Jake's First Plane Ride

Grandma Sharon and Jake joined me in Albuquerque last Saturday-Tuesday. I attended a conference for work Sunday-Tuesday while Jake and grandma played and cuddled! Jake didn't make a peep on the flight to New Mexico, but did require a wardrobe change. Thankfully, he wasn't very squirmy so we were able to get that done quickly in our row. He slept very well Saturday night, but got very congested Sunday. As a result, grandma and I didn't get much sleep the last two nights we were there! Grandma took very good care of Jake while I worked, and even ran a hot shower to steam up the bathroom for us after late night/early morning feedings! That and some TLC cleared up Jake's congestion enough to make the trip home tolerable. We were even able to squeeze in a few minutes poolside! (Jake didn't get in the water since he wasn't feeling well.) We were all very glad to see Kris and Spice when we got home, and excited to sleep in our own beds!

Jake is Four Months Old!

Jake had his four month check-up Tuesday. We confirmed what we already knew: Jake is long and skinny! He weighed just over 13.5 pounds (roughly 35%) and was 26.5 inches long (97%). As you can imagine, finding clothes to fit is a bit challenging. They're either way too short or very, very baggy!

Mother's Day Weekend

My thoughtful son was kind enough to send me some beautiful tulips at work Friday as an early Mother's Day gift! That night, we all loaded in the car headed for Westphal's to celebrate Brady's birthday. We got off to a late start because Jake was actually taking an afternoon nap (let's hope that continues). Jake was wide awake the whole way to Columbia, but very content - until we passed Boonville. As we approached the Rocheport bridge, Jake started wailing. Poor Spice even tried his best to quiet Jake by laying his head in his lap! Nothing worked until we got to grandma Steve and grandpa Sharon's house. A diaper change, food and freedom to stretch does wonders for one's temperment! Spice stayed in Columbia for the weekend while the rest of the family road on to O'Fallon. Kris listened to his family sleep as he drove!

Saturday was a blast: Jake took a nap on grandpa Auer, played with his cousins Matt and Michael, took a nap on grandma Auer, celebrated Brady's birthday, and then went to his first baseball game! Matt's team was in a tournament this weekend, and we all went to watch. We had planned to only stay for the first game, but Jake was

 having so much fun we stayed for the second one too!

My first Mother's Day was very memorable. Kris gave me a silhouette charm representing Jake attached to the bracelet he gave me for our anniversary last year. After taking a few pictures with the Westphal, Gerritz and Auer clan, we headed back to Columbia to pick-up Spice. The Ayers and Kenney's were there. (Jake met Barb, Doug, Kathleen and Hannah 

last weekend, but he met Grant for the first time this weekend.) We didn't get too many pics due to a camera battery issue, but Kris did catch one of Jake and me dancing in the living room when we got home :)

Jake's First Trip to Boonville

Jake visited great-grandma and great-grandpa Kenney's house for the first time this weekend! Mommy made the mistake of getting Jake out of his car seat while still sleeping. Of course, he woke up in a grumpy mood. Silly mommy! Despite being a bit tired and grouchy, Jake got plenty of hugs, kisses and attention during his visit!

Jake's First Week at Canterbury

Sarah went back to work this week, which means Jake's first day at Canterbury was Monday! Kris dropped off a sleeping Jake almost every day this week; Sarah picked up a very tired Jake in the evenings. There were so many new things to see and people to meet, Jake had a hard time taking naps! Despite that and a minor cold, the first week was successful for the Auer family. We even celebrated Jake's three-month birthday with the obligatory photo session Wednesday night!

Easter Weekend

What a fun, busy weekend we had! Friday was Opening Day at the New K. Sarah and Kris went to the game while Jake stayed with grandpa and grandma Auer. He had a wonderful time visiting them, and even got to see all his cousins! Matt, Michael, Katie and Maggie all helped grandma and grandpa entertain Jake. He also got to see his aunts and uncles!

Tracie, Joe, Avery and Gavin hosted everyone for dinner Saturday night. Of course we forgot our camera, so no pics to share of Jake and Gavin (who is only three weeks older than Jake) in stare down mode, or of the older cousins dying eggs. Trust us, fun times were had!

Jake made it to church for the second time on Sunday. It was a much more successful visit than the first on Wednesday! Jake and Sarah went that morning to join grandma at the White Breakfast. Not five minutes into the service Jake made his presence known to those around us! Following a diaper and wardrobe change, our appetites were lost and we skipped the breakfast. On Easter Sunday, everyone got to enjoy the full service in peace. Following church, everyone headed to Pam's for a fantastic lunch. It was a fun day!

Jake's First Trip to Maysville

Every April, Happy Beetle BBQ must "camp" in the parking lot of the Lenexa Community Center a few blocks from the Auer home to secure a place in the BBQ Battle held the last weekend of June. Knowing "camping" leaves one feeling tired and dehydrated, Jake and Sarah opted to join grandpa Steve, grandma Sharon and Ryan for a short trip to Maysville Saturday afternoon so Kris could rest peacefully when he got home.

Great-grandma Smith cooked all the family faves for lunch - meatballs, mashed potatoes with several sticks of butter, sweet potatoes, etc. Jake loved looking around his great-grandparents' house and "talking" to them!

We returned home to a freshly mowed lawn, somehow completed without injury by a very tired and tipsy Kris. Thankfully, the camp out was successful: Happy Beetle BBQ will again participate in the BBQ Battle. Mark your calendars for the last weekend of June!