Perfecting a New Smile for the New Year

So during the Holiday break, Jack found his "cheesy" grin. Now it's hard to get him to smile normally. I guess he just wants to show off all those new pearly whites. Whatever the reason, I've found that it is impossible for strangers to ignore him these days. If they try, he just stares them down and shoots them one of these grins and they can't help but smile back... even the tough business men on planes who just want to be left alone.

Happy New Year from Jack, Nathan and Mommy!

Christmas In Missouri

So, on Christmas Day we hopped a plane from Pittsburgh to Missouri and made it to my house in time for supper and presents.

Jack with Mom and Dad by the tree. He was so excited to open presents again!

Jack with a cool puzzle from his Aunt Lainee.

These last three pictures are of Jack modeling his cool new Peyton Manning jersey from his Great Uncle, Dick.

Christmas In Pittsburgh: Part II

A few more Pittsburgh favorites...

Jack and his Uncle Nick

Jack and Nana

Jack opening presents...he loved his Sesame Street friends until the "Animal Train" arrived.

This lasted on his head for approximately 3 seconds...just enough time for Mom to take a picture

Getting ready to take off for Missouri on Christmas Day.

Christmas In Pittsburgh: Part I

Because Nathan and I both had several weeks off for Christmas break, we closed up the apartment and headed to see our relatives in Missouri and Pittsburgh. It was a LOT of traveling and Jack did get an ear infection, new tooth, and a cold during all of it, but we still managed to have a good time. And Jack's extended family was pretty forgiving of his long loud nights during the worst of the ear pain.

Here are some highlights from Pittsburgh:

Jack catching up on some birthday presents from Nana & Papaw.

Matching day with Uncle Mike.

(Don't worry...it wasn't planned...we're not THAT kind of family.)

Bundling up in our hat and winter coat to face the cold (although it was mild weather for Pittsburgh, it was freezing to us!).

A bathtub just Jack's size (seriously).

Jack loved hanging out with the boys.

Jack's First Birthday Party

So, Jack turned the big "1" yesterday. We had a fun day together...minus the visit to the Doctor and four immunizations. He was able to go to school for a couple hours and even had a little party there. Then we went to lunch at Chik-fil-a (he loves the chicken) and watched the older kids play in their indoor play area. Then to the doctor for a quick wellness exam. Jack currently weighs 25 lbs 6 oz (85th percentile), is 33 inches long (still off the charts) and has a 97th percentile noggin. While he was getting weighed at the office, he started dancing along with a singing snowman they had positioned near the scale to keep the kids from wandering off while they are trying to weigh them. His nurse was so entertained by Jack's cool moves that she went to get a couple of the other nurses and Jack's doctor to come and watch him. This kid loves to dance.

Then it was time for the BIG Birthday bash!! We had about 12 people over and Jack opened presents and had cake and ice cream (which is a big deal...because usually mom says "no sweets"). He wasn't great at the present opening thing because he was quickly distracted by what was inside each package and then wasn't really interested in opening the next one. We made it through them, though, and he came out with some really fun stuff.

Anyway, here's a quick update on what Jack is doing now that he's 1 year old. He's cruising everywhere...but still not walking...although he has taken a few steps. He chatters all the time and there are now several words that we can actually make out. He loves words that start with a "B" such as "ball", "book", and "bubble". He also says "cup" but it sounds like "bup". And then of course he can say "mama" and "dada" and "ba-bye". Speaking of cup, we've been completely bottle free for 5 days now! It actually was a pretty smooth transition once we made it through the first few days. He's drinking real cow's milk now, too (he was on soy formula)...and we've found that his tummy is doing remarkably well. His diapers are a little smellier these days...but I guess that's just party of growing up and eating real foods. He loves to make music with any thing that could possibly become an instrument. And he's learned how to climb up and slide down the cool castle slide at his preschool this week. He's such a busy boy! So, here's to Jack and his 1 year birthday! Thanks for helping us survive this first year. It has been so fun!

