Christmas Fun

Our ward did a really neat Christmas party this year. It was called "Come to the Inn" or something like that and it was all bethlehem themed where they tried to re-enact the Christmas night. The halls of the church were decorated as Bethlehem shops...one being the fabric store where everyone in the ward was given Bethlehem garb to wear. The gym was closed off and decorated like the inn. They served an authentic type dinner and asked Erich, Jake and I to be Mary and Joseph. Halfway through dinner we came and asked for a room...they of course told us it was full but there was a stable available. After dinner they announced that the baby Jesus had arrived, so the ward went outside where they had decorated a live nativity scene complete with goats and a mule and a manger. We sang Christmas songs out there around the nativity and then went inside for dessert.

It took a lot of work from the activity folks I am sure, but it was such a neat and spiritual experience. A perfect opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Jake was a good sport and did an excellent job as baby Jesus...being very peaceful through the whole program.

Anyhow I just love Christmas and am so grateful to have such good family and friends to help celebrate this wondrous time of year.

Although this is a little late in posting, here are some pics we took coming home from seeing Erich's family. Traveling with a newborn demands you slow down and stop along the way...so we tried to make the most of our stops. Here's a detour to some waterfalls and to the river.

One Last Chance--Private

Okay, I thought that I would give everyone one more chance to send us an email before we make our blog private. Please leave your email address in our blog comment if you would still like to see our blog. Thanks! Erich and Kara

Duck Slaying

Here is a picture from one hunt 2 weeks ago.

4 snows, 10 Greenheads, 1 hen, 6 Canada Geese

Jake pics per the grandpa request :)

Erich got me a new camera for our anniversary but I waited until black Friday to get it. Anyhow I LOVE my new camera and have had lots of fun taking picture after picture...Jake is my typical target. Here are my favs. This week I got Jake to giggle for the first time and it was the cutest thing I've ever heard. I've tried to get him to do it again, like for his father, but no such luck!

Making Blog Private

Hello everyone! I am going to make our blog private so we can block everyone in the world from viewing our blog, just for safety reasons. So, could all of our friends and family please email us so we can add you to the list( erich_gleck@hotmail.com). All I need is your email logon address. I will give everyone a week and then I'll be blocking it. By the way, go Sooners!

Erich and Kara

Out and About

Erich has made lots of improvement these past days...he's now almost off the crutches wohoo! It's so nice to feel a little more mobile as a family. We took advantage of the mobility this past Wednesday and went crusing around the mountains near Grangeville in hopes of scouting out some good hunting spots. Unfortunately we didn't see too many animals, but we had a good time nonetheless. It's so beautiful around here. Jacob was very compliant with the outing...thankfully he loves his carseat, his backpack, and the fresh air.

Now that I am not working I've been able to join some ladies in the ward who do the Power 90X workouts. For those of you who know me, you know that I am very excited to be working out hard again. And for those of you who need a good workout, I definitely recommend P 90X--it pretty much kicks my trash. I also joined a ladies volleyball league which I am absolutely loving. I hadn't played volleyball for so long I had forgotten how much I LOVE the game!

This week I also hosted a Fondue/Game Party as part of my attempt to get some special interest groups started in enrichment. We got in a lot of laughs and calories which made for one fun filled night. Anyhow as you can tell I am loving this stay at home mom life and am trying to take advantauge of this opportunity.

As for a Jake update..I really dreaded him growing bigger and older--I didn't think he could be any sweeter and cuter than he was as a little newborn, but now I know I was wrong. This past week he started smiling and cooing and really kicking his arms and legs in excitement. It's hard to capture with a camera, but it's pretty much the cutest thing I've ever seen! This is such a fun stage and we're sure enjoying it.

And speaking of Jake thanks for all of you who gave us great binky advice. I appreciate the input and feel much better now about letting him indulge in his binky love!

Jake loves to sleep in this "touchdown" pose with his arms and legs outstretched. It looks awefully uncomortable to me, but it is hi typical sleeping position. Anyhow we think it's kinda cute and random so we thought we'd post a picture of it.

Out and About

Bad days for the new dad

So remember a few posts ago when I told you all that Erich had a motorcycle accident. Well it was a little worse than we initially thought. Erich fully tore his ACL and partially tore his PCL, so he went in last Wednesday for knee surgery. They took a piece of his hamstring out and used it to replace the damaged tissue. It's pretty crazy, they had him in and out of the surgery center in less than 6 hours....gotta love modern medicine. So anyhow our update for the week is that the Gleckler house has returned to its gimp house status.

Jake is still growing like crazy. No real smiles yet but he's getting more and more alert and interactive.

In between taking care of my boys I've been trying to get myself back into shape, a bit of a process I am discovering.

(Before heading into surgery Erich hit the duck hunting hard, this pic is from the morning before surgery, unfortunately there were not many ducks but at least Erich got to initiate his new gun)

(I am posting this pic so you can tell how big he's getting)

(I try to get out and take Jake for a walk everyday. It's been awesome with this amazing fall weather that we are having. Jake usually gets all snuggly and falls asleep as in the pic above)

(Even with surgery Erich is a great helper. He and Jake love to cuddle)

(I tried hard to keep Jake to avoid it, but Jake has fallen in love his pacifier. I would love to hear whether you experienced mothers let your kids have binkies or not, and if so how/when you got them off of them. Jake will cry and cry and cry until you give him his binky and then he'll be as content as can be.)

