A whole year . . .

Better late than never?  I think so, but where to even start talking about a year in the life of a 2-year old . . .
Maybe with some pictures while the words get warmed up.

All I want for Christmas is goldfish!

Just a photo op.  Not much skiing happened
before a puppy distracted him.

I think he looks about 5 years old in this pic.

Still copping out for now, here's a draft blog from November interspersed with more, not necessarily related, pictures:

As of my last blog, we were on the cusp of starting potty training.  It's gone pretty well, though we're not quite there yet with Jake letting us know in advance.  Progress, though, and the whole thing hasn't been as disgusting as I'd expected/feared. 

We'd talked about doing the 3-day plan for quite awhile, but when he started self-training at day-care we worried about maybe causing him to regress if he didn't like the 3-day plan.  In retrospect, that probably wasn't a very valid worry.  None-the-less, we're sticking with the more extended version as all seems to be going well.  And I have to say that, much as I hate to see it because I know it's already too late - it's kind of cute to see him get pigeon toed as it dawns on him that he has to pee.  I'm sure we'll have more lead time soon.  The other cute part of training has been "bye bye yucky" when we flush.  He even waves good-bye.

How come the Warthog  isn't in
the Munich guidebook??

So what could be more interesting than potty training???  His first bike!!  Sein grun laufrad!  (laufrad = run-bike;  aka no pedals).  It was his birthday gift from Greg and Twyla (Grandma got the knee and elbow pads).  I thought we'd get it now and maybe start using it in a few more months, but he already likes it, and is working on his laufrad skills.  Even though his feet barely touch the ground when he's on the seat.  Gladly, there's also been no resistance to always wearing his helmet on the bike.  Setting the example clearly pays off, because he has very little interest in wearing the helmet when he's not on the bike.

Why, yes, I can chase your cat up a tree!

We went to Munich this weekend (11-12 Nov).  It was nice, but the culture/shopping scene was quite lost on us with Jake.  It was rainy, so maybe a bad pick for the great outdoors - but our next weekend adventure should be the Black Forest.  In anycase, Jake got to mark off the München Marienplatz Glockenspiel on his clocks-of-the-world list (aka - The Great "Tick-Tocks").  And from one point on the Marienplatz, we could see six tick-tocks on five grand towers.  It was a little bit of Jake heaven.





And there I lost it.  so picking up in September '13, with the theme of "Regression":
Much as I knew better, I still forced potty training at times.  Maybe there were other factors, too, but we definitely had a total reset to diapers through most of the beginning of this year.  We're firmly back on the 'big boy' track now, you'll be happy to know.  I'm happy about it, anyway.  Pacifier is another story, but he says he won't need it any more when he's three.  That experiment is coming soon!

Grandpa got him on the laufrad. 
But I couldn't.

And that green bike I was so excited about?  He rode it when Grandma & Grandpa Tibboel were here in the spring, but otherwise totally preferred his tricycle.  Even when the trike broke.  Stubborn.  So Laurie finally got him a little bike with training wheels.  Very un-German, and he loves it!

J.D. Hooligan

Talking has clearly not suffered regression - probably because neither Mom nor Dad ever tried to rush it.  He's entered the funny phrase phase recently, with his best lines frequently reserved for convincing us to let him watch videos:  "Mom, if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, it's school, then videos!"  On which note, months of endless Humpty-Dumpty has finally given way to Peppa Pig (which I recommend!).  I'm waiting with some dread for the inevitable awkward repeat of something I've said about someone.

More words did not necessarily put the kibosh on fits, and in fact we hit what I hope was a peak in screaming fits several weeks ago.  Some tweaks in how we dealt with them seems to have done the trick though, and we're all in a better mood for it.  Also, while he's a good 

talker now, he'd just as soon be singing.  He's got a good repertoire now, and thinks it's jolly to mix and match lyrics to other melodies. Singing, fortunately, has not peaked.  Laurie and I just hope his singing voice isn't too closely genetically tied to either of ours. 

Backing up now to mention a few key events since that November draft blog.  Nana Mimi came for Christmas/New Years.  After a near miss due to a bad stomach bug for Jake, we spent several days enjoying lovely winter weather (cool, but nice) seeing the sights of Paris. 

Our next big visit was Grandma and Grandpa Tibboel in May.  I was in Dakar for much of their visit, but not 'til we'd first had a great trip to Amsterdam (Laurie planned it very well).  We caught the tulip bloom at its best; discovered that Jake loves ride-in-front bike seats (except when it suddenly starts to pour); and had an all around good time.  Plus, I got to see Cecily Beard, my favorite high school teacher and a life-long positive influence for many, many people!

