Monday, January 19, 2009

It's all about the SMILES

Those of you who know us well, already know how this beautiful child can scream inconsolably for hours on end, especially when he's with mommy or daddy. Where's Bracha when he needs her?

The picture you see is a rare moment captured forever. You see Jacob does have fun with his dad from time to time. Yesterday, I had Jake for the morning because his normal Sunday program was canceled this week so the girls could study, or not ;-). As soon as his nurse left, we jumped into the car to go to Home Depot. How's that for a masculine thing to do on a Sunday morning?
Jacob was pretty good in the store; only complaining when we stopped for too long while I tried to find something. As we were driving home, I asked him what he wanted to do. After several strategically prepared yes-no questions, he said he wanted to go to "Unky's place". He refused to agree to behave if we went, but he was probably smart enough to know I would still go there even if he didn't promise to be good. Sure enough as we got to Bloor, he'd had enough. I managed to coax him the last couple miles to Morty's place.

He was like a different kid. He was so happy to see his Unky that I just focused on all my fixit guy tasks while Morty and Jacob did what they do. When it was time to leave, Morty passed me Happy Jacob to put on his coat. We managed to have a sweet moment before leaving and Mort was able to catch it digitally forever. Thanks Mort, but an even more special thanks goes to Jake!

Saturday mornings are an interesting contrast of highs and lows; beginning with the lows. Usually, Emily leaves at 9:00 am on Saturday morning. But this past Saturday she had to leave early. It usually doesn't take more than a couple minutes of her absence for the screaming to start. This Saturday was no different except that we had more time to kill. We piled all the kids into the car and turned on "Mamma Mia!" in the car. The girls loved it and Jacob tolerated it. We went to my parents house to water plants etc. followed by our first trip to Home Depot for the weekend. Jacob hit his threshold while we were waiting for someone to get pricing information on our way out.

We dropped off the girls and went to his weekly swim with daddy at the Bloorview Snoozlen pool. Again, Happy Jacob returns! He loves the water. He always likes to start with this hose that can spray warm pool water everywhere. I think he likes to get people in the face - including himself. After this warm up, we do a little daddy dunking and eventually end up "barefooting in the bubbles" That's when we get the screams of joy followed by hearty "belly laughs" that can be heard by the deaf woman who runs the pool! I really love our Saturday swims and I know he does too.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

The most incredible letter to Jacob


It's been such a long time since we've updated this blog and I thought it would be a great way to restart the postings by sharing a letter that was recently written to Jacob by one of his teachers. She manages to sum up the effect Jacob has on so many people in such a beautiful and eloquent way:

To my very special friend Jacob,
So you were my first friend to know I was getting engaged and it was so much fun telling you, but then again, with you everything is so much fun from dancing in the bathroom, to writing on the wall to catching up on the latest gossip.
Jake, what is your secret? What makes everyone you see fall in love with you? Is it the twinkle in your eyes, your delicious smile or is it something much deeper? I think the fact that a little boy like you can persevere and work so hard with such joy in life, brings out the best in everyone you meet. You just can't help loving a teacher like you.
Jacob, I think you're...an inspiration!
Keep making your parents, family and friends proud. I love you always.