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Stories
Monday, March 22, 2010 (14 months)
Well, BIG Man is 14 months old today and weighing in at 26 lbs 4 oz. I don't have a height measurement at this time but he does seem to be getting taller too. Bubbs still isn't walking but it won't be long. He is comfortably walking around everything he can, just hasn't braved it on his own yet. Doesn't matter, he seems to get into EVERYTHING. You cannot leave anything of value unattended for a second, as BIG man, will have it in his hot little hands in no time. And, he's so darn cute, you can't get mad at him. He knows he's not suppose to mess with certain items but when he looks at you and gives that BIG ol' dimpled grin, you just can't resist! I have a feeling he knows this already, so I better learn to get over his charm real fast or else I'm going to be in a world of trouble!
Bubbs has 8 teeth now, 4 on top and 4 on the bottom. His 2 year old molars are starting to make their debut as well. He also says about 10 words. His newest word is funky. At least that is what it sounds like. I sure hope it isn't something else!  He jibber jabbers all day long and even tries to sing along with the radio. He also loves to dance, which I have mentioned before but dancing really is his favorite thing to do. He seems to dance every time he hears even a note of music. This boy can move too. Depending on the song, he can really get down. I tried to video some of his moves but you know how kids like to make liars out of their parents. As soon as the camera points in his direction, he stops cold. I won't give up, so as soon as I get some good footage, I will be sure to post it. Jared's favorite song is "shake it" hence why I have put it on his website. He seems to really break it down when he hears it. It's just the cutest thing ever.
Oh, we also found out, Jared loves gum. By accident of course. Aspyn was kind enough to leave a pack out and Mr. Man got into it. Micah was on duty this time and thought Jared was being a little too quiet for comfort. Once he located Jared, he found he had opened a few pieces and was happily chomping away. Micah said it was so funny, he couldn't get mad and actually felt bad for having to take it away. I tell ya, having kids is quite the adventure.
I could just go on and on. Jared does so many new things on a daily basis, I could never remember to document them all. All I can say, is Mr. Man is an absolute delight. He brings so much joy to our lives and we're having a blast watching him explore this world. Aspyn also LOVES having a baby brother. Now that Jared is a little older, they can play together and Aspyn enjoys showing him new things. Jared is fascinated with Aspyn too and loves to follow her around, mimicking her every move. It's adorable to watch but I'm sure it won't be so adorable when they use this connection to team up on Micah and I. Should be interesting! 
Be sure and check out the new pictures I have posted in the 13 & 14 month album. ENJOY!
Monday, February 22, 2010 (13 months & counting...)
BIG Man is 13 months today and unfortunately, under the weather. Poor thing caught a stomach virus from Aspyn and now Micah has it too. It's been a very interesting week but my BIG man is strong so hopefully, this will soon pass.
STATS: 25 lbs 9 oz. 32 inches. Bubbs is slimming down as he is on the go constantly.
LOVES: anything with buttons or controls. Knows how to work the DVD player, Playstation 3, XBOX, TV, my cell phone, any remote etc etc etc. I told Micah, why buy fancy toys when all we need is to buy him a remote control!
Bubbs is sporting 8 teeth and knows approx 10 words. He now tries to sing along with the radio, which is priceless!!
This boy is the happiest baby EVER!!! Still can't believe, he is 13 months today, I mean... I just had him yesterday! 
Be sure and check out the new pictures I posted in the 13 & 14 month album. ENJOY!!
Sunday, February 13, 2010 (Happy Valentines Day!)
So it's the day of love and what better way to celebrate than with the ones we LOVE!! Both Aspyn & Jared were very excited to see that Cupid stopped by and left them several little gifts. Jared LOVED his soft and cuddly "BE MINE" Gorilla as well as the Chuck Trucks, he is so fond of. Aspyn was also thrilled to receive a new Valentines Day "build a bear" as well. Micah and I really enjoy spoiling our babies and so today was no exception.
After our family celebration, Nana offered to watch the babies while Micah and I spoiled each other with lunch at J. Alexanders, shopping and a nap! We had so much fun and were so excited to spend some quality time together.  Today was such an amazing day and I am extremely thankful our life is filled with so much love. Hopefully you all enjoyed your day of love as well.
Happy Valentines Day!!!  xoxo
Be sure and check out the Valentines Day pictures in the "Holidays" album. ENJOY!!
Comments
You're very lucky to have such an amazing family.
- Michele
i bet he is a angle
- wanda murphy
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Monday, January 25, 2010 (1 year check-up)
Jared had his 1 year, well baby check-up today and our BIG man is weighing in at 27 lbs 2 oz and is 32 inches tall. This means our BIG man, has tripled his birth weight and grown 10 inches in his first year which puts our TANK in the 90-95 percentile.
Dr. Scott was extremely impressed with Jared's language development and stated he is advanced in this area. I guess most boys at this age only say two words, if that, but my Jer-Bear knows a good 8! Jared was just talking away like he and Dr. Scott were old college buddies.
Dr. Scott was also getting a kick out of how ticklish Jared is. "Bubbs" is extremely ticklish and if you ever want to see this boy laugh like no other, just tickle away!
Unfortunately, we will have to go back to get Jared's 1 year vaccinations. While checking in, there was some sort of mix up with our new health insurance and I wasn't able to spend the hours needed on the phone sorting the mix up out by the time Dr. Scott needed to see Jared. Once I'm able to get this mess squared away, we will be heading back to get Bubbs up to date on his shots.
The good news is, after Jared's complete examination, we were given the  and free to go, until Jared hits 15 months. Dr. Scott said I have one happy, well adjusted and cute as a bug baby boy. Ahhh, such a good feeling to hear those words. Of course, I think my boy is a star but it's always nice to have someone else (a non-bias) party confirm it!
