Soo little, seems like yesterday

So, my sister in law just had newborn photos taken of the newest addition with a local photographer who is amazing. I was looking at the photos then continued strolling through her beautiful site and look who i found... both pictures on this page are of Jake when he was just 6 days old...
http://www.noelleroberts.com/index2.php?v=v1#/text_3/

2 Years Old

Could it really have been two years ago?? It is hard to imagine a life without our Jake. He has brought so much joy, love and action into our lives. He has also taught me many things.

Before Jake, I never knew...

- labor could be so scary and wonderful at the same time

- how to function on no sleep

- how I would react when my baby is seriously injured (not very well...)

- my heart was capable of loving someone this much

- how much a little smile could make your day

- he sweet he would be

- there were so many baby products on the market

- that when Jake loves me back, I would feel so lucky
- how much I would stress over discipline

- what play dough taste like

- that Jon was so tender and loving

- how all consuming children can be

- how much I love to sing

- that my life would be so blessed

so many things....

Jake is a wonderful, sweet and smart little boy. I always wanted to be a mom. I didn't realize how much I would love it, until I met him.

Jake at two years old:

- 26 lbs.

- decent napper, sleeps 12 hours at night

- is very excitable and happy

- sleeps with a much loved paci (needs to go soon), blankie and puppy

- loves to play with cars, trains or trucks

- loves to paint, color and draw

-makes sound effects as he plays

- likes being outside no matter what the weather

- LOVES basketball

- enjoys being read to and sung to, his favorites are happy birthday or itsy bitsy spider

- has a shy and sensitive side

- loves to smile and has an adorable giggle

- is a wee bit controlling and will tell you where to sit when your playing with him... working on that one!

- watches The Wiggles, Barney,Elmo, pretty much anything with music.

- likes to dance

- LOVES to be chased

- favorite place: the park

- favorite drink: appa juice

- favorite snack: banana

-favorite book: Baby Angels or Wiggles Alphabet

- knows his letters and most of their sounds

- knows his colors and shapes

- dislikes numbers and has no interest in them

- dislikes sitting still or being confined

-loves action: jumping, running, crashing

- loves to swim and be in the bath

- loves helping his daddy with chores

-prays with me every night on his little knees

Here are some pictures from Jake's party!

Busy Bee Over Here

We have been busy little bees over here lately. I have been in a major home improvement mood and I have been dragging Jon into it too. I love home improvements. I love the feeling of doing something myself and making my house a home. I look forward to reading home magazines for ideas or watching a design show to find a new way to decorate on a small budget. Nothing thrills me more than creating a loving, cozy space for my family. Check out some of our new accomplishments.

BEFORE_ Embarrassed to even show this coat closet

AFTER- matching hangers and labels (of course)
I am kind of addicted to labels with ribbonsRe-painted our original 80's oak cabinets

Re-painted the master, I always wanted a blue frenchy bedroom

New BeddingJake's Big boy room, sports by Jon

Re-painted guest room with old master bedding and curtains

What a Week!

Last week was so exciting. On Tuesday, my sister in law had a beautiful baby boy. It never ceases to amaze me. One minute you have a baby bump and then the next, a new life comes into your world. He seems so sweet already and I definitely need more snuggle time with him. Now Jake has four cousins. I am so happy. I use to dream of my children having cousins around that they could play with. My family was always an ocean away and I never has the chance to experience that myself. I wished and prayed that one day my children would have a big, big family to be surrounded by. It is wonderful.

More interested in the cell phone

The boys, my nephew being the best big brother

The new addition

sweet first moments with the new cuz

We also went down to Baltimore this weekend to celebrate a late Christmas. We had a wonderful time with the fam. We caught up, watched movies, played Beatles rock band (for hours-highly recommend) and of course opened presents. How lucky I am to have such wonderful people in my life!Playing piano with mommy.. you didn't know Jake was a concert pianist?Cleaning with pop popobsessing over the cat... Uncle Mike chasesSharing with Baby Sean

Long weekends are amazing

I just love having Jon home for a long weekend. We pretty much stayed in, did honey do's and watched movies (mostly because of the bitter cold). We started off by putting away the Christmas decorations. This always makes me a little sad and I usually fight for another week. However, this year I was ready. It feels good to have my house back and less stuff around. Jake had a lot of daddy time this weekend. I know tomorrow morning I will hear lots of,"wher dit daddy go?" Monday mornings usually consist of him asking about Daddy right away and insisting that he sits with us at breakfast time. I love how much my baby loves his daddy. Jon and I also came up with some New Years resolutions... not a fan... but I am in this year. Jon is off chocolate and I am off of soda. We are both dying already!!hammering with daddyloading up our fake tree.. goodbye skinny plastic friend!wrestling... a nightly ritualmy sweetie, not sure what the sour face was aboutthree generations watching the Eaglesmommy project number 1mommy project number 2