A Shout-Out

Finger puppet or finger food?
Jake's "Octopus Face"
Sorry, dad. I couldn't find anything else to write on!
Can you see my curls?

Last week, my mom came to Birmingham and kept Jake while I worked a couple of days. She totally deserves a shout-out since she had to sit in complete darkness while the power was out from 8 am-4 pm while the power company did "routine maintenance." Either way, it sounded pretty miserable to me, but she and Jake survived. Thanks for coming over and keeping Jake, mom! Jake loves his Pa-Pa! And thanks also for the cute finger puppets; Jake definitely likes them better than that old sock I was using!

Spring Football Scrimmage

Dreaming about the football scrimmage
Mommy and Jake both sweating up a storm as usual!
Daddy's best side..his coaching side
See what my daddy taught me to do? I love sticking out my tongue!
"Will you put me down, lady? I'm trying to watch the game!"

Today was one of UAB's spring scrimmages, so Jake and I endured the heat, humidity, and pollen to support the team and daddy. I wish I could give you highlights from the scrimmage, but some little boy had my attention. Hey, as long as Tyson saw us there, we get credit. I do have to figure something out to do, though, during football season...I have to be able to watch the games. Maybe Jake will be old enough by then to know more of what's going on, right? Wishful thinking. I did try to make friends today with one of the new player's moms in hopes that she will volunteer to watch Jake during the games. Again, wishful thinking. As you can tell, I do really worry about how Jake is going to be at the football games. I'm sure we will figure something out, but I have to admit, today was a great start. Jake was a trooper! I can already tell he is going to love the game! Go Blazers!

It Started Out Like a Normal Day...

Dr. McKee (the brilliant man who delivered our little angel)

Chippendale Jake (with a bib instead of a bowtie)

"I saw my granddad sleep like this once or twice in his favorite chair"

"My daddy wishes he could do this...IF HE HAD HAIR"

I had to go to my OB-GYN today, so I decided to take Jake since my doctor has been begging to see my lineman. Dr. McKee is still as stunned by Jake's size as he was the day he delivered him; he kept saying, "I don't know how you and your husband produced such a big baby." I wanted to say to him, "that's what eating McDonald's Big Macs 3+ times a week does to you", but I just smiled and went along with him. After the appointment, it was time for Jake to eat, so we stopped by Tyson's office since it was so close. Big mistake! Jake held his poop for 24 hours and decided to release it at daddy's office. As you might have guessed, it went all up his back, and over-confident mom didn't pack an extra outfit because "my son never has blow-outs." So, I decided I would just sniff it to decide how bad it was and if he could get away with wearing the outfit until we got home (his outfit was brown afterall.) Well, I came a little TOO CLOSE to his outfit and ended up with my nose right in his poop. Yuck! I then decided if it was too gross for my nose to touch, then it was too gross for my son to wear, and off the outfit came! By the way, I've never seen the football office clear out more quickly then with the mention of a dirty diaper. So there was my son with nothing but a diaper, some socks, and a bib on, and HE LOVED IT! Can you see him smiling in that second picture? He definitely has some South Georgia roots in him! And lastly, as we were heading home, I noticed my son had lifted his head off the car seat. I will admit, I've been working with him to strengthen his neck muscles, but I never thought he would put those skills to use DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD! Hello coup-contrecoup injury! He is such a rascal these days...so much personality! I don't know where he gets it!

Easter Egg Hunt

Happy Easter!

Easter morning with all of Jake's goodies

Is it time to hunt eggs yet, Mommy?

Want this?

Jake's bestest friend and cousin, Spenser "cheeks" Ellis

Spenser to Jake, "Can you teach me how to lay one of these eggs, man?"

Jake and I spent Easter weekend at my parents' house in Thomaston. Tyson had Spring Practice this weekend and I had to work in Atlanta Friday night (which was my last shift!), so mom and dad kept Jake for me Friday and Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon, my mom's family all came over and we had our annual Easter Egg hunt. We all had so much fun!! Amy carried Jake while I loaded eggs in his basket; it ended up being a bigger hastle than it was worth, so after 3 eggs we gave up and let the other kids enjoy it. Jake was more interested in his bottle anyway, but next year will be lots more fun. And hopefully next year Jake will be able to put up a fight against his older cousins. They didn't mean any harm, but Jake got crawled over by Spenser multiple times (luckily the big cheeks didn't crush Jake) and got knocked upside the head with a bat from Carson. I know, it sounds really bad but they didn't mean it. Besides, I am learning how rough little boys are and that I just need to roll with the punches. I am just lucky that I am a pediatric nurse and that I don't freak out over the tiniest things; I have a feeling I am in for lots of scares in Jake's lifetime. Next year, though, Jake is coming for you, Spenser and Carson...just watch out! Just kidding! Y'all can tell by all the pictures how much Tyson, Jake, and I love our cousins and the rest of the family. We can't wait to do it next year! Happy Easter! By the way, the Easter Bunny surprised Jake when we got back to Birmingham with several outfits, another Baby Einstein DVD, a bathing suit with a matching hat and sunglasses, 2 pairs of shoes, and a stuffed duck. Thanks Easter Bunny!

