Walking!!!!!

So, I finally figured out how to upload videos on here! I've been trying to catch jake walking all week, but he really likes my camera, so he always drops down and crawls over when he sees it.  So far all I have gotten are these 3 steps.  But his personal best is 10! yay Jake! He is getting better every day :) 

road trip, got sick, new toy, new trick

Just so you know... this is kind of a wordy little post, but if you read the whole thing, there is an exciting little tidbit at the bottom.  And NO, it's not that I am pregnant, and no, it won't be that for a long time thank you very much. But I hope you like it anyways!

The last couple weeks have been pretty eventful for us.  We decided to take a last minute trip down to Arizona, for one thing!  Wesley has been wanting to get me down to Phoenix ever since we got married to show me around his old mission stomping grounds.  I knew it was only a matter of time before we would make a trip once my dear sister Jessica relocated last fall.  Truth be told, if Wesley could settle down anywhere in the continental US, Arizona would be his top choice.  We had so much fun, and felt so comfortable in nate and jess's cute apartment.  It rained for half the visit, but we didn't really care--it was just nice to get out of the subzero utah snow.  It was my first time visiting the area (other than the grand canyon when I was little), and I've gotta say, I actually really liked it down there! I do think I would need to come back in a few months to get a realistic feel for the place.  That's when it becomes unbearably hot and miserable.  Still, the winters might just be a fair trade in my opinion!  

So anyway! We drove down on a Friday afternoon, and after a 10 hour drive, got there around midnight--Jake did fantastic in the car, we couldn't have been happier.  The trip was wonderful up until the day before we left when Jake caught a terrible cold, and we were up all night with our poor jakey and a 102 temperature.  We felt so bad for the little guy, but he was such a trooper!  Those couple of days really showed us what we were made of because we naturally got sick too, and then had to do the long drive home with our miserable baby, and our even more miserable selves.   We had booked a room in Vegas to cut the trip home into two days.  We were glad to stop and rest, but I wouldn't say that walking around the hotel in our jammies with a crying baby until 2 a.m. is my idea of a vacation.  BUT! we survived and are now home and recuperating.  So, that was our trip to Arizona.  We didn't take very many pictures, sorry! but here are a couple.

Jake was so excited to see his Aunt and Uncle! Pretty soon he'll have a little cousin to play with when we get together!!!

 My favorite thing about Glendale? In-N-Out!!!!

(we went twice...totally worth it.)

  

Two more random things:

We went to ToysRus on Valentines Day to pick out a present for Jake.  (Since we were all sick peas in a pod, we told Jake he could be our valentine too.) We ended up picking out the most random thing, which Jake actually loves! We turned his playpen into a ballpit.  So really it was a present for me because anything that keeps Jake entertained in his playpen is a winner in my opinion!

And the Grand Finale announcement.....drumroll please...

Yesterday, February 16th, Jake officially took his first steps!!!!!!!!!!  Wes and I were mostly ignoring him and watching Jack Bauer kicking butt on 24, and Jake was walking along the edge of the couch, around our legs.  As if he did it all the time, Jake nonchalantly took two steps all on his own!  He did it again a few minutes later.  He has yet to walk when I call him (he gets too excited and crawling is faster!)  I will keep you posted on his progress.  Speaking of progress, Jake is still sleeping through the night-- 8+ hours all by himself! hooray!  I can't believe my little baby is already learning to walk!  Time flies huh?

Let it Snow!!!

We finally took some pictures out in the snow--props to Wes for taking them, and props to grandma for the adorable snowsuit. And mostly, props to Jake for being so so cute! I love his little chinese eyes!

Celebration

Today is a great day.  Since he was about 4 months old, Jake began a long and painful teething process.  As of a few days ago, he has 6 whole teeth, four on top, two on the bottom. During this time, he woke up 2 to 3 times a night, and on the days leading to each tooth, we pretty much had all night parties together and sleepovers on the floor.  Jake is so adorable and we love him very much, so this is in no way a complaint on my part--I know its all just a part of being parents.  But anyways--I caved to a lot of the co-sleeping these last few months.  However, a couple weeks ago I decided enough was enough, and we needed to get him sleeping a little longer at night, and the sleepovers needed to end.  Wesley and I prayerfully began a sleep-training routine involving a lot of rocking and reassuring on our part, and some tears on Jake's part.  The first few days it seemed like Jake would be both scarred for life and unable to get to sleep on his own.  But we saw small improvements with each night that went by.  I am happy to report that the last three nights Jake has gone to bed with little protest and slept a 7 hour stretch on his own!!!  For Jake--a child who has done this maybe 4 times in his entire life--this is an epic step.  Today I woke up with a great sense of well-being.  I'm not sure if this progress is because of our rigorous sleep-training, or maybe Jake is just finally feeling relief from his mean little teeth.  Probably a combination of the two.  But in any case, I see two options.  option A--hold off on my celebrations because who knows how long this will last.  option B--go ahead and feel joy in our success.  Maybe our luck will end and I will have to get up 5 times tonight.  But for now, I am rested and happy.  I might as well soak it in!... So I chose option B.  Today is truly a great day.  

