Catching Up

  So much is happening and so quickly.  Everyday Jake learns something new and amazes me.  It is hard to get it all down and I do not want to forget.  So here are a few things that have happened lately.

1.  Jake has taken to walking around the room holding a framed picture of himself.  He smiles and gives his picture lots of kisses.  Who can blame him?  He is absolutely adorable.

2.  Jake has become quite good at getting his point across, literally.  He points from his chest to whatever he wants then back and forth.  He will continue to do this until you clue in.

3.  While he has not been feeling well Jake has wanted to do nothing but read books.  We have read books nonstop for several days.  In fact, we read the same books over and over.  I swear he is saying something that is very close to "this one" and "again" when he is handing us books.  Of course I am pretty sure he is brilliant.

4.  Dan says Jake is writing his first novel.  He often reads to us too.  I have been trying for weeks to get video of him reading, but he stops as soon as the camera comes out.  Dan says chapter one is called Do Do Do.  Chapter two is called Dooey Dooey.  I am sure chapter three will be coming soon.  

The Pumpkin Patch

     We had a fun filled Saturday.  We started our fun at Lilyana's birthday party.  Jake had a great time playing with all of Lily's toys and she was a very good sport about it.  She was an absolutely adorable birthday girl.  Check out her blog to see the great pictures of her fun party.  

     After the party we went to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm.  It was late in the afternoon and Jake wasn't feeling very good so we didn't stay very long.  While we were there we took a little ride on the train and hunted out the perfect pumpkin.  As we were leaving Jake found a cute little pumpkin just his size.  He did not want to let go of it.  He held it the whole way home, even while he was sleeping.

Poor Maggie!

  It is not often that we say Poor Maggie and mean it.  We often say it when we are kidding about our poor neglected and abused dog, who is really spoiled rotten.  Anyway, we really mean it this time.  Maggie has become Jake's ladder to climb up on the couch and the chair.  We often see him step right on her face in order to climb up.  Maggie, being the good natured beast that she is just takes it and doesn't complain.  It is her boy after all.  Last week Jake was pulling her whiskers on her face.  He thought it was really funny, Maggie not so much.  Even though it was probably hurting her she very gently pushed his hand away with her paw several times.  It is funny to think that people are so scared of her they cross the street to get away.  She really is just a big baby!

1 Year Photos

        Here are a few of the great shots Erica took of Jake.  Dan and I were not expecting to be in the pictures, but she took a few good shots of the three of us.  Hard to believe he was cranky and napless when you look at these.  Does every mother think her child is this adorable?

Favorite Photos

             First smiles
In Papa's chair
                                                               Maggie kisses!
                                                              My two favorite men

Last week we took Jake to get some 1 year pictures taken by our good friend Erica.  It probably wasn't the best day.  We had been going all day long and Jake missed his afternoon nap.  Needless to say our little man wasn't the happy go lucky guy we all know and love.  Yes it is true, Jake was fussy(I know some of you don't believe it, but it happens).  Anyway, we got some great shots and I can't wait to share them with you.  Look for them, they will be coming soon.  Until then here are some old photos that we love. 

Watch Out World Here He Comes

  Yesterday Jake started walking.  He took 7 steps.   We are all very proud of him.  I am slightly embarrassed, I have turned into one of those mom's who has to show everyone her adorable son.  I took my camera to school so I could show everyone Jake's first steps(They all very kindly watched and said sweet things).  It is strange, in one way I am very happy that Jake is walking, but on the other hand it is kind of sad that our little man is getting so big so fast.  We have gone from not walking to seven steps in a row.  So, watch out world here he comes!

  

                                          

We Almost Have Lift Off!

  Jake is getting so close to walking (Of course I have been saying that all summer).  This week he has started walking longer distances while holding onto someone's hands.  He has even started to boss around his Grammy telling her to get up so he can practice walking.  He grabs her by the hands and points to where he wants to go.  This weekend he started being able to walk holding on to one hand.  There have even been a few sightings of one or two steps, before he realizes what he is doing and decides to crawl.   Before we know it he will be running. Anyway, we got some video of him practicing with Granny JoJo.

                                            

Here is a cute picture with Papa too.