 

So Close

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So, Jack has started taking a few steps on his own these days. While we haven't caught those on camera, we did manage to catch him having some fun with his "walking" toy. (Sorry for the poor lighting. If you'll notice in the first video clip, he takes a quick "dance break" after walking across the floor and discovering his musical school bus.)

Dancing Machine

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So, it seems our little man has found his groove. He loves to dance. His best move is the "one-finger-pointed-in-the-air" boogie. So, don't be misled...in this footage the camera isn't shaking...it's just our son moving with the beat. (I think he gets his moves from his old man.)

Thanksgiving at Grandma & Grandpa's: Part 2

All dressed up for Thanksgiving.



Playing in the leaves with his cousin, Wyatt.


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Thanksgiving with Grandma & Grandpa

With Jack's enormous hands, I see piano playing in his future. We figured he might as well get started with a few lessons from Dad.


Here's Jack and his cousins, Walker (seated next to him) and Wyatt. We had a hard time getting everyone to smile at the same time.


Jack's first Thanksgiving Day meal. He loved the candied yams, mashed potatoes and the turkey. Mom even let him have some pumpkin pie. It was an instant favorite!


Following the Thanksgiving feast, it is always tradition in my family to decorate the house for Christmas. Jack participated by getting the kinks out of this beaded garland.

 

Thanksgiving Feast

Our little artist


One of Jack's teachers, Ms. Tracy, feeding him some applesauce


Jack just playing at school.


Today Jack's school had a Thanksgiving Feast for all the kids and their families at lunch time. Unfortunately I wasn't able to go but I think Jack had a good time regardless. When it comes to an event where eating is involved, it is rare that Jack doesn't have a good time.

One More Month to Go...

I can't believe Jack is already 11 months. The time is going way too quickly. He has really found his voice this month. He talks and talks and talks. He loves to give kisses...and they are pretty passionate and very open-mouthed. He also loves to empty his play buckets and stuff them full of anything he can find. He helps mom unload the dishwasher and clean out her cabinets daily. He also really enjoys sitting out on the patio and watching the cars go by...and eating dead insects and the dried up birdpoop that he finds there (I really do try to stop him before it makes it into his mouth...but he's so quick). One of Mommy's favorite new things Jack is doing is the "lounging". He loves to sit on the couch or grownup chairs and just lay back. He'll sit there forever if you let him. He thinks he's SO big.

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Look What I Learned Yesterday...

So, Jack learned how to empty the cabinets yesterday. I haven't decided yet whether it's a good thing or a bad thing. It does keep him occupied while I'm cooking...

 

Halloween was Finger Lickin' Good

Jack celebrated his "first" Halloween this evening. I think he had a great time. We made a few trick-or-treat stops since bedtime was quickly approaching. He loved all the attention and the treats (although his Mommy wouldn't let him eat any of the candy...maybe next year). He was a pretty adorable little chicken. I've decided that in the days to come if he starts to frustrate me, I'll just stick him in some random costume. I can't be mad at him if he's dressed as a monkey or chicken or pirate. Right?

Also kudos to his father who was such a good sport and participated in our fun by dressing as Colonel Sanders. These pictures prove how much he loves his wife. I mistakingly made the comment, though, that he could decide the theme next year and I would dress up. I think I'm going to regret those words...

Sunny Days

It was a beautiful day here in Texas...low 80s with a nice breeze...so we headed to the park. Mommy needed out of the apartment for a little bit. Jack did okay in the big swing and he liked the teeter totter. He also enjoyed watching a family playing baseball on the field behind us.

By the way, the family is gearing up for Halloween on Tuesday. We have all the elements to complete our costumes. We'll be posting pictures soon...

 

Fascinated with the Camera

Jack has a new fascination with the digital camera. He loves to see the pictures on the little screen after you take them. After taking this picture yesterday morning, he looked at it and just smiled so big. I couldn't resist posting it since it seemed to have his stamp of approval.

 

A Rough Week

As you can see, Jack has been a little grumpy this week. The fussiness is a result of his ear infection never going away and his 3 new teeth (that brings the count to 8 total). Hopefully when he's up to smiling again I can post pictures of his pearly whites. He has a mouthful now!