The Swine brings lots of quality time...

What a week it has been! Last Monday Jon came down with the flu (which we are assuming was swine), he never saw a doctor. Then, this past Monday I caught it and my doctor also assumed it was swine flu. Oh what fun it is. I forgot how awful the flu is. I felt like a little kid again, wanting my mom there to feed me red Gatorade and rub my back. Jon tried his best to play mom! He is always wonderful when I am sick. He takes on Jake duties like a champ. Jake also had a lot of help from Aunt Janet and I had many phone calls from friends and family. Thanks to ALL! Jake had the flu shot and I think it saved him. He has an ear infection and a bad cold, but we will take it. Everyone is getting better and we are almost 100% over here now. Thank goodness!

self explanatory..."Staying alive" danceJake was able to convince his polar bear to play with him when mommy couldn't

Given the fact that we have been sick, we have had a lot of family time. We didn't leave the house this week other than to go to the doctor or pick up prescriptions. We have been creative with how to entertain ourselves. We started pillow piles, made up games (my favorite being, "where is baby Jesus?", played on pots and pans, doing Obama impressions (hysterical, trying to get this on video)... anything we can think of.

We are also very excited that the snow is here. We all went out in it this morning and had a blast. Jake is fearless in the snow and seems to have no gauge for temperature. In the summer he will jump right into a cold pool and today he face planted in the snow and stood up laughing. It amazes me. He cried when we brought him in and could have stayed out all day.I am personally so excited that it is Christmas week. This is my favorite time of the year. I love the meaning of Christmas, the music, the lights, the parties, giving gifts... I love it all. It is a bitter/sweet time for me in many ways because it was also my moms favorite time. She made it so special. She made it all about family and friends. I love sharing these times with many people because of her and I want that for Jake. I know that it is up to me now to make future holidays special for my little family. I love traditions, so I look forward to creating our own this season. This year, I am trying to incorporate the meaning of Christmas into activities or discussions with Jake. I know he is so little, but he understands so much. It is never to early to start learning about the wonder of Christ.My runny nosed lumberJAKEG boys display

Wedding Weekend

This past weekend two of our good friends got married in Philadelphia. Jon and I were lucky enough to have a baby free night thanks to Aunt Janet and Uncle Rick. We had a wonderful time and the wedding was beautiful! I so love weddings. Getting dressed up, eating yummy food, dancing all night... what could be better? We also were lucky to spend some much needed time with Jon's sister, Ab. Miss ya already!

Jake playing with Uncle Rick's shoes

Doin' the Jake

Now that we have recuperated from a double ear infection, things are back to normal...

heavy dancing

Jake has really changed in the last few weeks. I am noticing his personality more than ever. He has really started to make sense with his words and he repeats long phrases or makes up his own. Sometimes he will say the same long sentence of gibberish thirty times before I make sense of it. He is a persistent little guy and wants me to understand. Yesterday, he was looking at my glass. So, I pointed to his and said, "here's your juice honey." He looked at me and said," That's yours, not mine." Crazy... Then later that evening the sump pump in the basement came on and he said,"What was dat sound?" They are little conversations but, I love it!

the result of mommy saying," hurry get in the bath mommel is coming...

loving cars of any kind

Family, Food and Fun

We had such a wonderful weekend. On Wednesday we headed down to Baltimore to spend the weekend with my family. My family is great. We all cooked Thanksgiving dinner together and spent most of our time in the kitchen. We watched movies, played games and just did nothing together. We celebrated my birthday over cupcakes and gifts (including a massage, mani, pedi as well as make up gift certificates. Do you think my family is trying to tell me something??) kidding... sooo needed! Jon and I also caught up with some friends. It was nice having our little ones together! Such a treat and I so wish I could do it more often. We ended the weekend celebrating Jack's 3rd birthday. Can't believe he is three! Yay, for Thanksgiving!! Now.... onto Christmas decorating!!My little artistSean just hanging outNikki managing both hungry boysBeing silly with daddy

Mike and I celebrating our b-daysSome of my best and their little ones

Games, Games

Sisters and baby boys!!

