Jensen Turns Two

In honor of our "Baby" Boy...how can he already be two? It has gone by so fast. The day of his birth story started out like many other winter Saturdays in our family of then three. Joe, Faith and I had a great day together riding around in our new mini-van that we had purchased on Thursday (yes...I did hyperventilate in the parking lot before going in to look at them, but fitting another child in my Toyota Tercel just wasn't going to happen, despite the 35-40 mpg that it got). We visited the Thorp fruit stand, drove around out in the country, went for a couple of walks (there wasn't any snow yet) and then settled in for the evening to watch a movie together. We let Faith decide what we would do that evening. She chose to watch Pirate's of the Caribbean (why we let our 2 year old watch this I don't know) and do a foot soak with mom (hey...I wasn't going to argue this one).

I'd been having braxton hicks contractions for a few days and was already dilated to a 3 at this point (November 18Th). During the movie my contractions began to be quite regular and my water began to leak. After putting Faith to bed and monitoring things for a bit we decided to call my sister and head to the hospital. They admitted me, but after a hot bath my contractions were non-existent by the next morning. Our fabulous Dr. decided that since we were already there it would be best to just go ahead and induce me and not confuse Faith by coming home with no baby.

Things went really quickly and smoothly, minus the pain (later had an epidural) and Joe's stinky fish breath (I strongly suggested brushing his teeth) from eating fish and chips in the cafeteria. With little complications, Jensen Carl Rotter Boy (Faith's name for him) entered the world, in two pushes, at 3:18pm weighing 7lbs 5oz. He was so darn cute from the moment he was born. His cord was around his neck, but it didn't cause any complications...Praise the Lord!

We were so worried about how Faith would take to her new little brother, but she came bounding into the room, little pig-tails in, dolly in hand and said in the most excited voice, "It's my brother! Get up mommy. Let's play!" She's been this excited to be his brother ever since. Earlier in the day she told Auntie Sarah, "my mommy's water broke, but it's okay because Daddy can fix it."

Since Jensen is 24 months old here are 24 current things about him:

1) He's a little guy, weighing in at 23lbs fully clothed. He's in the 10th percentile for weight and 90th for height.
2)Not a big eater (hence #1), but some of his favorite foods are vanilla yogurt, avocado, noodles, bananas, and anything packaged or processed.
3) Loves his binky...only at bedtime these days.
4) Wakes up happy everyday. Every morning he comes running down the hallway, laughing with is binky, his blue blankie.
5) Loves to cuddle...especially in the morning before he revs up for the day!
6) OBSESSED with tractors. Anything big with big wheels (tractors, diggers, plows, etc.) is automatically a TRACTOR and he SCREAMS this word!
7) Very coordinated and agile. There's nothing he can't climb to the top of or master...gives his mother a heart-attack on a daily basis.
8) Can't resist tacking Faith if she is anywhere near the ground.
9) Loves to shoot bows with his daddy.
10) Enjoys building with Duplo blocks and wooden blocks.
11) Hilarious boy...he makes us laugh all the time and knows just what to do to get out of trouble.
12) Takes pride in harassing the cat...poor thing, but then again the cat isn't smart enough to run away either.
13) LOVES, LOVES, LOVES his sister and the feeling is mutual. Any time he gets a snack or special treat he has to be sure to ask for one for sissy, too.
14) Has to have something in his bed with him every night. Not always the same thing, but just something. Things have included my cell phone, one of his camo boots, tractors, doll house toys, stuffed animals, etc.
15) He's taken after his mother and is obsessed with the vacuum...sometimes he even gets it out himself.
16)Says "owie" for anything he doesn't like...like going night, night.
17) Great sleeper. Takes a 2-4 hour nap daily (unless he's with daddy...he's got his "number") and usually sleeps about 11 hours at night. PLUS he goes to bed easily.
18) LOVES Thomas the train and all things train. "Choo-Choo" movies are a BIG hit in our house these days.
19) Obsessed with his Papa's. He talks about them all the time and always wants to talk to them on the "oone."
20) Not great with words, but sure knows how to let us know what he wants.
21) Likes to tell "secrets." He pulls us in close and whispers a bunch of mumbles in our ear and then laughs hysterically!
22) Sits on the coffee table to watch TV. Usually cuddled up with his blankie.
23)Prefers to wear only boots. Good thing we have lots of pairs...three pairs of rubber boots, one pair of cowboy boots and one pair of snow boots. Also really loves his train conductor hat!
24) Has a "lip" like you wouldn't believe...watch out if he doesn't get his way. It's heartbreaking when that thing comes out!
24) The SWEETEST little boy in the world!!!!
24) Loved by everyone.

I know that was 3 24's but I could go on and on about this little guy!