Christmas 2008

Jacob had a great 2nd 1st Christmas (his first one didn't count since he was still in the NICU).

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Christmas 2008 Shaw Family Pictures

Download the pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/AdamAndAngela/Christmas2008FamilyPictures#

Talin's Birth

Mr. Talin was born on Christmas Eve at 1:13 in the afternoon. He weighed 7lbs 10oz and is 19.5" long!

He was supposed to come on December 29th, but Jenny started labor the night before and headed to the hospital around 9am on Christmas Eve. The doctors determined that she was in labor and since she was going to have a c-section (once you have one they make you deliver all of your babies that way), that they would take her that afternoon.

I was at home milling around the house and wrapping presents when we got the call. I was so excited. I jumped in the shower and got ready as fast as I could. I have to wrap a few presents, cook a casserole and pack Jacob's stuff (we were heading to my dad's house for dinner) and I really didn't want to miss the baby. Thankfully, I made it to the hospital with 30min to spare.

What a privilege to be a part of such a miracle. It was so fun to be there for Jenny and Scott. As excited as I was, my mind kept taking me back to when I was in that operating room having Jacob. Someone came out of a door by the viewing window and I looked back and saw that that was the door to the NICU. I didn't know it was right there! I was flooded with emotions. Emotions over what happened to me and the realization of how scary it was and how sick I really was. They left the blinds open the entire time they sewed Jenny up (they didn't open them until Talin was pulled out) and we got to watch them tend to the baby and even wave to Jenny. With me, they closed the blinds immediately. I was also full of emotions of the experience that I missed. I had no idea that the baby stayed in the room so long and went to recovery with mom and never left! I saw Jacob as they wheeled me through the NICU on the way to my room and then I didn't see him until 2 days later and he never got to come to my room. Lastly I was filled with emotions on what I have to come with my next one. What a fun, new and exciting experience we will have.

But, enough about me. Back to Jenny and Talin. He did great. It was so fun to hear him cry and cry when they weighed him. He has a good set of lungs! He looked so tiny and yet so big. I am so happy that I was given the opportunity by Jenny and Scott to be a part of their big day. It might have something to due with the fact that I was the unofficial photographer. Here are some of the 260 pictures of that day!

Download the pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/AdamAndAngela/TalinSBirth#

Christmas was WONDERFUL! (busy, but wonderful!)

Wow, have we had a busy Christmas?!? Last Saturday we went to Winter Haven to have Christmas with my mom's side of the family. We went to my dad's house Christmas eve for dinner (after I went and watched Talin Justice Smothers be born; pictures to come eventually-I have to edit them first!), Christmas morning my mom and Micah came over for a late breakfast and we headed to Adam's mom's house for dinner, then Friday night we went to visit the Smothers in the hospital and then went over to Adam's dad's house for dinner and then this morning we have brunch at Adam's mom's house with his step-dad's side of the family. Whew! 5 Christmases in 4 days (and one of those days Jacob was up at 6am and one he was up at 5am); I'm exhausted!

We had a wonderful Christmas full of surprise babies (welcome, Talin!) and lots of toys and clothes for little man and lots of family. I have lots of pictures, but Adam is at the FSU game (John got them press passes, so they are sitting in the comfortable, air conditioned press box enjoying yummy food and hopefully a good game) and he has my camera. I do have other pictures to get caught up on. Enjoy!

Jacob Playing
Random pictures of our favorite little man doing his favorite thing...playing!
Click here to see the pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=89668&l=dec8b&id=533066390
Click here to download the pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/AdamAndAngela/JacobPlaying#

Birthday Pancakes
I made Jacob pancakes for his birthday (mommy and daddy got to eat them as well). That is about all we did on his actual birthday, but he didn't seem to mind. He loves pancakes!
Click here to see the pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=89659&l=17b1a&id=533066390
Click here to download the pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/AdamAndAngela/BirthdayPancakes#

First Hair Cut
Jacob finally got his first hair cut. He was supposed to get it just before his party, but I got sick. He did so well. He was very interested in what the lady was doing. He couldn't figure it out. He ate Cheerios and sat in daddy's lap. He looks so handsome and grown-up now!
Click here to see the pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=89662&l=f3c94&id=533066390
Click here to download the pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/AdamAndAngela/FirstHairCut#

Picture Wall
Finally, we got my pictures up behind the couch. We were supposed to do that before Jacob's party, but again me being sick changed those plans. I love how it turned out. I still want to add a few more, but it looks so much better now. I still have boxes to unpack, but our house is starting to look like a home!
Click here to see the pictures (and other pictures of my house): http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=82631&l=60af3&id=533066390

Merry Christmas

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:9-14

Happy Birthday My Baby Boy

Today Jacob is 1 year old. I cannot believe how fast time has flown by! I love him so much. I never imagined how fun it would be to have a little boy. Just a little while ago the 3 of us were sitting on the bed laughing. As long as we kept laughing, Jacob would laugh.

