Memorial Day Weekend

Jacob had a busy Memorial Day weekend. On Friday, we had a fun time at home since Mom had the day off from school. We went to lunch with Grandmommy and Granddaddy. Afterwards, we relaxed at their house and had some ice cream from our favorite ice cream store, Milwaukee Joe's. When we got home, we had a nice relaxing evening at home.

Saturday was a busy day! Dad was helping his friend Caleb move into his new house, so Mom and Jacob went on a trip to Target to pick up a few things. Saturday afternon was a nice time for naps and hanging out. For dinner Jacob got to eat Rice Cereal for the first time! He wasn't so sure about it at first, as you can see. We think that he started to get the hang of it after a little practice though.

Sunday was a fun day of going to church and then to Mim and Poppa's house for lunch. Mom's Uncle Mark was in town, so we had a good time visiting with him. When we got home, we had lots of play time and more practice with the rice cereal. He definitely started to get the hang of it and seemed to enjoy it.

Monday was a fun afternoon too. We went to Uncle Andy and Aunt Catherine's house for lunch to celebrate her birthday. Jacob had fun hanging out with everyone and playing with his cousins Drew, Ben, and Brady.

Happy 5 Month Birthday!!

Five months. It's hard to believe that five months ago today, we welcomed our sweet boy into the world. For us, five months hasn't changed us much. But Jacob has been changing each and every day.

Five months ago, Jacob only looked at his toys (and only those that were close to his face!). Now, he reaches for and grabs them and they go straight to his mouth.

Five months ago, Jacob looked at us with his bright eyes. Today, his eyes actually light up when we enter a room. He smiles and laughs when we talk and follows our every move.

Five months ago, Jacob only laid in one spot. Now, he can turn over from his tummy to his back and even from his back to his tummy. Jacob loves to stand and even sit by himself!

Five months ago, I was excited when he ate 10mL. Today, he takes four eight ounce bottles and a four ounce bottle at bedtime.

Five months ago, Jacob hated his bath time. I mean, HATED. At that point, he was only get a sponge bath every other night. Now, Jacob loves splashing and playing in his bathtub each night as part of his bedtime routine.

Five months ago, Jacob woke up every two hours to eat. Today, Jacob has three naps a day (plus sometimes a catnap in the evenings) and sleeps from 7pm to 6 or 6:30am. Boy, are we more rested!!

Five months ago, the only sound Jacob made was crying. Now, he talks constantly, experimenting with all sorts of sounds. One week it was the "o" sound, then blowing raspberries, and now he likes loves to experiment with his inflection.

Five months ago, we struggled with story time. Today, Jacob loves looking at the pictures in books and even reaches out to grab the pages. His favorite books are those that include singing (which Daddy doesn't really enjoy!).

Five months ago, I had no idea how much I could love a person I had just met. Now, my love grows every time my baby reaches for me or even cries.

God has blessed our family. We are so thankful every day that Jacob came into our lives five months ago. We can't wait to see what the next five months bring!!

The Casual Observer

One thing Nathan and I learned early on about Jacob is that he loves to see the world around him. As soon as he was born, his eyes were wide and bright and he just couldn't wait to take it all in! Over the past several weeks, Jacob has really wanted to practice both standing up and sitting. He would rather do either of these than lay down to play. Just yesterday I discovered that he could actually sit by himself for a short period of time. I really can't believe my little baby is growing to be a big boy!!

Celebration Weekend

What a crazy week it's been! Poor Jacob had a cold at the beginning of the week and had to stay home part of Monday and all of Tuesday. On Wednesday, we thought he was feeling better but when Courtney went to pick him up at Kristi's house (where he stays during the day) he just wasn't himself. He had been extremely fussy all afternoon and for our laid back baby, that is completely abnormal. Courtney realized that he was also breathing differently and promptly called the doctor. She rushed him up to Dr Frank's office and he was diagnosed with croup. His cold earlier that week had settled in his throat and caused it to get infected, which made it swell. Dr. Frank told us that if Courtney hadn't brought him in to see her that afternoon, it's quite likely we would have ended up in the ER that night because croup gets worse as the day goes on. He was given a prescription for steroids and we were instructed to simply spoil him and make him comfortable. That evening, Jacob had a nice warm bath in his bathroom, which we had filled with steam. This really helped ease his breathing. After lots of cuddle time and medicine, Jacob got a good nights' sleep in his crib. Courtney stayed home with Jacob on Thursday because he still wasn't feeling well and Dr. Frank said he had a 50/50 chance of developing an ear infection. Nathan was home with Jacob (as usual) on Friday and he really seemed to be feeling better by then, which was a good thing because we had a fun Saturday ahead of us!

On Saturday, Uncle Andy graduated from SMU Law School so it was time to celebrate! We had a family lunch at Japon and Jacob loved spending time with Mim, Poppa, and his cousins Drew, Ben, and Brady. He also loved watching the chef cook on the hibachi grill!

Jacob loves looking at Mim's fun bracelets!

Mmmm... ready for some sushi

Poppa is so funny!!

Cousin Ben just loves Baby Jacob!

Celebrating Andy's graduation from law school

Jacob and Cousin Brady have the same bald spot!

Our First Mother's Day

This weekend was such a special one because it was the first time I could officially celebrate Mother's Day. Jacob helped Daddy make a really special weekend for me, complete with Sprinkles cupcakes and breakfast in bed on Sunday!!!

We spent the morning at church, Jacob had another great week in Joyland! He absolutely loves the little old ladies that take care of him there. After church, we met Mim and Poppa at Roy's for Mother's Day lunch. Jacob had so much fun celebrating at the restaurant that it completely tuckered him out and he fell asleep!

Say "cheese!"

Only very good, sweet boys get to sit on the table at Roy's.

Back home, we took a few more pictures to commemorate Mother's Day and enjoyed a quiet afternoon of just our little family of three. It was a beautiful day, so we took advantage of it and went for a walk. Jacob is now old enough to sit up in his stroller like a big boy. He loved looking out on the world around him!

"Let's go, guys!"

Ready to enjoy the beautiful day.

Four Month Appointment

Today was the big day! We couldn't wait to see how big Jacob has gotten, but none of us were looking forward to the shots.

Jacob now weighs an even 14 pounds, which puts him in the 31%. He is 25 inches long and in the 51% for height. Dr. Frank was very pleased with his progress since starting formula exclusively. We are very happy to no longer have to worry about Jacob's weight!


He was such a trooper getting his shots. Of course he cried for a few minutes, but settled down quickly and enjoyed an evening of relaxation and Infant Tylenol!

All smiles in the waiting room, Jacob loved watching the trains go around on the track suspended from the ceiling.

Undressed and waiting for Dr. Frank.

Who is that handsome boy in the mirror??

4 months old!

It feels like just yesterday we were bringing our little guy home from the hospital and now he's four months old! The time has really flown by and we love watching him do new things each day. Jacob has really turned out to be such a fun, sweet little boy. He has made the transition to full time formula and is really thriving. Each day we see more and more of his laid back personality come through.

A few weeks ago, Jacob found his thumb. He now refuses his pacifier and calms himself at bedtime. He has also started sleeping through the night again. It took him a few weeks to get back in the habit after we got the go-ahead from the doctor to stop waking him to feed in the middle of the night. Jacob now goes to bed around 7 or so and doesn't wake up until 6 or 6:30. We are all feeling much more rested!!

It was definitely hard for Courtney to not be home with Jacob on his birthday, but she will be again soon enough!