Chicago

We headed down to Chicago this weekend to visit Aunt Ashley and see Dora the explorer with Jacob. Deacon was lucky enough to stay home with Grandpa and Grandma D. The weekend was lots of fun despite the weather. Jacob enjoyed Dora and Aunt Ashley and Mom didn't mind it either. Dad slept through most of it and claims his favorite part was the monkey bouncing around in a spandex suit.

Besides the show Jacob really enjoyed riding the train. He thought it was Thomas the train.

Ashley also showed us one of her local restaurants before we headed down town to our hotel. We would have liked to walk around a little more downtown but it was a down pour by the time we got there. We settled for a quick walk to the Disney store and dinner at Mike Ditkas restaurant. Unfortunately the Cheesecake factory was too long of a wait.

Sunday morning we woke up to a snow storm so we hung out watch some Dora and read books before having Aunt Ashley and Ryan pick us up for the Children's Muesem.

I think the adults had more fun playing than Jacob!!

Digging for Dinsour bones
Thanks Ashley and Ryan for hanging out with us and showing us around town for the weekend.

7 months and On the Move

My baby is 7 months old already and officially on the move!!  This weekend on the beach my Mom told us that Deacon was crawling around in the tent and we all said sure he's moving forward a little.  Well she was right.  he is crawling!! Jacob is having fun showing Deacon how he can crawl too.  It's pretty funny!  He's not real quick on the tile floor down here in Florida but I'm sure by the time we head home Friday he will have it all figured out.  He is also trying to pull up on everything.  Time to lower his crib.  

Other new things for our 7 month old baby including his love of food.  I think he would eat anything you put in front of him.  He devours everything and has much less interest in the bottle.  Kinda of a pain for knowing how much he is really eating when he won't take a bottle but I guess it will make it easy in a few months when we have to break him of the bottle.  He is also a loud little guy.  He just talks and talks.  If he's anything like his big brother Jason and I will no longer need to talk the boys will do all the talking for us.  

Were also still having a great time down in Florida.  Jacob and Jason went fishing with Grandpa Bouwens this morning and caught a few fish. Jacob also showed off his new found swimming skill for Grandpa and Grandma Bouwens before nap time.    

Watched the space shuttle launch from Ft. Myers.  Long was away but I thought it was pretty cool.

We made it to Florida in one piece and everyone is having a great time in the hot, sunny weather.  Jacob & Deacon like all of the attention they are getting from both sides of the grandparents being here at the same time.  

Deacon is being a happy little guy like usual and loves the beach, eating sand or whatever else he gets into.

We went to Great Grandpa & Grandma in Englewood to visit for the afternoon.  Jacob noticed the fake owl sitting on the dock and grabbed Grandpa's canes and proceeded to shoot it down for about 5 minutes.  We were more concerned for the window than the plastic owl, not sure where he got that idea, he doesnt even have a toy gun yet if you can believe that.

Ryan & Linda where there with all of their kidos and they loved playing with Jake and Deacon.  Jake wanted to borrow the sandals if you happen to notice.  

Jacob is 2!

We celebrated Jacob's second birthday this weekend. Jacob had some of his little buddies over Saturday night to help him celebrate with cake and ice cream. It was pretty busy with all the little kiddos!! We also had a family party on Sunday and Jacob loved playing with his cousins. The parties were barnyard themed and I made Jacob a cow cake with a little help from my friend Haley!! (thanks haley!!) It was a great weekend and thanks to everyone who helped our little guy celebrate. The parties in pictures:

Jacob and Gisele enjoyed a picnic lunch!!

Most of the kiddos from Jacob's party.

The boys and their buddy Carter!!

Jacob and his girlfriend Addison!

Jacob's buddy Landon helping blow out the candles

Carter and Jacob taking a ride on Shadow

Great Grandpa, Grandpa Keith, Jacob and Gabriel

Also more for myself than anyone else Jacob at 2: Jacob is becoming more and more of a sweetheart with his hugs, kisses, pleases, thank yous and little cuddles. He still has his stinker side not wanting to eat or wear clothes when he needs to. He has strong opinions favorite pj's (jungle pj's that belong to Grandma), coats (camo), clothing (jeans with nautical buttons, big buck t-shirt, hockey t-shirt and sweatshirt) and colors (green, orange and camo).

What he is up to lately: He loves Lego's most of all he is so fun to watch play. He is such a little pretender, it's hard to believe to years ago he was a helpless infant and today he is playing make believe with his Lego barn. He also loves anything about animals, especially watching daddy, grandpa and uncle eric hunt them on video. Jake is also becoming a cute little singer. Sometimes he even sings to his animals or his brother. Favorite songs include: The muffin man, Jesus loves me, Old McDonald and The Wheels on the Bus. Lastly jacob continues love his books and puzzles. I don't think he would be able to choose between the two if he ever had to.

2 YEAR check-up went good today. Stats: weight 23lbs. (not on the charts) height 33 1/2 in. (25%). He is still such a little guy but the doctor truly has no concerns. He encouraged us to really reduce the treats and increase the variety of food he is offered. To be honest we have gotten to a point we don't care what he eats we just want him to eat but knew it wasn't the best approach. Now thankfully my instincts were confirmed it's not going to make a difference in his weight if we feed him fatty junk he will only take in a small number of calories regardless so I might as well offer him healthy stuff let him refuse it until he gets hungry and turn him into a healthy eater. Yeah, sounds easy right. Well I'm sure it wont be but we will try.

Lastly, now that I have you all bored to death. Deacon is having an Upper GI scan tomorrow morning so please pray it goes well and comes back normal. The doctor simply wants to be sure it is just reflux and alergies we are dealing with. Thanks!!!