Growing like a weed...

Hi Everyone!
It sure has been a while since I have posted - Maria has really been the champ making it happen. Anyway, things are going well with us. Lots of stuff going on and I am not sure even where to begin. So I will attempt to do this in a very high level fashion.

1) Jake turned 9 months last week! I can't even believe it. He is crawling around and scooting ALL over the place. We haven't even child proofed the house which makes it even more difficult because we have to keep a watchful eye on him. He started with the army crawl and over the past week and a half has got his little chubby legs into it which makes him even more fast. He can crawl the near length of the house now. We have also graduated him from the little baby bathtub into the big boy bathtub. He loves bath time with his daddy! His hair is getting super curly on the sides - getting cuter every day! He sure is a chip off the old block!

2) Well we have our house up for sale - if you know someone that wants to buy here in Seattle, let us know. Yah, this is pretty sudden, but let me tell you there is a really good story behind this.

3) Which leads me into this next story. So the in-laws are moving to Seattle - now most would think this is dreadful, but I have to say I am really looking forward to it. We decided to purchase a property in Kirkland Washington, just on the other side of the lake from where we currently live. The property has a beautiful view of Lake Washington and faces west so we will get the really pretty sunsets and sun setting behind the Olympic Mountains. Can't wait. Now the house itself is octagon shaped - yah I said octagon. The owners that built it are in their later golden years and are looking to downsize. They are pretty eclectic and had a vision of a mountain home in the city. It is 2600 sq. feet and will be the new home for all of us - Poppi, Gigi, Maggie, Emma, Eric, Maria, and Jake, and oh yah, Katie will be living near by as she is going to school out here for her Masters degree. There is also a new one on the way with Maggie - a bit of a family surprise! We all like to think of it as European Living. No seriously, we always wanted family to be out here and we didn't expect it to be in this fashion, but we are super excited to have family so close as in the room on the other side of the house. The idea is we will build a new house on the property - we will be sub-dividing the lot up into 2 lots. Rick (aka Poppi) is excited to get a fresh start out here in a market that is still thriving. I am excited to learn about this industry and someday take part more full time in the business - so the new business name is Jake Richards Customer Homes - business license is filed and website is up: http://www.jakerichards.com

Rick decided to use his first grandson's name and his to come up with it - I like it, it has a good strong ring to it and sounds like a reputable builder name. We are hoping to close on April 30th at which time we can move in. Still lots to do on this one, but the plan is starting to come together (Yes I was a fan of the t.v. show - The A Team). So more to come and I will be putting some more journal entries in to keep everyone posted. All of this happened in about 3 weeks. I can't wait for the fun to begin!

4) So my company got sold to Best Buy - yah Best Buy, you know the people that wear the blue shirts and try to up sell you on the latest technology gadgets. They have a unit called Best Buy for Business and we will be a cornerstone part of that business with a communications offering. With that said, I will be taking on another role and moving into Sales as a Director. I can't wait - should be a fun challenge. I will be helping out with the transition of their sales force and integration into our company and services offering.

So, needless to say, things have been very busy for me and the family here. So my apologies for not being more diligent on this blog. On another note, Scott Goddard - Jake's Godfather and cousin also now has a blog entry set up. I added his URL to the side in the section called Family Blogs - look to your right. In case your brand new to this stuff, you can go to http://web.mac.com/sgoddardsemail/iWeb/NWMichiganders/Welcome.html.
I know Maria's cousin Michelle also has a blog to stay in touch with the family more. We need to add that to the list. Looks like we are trendsetters here on this blog thing, but I have to say, it really is a brilliant idea and great way to stay connected. I hope you enjoy the update and pictures of Jake - this boy is so damn cute!

Talk to you later and love you all lots!

These pictures are within the last week - and in no order from bath time, going out for his first hike with daddy, enjoying the sunset in Seattle on a warm 74 degree day, and Easter Morning.

The Chase has Begun!!!

Well Folks it's official! Jake has started to crawl!!!! It isn't very pretty yet, still lacking some basic dance steps like belly off the floor, but he's getting from point A to point B! He's a determined little bugger! Eric and I are just scratching our heads with the enormity of this new phase of baby chasing, baby proofing, and baby boo-boos!It is truly amazing how time flies and how much changes in each and every day!!

Jake is also starting to eat solids and sipping out of straws! He loves the Ziewback toasts and had his first nibble of cheese today! He loves it! I knew he had a little of me in there!!! He used his little beaver teeth to lean over and bite off a chunk! He is getting pretty good at chewing with his tops and bottoms! He has also mastered the raspberry with a full spectrum of baby drool! He likes to show off this new spitting trick in public and (thanks to Grammy Beller) while he's eating!!!!! The tricks don't stop there. Since he has been army crawling, he has mastered the full rotation sleeping ninja move. You know when you wake up in the middle of the night to find your baby in the exact same position except baby's head is now where you left baby's feet! It is an amazing trick! He also is ALL about pulling himself up to standing anywhere-anyhow!! Crib, table, mommy, Meeko, yup he just grabs on and pulls up! It has resulted in some close calls; especially, when Meeko wasn't on board with the idea of Jake crawling up his face and retaliated with some bites back! He'll learn! Overall, we are overcome with the growth spurt of movement and ENERGY this baby is full of right now! Not to mention the itty-bitty side of effect of all this growth.... you guessed right : crying fits in the middle of the night! I will have Eric describe that one later!

Well, I have tons more to tell you about Eric, my Fam, and I but without much time I leave you now with these super cute photos and a promise to be back soon with more lowdown from the westcoast Bellers!!

Until then, Keep Smiling!!! WCB

Hanging with Jake

Just hanging with my boy while the wife gets her hair done up. I reckon y'all gonna like this video of Jake.

Enjoy.

Time Flies By!!!! Jake's 7 months old Today!

I know I can't believe it either! It feels like just yesterday we were bringing the little guy home to start our family. After many sleepless nights, getting a BA in baby sounds, researching the answers to sooo many questions, taking over 1000 photos, wanting desperately to pick up a new vice, and contemplating how the hell our parents did it so easily... we blinked and it's been seven months!!! I tell ya,..WOW!

We are really starting to enjoy little man Jake! He is such a happy baby! We really did luck out! Eric and I sit and try to make him laugh cuz his laugh makes it all worth while! And it doesn't take a whole lot to get him going! These days a good jump in the jumperoo, a suspenseful game of peek-a-boo behind a blanket, or a walk around the house on daddy's shoulders can trigger a half hour or more of nonstop, pure top-shelf, quality baby laughter!

He has come a long way in the last month even. Last week he got his 6 month shots and was very brave. He even got some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle band aids to show off this bravery! He started rolling over from tummy to back, which is super cute cuz he rocks on his hands to get momentum before he throws back his giganto head to start the roll! He had his first swing ride at the park and loved it and likes going pretty swiftly for a little tike! He got his two bottom teeth in the last two weeks which is neat cuz his little tongue can't get enough of them and he makes some crazy whistly, froggy noises and.. he looks so handsome with little tiny teeth!! He has enjoyed a huge range of new foods like: nectarines, plums, oatmeal, butternut squash, gala apples, bananas, sweet peas, and his new favorite pizza crust! Better not take it away from him or else!!!! He LOVES his walks everyday in his fancy stroller and even fell asleep in it while we were in Walla Walla, where he also had his first over night stay on vacation! He's super active in his bath now and can make huge bubbles with his monster splashes. He even had his first bath with both mommy and daddy in a real tub... family love! Oh and his hair is starting to curl... so precious! We are waiting to see if he has Eric's curls or mine (hope for mine)!

