Jenfu

He may have only started properly talking in 2009, but these are the best of the best quotes from Jacob in the last year.

STEW
“Stew” is Jacob’s word for “spoon”. I like to think of it as an endearing nickname (oh Stew, you cute little spoon) but really it is just how he says spoon. Kind of like how “Santa” turned into “Stana”.

NO, NO, NO
To the untrained ear this statement sounds like a protest, but ACTUALLY three “nos” in a row means “I would like some milk please, thank you” and is usually accompanied by a tug on the fridge door. It actually sounds a bit more like “noke” than “no” but since he says it three times quickly no one would argue that it sounds like the latter. I actually have to tell people who are watching him what this means or they will be endlessly puzzled (Why is your kid pointing at the fridge while saying ‘no’? What a weirdo!).

STAY
Due to the fact that we are constantly giving the dogs this command, Jacob has taken the word into his own hands and tells everything to “stay” (cue open hand gesture directed to recipient) including: any toy in hand that he cannot bring in the car; his teddy, who is to remain in his crib after Jacob’s nap time departure; the car after we have parked it; and last but not least- the dogs themselves.

ARRGH..STUCK
This is probably the most repeated phrase of the year. Anything Jacob can’t get to, manipulate, move or open he grunts and let’s us know it is “stuck”. The grunting is usually followed by a strained motion and/or twisting of his face. This could include trying to lift cereal with “stew” (that is his way of being funny). Priceless, really.

THANK YOU DADDY/MOMMY
This is the newest addition to the 2009 list. And this is also where I admit my child is an addict- a Calliou addict. If you don’t know what Calliou is consider yourself lucky. Ok, it’s not actually THAT bad, but when you have a child addicted to this animated show (we watch shorts on YouTube) you would go bonkers too. The one positive comment I can make about Calliou is that the kid really does have good manners- and Jacob emulates him! We encourage him to say thank you and Calliou just reinforces. See, he gots our back!

GO, GO, GO
Jacob is so very helpful! I really enjoy when he tells me that I should be DRIVING and not SITTING STILL in traffic or at a red light. I mean, how could I be so stupid?

THROW THE BALL
Again, Jacob being bossy at his very best. Daddy, Mommy- what are you doing just standing around? Look at the dogs? They are waiting for that ball? What are you thinking? THROW THE BALL! THROW THE BALL! THROW THE BALL!

WHERE ARE YOU?
The cutest thing about this is that Jacob totally gets the meaning of this question. He always uses it appropriately and it gets me every time – it is THAT precious. I will ask him where his shoes are, or his train is, and he will look around the room, sometimes crouching and looking under his table or crib and then shrug his shoulders with his palms up and say “train, where are you?”. It may sound boring, but for us it is true communication. Love it!

I GOT YOU!
After playing trains, Jacob’s second favorite thing is to be chased. Not just chased, but hunted down, tickled, zerberted, flipped upside-down and thrown on the couch. He often starts running and then takes a fake stuntman fall so he can be caught (obviously he has to help OLD mom and dad catch him!). We often say “I got you” when we do this and now he will run up to us, grab our legs and say ‘I got you!’. I could tear up just recounting it.

I LOVE YOU
I mean, you just can’t beat this. Especially when combined with a big bear hug and a (closed mouth without loads of spit or food) kiss. Even better when he adds “mommy’ or ‘daddy’. This is stuff you live for.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!