tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76245378819994016842024-03-12T18:07:57.208-07:00THE ROTANS"Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart." ~ Psalm 37:4Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-67485833444577453202013-01-05T11:15:00.000-08:002013-01-05T11:15:52.523-08:00Elin, 22 months <br />
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So I missed jotting anything down for Elin's 21st month, so I'll do a little combo here. Truthfully, it all beautifully runs together anyhow! Well first off here is a picture that pretty much says it ALL! </div>
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She is indeed crazy and quite the ham, just an absolute lover of life, probably like the majority of toddlers. She loves to dance, dance, dance, walk backwards saying "back, I back," sit on the "touch" and read, and still at any moment turns into a panting puppy dog. Well, that is until you ask her if she is a puppy dog then she responds with a "MEOW" (My mistake.) She is quite observant pointing out runners on the street, the moon, Christmas lights & trees, and the small details of books like tiny bugs, flowers, planes etc that are more in the background of the scenes within her books. She has started to color (which Jake says,"momma, she just scribble scrabbles.") She; however, thinks she is writing her "name," of which she can finally say! YAY! Elin also loves her clothes especially jackets, boots and bows. (Thanks Janda and Clinton for clothing our daughter with the beautiful hand me downs!) She has also recently decided that if she wants something, if she yells loud enough at us she will indeed get it. Hummm.... not so I'm afraid! Some of Elin's go to phrases of recent are:<br />
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"To me?" When she wants something like,"give it to me."<br />
"Yummy, mommy"<br />
"I color"<br />
"k-Lub" Turn the radio to K-love when in the car.<br />
"Mommy! EAT!! CHEESE! HAM! EAT!"<br />
"Choc or Choc-y" for olvaltine in her milk<br />
"Daddy wuk?" (work)<br />
"LOA! get back! sit down!"<br />
"Where's Jake-y?"<br />
"I got it"<br />
"care-fee" for "careful"<br />
"ok, momma"<br />
"libre" (library)<br />
"baby, nigh nigh"<br />
"Momma...kiss?"<br />
" I wuv you...daddy, mommy, jake-y"<br />
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And the list could go on....<br />
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<br />Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-31287644249448445362012-11-08T19:40:00.000-08:002012-11-08T19:48:25.926-08:00Elin, 20 monthsSweet Elin, though hard to believe, is already 20 months old. I'm having a hard time with that one. She is nearly two years old! How can that be? So much to say about her, but yet I think I have already said it before. I think she is just becoming sweeter, more loving, more precise in her communication, and more of a joy to have in our family every day. She has my heart for sure... and of course she has Keith's. Now that is a sweet sight to see. She loves her Daddy for sure. <br />
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Some of her favorite things:<br />
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1. Slides. She loves them and can spot them from a mile away while on walks or in the car.<br />
2. Being outside ("side"). She would run and play and wander in circles outside all day if<br />
possible.<br />
3. Cheese, cheese, and did I say cheese? A day without cheese is a sad day for Elin.<br />
4. Her baby. She feeds her, tells her "night night"and tells me when she is "shew wee" <br />
needing a diaper change.<br />
5. Bible. Wants it in bed with her at naps and at night time.<br />
6. Shoes and bows. Her first request in the mornings. Crazy huh?<br />
7. Scarecrows. She so inquisitively studies their painted on faces.<br />
8. <i>Fuzzy caterpillar</i> and <i>Itsy Bitsy Spider</i> (songs)<br />
9. Music in the car.<br />
10. When she hears the house alarm beep indicating that Daddy is home. The squealing &<br />
laughter is intense and such a precious sight.<br />
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Love you "E."<br />
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<br />Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-79663606864848387552012-10-10T19:49:00.000-07:002012-10-10T19:56:31.683-07:00Elin, 19 Months<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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“Oh SISTER!!” We’ve been saying and hearing that a lot
around the house lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elin, now
19 months is full of energy, independence and just plain, down right cuteness!
Caution: I am about to just download some sweet, funny, and statistical things
that most likely no one cares about BUT me…I just don’t want to forget this
amazing stage that Elin is at right now.<br />
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(Tending our little fall garden.)</div>
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So the stats first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At Elin’s last Dr’s appt (supposed to be her 18 month check up; actually
done at 19 because I was procrastinating on getting shots!) she weighed: 23
pounds and was 33 inches long, I think. Ha! I was having a hard time paying
attention to the height measurement.</div>
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At the appt, she was extremely aware of her environment,
which was demonstrated by the blood-curdling scream that was followed
immediately with crying in horror when the nurse called her name to leave the
waiting room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t a fit;
actually, she was literally scared senseless! She screamed the entire time the
nurse was weighing and measuring her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once we got in the room she calmed… until the pediatrician came in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She took one look at him and let him
experience the pain of your ears ringing following one of her extreme screams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll just say that the dr.’s office is
not her favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also enjoyed
the same response when I took her with me to a quick optometrist appt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would’ve thought?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nonetheless, she is a smart little
cookie (or “key- coo” as she would say.)</div>
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(Loves to ring the door bell.)</div>
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I am amazed at her language skills & I have not done anything different with her than I did Jake; and actually if I had, it would be considered less than what I did with Jake but she is way ahead of where he was at this age. She is using new words daily and putting 2-3 words together often. One fun thing she repeatedly says is,“ Jake…K?, Mommy…K?, Daddy….K?” Each time she asks someone the question she leans her head forward and then shakes her head saying, “yes.” EVERY TIME. She also tells us that she loves us, in the same manner. “jake… I love you.” “I know” means “I don’t know. “ “you?” means, “hold my hand and help me down” from where she is like the porch stairs or a step stool. “Side?” means, “can we go outside?” Words like, “baby, Bible, book, out, down, doll, ‘quack” (duck) cheese, eat, ball, water, ‘moan’ (for phone) Loa, jake, and mommy & daddy” also get strung together in some pretty interesting phrases. I think she just likes to hear herself use all of those fancy new words. </div>
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I would have to say playing outside and reading books are her main interests during playtime. She likes to swing but she LOVES to “lide.” (slide). She will also often bring a few toys into the kitchen when I am cooking dinner and put them on the floor and then she says, “sit down!…. Play?” She also still loves to try on shoes and bows when playing in her room. Usually the first thing she requests when she gets up in the morning is her shoes and sometimes her bow (which is really a clip, she doesn’t love bows really). Crazy girl!</div>
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Bedtime is pretty unique with her as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She will not allow me to hold her while
we do our bedtime routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
must be sitting next to me in the chair and not always am I allowed to put my
arm around her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(so opposite from
