A Bug’s Life
In the Beginning
In July of 2005 my wife and I were blessed with the knowledge that Alison was pregnant and we were going to be Parents for the first time. We have been using the name BUG with the acronym meaning Baby Unborn Gebers. We thought we could keep this news a secret for a while, but that ended up being about 24 hours. Alison’s Parents were told while eating a fabulous Greek lunch and mine were told at their home. We gave each of the Grandparents a Grandparent book to fill out, (Alison’s parents were given it much later, as we have been told before, we are quite late with our gifts), Madeline (my mother) took a few second’s to figure out the “meaning” of the book, while Dick and Connie took a few seconds longer. We got hugs from Dick and Connie, but we had to wait for Merle and Madeline’s hugs because they had been exposed to the chicken pox. It was a great July and we were looking forward to the next 37 weeks.
August 2005
In the beginning of the month we went to
We also spent some time in
September 2005
This is where the pregnancy thing for Alison is not so much fun. In the beginning of August and through the month of September Alison battled the “Salt” Sickness (everything tasted like salt), and the gags. Every trick and remedy and idea was shot down by her oh so upset stomach. But Alison was a trooper as “evening” (and some morning as well) sickness hit her hard and she was relegated to peanut butter and toast for at least 5 weeks. And when I say trooper, I mean that she barely survived (neither of us will be applying for Survivor anytime soon, that first trimester of pregnancy kicked our behinds). I learned to Cook and eat outdoors because the smell of food was too much for her. I also got to go to the store a lot. Finally around week 14 she felt better, so we got to go out to The Outback Steakhouse and life was good again.
October 2005
I was introduced to Maternity Clothes Shopping and the Girls Volleyball Team went to State…… Yeah!!! We also bought our first Crib. It was a Million Dollar Baby crib called the Kalani, which happens to be my brothers middle name. Spookey… This is also when I found out how much new babies cost. Wow, the thought of buying clothes diapers, bottles, bibs, a Diaper changing table, furniture, etc… well, it is a lot of money. The idea of me buying a new sports car (really like the Mustangs and Chargers out right now) is straight out the window.
November 2005
This was the month that we got to find out if the baby was a boy or a girl. It was very exciting and Alison could not wait to have the Ultra Sound. I was nervous as the nurse got everything ready. The first thing she said was do we want to know the sex of the baby. Alison did because she wanted to go out and start buying baby outfits. The first image the Nurse saw told us that it was a proud little boy. I was going to have a son; I was going to be a father of a boy. He is going to play Baseball, and like watching sports with his father and will be a 3.75 student, go to college at Yale….
We were going to have a little Mama’s boy just like his daddy. I have to admit I was very pleased that the Gebers name was going to pass down again. The nurse said he was doing well and I could actually see him moving around on the ultrasound screen. That was amazing, I mean to really see my son moving inside of its mother, how can you not believe there is God after seeing that. I do not think you are ready for that when that moment happens.
We celebrated afterwards by buying a little boys outfit and eating at Casa
Pictures of the Ultra Sound
December 2005
December came along and brought a flurry of activity. We purchased the Dresser, which is a beautiful oak piece with cherry wood stain. Alison got a camcorder for Christmas so that we could have home movies of the baby. The grandparents and our siblings came through at Christmas with many items including clothes, toys, monitors, and other baby necessities. Alison got me an Angles outfit to put my boy in for the upcoming baseball season. We were also blessed with gifts from parents and students at my school, which warmed my heart.
For our anniversary, we purchased an Oak glider with a cherry wood finish from dutalier. I must say, when we sat in one at the store, it just makes you want to fall asleep. Life is good.
Bug’s Room got painted and bordered with the help of my beautiful wife and my perfectionist mother. I have to tell you. It looks really good. I mean REALLY good.
Here is Mom and Son in his new bedroom.
January 2006
In January of this year the dresser was put in the room and thanks to Dick and Connie (aka Grampa and Grandma Lee) we got some really cool things for the crib and room, including window dressing. We went with a
Alison had her first baby shower with her work. Christy put on a great shower with enjoyable games. Alison said that she had an awesome time. I was also very pleased because the clothes that were purchased were right up my alley (cars and sports). I wanted to say thank you to all who sent so may great gifts for our son. That really means a lot to us.
Oh, and we also were given the item that is said to be a lifesaver, the bouncy chair with the vibrating thing, (okay, I am not so good with the whole baby ”dictionary” of toy terms, but you parents know what I am talking about).
Alison is now talking to the baby and using a flashlight to help the boy’s hand eye coordination. We need him to be able to see the seams and the spin on a baseball (noting the difference between a fastball and slider coming out of the pitchers hand), so we are starting him early with the whole watching the light ball thing. Alison also likes to tell the baby to be a perfect kid and not to pick up its fathers bad habits (I have none, so that should be easy).
February 2006
So I got to go to birthing classes. This was quite the treat. It was on Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9:30. That was pretty late so Alison and I got to eat on the run a lot and well, had to watch Survivor at 10:30….
