Happy Birthday Jacob!

So I figured I'd do a separate quick post on what we did on Jacob's actual birthday even though he celebrated a lot beforehand.

After Jacob woke up he had a bath- see how much he loves to splash!

Then he got dressed in some new birthday clothes- I love this outfit because Luke has a shirt and shorts just like this! Someday I'll have to get a picture of them both wearing them, I just think it's cute how much Jacob can look like Luke sometimes!

hanging out with mom eating some cheerios

And I got lucky again that it was another beautiful day outside- another day in the 70s! So I took Jacob to the park again and I'm so glad that he's starting to play more. Last summer he didn't really get around and play much because he was too little to really do anything. And so lately anytime it's been nice out I've been trying to get him to play outside but he was terrified of the grass and unknown ground I guess. So I was starting to worry he was going to be a picky boy and not enjoy outdoors much but I think he's coming around!

He liked climbing up the playground all by himself!

And we went down the slides together- I'm not sure what he thought about those but he didnt cry!

And then he discovered the mulch- I thought it was so cute how he sat down and just played with it for a long time!

He's still a little hesitant about the swings, but hopefully he'll start to enjoy them a little more :)

Jacob with all his presents!

Luke and I were with him to open his presents that night- he got a lot of clothes, a small swimming pool for the backyard, a swim floatee, a toothbrush (finally!), and some books- he loved these bubble books!

me with the birthday boy!

Jacob with his dad

An hour or so after presents Luke picked up his dad from the airport- he just came in for one night, so Grandpa was able to hang with the birthday boy too!

And for the 3rd time Jacob got to have some cake- he handled it like a pro!

And 2 days later Jacob also got his first haircut- Luke did a good job! He desperately needed a cut but it feels strange to see him with short hair because now he looks younger to me!

here's his "after" picture

Jacob playing with his new books again

brushing his teeth with his new toothbrush! haha he actually just likes to bite it but I help him brush :)

And here's Jacob at the doctor for his one year checkup! He is now 18 pounds 1 ounce (3rd %) and 29 1/2 inches tall (50%). He's still my skinny little baby :)

So yes Jacob had a great first birthday, lots of fun little parties and got some nice new presents. Jacob has been such an easy and fun baby and I just feel so blessed! I love spending all my time playing with him and watching him do more and more every day! This past year has been amazing- I don't know how I'll ever be able to love another baby as much as I love my Jacob! :)

Birthday Parties!

We were able to celebrate Jacob's birthday twice before his real birthday on the 18th. Luke's parents were able to come out for a weekend two weeks before Jacob's birthday and so we were able to do a mini-party for Jacob while they were there. They were nice to get him some little toys, some church clothes, and his favorite- a truck he can ride and push!

Grandma Brenda showing Jacob his new racecars

first time riding his truck! he was so excited!

And so this was the first time Jacob was able to try out cake! He kind of just looked at it for a bit, then looked at all of us staring at him, and then this is him smashing it quickly to his face! Good job Jacob!

he ate the whole thing! he'll probably end up with a sweet tooth like me :)

One week later my friends and I held a birthday party for all our babies since they were all turning 1 just weeks apart from each other.
Here's all the babies! They're actually sitting from youngest to oldest- Jacob(3/18), Jane(3/13), Brielle(3/13), Scarlett(3/6), and Avery(2/20). So yes Jacob's the only boy in the bunch- but check out that move he's making on Jane! ;)

We all have been getting together weekly for playgroups but we've never been able to get all 5 of us together until this party! It's so much fun watching them all play together, especially since they're all so close in age. But even still they're all a lot different and at different stages, but I'm so glad Jacob has friends he can play with even at a young age- and then I get to spend time with all the other moms too! Anyway, back to our party...

here's the kids playing together before we got started


We did a gift exhange and Jacob got the "boy gift"- a little truck that makes noise and talks! It goes great with the little truck that he rides at home!

Jacob with his birthday hat that I made for him- haha :)


all 5 kiddos waiting for their cake! Jacob was getting especially tired by this point...

all he needed was a little cupcake to make him happy- yum!
(And I love how he tries to shove the whole thing in his mouth!)

hardly left a single crumb!

Here's all of us moms with our 1 year old babies! We had a great time!

Jacob's First Year

So in honor of Jacob's birthday today I've made this little slideshow of him through his first year! And I definetly spent way too much time on something that should be very simple- it took me forever to find a way to post this to my blog! And it should embed but if it doesn't show up then just click on the link- and enjoy!
http://www.slideshare.net/kamdecker/jacobs-first-year

Jacob's First Year

View more presentations from kamdecker.

And I will post again soon with pictures from all Jacob's little birthday parties!

My Lucky Charm

St. Patrick's Day is just a little more significant to me this year more than normal just because of the memories that is has brought to me from last year! Last year my mom had just flown into Denver to get ready for me to have Jacob since he was due the 16th. And I remember going grocery shopping for 2 hours last St. Patrick's Day (I guess we had a lot of groceries and I was walking really slow), and I felt like Jacob dropped and suddenly was really heavy- and little did I realize that I would be going to the hospital that night! But we enjoyed the day, my mom and I sat on the porch eating grapes, and the three of us had a nice festive dinner, topped off with pistachio pudding and whip cream- which was amazing at the time!

Luke and I last year on St. Patrick's Day- (last dinner together without a baby!)

But I knew after dinner that the contractions were really starting and we ended up going to the hospital at 3 am that night. And so I am glad that Jacob was not actually born on St. Patrick's Day and made it until the 18th, but the memories of that St. Patrick's Day still make me smile, and I almost feel like it was that same day in my mind. Either way- I like to consider Jacob my little lucky charm!

And last year I remember it was very warm on St. Patrick's Day and today was just as gorgeous-in the low 70's! The best part though is now I have a house with my own backyard so we could lay out and enjoy the sunshine! Jacob hasn't really liked going outside but I made him deal with it today and he finally didn't cry the whole time and we had a great day!

After enjoying sitting in the backyard for a lot of the day, we took a walk and went to the park with his best little bud Jane (who celebrated her birthday last Saturday).

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Birthday to Jacob tomorrow! :)

The Big 25

Last Saturday I celebrated my 25th birthday! I had a pretty good day. I had to wake up early to go to a Women's Conference but I was excited since I was able to see all my old girlfriends from my last ward and so that was a good time. And it worked out because Luke had to go in to work for a few hours that morning but by the time he got home Jacob woke up from his nap and we went out to lunch. The original plan was to then do some birthday shopping but we were both tired from waking up early so we relaxed at home for the rest of the evening. Luke grilled me up some salmon for dinner and then we watched a rebox- pretty typical night! Maybe soon we'll make it up and go to the movies- usually I only go to the movies once a year, to see the Twilight movies, so anything more than that would be especially nice.

Here is our yummy salmon.

The next day Luke was able to set up my main birthday gift- my new window bench! I was really excited to have some seating and storage in our front living room and I think it worked out pretty well. And I finally did go shopping to get some clothes and things for myself for once. I also finally got myself 2 pairs of glasses- I had been wearing the same ones I had through high school! And then last I got myself a much needed haircut! Feels good to have some new changes! Thanks again to anyone who already wished me a happy birthday!