One Year Pictures

Jacob-0; Table of Doom-1; Auntie Ruth-Horrified

You would think after raising two children of my own I would know better. Particularly since my son Max had so many accidents that I was not sure if Children’s Hospital was going to give me a frequent visitor card or call child services. But of course almost as soon as Mommy left the house Jacob stumbled over a suitcase which we had left by the table and bumped his head on the corner of the table leg and ended up with a seriously bad bump on his forehead just in time for his one year pictures.

The top ten things I learned from the experience:

10. My son Max who is 14 was a great helper in a crisis even if we had to teach him later how to hold a crying baby – arms length is not very comforting.
9. The situation always involves a scenario where “if you had only gotten there one second sooner”
8. Abby is very calm for a first time mother – we called her and she did not race home from the store (Abby’s comment: that’s because I had lots of Auntie training).
7. Like other first time mothers Abby did not have a “boo boo” bag in the freezer and when I sent her to the drug store she came home with an adult ice pack.
6. When I get home I need to go to Baby’s R Us and get her a “boo boo” bag.
5. Head wounds look horrible for days.
4. The stuff they write in baby books about head wounds will scare the ever loving “you know what” out of even the calmest of people (Abby’s comment: yes we did wake him up in the middle of the night just to make sure he was ok. Not the most fun thing in the world because he really didn’t want to get up).
3.5 Jacob does not like to be woken up in the middle of the night.
3. The table of doom has got to go (Abby’s comment: not gonna happen).
2. Please post comments and tell Abby the table of doom has to go (Abby’s comment: still not gonna happen).
1. It is terrible to see someone you love get hurt – actually I already knew that one.

Jacob’s Aunt Ruth

The table of doom:


Jake's boo boo (a few days later):


the boo boo bags:

See Jake Go

Jake is doing so well walking...see for yourself.

Catching Up

I haven't had much time to post because Jake has another ear infection (this is number 3 or 2.5 because it may be that the last one never really went away) and now I'm sick with a cold too :(.

I had a small first birthday party for Jake last Saturday and wouldn't you know it we had the first snow of the season. It almost never snows in Maryland in December. Thankfully my friends braved the weather to celebrate and we all had a great time. Jake is walking walking walking and is getting more steady on his feet.

We had dinner last night with Grandpa (he cooked!) to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. Here are some recent pictures.

Birthday Boy

Happy 1st Birthday Jacob!




Edited to add: Grandpa came over tonight and brought Jake a birthday cheese. Yes, your read that right - a birthday cheese. What can I say, my kid LOVES cheese. LOL

Thanksgiving Weekend

Here are some pics of Jake from Thanksgiving weekend (and a special video :))












Edited to add: Happy Birthday Shauny-bear!

Early Thanksgiving

They had a Thanksgiving luncheon at Jake's daycare last Thursday complete with a little performance although it was mostly the teachers singing and a few kids crying. They made the kids little hats.

Here are a few pics of Jake and Grandpa:

Completely Heartbroken

Jacob’s grandmother, my mother - who meant the world to me, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last Sunday (November 8th). My family is totally devastated by this loss.

My mom was one of my strongest supporters in my adoption and completely loved Jacob. She went with me to almost all his doctor’s appointments and she came over all the time to help me or to watch him so that I could run errands. I spoke with her every day (sometimes more than once a day) and relied on her for advice and motherly wisdom. I am completely heartbroken.

Had I known he would have had so little time with her I would have taken more pictures of Jake and my mom. I have just a handful that I will treasure forever.





I love you Mom and miss you terribly.

Jacob is 11 Months Old Today!

Happy 11 Months Jake! Mommy loves you very much.

Happy Halloween

Here are a few Halloween pics:

Jake playing with his pumpkin


Jake in the costume he was supposed to wear to his cousin Shaun's school Halloween parade (Shaun's in kindergarten) but we had to miss the parade because Jake has an ear infection.




Here's Jake in the Halloween costume that he got from Julie (who was in Kaz with us).

I Don't Need No Stinkin Nap!

Despite Mommy's best efforts this morning Jake would not take a nap . . . until lunch - he fell asleep midsip! LOL

He's a Boy on the Go

Sorry for the lack of updates. I am feeling better but still have annoying cough that will not go away and while the sleeping situation has gotten a bit better we still have a ways to go but like everything in life it will just take time. Jake is adjusting really well to being home.

Jake's been busy playing with his toys and having fun. He amazes me by how much he's learned in the almost 3 weeks he's been home. He's gotten really good at feeding himself. He really waves hi and goodbye now (before it was just curling and uncurling his hand) and even says hi. He cruises around the furniture and he's really fast. I'm waiting for him to let go and then there'll be no stopping him. He's incredibly adventurous and has no fear whatsoever (which scares the crap out of me). He always wants to do what he knows he's not supposed to do!

He's really into books these days. I've read "Puddle the Duck" and "Big Wheels" about a million times each. He's also really into the touchy feely books I had bought for him so I got him a couple new ones but "That's Not My Dragon" and "That's Not My Monster" are still his favorites.

Here are a few pictures so you can see him in action.