Long time, no see

Okay, so it's been a while since we last met. Believe me, we've been thinking about you. Really, it's not you, it's us. WE'RE the bad friend. You shouldn't beat yourself up so much.

With that out of our system, let's proceed to the latest news on the Jakob front. This kid is so smart. He's into everything in a good way. He's also gaining teeth by leaps and bounds and proving he knows just what to do with them! Sure, he gives us a few scares here and there, but he continues to develop his intelligence and personality. Fantastic stuff. We've got a few new YouTube clips you might enjoy:

Jakob Marcus: Don't Stop! - www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UMgBWtF_e8
Jakob Marcus: High Flying - www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKwfzOSPKIE

We celebrated the first Independence Day as three and Jakob had mixed feelings about it. He loved the attention from friends and family at the annual party, but wasn't much on the loud noises fireworks make. Also, we got home to find out he was running a 101 degree temperature which explains why he had been so groggy. After about 7 days of irritability and TLC, he's better now. He did make sure to pass on a mild form of whatever he had to his parents. He's so good with the sharing.

Kim is still trying to locate a day care provider for the fall for us that is state licensed and in or near Liberty. We know things will fall into place, but it's getting closer to when Kim heads back to work and we have still not found what we're looking for. The ones we do like don't have any openings so we're on their waiting lists hoping.

Last weekend, Kim kept the home fires burning while Marc headed to New Orleans to host a client media event at the New Orleans World Trade Center (www.raysoverneworleans.com/photos2/main.php?g2_itemId=55). While the event as well as the other things he was a part of at the convention went well, it was hot, sticky, humid and hot. Did we mention hot? Needless to say, he's glad to be home.

This weekend Kim's older sister Jill and her kids will be in town to spend some time with us. While they spend time with Jakob, we will head to see The Dark Knight and Hellboy II: The Golden Army followed by dinner at the Kona Grill and a night's lodging at the fabulous newly renovated Aladdin Hotel.

Next weekend, we have Jakob's one year photo shoot. Can you believe it? Yes, one year. One of Marc's coworkers at the agency is a photographer and will be taking his photos. People, US Weekly and Adoptive Families Magazine are already requesting copies. Pretty cool. The second weekend in August we will celebrate his actual one year birthday complete with everything a little boy needs. Still waiting to hear back on whether or not Miley Cyrus will be able to sing.

More soon.

More than just a test of the waters. . .

When last we met, the little boy had started crawling and standing on his own when we would place him on the carpet. Yes, once again that doesn't seem to be enough. He's now crawling with an intensity and is pretty much the Speed Racer of crawling. In addition, Kim found him standing in the middle of the living room next to the Tonka riding toy all on his own. He's begun testing his legs without our help to see how long he can stand. Tonight, while Kim and I had supper, he stood holding on to the rocker and periodically let go to stand more with this look in his eye like "walking is coming." Scary.

Last Saturday, Marc decided it was time to finally pull the trigger on moving forward with immortalizing Jakob in ink. With his best friend Matt, he went to the Illustrated Man on North Oak in Gladstone and a few hours later returned home with this on his upper left arm:

Unfortunately, now he has "the itch" and can't wait to go back even before kid number 2 comes along and he adds more to his right arm.

On Sunday, we took the little boy up to Kearney to celebrate Marc's father's retirement at a party at Marc's parents' house. We grilled out an introduced Jakob to one of Marc's parents' cats. It didn't go so well. Check it out at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qdixu5TGz2U. More on this cat later in the broadcast.

Monday, Marc, his brother and mother went to the VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, KS, to be part of Marc's dad's last day at work and the party they had for him. There were many colleagues who provided him with gifts, awards, well wishes and of course humorous moments.

Afterward, Marc had hoped to visit Michael Vick to find out when he would be out and again available to draft in fantasy football, but by the look of the place it appears they frown on visitors. . .

Being that Jakob is the most ridiculously good looking baby in the known universe, we continue to find ourselves with opportunities to share him with the world. Earlier this year, we placed his photos on Baby Gap's site for consideration for the 2008 Baby Contest. A few weeks ago, we submitted his photos to Parents' Magazine to be in a contest where the winner is placed on the cover. Today, we submitted his photos to Adoptive Families Magazine where he will soon be featured in one of the "real kids" sections. Now, if only we could get him to perfect "Magnum." (Only a certain percentage of people probably know what "Magnum" is. Jakob is going to be the ridiculously smart version of this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3b5Cg_HaKg).

As a side note to a story we brought you above, a special condolences go out to Marc's parents who found today that the beloved cat pictured in the above YouTube video with Jakob was in the middle of renal disease and FLUTD-related issues and the decision was made to not put her through any more suffering. Our thoughts go to them as they mourn this loss.

This weekend we would like to properly say a much needed thank you to all of the men and women who serve in our armed services both here and abroad defending human freedom against evil. You do not get the credit you deserve and without you we wouldn't have the ability to work, live, worship and prosper in the greatest country on earth.

And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. . .

More soon.