Happy 1st Birthday Jacob

A year ago our gracious God in His kindness allowed us to welcome our sweet miracle. Jacob Timothy Cook was born to us on a Monday at 2:27am. He was 7.5 pounds and 20 in long.
Happy Birthday my prince!

Smiles

Here is a recent picture of my big boy last weekend at a family gathering. I can't believe he is going to be a year old just in a few days.

The Forbidden Fruit Bite

Here is the evidence of Adam's I mean Jacob's forbidden bite. For those who don't know, while I was busy shopping Jacob sneaked an apple and put his teeth marks on it so I felt I should buy it since he had already claimed it his. A few days later we both enjoyed this very sweet and yummy apple thanks to Jacob :)

Evening Praise

GIVER OF ALL,
Another day is ended
and I take my place beneath
my great Redeemer's cross,
where healing streams continually descend,
where balm is poured into every wound,
where I wash anew in the all-cleansing blood,
assured that thou seest in me no spots of sin.
Yet a little while and I shall go to thy home
and be no more seen;
Help me to gird up the loins of my mind,
to quicken my step,
to speed as if each moment were my last,
that my life be joy, my death glory.
I thank thee for the temporal blessings
of this world -
the refreshing air,
the light of the sun,
the food that renews strength,
the raiment that clothes,
the dwelling that shelters,
the sleep that gives rest,
the starry canopy of night,
the summer breeze,
the flowers' sweetness,
the music of flowing streams,
the happy endearments of family,
kindred, friends.
Things animate, things inanimate, minister to my comfort.
My cup runs over.
Suffer me not to be insensible to these daily mercies.
Thy hand bestows blessings: thy power averts evil.
I bring my tribute of thanks for spiritual graces,
the full warmth of faith,
the cheering presence of thy Spirit,
the strength of thy restraining will,
thy spiking of hell's artillery.
Blessed be my sovereign Lord!

-The Valley of Vision
(pg 224,225)

Teething Season

Jacob just popped four of his upper and lower first molars (Sept 30th). I believe they are not the canines (cuspids) since they are located more toward the back of his mouth. Yesterday I got little puppy teeth marks on my fingers as I tried to check his mouth. Now it makes sense why he was being so clingy and at times irritable. About two weeks ago (Sept 21st) his lower lateral incisor came through as well. Poor little guy all these teeth in such a little time. I guess he'll get it over it with sooner. For now he has a total of 8 teeth not counting the molars. I know this is lots of info but I'm mostly writing this for my records...hope you don't mind.

Fair Fun!

We had lots of fun at the LA County Fair. Check out some of the pictures!

Cookie action

9 months (growing/changing/splashing)

- Weight: 19lbs 3 ounces
- Height: 28inches
- 7 teeth

Jacob is getting so big. My Mom was joking that he should be carrying me instead. He is a lot more playful and busy. At bath time he has figure out that splashing is fun. Today I was giving him a bath and I put a little bowl in his tub and when I was distracted he picked up the bowl full of water and unintentionally threw the bowl at Mama. We both got a bath. He bathed me and I bathed him :)
Cheerios are the latest hit in his life. He could eat them all day long. Just last week he figured out how to pick them up. He is rolling but not crawling yet. Standing and taking steps is more interesting to him. He likes dogs and kids. Loves grandmas fridge magnets (since my Mom lets him drop them on the floor). He is in the stage that only MOM can make things better. When I walk away sometimes he cries even when Daddy is holding him. Jesse is trying not to take it too personal. (hehe). I remind him that he loves his Daddy a bunch and that it is only a new season in his life :). We have been trying to get him use to nursery on Sundays. He did good when he was 6 and 7 months. Once he hit 8 he started not like it at all. Not even cheerios work to make him happy. We are hoping he grows out of it sooner than later. I can't believe that the next doctor's visit he will be a year old. In 3 short months we will be celebrating his 1st birthday.
Life is a vapor!!

Having Fun

Here is a recent pic of our sweet little boy. He makes mami and papi laugh a lot. We love to kiss him and snuggle with him and he loves and enjoys every bit of it. He is growing quickly and showing more of his little personality. He loves solid food, his favorite veggie blend is zucchini mixed with squash or carrot. His favorite fruit is apple. He enjoys eating avocado just like papi Jesse. Jacob-boy is a little beggar when it comes to food, if he sees you eating he stares at you and at your plate, back and forth. Food is his happiness. Food is his life!
I'm reading the Bible to Jacob in Spanish we are reading Salmo 24 (Psalm 24). His night time lullabies that I sing to him to sleep is "Amazing Grace", "As the deer" and "the power of the Cross". They are my fave to sing to him because of the powerful message in them. By God's grace we are all doing well, enjoying the blessings of life in following Christ.