Next was a road trip to meet good friends Kristin and Gordon in Dresden, where their daughter Madeline instantly became Jake's new best friend.  She gets the lion's share of credit for convincing Jake to embrace (figuratively) the potty.  From Dresden, we all went to Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic to sample hot icky water in hopes of curing our ills - and to hydrate before we attempted The Fitness back to our rental apartment.  Check out "The Rodzina" blog (link at top right, here) for a great description by Gordon, and good pictures.  Finally, they joined us back in Stuttgart before ending their European Summer (Working) Vacation in Berlin.

Twyla and Greg just before the via ferrata
started in earnest.  We passed on beers at
that Gasthaus, but not at the top!

Shortly after that, Greg and Twyla made the trip and, on day one, actually got me out of bed even before Jake so we could climb the Zugspitze - the highest peak in Germany.  It was a tremendous day and a good start to their short trip (all the shorter courtesy of a 3-day layover in Atlanta).  The other highlight of their trip was, well, having lots of fun with Jake (would you believe we let Uncle Greg baby-sit for a whole day?  Still paying for that).  But after that, was a trip to the Bodensee (Lake Constance), where we did some very nice cycling.

Following that, Twyla had to rush back to work, and Greg and I boogied on to Des Moines for our cousin Dania's wedding - another very good time with "The Grady's" (Mom's maiden name is Grady).  (on which note, thanks Steve and Roseanne for The Three Grady's picture!)

In Germany, on the Bodensee.  Opposite shore
is date farms (we think) in Switzerland.

Under less auspicious circumstances, we also got to visit with another favorite teacher and life-long influence (mostly for the better, except for the tattoo that Mom swears made Greg get a piercing in college), Brian Donahue.

But that's not all!  We were all lucky (especially Jake) to have another Nana Mimi visit recently.  She was hardly off the airplane when we left for a ten-day road trip through what has to be the most beautiful parts of northern Italy:  Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Dolomites; Lake Garda (especially the north end); and Lake Como. 

That little bridge over
the alley was actually
our quite-nice bathroom!

We also made a nice stop in Lucern, Switzerland (and one more for Laurie and Mimi to do a zip line) on the way to drop Mimi off back the airport.  A great trip for us - must have felt like a whirlwind for Mimi!

 

Ritter Sport chocolate outlet.  Mmmmmm.

Climbing in the Black Forest

I'll let some pictures do the rest of the talking.  More have already been posted on Picassa (mostly different than these) - let me know if you didn't get the link!  Also, as always, you can see bigger versions by clicking on these pictures; but if you want a full res of any, just let me know!

This pic needs more than just a short caption.  Jake L-O-V-E-Loved the Easter Bunny.  At first I thought it was just because this one gave away mini Ritter Sports.  But I think he visited the bunny 3-4 times.  And at the Easter egg hunt, while other kids were searching for eggs Jake chased down the Easter Bunny trying to get a hug.  Maybe he was just hoping for more Ritter?

He drops a lot of food - but doesn't seem to mind
helping to clean it up.  The top piece on his chair went
away about a month ago.

Don't worry - he was smiling when he got off!

German amusement parks are awesome!  We could never have taken Jake on a real roller coaster, or this thing (the sudden drop ride), at a U.S. park!  Woo hoo!

Jake actually hates "fizzy water"
(previously "spicy water")

Grandma and me at a Frühlingfest beer tent - still early in the afternoon before the crowds packed in, but the band was playin', the beer was flowin', and the chickens were cookin' (can't drink a liter without eatin', doncha know).

My all-time, hands-down favorite picture of Jake.

One of Laurie's favorites, and the cover for his "Year 2" book.
Taken by the wife of one of my co-workers.

At the Ludwigsburg Castle gardens near Stuttgart, in May

Random other notes:
He still prefers running to walking - but doesn't fall over (much) when running any more.

He's still Mom's boy all the way.  But he loves his Dad.

Jake terrorizes the cat now more than ever.  She's not taking it well, but steers clear of him.

 

'Til next time . . . 

Three and a half months in Germany.  In my defense, it's been a little busy.  Along the way I've thought of lots of things to write, but haven't gotten them online.  Now, some photos and just a few notes (it's still busy, but getting better).  The photos aren't in any particular order, however.

This is from when we were still living in the hotel (through mid-August).  I've talked Laurie into waiting to get his haircut, and succeeded through his second birthday (this last Wednesday).  But she can't stand it anymore.  He'll have a more conventional doo soon.

A couple shots from Neuschwansteinschloss (schloss = castle)

At Echterdingen's Krautfest last weekend.  I think Jake
took a spin in every vehicle on this ride (except the
motorcycles - verbotten bei mutter).

We'd been wanting to see the bells in the church tower, and they were giving tours during the fest.  We listen to this particular bell a lot!  And it's a beauty!

In the public area below the church.  We know it best for the Saturday morning farmer's market. Where His Little Beggerness scores much free fruit and bread sticks.  But we make good on it with our purchases.

The view to the south from the church tower.  Our house is directly to the right a couple hundred meters.  Straight ahead up the hill side is the town of Stetton (pronounced "shtetton";  our's, by the way, is "eshterdeengen").

