March 2013 - May 2013

Jake has embraced spring with lots of activities and family time! He got to spend both Passover and Easter with his OKC family and had a ball. Jake did the best an almost two year old could do at our Passover Seder. Thanks to all of the Seder participants for graciously tolerating Jake's interjections, applause, and musical interludes. GM and GP enjoyed watching Jake chow down on the Passover meal (and they each had a considerable amount of it on their clothing thanks to Jake). A special thanks to Laurie and Jon for making Jake's hunt for the afikomen both easy and full of fun surprise goodies!

 Jake did a dry run Easter egg hunt at school and really took to the idea. The next day, Jake went to an egg hunt with Oma and Opa and latched onto the idea that the Easter bunny gives out candy.  This led to Jake's relentless stalking of the furry cottontail.  Jake also got to go on a nature walk at Martin Nature Park with Mommy, Daddy, Oma, and Opa.  That boy loves his time outside!

My active boy finished his second year of swim classes and loved it!  He is quite the athletic little guy and a flirt too - he had several girlfriends by the end of the class!

Jake still loves his time at playgroup and school making friends and playing hard.  His vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds and he imitates everything.  He takes Mommy's cell phone and pretends to call someone.  The conversation goes like this, "Hello? Apple juice? Ok, bye."   After a week with GM and GP (while Mommy was working for the OKC Memorial Kids Marathon), Jake began to pee pee on the potty!  Although we are a long way from being potty trained, it's nice to know we have a start.

Jake loves his doggies more than ever and calls them "T" and "Bow."  He loves them with such gusto that the pups have found new hiding places in the house to escape his "hugs."

We are looking forward to a fun filled summer!

Drying off after swim class

Testing out the charoset he made with GM

Yummy Passover Seder meal

Afikomen presents!

Playing with GP

Applauding for Jon

Hunting for eggs at school

Jake was thrilled with this family picture 

High fiving the Easter bunny with Oma

So he just gives candy away?

Bunny, Daddy, Jake

A rare still moment with Opa

Loving Scooter

Visiting Daddy at work

Yogurt after the park

Cutie!

Sweet smile

March 2013

Spring is just around the corner and Jake is always ready to "spring" into action.  I spent many years teaching second and third graders about verbs, and now my toddler is teaching me the true meaning of action words.  Jake is always busy moving, talking, singing (loudly), climbing, playing, jumping, and thinking.  He loves to say "ta da" when he wants you to notice his latest amazing feat (thank you GP for teaching him this).  Jake also gives the best high fives and now fist bumps (thanks to Opa).  Jake loves to yell, "MOM!" or "DAD!" either from his crib or when we are within two feet of him.  Another favorite word is "wait."  He hears this a lot!  Jake's vocabulary is expanding every day so Daddy and Mommy have to watch what we say (especially during tense Thunder games).

Our little man is busy with playgroup and school (which he loves now) and will start swimming lessons again soon.  He loved swimming lessons last year when he 8/9 months old, but I have a feeling that this time around will be very different with a more active and much heavier toddler.  Mommy will surely get an extra workout in.

Jake is becoming Daddy's shadow and wants to do everything like him - even wear his shoes.  It's a sight to see him try to walk in Daddy's size 14s!  He thinks he is such a big boy and calls every child he perceives to be smaller than him a "baby."  Jake loves playing fetch with the puppies and chasing them around until he can catch them for a hug.  I usually intervene when Tank or Bella is choking for air.  Jake is an aggressive hugger!

We love watching our big boy learn new things every day.  He is so much fun!  Happy (almost) Spring!

Shanda

Highlights from February:

Valentine's Day

Multitasking by playing on the iPad while snuggling the dogs

Using Bella as a seat to eat his snack

"Umm, no Mommy, I did not just launch myself from the recliner into my chair."

Birthday!

Date with Mommy

Tank has his eye on Jake's snack

TROUBLE

Fun day at the Science Museum of Oklahoma with Mommy, Daddy, and the Walkers

Bubbles

Climbing

"Hi!"

Water table

Jake still loves anything that rolls or spins

Shooting hoops with Tyson

Such fun boys! (Tyson Walker and Jake)

Sweeping while wearing a pitcher on his head.  Don't ask.

"Mom!  Watch this!"

How the cool kids eat applesauce

Lowe's field trips are the best!

GP met Barry Switzer and got an autograph for Jake

Typical morning with Jake

Just like Daddy

Being a kid is exhausting

Puppies make great pillows

Mommy and Jake

Contemplating his busy day ahead

January 2013

Hello Friends and Family,

Wow! It's been awhile because we've been so busy with the holiday season.  Jake has enjoyed Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas being spoiled and blessed beyond measure by his family and friends.

Jake continues to be a busy, strong willed, curious, happy, and energetic toddler on the go!  I just can't even describe how that smile melts my heart (and I won't ruin this post by describing his toddler tantrums.  I'll keep his angel image in tact). He truly embodies the phrase "monkey see, monkey do" as he imitates everything and studies what people do.  It's so funny to watch him mirror our actions as he talks on the phone, does laundry, and watches sports (with passion).  Our little monkey has to be watched every minute as he is an expert climber who is fearless. Jake has also begun a language explosion mimicking words that he hears frequently.  What a fun age!

My little man enjoys going to play group once or twice a week and has a ball with the other kids (especially the pretty girls.)  Jake has also started "school" at the Child Development Center on post.  He goes to school one day a week for an hour and a half until he's more comfortable and a bit older.  Unfortunately for mommy, Jake's separation anxiety stage kicked in just before his first time to go to school, so he is still getting used to the idea amidst tears and a boo boo lip.  The CDC is a wonderful environment with caring people and I know he will love it once he realizes that Mommy does come back.  I know that he is safe and well taken care of so I try not to worry as I thoroughly enjoy my hour and a half a week working out at the gym instead of at home.

Jake loves to color, dance, run (preferably in circles chasing a dog), sing, play basketball, and "swim" in the bath.

We are looking forward to an amazing 2013 with our special boy.  We wish all of you a healthy and happy new year!

Shanda

Jake would like to share some of his favorite pictures:

Always stylin'

This required many takes and lots of silly dance moves from GP.  That man will do anything to get me to smile

Just two adorable gentlemen laying down in the driveway

Great Oma and two of her grandsons with all three of her great grandchildren

I love a good car nap

This picture is deceiving, but I'm totally just looking at the tree

I love to play outside!

Checking out the Hanukkah lights with Daddy

Hanging out with GM and GP

I love my Aunt Abby

Feeding my gadget addiction with Oma's iPad

Watching Fresh Beat Band with Finn and Sylvie

Catching up with Sylvie over some crackers

The Bandi Family

I like to cheese it up for the camera

My Finn

Finn is posing cooperatively for the pictures while Sylvie and I try to find a way to climb off the bench

Daddy and his brothers.  They are so silly!

Christmas Eve at Oma and Opa's

How does Mommy always catch me throwing leaves and dirt?

Mommy and Daddy make me smile

Christmas with Oma and Opa

Hanging out in downtown OKC.  I'm upset that Mommy and Daddy won't let me run the streets by myself.

Coloring

Sometimes you just have to stop on the stairs and read a book

Don't tell Daddy, but I needed to do some work on his computer

Sharing Cheerios with Micah

Yummy latkes

A suitcase that has wheels I can spin and I can ride on??? Thanks Aunt Harriet and Uncle Joel!

My very own microwave!

Cooking the same chicken over and over again

Mommy and me celebrating Hanukkah

Playing the piano with Jon on his iPhone