Updates & Announcements

So, I'm sure some of you Taco Salad readers thought we fell off the face of the earth, but we have just been consumed with everything that happens in life.

Jack Updates: Jack turned one October 5th and had a blast at his birthday party. Jack celebrated Halloween, but wasn't quite sure about what to make of the ghoulish night, but he sure made a cute monkey! Finally, the exciting news...Jack started to walk mid November and he's go go go all the time and doesn't want to be held at all anymore.

Brian Updates: No new information to report on Brian's end. He spends his time working and rocking out to the new KISS CD.

Tasha Updates: Well, I have been quite busy in my spare time. I mastered the use of my sewing machine I received as a Christmas present a couple of years ago. I figured it was time to blow off the dust and put it to work. So, I've sewn blankets, pacifier holders and aprons. I've also learned how to make candle tarts for tart warmers. What's one to do with all the items she's made...sell them at craft shows! I had my first one in October and the second one in December. Whatch for me coming to a craft show near you in the fall of 2010!

Finally, my last bit of exciting news is that I've landed a part-time job, where I'll be the Community Relations Coordinator for the new Chick-fil-A on Houston Road. In this position, I'll be responsible for outside business development and marketing. Over the last two weeks I've completed orientation and training has begun. I couldn't be more thrilled about this opportunity and excited to work with such a great group of individuals. The last month has been crazy from interviews, to accepting the position, researching daycares for Jack and now training. However, things are falling into place as they should and Jack had his first day of daycare today and did extremely well with fitting in with the other kids. The only thing he needs to get adjusted to is napping on a mat, but that will eventually happen.

Well, I think that about sums up with our recent news and announcements! We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

It's Official...

Jack is now crawling and I couldn't be more proud of my little boy! Here's a video to show his latest success!

11 Months

Jack is 11 months old today and would you believe, he still isn't crawling and doesn't have any teeth! He tries so hard to crawl, gets frustrated and just gives up. I do think he might skip crawling and just start walking. My mom taught him how to walk and ever since then the little booger doesn't want to sit and wants you to walk him around the house. Oh well, perhaps one day he'll just take off crawling.

He's been saying Momma since about 5 months old and just recently starting saying Dada. He also does this little shy pose if someone comes up and starts talking to him even though he is the furthest thing from being shy. He has come to love the Lawrence Welk show (thanks Dad), very odd but if it keeps him occupied for a good amount of time I'm okay with it! Given that he loves Lawrence Welk, I think he might just be an elderly person who has died and has been reincarnated in my son! Jack also received his first haircut a couple of weeks ago and is now sporting a very cute cut!

I will say that the past 11 months with Jack have been wonderful and it is hard to believe that he'll be a year old next month. People warned me that they grow up fast and there were soooo right. Hope you enjoy the recent pics!

Remembering Man's Best Friend

As some of you may know by now, the Stulz Household lost an important family member last Friday, August 28th. Our dog, Bubby, was such the sweetest and most loving dog you will ever meet. It was about two weeks ago when he got sick and the vet initially diagnosed him with colitis. My parents and I thought this was just a bump in the road for Bubby and that he would pull through this as he always did, but this time was different.

He spent that weekend in the hospital and had his diagnosis changed to gall bladder disease, but according to the vet the prognosis was good with antibiotics. Bubby was allowed to come home and my parents and I were optimistic that the antibiotics would fix everything. As the week progressed, Bubby didn't seem to be getting better and I think we all had in the back of our minds that he might not pull out of this. Luckily, both of my parents were on vacation and were able to be there for him all week. Thursday night, he made a turn for the worse and my parents were left with the horrible decision of having to put him to down the next morning. The vet said he looked much worse than he did earlier in the week and that there was a good possibility that the gall bladder had ruptured. Even though the decision my parents had to make was hard, the vet said it was the best decision.

Getting the news from my dad last Friday morning that Bubby was gone, broke my heart and brought me to tears. For those of you with pets, know how important they become to you and how attached you get to them. I can remember getting Bubby when I was 14 years old and how excited I was that we finally had a dog. My dad was never a fan of dogs and one of the big reasons is because he said they dragged their butts across the carpet that he layed his head on.

