"In the leafy tree tops...

...the birds sing good morning." No, they really do at our house. We have all sorts o' colored birdies out there. Jacob likes to look out of the window and I like to pretend he's looking at the birds. I know he can't wait to get out there come springtime (well, I guess I could take him out anytime, since it was 65 degrees yesterday...details...we're more park people). Here he is getting excited to play in the backyard. Whenever momma gets him out there.









Oh yeah, and this is the first of a couple of new posts. The fun doesn't stop here!

Who knew food could be so interesting, frightening and messy?

Well, I guess with a baby I did realize the messy part. However, we are attempting (read: failing) to introduce some finger foods to Jacob. So far he has rejected (read: thrown up) peas and bananas. He's just got a really fabulous gag reflex. I joked about it before, but this is a very real gag. (Shudder and all!) So, this post is also a plea for help. If anyone out there has any suggestions of how to get the little nipper to actually swallow finger foods, we're all ears!

He is making baby steps towards eating finger foods though. He plays with peas.






And fears Cheerios. Sinister little o's aren't they?









The only food he wants either comes from a bottle or is pureed to lumpless perfection. Here's the messy part (be warned).









Good thing I just dispensed with clothes altogether before pulling the prunes out.

Sunday Snow

We have 9:00 church and, since Jacob wakes up at 5:45 every morning, he typically has time for a little snooze right before church. Last Sunday it "snowed" over night, a very good photo op for this su'thurn boy. We knew we had to act fast and take the picture before church, because it would be long gone afterwards. So, we woke Jacob up (I can't stand doing that...but I guess for church it's okay, right? Right?) and marched him over to the window for this picture. Pretty alert and vivacious, huh?



Here's the most interest he showed in this whole experience.



and yes, he is wearing a pale yellow sweater vest and blue cords.

I see my Jacob kneeling

He just started this, in earnest, yesterday. Pretty smart boy, eh? Even when he's sick he's still learning and growing. You can't keep 'im down.



Matt told me that he went from tummy to bottom this morning, but I've never seen it so I don't really believe it. (If a baby has a milestone and the momma is not there, did it really happen?) This is all I see him do which is such a funny pilates sort of pose. He's very into fitness apparently.



The following are pictures of him in various stages of kneeling, because darn it, I couldn't pick just one to post. Please don't judge us by our mexi blanket/ghetto babyproofing in the background...it's very challenging to tastefully pad a stone fireplace.















Jacob was WAY congested over the weekend and he knew it. That's why he sat himself straight up in the bouncer to promote good nasal drainage. What a smart little dude. Maybe his stroke of genius is partly due to the 3-a-day Baby Einstein viewings we had over the weekend (which is what he's doing in these pics).






Jacob was also forced to do something quite unbearable this weekend: breathe almost exclusively through his mouth. Dun, dun, duuuuun.



Today he's much happier and more playful and is, as we blog, staring at the birdies outside our window. Welcome home son, welcome home.

What do all of THESE things have in common?

Yes, yes, the baby boy is sick. He and momma both have colds. My poor baaaaaaby! He has been crabby these last couple days while I've had a sore throat. Anyone who has spoken to me for more than, um, thirty seconds is aware of his "unexplained" crankiness (and my explained crankiness)...but I think now we might have a lead. Last night the congestion fairy came to visit him and me. So I think we're on the same sickness track and Tuesday and Wednesday were his sore throat days too. Should a mother be glad her baby is sick? I was getting so worried that he was going to be an grumpy baby & child well into adulthood...so I'm actually breathing a sigh of relief that he's sick. In an empathetic, Florence Nightengale sort of way. Plus, now Matt knows why I've been so cranky!

Anyway, Jacob's being a trooper and abiding constant nose wipings. We should be better in no time. I personally feel pretty good, but I think that's because I can blow my nose and I don't depend on a milk product for 3/4 of my food. Just a thought.

Oh yes, and here's another must for me for a sick baby day.



Happy sneezing and snacking!

What do all of these things have in common?

Calling all loved ones...

This past week our guest room was occupied by none other than Grandma Hutchison! She came to see Jacob and to be my body guard. (Matt was away for work one night). We had a great time, and I especially learned a lot during her visit. Thank you for coming!



Now we know that there are obstacles for some of you to visit as easily as Grandma Hutchison did. We also know that there are not as many obstacles for others to visit. But we want you all to salivate over our meticulously decorated guest room that awaits ANY and ALL who wish to visit us. There is room in the inn. A room with lighthouses on the wall, boxes and cinderblocks under the bed, bride and groom bears on the bed and chocolate on your pillow.



Along with the complimentary chocolate, I promise to put at least one fresh flower in your room.



You'll even have your own turquoise bathroom with seashell accents.



I don't think you could ask for anything more. Well, maybe some clam chowder and a big cable knit sweater.

We can't wait to see you all come flocking to our door. We were under the impression that, "if you clean it, they will come". So come on already!

And don't make Jacob beg. Because if he does...



He...



will...



win.

A subject in fast life: Jacob

The man is creeping, crawling and all around plowing it up over here. Two minutes, a phone and a camera are all it takes to record this broad range of emotions and movements.