Brother is 2 Months!

2 month shot/well check day (drove to San Marcos outlet mall after this, shopped for hours, then drove another hour to Gran's house. No pain meds needed, but just your first huge blowout that day!) Yuck.

the sweetest face!

He'll sleep anywhere, in any position. But always while staring and smiling at the Christmas tree. :)

Sooo chubby. He's got 3 pounds on Jake at this age. Thanks to full formula, I'm sure!

Sweet Brother, at two months you:

-are adorable! Sometimes you look exactly like your brother Jake and sometimes you look nothing like him, we hear comments both ways. Daddy and Gammie don't think you look much like Jakey right now, most other people do. You actually look way more like him in pictures than real life to me and many others as well.

-Seem huge! Your two month well check went perfectly and you weighed in at 14lbs and 241/2 inches putting you around 92% for height and 80% in weight.

-Are super smiley all the time! You love to watch us move around the room and also hold and talk to you. You always gaa and coo back and make the cutest faces!

-Are eating 6 ounces every 3 hours-ish. You do sleep though times where you should eat and went 5 hours during the day w/out eating. Check out the above pics--we didn't worry about you missing one at all =). You feed a ton after you wake up in the morning and a few hours before you go to bed to store up so you can sleep long.

-You still sleep most of the day, have no napping schedule but just do it most of the day, anywhere we are. You are up probably only 30 mins to an hour at most before you are asleep again. You don't wake up at night anymore, usually 5-6am if it is during the night and then go right back to sleep until 9 or 10am when you're hungry again. Your longest w/out eating during the night was 10.5 hours!

-You are an easy baby! We are saving your new swing for Christmas and only have a bouncer and play mat and you are really content on those for about 20-30mins several times a day while I get stuff done. You fall asleep on both of them regularly. A swing will make it even easier to put you down, and give you something else to look at. We also put you to bed at night awake somewhat so you've learned to soothe yourself to sleep pretty well.

-Your big brother is totally and completely in love with having a baby brother. He loves to hold you and kiss you all over, especially your feet and head. He asks to squeeze your face :), and wants you to catch and play football with him daily. He makes sure you're coming with us when we go places and just loves you to pieces. It's been amazing and brings us such joy to watch how he loves you.

-You have very minor tummy problems and are on gentlease formula. You show signs of pain and fuss sometimes when you go to the bathroom but other than that you only fuss if you're really hungry. People commented that they still haven't hardly seen you with your eyes open or cry. You're definitely like Jakey in being a super sleepy baby. We're just waiting for the day Jake doesn't ask to go to bed before bedtime, haha.

-You have great head control and don't need much support at all anymore and don't seem as newborn to hold anymore.

-You have rolled over a few times but don't do it that often--you're never awake long enough to need to move. Hehe.

-You have already been on three road trips, to Canton, College Station and San Antonio and did perfectly!

-Are affectionately called brother by me, your daddy and Jakey. We just love that Jakey tells us, "It's not baby Seth, it's brother. He's my brother." He has the sweetest voice and we just all call him that now. :)

Basically, you are so precious, perfect, healthy, happy, chubby, and bring our entire family more joy than you will ever know! Soooo thankful for our sweet, sweet boy!

2 year well check (in a nutshell)

Well, "everything checks out perfect!" in the words of our doc. That's it!








............I should make a few other notes but it was pretty quick today.
*Jake is 90%-ish in height and 80%-ish in weight. If my memory checks out I think he's over 32lbs and 37 inches. My sheet is in the car w/the exact #s.
*The doctor had him undressed and was looking at his legs and squeezed them and said, "he is solid, solid muscle!" I said, yeah, he pretty much is being super active or sleeping. There's no tv time or craft time or anything that keeps him sitting down, even if mama wishes he'd slow down a bit.
*After asking how long he sleeps at night, and me saying there's got to be an earthquake to get him out of bed before 8 he asked what time he went to bed. I said between 8 and 8:30. He said, "Well, the boy needs his sleep. Don't wake him up. And, in fact, when it's time for preschool in a year or two do not schedule it earlier than he would naturally wake up." Um, good luck with that. :) His Mommy still hates getting out of bed early- if I had it my way he'd never start school. :)
*After seeing that Jakey is in a big bed, potty-trained, eating well and healthy, sleeping lots, talking well, behaving well, etc he said, "Well, this is about as easy as a two-year-old can get. Good luck with him at 2.5 or 3!" haha-- mama has faith that Jakey will continue to impress us with his sweetness, smarts, sleeping, etc. :)
*His height was estimated to be 6'2-6'3 minimum when he's full grown.
*The nurse and dr commented on how they hadn't seen us in so long. I said, I know! Other than one well check about 6 months ago and a diaper rash burn when the pampers drymax came out we've not been to the dr at all in one year! (And he'd just seen the nurse practioner for the burn, not Dr. E) I'm shocked but thrilled that he stayed well his entire second year. I think God just knew we already had more dr appts and co-pays this year than any young family ever should! ;)

