Jake's first haircut

Derek and I decided to get Jake his first hair cut today. We went to Little Chops and he sat in a race car and "watched" Baby Einstein. He did really well. Derek found it to be "uneventful" in his own words. Apparently, that means he didn't cry so it wasn't as enjoyable for Derek???? However he did say that as he was looking at him in the chair, that he could see him grown up. That brought tears to my eyes. Of course I welled up while he was getting his hair cut, but no tears exited my eyes, so I didn't officially cry! It is funny how a little hair cut can make a baby look like such a big boy! Our little guy is growing up...Here are some videos (sorry they are kind of long) and pictures for ya. Enjoy.

Merry Christmas to All

Too much excitement was had for Jake and Daddy Christmas Eve. They passed out together on the recliner. Aren't they precious?

Happy Birthday Jacob Michael! (And Daddy too)

Happy birthday my favorite two guys. As the cliche goes, time has flown by. But it is really true. I don't think you fully understand it until you are a parent. Every day something new and exciting happens in their world. Seeing the world through your baby's eyes is just amazing. The wind blowing the trees, or a dog barking in the neighborhood brings such excitement to a little kid's mind. I am just in awe of him. He is amazing to me. We are just so lucky.

As a little update, here are the things that Jake is into these days:

walking everywhere, practically running
rolling around in Scooby's dog bed (We swear he thinks he is a dog)
waving
saying hello, bye bye, mama, dada, that and possibly puppies
shakes his head no and nods yes, less than no, but does it
signs more and eat, and I think milk
eating more adult style food daily
holds his bottle when he feels like it
sleeps from 8-6 (THANK GOD!)
laughs when you blow raspberries in his arm pit
wiggles so much when you are getting his jammies on you need two people
feeds the dogs out of his high chair
climbs the stairs
goes down the stairs by holding the Bannister rails and on his bum
giving kisses

This time last year...

I was curling up in bed anticipating waking up early to wrap the final Christmas presents and hitting Safeway to get Derek all the fixings for Eggs Benedict for his 31st birthday breakfast. Who would have thought that just a bit more than 24 hours later I would be bringing into the world the best thing that has ever happened to me?

Today has been full of remembering the last year, plenty of tears (of joy and longing) and just hugging my beautiful little man. Today he sprinkled us with a new word, "bye-bye" accompanied by a wave, mocked Lily as she scratched her back on the carpet (he did the same thing as her laughing the whole time), and sleeping in a whole 30 extra minutes, which was heavenly for Mommy and Daddy. Yesterday we had his pirate birthday party, I will post some pictures later of it, my camera is being a booger. I do have his 9 mo pictures finally back from the photographer, so you can enjoy those. I'll post more tomorrow. Just wanted to reminisce...

11 months is coming in like a bang!

Hey all. Every day I am more and more amazed at how wonderful it is to be a mom. The littlest of things are so amazing to babies. For example, a few days ago Derek and I were blowing kisses to Jake and he was laughing so hard. How can anyone have a bad day when they have a laughing, loving muchkin to come home to? Since our last post, Jake took a hiatus from walking. But over the last few days, he has taken a few more steps. UNTIL TODAY, where he is walking like a champ, finger in the air for balance. Here is a short video, he was tuckered out from practicing. Also, we were playing after school and he stuck my finger in his mouth and lo and behold, there was a TOOTH on his bottom! Haven't tried to get a pic of that one yet, but when I do I will post it. I guess that explained the diaper rash out of no where and waking up an hour early a few times this week. :)

Happy Halloween!

Jake's first Halloween was quite eventful. We started the morning off picking up our Bountiful Baskets and then went home. Exciting...But THEN Jake was cruising on the couch and decided today is a great day to take independent steps to me! He took several steps before he launched himself onto me. Then he did it over and over as we made him act like he was a trained monkey. :) I need to get it on video. My brain didn't even go there I was so excited (and yes, I cried...C'mon it is ME after all!). He did it about 7 or 8 times for Derek and I. It was amazing.

Then we went to Gymboree and shared the great news with the class and the grandparents. Here are some pics from Gymboree. The Sunshine is Giovanna, the world's cutest little girl.And some pics of us hanging outside handing out candy to the trick or treaters. Jake's Yoda was a big hit.

Enjoy and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10 months old!

Hi all. Jake is now over 10 mos old. Less than 8 weeks until his first birthday! I can't believe it...It seriously feels like we had him just a few months ago. He is growing up each and every day. Still no teeth. He started to say DADADADA while we were in Greer for a mini-vacay last weekend. Derek thinks he sounds like he is doing an Indian chant. He has shown us that the genetic code for boys contains climbing skills. He has scaled his Super Yard, the loft book case and anything else he can get his knee up on. Keeping Momma and Dadda on their toes is his current job. Here is a hodgepodge of videos and pictures of him over the past couple of weeks.

Jacob the Pumpkin King

We had pictures last night at the Anthem Park and Leanna posted a few on Facebook for us. The shoot went really well, but Jake didn't want to stand. Normally we can't get him to sit still, but last night, not so much...I am thinking I need to suck it up and get him a hair cut.







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Last two months...

I have gotten so bad with these posts (and even getting pictures in, not going for Mother of the Year award I guess)! Life has been busy keeping up with a very mobile little guy. Well, let's see...Since Jake's last post he has been mastering the crawling thing, cruising on furniture, pulling himself up on anything and anyone, giving sloppy kisses, babbling mama (no dada yet...poor derek), dancing to music and trying to feed himself. He actually does quite well feeding himself, and gets it in his mouth most of the time. The part that frustrates me is when he then puts his hand in his mouth all full of food and then of course straight to the hair! Still no teeth for our little gummer. They have to come soon though! I had my first couple days away from him while I went to Playa Del Carmen for my best friend Cathy's wedding (pic below)the beginning of September. It was hard, but good at the same time. I had a great trip to Mexico. The hardest part was dumping milk down the drain. Oh well...As you can see from the pics, he is getting bigger and bigger every day. The second I come home and see him all the stress melts away. Especially when he gives me a great big bear hug and slobbery kiss. Can't believe a whole 9 months has gone by. I promise to not wait another 2 months before I put another post up! ;)

Funny story...

So, I just had to share this story with everyone. I had Court in Surprise and it let out at 11:45 ish. Well, it was about time for me to pump, so I decided to set myself up and drive back to work while I pumped (I was covered OF COURSE!), as I am the queen of multitasking. So, driving along, pumpy, pumpy, pumpy. I get to the end and I actually get to a long light. So, hey, why not just detach so I can drive much safer. As I am finishing that up, a cop rolls up next to me. No biggie, I am still covered, just no more cone boobs. Make eye contact, smile at the cop...Roll to next light to get on Northbound I-17. Cop pulls up next to me again, honks his horn and asks me to roll my window down. Cop: "Ma'am, is your child on your lap eating?" Me: Chin to ground, shocked "NO! My son is at daycare and I was just pumping!" Him: Embarrassed look "Okay" and drives away. It was HILARIOUS! At first, I was shocked that he could even think that, and then I realized people do stupid stuff and cops see it all!

I can't wait to tell this story to Jake when he gets older. But when he gets older I am sure the story will have escalated to, "Mommy got pulled over, the cops made her get out of the car, she was almost arrested..." :)

Good times for all...Good times!

He's Crawling!

6 month pictures

Hey all. Just got back from Leanna's and got Jake's 6 mo pictures back. I went a little overboard, but I think it was worth it :) So, check 'em out.