Obsessing over the cat, he loves her


Walking with Pop Pop and GG to see the ducksCelebrating Jack's birthday with a hug and kiss

Turkey Day is Near

I am thankful for so many things that it is hard to make a list, but I will try.
I am thankful for...
- God's Promises
- His plan for my life
- All that I have experienced, the good and the bad
- My hard working, loving husband
- His financial mindset that allows me to be home with Jake
- My sweet and challenging baby boy who is growing up before my eyes
- Kisses and hugs
- Night time routines with Jake, especially kneeling with him and praying as he says "AHmen.. dank su Jsssus"
- My family and quality time spent with them
- New friends and old
- Anna and Em who I tutor. They have become my friends and have taught me so much!
- Memories of a wonderful mother
- The holidays and all the yumminess that goes with them!!
and the list goes on!

Happy Thanksgiving! Some new pics...Lollipop adventure on the way home from the dry cleaners... Jake was not so into it!

Dancing with Daddy, he actually imitates the daddy dance perfectly.Eating Santa cookies while we were trying to take his picture for our Christmas card

Vote Today!

As many of you know, I am involved in an organization called AFFIE (Anna Foundation for Inclusive Education) Please vote today to help us raise funds for our non profit!

No, I want Appa Juss!

This Sunday, Jake and I drove over to the Schuylkill River to meet my family for their regatta. Christian and Courtney are both rowing now. We were there all day and it was beautiful. Jake loved spending time with his Pop Pop and GG. He also loved seeing the boats, dogs, cars and many people going by. It was an exciting day. I didn't get many pics because we were so busy keeping him safe near the water, but I did catch one cute one!We are now in toddler mode over at the Sharp house. Jake has discovered that he can make choices. I like that Jake is independent. He always has been. Lately, however he wants to do everything on his own. I do like to encourage him. Although, some of the choices he would like to make, he is just not ready for. Our latest examples are walking alone when mommy says this is a time we need to hold hands and sitting in the kitchen chair without a booster seat. Both of which he is not ready for. So, fun times over here! Being a mom is tough. I knew it would be. Teaching was tough in that way. Of course I would love to just give in and let him be happy. That would be much easier and we would definitely have less tears and drama. But, I know that what I am doing is right and after we have a rough moment, I feel good about teaching Jake.

Playing with Cousins

Fall Festivities

I will say it again... I love fall! There is just something about it. The past few days we have had such wonderful weather. Jake and I have been loving being outside again. Yesterday we cleaned up around the pool and Jake said," buh bye pool." Soo sad. Pool you will be missed! We also racked leaves and played in the yard. Today we went to the park with Aunt Janet, Jake's cousins and one of Jake's friends came along. It was a wonderful morning. Lately, Jake has been talking a lot more. He has always been a talker but now he is really trying to make sense of it all. I love it. He has learned the letters A, B and C as well as his colors. Who knows how long he will remember them, but it is fun! He loves to do activities with me, which I love. I am a huge nerd when it comes to school stuff and crafts. So I am enjoying that I can teach Jake a little here and there. He is also officially in his, "big boy" crib. He now knows not to come out of his room and he can only get out when he is awake. We are no longer jumping out and refusing to sleep. Thank goodness!Running around the house, one of his favorite pastimes

Giving five to buddies

Halloween Weekend

This past weekend started out with my wisdom teeth being removed. Not so fun. Jon took the day off and I was lucky to have a lot of help with Jake so it was not too bad. Saturday, we took it easy for for the most part until it was time to trick or treat. Jake loved trick or treating this year. We visited some neighbors and had some visitors too. We made it a family affair and everybody was dressed up. Jon was the man with the yellow hat, Jake was curious George and I was a banana. It covered my swollen face! We had a lot of fun and Jake was loving the freedom of being allowed to run in the street.

Jake with one of his best buddies!

Jon's best friend Gary came to visit!

2nd Annual Halloween Party

Jake and I threw our 2nd annual Halloween party today. We had a lot of fun. Jake was a little over whelmed at times, but then cheered up once his costume was off and he ate lunch. We played with play dough, painted and shared with friends.
Thanks to all who could come!The monkey to my banana

Poppel and Jake saying CHEESSSEE!!!Mommel and Aunt Jill to the rescue!

New friends and neighbors!

play dough time

A lion and a raccoon

Painting pumpkins

A magician

A Ballerina

Mini-Superman

Hugs, Jake and Brooke