No New Pics...

Well, a certain little 14 month old boy found my camera and threw it on the floor. So, needless to say I will not be posting pictures until I get a new camera. I am so bummed because it is my favorite thing to do! However, I will keep you up to date on all the happenings around here. Jon and I have been very busy landscaping our yard. It really needed A LOT of work. Weeding, mulching and trimming has become a new hobby of mine. Not exactly fun or clean, but I love the way I feel when it is done. Plus, last weekend we had such amazing weather that we took full advantage. Our yard looks so much better. We also planted some pansies and hung potted plants on our porch and around the pool(something I have always wanted to do).

This week we had a pool safety fence installed. With Jake, Jack and Brooke running around we didn't want to take any chances. It was a bit of an expense, but the peace of mind is priceless. Our pool is opening tomorrow morning!!!! I have been going to the Y on Fridays to teach Jake to swim. Last week he went under the water two times! He was a little scared, but he did it! I can't wait to practice in the pool. Here is a picture from website we bought our fence from (not our pool, but gives you an idea).

Jake has been acting like such a big boy lately. He wants to do everything that his Daddy, Mommy and cousin Jack do. He tries to go down the stairs while holding onto the railing like an adult (resulting in tumbling down the stairs). He wants to sit at a normal chair (resulting in trying to stand/climb on the table). He likes to build with Daddy's tools and use all the same household cleaning items as Mommy (cute when he is brooming, scary when he goes for the drill or hammer). He also LOVES to wrestle with Daddy. He screams with delight when they start and begs for more when Jon is tired. Recently, he has started wrestling anyone who is willing. (Jack, Brooke...volunteer at the nursery... oops) He is also saying more words each day. All of a sudden, his vocab just exploded. He really tries to repeat what you say and sometimes he says things and I convince myself that I am just hearing things. At lunch a few days ago he said," I color." and he brought me my purse and said,"open dis." It is crazy! I love how I can communicate a little more with him now. He is definitely understanding and making connections between words and actions or sounds. I love to watch him grow and thank God everyday for the gift of motherhood. It is a tough job, but worth all the work involved!

This coming weekend I am going down to Baltimore for my friend Lindsay's baby shower. She is expecting her first little on June 11th. Then, the following weekend we are off to Alexandria, VA for my sister's baby shower! She is expecting a baby boy on June 10th. Babies everywhere!

Here is a picture I stole from my sister in law's blog...the kiddos on a nice walk, Jake of course brought a ball with him!

Jake the Star...hehe

So, about 6 months or so ago I am in the grocery store waiting at the Deli and I strick up conversation with a woman. This is not unusual for me, because I talk to anyone who will talk back and love meeting random people. So, anyway... she is complimenting me on how cute Jake is and I am saying thank you and so on. She starts to tell me that she owns a children's modeling agency and that she has seen a lot of babies and she said she thinks Jake is an adorable baby. I am still not thinking much of this and saying thank you and being polite. She gives me her card and tells me it is easy and she is located in Cherry Hill and I should stop by. So, to make a long story longer... I went. We had a five minute meeting where she explained that if I paid a small amount of money, Jake's picture could be put on their secure website that only agents have access to and that I could send them new pics whenever I wanted. Then the agents, when looking for a model, peruse the pics then call you with a job. So, we got three or four jobs the first two weeks, it was nutz! I only went to two of them, they were both for Toys R' US/Babies R Us. We got a call for Puff Daddy's clothing line and another Toys R' Us ad but I couldn't make it those days and was feeling a little overwhelmed with the drive to N. Jerz. So, We show up to this studio and there are 20-30 people working the set. They had Jake sit on a white box with a white background and he made all kinds of faces. He loved the attention and it took 20 mins. They couldn't tell me which ad he would be in because they were shooting for a lot of things. They said they could use his picture for three years though, so I try and check the circulars every other week. I finally found him in two different pictures. One you can barely see him in. He was sitting in the treehouse of a swingset, but this one you can se him a little better. I don't know if I would ever do it again, but it was an experience and Jake made some money for himself.

