Jericho's Growing Vocabulary

This dude is picking up words like crazy. Here is a 'dictionary' to what on earth he may be saying.

Momma/Mom = Me!
Dada = Nate
Daddee/Danket = Blanket
Puppy = Puppy (he says this often in reference to any animal that moves)
Iah = Cousin Ashiah
Baba = Grandma
Papa = Grandpa (has only said this a few times)
Dottle = Bottle or sippy cup
Mmmmmm = That is yummy, I want some more right now (This is often accompanied with a vigorous nodding of his head)
Ta = Please (He always holds his palm outstretched when he says this)
Tattoo = Thank-you (this is new and very cute)
Popo = I'm not sure about this one, but it's what my mom calls him
Bubba = Jericho (He will place his hand on his chest when he says this as I call him Bubba)
Baby = Baby (points to my belly or any young baby in the room)

His first two word sentence was "Dottle Ta".

PS - Tahnee, he still won't say Jack Spade.

We are back!

Hawaii 2007. We came, we saw, we got burnt... oh, the joys. All in all, it was a great time of amazing food, fun with family, and the most beautiful vistas. Kauai really is a gorgeous island and I would highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates natural beauty. We arrived in Honolulu late on the 15th after a LONG plane ride. Jericho did fairly well on the flight, only slept 3 of the 6 hours.. but I think it was a longer flight for me. I have had a really sore lower back so sitting for a long time was not helpful. But we were lucky in that we had an empty seat between us.

Once we arrived in Honolulu, we took a taxi to a hotel I would not recommend. It was only one night, but ew. The next morning was bad. We went for breakfast at McDonalds at while we were 'enjoying' all that Mickie D's had to offer, my lovely little boy VOMITED everywhere! Huge chunks of grossness. Our shuttle was to be picking us up in less than 20 minutes, so little ole me volunteered to run the stinky child back to the hotel to change and clean him. The ew hotel had this glass elevator that required you to stick your hotel key card into a slot before it even moved to your floor. Well, that stupid elevator would not move. I had a vomitous child, stuck in a HOT glass elevator that would not co-operate. After 5 minutes I pressed the help button and talked to some woman who kept asking if I was stuck. Yeah. Hello! Luckily, my family pushed the button in the lobby and saved us. By this time I was feeling faint and frustrated. But we got through it.

We then flew to Kauai - a 20 minute flight - and got our rental cars to head to our rental house. Last time the Searle's rented a house it was not a good scene, so I was a little apprehensive. It was perfect. Our bedroom had sliding doors opening with gorgeous views to the expansive ocean. Do you know how amazing it is to fall asleep to the waves? I loved it.

I do need to mention that over the next 3 days my son had horrible diarrhea and continued to vomit over those same three days. We figured that maybe on the first day he had swallowed ocean water. We weren't really sure. But we invested in some pedialyte and slowly he got better. It was a day of rejoicing when he got his appetite back.

Over the trip, we had a great deal of fun with Nate's family... but there were some incidences of traveling issues... losing each other for hours, almost getting into car accidents... etc. Let's just say that aspect was memorable.

I guess I'm sounding kinda negative about the whole trip, but really I had an awesome relaxing time. There were so many other things that happened - like Jericho teething the last few days (cutting three teeth at once), spending time at numerous gorgeous beaches, Nate swimming with turtles, Our little trip to Pearl Harbour, two medical emergencies on our flight home - resulting in the pilot going faster than usual making me sicker than a dog.... etc.

I've posted pics on facebook... and will get around to posting them here.. but I've been sitting too long and need to stretch my sore lower back...

Posting frenzy

I think by posting so much lately, I'm trying to make up for the time I'll be away and likely not able to get online to give updates. I thought tonight with the silence - Nate at a work meeting and Jericho sleeping soundly - it would be a good time to sit and let you all know stuff going on with me.