Another milestone in the books....onto new adventures. STAY TUNED!! xoxo
Comments
Great Job on this one momma!
- Jen
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Saturday, January 23, 2010 (Jared's 1st Birthday Bash!)
Jared's 1st Birthday Party was a total SUCCESS!!! Micah and I decided awhile back, to have it at "The Little Gym" and we couldn't of made a better choice. That place is designed for fun fun fun!!! We celebrated with 9 other little ones ranging from 6 months to 5 years old. Jared absolutely LOVED mingling with others his age and also all the space he had to crawl, walk and climb. There was something new around every corner and let's just say he definitely put some mileage on the ol' tank! Aspyn, Olivia, Jackson and Hanna (our older bunch) were able to try the more advanced apparatuses which was exciting for us parents to watch. There seemed to be a smile on every child's face, which made this special event even more rewarding! 
"Construction" was this year's theme. Every guest was given a construction cone party hat with every party detail intertwined. The BIG hit was the "Chuck Trucks" that were given as party favors. All the kids LOVED them. Most opened theirs right away using the gym as a huge race track.
After extensive playtime, it was time for lunch which consisted of Firehouse Subs, chips and homemade cupcakes. Soon after, Jared was serenaded with Happy Birthday and then given FULL reign to mack down on his smash cake. I must say, the smash cake turned out amazing. The bakery I selected did such a fabulous job imitating the 1st Birthday "Construction Theme" I was going for. Jared was slow to get started but once he got a taste of all that icing, there was no turning back. Then, when he got to the actual "cake" part, he wasn't so happy. It was PURE Comedy watching him throw all the cake on the ground and continue to grab chunks and chunks of icing! Poor thing had to be bathed in the bathroom sink before he could go back in the gym to play. Thank goodness his outfit was only for that day. That poor outfit is toast. I don't think the strongest of stain removers could of gotten it clean!
Finally after an hour and a half of food and fun, it was time to head home. We were so exhausted that once home, it was time for a family nap. I think we all slept for 3+ hours. Once we were awake and re-charged, Jared was finally able to open all of his presents. He was overwhelmed at first with so many new toys to play with, that I have had to set certain ones aside and rotate them in. It seems every toy he got makes some sort of noise which has made for some interesting days. Man, I still can't believe it's been a year!
THANK YOU to everyone who attended the party, sent well wishes, cards, gifts and love. We appreciate each and every one of you. Jared is one lucky little boy to have such an amazing support system. We Love You!!
Be sure to check out all the party pics in the "1st Birthday Album". There were way too many to post on this site, so I will be also be sending out a Snapfish Album shortly. ENJOY!!! xoxo
Friday, January 22, 2010 (HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG MAN!!!) 
Ok, let's see if I am able to type this blog, as it's hard to see the keyboard with so many tears in my eyes!!!  My baby boy is 1 years old today!!! Where oh where did the time go?!! I never thought I would be this emotional but Jer-Bear is not only my baby boy, he is the last baby I will ever have and it seems his first year just went by wayyyyy too fast!!! I mean, Aspyn is almost 4 for god sakes!!! Gosh, it's just so interesting being a parent! Don't get me wrong, I sure do enjoy watching my babies grow up but I also loved when they were just little peanuts, sleeping for 20 hours a day!
So, on to the good stuff....
BIG man is wearing 24 month clothing, 2T/3T jammies, size 6 shoes and size 5 diapers. I won't have exact weight and height info until Jared's 1 year check up on Monday but I am guessing he is close to 28 lbs and 32 inches tall. I want to be surprised at his appt so I avoided the temptation to cheat. BIG Man also has 5 teeth...3 on the bottom and two on top. Two more teeth are trying to poke through on the top but have yet to make their debut. His poor gums sure are swollen so I know it won't be too much longer. Bubbs, also waves, gives "high" fives, blows raspberries, gives smooches, hums, shakes his head yes & no, laughs at loud (when he hears or sees something funny) and my absolute favorite....he dances. This boy has rhythm too. He doesn't hold back and definitely breaks it down. He also says a slew of words, mom, dada, doggie, Nana, up, down and No, No, No. Even though he can say several words, he is usually pretty quiet...not the motivation speaker my Aspyn Nicole is! 
Man, I could go on for days. This boy is PURE sunshine and he definitely has my heart. He is just so darn happy and so content. He will literally just sit and play for hours. Sometimes, we forget he's in the room! It's impossible to be unhappy when he is around. If I am feeling down, one look at my Jer-Bear's steely blue eyes, long lashes and million dollar smile, I just melt. He's an amazing napper too. This boy still takes a 2 hour morning nap and a 2+ hour afternoon nap and will still sleep 12 hours at night. I like to say it was all the McDonald's I ate while preggo but whatever I did, it worked. Both my babies are amazing sleepers! 
Jared is also off of formula and has been since Christmas. He LOVES real milk though and isn't afraid to tap the gallon! This boy can eat too! Anything and everything. No Toddler meals either, he wants whatever you are having. His favorites would have to be....scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes, grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, turkey, french fries, green beans and peaches. But whatever you do, you can't give him his food on a plate....it will just end up on the floor. He prefers it directly on his highchair tray or sat directly on the table. He also loves apple juice and lemonade, which he gets on occasion. He'll also let you know when he's done eating by swatting or pushing the food away. That means you have 10 seconds to snag whatever is left or your floor will get fed next! Needless to say, Puggy and Vinnie are fans. They have gotten lucky on more than one occasion!!
