Look how you've grown!

On Jacob's one month birthday, we started taking a picture of him in a 12 month onesie. It's hard to believe that we took our final picture just a week ago. Looking back, we see what a little peanut he was and how much he's grown this past year!

One month old- January 22nd

Six months old- June 22nd

One year old- December 22nd

The pictures were a bit more difficult to take this time around because our little boy is mobile. The shot above is the only one we could get with him lying down flat on his back, the picture below is what he really wanted to do!!

Merry Christmas!

We hope everyone had a healthy and happy Christmas!!

Happy Birthday!

Jacob had such a wonderful birthday, full of fun! It began with his gift from Momma and Daddy (near the tree, not under!). He was so excited to play with his new kitchen, it kept him busy all morning!



After his morning nap, we all headed to the Dallas World Aquarium downtown. We had a great time learning about all the different fish, birds, and reptiles. Jacob truly enjoyed watching the otters and manatee swim by him and see the sharks swim above. It was great to watch him actually following the animals and show interest in what they were doing! We particularly liked watching the penguins, even though there were only two!!





When we got home, it was time for Jacob's afternoon nap. Afterwards, we met our photographer, Terry, in downtown McKinney for his one year pictures. It was definitely colder than we expected, but he was a trooper!

We have been truly blessed this past year and look back on all the wonderful things we've experienced with great thanksgiving. It's hard to believe all we've been through, from the middle of the night feedings to worrying about Jacob's lack of weight gain and to see our little boy grow into a happy and healthy one! The great thing to know is that the adventure has just begun!

Christmas in Kansas City

Jacob was so excited for his very first trip to Kansas City that he just had to get in on the action while momma was packing his bag! We left early Friday morning and spent the entire day in the car, but Jacob was such a trooper. He sat in the back with Mim and Momma the full eight hours sleeping and playing.

After our long car trip, we were ready for some fun on the Plaza! Our hotel was only a short walking distance from PF Chang's, where we had dinner. After dinner, it was time to walk around the Plaza and enjoy the lights. Jacob absolutely loves lights, so we knew he'd love the Plaza! It was pretty chilly at night, so he had to be nice and bundled up.

On Saturday, we headed out to Courtney's aunt and uncle's house to celebrate. There was snow on the ground, but fortunately the roads were perfectly clear! We didn't get to play outside because it was simply too cold! It got down to 4 degrees Saturday evening!!

Jacob loved spending time at Aunt Tracey and Uncle Eric's house and having playtime with his cousins! He also got to spend time with Momma's cousins and his Nana (Courtney's grandma). It was such a great time with family-the last time everyone had seen Jacob was the day he was born!

A highlight of the Christmas celebration is hearing the story of Jesus' birth. This year, it was Uncle Eric's turn to read and Ben enjoyed the story from the best seat in the room!

Aunt Tracey baked a birthday cake for Jesus that we all sang to and the kids got to blow out the candles. What wonderful traditions Courtney remembers participating in while growing up and now Jacob's gets to join in the fun!

While the trip was short, it was such a great time to spend together as a family. We are so excited to have shown Jacob Kansas City and the Plaza for the first time and look forward to many more trips in the future!!

Party Time!!!

On Saturday we had a housefull of friends and family over to celebrate Jacob's first birthday. It was such a great time to spend with everyone, especially as things get really crazy before the holidays. The three of us will be having a small celebration on Jacob's actual birthday, the Monday after we're out of town.

Unfortunately, it was a bit warm for hot cocoa!

We served typical luncheon foods and even had a special menu for the little ones that included fruit cups and apple slices!

Jacob must have been an extra good little boy this year because Santa made a visit to his party!

We were so fortunate to have Courtney's sister Nikki and her boys, Sam and Levi, in town from Chicago! It was great to get a picture of all the Finkelstein cousins with Santa.

Happy Birthday, sweet boy!

Getting some encouragement from cousin Sam

Jacob had a grand time digging into his cake. The only thing was, he didn't actually EAT any of it!

Almost finished and ready for a bath!!

Party Teaser!

What??? Two posts in one day?
I realized that I hadn't posted pictures from Jacob's first birthday party yet because I'm waiting for the "official" pictures! Here's a little glimpse into the fun Jacob had! Yum!

The Weather Outside is Frightful!

With temperatures in the 20s and icy roads, it was the perfect excuse to have a cozy day indoors! There are only nine shopping days before Christmas, but today forced us to just stay home and relax.



