A busy month means a BIG update...

We've had a busy month and I'm very behind on my posts so here comes another big one. Our little man is growing like a weed. Jake is climbing on everything... counting up a storm (gets to 14 now without any help) and talking all the time. He loves all kinds of balls... golf clubs... flash cards... letters and books and he's combining more and more words like "nice shoes" and "big car".We've taken a "birthday" picture on the 14th of every month since Jake was born. Well this month... we almost missed it which should give some indication of how hectic this month has been for us. We had been out of town. Jake had missed his regular nap but was beginning to melt down so against our better judgement we let him go to sleep at around 6pm. His normal bed time is around 9pm so we figured that he would either take a short nap and slightly delay our normal schedule or that he might actually go to sleep for the night since he was so worn out. We were wrong on both assumptions... he slept for three hours and then woke up ready to go so we were downstairs getting him a snack at around 10pm when it hit me that it was the 14th so we hurried him up to his room to get a couple of shots. It was so late that we just left him in the outfit he had napped in ...superman t-shirt, pajama pants and socks. I'm so thankful we didn't miss it!

Happy 20-Month Birthday to Me!

Daddy, I love it when you juggle to make me laugh!

Jake and I got to tag along on another one of Trip's business trips. This time it was for a whole week for their big fall conference in Raleigh. We had a rough start to the week. I think we must have a molar starting to push through because Jake had a slight fever and was not himself on Monday and Tuesday. Lots and lots of crying and some acting out in frustration made for a couple of tough days for all of us but our sweet little boy was back by Wednesday morning so we were able to enjoy the rest of our stay. On Monday night we had dinner with my cousin Kenny. It was so great to see him and have a chance to catch up but Jake was having a very difficult evening so Trip and I took turns taking him outside during dinner. I really, really wanted to get some pictures of Kenny with Jake but it just didn't work out so we'll have to try again next time we visit the area. Jake loves airplanes and starts looking up at the sky and saying "airplane" as soon as he hears one overhead so we thought it might be fun to go to the airport in Raleigh. Luckily they have an observation deck where you can watch take-offs and Jake loved it! He would say... "again"... "again" each time one took off. We also took him to the State Fair for some "health food" and a chance to see lots of farm animals in person. He loved the fresh cut fries... the corn dogs and the homemade ice cream but he especially enjoyed seeing all the animals. He named each of them and made their sounds which was just adorable. We saw lots of great produce on exhibit too and some of it was HUGE! We saw a 10 lb sweet potato ... a 182 lb pumpkin and a 211 lb watermelon. Jake once again enjoyed staying in a hotel. When we got home last night.... he looked a little disappointed until he spotted the motorcycle in the garage and then got to see Circles for the first time in a week.

I love these honey sticks that we bought at the fair.

I need a nap. It's been a long, busy week.

Mama... look a baby calf!

Look... I can get off the bed all by myself now.

We also visited Boone this month and took Jake to eat at the restaurant where Trip and I first met almost 20 years ago. It was beautiful as always up on the mountain in the clouds. It always feels like home when we visit the High Country and we have hopes that our little boy will want to go to ASU just like his Mama & Daddy did once upon a time. Jake is absolutely fascinated with the Harley and loves to sit on it and he LOVES Daddy's helmet (motorcycle hat). He regularly makes Trip wear his helmet when he's in the house now just watching sports or cooking dinner :-)

Okay... I have my helmet and my Appalachian shirt so let's go to Boone!

I'm so tired that I can't hold my head up any longer.

When we go hiking now... Jake has to "hike" on his own and he really does very well. He hiked over a half mile the last time we hit the trail. There is a little bridge along our trail and he can now walk across it all by himself. He was so proud of himself that he crossed it over and over and over again.

Watch this Daddy!

I'm just resting for a minute before our big hike.

Driving is one of my favorite things to do!

Cooking "canpakes" with Daddy.

We had a blast earlier this month at the Serge family picnic. Jake got to see lots of family on his Daddy's side including Grandma and Grandpa. He also got to play with two of his second cousins who are only a couple of months older. The picnic is an annual event and one we look forward to so we can catch up with everyone and see how all the kids have grown.  Some of the pictures below are from Grandma and Aunt Lynne and we appreciate that they shared them with us.

