A Lot to Celebrate!

It has been a while since my last post, but as Christmas nears, things tend to get more and more hectic. Jake and I flew to New Mexico on Sunday and Tim will be driving here this coming weekend. I have missed a lot of exciting things to post about in the past week or so, so I'm going to get caught up now!

First of all - today Jake is FOUR MONTHS OLD!!! Wow, can you believe it??? He is growing like a weed and his personality is really starting to show. I think he's going to be a little comedian with the way he cracks himself up :)

Second, I must send a BIG HUGE CONGRATS out to my dad who last week defended his doctoral dissertation and is now DR. Buyok!!! He has worked his butt off these past few years and I am so proud of him and his accomplishment!

Third, my dear friend Jana (also my little sis from my collegiate Pi Phi days) graduated this past weekend from New Mexico State! Yay! Congrats lil', I hope you achieve all your dreams in the "real" world :)

Fourth, I am so thankful that my family members that have been in the hospital are now released! My sweet little cousin was in a car accident and had to be in ICU for a while, but she is now home and doing well. Also, my Grandma had surgery and then later was readmitted into the hospital but she was also released and is doing much better. I hope you both continue to feel better and better each day! Can't wait to see you both!

Last, but not least, CONGRATS to my little brother who got straight A's this semester! Keep up the good work Alan!

I will try to get some pics up soon. To be honest, I haven't taken too many (I know, terrible, huh?). I will be seeing lots of friends and family in the next two weeks so you will get your fix soon! Hope everyone is doing well!

Love,
Steph

Party Time!

As you all know, Tim started a new job a few months ago, and apparently in the corporate world they have things known as company holiday parties. Who knew? So I finally had to ditch the slippers and robe, wash the spit-up out of my hair, and reacquaint myself with my make-up brushes. We clean up well, if I do say so myself....

Notice the quilt hanging in the background? Yes, its a Texas Rangers baseball quilt. Why, you ask? Well, thats because the party was at the Rangers ballpark! We cannot escape baseball :)

Back to the story...This was our fist time leaving Jake with a non-family sitter, and I have to admit, I was a bit nervous. The thing that was giving me the most anxiety was that Jacob had decided in the past week that he did NOT want to take a bottle. We tried and tried every night this past week and he downright refused. I almost called off the whole thing, but with some encouragement from Tim, my mom and my awesome neighbors who I knew would take great care of my baby, we decided to go.

I'm so glad we did! We had a great night out. I really enjoyed meeting Tim's coworkers and getting a better idea of what he's been off doing the past month! We had some good food and drinks, got to take a look around the baseball museum, and we even got a caricature! Tim says we can't display this in our home because every time he looks at it he will think I have been cheating on him with some square-headed stud ;)

Oh, and when we got home at midnight our baby was fast asleep in Miss Casey's arms! He even took at least part of a bottle and continued to sleep through the rest of the night. Thanks Mark & Casey for allowing us a night out! Jacob must have had a great time, because he is pooped! Its 9:30am and he's still sleeping!!!

Ok, so I know you've had enough of us....On to the REAL reason you all come to this blog :)

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Jacob uses his hand as a teether (there aren't any teeth about to break through, but we definitely have some swollen gums!)

Jacob's neck making a rare appearance in the next two photos

...and its gone in a flash!

Jumparoo's are so much fun! (Thanks for the early Christmas gift ND Olson's!)

Grandma Carol, Jake wants you to know that he now loves his swing!

He also still loves bathtime :)

Hideous outfits don't phase this little man!

Coco Chanel says, "Always take off one accessory before leaving the house!"

Aren't I just so cute!

Thanks for the hat and bib Miss Ella James!

First Football Game!

Last week my dad and stepmom came into town and we all went to the Packers vs. Cowboys game. It was Jake's first pro football game! Now I've never been a huge football gal, but going to a live game was soooo much fun! There is just something awesome about the atmosphere at live events that I can't get enough of. Jake slept through a lot of the game but when he was awake he loved looking out toward the field and the crowd. Here are some pics from the game:

Daddy & Jake heading in to Texas Stadium

Our little family

Responsible parenting

We figured since he is a Texas native, Jacob should root for the 'Boys

Jake and Grandma Chris rooting for their team

All the commotion wore him out!

Game Time!

Here come the players!

Fan with a crazy hat - and the cheerleaders below

Thanks Dad and Chris for visiting and for taking us to the game! We had a blast!

We Miss You ND Olson's!

I apologize that it has taken me so long to get pictures posted from our trip to North Dakota. Here they are! Thank you to Tim's grandparents for being such gracious hosts! We had a really nice time and were so happy to be able to get Jacob up there to meet everyone. Thank you for a fantastic Thanksgiving too! Can't wait to see you all again!

Grandpa Lane and Grandma Laurie picking us up at the airport

A happy teared Grandma Laurie :)

Great Aunt Lana and Great Grandma Doris

Friends Shawn and Amy

Tummy Time with Grandpa

How sweet :)

Jake slept in a suitcase while we were there (I think he liked it more than his regular bed!)

Auntie Ginger

Uncle Jesse

Great Grandma Virginia

Posing with the beautiful quilt made by Peggy (here with Jake and husband Greg)

Loving on Miss Keri

The Olson Fam

Dancing with Great Grandma