Happy Birthday Jacob!

Today is March 2nd, which has become a very important day for us, as it’s the birthday of our nephew Jacob.

I can distinctly remember March 2, 2005 when I got the call from then-fiancee Tracy (our wedding was a month and a half later) that Jennifer was in labor.  By the time I was able to leave work that afternoon, Jacob Henri Huitsing had entered the world.  He was the first less than 1 day old baby I believe I ever held.

From the very early stages, Jacob was a really cool, fun, interactive kid.  We had the distinct pleasure of seeing him a lot over the first few years of his life, and were constantly amazed by his newest developments and changes.  Once he figured out how to talk, he never really stopped - not in an annoying way, but instead in the curious, seeing-the-world-for-the-first-time type of way which makes you refreshed and exhausted all at the same time.

Before we knew it this little man…

…turned 2

…and then 3

Jacob was 3 1/2 when we decided to move to NYC.  He was just old enough to understand that we were moving and wouldn’t see him as often (and it was fun to show him NYC on the map…his fascination with all things motorized made discussing taxis and subways and buses a must!)  But it killed us to leave each time we’d visit NC, as more often than not, Jacob would ask us, “why are you leaving to go back to New York City?”

But figuring out questions like that are part of growing up, and if one thing’s for certain, there’s no stopping this boy from growing.  At some point in the last two years he’s made the leap into bonafide big boy territory.  He talks to us on the phone now and is learning new and exciting things at school.  His love of numbers has manifest itself through sports (NASCAR and football primarily - I’ve posted one of my favorite videos below from early 2009), and we marvel at the ways his young mind is grasping how the world works.

Fun with numbers, NASCAR style from Zack Mansfield on Vimeo.

Today, Jacob is 5.  Or as my good friend Eller put it today when I emailed him about this fact - “WOW!  Jacob’s 1/3 of the way to his learner’s permit!”  I guess he is, Eller, though it’s hard to believe.  I’m hopeful these next 10 years before that happens won’t pass too fast, though I know they will.  Regardless, we’ll try to soak up all the great moments.  It will be hard - with this kid, great moments are almost too many to count.

Happy Birthday Jacob!