I'm ready for some picnic fun with my family.

Grandpa helped me fly like Superman.

This is my cousin Nolan.

Hey Uncle Paul!

This is my 2nd cousin Brice.

He is 7 months older than me.

This is my 2nd cousin Tyler.

He is 2 months older than me.

I had fun throwing rocks in the lake at the picnic.

Here I am with my boys and my 2nd cousin Natalie.

I still love to swing and the park had a great playground.

Again Grandma... again!

This is my Daddy's cousin John. I think they look like brothers.

Catch me John... here I come...

This is my Grandma (on the left) with her sister and her brother.

I loved this stump. It made a perfect seat for me to rest and drink some milk.

Grandma brought craft supplies so all the kids could make something for Halloween.

The little girl in the middle is my 2nd cousin Natalie... isn't she pretty?

I picked a moon and a cat for my picture and Mama helped me put it together.

Bye bye Tyler!

It's just us now Grandma so you can feel free to spoil me rotten!

I had so much fun playing that I slept right through supper with Grandma & Grandpa.

Grandma & Grandpa... I'm really glad that I got to see you guys!

Here are a few more pictures and videos from the past month... enjoy and look for another update after Halloween.  We've already gotten Jake-a-pooh's costume and we're going to the pumpkin patch today.

Watching my cousin Gage play some great football with my Papaw.

I love snuggling up in my chair with Pooh.

I climbed up here to do a little yoga.

I forgot how much I love this thing. Thank goodness I saw Mama packing it away.

Jumping... jumping... jumping....

Look Mama... Daddy gave me some broccoli.

Hey... those neighbors are up to something again... look...

I've got to get this place cleaned up before Mama gets back...

So this is a milk shake... where have these been all my life?

Grover you look hungry.... eat some Cheez-its...

This asparagus is yummy!

Daddy better hurry back because this conference call is putting me to sleep.

I love to fall into the pillows!

We have a climber...

Jake continues to bring joy to us each and every day. This morning I was making his breakfast and he ran into the kitchen and said... "Mama.... H". He then made the sound for H and said "hot" and pointed up at the stove. I asked him what other words started with the letter H and he said "hat"... "head"... "hug". He was carrying a yellow letter H in his precious little hand.

He is just the sweetest little boy. He says "Mama... hug" at least 50 times a day and he'll throw in a "Mama... kiss" ever once in a while too. He also shares his daily requests for hugs and kisses with his Daddy every day. Week before last we took him to his cousin Gage's football game and he absolutely made my Mama's day. He was sitting in her lap watching the game and he said "Mamaw... hug" and leaned in for a big hug. He has always just leaned in for a hug but yesterday he started throwing his little arms around me when he wanted a hug which is just the best!!!

Last weekend we finally had our family get together for Trip's birthday. I had to postpone and give myself a little time to recover from the nasty walking pneumonia. When we finally got to do it we had such a good time. My brother and his family got Trip a fishing pole and one for Jake too. Trip hasn't fished in years and he had mentioned to my brother that he would be counting on him and my Daddy to teach Jake to fish. Well Russell hadn't forgotten that comment and decided that Trip should be part of that experience too so that's why he chose that gift. Trip was really touched and is already looking forward to fishing with his little boy.

This past weekend we took Jake to visit one of my childhood friends and her beautiful family. Their community hosts a Sr. PGA Tournament every year and they are gracious enough to invite us to attend. Trip really looks forward to watching some great golf and I really look forward to some quality time with a dear friend. My friend has two incredible children... a boy and a girl and her daughter was so sweet and wonderful with Jake. They spent the day doing all kinds of fun things like "painting" with markers and playing with her computerized shopping cart (Jake loved pushing all the buttons!). She even introduced Jake to Play Doh which he really enjoyed.

This Play Doh stuff is awesome Emmy!

I like to drink straight from the cup now... no straw.

Happy 19 Month Birthday to Me!

I splashed lots of rocks in the tunnel on our trail last week.

I love a good snack after my nap.

Here I am practicing with my new fishing pole.

