All about Jake

Read the last 15 posts (or more) and I'm sure you won't miss the name Nora in any of them, but Jake & I get lost in the excitement we have for raising a sweet little girl.  So this one is about Jake. 

Recently, he joined a basketball league with my brother-in-law John. They have had 2 games; lost one, won the other and after a while of not playing I'm excited to announce that he is OK with no injuries.  He did bump up the cardio at the gym the week before to kind of "get him in shape" since most of the guys playing with him have college basketball experience.  Downfall to basketball...they have really late games-this week 9:45 pm start...in Greenwood.  This means a late night after the game, but it gives him a chance to get away and do something he enjoys. 

Still as handy as ever! Doing projects around the house that I'm sure he would rather not do like rearranging pictures or touching up nail holes from rearranging pictures.  Lately, we've been working on a huge-over-arching-project that entails cleaning out the loft to make a "play room" for Nora and in the process cleaning out the spare room to fit my craft stuff & all the junk from the loft.  Needless to say, we are having a garage sale in May. 

Emerging on the cooking front. I asked him to give me ideas for dinner meals because after thinking about food all day, teaching others about food all day, then coming home to cook....its the last thing I want to think about.  So, he whipped up chicken cordon bleu last week and has some kind of Mexican steak something planned this week or next.  The only downfall to this is getting random stuff we don't already have in the pantry to make the recipes he picks out..like adobe peppers that were $$ at the store for a little can. 

Best Daddy ever. Playing with Nora and reading to her are my favorite things to watch.  Melts my heart all over again to see him soft and gentle with her.  (we are still working on voice tone-sometimes she is overly sensitive to it and cries.)  She squeals as he says "I'm going to get you..." as she tries to run, but with too much excitement takes a tumble. She loves him and is so excited to see him when he gets home from work. She has started noticing the garage door opening when I say "Daddy's home!" so now when she hears it she pauses and then crawls/walks to find him. 

Not too much new going on, but I feel like he isn't a part of my blogging now, so this one is for you Hun (since I know you are reading this from work!). 

Revival is Good!

Part of why I haven't had a chance to blog as much is because of all the things we have had on our schedule.  One of which included a 7 day Revival at our church.  I'll make this more brief than it really could be (ie...see last post!) It was a few weeks ago, but nonetheless one of the best weeks of our lives! We made the commitment to attend as many of the services as possible and by the end of the week were all 3 exhausted and sick since Nora was in the nursery (with lots of germ carriers!).  The services were on a variety of topics including, but not all, roles of husband and wife, forgiveness, parenting, trusting in the Lord, etc. 

Besides the great fellowship of many of our friends, new friends, and other church members we learned a lot about each other and what we were and were not doing to fulfill our God given roles.  Fast forward to the end of the Revival when people are sharing their testimonies....the visiting Pastor was inviting people to share, in front of the whole church congregation 700+ people, and mentioned that one way to know if God is working in you to share is that your heart will be beating faster than normal. 

That was it, convicted on the spot & then he throws out that there is no such thing as delayed obedience. You either do it when you are called to or you are being disobedient-double convicted! So I sat and deliberated on whether or not I had the courage to get up in front of the whole church to share-thinking there is no way I'm sharing! Little did I know in 5 minutes I was convicted of 3 huge things: not wanting to share how God has worked in my life in front of the whole church, being obedient & being prideful.  So, I started to take notes on a scrap piece of paper and 5 minutes after (as the Pastor was still calling people to share) I saw Jake starting to take notes...at that moment I knew we could do it together.  I didn't feel comfortable going by myself, but if he was going with me I was OK with it! So, we walked down from our seats in the balcony and waited for our turn. 

Sobbing as the brokenness had gotten to both of us, we shared how the Revival had worked and changed our perspective & lives...in front of the whole church.  Not as bad as I thought it was going to be & we both felt much better after.  We are forever grateful for the Life Action Ministries Revival team that helped us to get on track in all aspects of our lives.  If the chance arises, don't let it pass you up-it just might be one of the best things that could ever happen to you too!

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Matthew 5:6

Later after the service it hit me when I was introducing Jake to one of the moms from the moms & tots group at church that I didn't actually have to introduce him-we had already done that earlier. 

