Happy Birthday, Ray!!

I know this post seems a little misplaced, but for my Dad's 65th birthday, I decided to write down "65 Reasons Why I Love My Dad". Since Ray is such a huge part of Jameson's life, I wanted to share it here too, so that he always has this to remind him why we love our Ray so very much. I can only hope that one day Jameson feels this way about me and Darin and has the kind of relationship with us that I do with my parents. We love you so much Ray and thank you for all you have done to make our lives so full!!

65 Reasons Why I Love My Dad

1.    He loves us unconditionally

2.    He is creative

3.    He is best buddies with Jameson

4.    He spoils us all

5.    He wrote our Father Daughter Dance song

6.    He is funny

7.    He took me to Dairy Queen every Friday after school

8.    He is so talented when it comes to writing

9.    He ordered Pizza World pizza for us when we were little

10. He raised us to love baseball

11. He loves his wife

12. He is quirky

13. He has always been our protector

14. He is hard working

15. He is silly

16. He has a huge soft spot for his grand kids

17. He can make us all laugh

18. He is loyal

19. He is intelligent

20. He is a political guru

21. He is curious

22. He is grateful for what he has in life

23. He dealt with a household of girls for many many years...including multiple female dogs too!

24. He does not believe in excuses - I learned this regarding my curfew a few times!

25. He protects his daughters when it comes to anything

26. He is strong willed

27. He is a good brother

28. He is 100% Republican and quite vocal about it

29. He likes to collect things

30. He loves music

31. He loves to write

32. He is a romantic at heart

33. He made me believe I could do anything

34. He made my college education possible

35. He can make some of the fluffiest pancakes

36. He let me make mistakes and taught me how to learn from them

37. He shared in our camp and choir tour experiences - some of which are my fondest memories

38. He bought me a stuffed animal every time I was sick - I have a lot of stuffed pandas!

39. He bought us milkshakes or lemon lime freezes when we didn't feel well

40. He loves motorcycles. He dreams of having one.  He will NEVER have one as long as my Mom, my sister and I am alive to stop him

41. He is generous

42. He is supportive

43. He is reliable

44. He held us accountable

45. He can whistle louder than anyone I know

46. He is a big sports fan

47. He makes other dads pale in comparison

48. He used to do my hair before school sometimes

49. He is honest

50. He is an amazing grandpa. The grand kids all adore him 

51. He is a good listener

52. He is passionate about life
53. He believes in his children

54. He believes in his grandchildren

55. He used to watch Guts with me while we ate yummy snacks

56. He is fun-loving

57. He sends me beautiful flowers every year on the first day of school even though I have been out of school for many years!

58. He is a goof ball and will be the first to admit it

59. He was always the best tickle monster and now the grand kids have discovered that!

60. He served his country

61. He serves his family

62. He is brave

63. He is wise

64. He would sacrifice anything for his family 

65. He is my Dad! The best Dad in the world.  And even though he is turning 65, I can still call him Daddy.

 

On your 65th birthday I want you to know that I love you more than you'll ever know. I am so grateful to have a parental unit that has devoted themselves to life, love and raising children.  What a gift you are to me and everyone who meets you.  I am so blessed.  I wish everyone could have a Dad (and of course my equally fabulous Mom) - like you.

 

 

 

Promoted to Big Brother!!!!

Yay, you are officially a Big Brother!! As I have mentioned in some of the previous posts, I was extremely worried about how everything would go once Baby Sister was here. But, the second she entered this world, I realized that my heart has more than enough love for two. And, I have to say I should never have worried about you knowing how well you adjust to things and this was no different. You loved her from the second you met her and have been an amazing big brother these last two weeks. I knew you would be amazing, so that part was no surprise!

The morning that we left for the hospital, it was very tough me to leave without giving you a huge hug and kiss. When I found out my surgery was going to be delayed, you were the first person I thought of because we had told you as soon as you woke up, you would be able to come meet your sister and see Mommy and Daddy. I felt so bad knowing that you would have to wait to see us all, however, you seemed to be just fine with Gpa and Gma Weber while you waited at our house. You then got to come to the hospital and hang out with both sets of grandparents while you waited. After Gwen was born, we were waiting in recovery and one of the nurses asked if we wanted her to go get you. I instantly started crying just at the sound of your name because I couldn't wait to see you and for you to meet your sister. When you came in the room, I cried some more and was so very happy to see you that I almost tried to pick you up all by myself! You crawled in my arms and we all held each other as a family of four. Very precious moments that I will forever cherish. You then wanted to go get the presents you had picked out for Baby G earlier that morning. When you came back in, you were so excited to give them to her, you could hardly get them out of the bag. It was so sweet and I knew at that moment, Gwen was a very lucky little girl. She has the best big brother.

