Reading with Grandpa J

Jacoby sure did enjoy having his Grandma and Grandpa J and Collin here. Who wouldn't enjoy all the attention he gets! He is also spoiled rotten from them and gets lots of new toys and clothes. Thanks guys for coming out for the big graduation!

Blackhawks Win!!!

Oh the Blackhawks! It was so fun being here in Chicago when the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup!! This city loves their sports teams and it was crazy here. Jarod also scored and got to go to a few games this year including a play-off game.

As soon as we watched them win and after Jarod was done jumping up and down and yelling he looked at me and said we have to go to the parade. Unfortunately the parade was on Friday and Jarod had a meeting he couldn't get out of but Jim, Mary and Collin flew in on Thursday night so we took Grandpa J and Collin with us.

It had rained the entire day before and it was really hot and muggy especially when you got as close as we had to get to other people so we stayed in the shade under the El train and waited for the parade to start.

I ended up being a few feet behind Jim and Collin who had Jacoby so I could stand on the curb and actually see something.

Jacoby was less interested in the parade and more interested in keeping an eye on me the entire time and sucking on his fingers, which he never does but he was teething!

When the parade started, everyone was yelling and singing the Blackhawks song. I thought he might be a little scared but he just clapped and danced right along with everyone else.

Patrick Kane holding up the Stanley Cup- we got this close to it only to find out later that it was across the street from my house later that night. It was crazy down there with 3 million fans but I am so glad that we were there so Jacoby can always say that he was. That is a huge deal to his Daddy.

Two Binkies

The other day Jacoby woke up with two binkies after his nap. I thought it was so funny! He kept trying to suck on both of them at the same time and was drooling all over the place and kept laughing and loosing them- too cute!

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

For Memorial Day weekend we decided to take a mini family vacation to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We stayed downtown in this really cool hotel that had a water park indoors!

Jacoby loved going down the slides and playing in the water. He really has a thing lately for turtles so he thought the turtle was really cool and said hi and bye to the tuuurt-tel every time we went by.

He has been getting really good at swimming lately and he even did better when it was shallow. He would lay down in the water and float and kick his little legs as fast as he could. Then he would stop kicking and stick his mouth in the water and inhale- that's how he blows bubbles. He doesn't get the whole bubble thing yet.

The first day we went the water was pretty cool in the rest of the park so we stayed in this nice warm area since Jacoby has no body fat and his lips start turning blue quickly when he gets cold. The next morning we went to the park and the water was so warm- we played for hours and got to try out all of the big slides since he wasn't so cold.

I was quite impressed with how big it was and it was nice to be inside and not have to worry about sunscreen.

He loved going down the big slides and as soon as he would get to the bottom he would say gain (again) and we would take him up to do it again.

He had to hold on to dear life to his Mama because for some reason I flew down every slide in this place. Jarod would go nice, slow and controlled and I would come down out of control! I left the park with so many bruises but Jacoby didn't have a scratch. I guess that's what you do as a mom take it all for the team!

It was our first taste of water parks with Jacoby and boy did we have fun!!

The real reason we went to Milwaukee wasn't the water park but to see a game at Brewer's game. We are on a mission to hit all the ball parks in America and we lived an hour and a half from one and hadn't hit it yet.

Jacoby loved the baseball game and was such a good boy. We always get peanuts at a ball game and Jacoby was a big fan. It kept him pretty busy trying to crack them open too. Such concentration.

Reaping the reward from all of his hard work! If he just isn't the cutest thing ever!

Jacoby also tasted soda for the first time and he likes it- shocking I know. The first taste was pretty funny though because he crinkled up his noise from the carbonation.

He flirted with everyone around us and sang song after song. He got really excited when the fireworks would go off and everyone would cheer. He was certain it was all for him.

He lasted for about 2 hours but after that he wanted to run around. We made our way down to the field and watched the game down there as well.

It was the longest game ever though because we left after 2 1/2 hours and they were only in the 4 inning. When we were walking out we stopped to see all of these baseballs. Jacobes thought it was the coolest thing and a nice man walking by offered to take our picture.

We had the best weekend and enjoyed each others company so much! I love spending time with my boys. We were really nervous about Jacoby in the car for that long but he did great and he slept just like this the whole way home. It was nice to have a lengthty conversation with Jarod without the interruptions and he slept like a rock. A win-win for everyone!

What a treat!

Jacoby had his first popsicle and absolutely loved it!! I stripped him down on a hot day and took him out back with a popsicle for his sore teething gums. He sat in this weird way the entire time with his cute little curls and his first skinned up knee from a fall on Nella's patio. It was a huge hit and I had so much fun watching him enjoy it so much. He was so sticky afterwards though that we walked to Lindsey's house like this and let him play in the hose to get it all off. It was a great day!

Mexico vs. Senegal

Monday night after Mother's Day, Jarod and I took Jacoby to the Mexico vs. Senegal soccer game at Soldier Field. Wrigley is a huge sponsor so we got free tickets. Joe and Annie came with us and we had the best time.

It was fun to watch the game and know that this was one of their last games before the World Cup.

Jacoby loved watching the game and the people. It was like a home game for the Mexican team and I think I counted 3 other white people other than our group the whole time I was there. It was broad casted in Spanish and was a great cultural experience for Jacoby. The fans kept singing "Ole, ole, ole" and pretty soon Jacoby caught on and started singing with them. Now if you ask him what they say at the Mexican soccer game he starts dancing and singing "Ole, ole, ole!". It's so stinkin cute!

Pointing at the ball. I couldn't believe how good he was just watching the game but I think we may have a soccer fan on our hands.

Jacoby participated in his first wave at Soldier Field!! He thought it was so cool and wanted to do it again and again!

We ended up leaving a little early because it was way past Jacoby's bed time and mine if I am being honest.

When we walked out to our car in the lot our car was blocked in by a car parked in front of the one entrance/exit. So frustrating! We called a tow truck company and Jacoby, Annie and I jumped in a cab and headed home while Joe and Jarod waited for the tow truck. The guy showed up and said there was nothing that he could do but leave it Joe and Jarod to convince him and pay him $20 to move the car just far enough to get ours out and then put it back. Thank goodness!! We won't park in that lot again!

Mother's Day 2010

Jacoby and I flew back from Boise just in time to spend Mother's Day with our little family. I felt bad leaving my mom for Mother's Day but Jarod had big plans for me here in Chicago. Jarod surprised me with a new bike and a seat for Jacoby!!! We were both so excited!

Jarod has been riding his bike to work everyday for over a year now and loves it. He has been wanting me to get a bike for a while but we were waiting for our little guy to be big enough to ride in the bike seat. He is big enough now so it was a perfect Mother's Day gift!

The first ride out I wasn't comfortable having Jacoby on my bike since it has been a while since I rode a bike so he went on the back of Jarod's. He wasn't sure what he thought about the helmet but after we told him he had to wear it to be on the bike he left it on because he wanted to be on the bike. He loves it! He sings the entire time or tries to tickle his Daddy. He also points out every puppy, tractor or truck. His favorite things these days!

I was so excited and knew exactly where I wanted to go on our first bike ride- down to the lake front. I run all the time down there and always thought it would be fun to ride bikes and it was! We stopped to take a few pictures and Jacoby just wanted back on the bike the entire time so he looks so happy.

He really does love me!

Me with my new wheels! I think I have discovered my new favorite thing to do in the city!!

Jarod spoiled me this year with brunch and new running shoes as well. It was a great Mother's Day and I am so lucky to be this sweet baby's mama!