Black Wednesday

Jacob's school has a color system for their disciplinary action. Green is the best, then yellow, then some other couple colors until you get to black. Black is a note home...and a walk of shame to the director's office.

Well after a great first day at kindergarten, we decided to take Jacob out to dinner to celebrate. We came home like usual and began to wind down for bed time. I unloaded the backpacks, only to find a note to the attention of : Parents of Jacob McFall. This doesn't sound good...it goes on the describe that Jacob was put on black today because of his "potty" mouth. An instant terror came over me. The terror was not because Jacob used potty words, but which potty words did he use?

I yell, "JACOB MCFALL": He then looked and saw that I had his backpack...he knew.
I asked some questions, such as: what did you do to get on black?
Jacob said, "potty words"
I asked, "what potty words did you say, Jacob? (as I cringe waiting for some four letter word to come out of his mouth)"
Jacob said, "poo poo, pee pee and toilet" (so she was literal when she said "potty' words)
I then asked, "why did you not listen when your teacher said to stop saying them?"
Jacob paused, thought quickly and responded. "Well, Daddy didn't clean my ears well enough last night and I have cucky in them, so I couldn't hear my teacher.

Really? He came up with 'my ears were full of wax'? How proud!

Another First

No, Kaitrin didn't start doing anything new...Mom did. Mom learned, if only for three hours, to trust a babysitter! Today was Kaitrin's first day with a babysitter (outside of daycare) in our house while Mike took Jacob to a birthday party and I went into work. I stayed pretty cool...I think!

I remember when I was the neighborhood babysitter...parents close by, babysitting class certificate in hand, and a shared love for fruit roll ups!

Rainy Day Fun

After the surprise of the rain set in, after the Scooby-Doo vs Diego battle, and after eating every Ritz Bitz in the box...the kids resort to hiding (and giggling) under the blankets.

Remote Princess

Control of the Remote

This is Kaitrin attempting to recover the stolen remote in the middle of the Scooby-Doo vs Diego battle.

SPOILER ALERT: Kaitrin wins!

WHAT? It's raining outside!

This is a video of Kaitrin and I having dessert. Since she did not know the camera was on her, I tried my hardest to have her say things. She has been doing well with recognizing faces and placing them with names. Grandma made a photo book for Jacob when he was younger and we lived further away...Kaitrin loves it!

In the News - Later in Life Problems

http://www.healthnews.com/family-health/pregnancy-childbirth-parenting/could-premature-babies-face-problems-later-life-1445.html

In the News - New Heart Monitor for Preemies

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/nottinghamshire/7505158.stm

In the News - First IVF Baby Turns 30

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iqs7hQfKFma-avGEqVGUGbLJ5xXQ

In the News - Longer SIDS Risk

http://rmgh.net/news-room/63-patient-education/754-longer-sids-risk-for-premature-babies.html

In the News - Better Diagnosis for Preeclampsia

http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/blpr/617807.html

Go Orange!

Jacob is in the middle...punching and kicking his heart out. He broke two boards: one with his elbow and one with his foot. Forget those team sports. Who needs 'em? Jacob sure can't handle them, but seems to be kicking butt at individual sports. He tested today and received his orange belt (and got an 'orange belt present' of a Ben 10 backpack) and is so thrilled with himself. Speaking on individual sports, he is loving tennis too (and not just because his 'love' is playing!).

Ready for the Poker Tour

I think I have said before that Jacob can play some serious poker, but every time I watch him play I feel this weird sense of pride. No, it probably isn't the best thing for him to be doing...betting 'money' and all. No, I hope he doesn't go into Kindergarten and teach his friends how to play. But really, how strategic is it for him to play poker on my phone in the dentist waiting room and win 2K or play at the kitchen table and beat his dad! And he doesn't ask for help!

In the News - Life Support Pouch

http://warehousenews.co.uk/?p=519

This is a new pouch, that they are using over seas, to help hold babies body temperature and allowing docs to see baby through the clear plastic.

In the News - Shy Preemies

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-07-16-shy-premature-babies_N.htm

Shy because you were a preemie? Kaitrin sure does not fit into this majority!

In the News - About Preemies

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/newbornsandbabies/ig/Premature-Babies/

This is a good link if you have never seen pictures of a preemie. Almost all but the helicopter picture come back to my mind when thinking of our experience.

Jacob and His Bird

If it's Sunday and 10:00, Jacob is feeding the birds at the zoo. Every Sunday we have been going to the zoo to see a different section, except the birds. Each Sunday, as this exhibit opens, we are there paying our dollar for coconut milk. Jacob has done very well holding still as these loud, but beautiful birds slurp down the milk. I have limited him to just two cups per visit...Kaitrin thinks they are too loud and we would be there all day...or at least until I ran out of ones!

Yum Strawberries

Kaitrin and I were trotting around the yard while Jacob was riding his bike. Kaitrin noticed the small berry patch by the deck. She went running over and picked some red strawberries. "Yum Strawberries" She began to cry because I made her go to the hose to wash them off. The tears vanished as she piled all three into her mouth, juice running down her chin, saying YUM. When she finished, she went running back to pick more...

Zoo Trip

For those of you who really know our family, the kids and I go to the zoo on Sunday morning while Mike goes fishing. Well, today at the zoo, we went to the Australian section. Jacob bought a cup of food and went into the bird cage. He was very calm as two birds flew over and landed on his arms. He even held still as the birds sat and ate. We are just going to have to remember the camera next Sunday!