There has been a lot going on around here the last month. There have been a lot of birthdays this month, so that means I have been making a lot of cake. First we had a party to celebrate Lori and my birthdays. This was our cake.

Then the next week there was a big gathering (38 people) to celebrate Steve's grandma's 80th birthday. I was in charge of the cake, and here is what I came up with. I thought it turned out pretty good.

The next week we headed to my parents house and Jacob got to go swimming for the first time. He wasn't really sure what to think of it at first, but he got into it eventually.

My mom had the most adorable baby sunglasses for Jacob. Of course he hated them and wouldn't keep them on, but it's not like babies really need sunglasses anyway.

The next weekend we had a birthday party for Jacob. He is one year old!

Steve just started a new job which will require him to be out of town a lot. The boys thought they would help him pack. They are nothing if not helpful.

like father like son

Jeremiah went into the crawl space with Steve to "help" him finish the plumbing. He was so proud of himself.

Jacob is making great progress. He is still gaining weight, and he can pull himself up to a stand now. He is getting into absolutely everthing, but hey at least he's cute.

walls

 And then there were walls. So excited, it actually looks like a house now. My mom came up to watch the boys so that I could help Steve with the framing. Basically it consisted of me bringing him studs and helping him stand walls while he did anything that required any knowledge. Don't know that it was actually very helpful, but at least there are walls now. Oh yeah, and I learned that nail guns are scarey. I only had to shoot like 4 nails, but I just about hyperventillated before every one. Hopefully Steve will be able to get the trusses up this weekend and get done with the framing.

I love where we live, but there is one problem, voles. They are like miniature gophers. They dig tunnels all over the place, eat the roots of all of your plants, and generally destroy everything. I'm hoping that these are going to be the solutiong to the problem.

Don't be fooled, I know they look sweet, but they are actually ferocious vole killers in training. They are actually pretty funny. When I let them out in the house they chase each other around and pounce on each other. They are Jeremiah's kitty's and he loves them, they don't always feel the same way about him.

food fight

Jacob and I argue about food a lot. I think he should eat enough to gain weight. He's convinced 17 lbs is a great weight and he should just eat enough to stay that weight forever. I think he should eat the majority of his food during the daytime. He thinks why eat everything during the day when you can eat at night too. I think food should go into his mouth. He feels like mealtimes should be a whole body experience. Any guesses who is winning this fight?

tubeless

 notice anything different?

Last week Jacob and Jeremiah had appointments at Primary Childrens. Jacob is doing amazing, and the Dr said we could be done with the feeding tube. He looks like a completely normal baby now. I still have to be really careful what and how much he eats, but it is so much better without the tube. We still have to see the Dr here a lot to make sure he keeps growing, but with any luck this will all be over soon.

Jacob has finally decided to sit on his own. For a long time when you would try to sit him up he would push back against you. I don't know what has changed, but he doesn't mind it now.

He figured out that if he hangs out underneath the high chair while Jeremiah is eating he can get all of the food falling off the tray. Luckily I have caught him before he has eaten any of it. Jeremiah's food would do bad things to little Jacob's system.

Jeremiah has been wearing a brace every night for the past year and a half because of his club foot. We thought he would have to wear it until he is 4, but his feet look great and the Dr said he only has to wear it another 6 months.

It has finally stopped raining long enough for Steve to get some work done on the house. We have a foundation, and he will be pouring the garage floor on Monday. Then on to the framing. I'm really excited because at that point you can actually tell there will be a house there.

bath day

 Why is it that stuff like this always happens right after you give the kid a bath?

Jeremiah was playing outside while Steve was working. He was naturally drawn to the mud puddle. His pants fell down (even with a belt I can't get his pants to stay up), then he fell into the puddle and got stuck.

cake

So it turns out I'm obsessed with wedding cakes. I have been making another fake cake the last few days while the boys have been asleep (it does happen on occasion). I really like this one.

Now all I need is for someone to get married. It would be so much fun to try to make a real wedding cake. Unfortunately all of the single people I know don't live anywhere near me.

It finally stopped raining/snowing long enough for Steve to get going on the addition. He will be pouring the footings tomorrow. I can't wait. It's kind of ridiculous how excited I am about concrete.

Jeremiah and Jacob are doing really well. All of a sudden Jeremiah has gotten a lot less moody. Is it possible the terrible two's could be over yet? Probably not, but I'll take what I can get. Jacob is growing and doing great. He should be done with the feeding tube in another 2 weeks. Naturally he has pulled it out 3 times in the last week. I can't wait to be done with it. He has gotten so good at getting away from me when I try to put it back in. You would think it wouldn't be too hard to overpower a 17 pound baby, but you'd be wrong.