Jaden Getting Big

Next Top Models

Okay so I know that America's Next Top Model is not the most wholesome family show, but Mea loves it. Last Friday afternoon, she asked if we could go play model in the yard- and here's some of the pictures I got. My personal favorite medium is black and white, so these were my favs.

My cuties

Random pictures of the family. Happy Birthday Jared! Aren't those the prettiest eyes! Jaden ready for church- (this pic is for Aunt Jessie- Isn't that a cute vest!) Mea looking beautiful for church. Jaden sporting a fauxhawk.

Jaden wants to Crawl!

Yesterday, I took a short video of Jaden's attempt to crawl. It looked like the worm and was so cute...see video Today, I came in and his crawling was so much better. He almost has it. This made me a little emotional. He is growing up sooooo fast!

So Much to Post about!

I got wayyyyy behind on my blogging. If you could see my class this year you would understand. Anyway, here's a quick recap. Thought it would be easier to collage it and show lots. If you click on the collages they should get bigger so that you can see the pictures better. There are some good ones! New Mexico trip- so much fun...way to fast. Mea loved Dobber so much. Jared loved the cows so much. Jaden loved his family so much. I loved having an excuse to not go to my classroom for a couple of days ;-)! Mini-vacation to St. Louis. We had a blast at the temple and at the Magic House. Mea put herself in a bubble, we dressed up in disguises, took a trip with Lewis and Clark. Don't miss the electricity ball with Mea and my crazy hair- one of Jared's favorite pics of the year. Mea's "projects". So Mea is miss artsy. She loves to do crafts. Her latest craft is painting shirts. We have a grocery store where you can dig through a big bin for $.99 shirts. At first we tie-dyed the shirts, but now she is in to puff-painting and jeweling them. Pretty cute. These are some pictures that Jaden might not love when the girls come around. If you look closely it is a ice cream sundae outfit. The hat has the whiptopping, sprinkles and a cherry. My friend gave me it- I think it is too cute!

Sorry Ladies- he's taken!

Just incase any single lady is out there wondering where the good guy is who's gonna sweep you off your feet and make you feel like a lady- I just wanted to let you know I your too late I got him! I woke up this morning to Jared and Mea putting the finishing touches on some fabulous cupcakes. Did I mention that he watched the kids, helped Mea get over her grumpies, washed dishes, and listened to me complain about my day, all with a smile on his face last night? Everyday I fall more and more in love with my hubby. Great guy, great father, great husband!

Our House

Since I have been off work I have found myself dreading going back. I love being at home. My kids crack me up, and the slower pace of being at home is amazing. I love being able to stay in p.js until 10 if I want and just playing. During work, life gets so busy that I don't take time to just have fun. I don't think I realized how much I miss on a daily basis. The things that I would get mad at during the school year just aren't that big of deal right now. I am I the best house wife? No- I find that just like in the school year, I find many more important things to do than keeping the house clean, but reconnecting with my children is so refreshing. I love my job, but find my job as a mommy so rewarding. I never thought I could be the stay at home mom type, but right now that is all I want to be. I think I do this at the end of every summer. I'll go back to work, and love it, find it rewarding, and enjoy my kids when I am at home. I'm so thankful I have a job that I can have the absolute best of both worlds- working mom and stay at home summer bum! Some pictures from this last week that made me laugh: Yes Mea is inside the laundry basket, laughing hysterically. Jaden he is really getting good and rolling and scooting around!

The Zoo

Our Family Vacation Pics Mea and Jaden's favorite parts of the zoo! We got the chance to go to the Omaha Zoo a couple of weeks ago. It was a ton of fun. A professor that Jared is collaborating with gave us a behind the scene tour. It was very interesting to see and hear some new projects that are happening. I was especially amazed at the education that is taking place in distant lands to conserve and protect the animals around the world. It is always interesting to me how youth and educating the children changes perspectives and behaviors so quickly.

Jaden Rolling

It has taken me lots of tries to get a shot of Jaden rolling over. He rolls better from his belly to front, but refuses to let me film him doing it! This is a short video of Jaden getting ready to roll. This is him rolling. I left the room after 30 mins of trying to catch him rolling and came back to him on his side. This was the best I could get. He is stubborn and takes his time, so this is a long one (2mins).

Mea and Maizy

We got a dog about a month ago for several reasons. 1-Jared was missing animals and 2- Mea is deathly afraid of dogs, so we wanted to put and end to her fear. We got Maizy off of Craigslist, and overall she has been the perfect dog. We are still working on training, but she is really sweet and friendly. It has taken some time, but Mea decided this week that she loves her puppy and as you can tell in the picture- Maizy loves her!