I got to learn fascinating words like effacement, (guys, until your wife is pregnant, you don’t want to know), Placenta (again, do not want to know), and the tar like substance that the baby releases in its first few bowl movements. Cool, huh.
Next I worked with Alison on her breathing and trying to stay relaxed. I got to tell you, the shallow breaths thing is not as easy as it looks. I know that I should bring a point of focus for Alison too. Maybe pictures of the baby and the baby room would be good, but Alison said no pictures of Safeco Field or any baseball cards.
We also got to watch the birth of a baby, which I found completely unenjoyable. I have no interest in watching my son being born. I think I will just stand near Alison and comfort my wife. That is the main thing I am supposed to have learned in this process. It is to be supportive and to try and help my wife feel comfortable. For those who have not had a child, let me first explain this, Labor can take anywhere from 3 hours to 48. Most of the time when labor starts, the first stage is anywhere from 5-7 hours with contractions anywhere from 3-10 minutes. Then the Serious Labor starts for a few hours, and then it is time to push. My wife has decided that an epidural is a good thing and I agree with her. I want her to be happy and enjoy the birthing process as much as possible.
Alison’s Tummy is now 35 cm. and the baby is 5.5 pounds. It is 35 weeks with 5 weeks to go.
Kellee Balcom and our Sister-in-law Emily Gebers gave Alison another Baby shower. It was awesome with a great Zanzibar Theme with awesome cards and nametags and mint thingies. The gifts we have received are amazing. Alison and I are very fortunate to have such awesome friends and families in our lives. The gifts were so personal and meant a lot to Alison and myself. One fun one present is going to be the Baseball we got that has lines on it so we can fill it out when our boy is born. The Doctor even signs the ball. Cool huh.
One more month to go…. I do not think we are ready yet…
March 2006
Okay, so the month of March has started, and things are started going fast. I mean FAST>>>>
So how are we doing, I think we are doing pretty well. We have done 23 loads of baby laundry already. We are cleaning all of the clothes so he will have nice clean clothes to come home to. Emily came over and cleaned the house for us, which made Alison very very happy. The baby’s room is ready to go with the dutalier glider in it now. I even got to hang in the baby’s room last Sunday and watched
As for packing for the clothes, we got that all under control. In fact we have put all of our clothes, CD’s, DVD’s, Camcorder, CD Player, Baby’s bag, and other items in the trunk ready to roll. Not bad for a couple of first timers huh.
Alison has had some health issues in the middle of the month, so she is now on bed rest and she is going to be on it for a while. Alison and her doctor did negotiate a 4-hour workday for her so she can go in for a little while. This is a good idea, because if you know Alison her attention span is not very long and she will go stir crazy at home.
So down the stretch we come….
March 16th
I get a call at school from my wife she tells me that we need to go to the hospital because it is time to have a baby. I am not ready, the baby was supposed to come the week of spring break, not now. But I persevere and go to the hospital. Alison has to be induced 4 times in a span of 44 hours. So my poor wife was in Labor for almost 2 days. But she held tough with the help of the great nurses at
On March 18th at 12:30 I was really into a good one hour nap when my wife started talking to me in my dream, I kept hearing her and I was thinking, man I am getting yelled at in my dream by my wife. Then I figured out she was yelling at me in real life. I woke up to her telling me that her water broke. I of course took another 3 minutes to wake up and then promptly went and got the nurse.
Alison was asked if she would like drugs and she said Yes! So they gave her an epidural. Then at around 8ish in the morning a nurse went to check the baby and found that he was shaking her hand. See this is where irony hits. The baby was breeched and that meant that Alison was to have a C-Section. That means that the last 44 hours were unnecessary. That kind of sucked.
So we got all dressed up in doctor garb and went in to get my Boy. Alison was strapped to the table in the crucifixion position and I was trying to be helpful but what was happening with the baby kept on distracting me. The stomach was sliced and pulled apart, then the uterus was cut and wham my boy was pulled out by his legs. At 9:00 am our son was born, and he promptly peed 2 times.
He was wrapped and put in my arms and I was scared. This was a brand new life in my arms, I looked at my wife, and the poor girl was so scared because she could not see anything and she was numb chest high so did not know if she was breathing. I tried to show our son to her but the way the cloth was she could only see parts.
Oh By the way, the name we picked was Jayden Ryan Gebers.
As I took Jayden back to the room to finish some test (He was rated a 9.5 to 10 on the apgar scale), Alison was stiched up and brought to the room a few minutes later. Mommy Alison finally got to hold the child and she was happy. Alison looked at our son and said that this could be the best day ever. We were now a family.
Jayden was 7 lbs. 15 ounces when born. He was 20 inches. He had really big feet and fingers. He took his first shots like a champ and had the cutest cry, which now is not very cute. The baseball was also signed and dated by the doctor.
His first
Just waving and saying high to all of you.
Jayden and his cousins Jonah and Madeline. Auntie Emily with the back up.
April and May of 2006
Jayden and Alison got to spend a lot of time together in these months. I was able to spend time on the weekends and late at night. Jayden was a pretty good child and ate at approximately 3-4 hour increments. He was a little colicky at first, but by his 5th week he was doing much better.