So you're probably all wondering if BIG Man is walking....NOPE he's not and I don't think he is in any hurry to! He can crawl like no other and manages to get into everything he can reach so I don't believe he thinks walking has any kind of advantage at the moment! Of course he stands and walks around furniture, pushes toys etc but he would rather crawl and get there fast then wobble like a baby deer trying to find his legs. Micah and I like to joke that if he can get into everything now, we surely are screwed when he walks! I know he'll do it in his own time so I am not worried. Aspyn didn't walk until she was 14 months or so but she could recite the alphabet, spell her name and sing several songs by 9 months. Jared is just happy to be and when he's ready to do something, he just does it. I know he will shock the heck out of me one day and just start running.
Jared's BIG birthday bash is tomorrow and I've invited several of his buds. I plan on taking a zillion pictures so be sure and check back next week to see the fun! I should have his 1 year appt details too so I will make sure and update his site with those as well.
I want to THANK all of you who have been following and experiencing Jared's 1st year with us. All of your comments, feedback etc, has been tremendous and we feel extremely blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people. Jared may not know it yet, but he is one lucky boy to have such an extraordinary support system.
WE LOVE YOU ALL!!!!
Comments
i bet he is a angle HAPPY BIRTHDAY JARED
- wanda murphy
Happy Birthday Jared! Thanks to your mom for filling us far away friends in on your first year of life. Love Ya Janet! Can't wait for the party pics.
- Michelle McFarlane
One year ago today I got a call from your Momma and cried tears of joy right along with her. I hope to continue crying tears of joy for all you accomplish now and in the future! Happy Birthday Jared Andrew!! XOXOXOXO
- Theresa
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January 20, 2010 (1st Haircut)
So our BIG man got his first haircut today. Funny to think he needed one after being born completely bald but believe it or not, he did!! Slowly but surely, his hair has been filling in, more so in the back than anywhere else. BIG man was growing quite the mullet and Daddy FINALLY had had enough. The children's hair salon we visited was fabulous. They took extra special care of my boy, even putting his peach fuzz hair in a sweet little tie bag to take home. Jared sat still the entire time and even followed directions when asked to look down or turn to the side. He enjoyed every minute of this experience, mostly because he could look at himself in the mirror. He seems to find himself quite humorous! The funniest part was when "Beth" put on the cape. Jared was so confused because he couldn't find his hands. It was hysterical watching him try to find a way to get them out. He also loved the neck and sideburn shaving. He kept cringing because it tickled. It was just too cute. Micah and I were just amazed at how well he did. Beth said she has never had a child sit so still and behave so well on their 1st cut. PROUD is an understatement. Our BIG man even got a lollipop for being such a good boy! Of course I took a whole slew of photos, so make sure and check them out in the 1st Haircut Album. I also posted some new photos in the 11 & 12 month album as well. Be sure and comment on the ones you love and check back in a few days for Jared's 1st Birthday pics. I'm still in shock that my baby boy will be 1 in two days. If that wasn't hard enough....Aspyn will be 4 in three weeks. My goodness, they grow up too fast. Thanks for stoppping by. ENJOY!! xoxo
Comments
Great Work Momma!
- Angela
How adorable & such a good boy! Love you guys!
- Melissa
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Friday, December 25, 2009 (Jared's 1st Christmas!)
WOW......what an amazing day!!! Santa was VERY good to my munchkins this year!!! I tell ya, both Aspyn & Jared are spoiled rotten!! Jared was so intrigued by all the activity that was taking place, that it was exciting for Micah and I to watch. Poor thing had so many presents that he had to take a break to nap for a few hours and then get back at it. Thankfully, Aspyn was there every step of the way, helping to un-wrap all his gifts. The funny thing is, the gift Jared liked most wasn't even his! Santa brought Aspyn a pink mustang convertible and Jared was all about it! He learned how to turn on the radio and steer. I'm sure if he could of reached the pedals, he would of drove off. He seemed to spend most of his time in the car or standing up by the car. Micah and I got a kick out of watching him, so I think we have a good idea of what Santa may be bringing next year!
Nana, Papa, Uncle Jason and cousins J.J. & Reilly were all there to share in our family excitement. We even shared a delicious Christmas dinner. This boy can sure eat and today was no exception. Honey Smoked Turkey was his food of choice as he put away 3 slices. After his tank was FULL, he was off to nap once again. Man, what a life!
So I must say Jared's 1st Christmas was a true SUCCESS!! I am so appreciative and thankful for the amazing family I have. Seeing Aspyn & Jared smile makes it all worth it. Now, it's on to preparing for Jared's 1st Birthday. Never a dull moment I tell ya!
Be sure and check out all the new pictures posted in the "Holidays" album. ENJOY!! xoxo
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 (11 months & counting...)
Can you believe our BIG Man is 11 months old today?! Oh, and our BIG MAN is definitely livin' up to his nickname. He's weighing in at 26 lbs 9 oz!! Yep, we're just as shocked as you. I still can't believe this BIG ol' boy was brewin' in my belly for 9 months....CRAZY!!
So at 27 lbs, this boy doesn't miss many meals. Jared LOVES to eat and I mean anything and everything. I've been sitting here trying to think of any foods that he does not like and I can't think of one. He eats anything we put in front of him which makes for an easy menu. A few of his favorites would have to include, hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, mashed potatoes, green beans and pancakes. Bubbs still only has 3 teeth but in no way does this stop him from mackin down his favorites. When his tank is full, he lets you know by tossing his plate on the floor. Micah and I don't mind though, it's usually clean and if it isn't, Puggy & Vinnie are there to pick up the slack.
