Cinco dientes para Cinco de Mayo

Mommy is just showing off that she still remembers something from Spanish class. Who said it would never come in handy in the real world? For those who are not bilingual (ha ha), that means "5 teeth for Cinco de Mayo." To translate further, that means May 5, which is a holiday celebrating a battle in which Mexican forces defeated the occupying French troops. You can send donations for the history lesson to our home address.

Anyway, the big news is that Jacob has a surprise 5th tooth! We thought he would have a break for awhile, but just today I noticed a new bottom tooth poking through. At this rate, he'll have a full set of teeth by this summer! I'm sure that won't happen, though. He is busy lately making his crib his own. There are bite marks all over the railing. If you look closely, you can make out the words "Jacob was here" in the scratchings.

8 months old

Jacob is 8 months old today! He is the proud owner of FOUR teeth. Hopefully we have a little break from the teething for awhile now. He can crawl all over the place, and usually knows just where to go to get into trouble. He is starting to try to crawl up the stairs, so we will have to get a gate up soon!

Look out, world!

Jacob can crawl! He's gotten really good at it in just a few days. Last Thursday, he was just figuring out how to move his hands and knees. He would take one "step" and then stop. He worked on it all day Friday, and that night he crawled out of his room and all the way to the bathroom! That was right after his last update. I guess he wanted to prove me wrong. He showed off for Tom's family on Saturday, and ever since, he's been all over the place. He's now working on his next feat: exploring every inch of floor in the whole house.

Ready to bite

Jacob's top teeth are making their way. One is already in, and the next one should show up within a few days. He has already tested his new chomper by biting Mommy. I can assure you that it's sharp! If you look closely in the picture, you can see his newest tooth.

He is learning all kinds of new things. He can aaalllllmost crawl. It's not quite there, but he can definitely get on all fours and scoot himself around. He practices a lot at night in his crib, when he's supposed to be sleeping. He can go from his tummy, to all fours, to sitting. That's impressive! We couldn't believe it when he started sitting himself up.

We are also starting to let him try feeding himself. Not so much the messy foods, but he is eating fruit and grain puffs. He's still getting the hang of it, but more often than not he is getting them in his mouth. It's hard to believe how many things he has learned just in the last couple of weeks. He's been busy!

More pictures

Tasting green beans for the first time...this kid likes everything! I shouldn't complain, but I never get any funny face pictures.

Trying to figure out how to get up the stairs

Wearing his "Easter bonnet" and playing with his new ducky. We visited the Schoenbauers for Easter, and Jacob got an Easter basket. He also got early Easter gifts from Grandpa & Grandma Boyum, and from Aunt Jena & Uncle Ty.

7 1/2 months old, playing in a learning seat. He is probably about 3 months too old for it, but he was having fun!

Tasting carrots for the first time (this isn't a funny face, it's annoyance that I keep taking pictures while he's eating)

We have lift off!

Jacob can get on his hands and knees! He had been working on this for several weeks, and finally had success on April 7. He shows off for us all the time now, and seems to be working on the next big thing--how to get moving. He has also impressed us in the past couple of days by going from laying on his tummy, to up on his hands and knees, to a sitting position! I'm sure it won't be long before he figures out how to crawl. Tom and I are nervous about having a baby who moves around for real, but it's very exciting!

A new friend from Missouri

A week ago, Jacob and I went to Rochester to visit my friend Kelly, who had a baby in January. William is a little over 2 months old now, and he is a big boy! He looks more like a 4 month old, and was almost as long as Jacob. It was fun to see a "little" baby, who was doing the things I remember Jacob doing several months ago. It made me realize just how much he's learned. He entertained Kelly and William by sitting up and rolling all over the place, and although I was hoping that he could learn about sleeping from William--I don't think the topic ever came up between them. You can tell they became quick friends though, as in this picture William is sleeping, and Jacob is playing with a TV remote.

Play Ball!

Jacob was all set to watch the first Twins game of the season. He saw a few games last fall, but this was his first season opener. He was pretty excited, and wore his Twins shirt. It must be a lucky shirt, because the Twins won! The final was 7-4 Twins. Johan Santana got the win and Joe Nathan the save. Jacob is ready to watch the next 161 wins with his lucky shirt.

"Hey, I thought this ball was supposed to be autographed!"

"Justin Morneau and Torii Hunter hit back-to-back homeruns!"