Alison is taking some time off of work to spend feeding and enjoying Jayden. She is finding that Tennis season is getting in the way of whole family time, but there is plenty of other family that has been around and helping with everything.
Jayden we found out is not a “swaddler’ type baby. We kept trying to put him in a blanket but he hated it. He to this day still does not like to sleep with anything in the crib.
Jayden has a great little swing that swings but north-south and east-west. Many a times have we put him in there when we needed a break. The swing, (Ocean Wonders) really is a great gift and I would recommend it.
Near the end of May Jayden started sleeping through the night, he would go to bed around 10-11 and then sleep until 8-9 in the morning. He is a good baby. He does not fuss much and likes to straddle your leg and play with toys. He also likes to rock in the glider with his mother and father.
I had one big road trip as I took 5 boys and 2 girls to State in Tennis. Marshall Coleman, Curtis Watson, Leonard Routson, Eric Lougee, Kevin Eddy, Erin Kauffman, and Elizabeth Lougee made it to State and the teams finished 2nd in districts to LaGrande.
Jayden in almost 15 lbs.
Summer Months of 2006
June
June brought around Daddy time. Jayden got to see his father more as school was finally over and I got to be home with my son. Jayden was still a person who like to spend a lot of time on his back and was not very interested in the belly time. Jayden was sleeping through the night and was even going as far as sleeping till 9-10 am. This was fine with me, as I have been known to be a person who likes to sleep in. Alison was starting to work again, but only half time so we have been fortunate to get to spend a lot of time together as a family.
July
The growth of a child is amazing. Jayden likes his meals and has been growing like a weed since he was first born in March. He is now in 6-9 month clothing and some of that is getting small on him. Jayden was in the top 90 percentile in height and 75% in weight. Jayden was only 50% in head size, so obviously it takes longer for a brilliant mind like his to develop. Jayden is now starting to show his angry side as I believe his teeth were starting to come in. There have been times this month where he let me know that I was NOT making him happy. He also liked to be entertained,,,,, all the time. So I got to hold him on my lap, and then on my leg, and then I was to give him toys at his desire. Alison was still working and trying to feed him on a regular basis as well. It is obvious to me that I need to recognize Alison for Mother of the year because she is doing so much for our son. She is great with Jayden Ryan and I know that he is happy that he has such a great mother.
Jayden also has great Grandparents who have been such a big part of Jayden’s life already. Jayden gets to see them almost once a week now. Dick, Connie, Madeline, and Merle have shown a love for their grandson that is not easily matched. He is a very lucky boy to have so many people love him.
Jayden with his mother looking over
Alison, Jayden and I also took our first real vacation together in July to
Some of Jayden’s favorite things to do right now are to sleep, drool, and have mom and dad and anyone else move him around. He has a serious drool issue. He goes through so many sets of clothes and bibs a day because he loves his slobber.
At the end of July one of the biggest things to date happened. Jayden learned how to roll from his back to his belly. Alison was not home at the time, but Father of the Year candidate was on the ball and had the camera out to catch him for the first time. Those are the things that really show you how much this little person means to you. How you would sacrifice everything to make a better life for him. How you are proud of everything a child does. I love Jayden more now then when he was born and that love seems to grow all the time.
August
Safeco Field
Jayden got to go to his first Baseball game. Yea!!!!! Jayden, Mom, Dad, and both sets of grandparents, as well as the Howes family (with my Godson Nolan), Boyd, Emily, Dana, and Candi went to Seattle at the same time and watched some baseball at Safeco Field. As a future Angels Fan, Jayden was rooting against the A’s (yucky) and cheering for the Mariners. He really was into the game and the people around him were watching him as much as the game. Nolan, my godson (and I have to tell you Nolan is to be a great actor one day) held Jayden for me in the 4th inning and did a great job. Mason was also interested in holding Jayden so we let him. We also performed the great midair changing of the diaper during the 7th inning stretch and let everyone see Jaydens cute little dimple butt.
Jayden was also now showing everyone his ability to roll to his front side and now was learning how to roll back over. That was good news because he still did not like staying on his belly.
At the end of the month Jayden made his debut at one of my volleyball games. That was good, what was not good was the fact that everyone was watching him and not paying attention to the game… whatever.
Near Pikes Market
Jayden was also lucky enough to go to his first wedding to see Annie get married. It is always so special to be able to see family. Alison and I love quality time with the whole family. Jayden of course was so excited he fell asleep.
September
Jayden is now learning to stand on his own (with the helop of hands, tables, sofas) and loves to play in the excersaucer and jumparoo. He likes to be mobile and is rolling himself all over the floor. Jayden is also very interested in playing with his toys, and biting them. He likes his favorite monkey the most. His bottom two teeth came in and they are very cute. He is definitely more outgoing and loves to yell and scream… Unfortunately the boy has his fathers lungs so he can be quite loud at times.
In September we introduced Jayden to his first foods. Rice Cereal, Peas, Green Beans, and squash. He got his new High Chair too and he looks somewhat good in the Cougar colored chair. Jayden of course likes to eat, but sometimes I do not think he is very happy with green beans.
