Swing, swing, swing

We went and spent the day in Kentucky today.  We went for Kade Grodhaus' birthday and since we were over there we decided to make a day.  We had a great time hitting up the Gap factory store, ok well I did.  That place is amazing!  But the highlight of every one's day was putting Jace in the swing for the first time.  Jacoby has been asking us every time we go to the park to put Jace in the swing and this time we said yes.  Jacoby was much more excited about it then Jace was.  Jace wasn't sure what to think about it and then he started to like it and then he decided he didn't.  I took him out for a few minutes and then Jacobes wanted to get in with him so I told him we would try, well that was the problem he wanted his brother to swing with him because then he loved it.  Actually they both did.  Jacoby was a pirate looking through his telescope and Jace was kicking like crazy.  Love my boys!

Dreams do come true!

 This little boy of mine has been obsessed with giraffes forever and on Saturday we were able to make one of his dreams come true, he got to feed a real giraffe.  At our zoo, every weekend they have feeding times for the giraffes.  How we didn't know about this for the last year is crazy but now that we do know I have a feeling it is going to happen many  more times.  You buy a cracker and the giraffe takes it out of your hand.  Amazing, especially for my three year old!
Jarod was showing Jacoby how the giraffe was going to eat his cracker. 

 The giraffe knew it was feeding time and stood and waited.  We got there early and Jarod stood in line while Jacoby and I watched the cheetahs run.  Then I told him about his big surprise and he was so excited!  He was the first person in line. 

 They have really long tongues and they move really fast!  He thought it was the coolest thing ever!!!

 He fed the giraffe Tessa two crackers and talked about it all day long. 

 Jace loved the big house, which is Jacoby's favorite exhibit as well.  He was trying to get his hands on everything in there. 

Jacoby took over the camera and started taking pictures of everything and he even got this great one of the three of us.
It was an amazing day!  It was so much fun to see Jacoby so excited and to have one of his dreams come true!

Summer of rain

At the beginning of this summer we had a massive heat wave constantly and now we are having rain non stop.  There has been no in between!  So instead of letting the rain stop our summer barbecues Jarod got creative.  Take that rain!!  And yes that is half the back of our house that fell when we had a HUGE storm. 

I was in the kitchen making dinner and I looked out the window and thought man that gutter is really sagging.  I opened up the door and the six hundred pound piece came crashing down.  I was able to move quick enough that it did not land on me but thank goodness I didn't have either of the boys with me!!

The boys and I also had a fun afternoon of no power.  I had just pulled Jace out of the tub and Jacoby was still in.  The lights started flickering and then went out.  Jacoby freaked out because it was pitch dark in the bathroom and I was in the hallway putting Jace's clothes on.  Once I told him what was going on he was ok and immediately thought we needed to light every candle in our house and say a prayer. 

This weather has been keeping us on our toes!

Sweet Jace

 There is something about a baby in white that gets me every time and this morning when I put this outfit on him, I ran to get my camera to get a few shots of this beautiful baby! 
He is heaven!  That's all there is to it! 

 His beautiful eyes melt me every time.  Every time!

 I want to remember this little face because this is how he looks most of the time.  A mischievous, taking it all in look.

I love him so much.  He is growing too fast I cannot even wrap my head around it.  Sometimes I just try to memorize everything about him in the moment because I know how fast it goes.
I always wondered what it would be like when I had another baby because I am so in love with Jacoby and I wondered how I could love someone else that much.  I worried my entire pregnancy about developing a strong relationship with Jace like I have with Jacoby and then Jarod placed him in my arms for the first time and all those worries went away.  It is amazing how much you can love your children and it is amazing how much love they give you in return.  This is what life is all about.  These special moments that I get to have with my boys mean more to me than anything else ever could. 

Jacoby Golfs

 We were so excited to take Jacoby put put golfing.  We had no idea how well he would do though.  We got there and figured out quickly that we have a left handed golfer just like baseball.  I was glad his dad was there because I have the hardest time showing him how to do things left handed because I am seriously so uncoordinated with my left!

 Jarod showed him how to line up and his first hole he hit a birdie! 

 He got a hole in one on this shot- I kid you not!!  He was amazing!!

 Jarod and I could not believe it and Jacoby was loving every minute of it. 

 Jace was happy just being outside and I am getting pretty good at the one handed golf swing. 

He ended the day making quite a few birdies and one hole in one.  Not bad for a three year old, not bad at all.  Heck, he did better then me!! 
For days afterwards all he wanted to do was go play put put golf again.  I think he may be hooked.

Squash anyone?

 Jace has moved on from rice cereal.  He had his first real taste of food and he loves it!  He actually really did like rice cereal but it was so fun to see him taste something else.  He is really impresssive with how well he eats and moves it around his mouth. 

