Jake's Newest Trick

I layed Jake down for nap #2 today thinking that he would fall right alseep because it was an hour later than I usually lay him down. I leave the room and he begins talking and crawling around his crib. Now, he usually does this for a few minutes then fusses and falls asleep. Well, it went on for awhile. 20 mins or so later it was quiet so I peek in to check on him and found THIS....

So the new game is if I stand, then maybe... she will come get me!!

His Very First Car

Today Jake drove his very first car.! I went to Toys R Us and bought him this adorable ride on car that I can push. Eventually you take the handle off so he can ride alone. He LOVES it! Tonight Jon and I took him on a walk and he kept looking back at us and smiling. He loves holding the steering wheel and hearing the horn squeak. He has had a cold lately and been a little sad so it is so nice to see that he is feeling better! We love our little boy.

Jake the Leaf Eater

You can always tell how busy I have been by the number of posts I have in a week. Let's just say... I have had a busy few weeks. Jake is growing up so fast and is getting smarter every day. He is teething again so everything is going right to his mouth. The other day we were outside and I set him down for a second. He took off and grabbed a leaf. Before I could get it out of his hand he had eaten half of it. I tried to reach in and grab it and ended up sticking it further down his little throat. He made the choking face and I almost died. It was a scary few seconds, but he survived. He is crawling now and pretty quickly I must say. He made it to the stairs today and climbed up three steps!! Every time I open the dishwasher or the fridge he wants in. Jake curious abotu everything and is absorbing so much. He really wants to talk. It is adorable. All day long we have conversations. Who knows what about, but you know I love it! They usually sound like... "Dada baba agoo boo alla baba goo ggaaa." As most of you know I could talk all day if you let me. Now I have someone who can keep up!! Amazing.. Sometimes, I can't believe he is the little baby boy I brought home from the hospital just six months ago.

Missing Mom

It has been over five years since I lost my mom, yet some moments it feels like yesterday. There are nights I miss her so much it hurts. Becoming a mother myself has made me miss her more than ever. Not having her at my wedding was tough, but I knew she wasn't meant to be there. Not having her there the night Jacob was born, was again tough but, I always have such amazing support from my family and friends and they get me through everything.
It wasn't until I started becoming a mom that I would have moments where I will just want her there right then. Like when Jake smiles at his ducky in the bath or he says dada for the first time. Sometimes even when I am shopping for him and buying those tiny clothes. That's when I would love to call her and tell her all about it with Jake in my arms.
As I reflect tonight and hope I am not depressing people, I remember the wonderful mother she was. I know she went to heaven at her perfect time. Even if it wasn't so perfect for me. Until I see her again, I will love Jon Jake with all my heart and try to be half the wife and mom she was. Tough act to follow... let me tell ya. She was selfless, compassionate, full of great advice (and willing to give it anyone at anytime), a great host, funny, sweet, modest and most of all loving beyond words. I feel so lucky to have been blessed with a mom who I knew as an adult. Some people lose their mothers at a very young age. I know how she felt about things, we talked about politics, people, boys (mostly Jon... hehe) jobs, kids and life. Every time we would talk we'd "solved the world's problems" she would say. The night before she passed away, she came to an event I was hosting at our college. Afterwards she stuck around to have a midnight snack with me. We talked for hours right there in the student union. I am so thankful that God gave me that time with her. I thought I would share some of her wise words of wisdom tonight.

- Consider yourself lucky if you have a handful of good friends
- It doesn't go up with ya!
- Buy the Shoes!
- If your dating someone and they aren't treating you the way you want to be treated... It's not going to get better. Move on! She was a big fan of the many fish in the sea thing.. true but not always what you want to hear at the time~
- Friends and family are all that matter
- Lastly, she always stressed how lucky I was to be an American and to have two siblings I am close with.

Uncle Mike and Aunt Katie Visit

This past weekend my brother and his adorable girlfriend Katie came to visit. It was great. They are major foodies so we/they cooked a huge yummy meal and we stayed in and caught up. Mike brought Jake a Clifford dog stuffed animal and a funny cow onezie. Jake loved seeing his Uncle who he misses SO much. They were sitting in the back seat and Jake was mimicking Mike saying,"Hi." It was so cute. Some day soon when Jake is old enough we will take a day trip to NYC to visit Mike! Miss my "little" bro!