The Most Random Blog Ever

Usually I think about what I'm going to post about before typing away, but this time I decided to just type as I think. It will probably be the most random bits of stuff you have ever heard and some that you don't care about, but that's the way my brain does it ALL of the time...I just usually organize it! {side note: I just had to mute the TV so I could think! Who's ever heard of Xia Xia pets? Creepy!}

I feel like the last few days have actually been an entire month.  I was talking to Jake last night about how before Nora I thought I never had time for anything and now I really feel like that, but I've been very good at managing my time.  I'm quick and efficient with a list to keep me on track or else nothing gets accomplished. 

I've been working on the whole list thing with Jake and I finally have him understanding the importance.  Last Sunday, we hosted Thanksgiving at our house for my brother, Beth, my mom, Alan, & my sister and the kids.  He had a list (in his head) of things he needed to get from the grocery on Saturday to be ready for Sunday.  He ended up forgetting 1 or 2 of the less than 5 thing list and decided it was a good idea to be a list maker.  I mentioned its a good thing we live 5 minutes from the grocery!

TV time has been cut drastically. The only shows I watch are Survivor & Pan Am and Greys, but only if its a new episode.  I've also come across 2 30 minute shows that with DVR are only 20 minutes: Mad Fashion & Fashion Hunters.  We have pretty much decided that our time is used wisely with out the function of a TV so when our "deal" is up in March we are ousting the cable & being more productive.  I say all that and then mention that Jake went out to get us smart phones-apparently we were part of 4% of people w/o them (phew, glad to be out of that category {sarcasm})-on Black Friday.  We have been filling a good amount of time learning about them, playing games (side note: if only Scrabble was titled "Words with Friends"...I bet they would have more business), etc on them.  Did I mention we have Angry Birds? Jackie & Al I bet you guys are proud right about now! Anyway, the best part about the phones for me is I can take pictures and videos of Nora & send to Jake when hes working. 

Speaking of Nora, who is so graciously napping, she is all over the place!  We have had a few more bumps, bruises, and scratches here lately due to her daring moves (aka reaching for other objects clearly out of reach and falling).  I squint when I see it from a distance & hope she doesn't cry.  I've been better about following her around and make sure shes OK. Jake tells me she has to learn somehow.  Last night Jake was working out and I was putting her to bed.  5 minutes after I laid her down she started screaming, so I went in, held her (come on just for a minute), laid her down & 5 minutes later she was "talking" and laughing so I went in again. There she was standing with a grip on her crib, bouncing up and down laughing & smiling so big! And there was the death grip on my heart, so we played for a while.  We played a game I made up called "No, No!".  Basically, she reaches for me and I say "No, no!" and she laughs. Or I hide and pop up and say "No, no" and she laughs! Trust me its more fun than you think! So we played for a while (more like 45 minutes) and then went to bed. 

One thing all new moms should know-if you don't already know it...the cute little $1 socks from Target Circo Brand are a waste, they don't stay on & only drive you nuts.  I've found that the Wal-Mart Faded Glory six pack are amazing & never fall off.  Of course this doesn't mean anything to you warmer weather friends, but up here its cold & toes get like popsicles!

I mentioned being busy, but I didn't mention with what. Outside of 3 Thanksgivings we've had a laundry list of appointments, tasks, get together planned and coming up.  I went up to Lafayette to get the oil changed in the Audi (cheaper than taking it to the North side and they give us a loaner so I don't have to sit around the dealership...totally worth it).  The check engine light was also on-it needs a new thermostat and temperature sender...all I see are $$.  Yesterday I had to work, then at 1pm we closed on our refinance.  In my eyes we pretty much paid 9 years of mortgage payments in 1 day lowering our mortgage to a 20 year at 4 1/8%.  That's a savings of over $76,000! Tonight Jake and I are going out for the first time (I know, give me a break, I have more separation anxiety than Nora does) with out Nora to Ruth Chris for dinner.  Tomorrow we have our Christmas party with our LifeGroup from Church. Yesterday I made cake balls for the first time to take to it....if the spoon was any indication of the actual cake ball I'm excited! Next week at Moms & Tots, we are having a Christmas cookie exchange so I plan on making Snickers surprise cookies for that on Sunday. Then next Saturday is our Thanks-Mas (Thanksgiving & Christmas) with my moms extended family.  Phew! That's enough about that already...