Well, even though Big Man can stand, walk around furniture, push play carts etc, crawling still seems to be his transportation of choice. Micah and I cannot look away for a second or Jared will be into something. Right now, the dogs bowls are our biggest battle! Jared is fascinated by these, always playing in the water and throwing kibbles about the house. We usually end up putting the bowls up but then find our dogs starving by nights end as we've forgotten to put them back down. Doesn't matter though, as soon as we pick the bowls up, he's off to play with Micah's Playstation 3 or unplug my computer, TV, air purifier or whatever he can get his hands on. He always seems to find something and most of the time, we do not even know he was playing with it, until we need it and it's not working! If I do catch him and tell him "no", he will back away and find something else. No tears or struggle, just off to another adventure. We have also found he loves anything that is technically inclined. If it has wires, buttons or gadgets, Jared wants to play with it. He already knows how to turn on all the video gaming systems and how to work the TV remotes. He watches intently when we use them and then copies us. Micah and I like to joke that he's going to be an engineer or computer genius of some sort. He is just so observant and focused. Always absorbing all there is to take in.
Jared's best friend is still Uncle Jason. Jared is just smitten with Uncle J. They seem to have a lot in common too. Both love cookies, milk and taking naps!! Doesn't matter what kind of mood Jared is in, as soon as he sees his Uncle J, a HUGE grin appears. I must say, Jason is fabulous with Jared which makes it easier on me when I have to leave Jared with him for work obligations.
Jared is also waving, talking up a storm and now DANCING!!! Micah and I caught him bustin a move to some music the other day. It was the cutest scene EVER! I must say, the boy's got rhythm too!!! I absolutely LOVE when babies dance, so my next task is to catch it on video and post it on here for you all to see.
I could just go on and on. Jared does so many new things everyday it's impossible to remember them all. He still only has 3 bottom teeth but his top 4 teeth are all at the gum line. It's only a matter of time before he has a mouth full. We also had to bump up Big Man's clothing size. He is now wearing 24 months, 2t or 3t in pajamas and size 5 1/2 in shoes. I wasn't kidding, he's one BIG boy!
My camera has been getting quite the workout these past few months. Be sure and check out all the new pictures I posted in the 11 & 12 month album. ENJOY!!
Monday, November 30, 2009 (Meeting Santa)
Santa,Santa, Santa. I took my munchkins to see Santa. Aspyn stated she wouldn't be scared this year and would be happy to show Jared "how it's done!" Well, Jared didn't seem to mind the BIG MAN in the red suit but Aspyn was NOT a fan!! Poor thing just isn't into BIG scary men, even if they do promise presents...LOL Jared was all smiles though and didn't seem to mind snuggling with him. He smiled several times and then finally realized, who the heck is this strange man that's holding me?! After about 10 minutes of sitting there, he finally realized that he wasn't as comfy as he thought. Funny thing, Aspyn was the first to run to his rescue....IRONIC! We did manage to capture two great photos though, so another success in my momma book!
I also managed to get all of our Christmas decorations up this past weekend, which Jared absolutely LOVES. He hasn't tried to grab anything off the tree just yet but I'm sure it's coming. He is just in awe of all the lights and sparkling objects hanging about. We are so looking forward to seeing his excitement on the BIG day. You know me, I will take a milliion photos to capture the event, so "Stay Tuned" for more Holiday fun.
Be sure to check out Jared's Santa Photos in the "Holidays" album. ENJOY!!
Thursday, November 26, 2009 (1st Thanksgiving!)
Jared absolutely LOVED his FIRST Thanksgiving!! Let's just say he macked down, so much in fact, it's 6:30pm now and he has been asleep since 3pm!! Talk about a FULL belly! He ate turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, deviled eggs and rolls!! The deviled eggs were his favorite....he had them all over his face, in his nose and his hair! It was so funny to watch him try all these new foods. He was throughly enjoying himself as you will see in the video posted on the front page of his site.
It's been such a wonderful day. I am truly THANKFUL to have this amazing family. It only saddens me to know that it will soon be over but Christmas is around the corner so I know another fabulous memory is waiting to be made.
Be sure and check out the new video on the front page as well as all the new photos in the "Holidays" album. ENJOY!!
Sunday, November 22, 2009 (10 months and counting...)
Well, our little BIG man is 10 months old today. Time is just flying by and it seems Bubbs is doing something different everyday. The changes are coming so fast, before we know it, we will be sitting at his college graduation! So let's see....Jared has three teeth now, all on the bottom and I did notice a fourth one trying to pop through as well. Surprise, surprise...it too, is on the bottom. Looks like Our Little Man is going to get all his bottom teeth first...LOL Jared is also standing on a regular basis and climbing on anything and everything. Aspyn wasn't a climber so this is all new to me. Boy oh boy, I can't look away for a second or he's going to be scaling the couch, the wall, the playpen, the dresser! Our days of relaxing while he quietly plays are now over. Now the REAL fun begins.
Baby food is also out the door! Jared has decided that he is threw with baby food. He will swat, push or throw any baby food he comes into contact with. He wants the REAL stuff and boy oh boy, can this boy eat!! He LOVES food and will eat anything you put in front of him. His favorites would have to include, yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, french fries, noodles, strawberries, bananas, cheese, crackers, cookies....oh lord, I could go on and on. He has eaten Mexican food, Chinese food and today, he had his first donut. The other day Micah shared a bowl of homemade beef stew with him and let's just say, Jared cleaned the bowl! Surprisingly enough, even though Jared's appetite has not decreased, our little BIG man is thinning down. He is getting so skinny and I HATE it!! I miss all his rolls!! He seems so much lighter when we carry him now and he actually has some wiggle room in his clothes. I knew with his constant movement, this day would come but I just didn't know it would be so soon! He's weighing in at 24 lbs but he's gotten so much taller. So even though he looks thinner and feels lighter, his weight is still the same. I guess it all evens out in the end.
