What Mom... I'm just working!

Jacoby loves to hang out in the office with his Dad. The other day he was back there and this is how I found him when I went to go and see what they were doing. He was having a great time sitting in his Daddy's chair and he kept giving me this look like"What mom, I'm just working with Dad!" He cracks me up!

Speaking of work, today was the day that I was suppose to go back to work but I have decided to stay home with Jacoby instead. I am so excited to stay home and feel very lucky that I have such a wonderful husband who supports me in that decision and who provides for us so I can. So it is official... I am PROUD to say that I am at a stay at home mommy!! And Jacoby is excited about it too!

Benson's and Jostes'

We had such a great time in Big Bear with Rob, Elish and Brayden!!
Happy Mommies and their Boys! I love this picture!

Jacoby did pretty good adjusting to the 2 hour time change but this nap he was certain needed to be on Mommy.

He's getting so big!!

Jacoby and Jarod hanging out.

This is what it would be like to have twins! Thank goodness we only have one!

We headed to California with hopes of finding some sun. Instead we had a blizzard!!! Seriously, I cannot get away from it! But we stayed warm by the fire. Jacoby was mesmerized.

Check out those matching noses- too cute!

We tried to rent a movie one night but Elish fell asleep. That's what happens when you have a newborn.

Jacoby loves California too!!

The boys hanging out with the boys! We gave Brayden this wrap and he loved it as much as Jacoby did.

Just talking about the NCAA basketball games and how bad all of us did in our brackets.

Jake started to put his hands together on our trip- so cute!

The Benson's

The Jostes'. We were laughing at Elish trying to get Jacoby to smile.

Can't wait to see you guys again soon!

Best of Friends!

The highlight of our California trip was introducing Jacoby and Brayden. How cool is it that our boys are only 7 weeks apart in age!! It was so fun watching them interact and to hang out with all 6 of us. (We have almost doubled in size in the last few months.)

Jaocby was huge compared to Brayden. What a difference 7 weeks makes at this point! Brayden is such a cutie and was so funny with his face expressions. The poor guy kept trying to sleep and Jacoby would wake him up with his loud squealing that he does now.

We are so lucky to have such amazing friends and we cannot wait to watch our boys grow up together!

Suprise 30th Birthday!

On Saturday night in Big Bear, Lish and I were in looking at pictures on her computer when the door bell rang. I looked at her and she played dumb. We went out to go see who was there and in comes a ton of my California friends to help celebrate my 3oth Birthday! I have the best friends and it was so good to see everyone!!

Jesse and Nicole made the trip up the mountain to see us. Jacoby is quite taken with Nicole in this picture as you can see.

For months everyone was asking me what I wanted to do for my birthday. I kept telling all of them that I just wanted to escape the Chicago winter and go some where tropical. Well that didn't happen since my baby was only a few weeks old so they brought the islands to me. All of them dressed up Hawaiian even Rob in a dress! They also ordered Hawaiian pizza and when the delivery lady came Rob forgot he had the dress on and answered the door. She took one look at him and told him that he had a nice dress. It was so funny!

They decorated the house while I was in the back with Hawaiian everything and we even had virgin margaritas! Thanks everyone for coming! It was so nice to see all of you and visit! Even though I was that mom that had to excuse herself to go take care of her baby and then proceeded to fall asleep while everyone was still there. Oh well! What can I say, I was exhausted!

First Time at the Beach

On Friday, Jarod and I took Jacoby to Santa Monica. We started the day at the Promenade and did some shopping.

Jacoby thought that was rather boring and was out in his Bjorn.

After lunch, we walked down to the beach. It was much cooler down there with the breeze off the ocean but it was beautiful! I was so excited to take Jacoby to go and see the ocean. I know that he is too small to appreciate it but it is my favorite place and it was so nice sharing it with him.

He loved looking at the sand and trying to catch his breath from the breeze. The seagulls were also very entertaining for Jacoby.

Jacoby loves to be in the Bjorn and Jarod loves packing him in it. It works out great!

We were trying to get a picture of the three of us at the beach. I love this shot! That is such a Jarod face.