On September 1st, we had to take our son to his first day of daycare. He is going to CUPID in
My first day at Daycare…. Why are you leaving me here?
Grandma and Grampa Lee have also been there for Jayden. Many afternoons the grandparents pick Jayden up from daycare so they can spend time with him. It is a fun time where Jayden listens to music boxes, plays with Dick’s toys from his childhood, and lets grandma read him stories. Jayden is always happy to spend time with the Lee’s.
Grandpa Gebers gets to see Jayden on Fridays now, as he has taken that day to help Alison and I. Grandpa has taken Jayden all over the city looking at cars, going to find paint, and finding parts at the wrecking yard. Grandma Gebers likes to play with Jayden on the floor and make him laugh. He is finally giggling which is a great thing. Mommy likes to Zerbert his belly to get him to laugh.
It has been a tough month for me because I have not been able to hold Jayden very much because of the surgery and Alison has had to do so much. She is such a great mom and wife and I am so thankful that she is in my life. Jayden Ryan is very lucky too.
October 2006
Jayden is starting to crawl. He is not very good at it yet and seems to want to run before he crawls. But he has started to be able to move himself all over the house. Jayden has also learn how to sit up and that makes him happy as he likes to sit when playing with a lot of his toys. He likes to eat cords too. Alison does not like that so she is trying to baby proof the house. Jayden is really getting good at grabbing and using his hands. He is also such a happy baby. We know when he cries there is something wrong because he would rather smile and laugh and look like an explorer than cry.
Unless he is hungry, then you better feed him. Fast… He LOVES Sweet Potatoes. He knows his foods from each other. Green Beans and Peas get ugly faces where Peaches and Sweet potatoes get looks of approval. He has had Carrots, Peas, Green Beans, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Peaches, Plums, and oatmeal.
Jayden went to a Hockey game but they are still a little too late for him as he now goes to bead around 8:30 and wakes up around 6:30. So we have been listening to the ends of the games on the radio on the way home.
November 2006
Jayden has now learned how to pull himself up on the couch and the rocking chair. He likes to try and play with the newspaper (aka try and eat it), as well as find the remote control. Jayden is starting to look older. When we look at as his cousin Dawson (who was born on October 5th) we see that Jayden is not a little infant anymore. He is almost 20 lbs.
During the first weeks of the month Jayden had started to move very well, he is crawling all over the house trying to eat cords and plants. He loves the fact that he is mobile and seems to think that all the items that are the No-no’s are the most interesting.
It was also Jayden’s first thanksgiving and his first
It was a wonderful time in which there was a plethora of wonderful food and good conversation. Thanksgiving is our Family Tradition. We host the dinner and make the
December 2006
Jayden at the beginning of December was subject to our annual shopping trip to
On December 7th we went and got the Christmas tree and Jayden got to see real reindeer.
Alison wrapped up Old Diaper and Wipes boxes filled with Soda as Christmas presents. They were the retaining wall around the Christmas tree. Jayden liked the lights and the balls and would look around at all the decorations during the season. Jayden is more interested in the environment around him than his parents at this time. That is ok. He is a good boy.
Christmas Eve was a wonderful time at the Lee’s Residence. Jayden somewhat opened presents but was not really interested in the whole thing. He definitely liked playing with the toys. Christmas was at Grandpa and Grandma Gebers and Jayden got to eat some chicken and some mashed potatoes. He also liked playing with his cousins and chasing them around.
Jayden is interested in the walkers right now, except he gets very frustrated when they hit the wall or the sofa. He likes to keep going and going and going…. Jayden also has fallen in love with the stairs. He likes to climb up and tumble down.
On New Years Eve the family went to a Hockey game and enjoyed themselves very much. Jayden was introduced to party favors and noise makers and glitter,,,,,, lots and lots and lots of glitter. Jayden was a good boy and did not eat the glitter. He even got his noise maker to clap (after all, he is the smartest baby ever.) Then Jayden decided that he wanted to stay up all night and Almost made it to midnight, just falling asleep at 11:45. I can see that in the future he might be a night owl.
January and February 2007
Jayden is really growing like a weed, In December he was reaching up to touch our garbage can and now his head is above the top. I cannot believe the things he is already doing.
In January he was moving around so much that we had to watch him constantly so he would not eat the plants of the cords or anything else he could get his hands on. Jayden also learned how to turn the TV on and off, and on and off, and on and well you get the idea.
Jayden is also into “real” food now, not that bottled stuff anymore. He likes to eat all the time. Even if he has had dinner and then you start eating dinner, he thinks it is his dinner time again. Good boy, he just stands by you and waits for scraps to hit the ground.
In Late January and Early March he learned to walk. He started with one step then took two and finally a one-two-three-fall. By the end of February he was a trucking little dude. He walks around and screams when he is walking and climbing up and down the stairs. He really likes to be on the move, not big on the sitting around thing. Jayden still likes to go over things and not around.