Jared is also drinking exclusively from a sippy cup, loves to drink from a straw and is talking up a storm. When he wants something, he has no problem letting you know. His new skill is to sing while riding in the car. He will be sitting in his seat just humming a tune. Cracks us up, I tell ya! Oh, and he also gives kisses on demand now, which is my absolute FAVORITE!!!! They are big wet ones but I love them anyway and can't seem to get enough. Jared is such a good baby and so darn love-able. This is such a fun age for us. I just hate that this time is going by so fast.
Anywho, be sure and check out Jared's newest pictures in the "9 & 10 month" album as well as the new holiday pictures I posted in the "Holiday" Album. I must say, both my babies are dolls. ENJOY!!
Sunday, November 1, 2009 (First Halloween)
Jared celebrated his FIRST Halloween yesterday. He seemed to have a blast as did his BIG sissy! Of course both kids were visited by the "Halloween Pumpkin" the night before who left several fun gifts for them. The weather was absolutely beautiful all day which also stretched into the night allowing for a very comfortable night for the kids to be outside. We took the kids trick or treating in our neighborhood, which houses many many homes. After about an hour, poor Jared was exhausted and ready for bed. After a quick bath and bottle, Captain Hook was passed out for the night. Little Miss Tinkerbell could of trick or treated until the cows came home. Her feet were killing her but she insisted they would feel better once she got home. She scored BIG with a bucket stuffed so full, Daddy had to carry it home. All and all, it was a wonderful day and another memory to jot down in the ol' baby book.
Next up is Jared's First Thanksgiving and First Christmas followed by his First Birthday. My poor camera is gonna get a work out! Anywho, be sure and check out all the pictures from Jared's FIRST Halloween posted in the "Holidays" album. ENJOY!!
Comments
my boys had to have their buckets carried home too! poor fellas can't eat even half of what they got though..dang peanuts!! Traded the "bad" candy in for toys..Ian choose Hungry, Hungry Hippo and Connor got some music playing Hummer that's towing a tractor...total BOY!! Glad you guys had an awesome night!!
- Theresa
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Thursday, October 22, 2009 (9 months & counting)
Big Man had his 9 month check up today and "Bubbs" is weighing in at 24 lbs and is 31 inches tall. Dr. Scott is shocked that Bubbs is actually on the charts now, as he has been off the charts ever since he's been born! Jared is in the 90-95 percentile which means, he's still one BIG boy! Jared did great as always and was happy to show Dr. Scott his crawling, climbing and standing skills. He also carried on quite the conversation. Dr. Scott also got several hugs and wet kisses as Jer-Bear is quite the lover! No vaccinations this appointment even though Dr. Scott wanted to give him a flu shot. I do not believe in flu shots, have never had one my self, nor have my kids. We manage to stay flu free and "knock on wood" plan to keep it that way! Of course Dr. Scott gave Jared two thumbs up and sent us on our way. We shouldn't be back again until Jared turns a year old.
Jared is still sporting 3 bottom teeth. He is starting to make several new sounds and is NOT afraid to let us know when he wants our attention. He's now pulling himself up on things daily and has even managed to push a toddler toy cart around on occasion. Funny thing is, even with his ability to crawl, climb and stand, he is still content to sit and play. He loves to cuddle and give big wet kisses too.
Jer-Bear also had a new best friend....Uncle Jason. Ever since Jason returned home for the off-season, Jared has been attached to his hip. Jason and Jared are now best buds and anytime Jason is around, Jared wants to be with him. Jason calls Jared his "BIG MAN" and loves to tote him around. (it may have to do with the fact that Jason gives Jared all kinds of fun things to eat too!) I must say, it's been quite helpful with my schedule. Since Jason is home everyday, he has been helping watch Jared when I need to show property or tackle other mommy tasks. It makes me feel extremely comfortable that Jason is so good with him and takes amazing care of him when I am tied up with other things. Between Uncle Jason and Nana, Jared is Spoiled Rotten. Jason is definitely a fan favorite but when Jared is tired and wants to cuddle, he calls for his Nana.
As for food, Jared LOVES green beans, turkey/sweet potato dinner and anything with bananas. He also loves Gerber puffs, wagon wheels, cheese puffs and now yogurt bites. His favorite "real" foods are french fries, cheetos (thanks Jason), pudding, whip cream, pancakes and ice cream.
Big Man is wearing 18-24 month clothes and is in 2T pajamas. We finally had to bump up to size 5 diapers as well. The fall weather is here to stay, so Big Man also has to wear socks now which he HATES. Whenever he can, he snatches them off. We also have tried shoes on occasion (since he has almost 40 pairs) and since his feet are so darn chubby, we have had difficulty finding a pair that fits. Size 5 seems to work ok but if we can manage to keep socks on him without shoes, we do. Should be an interesting winter!
Anywho, I posted some new pictures in the 9 & 10 month album so be sure to check those out. The Halloween pictures I had taken of the kids, will be back Monday, so be sure and check back to see those as well. ENJOY!
Comments
Kudos on the flu shot Janet. I don't believe in that crap either!
- Tricia
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Saturday, October 17, 2009
Well, we started out the beautiful FALL day with Professional Halloween Pictures followed by a trip to the Pumpkin Patch. Pictures went great!! I spent WAY more than I needed to but our baby boy will only experience his FIRST Halloween once so I splurged. I won't get them back for 7 days so once I do, I will make sure and post. As for the pumpkin patch, we didn't end up staying too long as it was cold and windy. Jared didn't seem mind and enjoyed all the pumpkins strewn about the patch as well as his FIRST wagon ride.
