Getaway

Last weekend, Nancy's parents were kind enough to take care of Jacob for a couple of days so that we could go to the lake with some friends.  It was great to get away, even if just for a few days, since we haven't really been anywhere since Costa Rica almost two years ago.

Jacob had so much fun at his Grandma and Grandpas that he didn't even miss us.  I wasn't so sure that Nancy would be able to do it though.  This was the first time she has left him anywhere overnight...but she handled it well.

We kind of cheated on our diet for the first time in 3 months, so I am kind of dreading having to face the diet-nazis at Quick Weight Loss Center.  Nancy went today and somehow had lost weight...so she didn't even get in trouble.  As of today, she has lost 45 pounds and I am down 60...so we deserved some junk food!  I am not going to fare so well on the scale whenever I go, I'm afraid.

As the weather gets warmer, vet clinics get busier...but it has been crazier than usual at the clinic here lately (not that I'm complaining).  So that is my excuse for not blogging more.  I have plenty of topics, as long as you don't mind endless cute baby stories and pictures.  Unfortunately not much else exciting.

Everything went well with my Mom's surgery and she is slowly getting back in the swing of things at home.  She is tougher than I would ever be.  But after having to put up with Laura and Carrie for 18 years each, I can understand why.  My Dad is hanging in there as well.  He says my Mom is not, um, an "ideal" patient or something like that.  I can't imagine whatever does he mean?

That's about it for now.  On to the aforementioned cute baby pictures and some of our mini-vacation:

Riding the golf cart with G-pa

He loves belts

...and drawers

...and eating

...and laughing

The "Official" 9 month photo

Rockin the plaid

Something is funny

He loves to stand up now, especially in dangerous circumstances

Smiley

One of Grandma's pics made the cut... Nancy said she would be excited.

Finally, a tooth!

Plaid again

Look at that belly

Nancy trying to get up the nerve to jump off the balcony

She decided it was a good idea

Perfect form

Riding the Sea Doo...fun until Nancy flipped us

Me and Wifey

Me, Scott, and Jeff

Da-Da wins (Sort Of)

He stands up and speaks!  Kind of.  And some other random video.

We're in Trouble Now

Seeing Eye dog

Yesterday, a blind client brought her seeing eye dog in for a skin problem. I discussed the treatment with her, and as they left, I advised her to "keep an eye on it". Oops.

Speaking of Birthdays

We were at Makinley's birthday party on Saturday, and when everyone sang Happy Birthday to her, Jacob lit up and smiled ear to ear the whole time.  Like everyone was singing to him or something.  Nancy thought it was the cutest thing ever, so now she sings Happy Birthday to him all the time, randomly, to get him to smile.  And he does.  Every time. 

Tonight, I was feeding him his customary bedtime bottle in the living room.  As usual, he dozed off about 3/4 of the way through it.  Then a commercial came on in which Celine Dion sings Happy Birthday.  He suddenly opened his eyes from a sound sleep, tossed the bottle out of his mouth, lifted his head so he could see the tv, and smiled.

I have a sneaking suspicion I am going to have to buy this kid a birthday present every single day of his life.  Thanks Nancy.

Happy Half Birthday

Happy Half Birthday to my beautiful wife.

She makes me say that.  She even tries to get gifts.  I mean, I have never heard of anyone celebrating their half birthday.  That's ridiculous.  But she swears it is a real holiday to be celebrated with much fanfare.  Somewhere on the list of importance between one's real birthday and Groundhog Day.  She sort of acts like she is joking about it, but I can see the disappointment in her eyes, just a little...when, every year, I scoff at her "holiday", and she realizes she is not getting a present from me.

Some of you have inquired about the gentleman standing in the background in one photo I recently posted of me, Shelby, and Jacob at the dog park.  Some thought I had photoshopped him in or something.  That is actually Nancy's cousin Rickey (obviously from Paul's side of the family).  Despite his unusual appearance, he is actually a pretty good dude.  I don't think he reads this blog, so I don't think he will get offended by some of your remarks.

We recently got a webcam, along with our parents, so that Jacob could "see" his grandparents more often.  It is actually pretty cool, except that he slaps the keyboard the entire time.  He somehow manages to always hit the mute button, or the freeze button.  I have no idea how he knows what button to push.  If we try to move him further back from the computer, he loses all interest and starts doing backflips trying to get out of our laps.  I wonder if anyone makes a baby straight jacket to reel in the flailing arms of an eight-month-old?  We could swaddle him, I guess.  But I don't think they make "swaddle sacks" for two year olds, which is the size he will be wearing by next week.  He hasn't spit up directly onto the keyboard yet, which itself is a small miracle.  So I guess I shouldn't complain.

We took a day trip to Austin after work on Saturday to celebrate Makinley's actual birthday (her 3rd) with our family.  She had lots of fun and got lots of assorted princess and baby paraphenalia.  Jacob behaved very well, especially considering how much it threw off his schedule.  He slept all the way there and all the way back.

On to some recent photos.  Many of which most of you have already seen with your daily photos from my wifey.



Summertime Hat



He loves to swing

Supposed to be napping

Taking off his shoes, of course

Playing with toys Makinley bought him at Walt Disney World

Ready for summer

Nice plaid

I told you he loves to swing

A little early in the morning for pictures, mom.

Happy Birthday Makinley Princess Makinley

Pictures!

We took J-Dub to the park last weekend, which he thoroughly enjoyed because a) he loves any kind of "thrill ride" 2) he loves wind blowing in his face III) he loves being outside and 4th) he loves swings.

It was also time for his first haircut.  Earlier than most kids, but in reality he needed it three months ago.  He did great, and sat very still, except for when she was trimming the back of his neck...because he is uber ticklish.  So his neckline in the back looks kinda like someone took a weed-whacker to it.  Oh well.





At the dog park



The official 7 month picture



Bed head!