Going for another spin in my car.

Mama... are you taking another picture?

Mamaw... you are so much fun!

Here I am with one side of my family.

Halftime at the football game so we're just watching cars go by...

Papaw loves me so much! I'm his best buddy.

We have a climber...

Happy Birthday Daddy!

WARNING: I'm a little behind on my posts so this one is pretty long.

Happy Birthday Daddy!


Jake had a great doctor's visit last week. He is 31" tall and weighs 21 lbs. He has learned his colors and his shapes plus he knows lots of concepts like big/little, up/down, in/out, over/under, open/closed and on/off. Our Doc calls him our little genius which really tickles his parents :)

Today we visited one of the parks near our house. It was our first time there but it definitely won't be our last. They converted an old speedway in our community and now it has bike paths, walking trails, volleyball courts, basketball courts, roller hockey, lawn bowling, open fields and a fantastic playground.

Wheeeeeee.......

Hey... wonder if I can walk through this tunnel? I might be too tall now.

Check out this cool airplane that I got to "drive".

Hey Mama! We're up here!

Daddy ... you should ask Mama if you can have an ice cream sandwich too. Remember to say "please" and "thank you".

I'll throw this big rock in the water next Daddy.

I love to help Daddy rinse the truck.

We have been on the road again... another business trip with Daddy... this time to Raleigh. We left bright and early for what should have been a 4 hour drive. Unfortunately... just 15 minutes into our trip we came to an abrupt stand still on the interstate. A tractor-trailer had overturned and all lanes were completely blocked. We were parked for a little over 2 hours before they were able to reopen a lane. Well ... believe it or not... about 30 more minutes down the road... another parking lot. This one lasted about a little over an hour and then we were off again. By this time... Trip had already called in to let his co-workers and his boss know that he was going to be really late for the staff meeting and it was a good thing that he had because we ran into yet another slow down that delayed us by another hour! Our 4 hour adventure ended up taking us 8 hours! Thankfully, we had packed a cooler full of water, snacks and sandwiches so we didn't starve or have to eat fast food. Thanks to the food along with lots of toys, a couple of good naps and his portable DVD player... Jake did amazingly well.

Daddy and I are standing on the interstate!

Can I drive us to Raleigh? I'll wear my seat belt.

Jake really enjoyed staying in a hotel again... especially the pool and the elevator. Trip took him swimming both nights that we were there and as you'll see from the pictures and the videos... he loved it. Jake and I had our own little adventures during the day while Trip was in meetings. We visited Marbles Kids Museum one day and Pullen Park the next. Both were great fun and sure to be on our to do list when we visit Raleigh again. They had a huge train table at Marbles and Jake was so sweet with the other kids. If he saw another child that didn't have a train to play with he would find one and take it to them. Trip and I have always believed that he has a tender heart and he continues to reinforce that belief.

Catch me Daddy!

Mama... where is all this water coming from?

I shared with lots of kids and this little boy shared with me.

I loved this giant train table.

Playing in the water is ALWAYS fun!

What color should I use next Mama?

Mama and I built a big house with these giant Legos.

Get in Mama and I'll take you for a drive.

Mama ... do you think Daddy will let me borrow this shirt?

Daddy... can we get a pool at our house?

Again Daddy... again!

Swimming... jumping and dancing...

Mama... riding this carousel is so fun!

I'm so excited! I can't wait to ride this train!

Mama... this has been such a fun day!

Do we have to leave Mama? I'm not even tired yet.

Below are a few more snapshots from our day to day life the past couple of weeks. He still loves to "write" with his "pens" and I'm eternally grateful that Crayola makes washable products. We have always called our little man Jake-a-Pooh or Pooh for short and as luck would have it Winnie the Pooh is his best friend. He has to have Pooh now when he goes to sleep and his Daddy and I have to kiss and hug Pooh good night which we don't mind at all.

No Daddy... I'm not ruining my supper. I'm just having a few animal crackers as an appetizer.

Here I am kicked back in my very own La-Z-Boy!

Wonder what my foot will look like if I color it green?

Mama... no picture please. I just woke up.

Drinking from a cup like a big boy!