Updated Pictures

Celebrating Kamryn's birthday at Chuck E. Cheese
Playing on the slide. Jake was scared of the other little rides for toddlers, but loved to climb the slide!

Having some raisins before daycare. Sporting some MN Twins' Gear

Playing with my best friend Rrrbe (Kirby)

Waiting for dad to come home

Playing with a "dar'

I have finally had a chance to upload some pictures from the past month. Jake and I are home today. I was in Las Vegas with my sister and three friends this past weekend. Our flight arrived late last night, so I am "sick" today. Jake was quite confused when I was the one to get him out of his crib today. Before I left for Vegas, I had was at school for 12 hours, two days in a row. I did not have a chance to see Jake or Joe very much. He spent time with both grandmas when I was out of town. Joe had to work when I was gone and Jake's daycare was closed on Friday. It is a good thing he is so flexible and doesn't mind sleeping in other people's houses.

18 Months Old!

Jake turned 18 months old today. It is crazy how fast those 18 months have flown by. I tried to get a picture of him today, but he would not allow it this morning. He continues to voice his opinion each day. It is cute to hear him say "no", as long as it isn't the only thing he says.

We found out that Jake likes vanilla pudding. He kept calling it bubbles, but he wanted more and more. He is getting better at using a spoon to feed himself. There was a little bit of a mess, but we were in need of a bath anyways.

Nothing new with the house...continue to have showings, but nothing further than that. I am beginning to feel bad for our house. Our house is like the last person chosen to play on a team. We are patiently waiting...

Getting Bigger by the Moment!

This past weekend Jake seemed to have gone from a baby to a big boy! He had his haircut on Saturday. He cried the whole time and drooled red sucker. He ended up with hair stuck to his face and tried to "clean" himself with the drenched cape they put on him. On Sunday, Jake got his new tennis shoes. They look like real tennis shoes for adults! The tennis shoes make his legs look so much taller. He loves them, too! He was showing everyone at daycare his new shoes. I kept telling him they would make him run fast. He is trying to run more. I think it must be his new shoes! He is learning more and more words. In the car yesterday, Joe was counting the monkeys on a old gift card Jake was holding on to. Jake said two after Joe said one. Where did he learn to count?? He is growing up way too fast for his mommy and daddy!

Hilton Head

Jake and I had a fantastic time with my parents in Hilton Head. It was a very laid back and relaxing time. Jake did a great job on the plane ride from Mpls to Atlanta. He was a trooper. He spent time "reading" the emergency pamphlet, so I wasn't worried about anything. He studied up! Our short flight from Atlanta to Savannah got to be a little long for Jake. Thankfully, it was not a full flight and we were able to be in the back of the plane and not distract too many people. When we were in Hilton Head, we spent M-W at the pool at the resort. Jake liked it more and more each day. We were smart and rented some beach toys for the week and bought a beach ball. He was pretty entertained with those items. He enjoyed going out into the middle of the pool with Papa. My parents golfed most of the mornings, so Jake and I hung out in the unit until after his morning nap. We even watched our normal "toon toons". We did a fair amount of walking and shopping. We ate ice cream daily! Yummy! On my birthday, we went to an Italian restaurant that was recommended highly by a golf course worker my parents spoke to. It was very tasty. I had some cheese ravioli, while Jake ate bread and crackers. He does not like pasta or any type of tomato sauce. How can he be my son?? Later that night, I went with my dad to his favorite restaurant, Steamers. They have a man that plays music there most nights. my dad really enjoys listening to him. I was able to order my favorite beer from my time in Duluth, Woodpecker Cider. Brought back memories! Thursday and Friday were rainy days. We were able to squeeze in a trip to the beach on Thursday. Jake was a little unsure of the ocean at first, but he did go out with Papa. Jake even wanted to stand and not be held. My mom and I watched and took pictures from the shore. Jake and Papa played in the sand. I really do not know who had more fun! Jake enjoyed knocking down what Papa had built. On our last day, we went into Harbor Town. I was able to see, in person, the infamous light house that my parents take an annual picture of. Jake and Papa went onto the 18th green in search of golf balls. There were some amazing boats docked in the harbor. We woke up early on Saturday morning to head back home. The two flights were not as great for Jake. The fight from Atlanta to Mpls was the hardest for him. I think his ears may have been hurting. Mine were plugged until later the next day. My mom was able to help me keep him somewhat entertained. He did sleep for about an hour, which was peaceful. The other hour and fifteen minutes...not so much.

I was so thankful for the opportunity to spend time with my parents in a town they love. I am not sure when I will be able to come back, but I will look forward to it. My parents thought about having Joe and Jake come sometime, if it doesn't work with my school schedule. We'll have to just wait and see.

The Wall Won

Jake sustained his first injury that left marks. Joe was just pulling into the alley way, so I told Jake that Daddy was home. He was very excited about this. He went walking into the living room and tripped and fell into the corner of the living room wall and the doorway to the attic. He was scared and I was scared. I wasn't sure how bad it really was. Thankfully, I knew Joe would be able to calm Jake down. Once Jake was in his dad's arms (and playing with the steering wheel), he was fine. We did not notice the mark on his cheek at first, but think it may be from the wall or the carpet. This will be the first of many such accidents!

Beach, Reunion, and the PGA

Last week, my sister and I went to the beach with Jake. In Minnetrista, there is the Lake Minnetonka Regional Park. They have a man-made, chlorinated lake. I had heard about this lake from my brother and sister-in-law. We decided to check it out. It was a blast! It took longer than we had expected to get there, but it was only about 25 minutes away, just out Hwy 7. Jake had a fun time playing in the sand with his toys. He did not really care to much about the water, but we did bring him in a few times. I bought him this new turtle floaty and brought him with. Matt and Katie gave him one for his birthday, but for some reason, he does not like it at all. We had him in the floaty and were pushing him back and forth between us. He kind of liked it, but kept leaning to one side, as if trying to get out. We were in the process of taking him out when a lifeguard came over and said we could not use the toy in the water. They only allow inner tube and small rafts and noodles. What do you expect a 16 month old child to use? We just put it back on shore. It wasn't like Jake was really into it anyways. Jake's teeth were hurting that day...surprise, surprise. When aren't they hurting? We gave him an All-American Popsicle. You know, the red, white, and blue kind. He thought that was fun. It was tricky for him to eat it, but we helped! I thought we were going to get him to take a nap in his stroller, like the group next to us were able to do with their toddler. No such luck! There is a picture below of him peeking out of the towel we used to cover the stroller with. Oh well! He napped on the way home .

Jamie and I hosted a mini-Encore Dance Academy reunion at my parents' house. We were hoping for nice weather and be out by the pool. Mother Nature did not get that message. It was really windy and cool that day. We spent most of the time inside talking and watching old recital videos. That was a good back-up plan, if you ask me. There were a bunch of girls who RSVPd they were coming, but it ended up being mostly the Alumni group (the group Jamie and I danced in the last three years at the studio). We had even had a surprise visitor who came all the way from Seattle.

Here are some pictures of Paige and Jake from Tuesday. We took the kids to watch the "golfer guys" practice for the tournament this weekend. It was a hot day, but overall, they did very well. Joe and I are hoping to go on Sunday.

Eating a hot dog for lunch. Jake calls them "dog dogs".

Jamie feeding Paige lunch.

Waiting for Vijay to tee off and walk by.

Taking a break. I'm exhausted!