Spring days and first steps!

Pictures by Katie Betts - betwixt&betweenphotograpy March 19, 2011...Jake was 9 months old!

  

We've had some amazing and beautiful spring days here in TN in the last few weeks (March)!!  Jake has been loving the sunshine, neighborhood walks, and even lounging in the front yard (in the pack n play) while important work is completed around the house!  Last week we went to our neighborhood St Patricks Day party and it was amazing to watch Jake as he watched the big kids.  I held him for a little while when he got antsy in the stroller but we could tell what he really wanted was to get down and play with them.  I'm sure it wont be long!

On March 23rd Jake took what we consider his first steps.  It was along the couch and only about two steps before he toppled over but either way he took a few steps!  I cannot believe how quickly he is growing up!

Here is a quick video of the first steps we caught on video.  So fun!

Here is another video of our busy baby 

 

Bumps and bruises

Well it seems like every time we turn around Jake is getting a bump or a bruise from his exploration.  No matter how close of an eye we keep on him he just HAS to get out and about and figure things out and that doesnt always end in the best way!  In general Jake is pretty tough though.  Most of the time he looks to Brad and I with the most adorable little face to see if he should be upset or not. When he falls down we usually respond with a laugh and say "all fall down!" After that Jake knows everything is ok and he bursts out laughing.  But, on a few occasions we've known it was more than just a little fall.  Which can be very scary!

Last Thursday we had another experience...all of you out there with new babies PLEASE be cautious with baby Q-tips!  I've cleaned Jakes nose out many of times with baby q-tips and havent had a problem, but apparently last week it wasnt a good idea.  As I started twirling the entire cotton end came off in his nose!  I tried to pull it out but he quickly sniffed in very hard and sucked the end down into his nasal cavity.  After a short crying spell he was fine but we could tell it was stuck in there.  When he fell asleep it sounded like a wheezing coming from his nose.  I was so worried that I ended up holding him for quite a long time.  After an hour and a half or so he sniffed awkwardly and then started breathing normally again.  A second later he woke up licking his lips.  I tried to reach in his mouth to see if it came down and into his mouth but i couldnt find anything.  Brad took him to the doctor the next day and Dr. Hayes said everything is okay!  It is extremely likely that he swallowed it like we thought!  Such a scary experience though!

Our next big spill came on Sunday when we were changing our sheets.  Brad had Jake on the bed playing and I jumped on the bed too.  We were having a ball giggling and playing, and we were very cautious to make sure we were holding him somehow so he couldnt dart off and fall off the bed.  BUT, in the blink of an eye I looked away (still holding his arms though) and he banged his head on our footboard.  Luckily it was covered by our comforter but it was still a VERY VERY hard hit and he was in pain.  The worst cry ever is the silent cry when their little faces are a purplish red color and they are crying so hard no sound comes out.  Well that is exactly the cry we had for the next while.  I have no idea how long it was but it seemed like a good 20 or 30 minutes.  I just hate to see him upset and knowing htere is nothing I can do to make it better.  Jake got his first cut and I was just certain it was going to be a black eye.  Its been two days now and it isnt black yet so were hoping we made it out without the first black eye.  I guess we'll see though. 

People always say it but its amazing what just a second can make.  That experience reminded us that we cannot get lazy for even a brief instant with this little man around!  I feel for those of you with twins or more at the same age! 

Bathtime baby!

Every day Jake continues to amaze Brad and I! 

Just last week we learned that he has a great concept of our house already.  Jake absolutely loves bathtime and gets very excited if he just hears the bathwater running.  Well after I got him ready for his bath I put him down in his room just long enough to put his clothes in his hamper and as i looked up he was off on his way.  He crawled around the corner down the hall and into the bathroom with Brad.  We thought it was hilarious and were amazed at the same time.  So I took him into the living room to test his skills further. I put him down and he took off again through the living room around the corners down the hall and into the bathroom.  Now it has become a nightnly ritual for Jake to crawl to the bathroom for his bath and it is the most precious thing ever!  If i can ever figure out how to post a video I'll add the one we took yesterday.  I hope he always keeps this love of bathtime! 

Februray 2011

February came and went in what seemed like the blink of an eye!  We were busy with many fun and exciting events this month!  Since I didnt do a great job of keeping up with the blog this month here is a quick list of our fun in February! 

February 8 - Jake got his second haircut from Maribeth

Februray 13 - Jake was baptised at our church, Independent Presbyterian

February 14 - Jakes first Valentines Day - Picture coming

Febrary 16 - Jake's first noticable bruise.  :(  He fell into his crib at school.

Februray 19 - Jake 8 months old...time  is flying by too quickly!

Februray 20 - Jakes first experience at Chucky Cheese!  We went for Cruz's 3rd birthday party and it was so great to see Gena, Chad, and Cruz!

Februray 25-26 weekend - went to Sikeston for Wade and Hilary's wedding.  It was such a great time and so wonderful to catch up with our friends and family and show off our little man!

More pictures to come!!!

January 2011

So with the start of 2011 I fell off the blogging bandwagon but here is my effort to get back on track! 

January brought about many fun and exciting events for our family.