This Christmas is going to be so different. This year I have my baby boy home with me.

I have lots more to tell, but have lots to do so Jacob's Birthday Tribute will just have to wait.

I leave you with this picture taken last year on his birth-day.

Jacob eating his birthday cake

Download the pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/AdamAndAngela/EatingBirthdayCake#

Jacob's Bday Party-Pictures Round 1

Yikes! I didn't mean to post this yesterday with a song. I have no clue what song that even was. Sorry about that.

Jacob had his first birthday party yesterday. Just a small gathering of family and 3 of his friends (Luke Schuessler, Hailey Canada and Baby Metzler who is still in the oven) - 40 of us in all! Man, we have lots of family! We are truly blessed.

We had a blast! Jacob took a short afternoon nap and I was nervous on who he would do, but he did good. I have lots to tell, but Jacob is fussing and I am limited time. He kept us up all night last night (no joke, I slept about 3 hours) and hasn't slept much today. He is teething. He is fussy, has the worst diapers and has a low fever. Last time we went through this we got to the end and had no more teeth so hopefully some teeth will come in this time.

I have a ton of pictures. These are just of the cake. I was so sick Saturday (I must have gotten a 24-hour stomach bug) and so Adam was amazing and did so much and baked all of the cakes. I stayed home from church Sunday to rest and finish up the cake. I think it turned out really cute. Enjoy!

Download the pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/AdamAndAngela/MakingJacobSBdayCake#

Bath Time

Warning: in some of the pictures there is booty!

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USPS

I think I am an easy person to please. I am generally happy. I do have times when I get in moods, but for the most part I think I am a pleasant person to be around.

Few things annoy me to the point of ranting (Adam might disagree), but this takes the cake and I feel I must rant to whomever will listen.

I don't ask much from our post office. They continue to raise the price of stamps and I completely understand that. I don't mail much so it really doesn't affect me too much and I really appreciate the forever stamps, not so much for the money I save, but that it saves me from making the trip to the post office every month to buy new stamps.

I think with the increased postage rate that I deserve just a little effort. I only ask these 3 things:

1.) ...that my postman wears a shirt without food stains on it. How hard can that be? The man who delivers our mail at work is really nice and I like him, but has he ever heard of Shout? I get it. You don't want to wear a uniform and I can overlook that, but food stains? Come on!

2.) ...that my mail is delivered at a somewhat consistent time. Between 11am and 5pm is just too broad of a time frame. At work we are trying to work. We have checks that come in the mail that we would like to get deposited and invoices we would like to get mailed. It is hard to make sure we get things mailed when the mail shows up at random times during the day. USPS isn't Sears who says they will fix my fridge between 8am and 5pm. A little consistency would be nice.

And #3 is what pushed me over the edge and caused me to rant...

3.) ...that my mailman doesn't break the law. I think that that is a reasonable request. I was sitting at my desk at home yesterday doing my work. I saw my mailman pull up in an Explorer to deliver my mail. I glanced out the window and then back at my computer and than thought to myself, "hmmm, it didn't look like there was anyone in the driver seat, but surely I saw that wrong." Because my God loves me, I just happened to look out when he was delivering the mail to the other side of the street. I had a perfect view of the driver seat and to my amazement guess what I saw? Nothing! That is right. No one! The driver seat was empty. The mailman was in the passenger seat, delivering mail with his right hand and steering with his left hand, all from the passenger seat! Now, I'm not a cop, but I'm pretty sure that that is illegal. I really don't think it is legal to drive a car from the passenger seat. How was he reaching the peddles? I have no idea. I wanted to walk outside and stare.

I am outraged (I say that with a huge smile on my face because I also think it is hilarious)! I think my $0.42 per stamp should at least afford me a mailman who doesn't break the law or deliver mail at random times during the day (although my home delivery is pretty consistent) and who doesn't wear food-stained shirts. Am I asking too much?

I Love to Eat!

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Backyard Giraffe Photo Shoot

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Jacob's First Thanksgiving

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Organizing Pictures

Jacob went to bed early tonight and Adam and I don't have many shows to watch so I am finally organizing our recent pictures. I have so many I haven't posted. I have lots of stories to tell, but thought I would start getting the pictures up. I'll put a couple of slides shows up a day for the next couple of days. Maybe I'll get some stories up too. Sometime there will be a lot of pictures (I don't have too many to put up tonight). I'll always put the link at the bottom where you can see them in a non-slide show or download them. Enjoy!

Download pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/AdamAndAngela/RecentPicturesFall08#