Patience...

This is something that you probably shouldn't learn from me Jake. Don't get me wrong, I have some, patience that is. But, not a lot. I have patience with certain things. Like surprises, i love them and can wait until the appropriate time. Also, people, this is a good thing to have patience with. People will always get under your skin, not learn as fast as you think they should and in general be different than you. Having patience with people is important. But, I don't have patience with waiting. Example, my iPad is supposed to be delivered today, by UPS, who usually come by 10am. It is now 12pm. Oh. My. Goodness. I can't wait. I want it now. Don't listen to your mommy Jake she's crazy. Watch your Papa. He is the most patience person I know. He can teach you to have great patience! And he can show you the rewards of being patient as well. Good things come to those who wait. That must not have been said when someone was waiting on an iPad!

Love,
Mommy/attempting to be patient!

Oh My Goodness!!

I just posted that you are trying to crawl and not two hours later you take your first crawl!! Your daddy and I were attempting to finish your room (pictures to come) and we put you on the floor to play by yourself. We are trying to have solo play time everyday. Even if I'm in the room with you. Anyway, you were on the floor with your foam numbers and letters. See the photo below for a better visual...

 

you were chewing on these little things and they all managed to make their way out of reach. You got up on your hands and knees, in a determined fashion. I saw, and told your daddy to look at you. We watched quietly, not breathing to see what you would do. You moved your right hand then your left knee and  the right knee followed and so did the left hand. Just a few little "steps" and you got to the toys and plopped your self onto your tummy again, satisfied. You didn't act as though anything out of the ordinary happened. Your daddy and I turned to each other and silently rejoiced. Then we praised you. You looked at us like, "What? That was no big deal, crazy parents!". Oh well, we were stoked!! Life will never be the same. I am so excited for the adventure of mobility we are embarking on. Now, to go lower your crib!!

Love,

Mommy/making a mad dash to baby proof!!!

Such a Boy

You are such a boy. We were sitting on the couch, you just finished your bedtime bottle. The TV was on. Some advertisement or preview of something came on. You watched it and when this truck blew up, you laughed. Heaven help us all. You think explosions are funny already! Your daddy said, "That's my boy". I felt really red neck at that moment. Oh well, it could be worse. Thing blowing up are fun but we don't blow things up i the house. If we do blow something up out side always stand back and have a hose ready to put out the flames! And please, please listen when you hear some one say, "don't try this at home!". I love you, with your eye brows!

Love,

Mommy/likes explosions too!

7 Months Old

You have had an eventful month my son. At times I look at you and see a little boy. It's hard to believe that you have only been here for 7 months, it feels like much longer and then I can't believe it's been 7 months. Here are a few highlights of your month!

You learned how to sit!

You are trying to crawl!

You have two teeth!

You found your sense of humor, even more so than before.

You say "Ba", "Blah", "Ga", "Wa", "Da" (occasionally da-da!) you are quite the talker! This is the face you make when you are in a serious conversation!

And you are still just as cute and sweet as ever!!

You are 22.2 lbs. (100th percentile) 28 in. long (90th percentile) and your head is 47cm. around (95th percentile). You are a big boy! I like you that way. 

You enjoy your food and don't object to much. You aren't very fond of green beans but you ate them like such a good boy! I don't blame you, I try everything you eat and they weren't very good. 

You sleep very very well, at least 10 hours every night and two good naps during the day! 

You have started only wanting mommy and crying when ever I leave the room or when I try to put you down. This has decreased the amount of things I get done in a day and the amount of sleep I get. I get up early to squeeze things in and don't rest when you do, so I can get things done too. So when you are awake you get my full attention. I again need to learn to balance. You are enjoy watching me fold clothes, while you try to grab them to eat them. Of course anything that I turn into a game you are down for!

Those little teeth of yours caused quite a bit of pain for you. Nighttime orajel has been a life saver! Your top two teeth are now trying to make there way into your mouth, but they are coming in a little easier than the first two. 

You bring so much joy to us Jake. You have the sweetest giggle and we all do our best to bring it out. All of the adults in your life do the silliest things just to hear you squeal! 

