Happy Half Birthday, Jake-ster! (2 days late!)

What a busy week in the Johnson house! As mentioned before, our laptop's hard drive just pretty much died and our other computer is multiple years old and VERY slow. Luckily (or not luckily), I started back to work fulltime in the office, and Jake started school this week. It's a good thing I am back to the office because no laptop means no working from home, so I would have had to find alternate plans for Jake anyway. Amazing God's timing, huh? Speaking of timing, Jake's first day of school also fell on his 6 month birthday. WOW! 6 months!

Here's my precious angel on his first day of school/6 month birthday. I [wish I had my old pics of Brooklyn saved to this computer, but looking back], FOUND a picture of Brooklyn in her "first day of school outfit"and it turns out that I dressed her in a pink polo shirt and jeans on her first day of school!

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!

But I digress...this is Jake's birthday post, so I shall continue about this precious face.

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.

So far, Jake has tried (and liked!):

Carrots

Sweet Potatoes

Peas

Apples

Bananas

Squash

Green Beans

Pears

He has no preference on temperature or consistency of the food, so that makes feeding baby on the go VERY easy! He is still nursing, and I am pumping during the day. I fear that I am slacking on drinking enough water and my supply is draining a bit, but as Jake supplements with food, I think we will be ok and continue with Jake only drinking breastmilk.

Jake is still swaddled at night, but he breaks free quite easily, so I think that we are nearing the end of that stage. (I think I say this every month.) I was all ready to move him in his bedroom this week, but we had an unfortunate accident with his new ceiling fan when the light fixture fell off the fan in the middle of the night and shattered to the floor. So, needless to say, until that is fixed and I am assured that it will NOT happen again, this little man is staying with ME. I am playing the "this is my last baby" card with Chad as long as I can. :-)

As you can see, I am quite smitten with my precious, teeny baby boy, and I thank God everyday for my family & multiple blessings.