Can you tell that we are so in love with our big boy?!? We are cherishing every day of being his parents and are so proud of the sweet boy that he is!

18 Month Well-Check

long, chub legs and sweet blonde curls

"Show Mommy your sticker." =)

Mommy and Jake went to see Dr. Edralin this morning and had a great visit! Jake received one shot and other than a booster for that shot at 2, he will not get any more shots until he is 4. We don't go back to the Dr again until he's between 2 and 2 1/2 years old, so not until next year!

Jake was 29.12 lbs (83%) and 34.5 inches tall (86%). He's perfectly proportional and "just a big guy" as Dr. Edralin said. He asked us about sleeping, eating, discipline, etc. Jake was surprisingly vocal--he talks non-stop to Jeremy and I but sometimes is quieter and more shy in a group or around strangers. But Jake was giving high-fives, hugs, dancing around and talking up a storm to Dr. Edralin. He used a couple of his phrases "teear you go" (there you go) and "heer eh is" (here it is) along with his more polite words-- "more" "miiinne" thrown in there. I hate that word! Anyway, the doctor seemed impressed and thought that his language skills were advanced for his age. He was also impressed with his great sleeping habits, and motor and fine motor skills.

Dr E was also impressed that Jake can completely feed himself with a spoon or fork, and that his favorite foods are avocado, yogurt and broccoli! :) (Maybe I forgot to mention his other favorite food, ice cream, after the doctor called himself the food nazi). ;)

It wasn't all good, we spoke about Jake's big opinions, temper tantrums, time-outs, etc. :) Hey, that's just part of life with a toddler, right? The Dr did say that developmentally all of this stuff is necessary, whether we like it or not. We also told him that weaned Jake off of the paci this past month and he's been completely without for about 3 weeks now.

We are very proud of our big boy who is doing awesome in every area and who is also very healthy! I can't believe he's over half way to being a 2 year old! Where has the time gone?!?

We love you Jakey, you bring so much joy to our lives and we can't imagine life without you!

Jake's 1 Year Check-up

For some reason, I have begun a tradition of taking picture of him in his bandaids on his well check days. It's so easy to see them and say, "Oh, that's 2 months, that's 4 months, that's 6...9... 12 months." I'm a nerd...but I can't help but love the pics of his little chub legs and his bandaids. :) Even if the whole shot process does tug pretty hard at my heartstrings.

Jakey recently went to see Dr. Edralin for his One Year old well check and I thought I should update about our sweet lil toddler. He's just gettin' so big! He was almost 26lbs and 32 inches long. He was 84% for weight and 94% for height. His head circumfrence was right in the middle of those as far as percentiles go so he seems to be what we already know- big and perfect! :)

This month Jakey had his blood taken for the first time. Mama had to hold his legs down and it was just one of the hardest things to see him scream so hard. I hate to see my innocent baby in pain, even if it is for his own good (anemia check).

The doctor talked with us about the usual- sleeping, eating, drinking, and motor and speech skills. Jake seems to be excelling in every aspect and we have absolutely nothing to complain about right now! He continues to sleep late, eat mostly everything, walk everywhere, talk more than his share, etc. In fact, when the doctor walked in he jokingly yet seriously told me that we didn't need to talk about his verbal skills b/c he could hear him from out in the hallway. Haha...that's our boy! When Jeremy and I are home with him, and there are few distractions he's very good at repeating words we say and he'll repeat just about anything. He's our little parrot....I'm going to have to start watching exactly what comes out of my mouth now! ;)

The doctor also said, "Well, we know he's walking great...he was trying to escape!" After the nurse weighed him and took his temp he was in just a diaper in the room and she left the door open to our room. Jake took off for the door and went out into the hallway before I could catch him about ten times. He was sooo cute running around in a diaper like he owned the place. :)

I just cannot put into words how much I love this little baby boy who has completely stolen my heart. Life just can't get better than this! :)

9 Month Well Check

Sweet boy after his shots today!