Mr. “I need some holding” Jake.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She does have some favorite books, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh
My Oh My Dinosaurs</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pajama time</i>,
both by Sandra Boynton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She calls
the latter, “DE- BOP!” Pretty cute; especially if you are familiar with the
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Itsy Bitsy</i> has been replaced with her new favorite song <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fuzzy Caterpillar</i>. So after I wrap up
her routine at bedtime she gets in her crib and waits for Keith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lays by her crib for a few minutes
and talks to her almost every night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She loves to put her feet through the slats of the bed and she lets
Keith rub her toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
occasionally puts her baby’s feet through there too for Keith to rub as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am near certain he
obliges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you Sis!</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-85662818605744588872012-09-05T11:29:00.001-07:002012-09-05T11:29:46.519-07:00Pre-K! Woot Woot!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KWsY9JGFCms5E_pl9uhW9UdhLqV11MDxE_1uRyu94edkIinAWSQjImtEd-SGG3-mMtsE8e3Kd4ST7VuR8Ls7UKL2dmPvpTj-XNqkazOh9oC50Vv1sPty8XsXke3aEox8WZU5B3-PnRY/s1600/IMG_2784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KWsY9JGFCms5E_pl9uhW9UdhLqV11MDxE_1uRyu94edkIinAWSQjImtEd-SGG3-mMtsE8e3Kd4ST7VuR8Ls7UKL2dmPvpTj-XNqkazOh9oC50Vv1sPty8XsXke3aEox8WZU5B3-PnRY/s640/IMG_2784.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Thanks for holding the chalkboard sign Jake. I know you really didn't want to.)</td></tr>
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Finally, Finally, Finally Jake started Pre-K yesterday. He has been asking me when he is going back to school since his last day of daycare last July! This boy loves school! Even though I have worked with him at home, he still so COULD NOT wait to go back to school. So he is going to Concord Baptist preschool on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings for 3 hours a day. He was super excited when he woke up yesterday & he did great when we took him to his class (so great he forgot to give his momma a hug...he got reminded though.) and he was still thrilled when I picked him up. We went and had lunch with our neighborhood friend who is in his class to wrap a great first day of Pre-K! Last night when I put him to bed, I told him that I was so glad he loved his day and had a blast at school but then I said, "but just so you know, I really missed you being with me." He looked at me with an endearing and yet proud smile & said, "Well, this is what we will do next time I go to school. You can hold your hand out like this (palm open), & I'll kiss it. Then you can close your hand tight and put it in your pocket. Then when you start to miss me, just get it out of your pocket and put it like this (placing his hand on his cheek)." So smart & thoughtful! I think someone read <i>The Kissing Hand </i>at school today. (If you've never read the book, it is super cute.) What a memorable day, I love you Jake!Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-60894536718202771852012-08-28T18:27:00.002-07:002012-08-28T18:32:54.981-07:00Elin, 18 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sis, here, is 18 months old as of Monday & look at that little GIRL in the picture. Elin is changing so quickly and growing more independent every day; although she has displayed a strong, determined character for quite sometime now.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">So lets see, what has she been up to lately? Well she is pretty much constant motion; however, if I think back to Jake at this age, he definitely wins in that area. Nevertheless, she seems to move with complete determination, appearing to always be on a mission. She doesn't really run all that much, but she definitely marches. When she does run </span>though (<span class="Apple-style-span">usually trying to catch up with Jake), her whole torso twists with excitement. Love that toddler run. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">I can't even really keep up with all the new vocabulary she is gaining, but a couple of my favorites are "Jesus" and "amen" (may-men). So precious! She also has begun to call me "Becca" occasionally. From down stairs, when I was upstairs, she called, "Becca?...Where are you?" Craziness, I tell you. I so love language acquisition and I find the differences between children so fun and somewhat amazing really. So to all my pedi SLP friends (I have no I idea if they read this), what do you think? Is it boy vs. girl, birth order, personality or what?? Another funny thing she does while communicating is, she tucks her chin down into her neck and it makes her voice a little deep and gruff...this is her serious voice and for some reason it is usually reserved for Keith. Ha!</span></div>
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She still has her foot/ shoe fetish, loving to try on her shoes over and over again. Nearly every morning the first thing she will say after I get her out of her crib is, "fwops! fwops!" requesting her flip-flops. She also likes bringing every one's shoes to them in the morning. Frequently she points out my toenail polish & nods her head saying, "yeah, yeah,"<br />
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Elin is loving her books and reading times with mom or dad at nap time and bed time. She is becoming more interactive during reading, making animal sounds, pointing particular objects out when asked and completing motions (like in Eric Carle's,<i> I Can Do It.</i>) Her favorite song is still <i>Itsy Bitsy Spider.</i><br />
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Her favorite play mate...well Jake of course. Like any younger sibling, she watches him, follows him, & tries to do all things he does like sitting on the couch like him, blowing bubbles in the bath or pool, or initiating a game of "catch me" etc. So far, he welcomes this & is so proud when he is able to teach her something new or help take care of her. When we were talking about what it means to be a friend one day, I asked him who he thought was a great friend. I was fully expecting him to say me (just being honest) or maybe Keith. He said, "Mom, <i>Elin</i> is my best friend." </div>
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We love love love this little child so much, she brings so much laughter, love, & a little extra quirkiness to our family. Thank you, God, for entrusting Elin Kate to us. Love you "E."</div>
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<br />Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-64624887078387826042012-08-26T19:49:00.000-07:002012-08-26T19:54:25.095-07:00Weekend at the Beach... Kind of<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So I have really been wanting to make it to the beach since we have moved to Knox, it's only 8 hours away now! That just has NOT happened, but this weekend we did make it to a state that HAS a beach... does that count? We went maybe 10 miles into North Carolina to visit Lake Santeetlah. We thought it was beautiful and had just a relaxing fun time playing on the beach and in the swimming area. Here are a few more than a few pics.</div>
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So Jake and I started out the afternoon with building a sand castle.....</div>
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& this is what we got from Miss Priss</div>
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She just wasn't having it.... until her Daddy got her belly full. Then she was a much happier camper. </div>
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We all worked on sand castles on and off all day... I think we might need lessons, but it was fun none the less. </div>
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Elin marched up and down the beach most of the afternoon, splashing in the water, playing in the sand, and introducing herself to many strangers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm a HAM..<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh Yea, I am a HAM</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No I'm not...I'm Serious<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(I love this one)</td></tr>
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And someone ate a few too many oreos, but we won't say who...<br />