Easter Fun!

Jake and I planned an Easter party and egg hunt at our house. It was so much fun. We both invited friends and were excited to see them. Jake sentiments about the day were,"bohh aggoo no no duck..." Sums it up! Thanks to all who came. Happy Easter!

Party Time!

Jack on a mission!

Jake found some left over snacks in the mulch! Nightmare

Lisey and Shana
Lindsay and Cayla

Jill, Jack and Brooke

Aunt Janet and BrookeMommel and Friends
Lisa and Christopher

Sarah and Andrew

The aftermath

A day to remember in more ways than one...

As many of you know my mom passed away suddenly when I was 22 years old. This past Thursday marked the 6th year anniversary of her passing. It is simply crazy to think that it has been six years. I try very hard not to focus on that day, but when it rolls around it always hits me. It is kind of funny to say "remember" her because I think of her a thousand times a day still, but I reflect more on days like her birthday, mother's day or the holiday season which she so loved! However, there is something different about April 2nd and there always will be. Every year has gotten a little easier and I have found ways to cope throughout the day. The first year we sent balloons to the sky with messages, but now my family simply makes sure we connect on that day and send each other messages of love and remembrance. As much as six years seems impossible, my life has changed so much. I have graduated college, became a teacher, married Jon, bought my first home and had a baby boy. All of these things my mom and I had discussed many times and we both dreamed of how that would look. It was/is difficult to not have her here with me, but I know it is for a purpose greater than my understanding. I feel lucky to have experienced it, even though that sounds weird. I have grown so much and learned about life early which I am thankful for. I have God in my life now and it has changed my outlook entirely. God is a loving God and a calculated one. He knows what is in store for me and has given me comfort and peace when I need it most. He has shown me so many things about myself and my life in the past six years. I know where my mother is and I know I will be with her again one day. Until then I want to live a life that is honorable and good. I want to focus on happiness and truth. I know what is important and I try each day to be half the mother that she was to me. She has left me some big shoes to fill, but I am trying hard. I know that my time here is short and I am determined to make every minute worth it!

Psalm 34:19

19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.

2 Days!!!

Well, the auction is finally here. We have been working so hard collecting donations and sponsorship and it has paid off!!! We have 41 amazing prizes. Some of which include, tickets to various Philadelphia games, sold out Jonas Brothers tickets, A Wii, Night at the Borgata, GPS system, IPOD, gift certificates to everything you can imagine, gym memberships and more!!! Come out and support an important cause while having a great time! Thursday night at PJ's. Whiskey Train is playing afterwards! Tickets available at the door.

Recent Pics

Ready for spring and bike rides with Mommy!

Plying with Pop Pop and the kitty

Big boy seat Laying with Uncle Eko
Playing ball with Aunt Nikki

Date night! City of Hope Dinner

Sentimental Moments

Maybe it's just me (and probablly is), but when I have a night alone... I get a little sentimental. I am a nerd, I admit it. Tonight I am feeling rather sentimental. The night started off with uploading new pictures of Jake. Then, I looked back at the last few months and started to realize how lucky I truly am to have love. That led me to google where I spent the last hour looking up love songs and song lyrics. I know... sappy... but that's me. I love song lyrics. I can always find a song that hits me and makes me feel however I want to feel at that moment. I love it. Here are a few great lines I found tonight...enjoy!

Lemonade (Chris Rice)
I’ve got it made
Rest in the shade
And hold my love
While God above
Stirs with a spoon
We share the moon
Smile at the bees
More sugar please
He really loves us after all
We’re gonna need another straw!
We’re gonna need another straw!

Lucky (Jason Mraz)
I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been

I knew I loved you (Savage Garden)
Maybe it's intuition
But some things you just don't question
Like in your eyes
I see my future in an instant
and there it goes
I think I've found my best friend
I know that it might sound more thana little crazy
but I believe
I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

Another Day in Paradise
Well, it's ok.
It's so nice
It's just another day in paradise
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise

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