First, I'm working for my brother. Mat leave payments have officially ended *sigh* and I don't have the luxury of working enough hours before this next little one comes along. But Nate may be able to take parental leave which will be awesome. I had so much help with Jericho from my family and some friends, and it was so appreciated... But for him to be able to take a chunk of time off it would be a blessing.

More about the job - I'm basically do whatever my brother wants. Matthew is only 25, yet he owns a very successful plumbing contracting business. He started his business 3 years ago and with all the construction going on around here, he is overwhelmed with work. He has a Delta hotel he's working on in Sun Peaks which is getting close to completion. Also, another hotel in the Garibaldi area of Squamish. That job is also getting close to the end. But recently he won a bid for a new seniors village in Maple Ridge! It's just starting and he was so excited to get it. He does SO well. It's funny because my dad also has his own plumbing contracting business, but instead of riding my dad's coat tails, he went it on his own. People notice the same last name sometimes, but he doesn't go around using the name for his gain. I'm VERY proud of him. He was the type who didn't do well in school. He hated it actually. But now he works hard and is proving the naysayers wrong. He gets a bad rap sometimes and it sucks when people talk rudely about your family, but he's one of the coolest people I know.

That didn't really explain the job much... I do payroll, filing, GST payments, countless phone calls etc. etc. It's a big job with a one year old, but it rocks being able to do it at home... when Jericho takes a nap, is playing with his toys, whatever.. it gives me time to talk to adults and engage my inactive brain. I am amazed how quickly my memory has faded.

But Matt is a good boss and it's been good learning more about plumbing. My family is full of plumbers you know...

Jericho and his OTHER cousin

Does anyone else think that Jericho and his cousin Ashiah kinda resemble each other?

Lions Gate Pictures

Here are my three favorite pictures from today. I've already picked one I think should go in the third frame... which is your fav?

#1


#2


#3

Four Years

Four years ago, Nate took me to the top of the Lions Gate Bridge and proposed. He read me a childrens story called, "I Promise I'll Find You". It was cute and perfect. I, of course, said yes. Today we celebrated by going back over the bridge and taking Jericho and Aunt Megan to Prospect Point. Aunt Megan took pictures of the three of us with the bridge in the background. I'm going to upload them now to see if any are suitable for our third picture frame which has hung empty for almost a year. Then we went to the Great Wall BBQ - Nate's favorite restaurant.. and headed next door afterwards for a gourmet cupcake. All in all, a great day.

Now all I need is a bath and a nap - in that order.

Jericho Video

6 more days until we all leave for Hawaii!!!!

He's 1!!!!

I now am the mother of a one year old. I've been a Mommy for one year. It's been a fun year, and I can't get over how everyday my baby looks more and more like a little boy and less like that little red monster that was born all those days ago. Even though I say that, the time has flown by.

We had an amazing day. It was stressful at first trying to get everything organized - the food cooked, the cake decorated, the balloons and streamers bought... but what really made the day special was the friends and family that shared it with us. Thanks to all who came and watched my son try and blow out his first candle.

Some funny highlights were 1) As my Nana was leaving I apologized to her for the loud noise that accompanies having 30-35 people in your house. Her response was that "It's not loud when you're deaf!" 2) As a little game, we put pictures of Jericho's first year up all over and had questions as captions, like "When did I first start to walk" and "Where was this picture taken?" etc. My sister's boyfriend decided to pretend to be Jericho answering and it was hilarious. For example, for "Where was this picture taken?" His answer was, "In my face." And for "Whose tub am I sitting in?" He put, "Someone who has obviously never heard of Ajax." Funny guy.

Jericho was pretty good despite only having a short morning nap and having lots of people over when he doesn't generally do well with lots of noise. The cutest part was when everyone sang "Happy Birthday". I had been singing it to him all week and when everyone joined in he just looked around with an almost-smile on his face. We gave him his token piece of first birthday and at first he wouldn't touch it. But once he licked his fingers it was all over. It was a dreadful mess, but he was happy and on a sugar-high.

Hope you all enjoy the pics! I'll post a video later on of him eating cake.