Speaking of vacation, Eric and I just needed to get out! So Eric took the day off and I packed for two days to feed into my OCD and we were out the door bright and early Friday morning! We decided to head out over the mountains to Walla Walla which is the Washington wine district and titled the new Nappa due to it's dry summers, water surplus from the Columbia River, and it's downtown resurgence. We are trying to narrow down where we would like to buy some land and start our dream of creating a organic retreat destination with some people we love who'd like to share in this dream. So we thought this might be a good fit. We booked this cute inn right in the heart of downtown, called so simply The Walla Walla Inn Downtown from the super/owner Rick who came to the room to great us personally. We got the best suite! It had a bedroom, a full bath and tub, a living room, office and full kitchen with snackos, drinks, and of course wine! It was top shelf, as Eric likes to say! If you are going to Walla Walla, maybe in the spring or for the onion festival, please look this place up, you won't be disappointed. No really, it was great! We enjoyed some nice strolls, super friendly locals, yummy wine tastings, and some much needed quality family time!! Eric even got a bottle of Leanetti (which are on back order)! We stopped at the Preston and L'Ecole #41 wineries for some tastings and purchases! Overall a success and huge learning experience as new parents.. traveling with baby, even a good baby, SO much work and patience and flexibitly and of course humor!!! Ohhhh, the lessons!!!

Unfortunately for us with the desperation to get out of town, we didn't check any weather reports and of course landed with a lucky 22degrees on Saturday! What were we thinking? It was like we stepped back into a day in the life of Michigan weather... grey, cold as hell, and lots of eating and drinking to make that all disappear! But, it was nice to get away even for a short while. The drive back over the mountains was a little scary but my main man did a fantastic job getting us home safely just in time for the Superbowl! Jake's first Superbowl and how fitting that it was two Midwest teams dukin' it out!

Oh, I totally forgot. We the WCB's, are super geeked about the contagious spread of Beller blogs across the USA!!! There is now a thebellerfamily, midwestbellerfamily, and the newest addition thesouthernbellers! How cool is that!!! If you are family or friends of family check these all out at blogspot.com!!! Yeah for technology!

Well, it's February, Jake is seven months old, I am one more month closer to the big 3-0, still workin on those resolutions and pretty soon will be able to cross one off our list, and super excited to see my dad and lil'sis Emma in a couple weeks in hopes of recuiting some fam out! Cross your fingers!

So,Until next time.... enjoy each moment cuz WOW does time fly by!

Lots of love from the WestCoastBellers!!!

Cutest Baby Ever!!!

Hello Friends and Family!!!

Just giving you a shout out on this dry Sunday evening. We are super psyched for Jake's latest gadget the Baby Einstein Activity Jumper! The boy goes CRAZY for jumping these days and how can you resist the purity of baby laughter! So we buckled and sacrificed another 50feet of space for yet another huge, bulky, baby gadget! He gets so excited in jumpers that people actually ask us to put him in so they can watch his reactions! It's pretty intense and you'll see for yourselves soon enough!

We also had our third baby sign language class and picked up a few new signs like: gentle(brush flat hand), thank you(flat hand off the chin) not to be confused with f*** you(flat hand under the chin), mom & dad, grandma (one 5hand off the chin twice)not to be confused with two five hands which means vomit, and good job(two fists hitting at the wrists all knuckles facing up) not to be confused with good sex (same gesture but one fist up and one down)!!!! It's really funny how so many words in sign if not done correctly can mean something vulgar or inappropriate! So PLEASE don't try at home unless you are ready to sign something dirty and have your toddler sign it as well!Regardless, we are working hard to teach Jake some new signs that can help alleviate any stress or frustration due to communication issues! We'll keep you posted on progress!

We hung out with some friends from my Peps group on Friday and had a blast! It was super cool to be able to meet up with husbands, wives, and babies to share some laughs, good food and drink, at a time that works for us all! Baby less peeps don't understand the frustration of trying to hook up with people at times that works into baby's schedule! So this was a big deal! It was nice to make some friends and feel totally normal- pre-baby normal! We are planning on meeting all together at least once a month! I feel so lucky to have met and bonded with so many cool people going through similar experiences!

And... totally subjective but we think Jake is pretty damn cute so we are submitting the first of the below pics to the Reggis&Kelly cutest baby contest. I know don't laugh! But, it would be pretty cool to see him on the cover of Parenting Magazine! And.. we are such proud parents! So what do you think? Cute or what?

Well, enjoy the pics and I'll send a jumperoo video out soon so you all can share in the fun!!
Until then, keep shining!

WCB