I'm in the process of getting our Christmas cards together. This year we will have 3 designs-not on accident, but to get rid of some of the ones we haven't used in the past.  Some will be cards with pictures in them that are not attached or in the card (for family to keep the picture), some will be cards that have an opening for the picture that is not attached to fit in and show from the front, and some that are made from Nora's Christmas pictures we had taken last week.  They will all have pictures just different.  We have already gotten our first 2 Christmas cards and we are excited to get more.  We love and keep them, especially if there are pictures! So sad to say that Jersey did not make the Christmas card this year, not intentional, she was just not present for family pictures, but we still love her & she finally is back to her old self again. She's such a good dog!

Christmas shopping is wrapping up (hah-no pun intended!), we don't have much more to get.  We discussed gifts for Nora and decided to keep them to a minimum, but when I got to the store all I kept thinking was aww, she needs this, oh, look at that, she would love that!...cut it with the nonsense Roxanne she doesn't need all those!! I'm sure it won't get any easier as she gets older. 

Holy smokes, just realized I wrote a book not a blog post! If you are still reading this you must be either really bored or really interested.  More updates to come and I promise no more random blogs for a while, but now my mind is clear!

Happy Halloween 2011

The Family: Pirates, Strawberry & Bumble Bee

Handing out candy...we ran out!

Jersey as a Bumble Bee

Visiting Daddy's work on Halloween

Nora "Strawberry" watching the Trick or Treaters from her jumper-Best idea ever if I do say so myself

Nora & Hunter in the outfits I bought on clearance last year when they were still cooking! They look great & both fit well. So cute together-already best buds.

Fall Fun 2011

I love fall! More now than I used to because I used to really enjoy the summer sun, but I can't take as much of it as I used to.  I get sun poisoning to quick & the heat seems to get to me more now for some reason.  Thus, cooler temperatures, sweet smells of ripe apples, drinking cider, the changing scenery, wearing sweatshirts & tennis shoes..everything about it I love now! We have had a great fall so far with Nora-she brings a lot of joy to our everyday lives and makes capturing every moment that much sweeter so we can have the memories when she is older.

Visiting the apple orchard is something we started doing 2 years ago when Jake & I moved to Plainfield. We have been to a few in the area, but always navigate to Anderson Orchard for their yummy apples, refreshing cider slushes, pumpkin patch and other fun fall things.  This year we bought some apples specifically to make applesauce for Nora & it was a huge success...which has now lead to an obsession of mine (but that's another blog!).

Jake & Nora at the Orchard on a nice sunny day after church

Nora with Aunt Jessica and her cousins Ann & Nellie

Ann, Nora, & Nellie with the pumpkins

Nora helping Gam-ma clean out her pumpkin..of course she tried to eat the pumpkin goup

The final product: Darlene's (Gam-ma), Jake's, and My awesome pumpkin that I decided won the competition that I made up!

We met a few neighbors during the community yard sale day & they invited us to go with them to Zoo Boo at the Indianapolis Zoo.  We enjoyed seeing all the kids in their costumes, the animals, & everything else the zoo offered. It's been years since either one of us has gone.  We decided that next year we are going to get a Zoo family pass for the year.  It pays for itself and then we can go whenever we want since we are only 20 minutes from it. 

Strawberry Shortcake & Jake at the Zoo

Smiling for Daddy!

With the rhinos

On the train to see Pumba & Timon

Trick or Treating at Zoo Boo...We ate all the candy before we left. It was a little scarce!

Chewing on her shoes in her cute Halloween outfit

Shirt caption "Daddy's under my spell"

7 Months Already

A little late, I know, but things have been crazy busy around here. I guess you could say we like to keep our schedule 'jam packed' with stuff so we don't get bored.  The pictures were taken on 10/13/11 so when she was truly 7 months old.  It's getting a bit more difficult to get a 'she's-looking-at-the-camera-&-7-months-old' shot, but they are ALL good in my book!

A trip to the Anderson Orchard

She's been much more mobile this month, not crawling yet, but definitely up on hands and knees rocking back and forth.  Ultimately, she gives in to the army crawl to get around.  She may be doing that for a while since shes having no problems getting where she wants to be...which happens to be in the kitchen with me!  She has started pulling up a bit on whatever she can, but hasn't quite got it mastered. 