One month old

Well today is Jake's 1 month b-day! He weighs about 8 lbs 8 ounces now. I can't believe some babies are born that big. Since he can't properly celebrate his one month b-day Erich and I and some friends took it upon ourselves to eat junk food and play games in his honor.

As for a Jake update--it was a pretty big week. He spoiled me and slept his first 7 hour stretch. The continuous sleep felt amazing. Although it was much appreciated it was not long lasting. The next night he was up like 3 or 4 times!

It was also a big week for Erich. He has been getting in lots of duck hunting before his surgery. He also got his new shotgun which has become his new prized possession. In between hunts we've been busy cutting more wood, sheetrocking the garage, and mud & taping the basement. So working hard and playing hard at the Gleckler house!

(Erich talked big about how he'd never change dirty diapers but here is evidence that he does! He is an AWESOME dad who spoils Jake and I with all of his help!)

(Here's one of Jake's smiles which isn't a true smile but melts mom's heart nonetheless)

(Jake on his one month b-day. As you can tell he's really starting to lengthen out--I think he'll be out of his 0-3 month clothes before too much longer)

(We've been really missing these days....2 weeks ago we were on the beach lazing away in the sun...now we're all bundled up and busy keeping a fire going).



(Erich scoping out his new gun! A picture just can't quite capture how excited he was about this new little hunting toy)

Jacob's Blessing and More

Sadly grandparent reinforcements have gone leaving Erich, Jake, and I to ourselves. Erich's parents were here for a week and then my parents for a week and a half. It was such a blessing to have them here. It was fun sharing Jake, and both our parents were beyond helpful and thoughtful. The moms slaved away cleaning my house from the dust on top of my curtains to the junk that had fallen behind my washer and dryer. The dads helped sheetrock the dreaded downstairs and cut wood enough to heat us through the winter. We are very grateful to have such good and such generous parents. The house is a little quieter now without all the company, but Erich Jake and I are having lots of fun adjusting to our new life. Being a mom is more fulfilling and enjoyable than I ever could have anticipated. I think I could spend all day just cuddling with and admiring Jake. He's already changing so fast I know I will miss these days all too soon! Anyhow here's some more pics.

(Erich's Mom bought Jake this handsome lil' tux. Jake was so tiny we had to do some alterations just so it would stay up on him!)

(On Sunday September 28th we blessed Jacob Marshall Gleckler. Jacob had both sets of grandparents here and an aunt so he was surrounded with lots and lots of love!)

(The weather was unusually warm while our parents' were here so we loaded up and went down to the river several times including one time for a big ol' dutch oven dinner! Those of you from Moscow know how much I love those dutch oven meals!)

(Jacob's favorite place to sleep is cuddled up on Dad)

(I think Jake looks so peaceful and snuggly when he's asleep!)

(One of the most recent pictures. He has already grown out of his preemie clothes and he's gaining ounces by the day!)

(One of the things I cherish most about Jake is all his different facial expressions. Here are a few for you to enjoy--it's hard to catch them on camera)

The first days home

This first days home with Jake have been amazing. Jake and I got to leave the hospital on Sunday (the 21st). We had one night to try the parent life solo before grandparent reinforcements arrived. Erich's mom, dad, & sister got here last Monday and stayed for a week and then my parents came this last Sunday. It has been super helpful to have grandparents around and very enjoyable having all this company. We have had crazy warm weather which has been very convenient Erich and his dad spent 3 days getting wood for this winter and then Erich and my dad have spent the past few days replacing the front end of his truck. All in all life has been beyond wonderful. I had no idea how fun and fulfilling life is as a parent. I could sit and snuggle and play with Jake all day long. It's hard for me to want to put him down to do anything else! I don't know how, considering his genes, but he is a very laid back, sweet lil' guy. He doesn't cry too much except when he's naked, and he sleeps really well. Anyhow more pictures to come but here's a few to start out with. Jake gained a pound just this past week--I can't believe how quickly he's changing!!!

(This is Jake the day he came home from the hospital)

(Libby is still not sure what she thinks about Jake but this is her meeting him for the first time)

(Jake loves to have his hands out and to stretch. This is a picture from this morning)

(Erich got a chance to take the dogs out and hunt with his father while they were here visiting. There didn't see too many birds but had fun getting out nonetheless. The only bad thing about being a mom is not being able to join all the outings)

(This is Jake before his first bath. He's still smiling here but that quickly turned to screams. Poor thing hates baths).

Introducing Jacob Marshall Gleckler

The Gleckler Family
September 20th 12:55 am, Jacob was born. He is 6lbs 3 ounces, is 21.5 inches long, is totally healthy. Kara is going great, she has been up walking around all day. Both will be coming home Sunday moring, just in time to get settled for my parents arriving on Monday. He seems really easy going, sleeps a lot, and poops even more. Here are the pictures:

(Jacob wanted me to take a picture of his best side)

(Jacob cheering for BYU, 44-0)