Happy 4th of July

Happy Fourth of July!

We had a great 4th, we went down to the waterfront to a festival and to watch fireworks. Jacob did wonderful, he just sat and watched all the lights in the sky (or boom-a-lights as Nate called them as a child) he didn't cry or fuss at all. Holidays are even more special now that we get to experience them with our son.

Here are some pictures from the night:

Jacob hanging out with grandma waiting for the fireworks (can you see his bottom 2 teeth)?

Jacob loves to observe his surroundings... when is the age when it's rude to stare?

Jacob has been working on standing, it's incredible to watch! Just this last week, he is balancing well and holding his stance while drinking out of his sippie cup or chewing on a toy. I tend to get teary eyed when he does this, he is growing up so fast and it's fascinating to watch him. I am usually not one to get emotional and cry, but now I find myself getting choked up when Jake's first tooth appeared, when he started walking holding onto furniture and now... standing. Oh my goodness, what am I going to do when he learns his multiplication tables or paints his first picture, I am going to be a wreck! Guess motherhood turns you into a sap!

Jacob will go from sitting on his knees to standing, after a bit, he will either fall right down on his butt or sometimes he will lower himself slowly to the ground.


Another curiosity photo - always wanting to know what is going on around him. This was watching a police officer on a motorcycle pulling someone over.

Jake's new toy box! (Courtesy of Grandma) It's great, the lid stays open so Jacob can get his toys in and out and it keeps the house organized (I am a bit of an organizing fanatic, if you didn't already know).

He is really into books, he will take looking at a book over any toy. Loves to turn the pages and have us read to him.

Over the last week, Jacob REFUSES to get diaper changes or clothing changes. He used to be great about this, no problem, no fuss, no rolling over. Now, it takes at least 2 people (which will be a problem during the day for me) or at least 10 minutes of my time for a changing. I am hoping this phase is short lived. So, here he is running around naked yesterday morning. Notice the strategically placed diaper (he gets camera shy).

Finally, the diaper is on... now if I could just get him dressed!

When Nate got home from work the other day, I ran over to the grocery store and asked Nathan to feed Jacob while I was gone. Nate said during the feeding, Jake got so tired he could not hold his eyes open any longer and fell asleep right in his high chair! He has never done this before, Jacob is very picky about where he sleeps. Unfortunately, he is not the type to just crash on the floor or his crib because he is worn out, he needs to be rocked or needs someone to lay down next to him.

Nate was able to move him from the high chair to the rocking chair, but was unable to clean off the broccoli, carrots and cheese baby food. Too cute!

Congrats Rachel & Chuck

Our friends Rachel and Chuck got married this weekend at the Seattle Yacht Club, it was a beautiful wedding and lots of fun, nice day for Nate and I to have a date night. Congrats Rachel and Chuck, hope you have a great time in Belize on your honeymoon!

The couple had a candy bar on the cake table - great idea and fun for kids (okay, fun for the grown ups too!)

Jacob spent the night at grandma's while we were at the wedding, he had a great time!

Figuring out how the toy works...

Catching up with Old Friends

I got the chance to see one of my oldest and dearest friends a few days ago. Shelly, her husband Will and their new baby girl Kate, were on a layover in Seattle from Newport, Rhode Island. Jacob and I ventured out to the airport to meet them for lunch and visit for a few hours. Here is Jacob macking on Shelly... what a flirt!

Here is their beautiful daughter Kate, who is 9 weeks old

Kate smiling!

Jacob and Will

I am so happy we got to see you guys! I know layovers are awful, but I hope we made it bearable for you! I hope you are enjoying your vacation, give Madison a hug from us, hopefully we get to meet her next time.

Our Weekend

We took Jacob to a festival this weekend, it was really warm and humid but Jacob did great. He really loves to observe people especially other kids and there seemed to be strollers everywhere!

Jacob trying to give Maddy kisses through the sliding glass door at my mom's

Jacob was so tired from the day - here he is snoozing in his new car seat

On Sunday, my mom, Jacob and I went to our favorite mall in Bellevue for the day so Nathan could work on finishing the bathroom remodel. We chose to use valet parking at the mall and they asked if we wanted my mom's car detailed, inside and out, we figured why not, it's only $50 and needs a good cleaning. They worked on Lucy (my mom's Lexus, yes we name our vehicles) for 2 1/2 hours and it looked brand new, it was great! Usually detailing costs us $100+, so this was a great deal! We will be bringing them the rest of our family cars... plus it's an excuse to shop! We had a good day shopping and the bathroom is almost done... pictures to come.

