Friday night Priscilla's husband had to work overtime, so we decided we would hang out at my house. But he had their only car, so I had to go get P and the girls. I learned that a Ford Taurus WILL fit three carseats in the back seat! I was shocked. The kids looked SO cute all sitting back there together. (I wish I had gotten a picture! But it was dark.) Jake and Elauna were in HEAVEN sitting next to each other in the car. They were so excited. Lana was leaned over to Jake's seat, trying to hold his hand -- it was SO CUTE. I left my extra carseat in the car so that in the future I can easily pick Elauna up anytime. Everytime we were in the car for the rest of the weekend, Jake would pat the seat and say "Lana. Lana sit."
So P and I decided we were just gonna chill out and work a little on her scrapbook, although I really only got one LO worked on -- and I'm *almost* done, didn't even finish it! But it's hard to be really productive when you have to keep jumping up to deal with the kids and you're talking and getting distracted. Jake and Lana amused themselves and had a blast, while P and I sat at my dining room table with Aowyn. A is getting so big (5 months old!), and rolling over and smiling so big. She really likes me (and why not? I'm the best auntie ever), P says she doesn't smile at a lot of people or let just anyone hold her. I was hugging A and told Priscilla, "You know, I really don't think it's normal for me to love your girls as much as I do." And she said "But they're your surrogate girls, and Jake is my boy, and then we don't have to have one of our own." Dude, it's so true. She totally gets me.
I got some really funny pictures of Jake and Lana playing together on our stairs -- Jake will FINALLY hug her (he doesn't hug many people on cue), but it's still more leaning against her than a hug. Lana is THRILLED that Jake's finally ok with her hugs (she's SUCH a loving little girl.) [click picture to see details.] Even though they see each other 2 or 3 times a week, they were broken-hearted when I took the girls home. On Sunday P had to stop by my house to give me back my cell phone, which had been in her purse since Friday (because we're BOTH completely flighty), and Jake got all excited. He said "Elauna? Elauna?" and we had to explain to the poor kid that she wasn't coming over, but maybe tomorrow we would stop by to see her. And I know I say it a lot and you're all probably tired of hearing about it, but everytime we hang out I realize that I am SO blessed to have a best friend nearby to spend time with, and I am truly thankful. (And I think Jake is, too.)
May 4th, 2002 Our wedding
September 14th, 2002. Going home from the hospital with 2 day old baby Jake!
10 days old and we're ALL worn out!
1st Halloween (6 weeks)
1st Christmas (3.5 months)
January 2003 ~ 4 months old
July 2003 ~ 10 months old
December 2003 ~ 15 months old
June 2004 ~ 21 months old 
Lou's 28th birthday. 10-23-2004. 
Easter 2005 ~ 30 months old 
Never fault yourself for wanting to express thanks for having such a good friend nearby. You are one of the lucky ones that has that luxury. :)
God Bless.
Posted by: Holly | February 21, 2005 at 12:12 PM
Jen, I am SO HAPPY for you that you have her, I would give anything for that. I can honestly say I have no close friends near by, I would be lost without my efriends!
Love you
Kelly
PS CUTTTEEEE PICS!
Posted by: Kelly | February 21, 2005 at 05:28 PM
I meant to tell you that Nathan has that same shirt!!! He wore it all the time as a baby, I love it. Austin wore it a couple times too :) How was your weekend? I am trying to stay awake right now by blogging my butt off lol, been up since 4 ugh
Posted by: Kelly | February 22, 2005 at 09:50 AM
LOL, Kel you're hilarious. Either my mom or Kathy bought that shirt -- they always buy him random stuff from Walmart. Not that I care, though, they can buy him all the stuff they want! It's fun sometimes to pick him up from mom's house and see what he has on, because I've never seen it before!!! ;o)
I am really really really freaking tired right now. We had a good weekend, but they're never long enough. I'm so OVER being a working mom. I want to work part-time. I'm exhausted.
LOVE YOU.
Jen
Posted by: Jen_Jake'smom | February 22, 2005 at 10:14 AM
Glad you had a good weekend, I hate to tell you this hon, you 'may' be even more tired working part time. Jake may keep you even busier (if thats possible), but it would be nice for you to have that option I know.
Dude, I buy lots of clothes from Walmart, aint too proud to admit that :)
Love you!
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly | February 22, 2005 at 10:27 AM
Ok, let me amend that: I want to be able to sleep past 8 a.m. Hell, even 7 a.m. sounds good at this point. Getting my big ass out of bed at 5:30 a.m. is TOO FUCKING HARD. There, I said it. I've been doing it for three years now, and it's not getting any easier. I enjoy work and we need the money in an absurd way, but I can't handle being this tired. So . . . yeah. ;o) (Thanks for listening to me bitch, dah-ling. Sometimes you just gotta say it even though there's nothing that can be done.)
Jen
Posted by: Jen_Jake'smom | February 22, 2005 at 10:38 AM
Oh yeah bitching can be an art form - bitch away...I stay home and the boys like NEVER sleep past 6 anyway, I might as well leave for work lol
Posted by: Kelly | February 22, 2005 at 11:20 AM
Ok ladies (Jen & Kel) -- someone else's turn to leave a comment (just kidding of course).
Jen -- you are very blessed to have a close friend so nearby. Although Cara lives nearby, we don't get to see each other very often :(. We need to set up another lunch date soon!
Posted by: Sandi P. | February 22, 2005 at 05:15 PM
You are so very lucky Jen. I have wanted, even craved, this kind of friendship all my life. And want it even more now that I am an adult. I would give anything to have a bond so strong with someone that is near by.
P's girls are so very beautiful! Absolutely LOVE that first photo!
Posted by: Tricia | February 24, 2005 at 04:02 PM