Christmas!

Christmas.  What can I say? It was fabulous.  I knew that it would be a good one--the first with our little son Jacob.  But then, it ended up being truly memorable.  We found a great deal on some flights to Virginia, and my good husband agreed to jump on board with me and surprise my mom on Christmas Eve.  We stayed for 10 days--and they were so wonderful!!!  if you want to see my moms shocked reaction to find us standing in her kitchen right in time for Christmas dinner, you can find it on my sister sydney's blog.  I have about a hundred pictures I wish I could share with all of you from the holidays, but that would be insane. Also, I doubt you really want to look at that many.  But I will post up some of them, with little blurbs underneath.  I hope you like them!

Jake was so excited for the trip to Virginia! Well, at least if he knew thats what was happening, I'm sure this would've been his exact reaction.

Helping us pack.  Or chewing on the suitcases..

"Come on mom, let's go let's go!"

Since we flew out on Christmas Eve, Jake got to open his presents on the 23rd.  I think he was mostly excited about the wrapping paper. 

At my parent's house, Christmas Eve-- Brats & Sauerkraut- mmmboy.

Jake was so excited to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa!  He loved all the attention, and seemed to remember them from thanksgiving still, which was cool. I'm sure all the web-chats helped too :)

We did New Years Eve tepanyaki-style again, and it was sooo good. Wes and I are thinking about continuing the tradition every year!

A trip to Fredericksburg wouldn't be complete without an afternoon downtown. I love that place!

In front of Eileens Bakery--the most fabulous pastry shop on the East coast, in my opinion. 

I love how my mom propped up our box of pastries for the picture.

maybe next year Jake will enjoy the pastries too?

One day we went to Williamsburg.  It was so much fun!  Everything was so Christmasy, and there are a few streets with all original homes and buildings from the Colonial times. Also it was like 60 degrees--very refreshing after the 15 degrees we were doing in Utah.

It was so wonderful being able to spend 10 full days with Wesley.  He has been working a lot and it was just great for Jake and I to see so much of him over Christmas.  

These were not very comfortable-- This would have been a sucky punishment for sure.

Jake loves playing this game with his dad.  An awesome shot by Sydney.

The trip came to an end of course, and now I am just trying to get back to the old routine.  I've been thinking a lot about all the things I have to be thankful for.  It's just amazing how much can happen in one year. Just one year ago, I was growing a belly, and we had just chosen a name for our soon to be son.  Now little Jacob is about 18 pounds, has 6 teeth, and is getting very close to walking.  We are truly grateful for how much we have been blessed this year.  I'm starting to forget what life was like before I was a mom.  And you know what? thats alright, because with all the challenges of motherhood, the rewards have been incredible.  I am so lucky to have such a sweet little boy and such a supportive husband.  I love them both very much.  I'm sure this New Year will bring with it many new trials and surprises, but I'm not worried--With wonderful family and friends, and the gospel in my home, I know that I will be blessed with all the love and support that I need.  Happy New Year everyone! 

3 Cheers for 3 Years!

This past Wednesday Wesley and I celebrated our anniversary.  I just wanted to give a shout out to my great husband--Wesley, I am so happy that we got married that snowy December afternoon 3 years ago! You are the love of my life--you treat me so well, you are such a great dad, and my love for you just continues to grow.  Thank you for being so wonderful, for sweeping me off my feet, for being such a hard worker, for taking care of me when I was a miserable pregnant lady, and always indulging my excessive need for attention.  Jake and I both adore you and are truly grateful to have you leading our family.  I can't wait to see what the future holds, and I look forward to the many adventures to come! Love You!!!!!

Curious Jake

Lately, Jake has become obsessed with climbing up the hearth and looking into the fireplace.

I suspect he is looking for Santa. 

Merry Christmas!!!