On a side note, Bubbs is talking up a storm. He says, Hi, Hey, Dada, Nana, Baba and LaLa is the new sound he is fascinated with. He'll greet you when you walk in and last night he started waving. It always cracks me up that babies wave towards themselves. Aspyn did this as well and now Jared does too. We're still working on clapping. You know, Aspyn clapped very early and I tend to think that is because she was our first. You know when your first does something new or exciting, you usually clap and your child seeing this action so often, they imitate you. Well, with Jared, we get excited when he does something new but we don't find ourselves clapping about it. I was thinking about this the other day and my thoughts are, I need to find my inner cheerleader again and bust out the clap everytime I get excited. Good Analogy Huh?! Jared also has a third tooth that popped through the other day. Funny thing is, it's on the bottom next to his other two. Usually the top two teeth come in after the bottom two have arrived but Bubbs likes to do things differently. I don't see any signs of the top ones coming in but I had no idea another bottom one was on it's way either so I guess we shall see what happens next.
Anywho, that's it for now. Bubbs will be 9 months next week, so I will post an updated blog then. Be sure and check out the pumpkin patch pictures and some additional misc photos in the 9 & 10 month album. ENJOY!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Houston, we have an explorer. "Bubbs" (as I now call him) is all over the place. Big Man has been crawling for some time but with no real authority. Well, that has all changed. He'll be in the living room, I'll be in the kitchen and the next thing you know, Bubbs is next to me! The little booger is everywhere. It won't be long before I look over and he'll be standin' next to me. I really thought he would take it easy for awhile longer as he is so laid back and never seems to be in a hurry. I guess once you get a taste of freedom, it's hard to let go!
On the food front, Bubbs is now eating small samplings of "real" food. He really likes puffs, wagon wheels and ice cream !  On occasion, we give him pudding, whip cream and french fries. It's hilarious to see all the face expressions he makes, anytime he tries something new. His favorite foods would have to be, green beans, peas, anything with bananas  , mashed potatoes and turkey w/ sweet potatoes. I think Bubbs will have a field day at Thanksgiving this year. We've also noticed that Bubbs has quite the personality. He's always smiling, laughing and chattin' up a storm. Dada, Daddy and Baba are his new words and I swear I heard him say Mama in his crib the other day. He is such a lover too. He's a cuddle bug and gives the best wet kisses EVER!! Everywhere we go, we get compliments on how cute and well behaved he is. And I'll tell you, this little boy has Nana wrapped around his finger. Jared absolutely LOVES his Nana. He actually crawled across the room for the first time, just to see his Nana. Nana spoils this little guy rotten so I see why Jared's a fan!
Anywho, Halloween is on its way and I can't wait to post pictures of Bubbs in his costume. Nana completed his "custom costume" the other day and I must say Jared ROCKS IT! I can't wait to get the professional pictures back with both my babies in their costumes. Aspyn & Jared are coordinating this year and I LOVE it! They are just my Lover Muffins! Make sure and check out the new pictures I posted in the 9 & 10 month album, as well as the new video on the home page. Our Big Man is growing up too darn fast. I'm doing my best to document all I can. ENJOY!! xoxo
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 (8 months today...can you believe it?!)
Our Big Man is weighing in at 22 lbs and is 31 inches tall. Our "gummy" smile boy FINALLY has some teeth. We saw the first one pop through Sept 5th which happens to be the day after we returned from our trip to Cali. So it seems our BIG man was teething the whole time we were gone and you would of never known it. Not surprised though, this little guy has got to be the easy baby to take care of...EVER!!! I had a babysitter tell me (for the second time) that it's a SIN to take money for watching him. She stated he is the most laid back, happiest baby ever. He is so content to sit and play, never fusses and loves to take naps!
Anywho, tooth number two broke through on Sept 9th. So now our BIG man has two bottom teeth. I am curious to see how many more teeth Jared will get in these next few months. Once the two bottom ones come in, it seems the rest just keep comin! Jared is also starting to eat "real people" food. With Aspyn, Micah and I allowed her to try several food items early on, but for some reason, we didn't do this with Jared. He seems so content to drink his bottles and eat baby food that we never push the idea. I figured he has his whole life to eat like crap, might as well give him the good stuff as long as possible...LOL But I did splurge and give him a few french fries the other day. He was interested but quickly decided he would rather have something else. Whip cream seems to be a favorite though. Jared's a big boy with a BIG appetite, so I'll let him tell me when he is ready to try some additional foods.
Jared is also starting to pull himself up on things. We had to lower his crib and baby proof the house. He's taken a few tumbles while trying to maneuver throughout the house but recovers quickly and carries on. It doesn't appear that Jared will be an early walker. He is so content to sit and play and seems in no real hurry to get anywhere. I know that once he starts walking, it's all over for me, so I'm in NO real hurry either!!
Our BIG man is also talking up a storm. He's usually so quiet that when he gets going, we are shocked. He combines sounds together a lot like he is singing. He loves to do this while riding in the car or while I am on the phone...LOL He LOVES to get loud sometimes. Between me and Aspyn, it's hard to get a word in edge wise so when he gets loud, he's telling us, HEY, "I'm here too!"
Gosh, it seems Jared does something new everyday. Now, he is starting to clap and we're trying to get him to wave. He LOVES watching football and will sit on your lap for hours watching the game. He also likes SpongeBob Squarepants and Max & Ruby. If one of those shows come on, he stops what he is doing and all eyes are on the TV. We also lucked out with another amazing sleeper. Big Man sleeps from 8pm to 8:30am with a 1 hour nap in the morning and a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon. No need to cuddle, sing or read. Just put this boy down in his bed and he's out! It's wonderful!!