While we were standing on the beach I commented to Jarod that it didn't get much better than this. I was in my flip flops on the beach with my baby and husband with a Coffee Bean Hot Chocolate in my hand! It was such a great day and I was one happy Momma!

California Introductions

McKenna and Jacoby

We took Jacoby on his fourth flight and first trip to California. Jarod and I were so excited to take him back to our old stompin grounds. We both love California! We flew into LAX and once again he was fantastic! We even got in at 11 California time and by the time we got to Hank and Dee's it was late. Little guy slept through it all.
Kelsey and Jake

Dan and Jacoby

I love this picture of Dee and Jacoby.

We spent the first couple of days on our trip in Topanga and had a great time visiting and catching up with the Shaw's. We took a few walks and spent as much time as possible outside.

We left Topanga on Saturday morning and headed to Redlands to see Uncle Jeff. It was great to see him! We were really nervous about the drive time on Saturday because not only did we drive an hour to Redlands but then an hour up the hill to Big Bear, Jacoby slept the entire way both ways and on the way back down the hill and to the airport. Boy did we luck out!!

After Big Bear, we headed to Corona to see the Guldner's. Greg just got back from Afghanistan. It was so nice to see them and catch up. Time always goes by so fast though.

We had such a great trip! Can't wait to go back.

St. Patrick's Day

We had the BEST St. Patrick's Day!! It happened to be 70 in Chicago that day so Jacoby and I went to the park and that is when he laughed for the first time!! I tell you that my baby has something for the Irish because he laughed for the first time on St. Patty's Day and I felt him move for the first time in Ireland. I guess it is the Irish in him :)

I was complaining to my mom that I didn't have anything green to put him in for the big Irish holiday so she sent me these cute jammies and blanket. He looked so cute in his green and he didn't even get pinched!

He scratched himself the night before and got a scab on his cheek- poor guy!

Uncle Connor was here for his Birthday which is on St. Patrick's Day so we went out for Chicago style pizza that night and walked down Michigan Avenue. Jacoby was such a good boy!! We had a great day!

Denver Trip

We went to Denver the first weekend in March to see Jarod's family and introduce Jacoby to Uncle Connor. We didn't take very many pictures and didn't get one of Jacoby and Connor- whoops!!

Jarod went to Collin's baseball game while we were there and took some great pics! I stayed back with Jacoby because it was freezing!!

Uncle Collin and Jacoby. Jacoby sure likes his Uncle Collin and I think Collin feels the same about Jacoby.

Uncle Collin got a new puppy a few weeks ago. He named him Bentley. We were so excited to meet him. He didn't cooperate much for pictures but he is sure cute and Jarod loved him.

My little guy laughed!!

Sorry no pictures this time but before I forgot I wanted to write down about Jacoby's first laugh on St. Patrick's Day.


Today is a beautiful day in Chicago, it is actually 70 in March- such a beautiful thing so I decided that we were going to go the park with Jacoby all dressed in his green (Thanks Mom!!). I put Jake in his Bob and we were on our way. When we got there I put him on my lap on the swing and he thought it was great!! But then I started to kiss him under his chin and he started belly laughing! It was the cutest thing ever! I love that he is starting to interact so much. He loves to talk, smile and now laugh!!

3 Months Old!!!

Jacoby turned three months old yesterday!!! I guess that means that I have to give up telling everyone how many weeks he is and go with the months. I can't believe it! I know that I wrote a huge post about what he has been up to lately but I wanted to make sure to throw on some recent pics. I stripped him down to his diaper and took a few pictures so I could see his cute little rolls that are starting to form. Nothing cuter than a naked baby!

I love his smile!! It lights up his whole face and mine too!!!

I took a bunch of pictures of some funny faces. He was talking up a storm in this picture. He loves to talk and loves to sing along with me when I sing.

This face cracks me up!! He has his serious eye brows on and those cute little lips that are just like his dad's.

Love this!! When he squeals he puts his arms up and sometimes closes his eyes. I can't help but laugh at this one.

Oh, my big boy!! He used to fit vertically on this ottoman and now he hardly fits horizontally.

He is just so cute!!! And so much fun!! And boy is he opinionated but I don't think that I should have expected anything else :). I just love him so much!!!