Trains...a Tradition

Growing up, I marvelled at my Grandpa Al's train layout. When I tell you that it took up half their basement...and this is no exaggeration...you'll begin to understand what trains mean to the Tucker family. Me, my brother, my dad, my uncles, my cousines....we all loved what Pop Al created with his Lionel train layout.

We're quickly seeing how this transition continues to be passed down through generations. It started with Pop Al and his kids (Dad, Uncle Dave & Uncle Neil). Then, they got all of the grandchildren in love with choo-choos. Now, we have the opportunity to watch Pop's great grandchildren develop their fascination with trains. Its fantastic!

At Christmas, it was clear to see this in action. Calvin, Cameron, Jack and their Pop....enjoying and bonding over choo-choos! Love it! I think next year, we'll get a little train set to put around our Christmas tree. Then, we'll add a new car each year, which is a tradition my brother started that I absolutely love.

Jack is totally in to Thomas-- and has a nice little train table. And every we drive by a real train, he gets so excited. He goes "Choo Choo! Choo Choo!" and starts pointing as he smiles. Maybe sometime this summer or fall, we'll be taking Jack on his first real train ride. Let the fun begin!

Christmas 2010

I've believed for a long time that the best gifts can't be wrapped. Instead, they're experienced. Specifically, I mean that the best gifts you can have are family and close friends....people who help you create the best memories and experiences. This is what our Christmas was all about.

Nothing beats seeing Jack and his two cousins, Calvin & Cameron, spend time together. Cam & Cal went out of their way to help Jack learn how to 'experience' Christmas. They showed him how to open gifts, play with the train that travels around one of their Christmas trees, and take in all the wonder of the day. They tried to explain how Santa brings stockings when he visits a home (and that these stockings are different than the special ones that Grandma gives on Christmas Eve). They made Christmas morning so special when they waited until Jack woke up to go downstairs to see what arrived on the 'sleigh' overnight. We all went down the steps together, with Cal & Cam holding Jack's hands. The looks on their faces when they saw everything under (and around, and next to, and along the wall leading up to the tree....somebody(s) went overboard this year) the Christmas tree was unreal. It was absolutely priceless. I think Jack might be beginning to understand, if only a little bit, what Christmas means.

As we opened presents-- I was so proud as Jack opened a gift slowly, and thanked the giver of the gift with only a little instruction from us. It wasn't a 'free for all' like I've heard some Christmas mornings can be. I like that we take our time to enjoy the experience.

It was all that we could ask a Christmas to be. The dinner was great-- the company was even better-- and the best part-- was the togetherness felt by all of us. Ah, the wonder of Christmas!

Language Explosion

So, we've been hoping that Jack would launch into speech once he turned two. At his ENT check up earlier this month, they told us he really appeared to be on the brink of a "verbal explosion." They tested his hearing, which turned out to still be perfect six months after the ear tubes. Yay! Then, they decided to test his language comprehension. The results were quite interesting-- and explain a lot. Although Jack, at the time, did not speak a lot, his understanding of verbal instructions was on par with a typical 3-year-old's ability. He knows all of his body parts and points to them on command. He picks up specific objects when asked and points to photos of common items (like animals, clothing, vehicles, toys) when instructed to do so. The doctor and nurse practioner were pretty impressed.

The six month post-op check up was really reassuring...so, we eagerly waited for Jack's speaking skills to take off....and recently, this is exactly what happened. In the past week, he has started saying so many new words, including:

-Please
-Thank You
-Home (which he always says as we turn into our development--so cute!)
-Cookie
-Boom Boom (for Boomer)
-Night Night

In addition to the new "real" words he's saying, he also is beginning to chat up his own little language, which is hilarious. Pretty exciting to see!

News

On Thanksgiving Day, we shared some pretty big news with our family....

Jack's gonna be a big brother..... x 2! Twins are on the way! We're super excited-- thrilled in fact. Its going to be a lot of adjusting for all of us...but soon, we'll be the "Fab Foley 5." They're due at the end of May and we're going to try to keep their gender a surprise. We do know that they're fraternal and both seem to be developing quite nicely.

I'm at the doctor all the time getting check ups and tests, which is always reassuring. Its nice to have all the ultrasounds and visits so that I know what to expect between appointments. So far, so good.

Jack will be about 2 1/2 when they are born--its gonna be a trip, but one we'll gladly go on together. Exciting times in this household :)