Our BIG man will be experiencing many "FIRSTS" in the upcoming months. Be sure and check back frequently for new stories and pictures. Starting with his First Halloween, First Thanksgiving, First Christmas and of course, his First Birthday! Halloween is next on our list and Nana is in the process of creating his "custom" costume. Without giving away what our BIG man is going to be, I will only say that Aspyn and Jared will be collaborating on a theme this year.
I think this sums up any news for now. Be sure and check out the new pictures posted in the 8 month album. ENJOY! xoxo
Comments
Where or where does the time go??? It's gonna go even faster with the holidays approaching.
- The Strohm's
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Sunday, September 6, 2009
Well, we're back from our vacation to California. My babies and I had so much fun that it's been two days since we've been back and we're still exhausted!!! It was so awesome seeing our family and friends, that Micah and I are already planning our next trip out there.
My babies experienced so many firsts this trip. Of course Aspyn is older so she is more aware of the activities we participated in, but I think Jared enjoyed all the attention and love he received as well. I would have to say Disneyland was the highlight of our trip, followed by the beach which is in a close second. Aspyn & Jared were both saints on the plane ride there and back. Jared slept a majority of both flights but I made sure to snap several pictures to document his first plane ride.
Aspyn absolutely LOVED the beach that I had to bribe her to leave. Thank goodness The Smith Family went with us. They have two precious boys close to Aspyn's age who also love the sand and surf. "Uncle Kenny" took all the kids boogie boarding and wave jumping while "Auntie Theresa" snapped photos capturing our memories. Aspyn absolutely LOVED the water. She called the ocean, the "BIG pool" and couldn't wait to take a dip. She ran full force ahead! We thought for sure she would hit the COLD water and run for her life but it was quite the opposite. Once she got in the water, she NEVER wanted to leave. Jared of course loved the sand. So much in fact, he conked out soon after we arrived. He slept on his beach towel for a majority of our stay. Who could blame him. La Jolla Shores is a beautiful beach. The sun was shining, the palm tress were blowing and the waves were crashing! I must say, I also had a great time at the beach. I too went wave crashing. The water felt so refreshing on a hot day and sitting back watching all the kids have such a fabulous time was just priceless!!!! The only downside was all the sand we took home. I unpacked yesterday and still found sand tucked in some weird places! As for Disneyland....where do I start?!! Growing up in Southern California, Disneyland will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart. After all these years, I must say, I still LOVE Disneyland just as much as I did when I was a kid. Aspyn and Jared had such an amazing time, I wish we never had to leave. To see the smiles on their faces and the enjoyment after every ride, was worth every dime I spent! (And let's just say, I spent quite a few dimes!!) Now I won't lie, it was smokin' hot that day...so much in fact, my poor undies were stuck to me the entire day! But even with the heat, the park was a ghost town, allowing us to thoroughly enjoy the park without any long lines! I think the longest we waited for any ride was 10 minutes. We were able to ride several "popular" rides again and again without any wait. Aspyn was one BRAVE little cookie and rode all the large and fast roller coasters without any fear. Her favorite ride was BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN. I think she rode that one 3 times. That is one fast roller coaster too! Jared was also able to go on several rides. He really liked "It's a Small World". The smile on his face was just priceless!! I think we waited the longest at the Princess Palace so Aspyn could meet the princesses. It was soooooooo hot that my poor makeup was just melting off but once Aspyn saw Cinderella, it was all worth it. I could of cried.....Aspyn was the happiest I have ever seen her! My good friend Theresa also met us up there with her 3 year old son Ian. Aspyn and Ian are buds and had one heck of a time riding things together. It was super special for Aspyn to have a friend her age to share this special time with so thanks T!! Of course I captured all of these memories on film which will be sent out in a Snapfish Album shortly. I could just go on and on...the Celebration Parade, the rides, the food, the gifts just everything was amazing. I don't think Micah will EVER forgive himself for missing the kids' FIRST Disneyland Trip but like I said, we already have plans to go back! It will be awesome when Jared is older and we can enjoy all the rides and excitement as a family!
We also enjoyed Sea World. Aspyn had a rough time there as it was extremely hot and crowded. I think we will need to re-visit Sea World when the kids are a little older. Aspyn did not have the patience to sit in the hot sun and wait for all the shows to start. But she did like the Shamu show and even asked to swim in the "BIG POOL" with the killer whales! Jared of course loved everything. He LOVES animals so he was just happy to have something to look at! We also got to spend some quality time with Cousin Angie and her family who had a BBQ in our favor and allowed us to enjoy her refreshing swimming pool. Angie, you and your family are just amazing and WE LOVE YOU! Let's see...we also saw my best friend Jenn and her adorable son Cooper. We enjoyed visits with The Wright Family, the Fink Family, The Perry Family and so many more. We are very BLESSED to be surrounded by such amazing people. My kids and I have never been so loved and I can't thank you all enough for making this trip so enjoyable. We will definitely be back and I'm hoping it's sooner rather than later!!!
As for other updates, Jared can now sit up from a crawling position and also had his first bottom tooth break through this morning. He's also talking a lot more and moving so much, he's getting to be a skinny boy (tear!) I am excited yet so sad that my baby boy is getting teeth!
Now that most of you were able to meet Jared, I hope you all can now confirm what a love bug he really is. So laid back, easy going and so darn love-able. His gummy smile can melt anyone's heart!
Be sure and check out the new pictures I posted in the "VACATION" Album. I only picked my favorites but if you want to see the entire vacation album, be sure and check out the new Snapfish Album that was created. ENJOY! xoxo
Comments
Wow! It sounds like you guys had a great time! Glad everyone got to meet your two cuddle bugs.
