Visitors

Ryan, Leah, and I--I love how happy she was to be sitting by her buddy Ryan. :)

Great Aunt Darla & Jacobi--a very young great aunt! :)

Great Uncle Kerry & Jacobi--again, a young great uncle--feels funny to even call them that.

Jenna, Kelsey, & Leah with Jacobi

We had visitors this week! Ryan's uncle, aunt, and cousins came for a few days--Kerry & Darla Magsam and their family. They got here Saturday evening and left Tuesday morning so it was quick, but great to spend some time with them! Of course Jacobi didn't get a bit of attention while they were here (haha). In reality I had lots of help, both with Jacobi and in the kitchen.

Christmas Day

Jacobi and I made a quick trip to MO to spend a couple of days with my family. We left on Wed. and came back Fri. On Thursday, Christmas day, we were together with my dad's side of the family at Grandpa & Grandma's. It was fun to have most everyone there, although we missed a few people including Ryan who had to work. We celebrated Zaden's birthday that afternoon since everyone was together and he was excited about his 3rd birthday party. He had said that he wanted "Baby Jacobi" at his birthday party, so I was glad we could be there. :) Sonya had planned some games for the kids (and bribed our youngest cousins into playing I think) and made a cool race car cake. Today is Zaden's actual birthday--Dec. 31st! I can't believe he's already 3 years old.

All 4 of the cousins--Zaden (3), Jacobi (2 mo), Kingston (1 1/2), Xander (1) Had trouble getting everyone to smile and sit still at the same time, but the pictures we did get have character anyway! :)

My cousins with Jacobi--Latisha, Kalene, Colleen, Gabriela, Carmen

Monday Morning Cheer

I hope he always enjoys Monday mornings like this!

Jacobi's First Trip to MO!

We got to my mom & dad's in MO about 7:30 Saturday evening and left around 5:00 Tuesday evening. We hadn't been there since July, which I can hardly believe, but I guess we've been extra busy the last few months. We had a wonderful visit and thoroughly enjoyed our time there! Jacobi did wonderful, both on the trip to and from as well as while we were there. On Sunday afternoon, they had a little open house for us so that friends could come meet Jacobi and see us; it was very nice! Then that evening we celebrated Xander's 1st birthday with our extended family. Monday Jacobi and I spent time with Aunt Sonya, Zaden, Xander, and her daycare kiddos while Ryan volunteered to do some work on mom & dad's house. He enjoyed it and they were glad to have it done, so that was a win-win for everyone! Mom is off work on Tuesdays, so we spent time with her and also Tasha, Chava, and Kingston when Tash got off work in the afternoon. The last couple of days we've been getting caught up back at home...on sleep, laundry, putting new gifts away, etc. Jacobi has been extra smily and "talkative" lately, which is a lot of fun!

Now for what you really came here to see...the pictures! :)

Xander, the birthday boy enjoying his cake.
Jacobi with his Great Grandpa & Grandma Spinar

Aunt Sonya with Jacobi

Grammy & Jacobi

Grandpa with 2 of his boys (Kingston & Jacobi)

Additional Pictures

I'm going to add a few more pictures from our trip to MO--hopefully doing it in this order won't be confusing since both blog entries will basically show up at the same time. :)

Grammy & Jacobi chatting after his bath

Bath time in Grammy's kitchen sink.

Grammy's gingerbread house builders--there was more eating going on of both candy and icing than building by the boys, but Zaden at least was happy with the "gingerman house" when they were finished...despite the fact that the gingerman ended up headless due to him deciding to see how he tasted. :P Grammy decided that it was fun, but next year maybe they will be more into it. Jacobi should enjoy "helping" by next year, too!

Aunt Tash & Jacobi--she is the best baby wrapper I've seen since we left the hospital, hands down! Here's a picture of what he looked like all wrapped up tight; reminds me of a caterpillar in a cacoon!

You Know You're an Adoptive Parent...

A friend sent the following to me in an email and I thought it was too good not to share. Of course, some of these are regarding international adoption and didn't apply to our domestic adoption--but it's definitely an accurate picture of some of the things adoptive families face. I also want to say that IT'S ALL TOTALLY WORTH IT!!! :) This is only posted to provide insight, not evoke sympathy!!!

YOU KNOW YOU ARE AN ADOPTIVE PARENT WHEN:

1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.

2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.

3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.

4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.

5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.

6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's "real" parents.

7. You have ever been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth.(2 years!)

8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.

9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.

10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.

11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.

12. You know what the word "Dossier" means, and you can actually pronounce it!

13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.

14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.

-Author unknown

Faces of Jacobi

Okay, this post is simply to show some of the funny, cute, expressions and faces Jacobi can make. We could sit and watch him all day when he really gets going. You've seen the smiles--here are some worried/scared expressions, some outright unhappy ones, a wink, and some that you can interpret yourself. Just thought his fans might want to see some of the different faces he can make. :)

Busy Boy

I know this blog entry is long overdue--and most of you have been coming here to see if there are any new pictures, right?! Jacobi has been a busy boy the last couple of weeks. I will try to post some of the highlights.

Grandpa Del & Grandma Becky came for a visit and to meet Jacobi over Thanksgiving. He got lots of cuddle time in!

We got a new carseat/stroller set from the special education dept. and adminstrators at the school where I used to work. Here he is cheering about it. :) They also gave us a shower on Tuesday, but I don't have any pictures of that yet. Let's just say there was lots of "loot." :P

Jacobi enjoyed some tummy time.

And we can't forget playing legos with Daddy for the first time--now that about wore them both out! :P Grandma Becky brought the legos Daddy used to play with as a boy, so he had to check and see what all was there.

The last couple of days he's been going on "adventures" with mommy--at least it's been adventurous for me! Getting out and about just isn't as carefree as it used to be. The scheduling of feedings is the hardest part--of course he's usually ready to eat when it's least convenient, but he's worth it so oh well! :)

I should also add that he's been busy GROWING! As of last Friday, he weighed about 11 pounds if putting him on the scale with me is accurate enough. This week he's going longer between feedings and sleeping lots. I think that means lots of brain growth is happening now. :)