(I am going to start charging for viewing…gotta pay for the boys’ college somehow.)

This is an old tradition that Connor and I started a couple of years ago and now Jacob has become a part of it.  Connor was napping today, so he could not partake in the fun.

When Daddy comes home from work, I like to take Connor (and now Jacob) upstairs with me to play before I get changed.  This is a way for me to “decompress” as well as a way for Mommy to get a good 10 minute break from the kid(s).  And of course more importantly, it is time for the boy(s) to have FUN!

I would play “monster” with Connor when he was little and now I just toss him around on the bed (yes Grandma/Mimi, I watch the fan overhead and make sure he won’t fall off the bed).  Jacob is not quite big enough for that (Papa, give him another week or two and he will be tossed around with Connor).  In the meantime, we play “peek-a-boo”.

Here is a short video of our playtime today…

1. He smiles at you when he just about ready to fall asleep.
   • For a couple of months now (if not longer) when you are holding Jacob and he is about ready to take a nap or go to bed, he looks at you one last time and gives you a big smile.  That is usually the sign that tells us he is ready for a nap or to go to bed for the night.  You have to experience it to really appreciate it…
2. He smiles when Connor gives him a kiss.
   • He loves when Connor sings the ABCs to him or gives him a kiss.  When Mommy and Daddy are having a hard time getting Jacob to calm down, Connor sometimes comes over to see why his baby brother is crying.  He’ll sing to him or give a kiss.  More times than not, Jacob will stop crying and will break into a “wide open mouth” smile.  Mommy, Daddy, and Connor then light up with a smile too!
3. The way he watches Connor while he is playing.
   • He loves to watch his brother.  He has been following Connor’s sounds with he eyes since he was very little and now that he can turn his head and move around while on the floor or in our arms, he watches Connor even more.
4. The way he smiles and is happy in the morning.
   • He is one happy little boy when you go to get him out of his crib.  Smiling, laughing, and rolling around.
5. The way he smiles at his Mommy.
   • Daddy can be standing right over top of him playing and smiling — Mommy enters the room and says, “Good Morning.” or “Hello, sweetie.” and his head will turn to her and then Daddy can’t get his attention back.  He smiles and plays with Mommy until she leaves the room.
6. The way he sucks on his thumb.
   • He definitely is a thumb sucker…I don’t recall Connor even trying it.  He’ll take the pacifier but once the thumb goes in the mouth, it is another clue that Jacob is ready to take a nap or go to bed.

Jacob has been watching Connor very closely lately and Mommy discovered that Jacob likes to stand and play with Connor’s trucks, cars, and trains.

Enjoy!