New tile in the half bathroom downstairs (with a hope of doing the same in both bathrooms upstairs this summer). Thanks, Pops!
A new ceiling fan in the living room....finally "Hawaiian Paradise" is gone!
And finally, as where all money is going these days, paying for daycare for these precious angels...
Posing on the elephant statue....Jake is less than thrilled. :-)
Soooo excited! Jake has no idea what Brooklyn is so happy about.
But then Brooklyn explained the zoo to him, and he got excited.
We spent about 2 hours wandering around "Africa," ate a picnic lunch by the van, and then spent another hour in "North America." By then, around 2pm, Brooklyn was spent and Jake just wanted to be held and snuggled. 
Jake is wearing 12-18 month clothes and size 4 diapers. (Yes, you can lift your jaw up off the floor now.) I don't know exact weight, but he has his doctor's check up next week. I am aware that he is a very big boy (after all, I am the one carrying him around). I am starting to get kinda annoyed when all people talk about is his size. Jake has put a stop to that, though, because he is super friendly, so when people stop and say "OMG, how big!" he just turns and grins that precious smile of his. Then, the conversation turns to "Oh, he is so sweet...look at those beautiful eyes....love that smile....etc." What a smart boy I have! Working the ladies already!
Jake has had a great first two days of school. He is not napping well (two 30 minute naps), as I had suspected would happen, so he has gone to bed around 6:30pm the last two nights. (I woke him up to eat at 9pm and then he went straight back to sleep.) His teachers are super sweet and said that he ate well and was very friendly, thinking that everything going on around him was absolutely hilarious! He only cried when he was hungry, tired, or when the other babies were crying (he just didn't understand why they were so sad!). Overall, he was very happy both days. Drop off has been easier for me because I have had to also drop off Brooklyn, who at 5 years old (and in the "it's all about me" stage), is a great distraction. I also find it easier the second time just knowing the school, the administration, and the teachers. Everyone knows Brooklyn and has been so supportive and helpful as we have made this adjustment. We have been so fortunate to have been able to keep Jake out of school this long (thanks, Gramma and Aunt Patty!), and we are working it out so that Brooklyn will "graduate" from school the Friday before Memorial Day. Translation = only 5 weeks of having to "rough it" and pay for two kids in daycare. Praise Jesus for that one!
Jake still LOVES the exersaucer and activity mat. He also does very well in the stroller (for short times), the baby Bjorn (for longer times), and sleeping on his Gramma, Aunt Patty, Grandpa, and Nanny's shoulders (for even longer times). He can make the "Mmmm" sound and "Ppppppp" sound (including raspberries!). He also has mastered the art of high pitched squeals and shrieks. Sometimes I think he even amazes himself with his volume. He is a happy, relaxed baby 98% of the time. Jake LOVES Brooklyn....he watches her constantly and all she has to do is say, "Hi Buddy" in her "Jake voice" and he erupts in a fit of giggles. I hope that he always looks up to his big sister that way (and that she always provides a good example for him.) Jake also loves when we sing to him. Current favorites are ABCs or Wheels on the Bus...but I found that even Top 40 hits will do in a pinch. :-)
Jake started rice cereal at 4 1/2 months and baby foods at 5 months. I started making his babyfood at home with fresh vegetables, fruits, and the Magic Bullet. I am no fool, though, and when Harris Teeter has some killer sales with coupons, I stock up on jar babyfood as well. 
Happy Way Back When-esday, ya'll!
Sibling love.
Dying Easter eggs
Nothing says Easter like Target clothes, Starburst Jelly beans, and Beechnut Rice Cereal.
Hope you all had a great Easter weekend!
Brooklyn found all her eggs with her Daddy's help.
Wait, there's one more....
Opening her eggs and checking out her loot.
I finally convinced my mom that it was OK that Jake did not participate in the egg hunt this year, since I would be the one having to find the eggs. :) It's a good thing, too. He slept through the whole thing.
"Little" Allie (age 3) with her mama, Caroline, and baby Kyle (38-ish weeks).
Once Callie knew there were tootsie rolls in those eggs, she was on the hunt!
Zoe had a great time, too, and though I hate to admit it, looked adorable in her Duke sundress.
Tonight I realized that I completely forgot to get Brooklyn's responses for her 5 year old survey. I guessed her answers here, but this evening I asked Brooklyn the questions.
