October 8 Update

Hello friends and family,

Jake has had a busy fall thus far!  In fact, "busy" is the best word to describe Jake these days.  His mind, body, and mouth are constantly on the run making life full of laughter and joy for Mommy and Daddy.  At his 15 month appointment, Jake weighed 22 pounds 3 ounces and was 30.5 inches long.  He loves to eat and hums and dances to express his satisfaction with his meal.  If it's really a hit, you'll hear him say, "Mmmmm." Dessert has become a favorite - ice cream, oreos, chocolate chip cookies - oh my!  Of course, Mommy and Daddy keep it in moderation and he still loves all of his healthy meal items.  Jake has started to use a fork or spoon.  He does great with it, however, food doesn't often reach his mouth.  No worries, Jake uses his hands to scoop up any food particle he may have missed and then shovels it in his mouth.  Tank and Bella are thrilled with his less than stellar utensil skills - more snacks for them!

Jake loves to play outside.  The playground on post is a favorite - especially when Daddy comes.  Jake is fearless and adventurous.  He enjoys climbing up the slide and then sliding down on his tummy (feet first).  Mommy is always so proud of his athletic skills, even though I spent 7 years telling kids NOT to do this at school.  It is so fun to watch Jake have so much joy when he's moving, playing, and enjoying being a toddler.  He loves to march, spin, do pushups, and run!

Our big guy is definitely strong willed, curious, and loves to learn.  He has become quite the mimic. Jake thinks other kids are so much fun to play with, but his dogs are still his favorite playmates.  Tank and Bella get frequent "good dog" pats and lots of hugs and kisses (sometimes surprise ambushes are a more accurate description).

Jake goes to story time once a week at the library on post.  They dance and sing a song, hear a story, and then do a craft that goes with the book theme.  My happy little man loves the dance, usually causes trouble during the story, and then joins back in for the craft.  Most of the kids at story time either sit nicely on the carpet to hear the story (the older kids) or cling to their parents (the kids Jake's age or younger).  Jake doesn't fall into either category.  Mr. Class Clown likes to walk in front of the story and giggle, turn on the CD player during the story, and sit in other kids' laps (if it's a pretty girl, she will get a kiss on the cheek).  I get a bonus workout chasing him.

In September, we got to take a family trip to Adams and Syracuse, NY for my cousin, Katie's wedding.  Jake got to meet and spend time with one of my dearest friends, Jen Surette, and her kids, Laurelle and Brayden.  Jen and I became best friends when I moved to NY and our husbands were deployed together.  It was so heartwarming to introduce her to Jake and to snuggle her kiddos.  We missed seeing her husband, Tristen, who is currently in Korea.  Spending time with Jen, her kids, and her parents was so special.  Jake realized he was loved by a family he didn't even know he had.  How blessed he is!  As always, I was amazed at her strength and patience at juggling a full time job, two amazing kids, and a hectic schedule while her husband serves his country for the zillionth time.  We had such a blast and Jake loved playing with the big kids.  He learned so much from Laurelle and Brayden (he even learned how to spin from their dog, Katie) and got spoiled silly by Aunt Jen.  Jake also got to meet my friends at Sherman Elementary and Aunt Jess Hyde. We visited the Cider Mill for fresh donuts and the Thompson Park Zoo.  The weather was perfect!

After our time in Adams, we went to Syracuse for the weekend.  Aunt Jen, Aunt Jess, and the kids joined us to take care of Jake while we enjoyed the wedding festivities for Katie and Adam.  Jake partied at the hotel with the Surettes while we got to spend time with the Bontempi and Van Horne families.  Jake got to meet his Bontempi aunts and uncles, his cousins (Matt, Pat, Katie, Adam, and Sabrina) and he got to hang out with his new baby cousin Lexie.  What a fun weekend we had celebrating a fantastic couple.  We all really enjoyed ourselves.

More fall fun ahead for the Bandi's and we can't wait.  Happy Fall!

At storytime (facing the audience of parents and NOT the book)

Jake was so into shaking his instrument that he forgot to join the train.  

Jake got his first haircut - thank you Katie!

Delicious!

Ready to board the plane to NY!

Jake and his buddy, Brayden

Snuggles from Laurelle

Movie before bed

Burrville Cider Mill

Loving the fall weather

Loving the cider donuts more!

Aunt Jen has a bouncy house - yippee!

Rough and tumble boys

Matt, Lexie, Jake, and Shanda!  A new generation of cousins.

At the zoo.  Jake loved the donkeys (no political reference intended).

Checking out the snowy owls

Jake loves brushing his teeth (when he controls the brush)

At the cider mill

Boomer!

July and August 2012 - Almost 14 months old!