Due to Tax Season and the start of Tennis, Jayden has been able to spend a lot of tie with his grandparents and he loves it. He gets to eat at both grandparents, and gets a variety of foods including vegetables because he wants to grow up big and strong.
March 2007
Spring has come and so has Jayden’s Birthday!!!! On March 18th Jayden Ryan turned one and had his first Birthday Party. There were balloons, juices, other children and fun. The Young’s, Howes’s, Gebers, and Lee’s all turned out for the occasion. The openings of the presents were done by all but Jayden. Jayden watched as all of his presents were opened up in 25 seconds. He did not care though, as it was time for cake. Alison had set up a
He had a great time with the cake and the whole Birthday.
April and May 2007
Jayden is getting around really well now. He likes to run and be outside. He does NOT like to come back inside when mommy and daddy make him.
I have not had a lot of time with him lately as spring brings tennis and that takes a lot of time. Alison and I play a little tag with Jayden, picking him up from daycare or his grandparent’s house. He has had to stay there many nights past 7:00 but the grandparents do not seem to mind. Another tax season came and went for Alison and that was a good thing. Mommy was missing spending time with Jayden who seems to be growing as fast as the national debt. He is over 25 pounds now and he does not mind being one of the big boys at day care.
Jayden surprised mommy on mothers day with a portable DVD player so that he can watch movies in the car as we go on trips. We did just that at the end of may going up to Conconully for a family reunion. It was a wonderful time and Jayden was allowed to roam the forest and he did just that. He liked his freedom very much. Jayden also got some kind of allergy and it cause the poor boy to have huge rashes on his face and arms and legs. But it has since calmed down and he is doing fine. He also has almost all of his teeth in. He did not complain much about his teething as is his style. But he can get cranky if he does not get his second nap.
The Summer of 2007 (Jayden learns to run)
June
The first pic is Jayden at
Jayden not only has all of his teeth in, but he now knows how to use them well. He eats all his food and usually wants more. Jayden and I are getting into the habit of staying up late and getting up late. He likes to hit 10:30 before he goes to bed and then gets up around 9. He is more into the riding toys like big wheels and cars and four wheelers with all the buttons he can push that make sounds and such. He loves steering wheels and likes to play in daddy’s car. We go on trips to the part and he enjoys going up and down on the toys.
Jayden went with us to
Jayden also went to
Jayden swimming lessons went very well. He is active and wanted to get in and out of the pool a lot. But Mom kept him on task.
He had his last day at CUPID and the nice ladies there said that he was a very good boy and they were going to miss him. I think he is a very good boy as well.
July
Jayden is in his green alligator set for my birthday because he knows I like the color green. In the other picture it is 4th of July at the Balcom’s home. His mother wanted to make sure that Jayden did not burn, hence the abundance of white lotion on his chest. You can never be too careful.
Jayden likes to spend most of his time outside and this causes difficulties with his father because his father knows it is HOT outside. So Jayden and he have to compromise a lot to make sure that Jayden gets quality time in the back yard and daddy does not die of heat stroke.
Jayden is also growing so fast. He has shed both 18 month and is getting close to losing 24 month close as well. He wears some 2T’s already. It is kind of sad watching him grow so quickly.
August 2007
The Above picture are at Alison’s Birthday where Grandpa and Jayden worked the grill. And then Jayden hammered the Birthday Cake.
Jayden and I are ready for change. After a very lovely vacation in Vegas with the Howes’s and the Young’s which will become a yearly event Jayden and I had many many discussions on No-no’s. He would find all of the No-no’s around the house and I would have to discipline him for playing with them. We also went to Libby’s wedding in
Jayden Likes the parks where there are playground sets for him to play on. He likes to try to go up the bars and likes to go down the slides. He is not afraid on the big drop offs so I have to make sure to pay attention to him. We also go out and work in the garden sometimes. I pull the weeds and he likes to but the tomato plants. It really is a team effort. Jayden really loves to eat the homegrown tomatoes, he has a great appetite.
By the end of August though I was ready for a break, which meant going to work. By Fridays I was tired, very tired. Jayden was also bored with me and wanted to explore the world. I think he is going to love school with all of the kids and toys.
September 2007
Jayden had a great first day at his Montessori school. It is called The Childrens Garden and he likes it there. Jayden was not ready to leave his first day off school when Grandma Lee went to pick him up because he was having too much fun. He also seems to like to get bitten on his back. (Twice already). But he is tough and only cried after one of the bites. In August he had some shots and did not cry, rather gave the nurse a rather perturbed look until she handed him a sucker and everything was alright.
Jayden also loves to play in cars and acts like he can drive. Never mind that he has already broken my cup holder and cigarette lighter, it is all part of growing up. He gets behind the wheel and he thinks he is Tony Stewart (for those who don’t know, google NASCAR).
October 2007
Jayden is becoming a regular vocabulary wizard these days. He is talking pretty well in one word sentences.
