9 Months (a little late)

I almost skipped this month because I am so late but figured I might regret it when I go back to look and compare pictures.  I am lucky to get one good shot a month. Why didn't I think of those stickers that say the month that you put on a onesie or t-shirt. So brilliant! 

Jacob just had his third tooth break through. He loves eating solids and makes a mess every meal. So glad we have Wagner back for this stage. He helps with the clean up! He is still doing the army crawl but can get places pretty quickly. He would rather play with a cord than a baby toy any day. He is pretty much in 18 month clothes. I don't really have warm weather 18 month clothes so I've been on the hunt for those. Since we have already had several days in the 80's I figured I better get some. He is pretty much sleeping through the night he just likes getting up early so I am working on pushing it back. I know the time is coming close when he will share a room with Chase so I am trying to prepare all of us for that!

Jacob is starting to "love" on Wagner as well. 

We've been working on Chase writing his name as I think they are working on that in school. He came home with a sticker and said he got it because he wrote his name. He definitely seems to prefer his left hand and I still can't get him to hold the pen correctly. Something we get to work on this summer. I got him enrolled in a preschool for next year and I hope he will go to the half day Kindergarten there as well. Growing up so fast!!

Weekend Away

After Brad's business trip to Vegas we headed out to western NC. Brad was going to the Nascar Race in Bristol. We stayed at a friends cabin outside Boone. It was beautiful! There is just something about being in the mountains that is good for the soul. Good friends were able to go with us so the big boys headed off to the race while us girls and little boys stayed back at the cabin. I didn't get many pictures, taking care of a squirmy baby and busy toddler while being 7 months pregnant doesn't leave a lot of time for picture taking. Brad was able to get a few at the race.

 Meeting up with 2 other guys from the squadron. Isn't it scary that they look like they fit in :)

 The boys eating pancakes before going hiking.

A family picture on the porch.

I have a few pictures on cell phones - maybe I will have pt. 2 of this post but no promises!

March Madness

Ready to cheer on the Cats! Go KSU!

Keeping Busy!

I had a feeling I couldn't keep up with my pictures. We have some great friends here and have been keeping super busy. We've hardly eaten a meal by ourselves! 

We've learned that we can only play Candy Land when Jacob is sleeping. He is pretty much on the go now and loves cords and the stuff we are trying to play. He's messed up several of my train tracks :) I have to be careful of what I say because I know Chase is listening! Here's a picture of me trying to keep him off Candy Land.

 We went bowling the other day with friends. The kids were doing great and having so much fun. At "level" 8 though there was too many little feet in one spot and my friend's boy fell and got a pretty good cut on his chin. They ended up having to go to the ER. Both boys realize they didn't get to finish their game and are asking to go back. Maybe when the daddies are here!

So excited he couldn't keep still!

We've had such a mild winter this year but now its almost getting hot. The thermostat inside is reading 77! The boys pretty much have to take a bath a day since we try to be outside a lot before it gets too hot! Also, I realize Jacob has turned 9 months a couple day ago. I should probably take some pictures to document. Hopefully I can get those up soon. Happy Wednesday!

Together

I love it when they boys play together. With Jacob feeding himself more and more we often go straight from the high chair to the bath. Chase always wants to join. That lasts for a few minutes. Chase then asks for Jacob to be all done so he can have big water! 

Today was nice day unlike the past few so we took advantage and went to the park in our neighborhood. Its a small park but its closer. Thankfully friends joined us so Chase ran around with his buddy. Otherwise we get bored pretty quickly.

Well its 8:20pm and I better get ready for bed. Both boys were up several times last night and up early this morning. If I don't catch up on sleep tonight I will be one tired mama!

My Days in Pictures

I'm not a big writer so I always feel like pictures tell the better story. I thought about doing a picture a day for the next couple weeks but then I figure nothing interesting will happen. Again sorry for the iphone quality. It seems like the only thing I can grab quickly these days. 

Chase normally takes a "rest" in the afternoon. He normally comes out several times and makes a mess that we have to clean up before he can watch Mickey Mouse. Yesterday we were heading somewhere right after nap so I didn't go to his room until time for bed. This is what I opened the door to. Every single puzzle piece is out. I was too tired to handle it last night so we made a path to his bed and called it good. It really wasn't too bad to clean up today. I wasn't really mad at all and I was going to discipline Chase but he offered up "Jacob did it." Seriously?! So we had a little lesson today on telling the truth. Already so manipulative!

This morning we were going to a playdate at a friends. I put Jacob in his crib with some toys and told Chase to play until I was done. While in the shower he came and asked me if I could put him in Jacob's bed. I told him I couldn't because I was in the shower and I don't want them in there together when I can't watch. After getting out of the shower I heard on the monitor lots of play. I snuck over to Jacobs room trying to catch a picture of them playing and this is what I saw....

Chase got the stool from the kitchen and climbed into the crib. I'm trying to tell myself its because they want to be together and will best buds one day and not because I said no and Chase always wants to do what I tell him he can't. Of course when I asked him to move the stool back, it was too heavy!

Donuts

Daddy's business trips are never fun but we do our best to keep busy. After dropping daddy off at work we had to get donuts to cheer us up! Well just Chase got one. Jacob doesn't get them yet and I was able to resist! Chase loves watching them being made. Jacob is just happy (even though he does not sleep - makes for a tired mommy). 

Not a good picture of Jacob but I like Chase in the background watching the donuts being made.