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Jake and Keith did fish some, Keith said that Jake was quite the caster. But no luck catching anything. I think Jake would have stayed until dark, he had a blast playing in the water and the sand.</div>
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And they were out within about 10 minutes of the drive home; which was great because Keith & I actually got to talk the entire way home. What a fun day!<br />
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<br />Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-1726511423823589942012-07-28T20:02:00.001-07:002012-07-28T20:07:51.279-07:00Elin @ 17 MonthsI promise that our family does more than just celebrate Elin every other month or so, contrary to the blog posts that are all about HER! We have been busy busy busy enjoying our summer including a wonderful trip back to TX, lots of swimming at the neighborhood pool, swimming lessons for Jake, and exploring our new city on Saturdays when Keith is up for an adventure on his day off. Maybe I can post some highlights of the summer at a later time. <br />
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It seems that over the past 2 months Elin has left her baby days well behind and is in full blown toddlerhood! I personally LOVE the baby stage; but love, love, love the toddler stage of development. I love to watch the language explode, the desire for independence and thus frustration & tantrums begin! Really, it's true because it is so intriguing to me to begin to see them problem solve, learn, grow, & then observe their satisfaction in accomplishment of even the little things (which are HUGE for them). Some of the little things for Elin right now are climbing on and off the couch by herself, climbing up the stairs on her own, and she's still working on feeding herself (and she is oh SO proud when Mommy does not have to help!) She grins and nods her head proudly with most accomplishments.<br />
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Her language is really taking off with something new almost every few days. She frequently puts two words together and sometimes three. Some of her phrases are: dank you, I down, I eat, I book, I ready, where's bebe?, where's Woa (Loa)?, where's Dake, Daddy, Cwacka? (cracker: any food item. Which has changed from "brito" last month.) She is also pointing, shrugging shoulders, and practically any other way she can carry on with her hands she will while communicating.<br />
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Speaking of "cwackas" and "britos," any ideas on where all that food is going?!? Look at that TUM!<br />
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She has taken a huge growth spurt since her last dr.'s visit increasing from the 10th percentile in weight to the 30th and the 50th in height to the 65th. (22 lb. 3 ounces and 31 1/2 inches)<br />
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A few of Elins favorite things to do now: </div>
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Sitting on ANY ledge or step available:</div>
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Playing in the water...even Loa's water dish</div>
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She loves her accessories:</div>
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She also loves to chase Jake's cars that go racing across the playroom floor & she loves her "bebe" and often requests her at bedtime and wakes her in the morning to go to breakfast. So cute. She is enjoying reading more everyday & that is not such a persuasion on our part anymore. She also loves to swing whenever possible. Also one last thing, rather person that she LOVES; to say the very least, is her Uncle John. When we were in TX we got to see him several days that we were there. Let's just say that no one else really mattered too much when he was around. I haven't seen her respond to anyone quite like this! Seriously look at this face!</div>
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<br />Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-88502944935308697442012-06-12T20:25:00.001-07:002012-06-12T20:25:58.792-07:00Sister "E" at 15 monthsElin turned 15 months near the end of May, so it is only fitting that I attempt to record a few things for her 15th month before 16 months is here! Oh well, trust me, this is not the only thing that I am behind on! Here is a sweet pic of the little Miss when we took Nana and Pop to The Smokies during their visit.<br />
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Elin's language is really picking up, with lots of new words and although I feel that her receptive skills have been noticeably progressing for several months, now she is consistently expressing that she understands with strong, "DO" for "no" and energetic head nods for "yes." New words: "Wowa" = Loa, "soos" = shoes, "bobby" = mommy, "bye, bye," "hi," "go," "down"= up or down, "eddy" = ready, & "nummy, nummy, nummy" = anything that tastes good. She also loves to show you her belly & find your nose and eyes. See below for proof.</div>
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She definitely has her moments of being independent also. She does NOT want to be fed, she only wants finger foods unless you can sneak a bite from a spoon into her little mouth to entice her...then she MIGHT allow you to load a spoon for her to self feed. She also doesn't want her hand to be held while walking, even if she's going 90 to nothing, swinging her left arm all the way down the hill of our drive way!</div>
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She likes to play with any ball, of which she will throw and say "go!" immediately followed by her determined fast paced march to go retrieve it only to do the same routine again & again! She likes to play peek-a-boo (except she says, "bo!'), sometimes only covering one eye... or sometimes putting her hands on her temples instead of eyes. Playing peek a boo with daddy in the morning when he gets her up has become expected. Her favorite song is <i>Itsy Bitsy Spider </i> & she really loves the flap board books.</div>
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Thanks to our dear friend Janda and her girls, Elin has more shoes than the rest of the household combined & she loves them. A favorite game to play is dress up with shoes and hair clips. She will get a pair of shoes, bring them to you, sit in your lap and say "soos?" We put them on and then she will go get another pair of "soos." (Unless you try to get her to wear pink furry boots, and let me tell ya, she won't have it! she shakes her head saying "do, do, do" and it might turn into a fit if ya push it.) Keith will do this with her, literally for an hour. One day I came home from doing errands & they both had multiple clips in their hair and Elin was still trying on shoes! ( didn't get a pic of that one!)</div>
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Elin loves to go on stroller rides and be outside of course and she still loves her "dake." She is somewhat stingy with her hugs and kisses, but often now when she first sees "dake" in the morning she tells him to come to her with her hands and then she takes both of her hands to his face and gives him that wonderful toddler open mouth smooch. So sweet. Love you "E."</div>
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<br /></div>Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-29124949934639175472012-05-22T20:51:00.000-07:002012-05-22T20:53:38.466-07:00Then & Now at Four Years Old!?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
THEN:</div>
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& NOW:</div>
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"Oh my goodness where does the time go?" has been the trademark saying of near every older person that I meet in various places when I have my children with me. Or how about this one, "Enjoy every moment, it goes so quickly!" Or the one that makes me cringe, "enjoy them while they are young, because when they get to be teenagers..." (you know the rest of this very negative statement). The list of these could go on but here is the scary realization that I have come to, they are all too true! Our time with our man Jake has gone so quickly, even though we really make our best attempt to relish the moments raising and loving him. But guess what? He is FOUR as of tomorrow! Happy birthday Jake! </div>
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Here is a little bit about Jake at age FOUR:</div>
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Jake loves most all people & rarely knows a stranger.</div>