- Jessi
Ahhhhh he cut a tooth? I love you and your precious kiddies too. You are all near and dear to our family too. Love you, love you, love you. Can't wait to see you all again
- -Cousin Angie
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
7 months and counting! Oh, where to start. Our BIG man is just growing up so fast! Jared is weighing in at 21 lbs 8 oz and measuring 30 inches tall. He is quite active these days. He's not a super duper crawler just yet but he definitely gets to where he needs to go. He'll crawl to something he wants and then will just sit and play with it for long periods of time. Lately, he has been trying to pull himself up on stuff. It all started with my mom's DVD cabinet. He would grab on to that sucker and pull pull pull. Now he's trying to pull himself up in his crib. He's one strong little booger I'll tell ya. He also babbles all day long. Sometimes I am in the car talking on the phone to clients and Jared is back there just chatting away. I have had several people ask if I was talking to someone else
No teeth just yet and I have to say, I'm not in any hurry for them to come in. I LOVE Jared's gummy smile and I will surely miss it when it's gone. Oh and hair.....Jared's hair is surely coming in. We're thinking it's going to be light brown. The more that comes in, the darker it gets. It's hard to tell in the pictures but he has a ton of it and it's kind of course in texture. Sometimes it curls in the back. This just excites me to no end. I would love for Jared to have a head full of brown CURLY hair. And with his eyes, he will definitely break some hearts.
Jared's newest fetish is his feet. He absolutely loves to draw them in and suck on his toes. Sometimes he will be holding his foot in one hand and be playing with a toy in the other. It's quite comical. It just amazes me how he contorts himself to get those feet. He's like "jelly man"...LOL
Aspyn and Jared are also the best of friends. Aspyn is so unbelievably good with Jared. She entertains him to the hilt. No one can make Jared laugh like Aspyn can. There was a time when Micah and I thought we would stick with just one baby and focus all our attention on just her. Well, having two kids was the best decision we EVER made. Aspyn absolutely LOVES Jared and is so protective and Jared loves nothing more than to spend time with his sissy. They already "team up" and cause quite the stir. It just melts my heart to see them together. Having TWO babies has enlightened my life in ways I could NEVER explain. Motherhood has brought me eternal happiness!
I could just go on and on. I get stopped by anyone and everyone, asking to hold Jared, play with him etc. He is so fun-loving and happy. Micah and I just can't stop talking about what a good baby he is. I am just so excited that most of you will get to meet Jared next week and see for yourselves what a doll he is. One gummy grin and you all with be hooked...I promise you!!
Expect a ton of updates and photos in the next few weeks. We're heading out to Cali in a few days and this momma can't wait for her babies to experience so many "FIRSTS"....Sea World, Disneyland, The Wild Animal Park and the BEACH!!! Fun times are ahead but be sure and check out Jared's new photos in the 7 & 8 month album. ENJOY!
Comments
The whole pulling up thing...WOW, it's very tiresome...learning that first hand. Chasing our little man all over the place. Hope you guys have a great trip! I'm jealous because even I have not had those "first" experiences yet. Kisses to the munchkins.
- Jessi
And you can't forget visiting with your favorite cousin!! Can't wait for you all to get here. Working hard on the weather :-)
- Cousin Angie
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Thursday, August 6, 2009
Jared had his 6 month check up today and all is well. Our beautiful boy is weighing in at 21 lbs 13 oz and is 29.5 inches long. Dr. Scott said he is off the charts for height and weight and the only "average" measurement our BIG man has, is his head size. Jared's head measurements go right along the projected curve. Which if anything was going to be "average" about our boy, I'm glad it's his head size....no bobble heads for us!
Jared was putting on one heck of a show today! First he flirted with all the nurses, then he greeted Dr. Scott with a high pitched 'hi" which happens to be Jared's new word. He says "hi" and "hey" and even uses it accordingly. He sat up like a BIG boy his entire appt and cooperated while Dr. Scott pushed, picked and probed his chubby body. He was quite the chatter box too. I don't think I've noticed before as Jared can't get a word in edge wise with Aspyn around but today, he was saying baba and dada like never before. Dr. Scott was highly impressed with Jared's skills and stated he is at the stage of a 9 month old. Dr. Scott confirmed that teeth are on their way, as the amount of drool Jared is producing is mind boggling! We also got the ok to start finger foods. 4 shots later, we were on our way. The poor nurse said she hates giving Jared his shots. She can't resist his BIG blue eyes and long lush lashes. But even though she made my precious boy cry, he flashed her a BIG ol' grin before we left. I tell you, this boy can melt anyone's heart!
So let's see what else.....Jared is eating 3-4 8oz bottles a day with baby food for breakfast and dinner. Now we will start factoring in lunch too. His favorite foods are Banana Mango and Oatmeal with applesauce/bananas. He HATES mixed vegetables!!! If you are the lucky one who gets to feed him these, you better wear an outfit that you really don't like. This boy will spit, squirm and slap away the spoon until you give up and give him something else. I mean really...can you blame him?? Veggies are bad enough but to then eat them mixed....YUCK!
Oh and before I forget, Jared's eye healed amazingly from his tear duct opening procedure. I am so happy I chose to have that done. No more crusty eyes and the healing time was about 24 hours.
Well, I think that sums it up for now. Jared is growing so fast and doing so much everyday that I could never document it all in these blogs. I truly feel blessed we have this boy in our lives. These days I am over-worked, under-paid, under-appreciated and exhausted but one smile from this boy and I forget it all. Aspyn and Jared are my world and I never could imagine my life without them.
Be sure and check out the newest pictures in the 7 & 8 month album and the two new "talking/giggling" videos on the home page. ENJOY!
Comments
Mmmm...banana mango...that's a new one! Tell my buddy i say "hey"! :) XO
- Theresa
the big man is awesome!!!!!
- papa clyde
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