Back by Popular Demand

Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing Because the videos were popular with the grandparents, we're posting a few more. Nate was so proud he actually caught these smiles on tape.

A New Toy

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Seems that Jack has found a fun new game this week.

Mommy and Jack

I realized the other day that there weren't any pictures of Jack and I on the blog so I decided to change things up and post this one. We almost have a smile out of him here (he's pretty camera-shy).

 

Our Boy is Growing...

It's really crazy to think of how quickly Jack is growing and learning new things. He's no longer dependent on us to help him sit up and get from place to place. Now he can conquer restaurant high chairs and be an active (excuse me, VERY active) participant during mealtime. We instantly sit down at our table and scan and remove all items which he could harm or vice versa. Usually he's able to locate a hidden gem that we missed. His hands are so quick!


The changing table has become another battleground where he's already learning to test Mommy's patience. He no longer wants to sweetly lay still and gaze into his Mom's eyes while she cleans his bottom. Now it's all about how quickly he can turn over and grab for the wooden rails and start chewing once the diaper comes off. So, I'm having to compensate by putting the diapers on backwards...which is no easy feat. (By the way, this picture makes him appear gigantic. Somedays I forget that he's all that big.)


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And now he's finally crawling! It's still kind of a "bear" crawl but it definately gets him around...and gives him even more freedom to be into everything. I came home from work today to find a messy living room. His Pops was so proud because Jack was actually able to make the mess by himself. I guess that is a good thing. And while I'm sure the noisy participation at restaurants, the crazy changing table manuevers and the constant messes in the living room may get old, for now they are a sweet testament to the milestones of a growing boy.


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Jack's First 4th of July

Everyone keeps asking us how Jack spent his first 4th of July. Well, we like to keep things exciting and unconventional here at our house so instead of fireworks, parades and barbeques, Jack was able to help Dad do the laundry and tidy the house while Mom went to work for 12 hours. And then we all fell asleep by 9 p.m.. Happy 4th of July! Maybe next year we can mow the grass or polish the silver to commemorate our country's freedom.

 

Like Father, Like Son

Jack and Daddy modeling their Red Sox hats.
Jack is still waiting for the day when his will fit. Maybe next season.

 

Henry

So, this is my friend Henry. He's a hippopotamus. I don't really know what that is yet but mom and dad tell me it's a pretty cool animal...and I believe them because Henry is indeed a pretty cool friend. He keeps me company at night in my crib. In fact, we've become so close that I have a hard time going to sleep without him. Thanks, Jon and Janna, for sending Henry my way. I think our house would be filled with many sleepless nights if he wasn't here with me.

 

Grandma's Visit

This week I was so happy because Grandma came all the way from Missouri to see me. We did all kinds of fun things. We went swimming and played with my toys. She even let me chew on her hands because my teeth have been bothering me. And even though I was grumpy this weekend because I'm getting another new tooth, Grandma didn't seem to mind. I hope she comes back again real soon. She's a lot more fun than mom and dad because she lets me stay up late and makes my cereal extra sweet. 

Rocky Top

Jack and I have been watching the World Cup together for the last couple of weeks and he seems to be enjoying it. So I thought I should go ahead and give him a heads-up about football. It was our pre-season chat. I told him that he was a Tennessee Volunteer fan. In the top picture I was telling him about the glorious 1998 season. In the bottom picture I was telling him about every season since then.
(This was posted by Jack's Daddy. Jack's Mama does NOT support the Volunteers in any way.)
 

Mom's Leaving Me With Who?

So, I officially start back on the floor tomorrow and I have to tell you that I'm dreading it. I realize that it will probably feel good to have some mental stimulation and adult conversation but I'm so sad at the thought of being away from my sweet baby for an entire day (my shifts are 12 hours)! And even though I'm leaving the Jackster with his dad, it's still hard not to think he just won't miss me a ton. I'm sure he probably won't even realize that I'm not around, as he'll still have a parent there to care for him, but I'd like to think that I make his day a little brighter and more fun. At least he's in capable hands and not with some crazy stranger or daycare (although, I'm afraid those days will probably come soon...guess I'll have to save that emotional breakdown for another day). Anyway, just think of Jack's mama tomorrow during my long day of transition back into the workforce.

(Oh yeah, and if you look hard enough in this picture, you'll notice Jack's new tooth.)

