Baby Jake Laughs Now

I really stink at keeping up with baby books and I don't scrapbook, and I realized the other day that this blog is the only way I've been keeping tabs on Jake's development. I thought I'd better put this video on the blog before I forgot when it happened. He, of course, was laughing much harder before I grabbed the camera, but I hurried as fast as I could. The hiccups are pretty cute too. He "talks" all the time now too. Of course he talks to people, but also to ceiling fans and large light fixtures.

Picnic in the Mountains

We went for a picnic today in the mountains. It's on our list of things to do this summer. Hayden brought his scooter and had fun on the trails. He and Daddy climbed up the mountain (a little bit).

He is so cute!
Smiling at Mommy
This is our first official family portrait.
Jake checking out some of the foliage.
Hayden and Dad checking the temperature of the water. Cold. Very very cold.

Big Day

We are so proud! Hayden did such a wonderful job being brave today for his surgery. His hernia operation went very well and he's all fixed. The entire surgery only took 20 minutes. He chose cherry flavored gas to go sleep with (he got to keep the mask). He shocked all of the nursing staff with his excited attitude. Who knew surgery could be exciting. He didn't get scared but he got worried while he was taking his wagon ride to the operating room with the anesthesiologist ( I told him after that I got worried too). We are home "resting". There is no real rest going on, but that's the idea. He sure isn't acting like someone who just had surgery. His activity level is pretty darn high. Seriously though, he was awesome and I can't say how proud we all are.

Caught One!

I decided to stop being lazy and take some new pictures of Baby Jake. And I did it, I caught him smiling. He's happy because he hasn't slept for hours and he's making his mommy nuts. Crazy Mommy is funny. She makes crazy sounds and even nuttier faces. Poor crazy Mommy.

Celery Comes From a Plant

So Brandon and I had an eye opening experience two days ago. I was chopping celery to snack on when Hayden saw the remaining bunch on the counter. He saw that there were leaves attached to some of the stalks. He says, "Hey Mom...Mom...MOM......MOM ( I was ignoring him at the time) Why does this have leaves on it? Is it a plant?" I respond, "Yes. We eat the stem part of that plant. It's called celery." He is shocked. Hayden says, "This is celery?" I tell him, "Yeah, dude, you've eaten celery before." He asks me, "Can I have some?" Like I'm going to tell him no. He breaks off this chunk from the bunch and walks away, gnawing on it. So Brandon and I look at each other, bewildered. Brandon runs to the fridge and grabs the carrots. He hurries and peels one and gives it to Hayden to see if our luck was going to continue. It did! He ate the whole thing. Just so you know, Hayden eats carrots nearly every day. It's one of the few things we get him to eat that may actually contribute to his growth. I never realized that he hadn't eaten a carrot that hadn't been cut up for him or come out of the bag in baby size. Same with celery. So today I showed him a green pepper before I cut it up and asked him if he wanted some. He waited until I cut it up and then ate some. Hayden will eat veggies if he sees them in their natural state first! Ta da! We've learned something awesome. I should go out and buy jicima and butternut squash or something. I doubt it will last past next week. By then he'll be on to me, but I should try while it lasts. Oh yes, I did also learn that this trick does not, I repeat, does not, work with fruit. I doubt it would work with beef either.

Last Day

Today was it. I no longer have a kindergartner. I have a crazy boy waiting for first grade. This is a picture of Hayden singing with his class. Hayden didn't sing. He plugged his ears. The whole time. I think that may be why he's seated in the back row. His teacher is no dummy. We loved the performance though. He might have the cutest children alive in his class. Countdown to 1st grade begins!

Two Month Appointment

Baby Jake is 2 months old!

We found out today that he is 13 pounds and 7 ounces and 24 inches long.

Time for the size two diapers I guess.

He's in the 90Th percentile for height and weight.

His head is in the 50Th percentile.

His hair, on the other hand, is off the charts.

We now get to start fun things like tummy time and activity mats.

Woo hoo!

Beautiful Boys in June

Aren't they cute? Hayden is sad because this is his last week of kindergarten. He loves his class and his teacher. I'm looking forward to first grade and I think he is too. He is so sociable. He isn't afraid to meet new friends or be in new situations. I think he got that from both his grandpas because his dad and I aren't really like that. Hayden is very brave. First grade starts at the end of July for us here. It is going to be a big transition going from a half day to a full day. I know he'll do just fine.

Good Freakin' Turkey Burger

So Dad was watching Oprah and.......oh yes, you read that right-Dad watches Oprah. Anyway, he saw the "Oprah's Favorite Things for Summer" episode and decided to try making the turkey burgers that Oprah freaked out about. Lucky for us, he decided to make them for Chloe's party so we all got to try them. You know when you watch Oprah freak out about a sweater and you think, "Dude, you've got all the money anyone could ever need, I know you've seen nice sweaters before. Chill out, " well now I know better. These were really good burgers. Dad is a good cook too, so I'm giving him part of the credit. I thought I'd share with my blogger family the recipe so they can eat them and scream with delight, jumping up and down, just like Oprah and I. Here it goes


Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger
Recipe courtesy of Jeff O'Neill
From the show Oprah's Top Picks for Summer
Serves 6


INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
1/8 cup canola oil
4 pounds ground turkey breast
2 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. black pepper
2 tsp. chipotle Tabasco™
1 lemon, juice and grated zest
1/2 bunch parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup Major Grey's Chutney, pureed Sauté the scallions, celery and apples in the canola oil until tender. Let cool. Place the ground turkey in a large mixing bowl. Add sautéed items and the remaining ingredients. Shape into eight 8-ounce burgers. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Season the turkey burgers with salt and pepper. Place on a preheated, lightly oiled grill. Grill each side for 7 minutes until meat is thoroughly cooked. Let sit for 5 minutes. Serve with a side of Mar-a-Lago Pear Chutney and your favorite toasted bread, pita or hamburger roll.

Party Time!!!!!!

It was the big party today for the Beckster and Chloe. Chloe is so freaking old. She's 13. I remember putting her car seat in my car. Freaks me out a little. We decorated the sidewalk to celebrate. Notice Hayden's chalk outline is waving so it doesn't look too much like a crime scene.

Hayden was happy to celebrate with them as long as he was in some of the photos too. It's hard to share birthdays when you're six and a half. Here is shot of them opening gifts. Chloe is now a teenager so most of her gifts came inside her cards. Yes, she is old enough now to want just cash or gift cards, thank you.

We were having a hard time taking a cute shot of the three sisters because of a certain six and a half year old who wanted to be in all the shots......................

But we finally got it.

Notice the intensity in Ron's eyes.....it's because he's secretly sending messages with them. I think right there he's saying, "Heather, I know if I make crazy eyes at you, this shot will end up on your blog.....

In that second shot with Chloe it makes her look short. Trust me, it's just that he's tall. She's taller than Jen, Grandma and she's almost past Becky. I'm the next target at 5 foot 7.

Isn't she just the cutest?





Thatcher's really know how to do dessert. Oh yes, that cake was awesome. It's from our favorite bakery, Mrs. Backers. Those cupcakes though might be the most precious things we've seen in a long time. They are from Mini's downtown. And yes, they tasted as good as they look.
Becky loved her gift. I promise she enjoys the phrase "Beautiful Mess", Jen and I weren't calling her that.







Happy Birthday girls! Can't wait to do it again next year!