We are contemplating getting a dog or giving you a sibling. Oh, man. You will learn that your daddy goes with the flow and your mommy tries to over plan everything. Life is usually better with a balance, that's what we give to each other. We will see what you end up getting. Well, what the family ends up getting. 

These recent months have brought a peace to us. We have settled into a routine and rarely do I feel like I don't know what to do. I have opened my eyes to the joy every experience brings. We have come to know each other and depend on each other. We have a special bond and I love that. I will always love that. You are my sweet boy. So very very precious. 

Hey Jake,

Today you did the sweetest thing possible! I took you out of the shopping cart and was talking with you before I had to put you in your car seat. I have found this keeps breakdowns to a minimum. You enjoy being held and going from sitting one place to sitting in another doesn’t make you very happy. So, as we gazed at the trees, you plopped your head onto my shoulder. Plopped might sound like a funny word choice but that is exactly what you did. One second you were looking around and the next you plopped your head down to my shoulder and under my chin. You snuggled in and it was precious! My heart melted! You make me feel special Jake, like no one else can!
Love, Mommy/the always teary one!

First 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!! 

You woke up happy and talking this morning. I admit that when I hear you wake up I lay there and listen for a while. Partly because I’m tired but mostly so I can hear you babble!

 Currently you are drinking your breakfast and as I’m typing this you are trying to play with my phone with your toes! You are clever! 

Happy 1st, 4th of July!

Out of Reach...

is where we need to put everything. Overnight you have become observant and curious. I can't even drink anything while holding you, you swing wildly at it, not to be mean and soak me but, just to figure out what it is and you probably want some. You are hard to hold on to now because you want to touch everything! I love that you are curious and want to explore your world. Everything is new to you and it's such a privilege to watch you learn and to teach you about life. I am honored to have been chosen for such a task. You are the biggest blessing I could have ever been bestowed. 

Sleepy time

This week we have discovered that you have a temper. You were mad one day that you had to take a nap, you were so tired and just needed to sleep but you got mad and decided to let us know that you were very unhappy with us. You screamed, not just any scream but a blood curdling scream, then you lifted your legs up and slammed them down in the crib repeatedly. I cried, felt terrible and then had to walk away. Daddy came in and calmed you down a little but you had to do it yourself. This has been the hardest thing for me, teaching you to be independent. Yes I know you are only 5 months old but I can't always help you fall asleep you have to learn and I can't always help you do things you have to learn to crawl. I would love to do everything for you but then when you are four and still not walking or falling asleep with out me patting your chest until sleep over comes you we would have an issue. It's plain to me that you have a strong will, welcome to the club, but being able to put yourself to sleep is a precious gift that we will both enjoy.
I know that not everyone lets their babies cry and that every technique is controversial but this is what we chose to do. I tried not letting you cry but then you needed me to sleep and I didn't feel that that was healthy. Now after breaking you of that little habit you go down pretty easy, only minor whimpering as sleep closes your heavy eyelids.
I love you. Daddy loves you. We do, and will do, everything out of love for you. "no selfish ambition or vain conceit" (Phil.2:3) is always our goal and my promise to you, my son.
Love,
Mommy/attempting selflessness

This has got to be my favorite picture of you to date! This is you,  Jake. Oh, man do you have a personality. It amazes your daddy and I that you are a little person with likes and dislikes, a temper and quirks. We adore you!!

Love, Mommy and Daddy/fools for you

Teething...Arrrghh

So we bought this little guy for you the other day and it has been a lifesaver. In this whole teething process you have gotten a fever and a stuffy nose pretty much 24/7 but it gets worse at night. You were having trouble breathing so, enter the humidifier. This one is particularly cute and goes with the whole jungle theme and the cutest thing about it is the mist comes out of his trunk!! Those things aside this elephant helps you breath and sleep though the night. Also the addition of a pillow helps elevate your head. This teething thing totally sucks. I feel so helpless. I'm here to apply numbing ointment and donate my fingers for chewing but other than that, I'm helpless to watch you in pain. I hate that. I want to take it from you, to fix your pain. I can't. Know that I will always be here to cuddle and wipe away all of your tears though. I may not be able to solve your problems, in fact I can't, that's part of life, but, I will never leave your side.

Love,  Mommy/Here to stay!