Overall, we all have adjusted extremely well to being a family of four. You have your moments where I don't know if you are upset at the changes or if you are just being a normal two year old. Either way, it is understandable and we address it and move on. But, as far as how you act around Gwendolyn and interact with her, you are incredible. You always try to make her laugh with silly faces and dances. You constantly check on her when she is sleeping in the pack-n-play. You always want to kiss her nose or pat her little head. You love to lay by her when she is playing on her gym mat. You like to sing to her. You always have to kiss her goodnight. I absolutely love watching you interact with her - talk about heart warming. I cannot wait to watch you two grow up together - she is going to love having you as her big brother!

My love certainly has grown to lengths I never could have imagined because of you and your sister. And, I know it will only continue to grow. So very blessed.

Hanging out with Grandpa before coming to the hospital!

He is ready to come meet his Baby Sister!!

Still waiting to meet her!

This is the first time I saw Jameson and the first time he met Gwendolyn.
I was sobbing like a baby!!

Smiling through the tears of joy!

First photo as a family of four!

I love this - he makes this face whenever she cries!

He was sooo excited to give Baby Sister the toys he bought her!

And, this is what Baby Sister bought Jameson for his Big Brother gift...
she sure knows him well :).

Opening his gifts!

Making friends with everyone!

Already trying to entertain her!

So sweet.

Melts my heart.

He looks so cute!!!

I love this picture!!



I love this picture - makes me laugh!

So sweet!

Pictures before we left the hospital!

We were all so happy to be able to go home together!!

Silly boy!

Holding Baby G like a pro!

Ahh, my heart is melting again!!

This is probably one of my absolute favorite pictures. Ever.

Since he sleeps with 500 things, I figured why not just add Gwen to the mix ;).

She loves him so much already!

This was probably one of my favorite moments from the hospital. Both my babies in my arms.
I never realized how much I could love until I held my babies.

29 Months!!

I just posted an update a few weeks ago, but I wanted to get this one done before baby sister gets here! Because even though it's only been a few weeks, much like every post I do about you, you continue to amaze us all with your vocab and ability to pick up on things. We always all comment about how we just need to record you 24 hours a day or write down everything you say because you just constantly amaze and constantly make us laugh and smile! I can't help but get so proud when I look at you!!

• I will wait to update weight and height until after your 2.5 year doc appointment!
• I think you have allergies. With the weather being so beautiful, we opened the windows and I felt so bad because it seemed like your allergies immediately flared. You are constantly itching your eyes and you sound congested, yet have the runny nose. I am going to set up an appointment to help with this too - I feel so bad for you because I know how awful it is to deal with!
• A biggie in my book - I signed you up for preschool, ahhhh!!! You will start the day before you turn 2.5. I am so excited for you because I think you will love being around other kids and will hopefully love the learning part. But, I can't help but freak out a little knowing that you are old enough to be in preschool!! But, we went and visited the other day and you loved it...and I think it's so cool because you will be in the same classroom that I was in when I went to preschool at 2PC!
• We have a little routine now after we go to the grocery store - you love to go to Barnes and Noble and pick out a book for you and one for baby sister. It's so cute! You always ask if you can go pick one out for her and of course we say yes! You are just so thoughtful and you always pick good ones for her!! I can't wait until she's here so you can read them to her!
• Speaking of books, you just love to read and be read to. I love that so much! Some of the favorites over the past few weeks were: Otis and the Puppy (one of the new ones you picked out!) and the Disney Book of bedtime stories (we read a few each night, but we always have to read the Monsters, Inc. one!).
• We went to the movie theater a few more times! We went to go see Despicable Me 2, but when we got to the theater, Braden and Aunt Lindsay were there...they were going to see Monsters U, so we had, I mean we got, to see it again! Then the next weekend, the three of us went to Despicable Me with Jeremy, Braden and Lindsay.  You do sooo well, but that shouldn't be too much of a surprise! But, it's definitely an expensive habit, especially since you love to play the games in the lobby before and after!
• We went to Grandpa Dan's 60th birthday party and you had a great time rocking out to your Great Uncle Jim's band! You were also flirting with a little girl that was also dancing. Tried to kiss her a few times and her brother then told us that you guys had to get married! So cute.
• We have been doing this for a few months now, but we will walk down to the end of the street because there is a pile of rocks. We all like to look through them and talk about the different colors, shapes, etc. It's pretty fun for Daddy and me too! Then we always walk on the balance beams (curbs).
• You are a jokester. The other day you kept telling us that you saw a hand in Daddy's car and we could not figure out what you were talking about. After awhile, you started laughing and said, "I am just kidding, guys. There is no hand!". Hahaha...too funny!
• You love to play "puppy". You like for us to be the puppy too, which only gets more difficult as my belly gets bigger. But, pretty soon, I will be able to give 100% to being your puppy!
• You are just too sweet. I know I say it every month, but you will just randomly walk up to me and give me a huge squeeze or kiss my hand or something. It's just amazing and I am so lucky to have such a sweetheart!