9 Months

Jacob turned 9 months old on Sunday, can you believe it? I can't, the months have gone by so quickly and Jacob is such a little boy and no longer a little baby. Here are some updates on Jacob:

• Jacob is weighing in at: 20 lbs (45th percentile) and 28 inches long (48th percentile)
• He has 4 teeth - 2 bottom and his two top eye teeth
• He is walking very quickly but still supported and can stand on his own for a few seconds
• If you have been around him the last 2 weeks, he is really into kisses. He leans his head forward, with his tongue just barely hanging out of his mouth, and gives a kiss right on your mouth. He will do this with anyone - just a warning.
• He LOVES to give hugs, he will crawl over to me if I am sitting down on the couch, stand up and put his arms in the air to be picked up. Then gives the biggest bear hug, wrapping his arms around my neck and linking his hands together and just squeezes - it is so adorable!
• He is saying "mama" more often (which of course I love)
• We are now eating 3rd stage foods (see picture below) and eating finger foods
• Gates are now up EVERYWHERE in our house, and Jacob gets into EVERYTHING... poor Shadow. Things are baby proofed, but somehow Jacob finds a way around the baby proofing
• He sleeps in until about 10:30 every morning
• Jacob is going through his "I want mommy all the time" stage right now
• He likes to make different sounds with his mouth, he is a little motor boat most of the time. And has figured out if he makes a humming noise and moves his fingers over the opening of his mouth, it makes cool sounds. I often hear this sound at midnight, even though he is sleeping!
  

I was trying to get a picture of Jake's teeth this morning - kind of difficult to see, I'll try to get a better picture to post.

Here is Jacob trying Savory Potatoes, Carrots and Beef. Needless to say, this is the first time he has hated a meal.

I was laughing so hard, I am surprised I was able to take a few pictures!


Jacob has found the on/off button on the TV. Uh-Oh.

Nathan's Trip

Nathan flew out to Bismark, North Dakota for about a week for one of his best friends wedding. Here are the two lovebirds, Dave and Suzanne. Congrats to you guys, Nathan said the wedding was absolutely beautiful - we are so happy for you!

And congratulations Dave for graduating medical school, we are very proud of you Dr. Rothberg!!

The wedding party (Nathan is on the far right)

Dave surrounded by women...

Trip to Oregon

My mom, Jacob and I went to Oregon for a few days to visit some family and friends. We decided to stay at the Hilton in Eugene since we were running around all weekend and it's easier to baby proof a hotel room rather than someones home. Here is Jacob the first night, he was giving himself kisses on the mirror and laughing. Friday night, our friends Matt and Sara came to visit us and Jacob just LOVED Matt, he must have kissed Matt at least 3 dozen times. (Jacob is really into kissing, sometimes closed mouth... but slips you the tongue every once in awhile). We brought Jake down to the empty ballroom area in the hotel and let him crawl and go crazy and there was nothing he could get into! Poor little guy, sat in his car seat for 6 hours that day, so he had some energy to get rid of.

Saturday morning, we headed down to my hometown of Cottage Grove. We had lots of family visiting for my cousin AJ's graduation - Congrats!!! AJ is the last of 7 cousins to graduate high school (I'm getting OLD)! I haven't been to CG for so long, it was very strange to be back there again, it was the same but so different. We had literally gotten off the exit for CG and about 30 seconds later, we see a guy driving a tractor down the road! I look at my mom and declare that we are no longer in Seattle anymore...

My cousin TJ and Jacob

My dad and Jacob

I always get comments that there are no pictures of me on our blog, so here you go...

After a great visit with family, we headed down to Drain to our friend Cary's graduation from OSU. GO BEAVS! Congrats Cary, we are so proud of you!!! Here is Cary at bat during a friendly game of softball... more like a drunken game of softball. It was a fun party and we got to see lots of friendly faces, it was great to catch up with everyone. Good job planning the party Melissa!

Jacob with Lindsay while we watch the game. Jacob did so well, he was extremely tired that day. He woke up early that morning in the hotel at 7:30 (he usually sleeps in until 10:00) because he heard grandma's voice and was so excited she was there, he wouldn't go back to sleep.

Jacob relaxing in the hotel room Sunday morning watching cartoons. What a cutie! Afterward, we went and visited grandpa at work and saw Jacob's great-grandma Abby.

When we got home on Sunday, we decided to splurge and get blizzards and good ole' grandma decides to give Jacob a taste (notice I did not say old). Of course, Jake LOVED this and demanded more before he even swallowed his last little taste. We tried putting him on the floor but he cried, so we finally had to hide the blizzard cup and pretend it was all gone, he got over it... eventually.

It was a great, busy trip and it was wonderful seeing everyone! Thanks for making the trip with me mom! Jacob and I get to go to the airport in a few hours to pick up Nathan, I'll post pictures of his trip soon.

Walking Supported

Jacob is now walking supported, he is using the help of the couch or table but he is walking pretty good. And we cannot hide items anymore (the remote control and my cell phone are his favorite items to play with, he knows the difference between the real deal and those fake toy phones and remotes) but Jake now understands what object permanence is, if we put an item under a pillow, all he has to do is move the pillow!

As most of you know, Nathan is going to North Dakota for about a week for Dave's wedding in a few days - Congrats Dave and Suzanne, we are so happy for you!!! My mom, Jacob and I will be making a trip down to Oregon on Friday, we are trying to see as many family and friends as possible. We will be staying in Eugene, so give me a call if you will be in town and can stop by to visit.