Jacob loves the trees both in our living room downstairs and his playroom. He hasn't tried to mess with either of them too much, but it's proven difficult to get a picture of him in front of the tree. Jacob has a love of cameras (maybe he'll grow up to be a photographer?) and anytime I get out the camera to take a picture of him, he comes to get it! Notice the look of joy and the forward movement in the picture above for proof!!

One of Jacob's favorite new toys (besides the wagon from Mim and Poppa) is this discovery tent from Grandaddy. He has such a blast going in and out and playing with all the activities on the sides! Did anyone notice the fact that my baby boy doesn't have any socks on in the picture above? No, I'm not a bad mommy, it just seems as though Jacob has a dislike for socks! I think I've put them on him about four times in the morning alone! Boys will be boys!!

Here Comes Santa Claus

December has certainly been a whirlwind in the Cox household! It's difficult to believe that the month is practically halfway over and that our little guy will be one in a little over a week!

Last Friday, Jacob got to visit Santa for the very first time with his cousins Sam and Levi. Unfortunately, we got to the mall just in time for Santa's milk and cookie break and had about an hour to kill until we could see the "big guy". Luckily the line wasn't terribly long and Willow Bend had used the Polar Express theme, complete with enormous snowglobe you walked through to get to Santa! By the time we got to the front of the line, it was way past Jacob's naptime and I was worried he'd have a meltdown. Santa was such a lovely man who took great care in talking to Jacob and even tickling under his chin (one of his absolute favorite things!). All was well and we ended up with a great picture and wonderful memories!

Trimming the Tree!

In recent years, it has become a Cox family tradition to put up Christmas decorations on the day after Thanksgiving. This year, Jacob got his very own "Sweet Treat" tree in his game room!! He was so excited to help mommy and daddy decorate the tree upstairs with gingerbread boys and girls, cookies, and peppermint candies! Now that's MY kind of tree! Yum!

Jacob's gingerbread boy ornament looks good enough to eat!

The finished product, minus the tree topper that should be arriving next week.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jacob had such a fun first Thanksgiving! Grandaddy spent the night, so Jacob loved having him to play with when he woke up. We watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and had Creamy Caramel-Pecan Rolls for breakfast. Jacob had a taste of one (minus the pecans!), but prefered his whole wheat toast!

After some play time (and some chaos in the kitchen), we headed to Uncle Andy and Aunt Catherine's house for dinner. Unfortunately, it was time for Jacob's nap, so he didn't get to partake in the amazing feast. Afterwards, he had lots of playtime with his cousins Drew, Ben, and Brady as well as Grandaddy, Mim, Poppa, and Nathan's cousin Jennifer and her husband Ed.

It was such a wonderful day, full of great times with family. This Thanksgiving, we are so thankful for all of God's blessings...our friends, family, and especially each other.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Jacob was quite interested in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, one of our favorite Thanksgiving traditions!

Our yummy holiday breakfast

Tickles from Grandaddy

Clowning around with Poppa

Jacob got a little snack of Veggie Booty (his favorite!) before going down for a nap!

11 Months Old!!!

Oh, goodness! I can't believe this is only the second entry I've done this month! November has been such a busy month, it seems to have just passed me by.

Jacob turned 11 months old on Saturday and the poor baby had quite a rough day! He had to go to the doctor on Thursday night and was diagnosed with pink eye in both of his eyes, along with a developing ear infection. Then, Courtney got sick as well, so the Cox household was not a very fun place to be!!

We absolutely love watching Jacob discover new things and test himself. Last weekend, he took his first steps, but is still pretty unsure of himself. We can tell that if he thinks about it too long, or has an audience, he'll just plop down and crawl. But, he's getting more adventurous each day!! About two days ago, he said "mama", which was quite exciting!! We always say it'll be so strange to see our little boy running around the house talking, and we can see the beginnings of it all!

It was a good thing Jacob's birthday landed on a weekend, it truly took two of us to keep him on the blanket long enough for a quick photo!

Happy Halloween!!

Jacob had a spook-tacular first Halloween! He spent the day at Mim and Poppa's house and when it was time to trick-or-treat, went to his Uncle Andy and Aunt Catherine's house. Aunt Catherine had prepared yummy snacks like mummy wraps, cheese spiders, and mini caramel apples to fill our bellies and give us energy for the night ahead! After getting lots of candy for cousins Drew and Ben, we headed back to the house for chicken soup. What a fun and yummy day!!

With the good witch Mim and Poppa the Pirate before going to Uncle Andy and Aunt Catherine's house.

The whole gang ready to get some candy!!

The two littlest


Us with the sweetest shark in the sea!

The four cousins

That Poppa, he's such a silly pirate!

Ben the skeleton and Jacob ready for some trick-or-treating!

All buckled in!