Today Jakey had his well check with Dr Edraliln. Definitely just a tad late (3 weeks). However, he's not throwing off the stat chart because he's actually lost a half a pound since he was 8 months. He's getting longer and leaner everyday. He is so active and just amazes me at the speeds he roams this house. The doctor was very impressed with his language and motor skills.

The memories of this appointment that I will have are:

#1 The doctor asking me if he's babbling still or saying words. I told him that Jakey says Daddy clear as day sometimes. Jake then says, "Dadddyy". The doctor laughed and said, "so he's obviously speaking great!"

#2 The doctor asks if Jake is into everything. I said yes, and it sometimes drives me crazy! Jakey then pulls up on me (using only my NECKLACE...what's the point? haha) comes to a stand, lets go and stands there for a second and then comes back down and crawls toward the Dr who is also standing/sitting against the table/bed that Jakey is on. Jakey stands up in front of Dr Edralin and pulls on his shirt buttons for a while and then reaches up to touch the facial hair on his chin and stick his hand in Dr Edralin's mouth.

I think Jake did a great job of answering all of Dr Edralin's questions today!!

The doctor and nurse both said he has the power to walk (strength and coordination) but he just doesn't know it yet. Here's to hoping Jakey doesn't realize that walking is an option for a little while longer.

9 month stats:

weight: 23.4 lbs - 80th percentile

height: 29 3/4 inches - 83rd percentile

head circumfrence: 76th percentile

Jakey also was able to get the Swine Flu/H191 vaccination today (along with the polio vaccine).

Apparently he's doing everything he should be and more for this stage. We are soooo proud of our perfect baby boy!!

6 Month Dr Visit!

(top pic- legs after shots)

(bottom pic- how he was sleeping after we got home- love it!!)

Yesterday Jake had a check-up with Dr Edralin. I loved hearing that everything that he should be doing, he is. He said that he's wonderful and that I should know that I'm lucky because he's such an easy baby. He had him sit, pull up from sitting to a standing position, held him, talked to him, measured him (nurse), asked what he ate, when he went to bed, when he takes naps, etc. He's 82% and 87% for height and weight (music to my ears after our weight checks after he was born). He also commented on how strong he is and what a talker he is. We're proud he's doing so well with both his motor and social skills. Even in the past couple of days he's started mimicking adult sounds beyond just cooing...dadadadada baaaaaa mmmmaaaa. It sounded so weird coming out of his mouth because he's making all new sounds! He also cut his first tooth yesterday (7/9/09) at 6 months 6 days old. I've also gotten the courage to leave him sitting on the floor while I'm doing things around the house and he's proven to be pretty trustworthy to sit and play w/his toys. He's also now putting himself to sleep. No bottle, no rocking, nothing- just lay him in his bed and he's out! Wow! Easier than I thought, I guess. I've just always loved rocking him!

Things are moving right along and we feel so blessed to have a perfect, healthy baby boy! It's such a weird feeling being relieved and free that he's becoming so independent, but a little sad, too. He's still a baby, but yet depending on me less and less each day! I didn't think about that process starting so early in his life!!!

4 Months!!

These were taken today! Can you believe the striped onesie is 9-12 months?

I say this every month, but I can't believe our Jakey is 4 mos old. He is at a super fun and sweet age. He's getting cuter everyday with his almost bald head and huge blue eyes! Here are some things he's been up to this past month:

