Jax Stats.

So I don't think I've posted any of Jaxon's stats lately...here are a few.
-He now has 4 teeth. Yes he is 13 months old and only has 4 teeth, but hey, at least they are there.
-Jax LOVES swimming. He's not so good at listening so we have to be super careful, but he loves the water and screams when its time to get out.
-He weighs somewhere around 22lbs, that was at his 12 month check up so I'm sure he's over that by now.
-Jax is eating apple sticks and sweet potato fries and chicken nuggets and grapes and hot dogs. Really just about anything. I know I need to let him try feeding himself, but I am just not ready for the mess. Maybe in another month or 2.
-When I ask "who's on the phone?", he holds his hand to his ear, tilts his head and starts speaking babble in a high pitched voice. So cute.
-He is climbing on everything, loves to sit on things his level to make it a chair and runs circles around the living room. Let's just say I don't feel like I need to work out at the end of day.
-Jax LOVES music. I've been getting out my guitar once in a while and he'll come bang on it with me, he plays on his drums and dances and sings anytime he hears a beat. I am so glad he's going to have some rhythm. Of course I have dreams of him being a worship leader with an incredible voice and selling millions of albums...what a mother can dream can't she?
Basically Jax is growing up before my eyes and I am amazed at all that he is learning, even things I don't teach him. I just can't wait for him to start using his words so I can hear him say "I love you" back to me.

Vacation and Weddings.

Wow. I have so much to share and we have been super busy but I'll try to keep this short. We recently had a little vacation to San Francisco and Lake Tahoe for my brother-in-law's wedding. We were so glad to get some time away and be together but I don't think I will travel with a one-year old like that again. Unfortunately, Jax did not do well with the plane ride, the time change and staying in different hotels. He is so used to his own bed and his space that it was hard to get adjusted the entire time we were gone. By the 3rd day, I was in need of a time out away from Jax and luckily the bridal luncheon was that day, so I got away for a few hours and it was wonderful. You know, sometimes you just need a break. I've never felt that way before, but for 3 days straight I had no space from Jaxon. His whining was driving me bananas!
Bryan and I had a wonderful time walking around San Francisco, eating Churros and watching the Sea Lions, but we realized that this would be more fun when the kids are older and we can enjoy the underwater aquarium and take a boat ride and tour more of the city. So we'll have to go back in a few years when Jax will truly enjoy it. On our way to Lake Tahoe for the wedding we stopped off at the Jelly Belly Factory, which was just a few miles from my old house. My Aunt Patty and Grandma came over to go through the tour with us when they were on their way to Sacramento. We finally arrived in Lake Tahoe and it was GORGEOUS!! This place is so beautiful and the weather was absolutely perfect. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with family that we hadn't seen since last summer and of course LOVED watching Bryan's brother get married to an amazing woman and we couldn't be happier for them. Jax was finally in a good mood for the wedding and he had such a blast. He was the life of the party and I think everyone was watching him on the dance floor instead of the bride and groom. It was just so cute to watch him in action.
Below are some pics of our trip a bit out of order. Enjoy.

The new completed Leuenberger family....until more kids come of course.

The Bride and Groom, they were so happy and in love. Such a beautiful wedding!

All the sister-in-laws!

Jaxon and his cousin, Ashlin, were the life of the dance floor!

The Next Chapter.

Well, I guess it's about time I fill you all in on our news. We are having another baby!! I am almost 10 weeks now and for the most part am feeling great. I am extremely tired and can't stay up late to watch our usual TV shows, so my poor husband is very behind. He's so sweet to wait for me to watch them though.
We are super excited, scared and nervous all at the same time. I feel like I'm just getting the hang of 1 kid and now that he is getting older and more independent, he's been quite a piece of work some days. I hope he grows out of that phase and I'm hoping that once he learns to speak and communicate he will not be as frustrated. Thinking of having 2 kids right now sort of freaks me out, but I know if 7 more months, it will be just the perfect timing. I'm secretly hoping it will be another boy, but I know these things never work out the way you want or desire, so I'm trusting the Lord because I know that He has worked out everything in His perfect plan.

Jaxon's 1st B-day Party!

