Life as a mommy

Had to share the most hilarious moment of our week. Curtis ate some yummy sugar free jello the other night (zero point on weight watchers btw) mid bite he had a huge sneeze and jello shot from his nose and mouth onto my legs...how about that jello shot? Seriously, I had to laugh when I thought about how most other 25 year olds are spending their evenings and what came to their minds as they heard the phrase jello shot. I am such a blessed woman to be where I am at such a young age! Wish I had a picture of the moment but I was laughing too hard to think clearly. Hope you have a great weekend! Here is a picture of us playing outside today thanks Melissa for the awesome splash pad by the way!!! He loves it!!!

Curtis update

We can't believe it ourselves, our little man is almost 18 months!!! Gran Jan brought over cupcakes to celebrate the 1/2 birthday of our little man and my most favorite niece...(I can only say that for a few more weeks had to get it in there!) He is a busy little boy and keeps me on my toes at all times! We have had a ton of fun the last few weeks visiting new parks, splash pads, pools, and bouncy places. We were both tired of the same ol same ol so we decided to switch it up, lots of fun! He is really talking up a storm and has a new word practically everyday. My favorite is when he picks out a word from something either Jacob or I says and repeats it a thousand times. Yesterday it was cart, the day before it was football, last week it was thong, JK. We went to the beach last weekend to celebrate fathers day and had a wonderful time. I posted pictures on our picassa site be sure to check them out. We are so lucky to have such an awesome father and husband. Jacob is truly a spectacular man who lives and breathes for the Lord and his family. I am awesomely blessed by his love. Happy Father's Day honey!

We are getting ready for our niece Kaylee to make her arrival!! The doctors think she may be early so we are on our toes ready to go whenever we get the call! We are dying to meet our little princess!

Mom and Dad are on an Alaskan cruise this week. Yesterday they went fishing (didn't catch a thing) and saw two humpback whales along the way. It sounds like they are having an amazing time. I have to say though its pretty strange without them here!!

Here are a few pictures of our trip to the beach. Hope you are having a great day!

Minnesota Memories

As Jacob mentioned in the previous blog, we made a family trip to Minnesota last week. We of course had an amazing time seeing Grandma Dub, Uncle Jim, Clare, & Robbie. We enjoyed taking grandma out to eat at an amazing restaurant that specializes in pie (yum!). We also shared Sunday Mass and a delicious homemade lunch with Dub, its a good thing we don't live too close because man that lady can cook! No wonder Jan is a whiz in the kitchen!

We spent the rest of our seven days in St. Paul with Michael, Emily, & Anna. We always have the best of time with them. We love opportunities to spend time with them and always feel like we just pick up where we left off no matter how long its been since our last visit. Emily looks beautiful as always and seems to be surviving morning sickness with a smile. Michael is doing great in his new job and has really taken to being a father of two. Anna is of course amazing, it was great to see her little personality as pictures can only show you so much with these busy toddlers. I can still hear her little voice saying, "no, no, no" which most of the time meant yes, and "amo" (more). She is darling! We did a ton while we were there and also found some great time just to relax and enjoy one another. We went to the como zoo and theme park where the babes got to ride on cars, trains, and a merry-go-round. It is such a blessing to see their faces light up when they get to experience something new! We also took Emily's Dad's boat out on the lake for a quick fishing trip, went to the children's museum, Mall of America, lots of local parks, and just had a great time. Thanks for everything Mike and Emily, we love you so much! Tons more pictures on our Picassa site.

A Memorial Day reflection...

Jillian usually does the posting, but I wanted to add this, so you get to hear from me this time. As you all know, we spent the past week in Minnesota visiting family and friends. While, the entire trip was amazing and fun, we did have a serious moment on Thursday in preparation for Memorial Day. Just down the road from Mike & Emily's house is Fort Snelling National Cemetery. As it should, it very much resembles Washington National, and is a very beautiful but a very sad and humbling place. The kids, Curtis and Anna however looked it as an endless oppurtunity to play hide and seek. The smiles on their faces was refreshing.

What many don't know is our son, Curtis Cole Counts has a name that is very important to us. Allow me to explain in my typical long-winded manner.

See, both of my grandfathers served in World War II, and both were heroes in my book. Fortunately, I got to know both of them and got the opportunity to look up to both of them.

My maternal grandfather, Bryan Curtis (TEC 4, US Army) and much of my mom's side of the family lived in the midwest, mostly Minnesota, while I was growing up. I saw him on occasion, but only have great memories of how much he made me laugh for hours on end while we sat on the couch and he told me corny jokes. I didn't know much about his life except what my mom and grandma have told me. Before he passed away, he recorded an account of much of his life and planned on doing so for the his children (7) as well. He only finished his before he passed away. My grandma gave me a copy of the tape while we were there this week. I look forward to listening to him tell the stories again. He passed away in 1997 while I was at the Boy Scout National Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. Our son's first name, Curtis, is his namesake. Little known fact, my mom followed in his footsteps a bit, and she served in the US Army for a couple of years, and it was her time in the Army that lead her to Houston to meet my dad.

Then there's Papa, my paternal grandfather, George H. Counts (Lt. Col., US Air Force, Ret), who lived in Pearland while I was growing up. I saw him on a regular basis and learned a lot about him and what his life and the war were like. He really was one of my heroes growing up. He was highly decorated in WWII with numerous air medals, distinguished flying crosses, and a couple of purple hearts. I miss him dearly. He passed away when I was in college. My dad, Daryl Cole, followed in his footsteps and served in the US Army, and I took a stab at it in college for a couple of years in USAF ROTC but was medically DQ'd and honorably discharged. Curtis shares mine and my dad's middle name, Cole.

And to all of those who have served our country, and those who have friends and loved ones who have lost their lives doing so, let us honor them. Those who have died have not died in vain. You have served a greater cause than yourself and paid the ultimate price. May you rest in peace in heaven with our Savior who paid the ultimate price for us.

--Jacob

We're off!!!!

We are off to Minnesota tomorrow, SO excited!!! Can not wait to see Michael, Emily, and of course little Anna Jayne! We have already made some plans to visit Jacob's grandma Dub as well as some other family during our week there. I am sure it is going to be a fantastic trip...tons of pictures to follow!!!!

I will leave the grandparents with some new pictures of Curtis to tide them over for the week we will be gone :) By the way, he has started to pick up new words like crazy...really adorable! Today when we left the grocery store I said "oh man!" that has become his new favorite phrase. He has also picked up some random words out of our conversations like bathtub, snacks, and right there. Today we are working on saying Anna...so far he has said it three times, hopefully he will get it when we are in Minn!!

Frownie Face

Had to share this adorable "frownie" face...definitely the cutest when he is faking it as seen in above picture!!

Tuneless Tuesday

Look at these musical geniuses at work!!! I love the second picture where Clare is doing an adorable boogie!!! One more week until Minnesota!!!!