Jacob's first haircut

My dear friend, Cari, cut Jacob's hair today. I guess the first haircut is a monumental occasion as everyone kept wondering if I was going to keep a lock of hair. Hmm. Those of you who know me well probably know what my answer was. Anyway, these pics are after the fact because I forgot to take a picture during the haircut. The first of many!

Jacob is quite the ham in front of the camera...especially for Grandma. I think he honestly poses when she takes his picture.

He's been busy going for walks, playing with his toys, enjoying the perfect fall weather, watching Grandpa work on his projects, and is thrilled that Grandma plays with him and reads to him all day long. I am thrilled to have some company and a chance to breathe. I was able to catch up with some friends at a wedding last night, although I must be getting old *sigh* because I was home by 11 pm and my feet didn't even hurt from dancing. Which means I wasn't dancing enough. It was probably because Scott wasn't there - he's like JT out on the dance floor and without him I am not as inspired.

Scott is another night closer to getting back to a regular work schedule. After this madness is over his normal work shift is going to seem like cake. We're sure excited to have him back home with us!

Cheese!

Kisses from Ernie

The calm after the storm

Jake and I arrived in Bemidji Friday afternoon. They had thunderstorms all afternoon and I have never seen Lake Julia as calm as it was that night.

Great day continued...

Uncle Tom and Aunt Sarah came over yesterday evening to hang out with Jacob so I could get a few things done around the house. I should probably say they came over to entertain me. ;) I did catch up on a few things and it was nice to have someone else give him his bath and feed him (Scott usually tag teams with me on this in the evenings but he is long gone to work by this time). I am sure after Tom and Sarah left they were thinking "wheww...that girl just wouldn't shut up!" I continued to be as excited as I was earlier in the day that I had someone to carry on a conversation with. However, I really need to work on finishing my thoughts before jumping to the next thought. And I tend to act like it is my last conversation for awhile (which it may very well be ;) I truly appreciated their time and company. Oh, it will be so nice when Scott is back on a regular work schedule. Only a few more weeks...

1. "Hey, Mom! I am going to show Uncle Tom how to make music with no hands."
2. "Uncle Tom...now watch me very carefully. I will show you how to do it."
3. "See, you just tip over like this, bite down on the button, and VOILA!"

Mall rat

I met up with Melissa AKA Sas for some lunch and shopping yesterday. Jake was in a VERY good mood all day which I was so thankful for - it was fun to get out and about and enjoy lunch (he sat in his stroller and jabbered and looked around almost the entire time we were eating aside from one quick diaper change) and I thoroughly enjoyed having conversation with someone over the age of 8 mos.

New Tricks

Jacob's getting good at hanging on to his baseball. He's figured out how to roll the ball back and forth (and cheer at his accomplishment). He has a pretty good grip on it - even while he himself rolls around on the floor. He's still not crawling, but he's getting more brave at pulling himself up and actually spent more time on his knees this morning than he ever has. I suppose it won't be long now...then I will really have my work cut out for me.

Busy as bees

Grandma and Grandpa came by for a quick visit last week. With Scott working his insane hours and Jacob having a couple of extremely tough days, it was a much needed break for me. Grandpa got up all of our pictures and drapes for us and Sarah and Grandma cooked up a delicious spaghetti dinner. Jacob got in a lot of playtime and got to read his favorite book...Where's My Nose?

The apple of my eye

Honeycrisp apples are back in season!

Ready for fall

Our early morning and late evening walks have started to be a little more brisk than we are used to. I love this hat because he can't pull it off which he does with most other hats.

This photo was taken early this morning before Jacob and Dad walked over to Cub Foods for a couple of items that Dad forgot in his cooking frenzy last night.

In an attempt to stay awake and prepare for his impending turn around shift which starts tonight at 6pm, Scott took a nap last night from 5-8 pm and then stayed awake until 5am by cooking, watching tv, playing on-line poker and getting groceries. It is a good thing Cub foods is open 24 hours! It was also nice having Scott awake during Jacob's 2am feeding, especially since I needed the extra help to get him changed and myself cleaned up after I got peed on while he was nursing. Somehow his diaper came loose. That was a first.

Snuffles

We're not sure what this new trick is all about, but it is his new thing when he is eating. Funny!

They say it's your birthday...

Sarah and Mike came over for a birthday breakfast yesterday before heading off to Duluth for the weekend. Sarah turns 28 today!

In the last picture, Jacob is getting very sleepy. I think at one point he rested his head on Mike's tummy. If was off to the land of nod for Jacob shortly thereafter.

Scott and I then proceeded to the garage where we finished the last of the unpacking and sorting and putting away. I am happy to report that we can fit one of our vehicles in the garage.

Toy Box

1. "Oooh, lookie here! My favorite toy."

2. "Sweet! Another favorite toy!"

3. "I chew on each toy that I take out of the box, put it aside and get a new toy."

4. "Whaaaa! I've taken every last toy out of my box and now there aren't any left!"

Water tastes better when it's in a pink bottle.

Jake loves drinking out of our Camelback bottles. We just have to make sure there are only a few ounces of water in there though or I am sure he would down the entire 24 ounces.

Company Picnic

Last Saturday we enjoyed the perfect fall day at Scott's company picnic. Jacob was actually feeling much better after having his first full-blown cold the week prior. Poor kid was so stuffy and miserable he basically needed to sleep sitting up. He is also teething (still) and we can now see his top right incisor coming in. I thought for sure we'd get a little break after he cut those top two, but no way, Jose. I am still nursing him but just about at the end of my rope. My goal is one year. I am trying super duper hard to make it but considering he has bitten me more than once (ouch) and is still up at the very least once in the night, it seems like a lofty goal at this point. We hung out with some friends last weekend that have new baby - and he's eating like a newborn does...every 2 hours or so. So, I guess I should be thankful Jacob goes 4-5 hours between feedings. We're close though, so I can't give up now. I am sure switching him to formula has the potential to create a new set of challenges so as long as it's working for him, I must put my selfishness aside, right? *Sigh*

Fourscore and Seven years ago minus the Fourscore

On September 1, Scott and I celebrated seven years of wedded bliss. I'm still the luckiest bride in all the land. I woke up and came downstairs to find this shiny new bike in my living room. It was like Christmas morning. Only it wasn't Christmas, it was our anniversary. Anyway, it rides like a dream.

Our anniversary actually fell on Labor Day this year so Scott had the day off which was nice. We had a really romantic day...unpacked boxes, put clothes away in drawers, and put files in our filing cabinet. ;) We had beautiful weather much like on our wedding day...sunny and warm with a hint of fall in the air.

Here's to seven years!

Swimming with Aunt Sarah B.

As former lifeguards and swimming instructors, Scott and I are thrilled that Jacob likes to be in the water. We are hoping that by exposing him early he isn't afraid when it comes time for swimming lessons. Of course, we can't teach him to blow bubbles or breathe through his nose yet, but hopefully when the times comes it won't be scary for him. He's getting used to the idea though...he thinks it is kind of interesting to put his face in the water. Or, maybe he just likes the taste of chlorinated water.

Hanging out in Ames

1. "This is my Aunt Becca. Isn't she swell?"
2. Sarah's look of defeat after Jacob beat her in the 200 free.
3. "Hayden, whaddya say we make a break for it?"
4. "Uncle Robert, can I please have some more pears?"
5. "No, I am not peeing in the pool."

Swim Jacob, Swim!

What can I say? The kid loves the water.