Jake really took off with his development this month!  At Christmas he was trying with all his might to crawl, but with all his trying he didnt get much past rocking back and forth on his knees.  It seemed like overnight he went from rocking to the next day he was crawling like he'd been doing it for months (around January 8).  It absolutely amazed us!  Now we cant quite keep him on his nice clean dog hair free quilt.  We have definitely been vaccuming MUCH more often now.  And once he started crawling so quickly he immediatly started heading for the most dangerous places in the living room like the fireplace and the coffee table.  Of course! So Brad and I have been enjoying the joys of baby proofing.  Even with the big soft corners I'm still contemplating totally removing the coffee table until he gets a little more steady on his feet.

We loved the snow days of January but after three in two weeks the Heacox family is ready for spring.  Jake liked the snow at first but once he touched the cold white powdery snow he seemed less than impressed.  We took him out and got several great pictures and even let him make a "snow angel" but we didnt overdo the snow...we were trying to keep him cold free and he was recently getting over an ear infection.  

Jake also enjoyed a great play date with Harrison AND Brad and I enjoyed catching up with our great friends:  Erin, Andy, Erin, Steve, Caleb, and Cindy.  It was fun for the boys to play a little and get some adorable pictures.  Jake fell asleep while we were still at the Garner house, but I was so proud that we were able to get Jake into his car seat, drive home, get him out of his car seat, and put him down into his crib without waking him!  What a great night with wonderful friends.

Brad has been having to work late on several nights a week so he generally gets off on Fridays.  Well January 14, 2011, was no different with the exception of the heart warming picture text he sent me when i was at work.  It was a picture of Jake pulling up in his crib (picture on right).  I was so happy that Brad was there to see it, but sad that I wasn't!  It was such a surreal feeling.  I'm happy for Jake that he is growing and developing and experiencing the joys of the world, but at the same time it saddens me to see my baby boy growing up so fast!  I"m sure this is the same feeling I'll have for many years to come.  :)

Jake also hit another big milestone this month...20lbs!  Gosh how has he grown so quickly!?! He can stillwear 6 month onsies and shirts but he's in 9 or 12 month pants.  I guess he's getting his height from Brad cause lord knows I'm not tall and the height I do have is all in the torso.  We decided it was time to move up to the convertable carseat this month too.  It was getting so heavy for me to carry him around in the carrier seat that weighs 13lbs without a baby in it!

A few other milestones to note...we had to retire the bumbo and swing and the bouncer and moses basket were officially moved to the attic.  So sad!

Here are a few more fun pictures from this month...

Christmas and New Years

Well Christmas in Lewisburg was great.  We enjoyed the time with family and friends got to spend some time just relaxing.  It was much needed and it couldnt have been better.  Jake was just smitten with the Christmas tree and lights and his Great Grandma Lukas!  He laughed or smiled every time we let him touch the tree.  He did so well Christmas morning sitting by the presents and taking it all in.  He played until he wore himself out and was exhausted.  We put him down for a nap around 11:00 and he slept until 3:00is when we woke him up.  Some of the family was getting ready to leave because it was starting to snow!  I was excited that his first Christmas was a white one.  He almost slept through the entire afternoon.  It was all so overwhelming to him.  It was definitely the best Christmas ever for Brad and I!  Oh and Jake got his first tooth in on Christmas Day!  I couldnt help but sing "all I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth."  haha. Her are a few pictures from the fun!

 We came back to home a few days after Christmas and enjoyed more family time just the three of us.  Brad was off work and I worked a few half days so we could have more time together.  It was much needed!

We spent New Years Eve with the Heacox family in Paducah which was awesome.  We just love spending time with famly and Jake LOVES playing with all his cousins, aunts, uncles, and nana, and papa.  We had Christmas and New Years in one day up there!  Jake was so excited about more Christmas presents and the New Year that he didnt want to go to sleep.  He stayed up later than he ever has before!  We could tell he was getting sleepy around 9:30 but he just would let himself go to sleep.  We rocked and walked and listened to lullabys but eventually I just gave in and let him sit with us while we played Phase Ten.  He was very happy to spend time with everyone.  We were finally able to put him down around 11:45...just enough time so Brad and I could watch the ball drop together.  Here are a few pictures from Paducah...

Where did December go??

It seems like it was just Thanksgiving and now we are preparing for our first Christmas as a family!  I cannot believe how quickly December has flown by! 

Early December was exciting this month as Jake got his first haircut on the 2nd.  He did amazing and let Ms. Marybeth trim his hair up.  I just loved seeing him get all fixed up but then he looked even more grown up than he already was!!

The rest of the month has flown by ever since.  We visited with John and Cathy when they came into town with their church one Saturday.  The rest of the month was have been busily decorating for Christmas, shopping for presents, preparing to see family, and trying to relax some. 

Last weekend we went to go visit with Santa at the Enchanted Forrest and he loved it! Santa rocks!

It seems like every few weeks we have a cold or some type of sickness in our household though.  As soon as one of us gets over it some one else picks it up and it is a never ending process!  Jake went in for his 6 month checkup on Tuesday and we found out that he has an ear infection.  Once we realized that, things started to make more sense though.  He is almost always a very happy boy but sometimes he just starts screaming and the only thing that seems to sooth him is tylenol and nursing.  I just hate seeng him that way.  He is on antibiotics now so hopfully it helps!  Other than the ear infection Jake seems to be doing great!  He is 18lbs 13oz (75%) and 27 1/2 inches (80%) and very happy!

Tonight we are in Lewisburg and getting ready to go to the candlelight vigil at church then we'll head back to make waffle cookies and wrap presents!  YAY!  Merry Christmas Eve everyone!