Stinky shots

Jack went in today for his 4/5 month check up. We didn't go in at 4 months because he had a fever on the day of his appointment and a nasty cold. So we waited and went in today. He will be 5 months in 5 days, so it is really more like a 5 month appointment.

He looks good. He is 11 lbs.10 oz. and 24 inches long. Still on medicne for reflux. Got a bunch of shots today---ouch! He always does so good, although I know he doesn't feel well afterwards. But that's okay...we have just cuddled all afternoon. Keep growing little man, we love you!

Sucker

It's official, Jack is a thumb sucker. Little dude has found his thumb. He is transitioning from the lovely act of trying to jam his whole fist in his mouth to just his thumb. The other night as we were getting Jack ready for bed we watched him put his thumb in his mouth, pull out, put it back in, over and over. Mark said "I think we just witnessed our kid learning to suck his thumb." Since then he has consistently and with great accuracy remembered how to do this.

While I hope he outgrows this before he is old enough to be embarrassed, I think for now it is great. Since he can't seem to keep a pacifier in his mouth, he can use his thumb and start soothing himself to sleep. Can't good a good thumb sucking picture, but here is one of him trying to get a ball in his mouth.

Jogging

Shortly after Jack was born, I had my mom purchase a jogging stroller for us. It was delivered by some dear friends of mine who drove up this summer and has been sitting on our back porch patiently waiting to be used.

Today was the day. We bundled Jack up and Mark took him for a run. Perhaps, I will someday use it too. Probably, not for running though; maybe a walk. Anyways, they both had fun!!

Month 3...Blizzard of the Month

Oreo Cookie Jar Blizzard

"Cookies collide! Cookie dough, OREO® cookie pieces and rich fudge blended with creamy vanilla soft serve. "

Jacob said "Words can't describe how wonderful it was. I give it a 12 out of 10. This was a triumphant piece of blizzard." (Above is his picture - from traveling out on the road)

Megan said "I give it a 8.5. I loved this blizzard because of all the chocolatey goodness and chunks of cookies. The only thing that would have made it better is if I had gotten a bigger size."

If you haven't tried it, go and get one. Seriously. Delicious. Also this last week in the Sunday paper there was a coupon for a $1.00 off or as always you can sign up on the DQ website and become an official blizzard fan club member (they send out coupons too). If you have tried it, let me know what you think .

Love this kid!

Friday's Farmers Market

Fall is definitely in the air here. The aspens have begun turning their gorgeous gold and one must definitely be donning a jacket in the early mornings and late evenings. With fall comes lots of things I like: college football (I really just like for my team to win - Boomer Sooner!), Oktoberfest (this weekend), the changing leaves, a real need for hot drinks: hot chocolate, apple cider, etc. and of course the last bit of the year before the snow comes to stay.

(Picture: View of Lake Dillon from the Farmers Market today)

But before moving on to fall I want to mention one of my favorite things about the summer: the Dillon Farmer's Market. The DFM is every Friday over in Dillon, Colorado. I look forward to going and love walking around the different booths. The samples are fantastic: steak burgers, salsa, cookies, salmon, and many more. I love to buy their fresh flavored bread (cranberry walnut), the spicy cajun salmon dip, and the fresh produce. There is always live music and an assortment of people who show up for an event such as the Farmers Market. So Kudos to the Dillon Farmers Market for giving me an extra something to look forward to in my week and so long....until next summer when we will meet again.

NY part 2 and more Birthdays

Birthdays have always been important to me. I love celebrating with others. It is fun to spend time with people you care about, honoring them, and eating cake. While we were in New York we got to celebrate 3 birthdays.

On Thursday night of our visit we celebrated Audrey and Adam (our niece and nephew). Adam's birthday was in August and Audreys in September. One year old birthdays!!!
The last time we saw them was last Ocotber, this was them then...

and this is now...

It was so fun to celebrate these cute little lives. There was pizza and a yummy barn birthday cake made by their moms (Mark's sisters - Kiera and Shawna).

The cake was super cute and a huge hit with all the kids, especially the sheep which were covered in marshmallows. Nice job girls!! Can't believe these little guys are already one!! Again, wish we were closer to all our family.