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Jake LOVES wrestling.</div>
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Jake cherishes bedtime books and songs with mommy.</div>
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Jake protects, calms, & distracts his little sister like a pro.</div>
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Jake really wants another baby, preferably a boy, so he can name him "Jake."</div>
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Jake doctors his precious Loa.</div>
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Jake is fascinated by cartoons of Diego & stories of Maxamillion (a monkey) from Dad.</div>
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Jake often has imaginary visitors named, Joey (another monkey), Diego, & Dora.</div>
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Jake has a good sense of style & a strong opinion of what he & MOMMY wear!?!</div>
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Jake pretend plays with visits from the big, bad, wolf, a sloth, and occasionally Goliath.</div>
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Jake frequently turns into a puppy and crawls around panting with Loa and attempts to recruit Elin too.</div>
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Jake often goes on walks or errands dressed as Superman.</div>
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Jake loves to plant flowers and dig in the back yard.</div>
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Jake is a great baker & an even better taste tester.</div>
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Jake's face falls and heart breaks when his sister screams bloody murder in his face, or detests him at all.</div>
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Jake puts his trains to bed under the couch.</div>
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Jake wants desperately to ride Jesus's horse when we get to Heaven.</div>
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Jake loves water & swimming lessons.</div>
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Jake loves picnics & popsicles on the front porch with Mom.</div>
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Jake loves to be read to & is loving learning to read.</div>
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Jake jumps, squirms, wiggles, or flies himself everywhere all day long.</div>
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Jake loves to clean, fold, and re-fold.</div>
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Jake's right arm is often an airplane and his mouth is full of little boy sound effects.</div>
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& last but not least,</div>
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Jake has, probably, the kindest heart that I know.</div>
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Love you Jake, Happy Birthday!</div>
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<br /></div>Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-22008503571255296872012-04-19T20:09:00.000-07:002012-04-19T20:09:53.678-07:00"Just Jake"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think I have blogged or told most people who read this little blog that Jake often refers to himself as, "Just Jake." It is usually in response to us asking him, what he is pretending to be, what he wants to dress up as, or when we call him silly names or one of his many nick name. For example, he is still really into King David. He can be, in one moment, frighting off wolves from his sheep herd or slaying Goliath and then in the next moment when I call him and say, "Hey David..." he will sweetly say, "Mom, now I'm Just Jake!" Well pardon, my mistake. So anyway, "Just Jake" comes up with some pretty humerus and sweet things quite often. Here are several memorable quotes/or actions from "Just Jake" over the past several months. But first, here is the one and only, "JUST JAKE"</div>
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When putting on his tennis shoes one day he said, "Dad, these have kinda outgrown me."<br />
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When making sure his hair was adequately rinsed while in his bath he said to Keith, "Make sure my fur is okay." (I promise the word "hair" is in the child's acquired vocabulary)<br />
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One of Jake's chores is to feed Loa. On several occasions, when we are probably rushing him to do his job, we find him praying over her food... so sweet.<br />
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When talking about Keith's new job, Jake said, "maybe Jesus will give me a job when I get big like my Daddy."<br />
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Jake loves to play school. After asking Keith to play school with him he says, "Okay Dad, I'll be the teacher and you be the STUPID." Bawhahaha!!<br />
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After hearing the word, "student" on K-Love, he says to me, "we don't say "student" do we Mama?'<br />
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Jake to me before going into the bathroom to shower, "Don't get that pretty off of you Mama." (little charmer)<br />
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When he wants Keith to tell him a story, he says, "Daddy, read me a story out of your mouth."<br />
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In a disciplinary situation:<br />
J: "Are ya going to give me a spanking?"<br />
B:"No Jake"<br />
J"Are ya going to put me in time out?"<br />
B:"No jake"<br />
J: "Well, Mama what are we going to do?"<br />
B:"I'm going to give you grace this time Jake."<br />
J: Puzzled and really thinking about it, "Do we eat grace mama?"<br />
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Keith and Jake also frequently pretend play with the characters of the 3 little pigs and the big bad wolf. Keith was going to send the big bad wolf out of jake's bedroom (probably attempting to wind the pretend play down) and Jake says, "Don't send him out of the bedroom into the living room, because mommy and Elin are in there and I would be real sad if we didn't have a mommy!"<br />
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Also in regard to the big bad wolf, one day after his rest time I found a big bad wolf torn out of a pop up version of <i>The Three Little Pigs. </i><br />
<i>B: "</i>Jake why is this wolf torn out of your nice book? That is not how we treat our books."<br />
J: "Well Mom, I had to get him out of there so that he wouldn't hurt those little piggies!"<br />
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When going out to the car one morning, there was frost on the car. Jake excitedly said, "Look Mom! There are bird feathers all over the car!<br />
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When running through the rain to get into the house he says, "did the rain mess up my Mustache?" (What?? Nope, it's just fine.) He was actually talking about the front of his hair that he attempted to flip up a little that day.<br />
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After I prayed over his cut finger, Jake took off the bandaid a few minutes later. "Look mama there is no bleed on it. Jesus healed it FAST!"<br />
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New vocabulary used appropriately (surprisingly) : "realize," "recognize," and "preciate"<br />
-->"appreciate"<br />
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He called a large metal drainage pipe in a ditch, a "belly"<br />
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One day while playing w/ Elin he comes into the kitchen and says, "mama, me and my sister are going to college." Then I give him my best sad face, and he says, "Don't worry it's not too far. (pause) It's actually in the playroom. (he pauses and is still studying my response) So you can come too if ya want."<br />
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When he came across a hula-hoop at walmart he said, "Look Mom, a 'who ler loop!'"<br />
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When leaving a salon after a haircut, it was really windy, "don't let my haircut blow off!"<br />
And then in the bath, "I don't wanna wash my haircut off!"<br />
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When getting ready one morning, Jake said very seriously, "All I have left is to do is brush my teeth & soth" (for "floss," for some reason that one really struck me funny. It was all I could do to keep a somewhat straight face.)<br />
