Exploring the fish in the Children's Area of the Enoch Pratt Library main branch (with buddy Aidan).

Supporting the Wishes for Fishes fund.

Jacob is getting ready for some new adventures.  He'll be taking a tumbling class this spring and we're eagerly awaiting summer for fun at the pool.

Snowman!

Goodness, all we're getting here in Baltimore is snow, snow, and more snow.  We're expecting another 15" - 22" inches tonight.  Jacob and I went out to build snowmen from the snow leftover from last weekend.  He had a blast once he realized that the mittens kept his hands warm while touching the snow.  Hee hee.

Yay for snow!

Hello 2010!

Hello 2010!  Sorry for the long overdue post!  The last couple of months of 2009 were really busy in the Harmon-Darrow household.  I was working on my Master's thesis, which is finally done.  Then we had Thanksgiving at our house and a week later, we flew off to California for 10 days.  When we got back, we were welcomed with the Blizzard of 2009 and 20 inches of snow!

2010 hasn't slowed us down at all, either.  Jacob returned to school and Caroline and I returned to work, but we're all doing really great!  We're looking forward to Jacob's birthday party next month.  Can you believe that Jacob is going to be 2????  Me neither.

Jacob is growing in leaps and bounds.  He's talking a lot, some words I understand, most I don't.  He's also saying small sentences.  He loves to talk on the phone.  And his newest fascination is Elmo.  He loves Elmo and talks about him all the time.

He continues to love books, but now he's expanding his skills to cooking.  Caroline cooks with him nearly everyday.  He's pretty good at it.  He likes it so much that it's one of the first things he says when he wakes up in the morning.  "Cook!"

Here are some pictures from our recent adventures.

Thanksgiving dinner with Uncle Adam, Renee, Bubby, and Uncle Stuart.

Mommy & Jacob celebrating the completion of Mommy's thesis in California.

Gramma, Jacob, Grampa & Mama at the Spanish Village in Balboa Park.

Mommy & Jacob baking Hannukah and Christmas cookies.  He loves to sprinkle the sugar.

Jacob at the Children's Museum in San Diego.  He's an artful character.

Jacob explores the snow in the Blizzard of 2009.

Jacob with the Danna Clan, (L-R) Aunt Joan, Pop-pop (Jack Sr.), Aunt Janet, Aunt Joyce, and Mom-mom (Helen).

Christmas morning with Mama & Mommy.

Playdate with his buddy, Aidan!

A kiss for his Pappa!

That's it for now.  I have a video that I want to share, but I can't figure out how.  When I do, I'll post it.

Halloween!

Just a quick post to share our Halloween pictures!

Pumpkin Carving!

Working on the design.

These pumpkins are scary!

Little Bumble bee.

Ready to go!

Trick or treat!

The day after - "I love to carry my basket all around!"

Pumpkins

Wow, two posts in one month!  Today, my friend Steffie and I took our boys to Weber's Farm for some outdoor fun.  They have all sorts of stuff for kids to do.  We took pictures with the pumpkins, went on a hay ride, visited a huge turkey, and slid down a huge hill on a burlap bag.  The boys had a blast.  Here's some pictures.

Standing about 2 & 1/2 feet tall.