- always chewing on hands
- scooting with butt in the air...always ends up at the opposite end of the crib from where he was placed
-rolls over both ways as he wishes (he was doing this a lot in the prior month or two but now it's so often)
- smiles and laughs on demand. His laughing has really taken off and it's super cute. He is so ticklish.
-When I tickle his sides/lower back he raises both hands and dives backwards! Daddy doesn't like this trick because he's scared he'll do it when someone else is holding him.
-grabs his bottle with his hands when it's near his face and pulls it towards his mouth
-began sleeping in his own bed on 4/30 (because we borrowed a humidifer and figured it'd work better in his little room. He's had a little alleries/sneezing/stuffy nose for almost a week! He's back in our room in his bassinet tonight...:) It's not too consistent yet. I'm not ready!
-He sometimes holds his own bottle. He almost always has two hands on it, but only sometimes actually does the holding up on his own.
-He still loves his playmat and has learned that he can make his own noises. He talks, screeches, and squeals at his toys. We often have to talk louder or turn the tv up to be able to hear anything.
-He's grabbing at everything. His depth perception has become so much more accurate. The other day while I was carrying him in the frontpack I was drying his bottles (way out in front of us both) and he grabbed the paper towel out of my hand. Little stinker!
-I think he loses a few hairs and gains a new fat roll almost daily!
-He is almost outgrowing his 3-6 month clothes and size 2 shoes. He needs atleast 6-12 month shoes. Also, he's nearing the weight limit for size 2 diapers. Better hurry up and use the ones we stocked up on!

I will update this post tomorrow, as he'll be going in for his 4 month checkup and shots in the afternoon. I can't wait to see what the Dr says about his weight. If you recall at his 2 month checkup he's was only in the mid 30's percentile for weight and we had just finished doing weight checks. Dr Edralin will be surprised how big he is!

UPDATE: The Dr said that Jake is a very healthy 4 month old and "that his stats told us what we already knew...he's a big boy!" He was 16lbs 9oz (82nd percentile) and 26 inches long (86th percentile). The circumfrence of his head was 71st percentile. He's very well-proportioned. He also got two shots today...it hurt his feelings so much! He went from smiling to bright red and screaming. :( He's had a bloody/stopped up nose lately and we've been suctioning him thinking that he had a cold. The doctor asked if he arched his back during feedings. I said yes. The doctor thinks Jake's nose issue is due to milk reflux and that he arches his back as a natural instinct to protect his body from the reflux (milk into his nose that we never see). Very interesting! Good to know he's not at all sick and to know why he arches his back! Jeremy said he feels bad for getting frustrated with Jake during all of the bottle feedings where he's arched his back. :(

Another first that will happen this week is mine and Jeremy's first night away from Jake. My thyroid surgery is already this Thursday and I'll miss him so much!! I know he'll be in good hands, though! Please keep us in your prayers.)

2 Months!

MAJOR temper tantrum Sunday after church, haha!

little boy after his shots- exhausted! Notice the bandaids :(

Happy Boy!

I was just messing around snapping pictures of us and couldn't see what I was actually capturing. It just so happened that I look at what I snapped on the screen and this is what I saw. He is such a joy and such a happy baby! Silly Boy! This will forever be one of my favorite pics.

Last week Jake turned 2 months old! He went to the Dr on Wed for his 2 month shots and checkup. He now weighs over 11lbs and is 23.5 inches long. He is 36th percentile for weight and 80th percentile for height. The Dr laid him on the table on his tummy at the beginning of the appt and we then had a long conversation with the doctor about feeding and the issues we've been having. By the end of the conversation the doctor was very impressed, saying that babies his age are normally screaming by that point. Jake was very content raising his head and neck and looking around. I told him that Jake was already eating 6oz at feedings when he got a bottle. The doctor said, "that's A LOT." He said he'll probably just be a long and lean guy because he's burning so many calories with how active he is and that he's thriving. So, all went well! It was the first time we'd been back since all of the dreaded weight checks and this time it was actaully a pleasant experience!

Jake is very entertaining at two months old!

Things he does:

-ALWAYS has that toungue out!!

-Smiles all the time!

-Throws major temper tantrums!

-Rolls over both ways!

-Follows people and movement

-Cries when he's done with his bottle/nursing...piggy!

-Chomp on his paci when he's tired-it's hilarious!

-"Talks" to us and coos

-Smiles at the ceiling fan- it is his best friend and it's so sweet!

-LOVES his playmat and smiles at the toys on it

-Loves his swing and being on his changing pad

-He sleeps through the night and is now in his basinett all night too!

-Fights falling asleep

-Makes hilarious faces in his dreams (smiles, cries, frowns, pouty lip)

Nicknames at this time:

-Jakey

-Moose

-JT

-Tuck

-Jakers