Cuteness

Beware...here comes a photo montage.
So, I know we all think our babies are the cutest...and actually...I would agree that all your babies are the cutest...but I think Kaleb fits into the "my baby is the cutest" category. Kaleb was kind of grumpy when I picked up our camera to play with the settings he started smiling. I thought that was funny so I held up the camera again and he smiled until I put it down. He's already hamming it up for the camera! I can't get over how cute he is! So, here is a montage of oober cuteness.
I was kind of bummed I didn't get a picture earlier. I had Kaleb laying on this pillow, I walked out of the room to grab something and came back in. He had scooted himself backwards off the pillow and was up on his hands and knees...that isn't allowed yet! And he has really been into the fist and thumb in mouth business lately, that's not allowed either, I can't take that away as easily as a binky! He'll even try to get both binky and fist in his mouth at the same time and gets frustrated when he realizes they don't all fit!
So, I realize all these pictures are basically the same...but he was just being so cute how could you choose just one? I just have to remind myself sometimes when he's grumpy that there is all this cuteness under that scowl.
I am so excited for this weekend. I'm sure I'll be back here on Monday with another shloo of pictures of our family fun. Okay - the baby on my lap has a grumpy face coming out, I'd better see if it's cool enough outside to go for a walk...augh, it has been so hot...I'm glad this hot business it almost over. (But then I'll be complaining it's cold, I just can't win can I?)

*Cheese*

I couldn't wait to post this picture of Kaleb. I finally succeeded yesterday in getting a few pictures of his smile. This is my favorite one
I think his hair looks really red in this picture, I've noticed in the sun that he has red highlights. It will be interesting to see how this whole hair business ends up.
It's a smile that melts my heart and makes me look fondly with love down at this beautiful baby boy that sometimes I still can't believe he came to be in our family - going back to previous post - we are so blessed! Even if he's inconsolable before sunrise, I still can't fathom how much I love this bright happy boy...he is such a joy to be around and to have in our family...he even manages to soften up grumpy ol' dad. (Edited by Jake- Very Funny!!!)
And Kaleb...don't think just because you are beyond cute than means we'll let you get away with anything (well, all the time anyway).

Blessed

So, some pictures of Kaleb first. Yesterday was his first time in the pool, so, of course, I had to get a few picturesNot so sure about this

Alright, I'm okay now

That wasn't so bad, Kaleb was smiling and splashing after the initial shock. And, can I just say, I am so proud of his blue eyes, I mean, I love Jake's greenish/gray/who knows what color eyes, but, I love those baby blues! P.S. what do you think about his nice scratch by the nose? I think he needs to be de-clawed

Okay - pressing on. I love this gospel! It's so great to know that know matter what happens, is happening, there is a plan for you, even if you have no idea about that said plan! Last Wednesday a random job fell in my lap that is just perfect. That being said, nothing is random. If we are trying to do what we're supposed to, things will always work out, even if we don't know how. Jake was in his boss' office last Wednesday when she commented about the receptionist needing two hours off every day and how was she ever going to find someone who would be willing to work just two hours a day? Jake chimed in that I could probably do it. I thought it was a great idea, two hours out of the house every morning will be perfect. Unfortunately, Jake will have to get up with Kaleb earlier than he would normally choose to, but, I'm actually excited...I start tomorrow (that was fast!) With it being only 2 hours a day is this considered a quarter time job, since it's only 10 hours a week? This was the easiest job I've ever been hired for. I didn't even have to have an interview, in fact, boss is out of town for the next week or so. I guess that means I have a good reputation, I hope I don't make Jake look bad! Seriously though, how hard could it be to mess up at a receptionist job?
For those who might not know. Jake applied for a job by San Francisco a while back. We have been praying for this job and are still waiting to hear back about it, the good news (we think) is that the company is no longer accepting applications, so that means all the sooner we will hear about it (we hope and pray). We are moving no matter what when our lease is up the end of October so we're just hoping it's to San Francisco, as much as we love our ward, and it has been the best thing about our move to CA. we both feel it's time to move on. I hate being in limbo, not knowing where we will be living a few months from now. But, I know everything will work out as it's supposed to.
I will say it again - I am so grateful for how blessed we are. I have the best husband ever, who puts up with a lot from me. As you lead me lead me by the hand through parenthood, I am glad it is you who chose me. Thank you for our baby boy, who is lucky to have such an amazing daddy.