He Knows
More
No
Lawn Mower
Soft
Eat
Eyes, Ears, Mouth, Nose, Tongue
Hat
Ball
Truck, (favorite Word)
Boat
Owww
Bird
Kitty, Dog, Lion, Gorilla
Mama, Dada, Papa, Nana
Juice
Banana
Cracker
Ba-ba (Bottle)
Treat
Rice
Birde
Bike
Hi
Bye
Night Night
And his favorite Binky
These are just a few. He is somewhat counting as well, but still needs our help with that. Jayden is staying busy by pushing around Trucks and riding his Red Rider and Big Wheel around the house and yard. He also likes to follow me around with his lawnmower when I am mowing the lawn. My try at getting him to enjoy watching sports with me is falling miserably. He knows what the ball is but is not very into watching the ball being thrown, Jayden is more interested in throwing the ball, and all of his toys and books… etc.
When we need him calm we like to put on the musicians Pink, Ferrgie, Avril, and Gwen. He likes their videos and will sit and watch them. I think he has good taste in women so far.
Jayden had his 18 month check up this month and it went well. He is a big guy. 90th percentile in weight and height. I hope that he continues to grow and develop into a handsome young man.
Jayden and I are also working on getting him to pick up after himself. It is a trying time and it is going slowly. But I think that he is getting the hang of it. He still likes to sweep the floor and throw things away in the garbage, so those are pluses.
I have taken Jayden to many of the volleyball matches so far and it makes watching very difficult. He likes to move around a lot, not interested in sitting in one spot. Last weekend he took a fall down five of the stands and got a really nice shiner under his left eye. I would like to thank Mrs. Borden for saving Jayden before falling down more flights. But he was a trooper and was going down the stairs again in no time.
Halloween was a big success. Jayden was a Lion and he ate a cookies and a Kit Kat. He was not very interested in the sweets yet. I am sure that will come with time. Jayden helped hand out treats on Halloween and liked to look at all the other costumes.
We also made two Jack-o-Lanterns, one was a face the other said boo. The significance of that will be revealed shortly. It was a good month and Jayden makes being a father well worth it.
November 2007
Thanksgiving was a big success once again. Jayden ate quite a bit of the food, but also enjoyed the company of his cousins. We did Thanksgiving at our house for the Family and had a wonderful time. It is nice to have people who just enjoy the time together and like to be around each other. I won the card game by a landslide, my first win in many years over the family.
Jayden is getting used to school and likes to play with the toys and being outside. He fought a virus for almost the whole month. His nose was like a sieve and he had a great hackers cough. But he was a trooper and did not let his sickness stop him from running around.
We had our first snow fall of the year and Jayden did not like it much. He was a little afraid of it, but we will cure him of that.
Jayden also likes to take his 4-Wheeler and Red Ryder around the block checking out the neighborhood and lights people put up for Christmas. We do that at night so the lights are nice and bright.
Decemeber 2007
It has been a weird month so far as we have had Very cold and very warm weather already. The month started with snow and now it is 60 degrees outside. The wind has been blowing really hard and my Snowman keeps getting knocked down. Very annoying.
I had the lights up by December 1st, not too bad. We already have the Christmas tree up and I must say it is a beautiful tree. A 8 ft. Grand Noble Fir that is just perfect for our Family room. Jayden (after the first 6 hours) has been very good about not taking the ornaments off.
Jayden is also having trouble going to bed. I know it is because he is missing his fathers company. We are having to use Christmas movies to help calm him down. We watch a lot of Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, twas the night before Christmas, Santa Claus is coming to Town, and Rudolf. He likes them and says Santa and Ho Ho Ho and knows who Frosty is. He has a dancing snowman that he plays and dances with. Jayden likes this time of the year.
At night we either take out his Red Ryder Bike or his Four wheeler and ride along the sidewalks of the neighborhood. He loves looking at all the lights and says “pretty” and “bye bye lights” when we move on. I like to take him through different communities on the way home so that he can see different houses. He is very much into the season.
Except for when he goes for Christmas pictures…. That sucked… He was not interested. I got tired of chasing and trying to keep him calm. I think in an hour the lady got off 4 shots….
He is a busy boy.
Another Christmas wish. Jayden got Pink Eye… Now I know that Montessori school is good for something. Just Kidding, he likes it there and they have been great. The teachers are so nice and they love him there. I know that he is learning to be part of a little community there and his education is getting a jump start.
The beginning of December brought the first snow and Jayden was not impressed, in fact, he hates it. He cries when I throw it at him and he will not go outside if it is on the ground. He will crash his bike going 15 miles and hour and get up no problem… but if his shoes touch the snow, crocodile tears…..
On December 18th Jayden got and Early Christmas Present… He has always been asking for a Sissie and now he is going to have one.
This is the Official Announcement that we are having a Girl. Jayden is excited and Connie (Grandma) is absolutely delighted. After three grandsons, she has her first granddaughter. Madeline, Jayden and Boo’s (The pre birth name) cousin, is thrilled too, she wants another girl to play with.
My mother and father are also thrilled, they are ready to bake and play and especially with my dad, do grand adventures.
I am of course thrilled and scared to death..
I mean a Baby girl… My baby girl.,, I am going to have some difficulties with this. I mean with Jayden a good swat is easy, but with Boo……… Yikes. And what about curfew’s and BOYS!!!!