Hello friends and family,

Jake turns 14 months old on Saturday and he is quite the character.  Our sweet little baby has turned into a ham of a toddler!  He keeps us laughing (and moving) all of the time.  Since his birthday, Jake has had a busy summer.  It got off to an exciting start with the discovery of his peanut allergy (and his first ER trip), which has led to a new lifestyle of making sure that all food that enters his body or touches him are peanut and tree nut free.  Although not an easy task, it certainly could be much worse so we are thankful that we know and we hope he will either grow out of it or learn to grow up with it.

Jake started walking on July 8th...and started running on July 9th!  He is so proud of himself as he continues to gain speed and stability.  He is thrilled with his new independence and craves more. Walking has opened up a whole new world to our curious little explorer and Mommy and Daddy have had to do some quick thinking to prevent major disasters.

Jake loves to play outside.  His wagon, cozy truck, and water table are favorites when we can deal with the heat.  He also enjoys bouncing and rolling footballs and basketballs.  Tank and Bella are learning to run when Jake "dog" piles them to either wrestle or snuggle.  We are lucky - our dogs are so patient and loving toward their human brother.

We began our August with a fun family trip to Phoenix, Arizona to celebrate Adam and Shelly's wedding.  What an awesome time!  I can't say that traveling with a 13 month old was a party, but I am thankful for the members of "Team Jake" who helped keep him safe, fed, happy, and entertained on both flights and throughout the weekend.  I am so glad we got to be there to witness a beautiful wedding weekend for a special couple.

After we returned from Arizona, Jake got another dose of family fun when Uncle Luke, Aunt Stephenie, Sylvie, Uncle Seth, and his friend Kristin came to OKC for a visit. We had a ball watching Jake and Sylvie play and interact (often causing trouble, but in a super cute way).  What a lucky boy Jake is to have a loving family on both sides.

THINGS JAKE SAYS:
mama, mom
daddy, dada, dad
hi dada
night dada
oh geez
cheese
teeth
juice
up
poop (thanks Daddy for that one)
hush (from Goodnight Moon)
yikes

THINGS JAKE DOES:
goes to get a book (and even specific books by title) when asked
says "hush" when reading Goodnight Moon
goes to the fridge and requests cheese
waits at the door and greets Matt with "hi dada"
laughs with a hearty "haha" to get attention
opens your hand to put a book in it when he wants to read
touches his head, belly button, and teeth when asked
dances by bending his knees and nodding his head when asked to dance

THINGS JAKE DOES BUT SHOULDN'T:
climbs onto the fireplace
dumps the dogs' food and water bowls
turns the cable box off - repeatedly
steals the remote
steals all iPhones
climbs up Oma and Opa's stairs
steals food out of our hands

No matter what Jake does, he is always "stealing" our hearts.  More to follow!  In the meantime - here are some pictures of Jake from July and August:

Wagon ride

Thunder Up

Spending the 4th of July playing with the pups

At the park with Mommy and Daddy

Cruisin' the neighborhood

Playing with the water table

Bath time!

Morning snack in AZ with GP

Pool time with Mommy

Relaxing poolside with GM

Just exploring

Soaking up the AZ heat

Aunt Jaime came to play

Morning fun with cousin Sylvie

Cute as can be!

Those pups are funny

Puppy love

Jake is 1!

I could type for days and not truly find the words to describe what a wonderful 1st year we've had with our sweet Jake.  Matt and I are constantly amazed by him.  His silly, fun loving, curious nature makes him a joy to watch grow.

This month he continues to cruise with increasing confidence and often takes the risk of letting go - I know walking is coming soon!  He loves to play, especially with all of his new birthday toys.  He's completely weaned (Mommy says, yippee!) and loves whole milk.  Jake loves to eat, especially his fruits and veggies, cheese, yogurt, and chicken.  There isn't much he refuses!  Tank and Bella remain his favorite targets for practicing "banging things," although he intends to taunt them with love.  We have a grand total of 7 teeth.  At his 1 year appointment he weighed 21 pounds, 12 ounces, was 30 inches long, and growing like a weed.

Here are pictures from this past month and his 1st birthday party.  Thank you to our friends and family who continue to make Jake feel special and loved!

We look forward to continuing to share our journey with you!

Shanda

Always Thundered Up

After swim class party

We are working hard on keeping a hat on outside

Snacking with GP

Birthday Banner

GP and Jake

Balloon Wreath

Table decoration

The guest of honor's throne

Sweet treats from Saradee

Jake had to be awakened from his nap for his party, so he was feeling a bit shy

Mommy and Jake

Snuggling with Amber

Jake wouldn't let go of Opa

Banner with a picture from each month

Opening presents

Daddy, Mommy, and Jake

Happy Birthday!

Jake was ok with the cake, but preferred sugar snap peas and cheese

Tyson, Jake, Harrison

Checking out his new books with Oma

Always sharing snacks with Tank and Bella

Pushing his new shopping cart

Styling in his new Seattle Mariners hat from Aunt Abby