Same Ol' Same Ol'

I guess it means life is good if you can't find any complaints except that life is about the same each day that goes by, and that's all good and okay by me! (less surprises that way)

We try to go for a daily walk after Jake leaves for work (which honestly is the worst time to do that because that's when it's the hottest outside between 4-5PM I'm sure a little sunshine does both Kaleb and me good. Besides the fact that I can use a good walk every day, I get really lethargic and grumpy if I don't get a bit of sun. I'm kind of like a plant, I need my sunshine! (I could never live in a place like Norway)

I finally got bread made this week after a 6 week absence it's nice to have good bread again. I guess I can't find many excuses now that things are settling into a routine, and I have plenty of time to get things done during the day while Jake is here. I must say it's really nice having Jake home during the day because then I can go to the laundromat, the store, and run other such errands, or do fun things without a baby in tow, Kaleb really doesn't like fabric or scrapbooking stores unless he's asleep first. Sadly this means Jake and I don't get out together much anymore, but he didn't like going to fabric or scrapbooking stores with me either (what is with these silly boys?)

Kaleb is growing so fast. Everyone always says they grow up too fast, I didn't believe it until Kaleb started doing it. His newborn onsies are getting on the too snug and tight side, so they are getting booted out of his wardrobe. Kaleb loves taking his nightly bath, he is going to be a water rat like his daddy. He's getting the whole smile thing more and more each day. For some reason I can never capture it on camera because as soon as that comes out he makes a grumpy face, the nice thing about digital, I can keep taking 100 pictures until I capture the smile that I know is in there somewhere, and delete all the constipated faces in between.

We were able to go to our ward beach party this past Saturday. It was a lot of fun (as you can tell by our dopey looks) Too bad I couldn't enjoy the water past my ankles, wait, Dr. excuse or not I wouldn't want to go swimming anyway, that requires cold water, and being wet. Kaleb pretty much slept through it all, he's a party pooper. It was a lot of fun to get together in the sun with our friends, I'm actually kind of glad Kaleb isn't mobile yet because then I would have to watch him more, more sand in more places than just his carseat.
Yesterday (Sunday) we were invited to a friends house that just moved out of the ward - I still can't believe they ditched us! They have a gorgeous house and they've fixed it up really nice. They just had triplets so I can see why their 3 bedroom condo just wasn't going to work for them. They have one of their babies home with them now and he is a major cutie! It was nice to enjoy their air conditioning and her delicious Thai food (mmm-which reminds me, we brought some leftovers home with us)
As you can tell, things are pretty much the same around here, and not that exciting. Life goes on one day at a time as I try not to blink because I know I'll miss Kaleb being a newborn. Although, it will be nice when he can do more than eat, sleep, cry, and poop...I just don't know what to do with him all day. And then will come the day when I wish he was back at this stage, I know I can't win with wishes so I'll just try and enjoy every moment. I am so grateful for life right now, no, everything isn't 100% we have our worries and stresses, but, it's pretty good and wonderful. We are so blessed.

Positive Thinking.

Well, after seeing the last post to the blog and how my opinion was skewed, I am going to clarify my meaning and also give an update from a dad's perspective.

For me, talking about rough times should be done; it is healthy. But, and again this is MY OPINION so don't get too anxious to comment, it should be done more in private with family and those whom I deem as friends and not in front of the entire world on the web. I am not saying that all posts should appear wonderful and happy-go-lucky, because a blog is an update on life and life is not all wonderful. But it should focus more on the joys and triumphs and less on the frustration and defeats. But enough on that.

After not having seen Kaleb and Kristen for over a week, I was really anxious to have them both come home yesterday. Kaleb has grown so much and is really starting to smile and show his personality more and more. He is still up more often than I would like but it is a joy to me to be able to take care of him.

