Attend a great event!!

Funtimes Around the House

Jon, Jake and I have been having so much fun lately. Jake is really talking and learning so quickly. Tonight, Jon and I taught him where his nose was. He has been learning something new each day. He knows how to say, "uh oh," when something falls, bat and ball, he also knows to close something when I say "close it", (his favorite is the dishwasher door), he walks around the house now shaking his head saying," no no no."( I wonder where he learned that one?)

The time change has had a wonderful effect on his sleeping. He is usually up by 6:30 then down for a nap by 12:00 and asleep by 6:30-7ish. Today, he didn't wake up until 8:00!! That is huge! Then, he slept from 1:30-4:00 and he is falling asleep right now (8ish). It is such a welcome change to spend more time with him at night and spend more time in the morning in bed!

He is still a very picky eater but he is exploring a little bit more each day. Of course, he will try anything Daddy is eating! Our new favorite thing is that he will try what Jon is eating... take a few steps away and walk right back for more. He will do it 20 times, it is hysterical. He is just so much fun and we LOVE teaching him new things.

Snowed In!

We got hit! I thought the weather man were over exagerrating, but apparently not. We have at least 8 inches of snow. It is beautiful! Jake loves looking at it. he has yet to venture out in it though. I am waiting until it "warms" up a little, to take him outside.

More of Jake and Jack!

Riding together at TargetJake driving while Jack pushes the pedal
Right before Jakes near death experience, video below!

Cousin Fights...they start young

You know you are good friends with someone, when you can fight and then still love each other!

What happened to my baby???

Jake is just so big now it is nuts. He is full walking and it still catches me off guard. The other day something fell on the floor (Jake threw it on the floor because he didn't like it, another blog entry in it's self) he walked right around the corner, leaned on my back and played with my hair. He is so sweet and lovable still, but just so big. He is also talking all day long. Who knows what about, but it is fun to try and figure out.

The newest of the new is the separation anxiety. It has kicked in full gear! He is in major mommy and daddy mode. I remember Jack going through this, but I didn't see it coming this fast. He is okay if he knows the people he is around, but today for example we went to church. Well, we tried to go to church. He normally loves the nursery and plays with all the new toys. Today, Jake wouldn't have it. We gave it a good shot too. He was just so upset. He had tears streaming down his red little face and could barely breathe the second I turned my back. I felt terrible. I guess we just have to keep trying and give him extra kisses and hugs when we get back. Any advice fellow mommies?

What we've been up to lately...

Playing in the outside whenever we can
Having some tantrums, super fun!
Eating blocks, trying to sort them

Jon and I took Jake to Barnes and Noble for new books and he LOVED the train table

Walking like crazy

Making Tiger sounds

Back Yard Fun

Yesterday the weather was just perfect. Jill and I took advantage and walked to the bagel shop then played outside with kids afterwards! Here are few pics of the kiddies!

Jack holding Jake's hand... could they be any cuter?

Little Brooke with her bow, soo sweet

New York, New York!

Saturday night Jon had a "boys" night in Boston and I had a girls night in NYC. It was so wonderful. My girlfriends from college and I try getting together a couple of times a year. We hope to do it forever! It has been a little harder for me since Jake was born. So I have missed a few girls nights here and there. This weekend we all met up in NYC. (Laura, you were missed) We went out to dinner and had tapas. SO YUMMY! It was nice t catch up and just spend quality time together. It was also fun to get all dressed up and stay out past 8:00!!! I was reminded of how special and amazing my friends are. I feel lucky to have a circle of girls that I completely trust and love. On Sunday morning, I had breakfast with my brother and Katie which was an added bonus to the weekend. A HUGE thank you to Mommel and Poppel (Jon's parents) for watching Jake!!! You guys treating him like a king as usual!

A little sunshine and.... toilet paper

This week has been a funny one. Monday was so beautiful that Jake and I went to the park wearing only sweatshirts. It was so nice and made me wish for warm weather. It was amazing how much more he can do at the park now. He was "walking" around and climbing. It was great.

Then, today we woke up to another coating of white snow. We have been inside a lot lately. So, we are both getting creative with how to keep ourselves occupied. Jake discovered that toilet paper is very fun!

What Fun!

Lately, I have been having so much fun being a mom. Jake is growing up so quickly and learning new things everyday. This week he started answering questions with a south jerzey,"yeah." Would you like more bread..... "yeah". SO cute! Of course afterwards the teacher in me says, "you mean...Yes." He has also learned to come down the stairs. He loves opening and closing things as well as taking out and putting back in. My favorite new skill is that he LOVES to dance. He dances all the time.

Today, we started a gym/swim class at the YMCA and he had a blast. He learned how to climb up stairs and go down the slide all by himself. Afterwards, we swam in the pool with some new friends. Jake was just splashin' away and giggling. On the way home he lasted five minutes before falling alseep.

1st B-day Slideshow

Photobucket Album

My baby is ONE!

What a weekend! We celebrated our little boy's first birthday on Saturday. I still can't believe it. The thought makes me want to cry and smile at the same time. I feel so special to have been chosen to be his mom and can't wait to share many more years together. He is such a sweet, happy and loving baby.

Saturday was fabulous. My family came in and the Sharp family all came over. Ofcourse the day of his birthday, Jake only napped for 45 mins TOTAL. I was worried he wouldn't make it through the night. He was overwhelmed for just a few minutes and then ended up staying awake and he was happy the whole time. It turns out though that he doesn't have my sweet tooth gene. He would rather play with cake then eat it!

My family stayed at a hotel in Philadelphia as a treat on my brother in law. So, this morning we went in and met them for breakfast. Such a fabulous weekend. Here are some pics...

We are back to life!

Well, we are all back to life! Jon is back to work and feeling well. Jake is smiling, giggling and waving to strangers again. I'll tell ya though, it was a rough one. This virus going around is nothing to mess with. Everyone who had it told me, but like most things in life... you believe it AFTER you have experienced it. Jake would literally not let me put him down for three days. He was waking at night getting sick and was miserable all day unless he was sleeping. Jon was in bed for two days and came home early from work the third day to take an afternoon nap. If you know Jon, that is shocking. At one point I actually thought this was never going away and that Jake would never be independent or happy again.... sounds silly I know but it was bad. However, somehow I have managed to survive and not get sick (thank God). I always find that during times of struggle, I pray all day. I pray in the shower, in my car, while taking a walk... all day. However, when things are going well, I pray less often. It always bothers me. I have been through some very tough times in my life and during those times, have felt closest to God. I have felt at peace with life and what is really important. We seem to forget him during the good times. Or should I say the day to day. I remember to thank him for the big things. When, I should thank him for everything. A smile, a sunny day, a cookie, a nice conversation.... everything. These lyrics are to one of my all time favorite songs and explain exactly that.

"Bring The Rain"

I can count a million times

People asking me how

I Can praise You

with all that I've gone through

The question just amazes me

Can circumstances possibly

Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed

Long before these rainy days

It's never really ever crossed my mind

To turn my back on you, oh Lord

My only shelter from the storm

But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of

The dark clouds that may loom above

Because You are much greater than my pain

You who made a way for me

By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain