It's a record...

All I want to say is....Jake slept for 7 1/2 hours straight last night!!! He did not wake up until 5:30 AM. It was amazing!!! Unfortunately, I didn't sleep until 5:30. I guess I've either gotten used to waking up in the middle of the night, or it's my mommy overprotectiveness, but either way I was up around 4:15 checking to make sure he was OK. I didn't really get back to sleep after that, but I am proud of Jake nonetheless. I'm not going to get my hopes up that this will happen again tonight, but maybe it's a good sign he has the ability to consistently sleep through the night by the time I go back to work.

Spoiled with love

Kevin's parents came to visit this weekend. It was great to spend time with them, and we were all spoiled by their presence. Jake got lots of loving and holding time. Kevin and I got extra sleep because we had help for the "early morning shift," and a date night. It's been really special having both sets of grandparents here over the last couple weeks. Jake loves the attention, and we love seeing our parents spoil their grandson. I didn't get any family pictures this weekend, but I took several trying to capture a smile for the baby announcements. I didn't get a smile, but here's a sampling of the pictures.

I feel like it's important to devote one blog entry to the first "child" in Kevin and I's lives, Skylar. Although we've never actually treated Skylar like a baby or child, she has been a part of our lives ever since Kevin and I began dating. Kevin and his roommates got her in college, and the rest is history. She really is a good dog; although she is deathly afraid of fireworks and thunderstorms. She is definitely aware there is something new around taking all of Mommy and Daddy's attention, but we are lucky she is so laid back and great with Jake. I really believe Skylar has a motherly nature, although she's never had puppies. If nothing else, she definitely loves that I'm home during the day and getting to go on walks with Jake and me. Here's a pic of both our "kids."

Time with friends

A group of my girlfriends gets together every Thursday for lunch. It's a great time to spend time with friends and also give the kids an opportunity to play and have fun together. This week, we met at a park near Kim's house. Jake slept through most of the fun, but he did wake up just as everyone was leaving. Here are some pics from the day. Here we are. I borrowed April's jacket because I wasn't quite prepared for the wind, so Jake and I look ready to go hunting in our camo and orange.

This picture isn't that great, but I was trying to capture as many of the kids as possible. This is Hailey and Maizie. They're peeking out from the second story of a really cool playhouse.

Precious Mia...

I think Anderson actually beat Jake in the sleeping department and stayed asleep the entire time. Look at those precious chubby cheeks...

Ryan is cute as always having fun on the swing.

We were really happy to have Katie Reese and daughter, Eliana join us. Every time I've seen this precious girl, she is all smiles. I believe this is her very first swing experience. She looks like she's a pro.

Nancy Lynn and Brooklyn just back from Hawaii...I have to admit, I'm jealous.

A first...

Jake has been on a streak of spitting up every Sunday morning before church. Spitting up to the point where he hadn't once made it to church in the original outfit that he started off in. Maybe it's his way of telling us he doesn't like to dress up?!? Finally, this Sunday, he did it. This is Jake after church...in the same outfit we dressed him in Sunday morning!!! My parents were in town Tuesday through Friday and Jake had a great time hanging out with Grandmama and Grandpapa. My mom is really great about sending cards for all holidays and special occassions, and Jake got his first Valentine's card. Here he is showing it off.

Here is my dad proudly holding Jake. It's really fun for me to see my parents with him--I can tell they are really proud of him already. I know he is going to be completely spoiled by them. Thanks Grandmama and Papa, we had a great time.

Captured a smile

This has been a busy week. My parents came in town on Tuesday, so I'm taking advantage of the free babysitting to go to doctors appointments and get some things done around the house. Anyhow, Jake has starting smiling and I actually captured one.

















The Young Marrieds class had a potluck and movie night on Sunday. We watched Fireproof--it's a great movie so I recommend it. We had an awesome turn-out. Kevin and I have talked about how we feel God has really answered prayer and is helping grow our class. We have lots of new faces and it's great to see. I wasn't able to get a pic of everyone, but here is a glimpse of the night.

1 Month

Jake turned 1 month yesterday. We were able to enjoy some good family time because Kevin got off early from work. I love reading, and it's a love I hope to instill in Jake. One of the things I look forward to about being a mom is reading to my children. I've already started reading to Jake. He honestly seems to enjoy reading so far--as long as it's in short increments.
Cute father and son pic...

You have to celebrate a special day with some kind of sweets, right? Jake wasn't too interested in his 1 month cupcake, but that's OK because Mommy just happens to have a sweet tooth.

Here he is...one month old!!!!