Also, I really missed Kristen. Someone at work asked if I enjoyed being a bachelor again. I hated being single so when I married Kristen, I enjoyed life so much more because I felt more complete. I really missed having my confidant and lover around. She is my best friend and I love her with all my heart.

Well, I am off to work. So until next time.

-Jake

Life is Perfect

Emily & Sammy, Shawna & Sabine

Great-Grandma Gubler
Great-Grandkids 120ish

Aunt Raygan

Aunt Jan

Grandma Stevens and
Great-Grandpa & Grandma McEntire

First Great-Grandkid

Jake informed me blogs aren't for posting complaints, annoyances, or general aggravation with life. Blogs are only for writing about how perfect and wonderful life is and nothing is ever wrong. So from now on I vow to only write about how my husband works 10 hour days and still has time to make us three hot meals a day, go to the laundromat, vacuum, wash the windows, clean the bathrooms and kitchen, and take care of Kaleb. Not to mention Kaleb sleeps 12 hours a night, takes good naps during the day and never cries, just sits and smiles and coos when he's awake while I have plenty of time for reading, scrapbooking, quilting, and smelling the bouquet of flowers Jake brings home at least every other day. So, in other words, I won't be writing very much anymore.
Actually, I do have a good post to write today. I have the best family ever! Not only did I get blessed with Jacob in my life but he came with the awesomest (yes, that is a new word) family too. This past week while Jake was at Scout camp I decided Kaleb and I needed to go visit UT and cool off (okay, temperature wise, that didn't happen, mental wise, it did) I left early Tuesday morning for a week of visiting. Kaleb did so well on the flight, slept through half of it actually. I will put in a plug that baby carriers are the best invention ever! I was able to strap Kaleb to the front of me and walk through security and the airport with no problems carrying my three carry-on bags. It was so fun for Kaleb to meet lots of new people, Aunties' Shawna, Raygan, Janice, Emily and Michelle, Uncles' Daniel and Matt, some of his great-grandparents and his newest cousins Sabine and Sammy. It was such a relaxing weekend, and the only thing missing was having Hailey and Cameron with us, I miss you guys but you were there in spirit and in our prayers! (although that is never good enough) Shawna, Emily and I were able to go visit Grandma Gubler to show off our babies, we were also able to talk to Mom and Dad Scofield in France on Skype. I love Skype, it is such a great way to connect and talk and see each other. We were also able to talk to Hailey and Cameron in Tennessee. Not only is it a free phone call you get to see who you are talking to, what a great invention!
On Sunday Aunt Janice and grandma and grandpa Mc came for a BBQ - I swear hamburgers taste better when coming off a hot grill. Kaleb got a little overwhelmed and cranky some days so we tried not to do much but relax and enjoy each others company. Kaleb started smiling this week, it's a little more each day and only here and there, but, he's really getting into the smiling thing, before we know it, it will be all the time. I hope Kaleb is a happy baby, so far he is doing really well, I can't complain too much, he really is a pretty mellow baby, despite his major spewing issues right now. Dan has a new name for him Sir Grunts-a lot, better than Matt's K-Dog. I still like Shawna's analogy about the Jello commercial, it's exactly how Kaleb is, he can't hold still and is constantly 'wiggle wiggle wiggle' The only time he is calm is when you swaddle his arms and legs tight (the only way he can sleep or else he wakes himself up, usually with a fist to the head) I got to hear lots of stories about what a hard baby Jake was, having reflux and it not being known about back then so they just dealt with his screaming all the time - thank you Kaleb for being nice, we sure were blessed! (I still marvel how momma Stevens had 4 more kids after Jake gave them a run for their money right off the bat) There isn't much else to write about the week, but it was a lot of fun, thank you so much to mom and dad Stevens and the family for their love. We truly are blessed with the family we got, on both ends. I am kind of afraid of what kind of world we brought Kaleb into, but I am so grateful he will have the best family ever to teach him and love him and be good examples for him. It's so amazing to look at Kaleb and realize two little cells created him but it's not just Scofield and Stevens, there's generations of influence there, McEntire, Penrod, Hinton, Gubler, York, Lehnhof, and on and on, what a legacy! I will just post lots of pictures so you can see the fun we had.