6 Months Old!

Jack turned a big 6 months old today and to celebrate we headed to the pediatrician's office to get measured and weighed and also for some vaccinations. He continues to surprise us with his growing. He was 30 inches long (off the charts...again!), weighed 21lbs 3oz (97th percentile) and his noggin was off the charts, too (but proportional with the rest of his body). During the visit, the doctor thought Jack was so special that she gave him 4 shots instead of just 1 or 2. He was so worn out following the trip to Missouri and the shots that he spent the rest of his 1/2 birthday sleeping. Happy Birthday, baby Jack! Mom and Dad love you so much we don't want you to get Diptheria, Pertussis or any other nasty bugs that might be preventable!

 

Experiencing Rosendale

Aunt Lainee pushing the swing.

Sorry, we've been away from the blog scene for a while. We took an unexpected trip to Northwest Missouri due to a death in my family. While there, Jack was able to meet lots of second cousins, third aunts, uncles twice removed, etc.

I Have a New...

TOOTH!

After months of drooling and chewing on hands, we are proud to announce that Jack has his first tooth. Nathan actually discovered it when Jack was gnawing on his finger at the church picnic. It's still pretty hard to see...but it's definately there and razor sharp.

For those really curious dentist types, it is his lower central incisor (his left).

Bath Time In My New Chair

Because Jack is sitting up better, we moved him to a "real" bath chair and he loves it. It's hard for mommy to wash his tummy now, as he always wants to be leaning forward fetching his toys, but he seems to really appreciate his new found freedom. Thanks Aunt Larissa for the great chair idea!

 

Fun In the Sun

Jack modeling his new shades.
(Don't make fun...they really are good for his little eyes.)

Already Going to School

Jack trying to figure out his new schoolhouse entertainer.


Okay, if this entertainer is too tall for our gigantic baby, then I'm not exactly sure who it's supposed to fit.
(I had to take this picture because Jack is never too small for any baby product we buy. I mean he's 5 months old and 28+ inches. It was just really surprising.)

 

The Heat Is On

Jack's really excited about hitting the pool.


Catching some rays


Jack finally realizes the water feels good.

It's become quite warm here so we thought it was time to try out our new pool. Prior to out journey in the sun, I decided to put some sunscreen on Jack - like every good mother should. Well, I purchased the new Coppertone spray-on sunscreen because it seemed like it would be the easiest to apply on a squirmy kid. So, I was all excited and impressed with my wonderful mom thinking as I began to spray it on Jack's little legs. I was not at all expecting the reaction it received. Immediately after putting some on his legs, Jack's lower lip began to pucker outward and his cheeks became red...and I knew I had made a big mistake. Then the screams came. The sunscreen had scared him. So, it took about 30 minutes to recover and find mom and dad's sunscreen lotion before we were actually able to leave for the pool.

The pool was actually smooth sailing after the sunscreen application. He wasn't sure what to think at first and there were a few tears... but he quickly learned that it was a lot similar to his bathtub and before long he was happily being swished by me in the cold water. Next time Nathan gets sunscreen duty.

 

Mom's Little Sweet Potato

So, the new food in our house this week is sweet potatoes and, of course, our son is a fan. We cannot seem to place the yummy orange mush into his mouth fast enough (although Dad seems to do a better job of keeping up than I do). We've also had to move to Stage 2 jars since the tiny 2 1/2 oz. bottles weren't near enough for our little future defensive tackle. He downs the 4 oz. no problem. Still loves the rice cereal, too. Nate tried the cereal the other night while he was feeding him and thought it was disgusting (and this is a guy who likes fried crickets).

By the way, I know you're probably wondering how many pictures a person can take of their child eating...but just remember that we're first time parents. It's all cute to us...even the matted rice/potato globs we find later in our hair.

Mr. Independent

Look, everyone, no parents!

Jack loves to stand on his own the days. I know you grandparents are thinking that he's super-advanced right now (and he probably is..I mean, look at his parents) but in reality I usually have to stand there and hold him for support. I actually caught him at a very strong moment and this little stand-by-the-ottoman spree lasted for about 30 seconds (before he came crashing down before I could catch him and bumped his head. Yeah, he's already chewed me out for missing him. I've got to work on my reflexes).

Jack's New Noises

A young Andrea Bocelli? Perhaps...but not if Nathan can help it. Here is a sampling of some of our gifted musician's new noises. And of course he needed a cover photo for his album (as seen below).



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