Jake the Great is 8!

The picture above was taken exactly 8 years minus 1 day ago.  I was fat, swollen and just about ready to explode!  I thoroughly enjoyed being pregnant with Jake and my pregnancy was a breeze, but 6 days after his due date I knew that the time was near.

I had no idea though, when the above picture was taken, that in just a few hours time, my waters would break in the middle of the night and I'd be rushed off to begin the hard work of delivery a baby.  The things your mother doesn't tell you!  We'd phoned my parents and Jacques' as soon as we knew that we were headed off to the hospital and the whole family had been up all night with us.  They had breakfast together and around 11am, went their own ways, only to meet up again for crayfish and more food later in the day.  After Jake was delivered, I called my mom and Jacques called his.  Jacques was so overwhelmed, he couldn't talk!  When I told my mom, she just shouted "it's a boy!" - the neighbours even heard.  What a day, what a moment.  Within minutes, the entire family descended on the hospital - I was just being wheeled out of the labour ward when my mom rushed in.  I met Paul for the first time (in all my 1-hour-post-labour-beauty) and we got to show off our precious son to those who love him most.  It feels like yesterday...

At 17:40 on 16 May 2004, our beautiful little boy made his grand entrance into this world and how thrilled we were to welcome him!  Jake was just 4 hours old in the below picture and the nurse was burping him after a feed.  I can remember this tiny little face so clearly, where has the time gone?

 

 Jake's first year was a crazy one and I won't go into all the dramas that surrounded his birth.  Suffice to say, that much of the year passed by in a bit of a blur for most of us.  He was a happy, friendly baby though and loved people.  He was busy though and by his first birthday, he wasn't just toddling, he was running full speed.  The day before his birthday, we had family around for tea and cake and I did a trial run of his birthday cake.  Don't laugh, it served it's purpose and Jake ate and ate and ate...

 His first birthday party was at the little Blue Train in Sea Point.  The weather was perfect and we were surrounded by so many friends and family, it was a really special day...

By his 2nd birthday, Jake had grown and changed so much.  He was still at home during the day with my mom, but was talking non-stop and still the same sweet, friendly little guy... 

Because our birthdays are so close together, we try do something combined for both of us, normally on Jake's birthday.  For his second birthday, we took the family out for dinner at Cafe Chameleon, it was fantastic...

 We hired the pre-primary school out as a party venue and I made Jake's cake again.  It was the last I did for a while...

I love this picture of Jake with his hair all spiked up and a snotty nose.  He was tucking into the cake already...

Birthday number 3 was a Spiderman themed party.  I had a cake made for him, much easier than baking and icing for hours.  We had the party at home and hired a jumping castle for the kids.  Once again, the party was huge, but Jake was really starting to enjoy his birthday...

Me and my boy.  I must get this photo framed sometime...

The day before his actual birthday, Jake got hold of the scissors and gave himself a haircut, there wasn't much we could do about it, so he just had to look like a goofball...

He got his first remote control car and yes, I did forget to buy wrapping paper...

We had the family over for supper and cake...

But Jake didn't deal with the late night too well...

So I carted him off to bed with Apple and Barnie...

 By his 4th birthday, Jake was well into the swing of it all and was up at sparrows to open his presents.  I can't even remember what I bought him that year...

We were due to leave for our Euro Disney adventure shortly after Jake's birthday, so we had a Mickey Mouse party at home.  I did little picnic plates of snacks - there was WAY too much food...

 Jake took charge of cutting up the cake and we later found the dog cleaning the board off... 

Jake's birthday party was on my birthday that year.  He wasn't too impressed about having to share his day with me, nor was he happy about singing to me.  I'm sure it won't be the last time, but I do try to make his day special for him...

Bubbles solve the world's problems to a four-year old though, so we ended off the party with lots of bubbles left over from Jo and Paul's wedding the Feb before.  Jake thoroughly enjoyed his party...

A week before Jake's 5th birthday, he fell off a jumping castle at another friend's party and fractured both bones in his forearm...

 The broken arm didn't slow him down in the slightest, thank goodness it was his left arm and he still managed to open all his presents.  Again, I can't remember what I gave him besides that plane and a green rubber snake... 

We had a Ben 10 Party for about 25 kids at home again...

Jake had wanted to have a jumping castle again, but at the last moment we realised that it was going to pour the day of his party, so I had to make an alternative plan and hired a last minute magician.  He was brilliant!  The only downer was that every single parent stayed (some moms & dads & siblings too) and we all had to squash inside...

A highlight for Jake was "pooping" out a chicken's egg...

 He had a ball...

It was Connor's first time to join in for Jake's birthday party too, but he slept through most of it in his besotted granny's arms...

 Family all stayed on afterwards for lasagna...

2010 saw Jake turning 6 just before the world cup.  I wrapped up lots of little presents and did a treasure hunt for him - he loved it... 

We'd just moved into our own house and Jake chose to have a small party, boys only at home.  There were 12 kids all together - easy peasy after doing 25+ previously.  We ordered pizzas and played games - it was great...

 I tried to make my own pinata, but it was a flop and just wouldn't dry, so I bought one instead.  It didn't last long on the string and the kids ended up kicking it around the garden until it broke open.  Much better that way...

 We had a Bakugan cake - Jake's still into Bakugan, so loved this cake...

 A highlight for me was no parents stayed.  Plus, I got this picture... 

 We had cake in the garden of our new home with family on Jake's actual birthday... 

 

 Last year saw Jake turning 7 and starting a whole new adventure at big school.  All he wanted for his birthday was a remote control boat, which Danie organised and Jake was thrilled with.  Miraculously, it's survived far longer than the Ferrari... 

  The family popped in to see Jake that evening.  I love this picture, although Jo probably won't, but it was the night before Bianca was born, so it's special.  And, yes, yes, that little miss is turning 1 tomorrow...

 

Jake chose to have a Survivor party last year.  He invited just about everyone he knew and then some.  It was a very cool party, even if I do say so myself...

 

 Jake with his cousins...

 He steals my heart with these little winks...

 And that brings me to this morning.  All these years have gone so quickly.  Too quickly.  And now my baby is 8.  8!!???  When the heck did that happen?

Jake was up just after 6 this morning to open his present from Danie & I (a little waterproof, shock resistant point and shoot).  We've had a count down going to this day from before Christmas and I'm sure that the next one will start tomorrow.  When I look through these pictures, I can't get over how much Jake has changed over the years.  He's still the same, but so different.  I can't wait to get home and enjoy this afternoon with him.  He's got his first rugby match of the season straight after school and cubs tonight.  On Saturday we're having a snake party at home with about 28 kids, fingers crossed that it doesn't rain.  We're having a braai afterwards with our family to celebrate Jake's very special 8th birthday...

 

To my darling, sweet Jake, I hope that you have the most amazing day today and I hope that you enjoy every moment of being 8.  I love you so much and I am so proud of how well you are doing at school.  You are a beautiful little boy, who sometimes doesn't listen too well and who's sometimes a little too cheeky, but who is full of love and fun and I love sharing life with you.  We have shared so many adventures together and I look forward to many more.  You are too precious for words!  I love you so much!  Happy birthday, my angel.  Love you, love Mom XXX

Sue X