Nap time and bed time have become much easier-I think she understands that shes tired & sleep will cure that.  I love going to get her after she wakes up because she has the biggest smile on her face and starts kicking her legs up and down with excitement.  I usually talk to her before she can see me when I get in her room & she'll start giggling/talking to me as I get closer.  She loves her momma!

She is quite the little eater now! At first she wasn't sure what was going on, but now...she chows on the fruits & loves mangoes & peaches the most, but enjoys applesauce, bananas, and pears.  Gets veggies down, but doesn't like green beans at all...I do the 'ole switcher-roo with fruit and veggies.  Trickery maybe, but she eats them that a way so that's how it's going to be for a while.  Squash, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, avocado, oatmeal, and rice cereal complete what she has had so far.  In the freezer are blueberries, broccoli, asparagus, chicken & butternut squash for the next to be introduced. 

Things she loves this month:

-playing with Daddy

-grabbing, gnawing on, chewing or chasing Jersey

-making loud noises when she's done eating

-taking a bath & playing with the squirt toys

-watching the kids play in the nursery at church

-playing with her cousin Hunter

-getting to the laminate in the kitchen

-following Mommy where ever she goes

-being outside

-listening to music

-smiling at people at the grocery store

-'helping' change her diaper

-wearing headbands (well, maybe I love her wearing headbands)

-bike rides

-going for walks sitting in the 'big girl stroller'

She is growing up so fast-that's for sure and I'm not ready for it.At the beginning of the month we had a friend of ours take fall family photos and pictures of her alone. When we get them back I will post a few-the session went great & the pictures are so sweet!

Nora's First Wedding

It was a success! She talked the whole time and thought that was really funny.  Everyone around us was looking at her and baby Hunter 1) because they are cute babies & 2) because they are both verbal!  We tried to give her a paci to keep her quiet, but she just threw it a few pews up-apparently she didn't like that idea. 

The reception was cold & rainy, but very nice & pretty in the tent and new barn my aunt and uncle just built.  Congrats Jonny & Brittany-jealous of them because they went to the Dominican Republic for their honeymoon because that's where Jake & I went on ours.  It was just as beautiful looking at their pictures as I remember.  Jake and I both decided we have to go back around our 5 year anniversary...only 1.5 years from now!

I feel like I got caught by the paparazzi here!



Nora, Me, Anthony, Hunter

Nana with the grand kids

Jake & Nora at the reception

Back to Bike Riding

Finally! We can ride our bikes again-Woo Hoo! I've been dying to ride my bike since our gym membership expired in March & physical activity has been limited due to our precious little baby.  Because Nora is steady holding her head up and can sit up by herself she can now ride in a bike trailer.  We bought the bike trailer at a consignment sale a week ago & it so far is the best thing EVER.. 

We felt bad for Jersey since bike riding has taken the place of going on walks so we let her ride too.  I'm not sure if she like it too much, but she didn't freak out so I'll take that as a positive thing.  Last night was our first bike ride & Nora fell asleep.  Cutest thing ever in a bike trailer...this girl right here.

Jake and his new ride...such a Dad and so proud!

Nora & Jersey enjoying the ride

Happy 27th!

...to my awesome husband! We spent the day by going to church, eating cake for lunch, dinner with family, and all the in between time doing what he said he wanted to do-relax.  What he really meant to say was watch TV, I knew that and I was OK with that so I took a nap when Nora did this afternoon.  Jake got an early birthday gift a few weeks ago when he went down to the Nascar Bristol night race and camped out with some other guys in TN.  He said it was awesome & that he wanted to go back next year-so I guess it was a good birthday present.  I liked it because (and this is going to sound so wrong) I didn't have to think about it! Things have been a little crazy with something going on every weekend, work schedules and new things with Nora (eating solids & teeth)....the list goes on.  Let's be honest, I haven't been the most organized person lately. 

Anyhow this was only supposed to be about Jake & his birthday, but I forgot to mention the cake I made had homemade butter cream icing-pretty good if I say so myself.  Lots of powdered sugar...lots and lots! I'll probably do another cake and when I do I'll make the icing too-reminds me of my grandmas cakes that I don't get much of anymore. 