Some funny videos:

• Splashing Daddy at the Splash Park...so funny how he throws the water! http://youtu.be/yY-nD1p7n4A
• Little Ray loves Big Jameson! http://youtu.be/L01XARqUIa0
• Bubble Wrap Fun - hilarious! http://youtu.be/U9BaiZ9DPc0
• He would have been great at Nintendo Power Pad, lol! http://youtu.be/PfgZfcHB9Io
• Loves to be tickled! And, I love watching these two! http://youtu.be/jEj5A9XqWhg

Vocab Funnies: I didn't even come close to capturing the breadth of your vocab or your hilariousness!! But, here are a few that make me laugh!

• You have developed what I can only describe as a British accent and it is hilarious!! So funny and you crack me up!
• We have learned the ever so fun, "2 more minutes, Mom". Let the good times roll!
• You have also started saying, "not now, but soon." or "not now, maybe later." Too funny.
• Dora and Diego have taught you well - you will randomly say a word in Spanish sometimes. Not too often, but every once in awhile.
• The other day, you told Grandma Debbie, "you're killing me!". I think we all say that to you a million times a week because you constantly crack us up. Guess it caught on!!!
• "I can't get it right now, I am busy". You have started telling us you are busy when we ask you something...too funny.
• "It's bee-you-ti-ful outside". You always comment on the weather and it's so cute when you tell us it's beautiful!
• "Mommy, you didn't tuck me in right". Haha, tell it how it is kid!
• This may embarrass you later in life, but it was too cute. When Michelle and Cass came over to hang out, I was upstairs giving you a bath. When they came up to look at Baby Sister's room, you asked Michelle what she was doing. She told you and then asked you what you were doing...your response, "just being naked". HA!
• You were telling Gma Kim that you love your Mommy and when she asked if you loved her, you were being a stinker and said no. When she pretended to be sad, you said, "it's OK Grandma, Grandpa loves you!".  Aww.
• "Wait your turn, Mommy. I will go first and then you will get a turn". OK, little boss man!

Well, the next post I do will most likely be about you adjusting to being a big brother. I am so ready for your sister to get here, but I have had such a hard time this week knowing that we only have a few more hours to relish in you being our only baby! I know we will all love having baby girl here and I have no doubt that you will be an incredible big brother!! You've been so incredible with her during this pregnancy, so I am sure once you fully understand what is going on, you will have no problem adjusting.

Cool new sword from Gma Debbie and Ray!

He was pretending to be a sad puppy after bath time!

Fun at the Library with Gma and Ray!

Feeding the fishies at Gma and Ray's pond!

Loving the Target popcorn.

Gangsta.

This just makes me laugh for some reason!

"C'mon Daddy, I will catch you!"

Dancing to Jim's band! And, kissing on the little girl, which I did not capture on film!

We were both tired from the party, so we snuggled in bed the next morning!

Love his little face!

 

 

Best Buddies!

Another one of his best buddies!

Gma Debbie and Jameson's cookie date at the mall!

Star Wars - still obsessed!

 

 

Looks like Ming Ming won the wrestling match!

Laying on baby sister!

Playing in the rocks!!

Wearing Gma Debbie's shoes!

Peek-a-boo!

Loving the hammock at Gma and Ray's!

Having a blast at the Gingerbread House's Grand Re-Opening Party!

Donut Sprinkles!!

Jameson (and Mommy's!) first time picking sweet corn!

Had to get another sleeping picture!

 

 

He LOVES his new Darth Vader towel!

Playing some mini golf at State Farm park with Braden and Ray!

They have so much fun together!

Playing in the puddles at Daddy's softball game. Then he decided it would be fun to take off his shoes and sit on the ground
and eat fruit snacks with Mr. Dino.

Just watching some Dora on Gma and Ray's porch!

Haircut time! Before!

Handsome boy - after! And, of course we had to get some Dairy Queen!

Finally kind of got a picture of the finger/head tilt Jamesonism!

Walking on the "balance beam"!

Went to the movie to see Despicable Me 2 and saw Braden...so Monsters U it was (again!).

Having fun at the museum!!

Snuggles!

Having a blast in the rain!

One last night at the pool before baby sister gets here!

 

 

 

Watching the airplanes in Cooksville with Gma Kim!!

Love this picture!!

He has quite the fashion sense!

Despicable Me 2 this time!! And, we had to go to Toys R Us after to get some minions. Yet, somehow we walked out with a Boo stuffed animal (Monsters, Inc.). But, he said he would share her with Baby Sister...aww.

Our last Sunday with you as our only child. I was taking it all in!!!

Playing some golf, Happy Gilmore style!

Hitting the piñata at Bennett's bday party!

Being silly!

Having fun with Ray and Gma! Too cute!

Playing animal games with Gma!

I only wish I could keep him this close forever!! My little love.