Make that 4 teeth...and counting!

Jake now has 4 teeth - two on top and two on bottom....with two more coming in on top (the two middle teeth are the ones still not through).  He's being a trooper and keeping his crankiness to a minimum - such a good boy!

Jake is crawling!

Yesterday, Jake was 11-months old and we officially caught him crawling!  He has been scooting around on his bum for over a month now, but he finally made some headway on hands and knees.  I was sitting down talking to Steve on the phone and all of a sudden he just did it right in front of me!  I pulled out the camera and took a quick video of him doing it.  He is getting SO big, TOO fast!  We are going to have a 1-year-old in just one short month!  Can't hardly believe it...

Video:  Jake Crawling - 6/20/12

We have 3 teeth now

It is June 19th, and today we noticed that Jake's 3rd tooth has cut through on top.  It is just to his center right tooth.  It's so cute...and surprisingly enough, he hasn't been too cranky the past few days :)

Jake - Our Sweetheart

Every night before bed I get to look at this sweet boy. He is the light of our lives. I can't imagine this life without him. He has brought out the best in both Steve and me. He seems to make us both want to be better. I feel blessed every day to have this special boy in our lives. I can't thank Heavenly Father enough for allowing me to be his mom for this life and eternity. I may have not given birth to him, but I know he was ours before and he will be ours forever. The blessing of Eternal Families is real! Adoption is an amazing gift! I wish that every woman/girl that ends up with an unwanted pregnancy in this world could understand the amazing blessings that come to those yearning for children that cannot bear their own - and that they would make choices to give them up rather than terminate. I often wondered how a loving Heavenly Father could let those that seemed to not be able to care for a child continue to get pregnant, and those that yearned for the chance to be mothers, not have the ability to do-so...I now know. When used for good, the blessing of adoption can be the most amazing experience in the world! I love our boy and I love his birthmom. I love that she chose to give Jake the life that she knew she could not provide him. I love that she chose to give him to a family with a mom and a dad that would love him forever and provide for every need the best they could. I love her!

Funny Faces!

Jake was being so funny the other night...he was just chillin' in his diaper, but he kept scrunching his nose at me. Such a cute little boy we have!

We're Trying the Sippie!

And it's going so-so...

Memorial Weekend in Mesquite!

We had a short weekend trip planned to Logan, UT for Memorial Weekend this year.  Unfortunately (or fortunately), a couple of days before, we saw the forecast was going to be el crapo...so we changed our plans and headed South instead!  Since we booked so late, we got an amazing deal on a condo in Mesquite!  We went with my sister, Jenn and her family.  It was so much fun!  Completely relaxing.  Saturday was still a bit chilly (in the 70's) so swimming didn't pan out like we had hoped, so we made plans and went to Vegas instead.  Yuck - not my favorite place, but we made the best of it!  We walked around a few hotels, hung out in the kid/arcade playland for awhile and then spent way too much money at a buffet that wasn't that great!  Oh, well...it's all about the memories, right?!  Sunday finally brought the hot, summer sun to Mesquite and we got out and enjoyed it!  It was great to get away as a little family and spend time with my Sister's family.  I love her girls - they are the absolute cutest things ever!  And of course, Jake is always darling too.  A few pictures from our fun trip!

Layney loves the drums (and is actually pretty good!)

And, Steve loves guns (and is actually pretty good!)

Jake was excited Daddy won him a ball he could hold and suck on!

Best smile in the world!  Love this boy SO MUCH!!

So cute!

Daddy & Jake!  Enjoying some sun...

I LOVE this kid!  He is so much fun!

My best friend and the best 2nd Mama to my Jakey!

Love that SMILE!

Such a little stud - Swimming in Mesquite

Zoey's souvenir from the trip (she LOVES Elephants!)

Jake & Layney (I actually think this picture wasn't taken in Mesquite, but oh well...it is cute!)

Jenn & Ben - Love them!

Zoey with Spounge Bob

My cute Sis and her beautiful girl, Zoey

Layney finally crashed a few minutes before getting back to Mesquite from Vegas

Ben with the Girls

Trip to Phoenix!