Visit from Grandparents

As promised I'm posting some pictures of Blake and Debbie meeting Jacob for the first time. They come down from Oregon and stopped by to meet their grandson. They came bearing all kinds of gifts for this little one. Grandma made a beautiful and colorful quilt for Jacob, with images of baby turtles (per grandpa's choice) which Jacob was trying to grab and play with. On the grandpa side he received a cool #2 soccer ball. Daddy can't wait to teach him to play soccer. Jacob loves looking through his fluffy and cuddly animal book. Jesse and I also got spoiled with Jesse's request of homemade cinnamon rolls. Since I didn't have most of the baking utensils they not only met our request but provided pretty much everything need it to make this happen. From yeast to flour, baking pans and measuring cups (Not to brag but to acknowledge their kindness). We all had a great time. Jacob was in the best mood and excited to meet them. We hope to see you all soon, maybe we'll come and visit Oregon sometime soon.

My Goofy Teeth

I was expecting for Jacob to get his front teeth before his goofy ones. Last week he was somewhat fussy and I figured it was teething time again. They are actually just breaking through his little gum. He has been eating rice cereal for the last two weeks or so and I'm planning on introducing some veggies sometime this week. He has grown quite a bit and is starting to sit-up by himself. Crawling and walking will be here in no time. I'm enjoying this stage where we don't have to chase him around our place yet. Baby proofing is next in our list. I will post a picture of his new teethes once they are visible.

My first teeth..Ouchie and much more (Mis primeros Dientesitos..auuuhh)

Jacob got his first teeth last Monday at 4 months and 3 weeks. It's kind of early but not rear. I felt like I just had him yesterday and he already has teeth!!...what happened to my little boy he is turning into a big boy. He has been kind of cranky because of the teething but nothing like the story that a lady told me at the store. Her daughter had fevers and ear infections with every tooth..that sounds like a big sanctifying trial to me. I hope and pray that our little Jacob doesn't have to endure that (or us). Jacob is now using 3 size diapers...he is no longer a Swaddler but a Cruiser (names that pampers uses for each stage). I'm planning to start him on solids in about a month. I'm reading about first solids..and all they recommend for now is bananas, avocados, rice cereal and apple sauce. That will be his menu options for a little while. He is still hasn't turn but I guess it could happened any moment. He is very interested in watching people eat. Today he held his zypi (?) cup that auntie Veronica bought him and had a few sips of water...he loved it. Although it was very new and weird at first. He left his teeth marks on it too. I know all I write is about little JTC but that's whom I hang out with all day long. Jesse and I are doing well. Enjoying the fact that his work is close and he can be home sooner. He might be transfered about an hour away and that will make it harder to have him with us longer. But yet we thank the Lord for providing a job for Jess and don't want to complain. We had a first date by ourselves about 2 weeks ago...enjoyed it very much. We went out to dinner and a movie. It felt kind of akward going out just the two of us (its a foreing world out there with out a stroller to push or diapers to change). After waking up from the movie we faced reality again and headed out to go see our lovely son. We love each other and are enjoying being parents. We give all the praise to the Lord for sustaining and blessing our family.

Didn't Know that Coughs were Funny

To the right you will see two videos of our little guff ball laughing at Paulina's cough. They are pretty much the same. The difference is that in one of them Paulina got dizzy from coughing so much and Jesse tried to help her out but Jacob did not think his were funny and gave us a strange look.

Jacob sucking his top lip

He actually hasn't done this for a while but I thought it would be cool to post the little random things he does.

Bible Study/Jesse's B-day

We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Stapleton's home for our young marrieds bible study. Jesse also blew the candles for his birthday.

Recent Photos

My Niece & Nephew (Mis Sobrinos)

I'm posting pictures of my loving family in Ecuador. My brother Alex and his wife Jenny have two sweet children. Unfortunately I have not met Emilio only through pictures and a few phone conversations. The last time I saw Michelle was on Christmas 2004. I miss them and can't wait to see them soon God willing.

Video of Jacob and Mommy

Click on the link below and you will see a recent video I took of little Jacob.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx3NeC3cQXY

Enjoy!

Latest News

Jacob got his shots in his recent check up. He got 3 vaccinations in one shot. Poor thing cried pretty hard but I had the pacifier in his mouth and didn't get to hear his big cry...that was a good idea. He is now 14 pounds and 23 inches long. He is getting hard to carry around specially in his car seat.

His top 3 favorites things to do:
1. Eat
2. Sleep
3. Look and smile at his glow-worm toy while we change his diaper.

His smiles are getting cuter and he is now cooing a whole sentence.

He loves to smile

This past week Jacob has discovered that he loves to smile and coo. He really enjoys when you get close to his face and talk to him. We love seeing the different changes he is already going through. He was the highlight of the Christmas gatherings with our family members. They fell in love with his rollie-polie figure. He got lots of gifts as expected since it was his first Christmas. Jacob is growing so much, he is packing on the pounds and leaving Mom looking like a tooth-pick. Paulina is trying to keep up with the high demand of food from little hungry Jacob. He loves Dad's voice and now follows him with his eyes. He is also a lot of work, and sometimes in the middle of the night he decides to keep Mom awake with his cute smile, he thinks is play time when it's not.