From the day my dad saw Bubby and took him home, he was hooked. Bubby had both of my parents wrapped around his little finger and he knew it. He eventually worked his way in to their bed and slept in luxury from then on. He was more than a dog to the Stulz Family, he was a family member to us and my parents' house just doesn't seem the same without him. I couldn't help crying when I entered my parents' house after he passed because everywhere you turned you saw a spot where he used to lay and now he isn't there. Even though my heart aches, I know he is in a better place where he is pain free and happy.

We miss you Bubby and we love you.

9 Months Old

Jack just turned 9 months old on the 5th and had his check-up at the doctor yesterday and received A+ from the doctor. The doctor gave me some news that wasn't a surprise to either Brian or I, and that news is that Jack is taller than average for his age!

Jack is in the 90th percentile for his height, coming in at 30.25" and in the 50th percentile for his weight, coming in at 19 lbs 8 oz. He's growing like a weed and tries to show Brian and I that he is in charge. He is definitely our little ham and we love having him in our lives!

RIP Michael Jackson

Given that I'm a SAHM now, I am fortunate enough to witness important moments in history and today was one of those days with the memorial for Michael Jackson.

I remember being little and thinking he was the coolest thing ever, but as I got older and was able to form my own opinions, I thought he was an odd character and as the years went by, this opinion grew stronger.

It was not until today, during his memorial, when his daugther got up to the microphone and said how he was the best dad ever and how much she loved him. I then realized he was just like you and I. I then felt bad of forming opinions of a man that I never knew. One thing is for sure, he was a wonderful dad to his kids and at the end of the day, this is what is most important.

The L.A. Lakers' Club

Thanks to the official invitiation from Sophie, Jack is now a member of The L.A. Lakers' Club! He looks forward to his membership and is excited to cheer on such a great NBA team.

Summertime on Cumberland Circle

Happy Father's Day!

Wishing my Dad and my husband a wonderful and very Happy Father's Day!

Last night Jack's Father's Day present to his daddy was a trip to the ER with a 103 degree fever. Brian was handling the situation much better than I was. On our way to the ER, my stomach was nervous the way it was when eight months ago we were going there so that I could give birth to Jack. However, last night my nervousness wasn't for me, but for my son, Jack. This was the first time he had ever been sick and a flood of emotions over took me and I tried not to think of the worse, but it was hard not too. Jack was such a good sport as each medical professional examined him and today he seems that he is on the mend. I hope last night will be our last time visiting the ER with Jack, but given that he is a boy, I'm sure it won't be the last visit.

What a Ham

Jack loves attention and you'll notice from this video clip that he hams it up when he sees the camera on him.

8 Months Old

Jack is now eight months old and is growing like a weed! Here are some recent pics of him. Cute as a button when he sleeps.
Dexter was jealous that Jack had the apple.

Already prefers the nude!

Enjoys the sun and the pool!

It's Pool Time!

Who ever said that a baby bath tub only had one use!!! Jack and I enjoyed some fun in the sun today and soon he'll get to experience the big pool!

Mother's Day and the Zoo

My first Mother's Day was such a great day and I couldn't have asked for a better day. Brian and Jack gave me the necklace I've been dying to have since Christmas and we took Jack to visit the Zoo for the first time. I think Jack enjoyed his first trip to the jungle! Thanks Brian and Jack for making my first Mother's Day so special!

Little Man

That is how Brian and I now describe Jack! He is growing so quickly and turning into a little man right before our eyes and we are loving every minute of it!

I realize it has been a while since we've made a post and I greatly apologize! As Jack gets older he likes to be entertained all the time and finding the time to blog just doesn't seem to happen.

Jack will be 8 months old in just a couple of weeks. He weighs 18 lbs, is rolling over (both ways...yippee), says Momma, loves to blabber away, grabs everything in arms reach and still doesn't like green vegetables. Brian and I find him to be quite entertaining and are so blessed to have him in our lives.

Annual KMK Tradition

Every year at the KMK Staff Appreciation Dinner I get together with my good friends Amy Behm, Julie Ruf, and Charlotte Creech for a photo opp. Every year we're in the same order holding the same kind of drink. This year's photo (our fourth) is unquestionably the best. Thanks Amy, Julie, and Charlotte for everything you do to make me look good!

Cool Little Dude!

Over the past couple of weekends I've been shopping for Jack's summer wardrode and finally finished yesterday. I also purchased these stylish sunglasses for Jack that he apparently loves to wear! Watch out ladies...this stud muffin will be at a pool near you this summer!