Auuhgghhh
Alison and I are please to tell you that all the fingers and toes are there and the Doctor has said that everything is all right with boo….
It is going to be great fun for Alison to go Shopping for little girls clothes.. She has been waiting to do this.
I will sign off for now….
Christmas Time
Jayden was much better at the presents this year. He opened his presents and was happy to see that he had many new toys. The toys were items such as trains, puzzles,
Boats, bath toys, and clothes. Jayden got the best toys from his cousins Uncles and Aunts. A Red Wagon was given to him from Madeline, Jonah, Dawson and Uncle Boyd and Aunt Emily. We love the wagon, Jayden sits in it while I get the mail and he drives his toys around the yard in it. The other toy came from Uncle Greg, Auntie Dana, Maverick and
Our anniversary came and went as we saw Charlie Wilson’s War (Very good) and ate at The Bone Fish Grill (Excellent). New Years was good as we went to the Americans Hockey game and the Ams beat
January 2008
Jayden spent much of the time at My Parents house and enjoyed playing with Grandma and Grandpa. Jayden finally kicked a bad cough (an ear infection and bronchitis) after almost two months. He only went to school for only two days as he would rather spend time elsewhere. Besides the school is where he seems to catch many of these illnesses. Now that he is healthy we will send him back. We are good parents.
Jayden has also helped put up the Fencing that was graciously given to us by Grandma and Grandpa Gebers. Jayden would bring me screws and helped with the power tools. My Father and I augured all of the Posts one day and I finished the posts and put the brackets together the next. Hopefully soon Jayden and I will finish the rest of the fence.
Jayden Taking his own pic
Jayden taking a pic of the fence
Update on Jayden and the snow as well. Jayden is still not fond of it… In fact he hates it.
So Jayden had to go with his father to a Snow Ball tourney last weekend. For those who are not up-to-date on what a Snow-Ball Tourney is, it is softball played with a 16 inch softball in the Snow. Jayden and I, along with his cousin Madeline and Uncle Boyd, went to play softball in
The cold did not bother Jayden much but the snow…….. He better get over that….
Jayden is growing at a rate that makes me excited. I believe that he will make the goal of a 6-2 flamethrowing right-hander. It is a good goal to have as a father. Obviously a sport played in the heat and summer is preferable to a cold winter sport (see snow).
Alison and I discussed last night that she will tour with Jayden through the Minors “as long as he is good (player not son)”. He should have his mother around to cook for him and keep all the bad girls away… (He has to concentrate on his career.) For those who are thinking to themselves I am thinking way to far ahead, I want you to go back and read this 17 years from now. If Jayden does not like baseball this part will be erased never to be seen again.
Also last night Jayden and I discussed the alphabet with the letters in the bathtub. He is good at recognizing the letters and I can show him some of them and he can name them for me. We are almost through saying the whole alphabet but W and Q are still difficult to say. I am not doing this because I am concerned about Jayden’s education because I already know he is wicked smart. We are doing it because I am very bored when he plays in the bathtub and there is nothing better to do. That kid would stay there for hours if I let him…. So we learn letters so that I have something to do…. Numbers too. He can count to ten, not that this should surprise you because I have already told you that he is wicked smart.
A little Side bar about Jan. 27th
It was a brutal night. I spent most of it on I-82... For the short story,,,
Now for the long. I was at the game on Saturday and during the games it started to rain which turned into freezing rain. The students told me about it and asked me not to die on the way home. I told them that if I did then eat cookies and tell jokes.
Little did I know…
I left Umatilla at 6 and spent the first hour on the
Believe it or not the olds never lost traction. Les Shwab and Toyos should be commended. Besides I understand how to drive in the freezing rain. You do not use the brakes but reverse and go straight. I listened to the hockey game and the radio and 3 CD's of a book, then read the end of another book, and finally stared out the window looking for help. But there never came relief...
I finally had enough at about 1in the morning. I watched two cars passed the t-boned U-Haul.. sensing no help. I went,,,, I made it by about a foot to spare and then on the other side saw one of the cars in the ditch I followed in the ditch. I kept going and at the hill I finally saw the first grater, (broken down on the side of the road). I passed the other car and looked on the other side of I-82.
No lie, there were two bon fires going. People were sledding and talking and sliding on the road. Many others had their lights off and were sleeping. I saw two trucks whose trailers were hanging over the edge of the ravine on the other side. Their had to be at least 200 cars on the other side as well waiting for people to help or the weather to stop. I was worried most about the long drop as you head into
I made it into
So moral... check the Internet... sleep in room at school.
The end of the story is that those other cars were finally cleared at 10 am Sunday. When the flashing sign says "I-82 closed from Umatilla to
Jayden is starting to form sentences and phrases now and is showing many signs of getting ready to start Kindergarten. Of course I am not going to start him now. I want him to lead a normal life.
Good News! Jayden touched snow… He will not step in it, but he threw it and made a snowman with me and helped clear off the driveway. It is a very good sing. He still is tentative around it but he is getting better. I cannot wait to make snow angels with him.
