15 Months + 2 Days

Jacob is already 15 months old!!! He is doing so many new things. Some exciting some a little scary for his mommy. Jacob is really into building towers with his big Lego type blocks. He gets so proud of himself when he builds a tower he claps and waits for you to clap for him. It is truly too cute. Jacob also loves to dip his food into anything, even baby food. Along with dipping Jacob is self feeding most of his foods. Sometimes I want to be in control and feed him his oatmeal or yogurt and have to remind myself that he can and needs to do it for himself. Jacob's signing and talking is also taking off. I can't even count how many words and signs he has now but its a lot. I think its the cutest when he says Quincy. I also wanted to let Uncle Dan and Aunt Jayme know that he is really into dunking at his basketball hoop. Sometimes its my magazine or sandal but he's getting really good!! Lastly, I think all 4 molars are in!! YEAH!! Now as long as he doesn't knock out his front teeth with all his falling we will be all set. Currently Jacob has a fat lip from falling face down on the steps in the garage while helping Jason pack up the cooler for Iowa.

I was tagged by Jamey over at BouwensHouse to share 5 random things about me.

1. I love to read but hate picking a book. I would rather not have a book than have to make a decision on which one to buy or borrow or get from the library. (If you have suggestions or a books I can borrow that would be great!!!) It aggravates me if the book I choose is horrible and I can't finish it, if someone else has given it to me it doesn't bother me. Strange, I know. Once I'm into a book I hate to put it down. I will read it until I can't hold my eyes open, something my husband truly does not understand.

2. I set unrealistic expectations for myself everyday. Today it was to finish 4 loads of laundry, iron the last two weeks of laundry I hadn't gotten to, clean out the fridge, disinfect the kitchen, mop the floor, organize our mail station, finalize the fabric for the crib bedding with Suzanne, clean out my sock drawer, tank drawer, workout clothes drawer, vacuum, clean the toilets and showers, oh yeah and play with Jacob and rest my big pregnant body so I'm not exhausted while Jason is gone. --- Yes, you guessed it I didn't get it all done. Maybe someday I will be more realistic about what I can accomplish with a busy 1 year old at my feet.

One of the things I did accomplish was cleaning out the fridge. Jacob was a big helper holding up items for me to double check the date and drying the shelves after I wiped them down.

3. I do not love being pregnant although you would think so because I was only not pregnant for 9 months after having Jacob. However, I do adore Jacob and can't wait to meet my new little guy in August. For those of you who love being pregnant I'm jealous.

4. I love taking showers. If I had the time I would take a 3 or 4 showers a day. Not long showers just showers. Most days I take at least 2 showers. I hate to feel dirty. I also request that my husband take at least 2 showers a day in the warmer months as to not bring a sweaty body into our clean sheets. Jacob also takes lots of baths. Who wants a dirty baby. I know the pediatrician would say I'm drying out his skin but with the amount of lotion I put on him in a day he's plenty moisturized.

5. Its driving me crazy that we don't have a name for baby #2. I'm a huge planner and I just can't handle that we don't have a name. I truly think Jason doesn't want to discuss it just to give me a hard time because he knows it's driving me crazy.

I tag: Kelly M, Julie S, Kate K, Amy H and Heidi VH

Memorial Day

We enjoyed a relaxing Memorial Day as a family by starting our day out bright and early at the paradade with Great Grandma. Jacob enjoyed most of it but I think that they may have had a few too many tractors for his liking.

After a nice nap and some of Grandma's yummy coffee cake Jacob enjoyed playing outside in his fun little car.

We also headed out to the hills to help daddy gets some grasses. Jacob really enjoyed running aroung out there and helping daddy with the big shovel.

We ended the day with a little time at Grandpa and Grandma's which of course included a trip to the general store for an ice cream cone.

Cabin Weekend

(Jacob helping daddy pack the cooler/Jacob and Carter riding to the pond)

We spent our Memorial Day weekend up at the Cabin with the Meeuwsens and the Huysers. Jacob really got to enjoy the outdoors for the first time now that he is so fast on his feet. It was like he was exploring a whole new world. It was fun to have the little babies up at the cabin to remind us of what Jacob was like only a year ago as well as remind us of what will be our reality again in 3 short months.

(The boys finishing up cleaning with their naked little supervisor)

Saturday we headed over to the cottage for the boys to do a little work. While they got the outside fo the cottage looking nice with some new bark and some cleaning up the girls enjoyed a little walk down the beach. We found the VanHuis' cottage on our walk and Jacob was happy to see little Caden. Caden had some fun sand toys and Jacob couldn't resist playing with them before heading into the water.

Sunday we took a day of rest and just relaxed and had a hot dog roast around the fire pit. Despite the fact that the ticks seemed to want me for lunch it was a fun time. Want to see some more pictures check out Kelly's post.

Jacob aslo got lots of yummy treats from his Great-Grandma Huyser. I think at one point he had half the box of cheez-its in his mouth at once. He looked like a little chipmunk.

