I can walk!

Two days after his first birthday, Jake is officially walking! He's been trying for quite a while and he is very excited that he finally conquered it! He likes to carry something in his hand for balance...preferrably the remote!

Christmas was GREAT!

Look at some of my great toys! I was a little overwhelmed by all the wrapping paper, bows, bags, people, and of course toys....I wasn't sure where to look!

But it sure was fun! :)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I can't wait to open all these presents. I have been so good and not played with them too much. I'm so excited. Mmie and Poppins are coming today and I can't wait! We hope that you have a very merry christmas! We sure will!

Grand-daddy's Christmas party!

I got to crash G-daddy's Christmas dinner this year. I ate mashed potatoes, green beans, and chicken. YUM! Gammy tried to hold me but she couldn't contain me! I was very interested in the spoon and standing under the tables. I flirted with some ladies and for being oh so cute was even handed a bracelet which I then broke and flew beads everywhere. I'm not sure if I'll be invited back next year!

Playing...

I'm thinking of my next move!

(Actually he was watching Daisy,

trying to figure out how to get her ball away from her! Haha)

Jake loves to play! This is him chewing on a palm tree that goes to his navitity scene. We talk about who all the people are and he likes to carry around baby Jesus in his mouth. I think that he senses this is a special time of year. He loves all the decorations and lights especially the tree in his room. He is obsessed with wreaths! He points to them everywhere we go. We are so excited to have this first Christmas with him and then to celebrate his first birthday! So much fun....so much to cherish!

Walking? Not yet....

But I fling myself from place to place. I can make it!

I like to walk with assistance! Dad is giving me a helping hand! I've taken a couple of steps by myself but I'm not ready to make the plunge yet. I think that I'll wait for a special audience for Christmas or my birthday! :)

I like to clean!

What??? I don't like to clean. I just like to play with this thing!

I will figure it out!


Jake is very interested in "non-toys". He wants to play with the swiffer, the vaccum, the tupperware cabinet, the laundry basket, waterbottles, remotes, etc...
It's fun to watch him want to figure things out and study each item. He's learned how two objects when banged together make quite a loud sound and he loves it! He loves to do things to get my attention. He's quite a little ham. So much fun!

Bathtime is fun with Dad!

I like taking a bath! It's Dad's job to help me! He always plays with me and teaches me how to splash and squirt water! It's fun!

Rare snuggle moments!

I cherish these little snuggle moments that he gives me lately. He likes to be close when he wants to nurse and I just love it. He's starting to get a tad clingy in a new place but soon realizes that if he has an audience, he would rather get down and perform for them than stay in Mom's arms!

Getting ready for Christmas!

Aren't I something special!

Even though I can't hold still for long I did pretty good with this little photo shoot! I am a ham and like the camera. I just want to touch it and they won't let me! I try my best to "sit and look pretty" but it's hard.....especially when they put these hats on me! Argh!

I Love my Daisy!

Daisy and I were searching for the one special toy!

I decided to give her a helping hand!

I love playing with Daisy! I laugh as she sprints by me. I try to crawl along to keep up with her but she's way too fast! While she's sleeping on the couch I like to smack her in the head sometimes or poke at her eye. It's intended to express my love for her but it scares her. She gets back at me though by constantly licking me in the face when Mom isn't looking. We get along pretty good though. Daisy has always protected me from strangers ever since I came home from the hospital. She's a good dog and I'm glad that she's only chewed one of my toys. I tend to play with her toys more than she plays with mine!

My first real boo boo!

I cut my little finger on Saturday night. I was trying to touch Mommy's paper cutter and somehow managed to cut myself while Mommy was sitting right there. It was pretty tramatic for me and for Mom and Dad.

I took it like a man though. I'm brave! I'm almost ONE!

Amazed by my little man!

It feels like just yesterday I was bursting at the seams just to see my little one's face! Now I'm watching him want to do things all by himself and show me how 'big' he is! He's all boy and he makes me laugh everyday. I feel almost robbed that this past year has gone by so fast. Did I cherish all the memories that I could? Have I made sure to hold him in my arms as long as he will let me? I already miss my baby as I'm watching him grow up so fast. Picking out a 1st birthday card for him this week brought me to tears. Joyful tears that we've been so blessed with this gift of becoming parents and watching this little guy grow and tears that things are changing as they always are...the reminder to savor each moment we have and to be thankful for the little things that happen each day.

I picked out the tree this year!

I know how to pick out a good tree. Trust me!

That tryptophan really does kick in!

Too much turkey and mashed potatoes!