Chase doesn't like wearing hats so this is the best picture I could get. Of all the donut choices (sprinkles, chocolate, etc.) he wanted the original. 

Baby Bump

I just realized I hadn't put my pregnancy tracker on the blog. Hard to believe we are already in double digits. He will be here before we know it. Jacob has 3 months to sleep soundly through the night so we can move him to Chase's room. Not quite sure how this is all going to work out. I am feeling pretty good but definitely tired. I haven't been able to work out as much this pregnancy so I think my weight gain is a little high but I just started swimming (hopefully weekly) with a friend so I am trying to combat it! I think we are close with a name! Brad and I each have one we like but I think a compromise is coming. Like before we hope to keep it mostly a secret until his birth. I just think its fun that way.

Couple Videos

I am normally not a fan of videos on blogs. I tend to not watch them but I've enjoyed going back over our blog to the few videos of our boys so I figured I would upload these for our sake. (That had to have been a run on sentence - sorry). 

Anyways, at 8 1/2 months here is Jacob "crawling." I am glad he can't get anywhere too fast yet. I am not ready! 

This is Chase's dance class or Music 'n Motion as dad calls it. Hey having a couple moves never hurt anyone! He loves going to class. It doesn't hurt that his best buds go as well. Some songs he will preform for me but not this one so I had to sneak a look during class. He is the furthest child away in the grey shirt.

So if you do watch them, enjoy!

He's Back!!

We went up to Maryland this past weekend to see my family, meet Knox and bring Wagner back. He's been up there since Christmas. Chase has had problems being kind to Wagner lately and it was getting old. Since I couldn't leave Chase up there for a month we left Wagner. I think he knew it was my idea because he is still warming up to me.

I didn't take any pictures over the weekend but here's one of my three boys today.

We also purchased a crib at Ikea and got a carseat from my friend Sarah. Wow, making it real that I will have another baby soon. At least am not moving overseas at 8 months pregnant this time!

Jacob is 8 Months!

Seems like I just posted about Jacob being 7 months. I guess that post was super late and this is closer to on time. We had a slow Saturday since Daddy felt the need to go to a gun class all day. I feel SO much safer! 

I liked this picture because it represents Jacob well. He loves to pull off his socks! It doesn't get too cold here so he goes without often or I have to put baby shoes on. I used to make fun of baby shoes but there is a reason for them I guess!

He will get on all fours and rock and try to crawl from a sitting position but not quite yet. He does seem to get where he wants to go by rolling and scooting. He doesn't just sit and play for an extended period of time like he used to. That means we are working on sharing a lot with big brother! It also means we have to baby proof the house and house proof the baby. I have already had to start some no touchs with Jacob. I am a firm believer that I would rather train then retrain.

He can pretty much hold his bottle now which is pretty convenient. I didn't use formula much with Chase and it is getting expensive. Getting pregnant so quickly has forced the move to formula pretty early with Jacob. It has turned into a game for me to see how cheap I can get it. I bug friends and the doctor for coupons, I've had both grandmas call the company for coupons and I've called several times. I also have gotten coupons for the formula brands I don't use and trade on craigslist. Some people on Craigslist will mail coupons for free if someone can use them so I'm on there everyday. I figure I still have to buy 25 tubs of formula and at $23 a pop that is almost $600 that we will spend in formula from now on. I can't imagine how much I have already spent!

Love you Jacob! 

Valentine Pizzas

Chase is at a fun age where he loves doing the "projects" I come up with. I had great plans to have a project a day for the 14 days in February till Valentines but that didn't always work. We have sorted red, pink and white M&M's and made different patterns (what he is working on in school) and had fun making marshmellow pops with buddies Asher and Micaiah. I tried taking pictures then but its hard when trying to help multiple kids. When Will and Abby were over for lunch I said that we had to make the Valentine Pizza's. Each kid helped me roll the dough, I cut it into a heart then they added the sauce and cheese.

Yeah for a fun lunch with friends!

Last Post from Kansas

We got some more pictures in the mail today from my in-laws so I figured I would post a few more from our trip to Kansas. 

Jacob and grandma. 

Playing cars with Addi.

Playing basketball at the extended family get together.

Jacob got to meet a lot of family. Here is his daddy's cousin, Sara.

With Aunt Ester and his second cousin once removed, Benjamin. Brad and I always debate about the relationships but I know I'm right.

With Uncle Scott.

Watching Cars 2 with Uncle Brad.

Family picture.

Future College Roomates?

We were able to hang out a bit with Brad's friend Ryan and his family. Will is 2 months older than Jacob. Brad can see them being roommates at KSU in a few years just like him and Ryan!

A picture of all the kiddos!

Jacob is 7 months!

Before we left for Kansas I had Jacob's 6 month well baby appointment on his 7 month birthday. He was 20 lbs 12 oz. (82nd percentile), 28.25 inches (85th percentile) and 43.5 inches head circumference (27th percentile). His head doesn't seem that small to me. He is getting harder for me to carry (as I am getting bigger!). He loves to eat. I have even started giving him cheerios which he likes to feed himself. I think he gets about 1 out of every 10 in his mouth. He sits up really well and sometimes acts like he wants to crawl but I am okay with him waiting a bit. He still only has 2 teeth and I keep thinking that more will pop through any day. I think the fussy times he has are due to teething.

I get so many comments on his eye lashes. Wanted to get a close up!