In early-May, Jake and I went to visit a good friend (and former mission companion) in Phoenix, AZ.  This was Jake's first plane ride, and he did great!  It was a little nerve-wrecking to get all my stuff through security, but once that was over it was all good.  Jake was so good on the plane - he enjoyed his bottle and then fell asleep on the way there.  On the way home, we had the whole row to ourselves so once we were up in the air I could buckle him in the seat next to me and he was able to play with a few toys and his books.  He quickly made a lot of friends. 

I loved being in Phoenix with my friend, Alissa.  She had recently had a baby so I got to see sweet little Ava.  She was adorable and had so much hair!  It was funny, cause I knew I said that several times while I was there, but anytime we went out it seemed like everyone commented on her hair.  She was a little sick while we were there, but what a sweet baby.  Alissa has a nice pool in her backyard, so we spent the majority of the time swimming.  Although, we were also able to enjoy some yummy food, go to the park, go to the hospital (spent a few hours in the ER with sweet Ava), relax...Jake also had his first swimming experience.  He did great and although didn't take to the water initially, after a few minutes, he seemed to enjoy it.  It was really relaxing! 

Swimming (in the kiddie pool).  The only pictures I got in the big pool are on our video camera which I haven't taken off yet!

Chillin' on the airplane

Sweet baby Ava

Our attempt at going to the park - however, at 9am it was already in the 90's - it was HOT!

Toe touch!

Every baby is a miracle - but I think Ava is quite the special little one :)

Mother's Day 2012

Pretty amazing to be a mom this year on Mother's Day!  I loved it!  I am so grateful for all the many women in my life that have always been such wonderful examples to me.  I sure love my mom and am thankful for all that she has done and continues to do for me.  My husband spoiled me by getting me a necklace/earring set with Jake's birthstone (ruby).  He also got me 3 hours of Maid Service which is always nice and helpful.  We celebrated that evening at my Aunt Monica's home. 

My sweet boy

With my mom and sister

Jake's 2nd Mommy - My sister Jenn

Aunt Shelly

My grandparents and their 5 kids

My mom with Jake

Completely Random Updates

As I was going through several pictures on my iPhone today, I realized there were lots of things that may have not made it to my blog.  Since I'm using this as a family journal, I have some updates to do.  So, in no particular order:

Steve took Jake to Cabelas for his first time several months ago.  It's a fun place for them to go on Fridays, since Steve has it off (4 10's) and I have to work :-(  Jake loves looking at the fish.  Steve loves trying random hats on him.

Jake started trying different baby foods when he turned 6 months old.  Now that he is almost 11 months old he is eating just about everything we try to feed him.  He seems to have a great appetite and likes all kinds of foods.  He is especially loving pears, peaches, rice (seasoned, not rice-cereal), noodles, mac&cheese, bread, gerber graduate yogurt melts.  A week ago, we tried vegetables again since we did those first he never really liked them.  Well, green beans didn't go so well.  But, he ate all of his peas!

Jake LOVES looking out the window!  I think he really likes being outside too, it is just not as easy to get out all the time.  He would sit and look out the window for quite a while though.  Such a cutie!

Jake's hair is getting really long.  I can't quite decide to make that appt for his first haircut though.  When he gets out of the bath his curls are SO cute!  But, after it is dry and he has rubbed it on his carseat, boppy or a blanket, it tends to get all frizzy.  Here's Aunt Jenny and Uncle Ben's attempt at doing his hair 2 different days in the recent past, LOL!

Jake is getting close to moving from bottles to sippies.  He has tried sippies on a few occasions, but doesn't really do them yet.  However, recently he has started holding his bottles on his own!  There are times when I still want to feed him or we use the bottle to prop...but he can do it when he wants too!

I don't think I've ever posted his cute Valentine's Day picture :)  His onesie says "Heart Breaker".

One night after he ate, I gave him the wet-wipe I had cleaned his hands and face with.  You would have thought I gave him the world!  He was SO happy and played with the wet-wipe for several minutes.  It's the simple things in life, right?!

The past few weeks Jake has LOVED Barney (much to his Daddy's dismay, LOL).  He seriously can't get enough of it.  We have tried other shows and he has no attention span, but if we turn on Barney (especially the Captain Pickles episode currently OnDemand), he will relax and just watch.  It allows me to get ready for work in the morning and helps at those times when I just need to get dishes or housework done!  The other night I looked down and saw him sucking his thumb.  This was the first time I noticed it.  He doesn't do it too often, but I thought it was cute when he did.

And just some other random pictures over the past little while.  Sure love this boy!