Milestones / Jake October 09

This month Jake has grown up too much for MY own good! Two days ago I asked Kylie "what's Jake doing?". To which she replied "He's climbing up the stairs!". Craziness! He turned 9 months old on Monday and it seems that he decided it was time to learn LOTS of new things - like pulling up on things, cruising, climbing stairs and crawling at lightning speed! He is still a very happy baby, although he's finding his voice (or shrill) more and more. Not sure of his official weight/height since our doctor visit isn't until 11/16 but he's at least 22 pounds and he fits into 12-18 month clothes. My little man. :)

I don't have a lot of time to write - but here's a couple pictures. Kylie still adores her baby brother and I adore them both. :)

Cagles Dairy

An annual tradition - three years running - Cagles Dairy Farm. Our family's favorite part is having s'mores while the sun goes down, and this year was no different. Although, the rest of the experience was pretty different. It was FREEZING!

As you can see from the comparison pics - it was a bit warmer last year.....

We didn't get a chance to take very many pictures before it started raining (mommy was very sad about that), but here's another favorite - riding the mini-tractors.

Several of our neighborhood friends came as well, but when it started raining they all headed back home (and to dinner). We stuck it out with Vicki, Scott & Ainslee - the skies cleared and we ended up having a really fun time.

Of course, this was Jake's first trip and he spent most of it in a backpack - but I think he still had fun!

We considered leaving Jake with a babysitter since he probably wouldn't remember the experience and it would be a lot less complicated without bottles, diapers, etc. BUT, we managed the whole affair with ease - and I'm sure it will continue to be a fun James Family Tradition.

kylie is growing up

This first picture speaks volumes for me. Kylie's imagination is really soaring these days. This is her make-believe house and her baby Cinderella. She will play alone for longer stretches now, which is great when there is much to do with Jake as well. Cinderella sleeps with Kylie every night, and I wonder how long this will last. Besides her passy, she never really had a consistent comfort item. She also loves to sing and make-up songs. Just this morning she asked me for a stage to stand on. Of course, I remember doing concerts in my bedroom (for my animals) so I am excited about the possibility of my daughter enjoying performing. One of the lyrics she made up during her number song: "My mommy is so cool, and I love her..... 8, 9, 10, 11....." Oh, she makes me laugh!

Kylie is learning so much now, I'm always amazed at what she knows. She called me from the kitchen to show me that she wrote her name all by herself. WHAT??? I didn't know she could do that! So, of course I wrote the date and took a picture of it.

Kylie still adores her baby brother. I am not under the illusion that this will last forever, but it truly warms my heart. She was holding him the other day and told him "I'll take care of you, and when I go to school, you'll miss me buddy".

Ainslee and Kylie had their first "official" sleepover (not including vacation) at Ainslee's house. Vicki said they did great - besides waking up at 5am! They watched Tinkerbell, made their own pizzas and slept together in Ainslee's big bed. I sent Kylie with the outfit that Vicki had gotten her as a gift. Little did I know that Ainslee had the matching shirt! How cute are they??

And, speaking of outfits, Kylie is really starting to like dresses. She gets herself dressed every morning and says "look Mommy at my pretty dress". Since she only has a few dresses (and they are mostly long sleeves) she hasn't had too many choices. Oh, and skirts are NOT the same as dresses. Did I mention that Kylie has been waking between 5:30am-6am each day? She was waking in the middle of the night and coming in our room, but after much discussion about not waking Mommy & Daddy, she has decided to get up, turn on her light, get dressed and play in her room for a while...... yet another stage.

Ever since I made Kylie a mickey mouse pancake, she has talked about them and asked for them often. This particular pancake is all cut up on her plate but I let her hold the big-as-your-head pancake for a picture. Check out Jake in the background eating the spoon.

Daddy wanted to show Kylie how to take a bite of the pancake. I snapped a picture just in time so he could see how he looks while eating. Hee-hee! I try to convince him to take smaller bites - then he wouldn't have to chew so long.......

PS - I'll know when he checks the blog because this picture will probably disappear!

Oh, and another funny Kylie story - we were on the highway and Jeff pointed out a long hummer limo to Kylie and she announced: "That mommy must have a lot of kids." LOL!!

my little man

Catching up on some milestones for the Jakester....

When we left Litchfield Beach he was just beginning to crawl - and now there is no stopping him. Although, he does use a mix of crawling, bear walking and the one-foot-one-knee maneuver, he is still able to get just about anywhere he desires. And boy does he desire to get around!

Here's our first glamour shot - ha! We just had our family portraits done by another photographer and she emailed this one to me. :) It looks sweet, but actually he was jumping off my lap onto my face - knocking me over!

Mommy just got a new camera, so I took these next couple pictures RIGHT when I got it out of the box. LOVE IT - and love him! He really is such a happy baby.

You can see his two bottom teeth here, but he also has two top teeth AND he just cut one more tooth on the top.

Awwwww, love this face.

I have been struggling with the food thing. Jake is starting to shun the baby food (which is quick and easy for me) so now I have to start finding things for him to munch on for himself. Here's his first teething cracker (thanks to Vicki for finding them). He still doesn't fancy bananas, but loves applesauce & puffs. You should have seen his face when I tried Cottage Cheese!

His most recent favorite toy - the ball popper. He goes bezerk (is that right) whenever someone turns it on. He's just mastering this skill - the knee stand.

I don't have a picture of it, but he also recently learned to clap and he loves to say ma-ma-ma-ma and ba-ba-ba-ba and da-da-da-da. If only I could get him to cuddle with me.....

School Field Trip

This was our second year venturing out to Berry Patch Farms with VCLC, Kylie's preschool. This time, the entire school went on the same day - which was great because Kylie is in the Dolphin class and the Colt class so she got to see ALL of her friends. It was also nice to spend some mommy-daughter time with my K-Bear!

Here's a pic of Kylie's Colt class

And one of Kylie's teachers, Mrs. Mac.

The kids go on a hay ride to the pumpkin patch and pick out a little pumpkin or gourd. Kylie picked the gourd that looked like a little maraca and she picked a baby pumpkin for Jake.

After the hayride they get homemade apple cider - and it is DELICIOUS!

Kylie was having fun on the tire swing with her friends Olivia and Sophie. This picture made me laugh - look at Jack in the background yelling!

We ended the morning with a picnic lunch and a ride home with the Balzuweit's. Perfect.