Split Personality

It's the eye of the tiger-
it's the cream of the fight.
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night

And he's watchin' us all in the eye of the tiger.

Karen, Lara, and Aubrey came over for dinner tonight and we decided to dress Aurbrey up in some boy clothes. I cut up a sock and made sweat bands for her. She literally took on the personality of a little boy. She would dance and run in place while her mom and Aunts sang "Eye of the Tiger."

Baby Proofing

I am learning that baby proofing is as much a life-style as it is a preparation. Make sense? No? I'll explain what I mean:

Maria and I have had to implement some protective elements already because of our nieces. We have a baby gate that we put up in-front of the stairs anytime we have little kids over and we have covered most our unused outlets. I am learning, though, that there is so much more we need to do and I find myself looking at everything in the house differently.

For example: We have a lamp that is on the half wall between our front room and dining room. I found Davis playing with it's cord one day. The cord is long enough for him to get wrapped up in and the lamp is heavy enough that it could really hurt him if he were to pull it over.

Another example: Yesterday while I was in the office Davis was in the living room playing. When he got too quite I went to check on him. He was in the dining room trying to eat something. I thought it was a Cheerio because they seem to liter our floor all the time now that he eats them. I bent over to take a closer look and as I did I could smell the menthol in the cough-drop Davis was attempting to devour.

Going back to the lifestyle vs. preparation thing mentioned at the top I am realizing that Maria and I need to make changes in how we do things not only cover outlets or put up a gate.

Maria and I are both pretty lazy about picking up after ourselves. Don’t get me wrong we keep a pretty clean house but if we drop cereal in the morning it is likely to stay there on the floor until the next time we sweep. While cereal may not do much damage to the little boy things like bobby-pins, paper clips, or plastic from packaging could pose a real hazard and we need to be better about picking our crap up.

Best Week Ever

With my Birthday and Mother's Day so close together it has been an amazing few days. My Birthday included a yummy dinner at Carrabbas with my Mom, Jake, and Davis. Later we all went over to Lara's house to eat my Mom's famous poppy seed cake. I was very spoiled in the present department as Jake surprised me by getting a memory foam for our mattress and my Mom made me a beautiful and colorful blanket. Mom Boyle sent me a funny card with $. Karen brought over flowers and the promise of 3 babysitting sessions with Davis. G-ma Davis sent me a sweet card and Lara gave me an old navy gift. Jennifer gave me a singing rat and plants for my front yard. Katy and Lyle treated us all to dinner at TGIF Fridays. It was a great birthday!

Mother's Day was just as great as Jake made me omelets with cheese, bacon, and avocado. He also made my favorite dinner--Tortellini! The best part of the my Birthday and Mother's Day was two letters that Jake wrote for me. I wish I had pictures because this really was the BEST WEEK EVER!

Birthday Letter (He actually had this ready in the car for me to open on my way into work, however, I took the truck instead of the car. It was even better since he read it to me over the phone.

May 7, 2009
Babe -
I have found another reason to put off homework...I wanted to let you know how much I love you. I know it is lame that I did not get you a card and that I let you have your gift early so I just wanted to do a little something special (and get you to cry on the way to work!).

You are such an amazing person and I am a very lucky man to have you as a wife. You are so caring, compassionate, sensitive, and selfless. You are an inspiration to me and to many others. I appreciate you very much and am grateful for everything you do for me and our family.

Davis and Timmy the Tadpole could not ask for a better mother. You love them both so much and you are willing to do anything for either one of them. They will surely grow up to be great people as they learn from you and follow your example.

I know that I give you crap about being older but you have to stop thinking of yourself in number of years but in experiences. While you have been many places and had the chance to do many things you are still very young in the fact that you still have so much more to experience in life. I hope to give you the best life possible and that we have the opportunity to see the world together and as a family. The only way that we'll be able to do this is if you continue to love and support me as you have so far in our very young marriage.

It is impossible to put exactly in words just how deep my love for you is. If you had asked me three yeas ago what love is I would have given a completely different answer. I am only now beginning to realize what love is and what a special role it plays in life. I would have a very hard time imagining my life without you. You make me happy - you make me want to be better. I can't wait to grow old with you.

Happy birthday babe - I love you!!

Jake

Mother's Day Letter (This was waiting for me in the kitchen when I woke up)

May 10, 2009
Maria my Love,

I am sure that this will not be remembered as the best Mother's Day ever and will probably be forgotten in the many to follow but I wanted to make sure you knew how much I love you. There are few mothers out there who are willing to do as much as you do for your children and for your family. The selfless act of going to work everyday is a sacrifice that you will receive many blessings for. When the day comes that you are able to stay home with our children you will be able to better cherish and appreciate that time. I am so grateful for the time I have now to play "Mommy" and to be with Davis. Don't at any time feel that you are doing the wrong thing by working. Davis is so lucky to have such a great mom and I know he loves you very much. You are an amazing mother to him and are filled with so much love, compassion, and understanding. I love watching the two of you interact and see Davis smile and laugh as he plays with you. I have you to thank for bringing such a beautiful and healthy baby boy into this world. The decisions that you made long ago and the sacrifices you made during pregnancy insured his health and strength. The blessings of your efforts will be enjoyed throughout all of Davis' life. Long before Davis was ever born you were looking out for his well-being and had such a bond of love with him. I am eternally grateful for the things your mother taught you and hope that you will teach the same things to our children so they can grow up to be as wonderful as you. Babe I love you with all of my heart and am looking forward to spending eternity with you and our children.
Happy Mother's Day!

Love,
Jake xoxo

Happy Mother's Day

The Davis Report

Last night Maria and I went to dinner with some friends. We had a young girl from the ward who is trying to earn money for girls camp come over and watch Davis. We told her that this would be the easiest babysitting gig because Davis is usually in bed by 7:30. We left Davis with the 12 year old babysitter and left. We returned three hours later and found the girls mom at your front door. As we got out of the car she assured us that everything was ok and that her daughter just was not as experienced with babies as she thought she was. We went in and Davis was still wide awake and you could tell he had been crying. Davis was so tired and cranky we felt so bad for the girl she will probably never want to babysit again.

Also in the world of Davis - he is now pulling himself up into a upright standing position. He started today when I left him on the rug in the basement and came back to find him clinging to the side of the ottoman. I have seen him do it two other times since and Maria just yelled that he did it again. I am afraid that he will be walking in no time!!

Dear Maria-

Looking back it is hard to believe that that such a hot mama fell in love with someone as ugly as me. I guess it is true - opposites do attract!

I am such a lucky guy to have a wife and friend as great as you. I hope that your birthday is wonderful and that we get to celebrate many more!

Love,

Jake

Davis is on the Move