Struttin' His Stuff.

This past week Jaemus has been deemed an official "walker." He transitioned for a while between crawling and walking but he now prefers his feet and gets around pretty quickly.

He has been having a blast exploring new terrain and laughs when he experiencing crunchy leaves under his feet or a little up or down hill. In this video he gets stuck in some soft, tall grass and laughs his way out of it.

Jaemus is such a joy to spend the day with.

Jaemus is One!

Our little guy was 1 year old on the 11th. He was born during a busy busy month! I remember last year he was born, it was 2 days after our wedding anniversary and I was in a wedding 2 weeks later. Well, this year it was even busier. We survived 2 stomach flues (separate weeks), a sinus infection, a wedding anniversary sadly celebrated sick on the couch, Jaemus' party, and a week vacation in Rock Creek Lake. I can't believe June is over tomorrow! I feel like I just woke up from what I thought was a long nap but actually was 3 weeks.

Jaemus is becoming a little boy. He loves to rough house by hitting everything around him with his toys, wresting us, biting 'playfully', and eating dog food and rocks. He is always carrying around a toy in his hand. His number one choice is a plastic bubble pipe, or you may see him strutting around with an orange shovel or toy golf club. Yes, dangerous I know. =)

His laughter is infectious. He has the cutest belly laugh that he does often. He laughs at himself playing the recorder or spraying the water on his toothbrush. He often laughs at the discovered noises of hitting different items and of course his number one comic is Bailey. Brandon often entertains with his music skills on the guitar and piano which makes Jaemus really hyper and excited.

He took his first steps a few days after his birthday. Everyday he is taking more steps but crawls for speed. He has a funny quirk of walking on his knees. He started doing this a while ago and it's hilarious. He has gotten pretty quick on those knees. Jaemus is saying more words and communicating pretty good. His first word was "up" and since then he says "momma", "dadda", "hot", and "ball". He says "all done" and "water" in sign language. He continues to be very vocal and makes lots of noises and grunts which somehow I can interpret.

Bailey and Jaemus are the cutest of friends and it is so sweet to watch their love for one another grow. They always want the other around and play really well together.

I love this age because I see so much personality coming out and I love watching Jaemus learn and experience so many new things. I also still have my baby. He is sweet, cuddly, and a momma's boy. His love for me melts my heart. He is the one who will turn my hair gray with his rambunctiousness that keeps me worried, his lack of responding to "no", and his still unpredictability of just how early he will wake me up. However, his smile and joy of being on my hip softens me and gives me more energy. I can't believe how much I can love these two kids.

Yes, there are better family pictures but this is to show how most of them turn out. We take about 10 and get maybe 1 when we are all looking at the camera. I enjoy the strand of randomness that can happen in 30 seconds. So, just to show some reality I guess.

Beautiful Day

"Spring is when flowers are a bloomin'" Says Bailey.

11 11

Jaemus had his "golden" month of being 11 months old on the 11th. hah

Jaemus' new smile. This is when he is so excited he just can't handle it. This last month has been the month of personality. He has really opened up and we are just loving his excitement and his developing way of communicating.

He began standing and even ambitiously attempted taking a step before crumbling to the ground. He says "Mama" and "Dada", "uh-oh" and "up." He wiggles on command plays peekaboo and claps his hands.

He decided he no longer needs a pacifier- that was a nice surprise. He started getting angry when we offered them and threw them out of his crib. Glad he took the initiative to ween himself.

It has been a really enjoyable month watching him surprise himself with new skills and we all love cheering him on. Jaemus is busy, busy, busy, as he is anxious to get around and explore everywhere.

Jaemus has also started pointing at items he is curious about. He points and makes this funny questioning noise like "oihh?" and cocks his head a little. He really loves pointing out airplanes and looking at you in amazement.

I can't believe he is going to be 1 next month! I think I baby him...he has been growing too fast and I am trying to treasure having a baby but he is beginning to feel like a kid in my arms.

3 Year Olds

After putting Jaemus down for his nap, I walked into the living room and found this. Creative? Innovative? Artistic? Or just 3 years old perhaps?

Recent conversations with Bailey.

Jenni just planted a strawberry garden and Bailey's favorite thing to do lately is go to Auntie's to pick and eat her ripe strawberries. However, there has been something eating her strawberries lately.

"Bailey, what do you think is eating my strawberries?"- Auntie

Bailey responds, "hmm...I don't know, we have to figure this out! Maybe it's an elephant or something?"

"An elephant! Oh wow that would be crazy." - Auntie

"Or maybe a Rhino? Or a monkey? Monkeys are sneaky!" - Bailey

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Bailey and Brandon are driving home together at night and see a lot of people at a park with candles in a bag making a big circle. There are tents and a lot of activity.

Brandon says, "Hey, I wonder what's going on over there?"

Bailey answers, " Maybe there is a tornado? Or maybe they are all looking at a goose?"

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Never a boring day!

Jaemus is 10 Months!

This has been the month of "firsts" for Jaemus. Even this morning, he had his first taste of dog food. Noticed some crumbs on his mouth; I didn't give him any food. Come to find two big chunks of Frani's food in his mouth. He wasn't even grossed out and was actually mad that I removed them.

The dog food was better than when I found him chocking on one of Bailey's hair rubber bands. She has those teeny tiny ones and he managed to find one on the ground. He was crawling around coughing a bit and then started gagging. I picked him up, opened his mouth, and grabbed the pink rubber band out of the back of his throat. Lovely.

Jaemus started crawling. He waited until he was strong enough to keep off his belly; he hates being on his stomach. One day, he just took off on all fours after a balloon we had gotten from the store that day. We cheered him on for his first escapade. He is now keeping us busy with his speedy moves and stealthy little hands.

He also grew two more teeth, had his third hair cut, started waving, had his first trip in the wagon, had his first ride in the bike, and went in the pool for the first time at swim lesson. It has been a really fun month with Jaemus. He has been full of joy experiencing these new activities and thus far is a good sport. It always helps to have Bailey with him because if Bailey is happy and having fun so is he.

Jaemus, luckily for me, has been sleeping much better! We are looking forward to having lots of rest to enjoy the spring and be outside. He has also been super cuddly and sweet. He gives me the best welcomes when I have been away from him and he often will crawl up to me just for some hugs and kisses. He has this thing about biting my shoulders though which really hurts. I think it is out of aggressive excitement and I am the only special one to receive these "love bites." But I seriously have bit marks on me.

Is it getting easier? Sleep definitely makes everything easier. However, as he grows it's not necessarily easier just a different type of busy. The two of them are really fun and I love the funny things that happen in my day. For example Bailey getting him to crawl after her so she can lead him into the hall, shut all the doors, and "make a fire" with him. I will then hear them both laughing at who knows what. I love watching them play more. But it definitely still feels draining at the end of the day but in a rewarding way.

Midnight Hour

Midnight Hour played last tonight at the Spectrum featuring Brandon Bridgman on gimbe and tambourine. Check them out on facebook!