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To Keith at a sandwich shop, "dad, can I have your "pokey" ( toothpick in his sandwich)<br />
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We were sitting in our front yard eating a popsicle & chatting and he says,<br />
J: "Mom, would you like to plant a garden soon?"<br />
B: "I don't know Jake, what would you like to plant if we decided to plant a garden soon?"<br />
J: "I would plant some BEAUTIFUL flowers so that I can pick them for YOU!" (again...Charmer)<br />
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At a friends wedding he wanted me to dance with him, and on the way out to the dance floor he said sweetly, "Mom, let's dance for JESUS!'<br />
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"Mommy, isn't it so fun that we have a baby sister?"<br />
"Mom, aren't you so glad that we got a baby!?!"<br />
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After nagging jake multiple times to get away from something
hot, he says, “ that makes me tired” and I said “what?” and he says, “YOUR
WORDS!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(me too buddy, me too)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After telling Jake that he is going to give his bed to
Allison and abby when they visit, he says in an astonished and sad tone, “I
don’t want to give them my bed, why do I have to give it to them?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say, “ so they can sleep in it”
followed by Jake saying, “will they give it back?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When cleaning off a stain on the couch that sits near to
jake’s time out chair, he says, “ what’s that?” I responded w/ “I don’t
know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jake then replies “ I think
it’s that crying stuff from when I was in the time out chair yesterday” (AKA:
tears/ or snot).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I often tell Jake, when he is having a hard time formulating his thoughts into a sentence, "Jake focus, think about what you are trying to say, focus on your words." One day I was losing my train of thought when I was talking to Keith & jake of course says, "Mama, think about your words!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
And last but most definitely my favorite "Just Jake" saying is this, "My Mama." He says, "My Mama, can I..." , "I don't know, My Mama...," & "I love you My mama!" ( I love you too, "Just Jake").</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
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<br />Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-30628386907892677182012-04-05T20:21:00.001-07:002012-04-05T20:26:47.619-07:00Sweet Birthday Girl, Elin<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So as I said in the previous post, we were living in the Residence Inn when Elin actually turned one, so although we could have actually had people attend her party there (you know, all the friends Jake made) we opted to wait a few weeks until we were in our house. So it was just us four for her little party & everything was very simple and laid back. (Now, how can I ensure that Elin never sees the pictures from Jake's previous 3 birthdays... I've been known to go overboard!) We had a sweet time just watching Elin and soaking it all in. Love, love, love this beautiful daughter of ours. Thank you Lord for trusting us with this precious soul. We love you Elin! </div>
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It didn't take her but a second to figure out what to do with the cupcake.</div>
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But she did keep her eye on Jake, to make sure she did it just right!</div>
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Sugar buzzed; below</div>
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PRESENTS!! Check out her hand on her hip!</div>
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(and how about those legs!?!)</div>
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After cupcakes and presents Jake did not think her party was complete, " Mom, I think now, Elin would like for me to blow her some bubbles for her birthday!" Good thinking kid, she did love them.</div>
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Happy birthday little one. </div>Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-54230828347008552452012-03-27T11:52:00.000-07:002012-03-27T11:54:52.746-07:00HOME<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So on January 22, 2012, we said goodbye to West Texas and hello to East Tennessee! Our life seriously seems to have been in transition, umm since Elin was born! Such is LIFE. So much has happened, I have no idea where to begin! Let's just say, we left everything we know (and I mean EVERYTHING), in Texas to come to Knoxville, Tennessee where we know NOTHING! Well we know one thing... we better become VOL fans quick!! This place is swimming in bright orange, the area code is 865, that would be "VOL," (Seriously!?!), and you dare not say "Roll Tide," (whatever that means!). I also heard a woman say the other day, "Well if ya want a small wedding just get married on a VOL football saturday because NO one will come!" HA! Seems a little on the crazy side of team spirit, but I didn't say that! All silliness aside, no matter if I am living here...</div>
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Or in Knoxville, here... (Quite Different, I know...but it has character and potential :) )<br />
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I will be just fine, because home for me is with my little fam, Keith, the Jake man, and sweet little "E." And everyday I remember the night we decided to move here, Keith and I were playing out our future. We had two options, to stay in Lubbock near our family, with lots of wonderful friends, an amazing church, and a somewhat planned out future for our children (HA!) OR we could take a huge step of faith and OBEY God and move 1187 miles away. I said to Keith, "I just don't want to disobey" and he said, "We're moving." Yikes!</div>
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So, we were so blessed to receive a great relocation package from Keith's company that assisted with the move in every way imaginable. We closed on our house the day after we go here, but the entire thing needed paint, a fence and a few other small things prior to moving in. So we lived in the residence inn for 7 weeks (we had planned on 2 or 3). Lets just say 7 weeks in a hotel with two small children is quite interesting! </div>
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Jake loved the hotel life. He loved having fruit loops everyday for breakfast, homemade cookies at 3 o'clock on the dot, and lots of swimming and more movies than I want to admit. He was the official key swiper, "alligator" (elevator) button pusher, and laundromat quarter loader. He made lots of friends of course, the "cookers," Nancy and Suzie and the housekeeper, "Miss Tammy." He insisted on taking his dirty plate to the sink in the kitchen for them and often made his bed "to help Miss Tammy." The staff was super sweet and spoiled the kids like crazy.</div>
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And little "E" turned 11 months there. </div>
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In her 11th month, she got her 5th tooth, was still trying her hardest to get that walking thing down, and she also really developed a confident tone in her babbling. She has got all kinds of sounds and she is CERTAIN about what she is saying! She really started balking at baby food too. Not that she wouldn't eat it; but she much preferred table food. She also loves to drink from a straw, she looks so proud of herself when she does. New words were, "Dink" for drink, "Te"for keys, "e" for eat, and "dake" for Jake. Oh how she loves her "Dake."</div>
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Elin just did her normal thing while in the hotel, unloaded the dishwasher, unloaded the toys from the bottom of the closet as well as all toiletry items from below the bathroom sinks.<br />
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She read, and read, and read it seemed; as well as played with the same few toys that I had packed for the hotel for her. She didn't seem to mind, but I was bored for her some days!<br />
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One cute thing that developed while there, is she somewhat demanded her night time "chat" with Keith. Her crib was set up in our room, and she would just talk away at him when it was bedtime for her ( and him...he was going to bed pretty early those days!) The days he stayed up later it was like she would babble (again with authority) until he would go in and have their little chat. He hated it:)<br />