Summer, summer, summer

We are always go, go, go in the summer and I get a little side tracked and forget about blogging sometimes.  Oopps! Sorry about that-we are doing great.  We took a trip down to Southern Indiana to visit the Burch family.  We were so excited to see their new house-which is adorable & a ranch-which is what we would love to have.  Lucy & Jersey were able to play-well, Lucy wanted Jersey to play a lot more, but Jers is kind of old and tired so she's a little more laid back!  It was Nora's first time sleeping outside of the house, but she did well, even through a tornado warning that only I was worried about.  Of course, I made Jake and Nora get in Ellen's bathroom-LOL as they were sleeping and didn't care about the storm. I thank my mother for making me paranoid of storms & only ask Jake for a house with a basement so I don't do the same for our kids.  We had a good time catching up and chatting about babies-Austin will be here in a short few months & we will be headed back down to see him and all his cuteness!

We also went up to Lafayette to visit my mom and sister and niece, Serenity. She has gotten so big since the last time we saw her and she is as ornery as they come.  I took a few bow clips and bows up that I made for Nora (well I realized she wouldn't wear them for a while-after I made them).  She loved them and looked adorable with them in her hair.  She's not sure what to think about Melissa holding other babies. She's jealous when she holds Hunter, but doesn't seem to mind when she's holding Nora-we are trying to figure that one out still. 

They came down for the 4th and we had a cookout with my family & John, Rachel & the girls.  Serenity loved playing with Ann & Nellie-we blew up Nora's baby pool & had the hopscotch sprinkler out because it was so hot.  Between the pool and sprinkler, you can't get much cheaper entertainment for two three year olds and an 18 month old!  We have become a "little cooler" in the toy department since Nora has come along since we have books and other colorful toys that kids like. 

This past weekend Jake helped his mom by building a mini-barn that took the entire day Saturday and most of the day Sunday- & it's not yet completed. But, other than that we've been tending to the garden, hanging some pictures in the house, and enjoying the summer sun as much as we can with a 4 month old!

Hunter, Nora, & Serenity-cousins on the 4th

Nana with the grand kids

Nellie, Nora, & Ann- in matching shirts from Gamma

Funny to look through the 10-15 pictures I took and see what the girls were doing to try to get a good picture-LOL Nellie is holding Nora's head up with her hand and managing to smile at the same time! Ann is not sure what's going on here



Ann trying to hold Nora's arm to keep her from leaning on Nellie (not pictured...cousin Isabella, but you can see her HERE)



Happy 3rd Birthday A & N!

Nora attended her first Chuck E Cheese birthday party Saturday for cousins Ann & Nellie who turned 3.  She loved all the loud noises and bright lights-just what stimulus driven babies love.  For mom's of stimulus driven babies like me, CEC was overstimulus and I was exhausted from all the energy there! The kids loved it.  We joke about the cheap toys they win from all their tickets, but its worth the couple hours of fun they get from the games.

Ann, Nora, and Nellie at A&N's Birthday party at Chuck E Cheese



LOL, this picture cracks me up!

Nora with Nana Karen

Happy First Father's Day

Yesterday we started the day out going to church and Sunday school. After we got home we ate, then Jake cleaned out both the cars while Nora and I took a nap. Golf was on pretty much all day-which was fine because it was Father's Day and Rory is my golfer and he was dong really well. We went for a walk, grilled out for dinner, and relaxed as a family. Here are some pictures from the day:

Outside with Daddy learning about birds and gardening

Love this picture of them together. She adores her daddy!

Quick...lets get a family picture before all the bugs get us!

Reading about a little turtle with a turtle finger puppet and all



Nora's gift to Jake.  We made this card on Friday. The footprint was a good idea, but the hand print "blob" wasn't such a good idea. Paint, a baby hand...not a good idea, but I wanted a cute card so I did it and it was a mess, but it turned out! Jake thought it was Jersey's paw at first! This card is now on the fridge-Jake insisted it be displayed.  Squeak is Jake's nickname for Nora.  She got him some car care stuff, but we reminded him that his big gift was the lawn being treated this whole summer since he can't stand the weeds!

A great day for Jake's first Father's Day!