 He is not a big fan of his high chair and either am I.  Every time he hits his head on something or gets his fingers caught some where so I finally decided enough was enough and ordered the same chair that Jacoby had and life and eating time is so much better!

Jarod took this picture of me and then started laughing.  Yes, this is my life.  Neither of my boys are ever farther away then a hand or my hair distance.  I love them and the feeling is mutual.  I have two mama's boys!

Jumping

Since Jace was six months old, we thought he would love the Johnny Jumper like his brother but he is not that big of a fan.  It means that we are not holding him and these days that will just not do.  I am sure he will grow to love it soon though.

6 Months Old!

I cannot get enough of you!!  You are so much fun and we love you so much!!  We are so glad that you are a part of our family and I cannot imagine it now without you.  You are our ray of sunshine and we all call you sunshine for your nickname.  We love you Jacers!!
A few things about our big six month old!
1.  You weigh 16 lb. 10 oz. and 26 1/2 inches long
2.  You have the cutest little rolls on your legs that I absolutely love!
3.  Your hair is really starting to come in and it has the same texture as Daddy's
4.  Your eyes are so beautiful!  They are a bright blue.
5.  You started food last week and you really like it but you have only had rice cereal
6.  You love to nurse- all the time! 
7.  You refuse to sleep in your bed so you even take naps in our bed.
8.  You take three naps most of the time but sometimes four and sometimes two really long ones.
9.  Ever since we have been back from Boise you have not been sleeping well at night.  I am not sure what the deal is.  You have been getting up almost hourly.  Last night was a little better so hopefully you will go back to your long stretches that I enjoyed so much.
10.  You fall asleep in the car all the time and I can transfer you to your bed sometimes or we just leave you in your car seat.  If we are home you will usually fall asleep laying down nursing or just cuddling with Mama.
11.  You love to be walked around, listen to the fan in the bathroom or be outside if you are upset.  Being outside works every time!  You still love the swing on the porch and Daddy and you swing every night together.
12.  You love to laugh and squeal and you are really loud! 
13.  You love my hair and you love being held all the time.  You are starting to notice when it isn't mama holding you .
14.  You love your big brother and love watching him all the time
15.  Daddy is so funny and can get you going
16.  You can sit for long periods of time and you roll and scoot on the floor but only if we are on the floor with you.  You do not like being left alone for even a minute.  You have to be in the middle of everything that we do and be with us and we wouldn't have it any other way.
We love you Jace!!

Brothers

This could be my favorite picture to date of my beautiful boys!!  Love it!!  We had just woken up in the morning and were reading books and doing laundry.  I am so thankful every day that I get to spend the entire day with these two!  The love each other and it is so fun to hear them playing and giggling together.  There is no better noise then both of them laughing at the same time.  I don't think I will ever get enough of it. 
A few weeks ago, I laid Jace down on the bed while I was trying to finish up a couple of things.  I told Jacoby that he was tired so I was going to hurry.  He told me that he would watch him for me so I went on my way picking up the house.  When I came back in the room, not even a few minutes later, Jacoby had put Jace to sleep!!  He had given him his binky, laid next to him and was hugging him and singing twinkle twinkle little star and Jace was sound asleep!  It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. 

Jacoby and Mama Date

Jacoby and I went on a date the other night and had the best time!  Ericka Sullivan was the going to be the genie in the Aladdin play at the local high school so Jacoby and I went and watched.  He loved it!!  We had the best time!  He sat on my lap the entire time and played with my hair and whenever Ericka wasn't on stage he would ask where she was, trying to whisper.  He was so cute!  I sure do love my Jacoby!!
Daddy and Jace had a great time at home with just the two of them too. 

Lets try this again!

The next day we tried cereal again and this time it went much better!!  We had our happy Jacers back who loved it!!

Fourth of July

We were actually home for the fourth this year and we had a blast!!  We were in the middle of a heat wave and it was over 100 with humidity so we tried to stay cool with popsicles.  (That stake in the front yard is Jacoby's carrot.  He waters it and takes care of it like it is a plant!)

While we ate are popsicles, Jace munched on his favorite thing my hair.  Seriously what is with my boys and my hair!

This year we decided to have our own fire works and in Ohio that consists of smoke bombs, not even sparklers.  We were a little disappointed but the kids thought it was great.

My all American boys, love them so much!! 

It was miserably hot and these pictures were taken around 8 at night.  After the firework show we came in and put Jacoby to bed.  Jarod, Jace and I were hanging out downstairs when we started hearing some big booms.  We walked out front and could see the Indian Hills fireworks from our front porch!  The three of us sat on our swing and watched.  It was an amazing show and the best way to spend Jace's first fourth of July.