"Normal"

Normal . . . well, if there is such a thing we might be slowly returning to it. Mark is walking again . . .yes, you heard it right, NO MORE CRUTCHES! (I need to find some fun and memorable way to dispose of those things!) He is now working on slowly strengthening his legs and can walk, ride his bike and even lift some weights at the gym. Yay yay yay! Jacob's antibiotics are working and he's starting to feel better, and I already know this is going to be a very productive week at work for me :-).

Yesterday, Jacob and I walked in the March of Dimes, March for Babies. I created a team with some of my Mommy friends and we ended up raising over $1200. Thank you to everyone who donated. The weather was great for the walk, a little humid in the morning from rain on Friday evening but it never got too hot, and there was a nice breeze most of the time. I walked with two other Moms (one of whom I met after having Jacob and the other I met in our childbirth class). The babies were so good! I think the 6,000+ other walkers provided a nice distraction. We finished the 8.6 miles around noon and then had a picnic lunch at the park and let the babies play.

Our stroller sign

Half way there . . . walking is tiring!

We made it!

Showing off his shirt we made; happy to be finished with the walk and out of the stroller

Audry(6 months) , Felix (9 months) and Jacob(7.5 months) after the walk.

2011 Babies

Playing with flags at our finish line picnic

Jacob and his buddy Felix
(they were due on almost the same day but Felix arrived 5 weeks early)

Not happy that we took the flag away . . . they were only a slight choking hazard
(For those of you that think Jacob always smiles, this is proof there are a few moments he doesn't)

Yay we made it!

Spending some time with Daddy Saturday afternoon

Today we've had a fun day as a family. This morning we ran out typical Sunday errands to the grocery store and Wards Market for our fresh veggies. We found a new yummy restaurant called East End Eatery that serves lunch during the week and Sunday brunch. If you come visit we'll talk you there. :-) Jacob played on a blanket in the yard for a while this afternoon but was more interested in trying to eat the leaves and grass as usual. We made potatoes and plums for him to try as new foods thie week; if the trend continues he'll like the potatoes and not the plums as he's not much of a fruit fan just like his Auntie Erin. The weather is beautiful so I think a family walk may be in store for the evening . . . wow, I haven't said that in a while :-). Have a wonderful week!

Enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, playing with some blocks.

The grass and leaves were much more interesting.

Trying to find the perfect leaf to taste.

St.Patrick's Day

Last weekend my friend Suzanne came to visit and we had a great time catching up, and celebrating Jacob's 1st St. Patrick's Day. On Friday we had a little girl time and went to lunch and then got haircuts. Suz donated hers to Locks of Love, mine wasn't quite long enough but I still cut it short because some little someone really likes to pull hair these days. Saturday our friend Megan come up from Orlando for the day. We attempted to go to the Gator baseball game but it was too hot so we went for Fish and Chips to celebrate the holiday and had fun at home in the AC. Minus flight complications as she was leaving we had a great visit, thanks for coming Suz!

Jacob has his second ear infection since starting school, oh the joys of constant germs being passed around. He stayed home with me this week until today but finally was able to get a good nights sleep last night and appears to be on the mend. He is scooting everywhere these days but still has no desire to be on his belly. He gets around well on his butt so it looks like that's what he'll do for a while. He's starting to scoot over to things and try to pull up so who knows, maybe our next step will be walking.


He also likes to play peek-a-boo with us now while he's in his high chair. You'll see in the picture below, he tilts his head to the side to tell us he wants to play. Then, when we bend down he pops it back up quickly and laughs. It's so cute!

I think he's staying "Mom, I'm trying to read here"

Haircuts!

Happy St. Patrick's Day . . . he was much more interested in eating the grass than taking pictures

Smiling at Bailey

Peek-a-boo

He is his father's son . . . inspecting the twig (before trying to eat it)

Don't forget . . .

The March of Dimes walk is this weekend. The weather is looking good and Jacob and I are getting ready to walk 8.6 miles to raise money and support this great cause. The timing couldn't be more perfect as one of my good friend's baby was just discharged from the hospital yesterday after spending almost 3 months there because of complications from his recent heart surgery. Camden and his twin brother Nolan are almost a month younger than Jacob. We're walking for him on Saturday and for all of the other babies I know and have worked with who were born early or with complications. Even Jacob's itty bitty stay in the special care nursery for jaundice makes me appreciate this wonderful organization even more. Thank you to all of have donated already . . . and if you haven't there is still time! Click HERE to go to our page.

Here is a picture of Nolan (left) and Camden (right) that his Mom posted today. If you are on Facebook check out Courage for Camden to find out more about this strong little guy.

Catching up

Maybe if I just write little posts from my phone I'll be able to keep up. I keep waiting for a time that I cannot down and sort through all of the picture on the computer to post but I don't know if that will ever happen so phone pictures will have to do for now.

So, let's see. . .
- Mark is still on crutches but is allowed partial weight bearing now and can ride a stationary bike for 10 minutes twice a week, progress!

- The current joke ( although it's not far from the truth) is that Mark and Jacob are going to learn to walk at the same time.

- Jacob is sitting up very well these days and somehow makes it from one side of his play area to the other every time I look away. He really wants to crawl but hasn't figured it out yet. In the meantime he scoots around sitting up or goes backwards on his belly and back. He is a very busy boy these days talking and playing will all of his toys.

- Separation anxiety has officially begun and everyday when I leave him at school he screams as I leave. I can't stand it but they assure me it doesn't last long. He's definitely a Mama's boy at the moment and would love to be attached to my hip at all times

- I'm trying hard to find time, motivation and energy to write my dissertation proposal. It's coming along slowly but surely.

- Spring is in full swing in Gainesville right now. The azaleas are in full bloom, pollen is atrocious and the weather is BEAUTIFUL!

Here are a few pictures for now, I'll try to post more later. We took Jacob to the park for the first time recently and he loved the swings. He has a blanket under him in the picture, not an exploding diaper as some have suggested. We also took him to his first Gator baseball game, and he now rides in the shopping cart at the store. Happy Tuesday!

March for Babies

Jacob and I are ready to walk. We're walking 8.6 miles on Saturday, March 24th in the March of Dimes March for Babies walk in Gainesville. Please help support us in this great cause!
http://www.marchforbabies.org/hsiburt

Happy Birthday Theodore Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss)

This week at school they celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday all week.


Monday: Jacob was not feeling well from teething but he still wore his sitting hat and socks.

and his teacher put this silly hat and bow tie on everyone and took pictures :-)

Tuesday: Jacob didn't go to school. He still wasn't feeling well and had a doctors appointment so he spent the day with Mommy and missed polka dot day.

Tuesday Jacob decided he no longer wants to lay down for bath time, so this is his first bath sitting up. What a big boy!



Wednesday: Jacob wore his favorite pajamas. It was leap day and the tooth finally came in! Can you tell how happy he is!?! (So is Mommy)

Thursday: Jacob wore his best mismatch outfit and celebrated turning 7 months old!

Friday: Jacob had a long day at school while Mommy worked. It was red and white stripe day. (Thank goodness Aunt Suz sent us these great pants for Valentines Day!)

7 months old

Happy 7 month birthday to our chubby, squeaky, bouncy little man who always has a smile on his face. We love you Jacob Henry!