The Pass Off

Jake was really excited to see daddy!

Already talking ball!

I really don't know why I am smiling so big here

Who would want to leave this cutie to go to work?

These are some pics that we took last night as Tyson got home from work and as I was leaving for work. And for the first time in my life, I can't think of anything else to say right now. Hard to believe, I know. Have a great day!

RK's Birthday Party

The birthday girl, Ryleigh Kate
Ryleigh Kate giving Jake her crooked

smile (which Jake and Mommy also have)
Mommy and her "mini-me"
RK, Chase, and Carson

We spent Sunday in the blazing Cochran sun celebrating Ryleigh Kate's 2nd birthday. Ryleigh Kate (RK), who is also known as a "little Beth" because of how much she looks like me as a child, had a fun birthday party at her house with lots of friends and family in attendance. Jake slept through most of the party, but he really enjoyed getting to see all of his family. RK was so sweet...she kept saying "I want to hold Baby Jake," and Carson (our other cousin who is 18 months old) kept referring to Jake as "Bebe Jake." It was so cute! We had a blast, and we can't wait to see our family again! Happy 2nd Birthday, Ryleigh Kate! We love you, big girl!

Grant and Morgan's Wedding

Me and Tyson at the wedding
Horses at the Plantation

Morgan and Grant
Tyson and Grant
Tyson and Grant again

This past Saturday night, Tyson and I went to the wedding of our childhood friend, Grant. Grant married a sweet girl from Valdosta, Morgan, who Tyson and I have become good friends with. Their wedding was absolutely beautiful. It was at this plantation in Thomasville, and the scenery was breathtaking! You couldn't have asked for a more perfect day...well, except for my aggravating allergies, the wind-blown look, and all the baby weight that I am still carrying. That and the fact that the groom and his family had an awful stomach bug. Other than that, it was awesome! Congrats Grant and Morgan, and thank you for sharing your special day with us!

Weekend in Tifton

Jake loves his Grandmama!
We enjoyed meeting Coach Begue!
Hanging out with Coach Bowers!
Andy, Pam, and Worth Ellis and Jake
Jake is telling Mrs. Pam thanks for his cute outfits!

Tyson, Jake, and I headed to South Georgia this past weekend to visit Tyson's mom and go to our friend's wedding. This was our first trip together for the three of us, and everything went surprisingly well. Jake even managed to stay on his schedule and slept for almost 12 hours both Friday and Saturday night thanks to Grandmama's comfy crib. We had lots of visitors: Mrs. Marcia Hoffman, Coach Bowers, Coach Begue, and the Ellis clan. We had a great time and enjoyed our visit. Thanks, Mary Ann, for having us and for babysitting while we went to the wedding. We can't wait to come back!

Bath Time

"Mommy, is this going to end up on the internet?"
"If so, let me make my best face."
"I am a handsome devil, aren't I?"
"Get me out of this tub before I scream my mohawk off!"

Well, it has been exactly one week since I took the "fat rolls" pictures, so I decided everyone needed a weekly updates on his rolls. Tyson was kind enough to leave bath time for me today; I think having Jake all week long has finally gotten to him. Poor Tyson, he finally gets a week off of work for Spring Break and it turns into full-time daddy daycare. Needless to say, we are all 3 glad mommy is done with work for a couple of days.

While I was gone...

Jake showing me that he can hold the rattle
Why did you leave me for so long, mommy?
I missed the mess out of you, mommy!

I left for my Atlanta job early Saturday morning and returned Monday afternoon. In the two days that I was gone, Tyson spent every waking second with our child and taught him so much. While I was gone,

• Jake slept through the night both nights for at least 10 hours
• Jake learned to hold a rattle for a couple of minutes
• Jake started taking 6 whole ounces and keeping it all down
• Jake learned to watch TV

Needless to say, I didn't feel very missed. Not to mention, I never got a single phone call of panic; Tyson handled everything so well and did a great job. I will say, however, that Tyson let our son watch "Flavor of Love" repeatedly, and now Tyson swears that Jake loves "Flavor of Love" more than his Baby Einstein DVDs. What is this world coming to? My child's first words are going to be "Flavor Flav". Seriously, thanks Tyson. You did a great job!

Fat Rolls

Hambone ain't got nothing on this!
What if I do this, mommy? Are my fat rolls still there?
Jake spit up all over his outfit last night, so I let my child run around like a redneck in just his diaper. I couldn't resist snapping some pics after realizing my child has more fat rolls than hambone (y'all remember that fat guy from Tifton who had to be forklifted out of his house?). I am glad I let him go naked...I found more things hidden in his fat rolls that I have somehow missed during bath time. I realize now I need to step up my game...my little chunk might start hiding snickers bars in his fat rolls if I'm not careful. Have a great weekend! Please pray for us as Tyson begins his week of daddy daycare and I go back to work in Atlanta.