February 2008
Jayden is getting to the point where I am not sure I can call him a baby anymore. He is talking and figuring out numbers… (He counts the stairs). He also is helping more with cleaning up and loves to play in the kitchen. He will scoot a chair over and wash dishes and play with almost anything on the counter. He likes to help his mother with mixing things in a bowl. Jayden still loves to be outside no matter how cold it is or if it is raining. We have taken many walks in the rain and wind. Snow keeps him close to home but he still likes being outside. Jayden also likes to watch Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood, Zoomafoo, and Curious George. He has also gotten into Cars the movie. It is funny to watch him sit on the sofa with his juice and his blanket looking so intently at the animals on the screen. I am scared that one day he is going to ask me for a monkey. It is also a good time for Alison and Jayden to spend quiet time together. They sit on the sofa at night and watch together before it is night night time, he looks so cute.
Jayden also went bowling for the first time on Saturday. We went to Nolan’s birthday and had a good time. Jayden was playing with the balls and decided to bowl one time. He really did well, it went almost center and hit three pins. He would have hit more but someone else had already knocked down some. He was not very happy when Jayden bowled.
March 2008
Jayden is again on a little growth spurt. He is almost 3 feet tall. Jayden likes to take walks and ride his Red Ryder around the neighborhood. Jayden also helped clean up the front yard so the bulb flowers can bee seen.
Alison and I have finally purchased Jayden’s room bedding and bed. Jayden has a trundle bed, which means that there is a bed under his that comes out like a drawer. That way Jayden can have sleepovers.
I will get pictures out as soon as I have the rooms painted.
Jayden has had to spend a lot of time at the Grandparents house. Grandma and Grandpa Lee have ever so graciously taken Jayden in and are watching him on Wednesday nights. He still spends his Fridays with Nana and Papa Gebers as well. It is a crazy time in our house with Tax and Tennis season. But Jayden is adjusting nicely.
March 18, 2008
Jayden had his Birthday Party on Sunday and it was a complete success. Jayden had a Curious George theme with a Choo Choo Train Cake. We also had Orange Cream punch and Banana Jelly Belly’s. We decorated in red and Yellow and let the cousins go crazy with sugar. We had both sets of cousins over. Madeline, Jonah, and Dawson came with Boyd and Emily. Rocky and Maverick came with Auntie Dana. I was very nice to see how much they have grown and how happy they are. Rocky is just a wonderful boy and Maverick I am told is a true version of Curious George.
Jayden was presented with awesome toys including a bat and ball and lightning McQween race car (one of his favorite movies) from Fred and Carolyn. Madeline, Jonah and Dawson gave him a soccer goal which will be used a lot during the summer and they are invited over to use it as well. Maverick, Rocky, Dana and Greg got Jayden one awesome Car garage with an elevator and a set of cars to go with the Christmas present they sent. Jayden likes running the trucks down the ramps a lot. Grandpa and Grandma Gebers Gave Jayden a fence and some clothing that is nice. The Fence is so much appreciated as when summer comes Jayden will be allowed to roam free outside. Grandma and Grandpa Lee got Jayden one fancy and beautiful Tricycle. It is gorgeous. Jayden also received a mortorized quad from his parents and he is learning the reverse and forward button as we speak.
It was a great birthday and one that means a lot because we had so much family there. I love my family.
To be blessed like we have been is beyond what could be asked for. I cannot put into words how blessed we are.
Easter came and things went very well. It was tiring on Alison because being 8 months pregnant can be difficult. But the food and the time went really well. Jayden had a blast opening the eggs to see what was inside. He really has not touched much of his candy mostly because he has not figured out what a blessing all that is. He will soon though.
Jayden is starting to talk in full phrases and sentences. He answers questions from you well and laughs at funny things on the TV. How he knows they are funny is beyond me but he does. His sentence structure is good and he is starting to ask for things and is using a very extended vocabulary. We even taught him to say rock-chalk-Jayhawks for
Spring Break
Jayden and I had an awesome spring break. He helped me put up a fence and worked in the yard one day. We Mowed to lawn and did a little weeding. He was a lot of fun.
Jayden also watched movies and we went and played at the park and on toys and to a baseball game. Nolan, my Godson plays for the Mariners and is doing well.
He Catches and as you can see Kevin has him swinging lefty. I of course enjoy baseball so I am hoping to catch more games this year.
Jayden was helpful (by staying out of the way) in creating his big boy room. Jaydens “Big Boy” room has the theme of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
After my mother and I got the room painted and the border up, I put together his bed. It is a trundle bed. A trundle bed is a bed under a bed so that Jayden can have friends over and he can pull it out.
Alison has bought the bed linens we just have to buy the mattresses.
So to recap for you the Spring Break
Painted two rooms
Made a Bed
Moved furniture out of two rooms and added more stuff to Boos and Bugs room.
Built more than half of a fence
Worked on the yard
Went to baseball
Cleaned the house
Put up borders
Played a lot with Jayden
Went to his Doctors appointment (He is a little over 34 pounds and he is 36.8 inches tall….)
Had 3 Easter Egg hunts.
Tired.
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