(Jacob and Great Grandma enjoying a little snack)

We also attended the Memorial Day parade in Zeeland Monday morning with my parents and Grandma Bouwens. I will post pictures once I get them off of my dad's camera. We didn't get any good ones on our camera.

What Disney Princess Are You?

You Are Aurora! (A.K.A. Sleeping Beauty.)

Thoughtful and loving. Authority figures probably have been sheltering you all of your life. Thankfully you're a very tranquil person who is content with what life has given you, but secretly you want to know how the outside world works.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Car Lover

Just like Daddy once again. Friday night Jason needed to look at his dad's car to see if he could get it running again Jacob again proved to me that he is just like daddy. Loving Grandpa's old car and of course wanting to drive with or without daddy's help!

1st Ice Cream Cone

Thursday night we took Jacob out for ice cream. Jason did the ordering while I played with Jacob. Jacob ended up with a cone instead of a dish and seemed to love it. Guess I should give him more credit for what he can do on his own. I'll be thankful for the big boy things he can do when baby #2 arrives.

Visiting Norah

Thursday Jacob and I had the pleasure of going to visit baby Norah and her Mommy. Jacob wasn't to interested in Norah but he did like her toys. Norah is such a sweet little girl. We are excited to have more play dates with her in the future. Congrats again Amy and Dan!!

Good Weekend

Mother's Day weekend was a good weekend with some fun family time and also time with some good friends. Saturday Jason went to the Red Wings game with Brian while Jacob and I got the privilege of babysitting baby Carter and then having dinner with him and his Mommy. Lucky for me Jacob wanted to rock Carter and once he was asleep take a nap himself. I managed to get more done while Carter was at our house than I did the rest of the day. Hopefully Jacob will want to nap when the baby naps when it's his little brother! (Want to see pictures check out Brian and Kelly's Blog. My computer is still broken and I can't upload pictures on this one without messing Jason stuff up.)

Sunday we spend time with both of our mom's, so nice that we live so close to both of them. Jacob was also so thoughtful to get me a new robe for the hospital when baby #2 arrives. My robe from when Jacob was born is wonderful but a little warm for August so Jacob thought I should have a new one. Jason also got me the info on Wii Fit. We will see if I get it when it actually comes out.

Most importantly it was good to reflect on being a Mother and on how blessed I am to have such a great mother and mother-in-law. Now that I have my own little guy and anther one on the way I truly realize all the work you have done and still do and how tired you must have been for many many years. THANK YOU!!! Love ya both!!!

Tulip Time

Jacob and Jason both enjoyed the Tulip Time festivities this year.  Jason ate his fair share of junk food with working down town and Jacob liked the loud music of the parade.  We made it downtown almost everyday for one reason or another.  Monday we did a little photo shoot with cousin Gabe before having some junk food for dinner.  Tuesday we let Jacob have the day off from wearing his costume.  Wednesday we braved the weather and went to the parade with both grandmas, Uncle Tom, Aunt Teresa, Gabe, Jason's cousin Jen, Kelly M, and little Carter.  Wish it would have been nicer weather to get some more pictures of all the little boys but maybe next year.  Thursday we went downtown for dinner once again to see Grandpa and Grandma DeWitt.  Jacob and Gisele enjoyed running around the parking lots and the streets more than they enjoyed the junk food.  Friday Jacob had to show Great-Grandpa VanHeest his costume before heading downtown once again to see a little dutch dancing and visit Daddy's work and all the girls.  Well that rounds out our busy week of tulip time. 

Congratulations Ashley!  Jason's sister Ashley graduated from Hope on Sunday afternoon with a degree in Elementary Education.  We are so proud of her and all she has accomplished.  We pray that she is able to find a job teaching and doesn't move so far away from us.

First Hair Cut

I can't believe it but I actually gave in to Jason's begging to give Jacob a haircut. Yes, he did have a mullet but I still thought it was cute. Here are a few pictures of the big event, minus my tears.

Just Like Daddy

Friday night we were out and about getting a few things done including having Jason's Hockey skates sharpened. While we were there waiting for the skates to be done Jacob put on a little hockey gear. I think the stick and the elbow pads were his favorite! The only thing he didn't like was sitting still long enough to have his picture taken. Daddy was also disapointed that hockey skates don't come in a size 4.

Saturday afternoon we made our first trip downtown Holland for the tulip time festivities to have a caricature done of Jacob in his dutch costume. Jacob's little cousin Gabe had one done this morning and we heard it was really cute!! Jacob's also turned out pretty cute. Including little curls of hair hanging over his ears. (Needles to say that part wasn't his dads favorite.) Also while downtown a wheel broke off our stroller and it started to rain so we headed home without taking any pictures in the tulips. I will try to take a picture of the caricature later.

Back to the title of my post. Tonight after going out for dinner in the rainy nasty weather we decided it was an ice cream night so when we got home Jacob again got to be just like daddy and have his own bowl of ice cream. Looking at these pictures makes me sad Jacob is getting to be such a big boy. (Maybe more in his actions than his size.)