One small step for man, one giant leap for Jack!

Every parent's worst fear happened at our house on Sunday. Jack escaped from his crib. There were no witnesses, so it is still unclear how a short, 22-month-old got out of his crib. All of Jack's possible methods (climbed, leaped, catapulted, hurtled, propelled and slung) keep me awake at night. It is not like he is a rock climber and he has on a helmet, a safety harness & propelling ropes.

Now, we don't know what to expect from the little guy. Sunday night and Monday night there were no escape attempts made. And his crib-mates, Tigger, Porky (the porcupine), and Curious George, were all in the crib at lights out - and were found in the crib at wake-up time. One would figure if an escape attempt were in-process, the crib-mates would be in on the scheme.

Case# RG5690sB

Name: Jack Ronald Jacobson

Known Alias: Jack-a-Roo

Accomplices: Tigger, Porky, Curious George

Suspect is short but strong. He has no tattoos, but likes to show-off his belly button. He should be considered a flight risk.

Fort Jacobson

Matt and I have been debating getting the boys a swingset / adventure center / "get-outside-&-play-boys" destination. It has been a hard decision. We wanted the boys to be safe and the latest and greatest adventure sets are filled with ropes, chains and high towers. All of which seem, to their mom, to be a death trap. Our discussions often left Matt and I feeling selfish, in that we didn't want to ruin the grass in the backyard & still wanted our announcement of "we're going to the park" to be taken with excitement and glee. We figured if we installed an enormous playset - then the grass would die & we'd never have a reason to travel to our favorite park.

So, we think we settled on the perfect playset for the boys: A FORT. I think "fort" screams boys & adventure. And wouldn't you know, Matt and I found a fort. We bought it and brought it home and even built it. We think the boys will love it.

4th of July

We had a great 4th of July. It was nothing fancy or overly patriotic, but it was fun and relaxing. Matt's family came over on the 4th to BBQ. We visited, laughed and were entertained by the boys. There was, of course, some baseball played and we, of course, ate pie. We lit a few sparklers. Joe didn't want to participate in the sparklers. He wanted to be a "spectator" only. Jack was very interested in the sparklers - although he wanted to touch the hot-sparkler part. The weather was great. And we ate & ate & ate. Enjoy the pictures.

Jack the baseball player.

Matt & his mom by the grill.

Family with *STAR* shaker wands.

Joe with his *STAR* wand.

Mama kissing Jack's little toes.

JRJ Book Club

Both Joe & Jack really love books. We read each night before we go to bed. It is one of my favorite times of the day. In the spirit of Oprah's bookclub, we present the JRJ bookclub!

We really love anything by Sandra Boynton. Our favorites are:

Our favorite letters are "W - weasels whistling"
and "G - gophers grinning"

This book is really one big song.

This is the last book I read to Jack every night.
"The moon is high, the sea is deep, we rock and rock and rock to sleep." Goodnight Jack

This used to be the last book I read to Joe every night.
According to Joe, he is too big for baby books now.
"So hop into bed & turn out the light. You can have a party in your dreams tonight." Goodnight Joe

This is one of Jack's favorites. It is too cute & fun to read.

This is one of Joe's favorites - especially during the winter.
The illustration/art is amazing.

This is another of Joe's favorite books.
It has smelly stickers - readers get to smell a rose, peach, strawberry jam, pickles, etc.

Everyone loves Maisy! And so does Jack. We read this book almost every night. Jack points to the pictures, "eight ducks" swimming in the pond.

First Baseball Game

As you know from previous posts, Joe started baseball. Baseball league for 4-year-olds was primarily clinic-style. Each night Joe would rotate from station to station. One station was batting, the next station was running bases, the next station was fielding ground balls, and so on. Well the last night of baseball, the kids finally got to play a "real" game of baseball. Here is Joe's first baseball game. (Warning: Joe starts the second session of Baseball in July, so there will be many more pictures of Joe playing baseball.)

Joe's first at-bat (notice the ball just off the right side of the photo)

Joe at first base (coach Daddy & the real coach)

...still on first...waiting to run to second base

Crossing home plate for the first time. Yeah Joe!

The official little-brother waterboy: Jack

Boys of Summer

The day Matt has been waiting for finally came last week: Joe's first day of baseball. Every dad, especially those who have sons, and those who are fans, long for the day their kids start baseball. It was June 2003 when we had our first ultrasound and found out we were having a boy. When the ultrasound tech announced, "it's a boy!" I could visibly see Matt's excitement. The excitement was the promise of tee-ball, gloves, little league, bats, coaching, home runs, batting practice, stealing second, turning a double play, and one proud daddy in the stands.

Dear Joe & Jack,

You are lucky to have such a great baseball daddy. Daddy is not only a skilled player, he is a great coach as well. Daddy played catcher and 3rd base. I remember watching Daddy play for Post 15 when we were 16. I hope someday you'll get the pleasure of watching daddy swing for the fences, and use his powerful, upper body strength to easily hit one out of the ballpark. When we were in college at UNL, one summer Daddy coached 3 Babe Ruth teams. Due to the team age requirements, 2 of his teams were eligible to go to the city tournament. And not only did both teams qualify for the city tournament, both teams made it to the city championship! One of Daddy's teams won 2nd place, and the other finished in 1st place. Daddy has coached other teams, and his teams are always successful because he loves the game, understands the game and wants everyone to have fun. You are both lucky to have such a great Daddy! You may not know it or understand it right now, but Daddy is filled with such excitement when you throw the ball, swing the bat, and run around the bases.

Baseball means a lot of things to Daddy. I think it is the memory-triggering sights, sounds, smells, or possibly that shining moment when he visited Wrigley Field for the very first time. Baseball also means childhood friends Mitchell, Babs, Gaspar & sharing his passion of baseball with them. Daddy still points out the baseball field by Covell Lake where he hit his first home run. Baseball means treasures of childhood, Daddy's baseball cards and the fascination of his heroes like Ryne Sandberg. Baseball also means, Daddy's dad, Grandpa Ron, who endlessly cheered for Daddy, win or lose, good or bad. Daddy, just like his dad, is your biggest fan. Daddy will always cheer you on...and baseball will take on it's own meaning to each of you. And for you, Baseball will mean Daddy.

A Little Fun While Away For Business

My job takes me away from Amy and the boys every once and a while. Usually to warm, exotic places such as Bismarck, ND in early February and Casper, WY in mid April. This past week, I was in Newton, IA (lovely this time of year, I recommend it to anyone).

Besides finding a local municipal golf course in these towns I travel, it's rare I do anything else. However, Newton is only 25 miles away from Des Moines. Des Moines, IA, home of the Chicago Cubs Triple A team, the Iowa Cubs. The I-Cubs were playing the Memphis Redbirds and even though it was football weather, I took in the game.

I remember growing up when my Dad had to leave town for business, he would bring home the occasional surprise gift for my brother and I. I too, have brought Joe & Jack gifts in the past from some of the places I have traveled. This time it was easy for me. With summer basically in full swing, and Joe about ready to begin his first year of playing baseball, I knew that I had to bring the boys something from the I-Cubs game.

They both got their own I-Cubs shirt and Jack also received his first true Cubbie hat. Not the traditional Cubs hat, but Jack is not the traditonal little Cubbie himself either! Enjoy boys, I hope you enjoy your gifts from Daddy as much as I remember getting them from my Daddy.