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Another funny thing she started doing was carrying things in her mouth. I don't know if it felt good on her teeth, that she was working on getting through, or if it was out of convenience! Often times she would carry something in each hand and then an additional item in her mouth. (Jake commented, "Elin sure has some funny tricks!")<br />
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Sweet "E" also got sick for the first time... pretty good for being almost one! But it is still so sad when little ones feel crummy! Just look at those eyes...<br />
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While we were living in the hotel we also talked a lot about love & celebrated Valentine's Day while living in the Residence Inn. We made cards for grandparents and cookies for the staff as well as some watercolor hearts with special things we love about Daddy written on them for him. </div>
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Elin also turned ONE while we were in the hotel. (BOO!) I was really hoping that we would be in our home by her birthday but we didn't quite make it. So we wound up celebrating her big day with the SMALLEST PARTY EVER, but still special, a few weeks late. Pics to come, grandparents and great grandparents.<br />
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Well that's plenty for now, maybe too much for some. More later from the "Knox Box" as Keith calls our house here.<br />
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<br /></div>Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-25194296306238631042012-01-09T22:29:00.000-08:002012-01-09T22:29:52.147-08:00Elin: Ten Sweet Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh what a little sweetheart we have! But I'm not biased or anything. So the little Miss E is 10 months old & she is such a delight! We often can't believe what a good baby she is, she is just so easy going! The big news this month is that Elin took her first true step on the day she turned 10 months. We were all just playing in the floor and she let go of a toy that she was hanging onto for balance and took her first step! We all saw it and Jake threw both his arms in the air and said ecstatically, "She walked!" It was pretty cute how proud he was of her! She has also got some new verbal skills going. Keith says that she talks "chicken" and makes fun of me when I talk it back to her! She often chatters away saying "baka, baka, baka" & "daka, daka, daka." She also will yell out a quick "Ho!" (with an abrupt ending to the word) when Keith comes into the room as if to say, "Hey Daddy, I'm over here... you see me right?" She also has been getting extremely excited when Keith gets home from work and she race crawls to his feet... I know that just breaks his heart! She loves to be sung to as well and claps her hands along, so sweet. She loves table food, especially bread. Hawaiian wheat rolls are one of her favorite! She also eats, black eyed peas, green beans, (she still HATES green peas) bananas, strawberries, & carrots along w other regular baby foods. I can't really think of anything else significant from this last month other than we had a beautiful WHITE Christmas in Midland with the Rotan clan. Maybe I will eventually post some Christmas pics but those for sure are to be delayed as we will be official Tennesseans (YIKES) in a little over a week & we are very busy planning and preparing for the big move. We will be living in a hotel for 2-3 weeks prior to moving into our home (assuming that all goes well with the one we have under contract). Jake is super pumped because we are staying in a hotel with a POOL and then we get to move into our new house with STAIRS!! Ha! Oh to be three again! He, by the way has said some hilarious things lately... oh there is another blog post... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xslAqcc0YH9dBRGZN_uPoi0KoCMaSzOaIMowuUi7wcbNYPYwjQGMCptUnPqJYo0mx0W325Fs3OEut_IIGotnX70UMh9ceTiwZ-OPo6vM8rELHpgPePYHEfu8isLq5cpSjvQKG17PL7w/s1600/IMG_0891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xslAqcc0YH9dBRGZN_uPoi0KoCMaSzOaIMowuUi7wcbNYPYwjQGMCptUnPqJYo0mx0W325Fs3OEut_IIGotnX70UMh9ceTiwZ-OPo6vM8rELHpgPePYHEfu8isLq5cpSjvQKG17PL7w/s400/IMG_0891.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2tVtS8UPZaKNF3NCvFx551l1wJpZI-bOVkcXZDx5CerhMttDDeGmBjG4KsO12unMkX0ok57-2iFNzAc8RxAdvzAWIh9F5R-G10QzvtOJuZ6s29nnKWihOHEQVgJ8LEiU3NKEj0Vnks8/s1600/IMG_0898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2tVtS8UPZaKNF3NCvFx551l1wJpZI-bOVkcXZDx5CerhMttDDeGmBjG4KsO12unMkX0ok57-2iFNzAc8RxAdvzAWIh9F5R-G10QzvtOJuZ6s29nnKWihOHEQVgJ8LEiU3NKEj0Vnks8/s400/IMG_0898.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-2581674969278108562011-11-28T14:42:00.000-08:002011-11-28T14:42:58.415-08:00Elin Kate: Nine Months I can't believe that Elin is already nine months old. These precious months have just flown by, but all the same they have been wonderful. This month, Elin got her first tooth, signed her first word, and said her first word. She signed "more" for delicious sweet potato puffs. It is super cute how she does it too. She turns her palms up, kinda waves at herself, and then brings her hands together while saying, "ma." Her first word is undeniably "mama" and thus far it is an endearing "mama" and not a demanding one. Ha! Don't feel too bad for Keith, Jake's second word was "dada" after "ball" of course. He didn't call my name until he was like 18 months old! So I'm obviously enjoying the sweet, "mama"(s) I get from "E." <br />
Elin is also standing for a few seconds without holding on to anything & following us through the house; especially Jake. She also LOVES her baths and near throws a fit to get in the tub when Jake is taking his bath or when it is time for her to get out of hers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5I99WqVSlp71MCtvdXIJmcwaZ12NF3TmZDKpCt4gF1d-mAnkI7-rQwoRgQFk32eYNu_cBi9xGqLAYJBSH_YeZyTRwkV7Zpi6aICrnULtFX0w_Oz02lswCQsNramWX47iORFPrUgg0GMk/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5I99WqVSlp71MCtvdXIJmcwaZ12NF3TmZDKpCt4gF1d-mAnkI7-rQwoRgQFk32eYNu_cBi9xGqLAYJBSH_YeZyTRwkV7Zpi6aICrnULtFX0w_Oz02lswCQsNramWX47iORFPrUgg0GMk/s320/IMG_0300.jpg" width="205" /></a></div> Keith and I also traveled to Knoxville, TN this month as our family will be relocating there at the beginning of the new year. Elin got to tag along as we looked for a home. She did great & actually seemed to really enjoy having a little extra attention! Let me just add, we are very excited for this adventure the Lord has placed before us; but we would appreciate lots of prayer as we did not find a house and this move is NO simple task.<br />
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We hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving!Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-88896541912323517692011-11-01T13:44:00.000-07:002011-11-01T13:44:06.862-07:00Eight Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBDhNxN8Bz6Uv9iikiUM30gsE7tV0QOZ74H2cBnzFYme6y35IMrV-3DFKMF7ZbRk5XlBOE3IiKC-dn5J_-QDOvA1ENs-MXOhhLPYZpIZOtYUc9eQKVY34GLQOIPmZSHLlsWVn20LrLzE/s1600/IMG_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Little "E" turned 8 months last week! What a big girl she is! This month was full of adventure for Elin. In ten minutes flat she can stand at the dishwasher & empty the silverware, get into a magazine basket (literally) in the living room, & make it to the utility room to be found chewing on one of Loa's collars! Yikes, she's fast! We took a family vacation to Sea World & she got to meet a third set of great grandparents, Gigi & Big Papa! She loves to yell, I mean sing at the top of her lungs, dance to any music, & she always has a quick smile (especially for daddy and brother). Elin, I hope you always have an easy, quick smile. We love you baby girl! </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-30909536203059025872011-10-31T20:14:00.000-07:002011-10-31T20:17:40.717-07:00Happy Pumpkin Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So do I have two cute pumpkins or what? Around here, we are not big fans of Halloween but I'm all about fall and if our kids want to dress up in a fun, un-scarey costume, & eat candy at our church festival until their bellies can take no more, fine by me! So a few weeks ago, Jake and I were discussing costumes & he decided on superman. So we did purchase a superman costume and he wore the tail off of it last week... ya know "rescuing princesses" & such! So I was gonna have him wear it today to takes some pics w/ the sweet ballerina below & to the fall festival at Trinity. After asking him at least 3 times to put his costume on, he says "mommy, I want to be just Jake." What?? no superman? I gave him several opportunities to change his mind & he was consistent, "just Jake!" Keith even asked him before we headed up to the church just to make sure, explaining to him that all the other kids would have costumes. Again, "Dad, I'm gonna be just Jake." So whatever fine by me, we love "just Jake." So here are a couple of pics of "just Jake" & the little ballerina Elin. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cgu1jRKuBIcmaKs8dzb1i87sJY96ovkcjA4BuDcx0ueA3s9yw2fLcuqwZUMPj58Jm1oseZrmNGZU4LuRmcf_Gafr-lP4_fcU0kQEwospHoZx5gqS7sDsTCFutv4MqDHPELdFl4xFmEY/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cgu1jRKuBIcmaKs8dzb1i87sJY96ovkcjA4BuDcx0ueA3s9yw2fLcuqwZUMPj58Jm1oseZrmNGZU4LuRmcf_Gafr-lP4_fcU0kQEwospHoZx5gqS7sDsTCFutv4MqDHPELdFl4xFmEY/s400/IMG_0224.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-62979619670326164172011-09-27T21:43:00.000-07:002011-09-27T21:44:51.508-07:00Seven Sweet Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elin is 7 months old today & I can hardly believe it! She is sitting and crawling so well & jabbering away. She's got lots of "da das" and "ka kas" with lots of squeals in between. This one is gonna be independent, I do believe. She figured out her sippy cup the first day, of course thinks she can feed herself, & rarely cuddles... we definitely savor those sweet moments when she gives in though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKK-ovZsZLWJSC7sGlSWyZlr_0C4Igg5LOajYABS5gTWj-3p8PVF6js5qCH4bX0QaNwaChVz8HQEjVnHc5CidVWdHvujpeuKT76nbIl07lL4yydKxb_6Z4k1DuLGz63bO0tYPvG49xVE/s1600/Picnik+collage7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKK-ovZsZLWJSC7sGlSWyZlr_0C4Igg5LOajYABS5gTWj-3p8PVF6js5qCH4bX0QaNwaChVz8HQEjVnHc5CidVWdHvujpeuKT76nbIl07lL4yydKxb_6Z4k1DuLGz63bO0tYPvG49xVE/s640/Picnik+collage7.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-37398674096642217862011-09-09T12:55:00.000-07:002011-09-09T21:35:56.535-07:00Elin Kate: Six MonthsElin turned 6 months old on the 27th of August, & we went to her well visit yesterday. She weighed 15.1 pounds and was 26.25 inches long. I missed the percentiles, but she is a little on the smaller side. Our children seem to start out that way, but the Jake man was in the 95th for both height and weight at his last visit. I'm sure Elin will follow suit! To sum up Elin, I would use the words "quiet observer." She has a very soft voice even when she cries. Most of her days seem to be monopolized by watching Jake run circles around her. She most of the time has a somewhat inquisitive look about her, but when she does smile, her smile is wide, straight across, and her upper lip disappears in the cutest way. Her smile is pretty contagious. Another funny thing about her is that she has recently just started really laughing.... it has taken her about 2 months to get a good giggle down. In the past when we would attempt to get her to laugh it almost sounded like it was painful and she would get the hiccups immediately, so we really kinda stopped trying to elicit a laugh even though we wanted to hear it so badly. As you can see below, she has lost all the very dark brown hair that she was born w/ and now has a light brownish blondish color. I really didn't know if that would happen as it was so very dark at birth. She can roll both ways, can sit w/ us guarding her, and almost go from quadra-ped to sitting. The day after her 6 month b-day, she took her first attempts at crawling and now she can get around w/ a cross b/w an army and regular crawl. She loves to read books w/ Jake and, like most babies, loves music...especially daddy's guitar. Elin also goes crazy for toes, she is infatuated w/ Mommy's bright pink toes. It's funny nothing else gets quite the response as my toes. She also spits w/ the best of 'em, loves blowing raspberries. Elin also studies her hands in that precious way that babies do, where they are almost waving at themselves; trying to figure out just what those things called fingers do. She is getting big so fast & we are loving every moment w/ our sweet sister Elin. We are grateful for our precious gift & can't wait to see the personality that God has placed in her to make her uniquely ELIN.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymFEtQIfKBTZka2ck4jIhjODK9BX_qqHiPZNWzy3ddDuifY0IGRiyyKhESjYy6jcBytVCr0GgoBy16gB3a6Sj8ZB2jKB4KRHZ6UIiasM36IXP-YQTHN60K3sxJsSxm26cKDHEs6L5_CQ/s1600/elin6month.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymFEtQIfKBTZka2ck4jIhjODK9BX_qqHiPZNWzy3ddDuifY0IGRiyyKhESjYy6jcBytVCr0GgoBy16gB3a6Sj8ZB2jKB4KRHZ6UIiasM36IXP-YQTHN60K3sxJsSxm26cKDHEs6L5_CQ/s400/elin6month.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-56049654865391052011-09-08T21:30:00.000-07:002011-09-09T21:33:55.823-07:00David, the Shepherd BoySo today, Jake was in the backyard playing w/ Loa when he came in the back door & asked, "Mom did David's father (w/ a Star Wars type, "father") give him food in a bag for his sheep? I said, "Jake, sheep eat grass. The food you are thinking of is the food his dad told him to take to his brothers." Jake responded w/, "Well I'm gonna put some grass in my basket for my sheep," as he pointed w/ his plastic golf club to our dog Loa. Loa by the way, was leashed to an exercise stroller, laying in the grass. I'm certain she was loving this reenactment. I probably looked at him puzzled b/c next he says, "Loa is King David's sheep...he ONLY has ONE sheep." Then he goes back outside and puts some grass in his bucket and attempts to feed the sheep...AKA Loa. Again, she looks thrilled. A few minutes later he comes back through the house, and after going into Elin's room he comes back through where I am and he has a bright green headband on his head. I said "Why are you wearing Elin's headband Jake?" He says, I'm David the shepherd boy" (Enough said) and he goes back out. I followed him outside, thinking I need a picture of this. As I get my camera out to take a few pics of him in his green headband and his leashed sheep, he kinda poses and starts swinging his golf club in a circle around his head saying,"this is my stone mom! I fight off the bears w/ it!" (Think he meant "sling" obviously) I love that he is excited about the Bible stories we are reading, but I never thought we would get quite this reenactment & neither did our oh so tolerating dog Loa.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, not the greatest picture, but isn't it funny that Loa is yawing.. as if she has pretty much had enough! Hehe!!</div>Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-12037025796537325292011-09-06T21:46:00.000-07:002011-09-06T21:48:15.360-07:00YEAH! Daddy's Home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jAMxjUzaImoOk_aSZGiPVlY7ei06LDNPhyphenhyphenGbqeb-5nM6mFEsKBGEoJrtRRK5JCwXDZHgSvzlf5q8Oorm8bY1B3bHArgBEIuVXSfnN2sdCKJDlynUN4gcCEM0II9NTZXEw-iaVmfRmSg/s1600/IMG_9416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jAMxjUzaImoOk_aSZGiPVlY7ei06LDNPhyphenhyphenGbqeb-5nM6mFEsKBGEoJrtRRK5JCwXDZHgSvzlf5q8Oorm8bY1B3bHArgBEIuVXSfnN2sdCKJDlynUN4gcCEM0II9NTZXEw-iaVmfRmSg/s320/IMG_9416.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Let's just say that last week was a bit on the long side! Keith was in Milwaukee for 4 days for work and it felt a little more like 4 weeks. I'm sure Jake was counting down not just the days but the minutes until Daddy got home. We made him a card w/ Jake's well used phrase "Yeah! Daddy's home" and made him some chocolate chip cookies for a midnight snack when he got home on Friday night. Jake pleaded to wait up, so I thought, "sure, he'll never make it." So we made a pallet in the living room floor and waited. Believe it or not, Jake lasted until 11:30 pm before he crashed out ( I might be the worst mom ever... who lets their 3 year old stay up that late?). Keith tried to wake him up for cookies when he got home at midnight, but let's just say he wasn't interested. Anyway, needless to say we were all happy that Keith was home.Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-66856287014851933142011-08-23T19:43:00.000-07:002011-08-23T19:43:36.549-07:00Sacked Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elin naps hard. She typically does nap in her bed... I promise; however recently she absolutely just crashed out during some floor playtime. Take a look at this oh so sweet baby girl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrwO3kv2CnMehrRnDVCJzoHyC1blU-f8R6mtWMErvt7TGQP7uZnfKABVUTRMDihkycqDSKJxTDAbS_uR46Qdus9HIW-QyWLpwTu3Rq2zpTAeK_y4pMoXbBsEj8c9qnpSNh3Hi40zksnQ/s1600/Picnik+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrwO3kv2CnMehrRnDVCJzoHyC1blU-f8R6mtWMErvt7TGQP7uZnfKABVUTRMDihkycqDSKJxTDAbS_uR46Qdus9HIW-QyWLpwTu3Rq2zpTAeK_y4pMoXbBsEj8c9qnpSNh3Hi40zksnQ/s320/Picnik+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-36635934799018929472011-06-18T12:51:00.000-07:002011-06-18T12:51:43.544-07:00ELIN KATE ROTAN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I am not promising to blog, but there are some of you that haven't gotten to see or meet our little Miss Elin. So... here she is! In this picture she was almost 3 months old. She is such a laid back, smiley little one! Such a blessing she is!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-4096903502532330472010-04-18T14:52:00.000-07:002010-04-27T18:32:50.767-07:00March: 22 monthsMarch was a fun month for Jake. It was his last month in "Nursery 3" at school, where his beloved "Me" was his teacher. "Me" is actually "Carrie" but Jake called her "me" and I think she kinda liked it. She told me one day when I was picking him up that he kept going up to her and saying "ME, hi!, ME, hi!" At first she thought that he was looking for some attention, wanting her to say hi to him and then she said, "I later figured it out ...that he was calling me, 'ME!'" The toddler language processes are hilarious to me!! In March we also went to Brownwood for Abby's 3rd birthday party, and let me tell ya, Jake loves his "Babby!" He also tries to say Allison's name, but it somehow sounds like the word, "eyes". But still, it's cute! maybe I will get a video eventually of all the funny words he has but until then here are some pictures of Jake with the girls!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYfSO6n6xYEEi-umG7W55vrsuvXfqeotlEF4hUMOnD4nMBZiLdZdn75HNFdhCKKb_8Hv2IgwMPS3HWI-fcL6H0ixnjB3CobyjWP00IbwstxtCVWc5kR5boCBmikUVSQ2Yi0vo2zquwwg/s1600/IMG_6974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYfSO6n6xYEEi-umG7W55vrsuvXfqeotlEF4hUMOnD4nMBZiLdZdn75HNFdhCKKb_8Hv2IgwMPS3HWI-fcL6H0ixnjB3CobyjWP00IbwstxtCVWc5kR5boCBmikUVSQ2Yi0vo2zquwwg/s320/IMG_6974.JPG" /></a></div>Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-31430325331990878392010-04-18T14:19:00.000-07:002010-04-18T14:19:59.208-07:00Feb: 21 MONTHSSo I really have taken pictures of Jake over the past few months, just not getting too many posts up! Here are some pictures that I took in February (21 months old). Jake has been talking up a storm since about December, but in February he really started becoming very entertaining verbally! He has also become quite strong and motor wise, I think he's doing just fine, at least I think that is what escaping from his crib without a bump or a scrape means! He was madder than an old wet hen one afternoon, so I put him in his bed and shut the door. All of a sudden the screaming halted and just as I was thinking, "Oh, he must be 'happy' now, I'll go get him," his bedroom door swung open and he came running into the bathroom (where I was) saying, <b>"Mommy, ge ou, ge ou!"</b> (Mommy, Jake out, Jake out!!). I am sure that my facial expression was priceless, but needless to say that was the day I ordered the toddler rail for his bed!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLC6Kms-hPhhBQA_UpicfRfb9_gzGykFX3pKqITOljw370R78TD4ZYoixcfvxSjZADDFsKqCJZYVnEr-ZfsRD_x3XVv8hVF_QUMWqUZTXzzF-QTK4OjVwa9OrIpPJqa1gsC84nkvc5MQ/s1600/IMG_6875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLC6Kms-hPhhBQA_UpicfRfb9_gzGykFX3pKqITOljw370R78TD4ZYoixcfvxSjZADDFsKqCJZYVnEr-ZfsRD_x3XVv8hVF_QUMWqUZTXzzF-QTK4OjVwa9OrIpPJqa1gsC84nkvc5MQ/s400/IMG_6875.JPG" width="267" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhVhIYKSbO5viDOsN1bOqDQtLYAta0ac1hoxWyIQYdk_71tQJEOsKPT2VkNjppVHb-n-DnL3ZourUOumjlYdyRHGnTm8MksHB8Lc7NugzfAKJfnsaYOOjJMdwgFUetk06BqwSbOOJZjw/s1600/IMG_6904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhVhIYKSbO5viDOsN1bOqDQtLYAta0ac1hoxWyIQYdk_71tQJEOsKPT2VkNjppVHb-n-DnL3ZourUOumjlYdyRHGnTm8MksHB8Lc7NugzfAKJfnsaYOOjJMdwgFUetk06BqwSbOOJZjw/s400/IMG_6904.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiynXwos6Z04Wg7sLpkTkyphDfkPX0JNMLpMjn4MJF2fCBcVylTJ7KQ0dh7fEJ4NA3meEuz41XKJHZ_3wGNM0CZ2KxP40p0wr8OAbKzOqXdRS0boYohQoNz48jgJIzTlLmzsj-vhcZ5w/s1600/IMG_6894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiynXwos6Z04Wg7sLpkTkyphDfkPX0JNMLpMjn4MJF2fCBcVylTJ7KQ0dh7fEJ4NA3meEuz41XKJHZ_3wGNM0CZ2KxP40p0wr8OAbKzOqXdRS0boYohQoNz48jgJIzTlLmzsj-vhcZ5w/s640/IMG_6894.JPG" width="252" /></a>Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624537881999401684.post-30660188965639442752010-03-25T17:54:00.000-07:002010-03-25T18:58:27.217-07:00"Gu Gus" "Gu Gus"This may seem like a silly post, but not if ya know just how much this little guy loves the "gu gus," AKA "ducks." We have a park with a pond a few blocks from our house, and Jake loves to go see the ducks, feed the ducks, or just drive by the ducks. So we have made many trips, basically any day that the weather is half way descent, to visit the ducks, the many many ducks!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_Zl9-8n1b1FJqEKJhoJSc2Hml71rq9ZpYgATeKjmiex75U9cEKY02R0WsnH-P091zq40ElMINAeTD__R6ZvNdNFe0Kkms-xEMSH3Aqx8cF_xyP_-deDI8HKj48kczchlQVX73xyD4oU/s1600/IMG_6720.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_Zl9-8n1b1FJqEKJhoJSc2Hml71rq9ZpYgATeKjmiex75U9cEKY02R0WsnH-P091zq40ElMINAeTD__R6ZvNdNFe0Kkms-xEMSH3Aqx8cF_xyP_-deDI8HKj48kczchlQVX73xyD4oU/s400/IMG_6720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452740838187582418" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinl8sCupc0VYEfRRIT4IjSHkn6fwrFr3qTh72RM7ippI0hS1h5tZQpdiCNR9_8mAnj6KBUg8wn12v7kBfdGx_zx8GBbyx99v6zEV1smqGOdUy4bB2nfv0LF2vH6sYbnxMFtqv_bxuAUeY/s1600/IMG_6702.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinl8sCupc0VYEfRRIT4IjSHkn6fwrFr3qTh72RM7ippI0hS1h5tZQpdiCNR9_8mAnj6KBUg8wn12v7kBfdGx_zx8GBbyx99v6zEV1smqGOdUy4bB2nfv0LF2vH6sYbnxMFtqv_bxuAUeY/s400/IMG_6702.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452740834513559410" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />Our playa lake this winter was quite culturally diverse as well:<br /><br />First ya have the <span style="font-weight: bold;">LOCALS:</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittBQRsiMf-tuza3gdBQlnn2TABDXiKLCLhioWuYgy054KTtxohnLmVQY5vFXY6ZuNTeW_5Egm9ZIqstb916X4z8ehyphenhyphenebalTM3KVCkLmbZHrtbWrNi516XHE126SXcmTsuc_RK2YovKSg/s1600/IMG_6710.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittBQRsiMf-tuza3gdBQlnn2TABDXiKLCLhioWuYgy054KTtxohnLmVQY5vFXY6ZuNTeW_5Egm9ZIqstb916X4z8ehyphenhyphenebalTM3KVCkLmbZHrtbWrNi516XHE126SXcmTsuc_RK2YovKSg/s400/IMG_6710.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452740862376815074" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Then ya have the <span style="font-weight: bold;">TOURISTS</span>, the Canadian geese:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmQy4peGG9YilAmBVXPxBP8w5akUW-8NM_fhyphenhyphenQ9j_WBqCEta_2_pTqmL9BdJoKdeJ9J8KLxLK4gnvI3phW6YoU0EMJ116EPrHDZbZkEtZnrW8jvF1_xiY-nSjP87glgXLuIG-1bXknGg/s1600/IMG_6722.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmQy4peGG9YilAmBVXPxBP8w5akUW-8NM_fhyphenhyphenQ9j_WBqCEta_2_pTqmL9BdJoKdeJ9J8KLxLK4gnvI3phW6YoU0EMJ116EPrHDZbZkEtZnrW8jvF1_xiY-nSjP87glgXLuIG-1bXknGg/s400/IMG_6722.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452740845579131330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br />And last and <span style="font-weight: bold;">certainly</span> least, ya have what we call ..... the <span style="font-weight: bold;">GANGSTER GEESE:</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1oNsliApZvlQKRIUJJb-9BsswmBUnJH9CiTZTZQtZ5_HPSjXteABpLzAIUtUTEyXTBPM_k8YInu7O0djrCleEnA7ckMmX7VLIMMHjiJttbP4DiMcefQ9McrCrQiEnAxxOErW8x9Rm1Q/s1600/IMG_6728.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1oNsliApZvlQKRIUJJb-9BsswmBUnJH9CiTZTZQtZ5_HPSjXteABpLzAIUtUTEyXTBPM_k8YInu7O0djrCleEnA7ckMmX7VLIMMHjiJttbP4DiMcefQ9McrCrQiEnAxxOErW8x9Rm1Q/s400/IMG_6728.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452740858842925298" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />And I do mean "GANGSTA!!", these dudes are mean and they basically charge you, HONKING and HISSING the whole way. So... when we visit the ducks, we make a game out of not getting caught in the middle of the gangster crossing. First we find just the right location on the lake, (clear across the lake from the gang) then we feed the others as quickly, as Jake's little fingers can tear and throw the bread. Then as the HONKING and the HISSING approaches, I pick Jake up and Run, Run, Run! He just laughs, I think that is his favorite part!! And guess what, we'll do the same thing tomorrow and the day after and.....Keith and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493732886646701975noreply@blogger.com3