On Saturday night we were able to celebrate Kurt's 12th birthday (Mark's cousin). This was exciting because it was all of Mark's family in the area. His aunts and uncles, cousins, sisters and family, parents, and grandma. It was really fun! We had meatloaf (per Kurt's request), potatoes, fruit salad, veggies...it was great. And of course, more cake! Yum! Kurt, we wish you a Happy Birthday!!

In addition to all the birthdays our visit was great for catching up and spending time with loved ones. The weather was nice - we went for walks - we spent time outside - we went to the Lake - we ate great food (thanks Mom Hubbard) and enjoyed our family! Looking forward to the next visit.

Socks from Grandma

He will grow into them and then his dad will stop calling them knee-highs.

NY and Meeting More Family

Labor Day weekend Mark and I were able to visit his family in Webster, New York. We left on Wednesday and returned on Monday. Our little guy is becoming quite the traveler - he has been on 6 airplanes in the last 3 weeks.

The highlight of our trip was being able to spend so much time with family. We stayed with Nana and Papa (Mark's parents). His sister, her husband and their 3 children were also at the house. Just a few miles away lives Mark's other sister, her husband and their 2 children - they were able to come during the days. So essentially, this meant 8 adults and 6 children all under the age of 5.

Here are all of Jack's cousins.
L.to R.
(Owen-4, Elaina-2, Adam-1, Jack, Ryan-3, Audrey-almost 1)

Needless to say, there was never a dull moment in the house. It was fun for Mark and I to see all the kiddos, it is difficult living so far away from our nieces and nephews. They are all so cute and have their own distinctive personalities.

Jack also got to meet Mark's sisters: Aunt Shawna & Aunt Kiera

Aunt Shawna


Aunt Kiera

And also Grandma...

Great Grandma Brooks


Papa


Nana

We did lots more besides take pictures of Jack...more to come!!

Happy 4 Months

Jack continues to interact more with us and loves to be social. His smiles are ready and available to all. In fact, he waits for people to make eye contact with him so he can smile at them first. It doesn't matter who it is: customers at Walmart, the lady at the coffee shop, etc. He's pretty happy.

Likes:
Smiling
People watching - he has even been paying attention to other children/babies
swinging
swimming
going on hikes with Mom and Dad
grabbing his feet
grabbing onto anything he can and pulling it to his mouth
standing up while holding on to our hands (he sometimes gets mad, if we don't let him)
time in the exersaucer
books (now definitely paying attention to pictures)

Dislikes:
tummy time
going to sleep
sitting down when he would rather be standing
finishing a bottle - screams like a girl when he finishes

Discoveries/Developments:
Rolling over. Mostly stomach to back, once or twice from back to stomach. Grabbing those neat feet of his. Consistently grabbing onto and playing with objects that are dangling in front of him. His voice - a couple of times, I have heard him yelling (happy though), especially in places that echo.

Adoption Update

There really isn't much news to share. We are #3 for an infant girl. They are currently looking for an infant girl less than 12 months for us. Hopefully things will progress quickly and we will get a referral soon. After the referral we will still have to pass court and get an embassy date before she will come home to us sometime in what let's hope is early 2010. For now, we continue to enjoy our time with Jack - he has no idea what's coming...and pray for our little girl. It is hard to trust that God is taking care of her when we know nothing; but we are asking the Lord to watch over her and love her where ever she is right now.

Lemon Fruit Dip

I saw this recipe in a cooking magazine, Simple and Delicious, and I decided I must try this. It is a lemon dip. Very easy to make, serves as a great appetizer, or a light dessert. I liked it so much I have already made it a second time.
Just a few ingredients:

Lemon Pudding
Milk
Sour Cream
(And I add the juice of an orange)
Serve with assorted fresh fruit

Here is the recipe.

Dad's 60th

My mom was able to plan a 60th birthday party for my Dad while we were home. It was so fun. Lots of friends were able to come and everyone had a nice time. The weather was great, the food was fantastic and plentiful, and most importantly I think my Dad felt celebrated!!

Guests brought either a salad or an appetizer and the birthday boy did the honors of the grilling. We ate, laughed, celebrated, and even took a "So you think you know Jim" quiz --congrats to Mrs. K for winning. There was cake, and it was great. I feel like I am a pretty tough cake critic, but the golf-themed carrot cake was delicious.

Happy Birthday Dad, I love you!!