Munch, Munch, Munch

Today we attempted to give Jacob his first solids and he did really well! I fed him pears this morning and he had no problem learning how to open his mouth and then swallow.

This evening Ben came home and I was able to get some pictures of him feeding Jake. I've also included a picture of the group from Church that went to retreat earlier this month.

Happy days and growing babes!

Sugar Bean

I've been on a candy making spree lately - trying to get ready for the holidays and sending tasty treats to family and friends. This evening I focused on chocolate almond toffee and two different types of chocolate peppermint bark. I'm never sure exactly how it'll turn out but luckily I had my chief taster in the house and he pronouced my toffee yummy!

Sink Baby!

Jaker-doodle taking a quick bath in the sink

I don't know if it's a good thing but Jackson thought this was the funniest scene in Lethal Weapon today. Maybe it's not a good idea that he's watching this but he's so stinkin' entertained.

The boys have been so cute lately - lovin' on each other and smiling all of the time. I just had to post a few pics of them :-)

Church Retreat

The family Richards went to Rockaway beach this weekend for retreat. The trip was a marked improvement over last year - both in time spent with friends and in sleeping quarters.

Jackson had a really good time with the other kiddos and Jacob was happily passed from one set of arms to another set. As the only "out of womb" baby, he was quite popular.

On the way out we stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory - unfortuantley both boys were a bit tired and neither seemed very impressed with the free cheese (although, Ben and I ate it with glee).

Homeward bound we stopped our favorite vineyard and continued our annual tradition of picking out Christmas ornaments and a new bottle of wine. This year featured a strawberry ornament in honor of Jackson's love of home-grown strawberries, a baby's first Christmas for Jacob and a red heart for Ben and I.

Here's a few pics of the boys at retreat. We didn't take a ton because we were running around having a good time but never the less...

Bad to the Bone!

We just had to post some pictures of Jacob having a blast in his exersaucer. These smiles are what makes the tough times totally worth it.

Jacob Update!

Jacob prefers to sleep on his tummy and so today I put him down to sleep in the middle of my mom's bed on his little belly. I came back in a while later to check on him and shock of shocks he had rolled over and was on his back, kicking his little feet and having a grand ol' time.

Wow - what a strong kiddo! Most kiddos cannot roll over from belly to back until they are at least 6 months old and here is Jacob pulling it off at 4 months.

He's always been a "speedy" little guy :-)

So now it looks like we are back to pillow fortresses and bed rails to make sure he doesn't accidently land on the floor.

Halloween was so much fun with the boys this year! Jacob and Jackson both dressed up as Tigger and had an all day candy filled fest.

First thing in the morning - right around 11:00 (we slept in just a bit) we made our way to my work where both boys proceeded to shine and smile their way into everyone's hearts. Jackson was especially charming once he figured out how to spin the prize wheel to get free candy.

Around noon we meandered over to my friend Lina's house where Jacob took a bottle and a nap and Jackson ran around like a mad sugar high fiend. He was playing rather loudly with Lina's little boy Joshua and overloaded on spaghetti. After Lina's we loaded up into the car and went to Lina's son Daniel's school for an afternnon Halloween fair. Jack had so much fun running up and down the hallways of Daniel's school and I found myself thinking that in a short time he'll be leaving me during the day for school and I got a little bit sad. They grow so fast.

After the Halloween Fair we went to Washington Square Mall where Jackson learned very quickly how to trick-or-treat the stores. He ate so much candy that we had to take him to the play area to run off some of his sugar. I'd love to say that Jacob had just as much fun but he slept most of the time in his baby pack, happy as a little clam to be sleeping on Mommy's chest.

Halloween evening Ben came home from work early and we went trick-or-treating with MaaMaa (Grandma). Jackson had a blast - especially once he figured out that every door meant more candy in his little bucket. Dispite having little legs he hit up quite the few houses and had a grand ol' time.

Happy Halloween!!!