We Have a Giggler

Jacoby had his first laugh a long time ago, but we really didn't hardly hear it again after that. On the 4th of July, Jacoby met Starsky, the sheltie. He LOVED it! It was the first time we heard him laughing a lot. Unfortunately, I had my camera but not my video camera, so I had to take three short videos. He was probably laughing and screaming for 15 minutes or so before we finally had to leave. The next day, we were playing with a pinwheel, and he was doing the same thing. Today, Laura Hall's dog was jumping in the air, and would lick Jacoby's hand each time he got a couple of feet off the ground, and Jacoby was really entertained by that as well. I think hearing your baby laugh is the best feeling in the world...or maybe not. I can't narrow it down enough to pick a favorite feeling from being a mom.

Corrections

TwinsJacoby was LOVING this balloon!
Celebrating Zach's Awesomeness as a Dad

Just for the record, I have seen Jacoby roll over twice from his tummy to back. Once was at our house the day after he did it for Zach, and then again in Maryville just a couple days later. To be honest, Jacoby doesn't like to stay on his tummy for very long, so he doesn't get much of an opportunity to roll over. If you ever saw him on his tummy, you would understand why...because he is doing a difficult ab workout the entire time. He keeps his legs lifted off the ground, which understandably makes him very tired!

Now that the important things to discuss are out of the way, HAPPY 1st FATHER'S DAY, ZACH! Jacoby and Zach went to church on Father's Day in matching white polos, khaki pants, and brown shoes. At the end of the service, our pastor (Rusty) asked the fathers to come up to the altar with their families and pray a prayer over them as the spiritual leader of their families. It was SO neat that we could be a part of that and to think of how much life has changed in the last year. Unfortunately, Jacoby was in the nursery, but Zach and I went up front and prayed for several things. First of all, the wisdom and discernment that we need as parents, and that we ourselves will continue to learn and grow deeper in our faith so that our kids have that example to follow. Secondly, the opportunity to grow closer to each other as we are convinced that taking care of our relationship is the best single thing we can do for our family. Finally, for Jacoby's future and the future of future siblings. (Lots of futures in that sentence).

When I was still pregnant, our church began the first stages of our building campaign. Zach and I were asked to talk for a few minutes to the congregation about what it all meant to us, and discussed how it was exciting to us that our unborn baby boy and the unborn children of our friends were the future generation of our church, because it is so bizarre to think about the groundwork that we lay now being the ministry of our children in the future. A few weeks ago, there was a prayer gathering of several churches on the courthouse lawn. Our friend Russell prayed in front of this giant group of people for Jacoby's future and basically that believers in Platte City have transformed the culture of the community by then. Let me tell you, I sob everytime I think about these things because the thought of Jacoby being grown and a servant of Christ is too wonderful to grasp. This prayer on Father's Day was just another opportunity to put things into perspective and remember that as fulfilling as it is to be his parents, his purpose isn't for us to enjoy him, but to glorify his God and further the kingdom.

When I began this post, I didn't intend to get into all of that, but I was just wanting to say that it was a really powerful picture to see all of these men praying over their families, but most of all, it felt pretty incredible to be up there as a part of it and knowing that Zach has grown so much since he has become a dad and it is very evident that God is using him more and more to do His work. I'm really proud of the way he has stepped up as a spiritual leader for us the last several months. Good job, Zach, even though I had to start out this post correcting your information. Ya done good. :)

Rolling Over

What a great week! Wimbledon is on from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, Amanda and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary on Tuesday, the weather's warm, and we get to go to Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse with Tim and Jenni on Friday. It doesn't get much better than that. This morning while Amanda was fast asleep, Jacoby and I were watching the Hewitt v. Del Potro match and he rolled over from his back to his stomach. Proving once again that he is indeed a champion. For the record, I'm the only member of our family to see Jacoby roll over. Also, Jacoby really likes balloons.

Reaching For His Cat

Jacoby is now starting to look at his toys and then reach for them. It's pretty exciting to see that he understands how to control his hands (sort of). I am finding that I really am becoming my mom in more ways than I realize...for example, everytime I watch a video of Jacoby, I hate the sound of my voice, but I end up talking again the next time I take a video. Not smart. Oh well. You've been warned.

Get Away

Right now, Zach and I are on a little mini-vacation for our 2 year anniversary. While packing last night, I cried and cried at the thought of leaving Jacoby, but it helps so much that he is with my mom and I can text her as often as I want (Sorry, Mom!) I know that spending this kind of quality time together benefits our marriage, which in turn benefits Jacoby that he will grow up in a home with two parents that are crazy about each other. This thought alone makes me so glad that we are taking a day or two to relax and have uninterrupted conversations. (It feels so strange). We had a lot of fun today, but tonight especially I was thinking about him alot. I missed my little guy so much that I had to get on the blog to look at pictures and watch a couple videos. Now that I'm satisfied I am going to sleep. :) Goodnight, friends.

Growing Boy

Last night, I went through Jacoby's closet and packed up all of his newborn clothes and almost all of his 0-3 month outfits and got out the 3-6 month clothing. It was a pretty sad thought that my first baby isn't even in his first set of clothes anymore! I remember having the same feeling when I couldn't get the newborn onesies over his head, but reminding myself that he was still tiny. I can't really do that anymore! Jacoby had his 3 month birthday this week. There were a couple of thoughts that helped dry my tears. We hope, of course, that there will be other little babies joining our family in the future that can be dressed up in the outfits as well, and then there was the realization that he had a whole new wardrobe of cute stuff and I didn't even have to shop and spend money. :) I also found a few newborn diapers stuck in the back of the diaper drawer...they were SO TINY! It's hard to believe he ever fit in them! Here are a few updated pics of playtime and naptime.

Stomach to Back

Jacoby is truly a champion. Today he went from his stomach to his back for the first time. Here's the story...Amanda was at lunch with Heather, which meant it was time for Jacoby and I to play. I put him on his stomach, which he hates. Amanda doesn't like to put him on his stomach because he screams. I can handle him screaming as long as it's the "I'm annoyed by my current situation" scream. I can't handle the "There's obviously something wrong with me" scream. If scream two happens, I immediately pick him up. If scream one happens, I like to see him push himself to the physical limits. That's what happened today. He was on his stomach and not happy about it, so he started pushing from side to side. He eventually pushed himself to his side and then his back. He was still not happy, but I was so proud. Amanda missed it because she's not a good mother.