Jake Update

Here are some more recent pictures of the Jake man. He is now crawling EVERYWHERE. Totally exploring our house. It is adorable. He also says two "words." His first word was "dada" and now he is saying "ut ut".. not sure what it means, but I think he is saying up? I say "Want mommy to pick you up?" all the time. Can't tell though. It is so amazing to see him try and communicate.

Six Months Old Today

My precious little baby is now six months old. I can't believe it. He has grown so much. Jake is full of happiness and joy. He will smile at anyone who will smile or talk back and he loves to play!

The One He Kept For Me

The one I've waited for

My love's design

The one He kept for me

Until it was time

The one that I dreamed about

The one I can't live without

The one He kept for me

Until it was time

I put my hand in yours

Now and forevermore

Just put your faith in me

I will be all that you need

I'd pray and wait for you

So patiently

And now He's blessed our love

For eternity

The one I was praying for

The one He delayed me for

The one He kept for me

Until it was time

All that I want to be

Is all that you'll ever need

I praise Him for the day

He let you pass by my way

The one that I dreamed about

The one I can't live without

All that I want to be

Is all that you'll ever need

I praise Him for the day

He let you pass by my way

The one I've waited for

My love's design

The one He kept for me

Until it was time

Jakey and Daddy Watching the Phillies Together...

Jake Attempting to Escape

Jake is Doing the Worm Crawl!

So Much Fun, So Little Time

Do you ever wish you could just freeze time and be able to go back to that moment whenever you wanted? I have been having so many of those moments with Jake lately. As they happen, I thank God for giving him to me. The other day, he fell asleep in my arms. He hasn't done that in months and he looked so sweet snuggling his puppy and just laying there as I rocked him. I held him in my arms for 20 mins. or so before putting him into his crib because he was so darn cute! Today we were laying on the couch together and I was just snuggling and tickling him and he was laughing so hard. Anything I said made him hysterical. It was awesome. He is so sweet and innocent, I hope it lasts forever!! Earlier this morning, I was babysitting Jack and Jake was napping. We were playing with bubbles and he was watching me cook. When Jake woke up, Jack was so happy that when it was time to leave he wouldn't leave without, "Jakey." Jill was calling Jack from the bottom of the steps and I went to make Jake a bottle. It got really quiet. usually not a good sign... so, I turned around to see Jack trying to pick Jake up and saying, "hold you.. hold you." It was precious and hilarious. I was able to snap a quick picture!

Another Even Funnier

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM

Soo Funny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8aprCNnecU

Shore was a nice weekend!

This weekend Jon and I went "down the ocean hun" as they say in MD. We took Jake to the beach again and he took his first outdoor shower. He had the best time on the beach eating sand and watching his Popple make sand castles. Lately, he has become slightly more active. Jake gets very excited when he gets to eat and sometimes things get a little messy. He has also figured out new ways to move and get out of his toys...he is determined to crawl... scary...the next phase begins!

Pop Pop Green Came to Visit!

This week my dad was in Ireland visiting my granny. Today he stopped by on the way back from the airport. The poor guy must have been dead tired but still made the time to come and see Jake. He is the best! He brought Jake back his first Irish rugby jersey (the first of many I am sure!) and a leprechaun that sings," When Irish Eyes are Smiling." Jake loves it! We had fun even though it was a quick visit. Love ya Dad!

Jake feeling his first tooth that is coming in!

Just Another Day with My Baby Boy

"Your gonna' miss this,

You're gonna' want this back

You're gonna' wish these days

Hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times

So take a good look around

You may not know it now

But you're gonna' miss this

You're gonna' miss this"

- Trace Adkins

(I can always find a country song that sums up how I feel)

Here are some cute pics of Jake. He is becoming more fun everyday. He is sitting up on his own now with an occasional fall when he gets too excited about something. He started trying to crawl a few days ago and is now determined. He lifts his butt and scoots forward. It is amazing. Jon and I are excited and scared at the same time. I took jake to a local park to swing for the first time. He loved it until he became tired from holding his head up so long. His new favorite things are: Eskimo kisses from mommy (love it), the animal song, being held facing out (no longer like a baby), his walker, his new lion toy that sings to him and his turtle who does the ABC's. I am truly enjoying each moment because I know I will miss these days when he is big and no longer willing to hold my hand or snuggle with me.

Looking so much like his daddy here. Playing with the new toy Jon picked out for him.

Jake's new face. He has learned he has lips and is making funny new faces. It's hillarious!

More Pics From the Fourth

Abby took some pics while we were at the beach! Here are some cute ones!

Jake Loves His Aunt Abby!