Here's a look at Jaxon's 1st Birthday Party. We had so much fun even though the party got a little rained out. I ordered this cake to match the invitations...which were super cute and I don't have a picture of them...but they look like the cake. I was hoping to have a swim party but of course it was cold and rainy and no one got in the water...I'm a little surprised no one fell in which makes me very happy that all the kids stayed away from the water.
The pics are a bit out of order...but you get the idea!

Thank you everyone for coming to the Party!!

Morgan was being such a big help opening presents!

This face sums it all up. I think Jax was a little overwhelmed by all the people, chaos and presents.
Some of the family came in from out of town...it means so much to us that you were there!
Olivia..Uncle Eric..Granny L...Aunt Andrea...and Poppy (who lives here.)

Jax almost got the flame with his fingers...but I got to it in time.

Even though he's making a happy face in this pic...he was not happy about the cake and did not want to eat it. I think he just didn't want to be in his chair anymore. Oh well...better luck next year.

Emma was soooo cute in her Rock Star glasses...I got goody bags for the kids with all things Rock Star....glasses, candy, guitar bubbles, noise makers and of course, blow-up guitars!

Silly Boys.

Ryanne and Morgan are best friends and were using the bubble wand as a mascara wand. So funny! Aren't they just adorable.

The kids still played outside even though the weather was awful. Sorry parents that your kiddos were wet and muddy!

Happy Birthday to the most adorable little man in the world. We love you Buddy!

Happy 1st Birthday Jax!

Birth Day.

1 Week Old.

3 Months Old.

6 Months Old.
9 Months old.
1 Year Old.

Jaxon's fun day on a boat.

Asleep.
Jax only wanted to ride with Daddy.

Such a BEAUTIFUL day!

11 months.

Jax turned 11 months yesterday. Wow--time really does fly. Bryan and I have really enjoyed the last couple months as Jax grows into his own personality. He is so funny and loves to laugh and play games. Some games are no good like when he thinks its funny to throw his food on the kitchen floor; but other games are great--like when he wants to play catch across the coffee table with any kind of toy. Or when he thinks he's being chased...he starts walking pretty fast and laughs way before we catch him. or peek-a-boo or high five! He is such a joy and really so much fun. We are so glad our first has been such a wonderful experience and we really do look forward to having more soon. We'll see what God has in store!
We do have another addition to the family...and no I'm not pregnant. We recently agreed to have an international missionary stay with us until the end of April. Her name is Jilly and she is from Ireland. So far we really don't see her all that much because the group she is here with have so many activities and ministries planned every day. I hope she's getting enough sleep! The stories she tells are quite amazing and her heart is so full of love for those the rest of us would probably want nothing to do with. This experience has definitely challenged me to seek the Lord deeper to desire that kind of love. I don't think I love people the way I should. And I certainly don't shower God's love on to others that need it most. Its so easy to get settled into our comfortable lives and go about our busy schedules. I need to pay more attention to what God is doing around me and look for more opportunities to be a light of God's love.
Anyways--I have no pictures of her because she is never around..but I'll try to get one of her this weekend...Jax is really having fun with his new friend. Its funny to see him with her in the morning...not quite sure who this new person is but she is here every morning watching him eat breakfast.

So to sum up for this month...
-Jaxon is getting way more comfortable walking and really never crawls anymore. He's getting fast which makes him a little more clumsy so now he is bumping his head and nose way too much. Last week we had 2 bloody noses. The poor thing.
-He eats like a champ and I am trying to venture into new foods...but I just can't stand the mess. Yesterday I let him eat tortellinis with sauce and that was a disaster. I know I need to let him do it--but maybe I'll wait till he stops rubbing his hands in his hair. He loves pears and peaches and cheese sandwiches and yogurt and spinach ravioli and mango and everything else. -Still no teeth
-cries around dogs and cats
-is scared of balloons and inflatable things; balls, bats, etc. I guess he won't be too interested in sports. I tried to get him to play basketball with his cousin but he was scared and kept running away from the basketball
-Loves to dance and sing and he loves to play on the piano.
-crawls all the way up the stairs and the other day he even went down one stair backwards. He actually stopped at the top, sat down and crawled down. I was so impressed he knew to do that!

That's pretty much it. I am so excited for his birthday coming up! It will be on Easter this year so I'll have the party on a different day but I can't wait to see him more excited about his presents than he was at Christmas. Our little baby is growing up and becoming his own little person...only 4 weeks till I have a 1 year old. Ahh!