Our 4th

Life is good! Our fourth of July was possibly my most favorite day of this summer so far. Here is how it went down: I was awoken at 4:15 in the morning to Miss Mea poking me. "What's wrong?" I asked "Did the thunder wake you?" "No." She said "I so excited!" She was going to run another mile run and couldn't wait. It was so cool to see her that jazzed. We got up about 6:30 and got to the park for the Parley P. Pratt Memorial Run. Mea, Jaden and I ran the 1 mile, while Jared ran the 4. Mea is quite the little runner. We started off in the back of the pack because I had the stroller, so we had to pass about 40 people right out of the gate. Mea was so competitive every time we got close to someone she would pick up the pace and say "Let's get 'em!" About 3/4 of the way in she was getting tired and said "How did I get myself into this!" I had to laugh! 200 meters to the end and she got her second wind. She dropped her hand off the stroller and wanted to sprint to the end on her own. She did awesome! Later in the day, we had my family over for a shrimp boil. I love to cook these! The food was a little spicy but so good! I think I could live in the coastal south- I love that kind of food! It was fun to see the kids with the fireworks and just relax and enjoy the day. We have the perfect yard for a cook out and great space for fireworks. Mea and Nora- notice Mea's pink boots! One of my favorite pics of Aunt Mar. Mea loves that she is rocking the bump-it! Uncle Aaron- It was a dangerous job! We tried to go to MU to watch Fire in the Sky but it rained long enough that I got cold and said it was time to go. I know, I'm a party pooper but seriously I was soaked and had been up since 4:15 so by 9:30 I was ready to go home! I ended the evening with a Cherry Limeade Sonic Blast (so wonderful)- It was a wonderful day! I hope everyone had a great fourth as well!

Grammy's purse back

 

Grammy's purse front

 

New Program

 

I am testing out a new program- this is my first finished project.  Pretty cute!  It helps that the kids in the photos are super cute- if I do say so my self.  These pictures are from last week's photo session.  Mea was willing to be a model.  Most of the time she hates pictures- so I took the opportunity to snap some cute ones!

For Grandma Decker

This is a video that is really of nothing. Just Jaden being Jaden, but I thought Grandma Decker might enjoy seeing how big he is

Mea Laughing

Mea has been a real toot today, but this made it all worth it! **If you were wondering Jaden is doing- he's doing nothing, except staring at Mea. What she thought was so funny is still a mystery!

SUMMER!!

Since I have had Jaden, so much has happened. I only had to go back to school for a couple of days to finish up some work, so I have been a stay at home mom for about 6 weeks. I am loving every minute of it. Not having something to do every minute did take some getting used to at first, but I think we are finally into a routine. The last month has been a blast, and pictures are the best way to show what has happened around here. Here's what we've been up to: Mea had a gymnastic meet. She did great! I was so proud of how strong she The kids fro m her daycare were awesome! Look at those pointed toes! Mea had a birthday party. She had all of her friends to the park for cake and a craft. I cannot believe she is four! Everyone had lots of fun! -This was the start of Mea's birthday week! Jaden spent a lot of time napping. I think the best part of spending time home, has been to watch Mea and Jaden interacting. It is so sweet! Jaden got his first bath. He was so mellow- I think he enjoyed the water. When Mea was a baby she fit in the sink for 3 months. He already has grown too long for the sink and has moved to the tub! Sorry about the lack of modesty- this will be a good picture for his girl friends to see! Jaden was blessed. It was great! He looked great in the sweater Grandma McCoy made. Jared is a great dad. I love this picture of my men! Jaden getting stronger with a little tummy time! Last night I thought he might flip over- he had half of his body up. This is one of the first smiles Jaden gave with purpose. He is so cute- now he is smiling all of the time. I finally put together the stroller. It is a sit and stand and I love it. It is really long but is so nice. Mea can get off and on it when she wants to and it pushes really easily. Mea is still my Fancy Nancy Princess. She loves being a girl! We went to a Family Fun Night at the park. Mea and Jared stood in line for 20 mins. so she could get this painted on her face. Very fancy! We had an outdoor hotdog and marshmallow roast. It was fun and very cool that we could just go to our back yard and build a fire. Jaden slept through the whole dinner! We also went to the MU rec. center to swim. They closed early so we didn't have a whole lot of time. Jaden looked pretty cute in his trunks. Mea is a fish. She has already been in grammy's "pool" several times. Another smile. Sorry this post was so long, but I need to get caught up. I'll do better!

Introducing the Little Man..Jaden Emery Decker

About time I post about my new favorite little boy. Jaden was born on April 8 at 7:30 in the morning. For the most part it was a easy delivery. I got the the hospital early in the morning, was already at 6 cm., got an epidural, and relaxed until time to push. He suprized us all with blonde hair and he was huge (9lbs 10 oz!). After a little more than a week this is what we've learned about our new little man:

Jaden is really easy going- he eats, sleeps and poops with little crying.

He can pee across a dr. waiting room. He has showered everyone- oh the joys of boys ;-)!

Jaden eats like maniac. The first couple of days he had lost almost a pound but was almost back up to weight by the following Monday. Our next check up is Monday- I'm betting he is pushing 10lbs by now!

Jaden is the funniest baby ever in Mea's eyes. He just looks at her and she cracks up laughing hysterically. It is funny to watch the interactions between them already.

Jaden can go through about 15 diapers and 3 outfits a day... what do you expect from a kid-o that eats so much. What goes in must come out!

He is amazingly beautiful and happy. We are all so thankful and for the joy he has already

brought into our home. He is a perfect little boy!