Happy 1st Birthday, Jake!

September 23rd was a special day because it was Jake's first birthday!

Because birthdays are a big deal in my family, and he is part of our family and I love him, 

I threw him a fun little birthday party at our house this evening. 

Plus, I saw this on Pinterest one time and it has never left me:

So I always feel like I need to make sure he has a good life. 

(Don't get me started, you've heard my stories before)

Jake LOVES people, but he really only likes ONE other dog: Roxy. She is our neighbor across the street who took him out on walks when Easton was born. Her family has been so nice and helpful and we're so grateful to have them as our friends. So they helped us celebrate and came to his party.

They even brought him 2 presents which they let him open by himself, 

which was a gift in and of itself :)

So we chatted and ate cookies on the patio for about an hour and a half 

while Jake and Roxy played in the yard. Indeed, a good time had by all!

I decorated the house and patio with red crate paper (for the Sooners), tied up some balloons, baked a delicious homemade cake for Jake and Roxy, and some cookies for us and Roxy's "parents."

The doggy cake had wheat flour, peanut butter, honey, and bananas in it--and I added a layer of peanut butter on top for the frosting. They gobbled it all up and it was fun to watch the peanut butter get stuck to their mouths. 

Alivia made him some adorable leg warmers, but as he does with all things he's excited about, he ripped them up. But it was such a sweet and special birthday gift. Each one spells out his name.

You can learn how to make your own on her blog

We had a little photo shoot with confetti and the balloons. He even tried to chase after one of the balloons as it floated away into the sky. I'm sure he didn't understand it was his birthday, 

but I do know he had a great evening!

He loves wrestling with Blaine, sitting on my lap while enjoying a back massage, and licking Easton's feet. Oh, and have I ever mentioned that he LOVES hunting tennis balls?

For (lots) more pictures of sweet Jake Bake growing up this past year, 

go back to my national dog day post

Jake is the only dog I've ever had, so I know I haven't done lots of things right. But we have enjoyed having him in our family this year. His mischievous, playful, rambunctious, friendly, loving personality always keeps us laughing. He is a loyal companion and I'm excited to watch him share that same bond with Easton (and hopefully more kids later). 

Happy Birthday, Jakey! :)

Dental Visit #2

Not much to report from my second dental appointment with Dr. Blaine Baker. Easton is still a big hit and all the appointment takes a long time because everything has to be passed off by professors. But here are a couple pictures.

Here are the casts of my teeth that Blaine took, and yes, I am a dental miracle. 

When I was younger, one of my front right bottom teeth (still haven't learned the teeth numbers yet) was laying horizontal in my gums/jaw area... (Blaine would be so ashamed of my poor terminology)

So when I was in 7th grade I went to the periodontist and had surgery to insert a chain to wrap around the tooth and pull it up vertically into its correct spot--and it worked. 

It took a long time and hurt a little, but it worked.

My grandpa was an orthodontist and he always called me a dental miracle because of that... so there ya go. If you'd like a picture or autograph, just let me know.

And cute (patient) baby E got to sit in the dental chair for the first time! :)

Easton: 2 Months

He's almost 10 weeks now, but the 12th of this month marked his 2 month birthday.
Easton is growing so fast! At his doctor's appointment last Friday, 

he measured 14 lbs, 13 oz, and 23 inches long, 

making him in the 95th percentile in weight and 50th percentile in height = 100% perfection :)

He got his first round of shots and was so brave 

and settled down as soon as he was done and I picked him up.

Friday was also his official 2 month birthday! 

With another splendid month together, we have started to notice new things:

He has learned how to smile! He is a very happy baby boy--especially first thing in the morning.

 

 

We have started to settle into a schedule and my little boy goes down for naps all by himself! 

When he starts to get fussy or take long blinks, I lay him in his crib and he goes to sleep without having to be rocked or fed or anything. 

Sometimes he has his pacifier and sometimes he has his soothing sounds of ocean waves... and sometimes we scratch the whole thing and I just hold him, by either my preference or his or both!

But the point is, we can do it and are developing good skills!

He loves a warm bath where he can be free and kick his legs--especially in the big bath.

Month 2 also brought him his first college football experience, but you've seen enough pictures during kickoff weekend

We love him so much and are so grateful to be his parents!

by the way, I did not like this because it hurt my back, made both of us sweaty, and I couldn't see what I was doing