This was several weeks ago at Pumpkinfest, at Ludwigsberg Castle to the north of here.  Laurie and Jake have been to this fest a couple of times.

 Meet Krauterina.  There was a kraut (cabbage, auf Englisch) decorating booth next to Jake's favorite clock in town.  He didn't get to make his own kraut friend, though.

You can click on any of these for the bigger photo, but this one deserves special mention, I think.

This one, too.  Getting Jake into liederhosen was a bit of a trial, but he seemed to like running around in them.

 

Sometimes, moving photos to where I want them in the blog isn't worth the trouble.  This is from another castle in view of Neuschwanstein (King Ludwig II spent time growing up here, then had Neuschwanstein built).  Our visit to this one was on a very rainy day.

"Singin' . . . In The Rain.  What a Glorious Feeling . . ."

A brief photographic interlude.

 One of the ways home Jake and I take by bike.  Though usually we ride in in the mornings, and his Mom brings him home.

 And panning just to the left is this view.  These fields of flowers smell really great right now.

Drills are cool.  And his really works.

Jake had a babysitter this night.  Us at the Volksfest in Cannstadt (Stuttgart).





I should never do the hang-ten signal with my right hand.  My pinky and ring finger can't bend - or straighten - independently.  Strange.  But maybe not as strange as not getting cold head-aches.


A final note:  he's working really hard on talking now, and saying all kinds of new words constantly.  Also, he's been using the pot regularly at daycare, and tomorrow we start potty training in earnest.  Wish us luck!

So.  Here we are, just south of Stuttgart, Germany.  The scenery's beautiful, the weather's almost always nice, and the cars are fast (not so much ours, though).  But finding a home has been particularly stressful.  Lots to talk about being here, however please let me play catch up, first.  A few photos are posted here, but you can find quite a few more on Picasa (let me know if you need the link).

Travel Ready

Upon the end of school, Jake and I started off with a trip to Iowa to visit family.  In particular to give Grandpa and Grandma T a fix before the big trip.  In contrast to Christmas, when Grandpa was king, Jake really enjoyed his time with Grandma this trip, too. I guess the regular skype sessions paid off, since he was happy to be with her from the time we got off the plane until we left for Colorado.  She even taught him his first two-syllable word:  hotshot.  He loves it!

We also got several visits in to Great Grandpa Tibboel.  This relationship took a little warming up, but Jake eventually decided that Grandpa's lap was just fine; and that his wheelchair made for good climbing.  Several strolls around the pond across from the nursing home made for good QT, but Jake far preferred eating the stale bread over throwing it to the ducks.










There was only one brief visit with Aunt Catherine, and Jake wasn't much in the mood for sitting still.  So he helped sweep the hallway and otherwise ran amock.  Tanta was, of course, understanding.  But saying goodbye was more difficult than usual, and as I write this Greg and my Dad's brother, Keith, are back in Iowa paying visits.  Likely the last for each of us.  Tanta will be dearly missed when the time comes.  The other day our future landlord was commenting on how nice it is that so much of her family is close together (in the same town we'll be moving to) - there is no doubt that we miss out on that as we move all over.

 Fortunately, we do still find ways to connect.  Our next stop was in Colorado to enjoy the outdoors and visit with Greg and Twyla - their second chance to meet Jake.  We had a nice time, as always, in Frasier, and Greg, Twyla and I did a short backpacking trip just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park - absolutely beautiful.  Meanwhile, Jake wore Laurie out back in Frasier and was generally irritable (good thing Greg hiked out early with a big red toe).  So we stopped by Montgomery for a couple "comfort nights" in the crib before heading to the Cape.


While there was some on-going irritability on the Cape, he loved his cousins (and their toys), his Nana and Papa Lyle, and especially the beach.  Especially the beach.  He maintains a total disregard for personal well being when it comes to rushing into crashing waves, but the freedom of a big expanse of sand is great.  Even his Mom will let him run free.  He did not, however, take to seafood.  Few kids do, as I understand.

A big first on the Cape:  Jake's first night without us.  Nana took care of JT while we had a nice dinner with friends and watched Boston fireworks, and Laurie sent me packing for Germany.  Laurie barely survived, but Jake and Nana had a fine time.  She even took on the prized moniker of "Baba" for awhile.  Laurie quickly reclaimed her title, but betrayed the trust a few days later:  we finally broke down and medicated Jake for a flight.  Absolutely the best decision.  He slept from Newark to Stuttgart (close to 8 hours), and got off to a great start here.  Getting over jet lag still took him the better part of a week, but the big sleep was  a big bonus.

The Butts cousins took good care of Jake.

So now about Germany.  But I think I've written enough here, so that will be a separate blog.  Soon, I promise!  One closer, though:  a huge thank you to the grandparents and everyone else for not spoiling Jake with too much stuff during our travels.  Spoiling him with love seems to have been sufficient - he's a really great (if ornery at times) little kid!