~~Rocking~~

I still L-O-V-E this little grin.

I wouldn't say he looks thrilled to be having his picture taken (repeatedly).

Getting the hang of it.

And, well, not getting the hang of it.

What do you do at Granny's when there's no power?

You hang out with mommy for a little bit....

When that gets boring, you start thinking about what kind of trouble you can get into.

You get ready to explore your new surroundings...

Show off your teeth to the camera.


Finally, you put your escape plan into action and tackle the stairs.

(Successfully, I might add)

How do you know...

....when its time for a new diaper?

Perhaps, when it looks like THIS.

What a load....I mean, its down to his knees.

Remember this...

....because I'm not sure it'll ever happen again. In fact, I can't believe it happened at all. He fell asleep during his nighttime bottle (this alone was a feat), and then was so out that he even stayed asleep during the transfer to his own bed (this was fantastic since he's such a light sleeper you have to tiptoe around usually to keep him asleep) .

An Evening at Home

Cooperative is not his middle name...

So...after months of teething symptoms, a couple weeks ago, Jack's teeth finally BOTH made their first appearance. I've been trying quite hard to get some pictures of his new pearly whites, but I'd say he's made it rather difficult. I mean he has no problem biting you with them. Or clamping down on your figure when you want to feel them. But actually SEEING them--not so cooperative. After several unsuccessful attempts, I think I finally managed to get one (you know, if you look REAL close).

Here's what happened when I started snapping the pictures....

Its like he knew exactly what I was trying to do--and did the complete opposite.

Finally, though, I got him on the sly.

Our Little Jailbird

I guess he does wear a lot of stripes.

THEN...

and NOW...

Our sweet little boy...

...so innocently making fart noises (eh innocent, yeah okay).

Apparently, we start 'em young around here.

We love him--tongue and all!

Uncle Jason comes to town...

My brother, Jason, and his wife, Alex, came for a visit this week. They live in Key Largo--and sadly, this means that we don't get to see them very often. The last time they were here was in April right after Jack was born. Needless to say, I think Jack had changed quite a bit since that last trip. Many times looking at Jack it reminds me of Jason in baby pictures--and I have a feeling that Jack will also follow suit when it comes to the hyperactive behavior (can't wait). We had a nice couple of days. Jack went to his first movie at the theater--he was rather good, especially for being up past bedtime. And he got to spend some time entertaining Uncle Jason and Aunt Alex--and he certainly showed them his stellar puking abilities. I was sad to say goodbye (I miss my little brother LOTS when he's not here)--hopefully, another 8 months doesn't go by before we get to see them again--perhaps we'll find a way to manage a trip down to Florida sometime next year.

Moving on up...

Now that Jack is entirely mobile--why I was excited for this I am not sure--but he can easily get into ANYTHING. He'll spot something from two rooms away and off he goes. He's also discovered that he can pull up to get to whatever it is his little heart desires. Most of the time he pulls up and stays on his knees....although the other day he was in this position at the window, I turn my back for a second, and when I look back he had moved his hands up the window pane and was standing ALL the way up, swinging his backside around like it was no big deal. Scary stuff! His new feats have already led to a few bumps and bruises--but he seems to be taking them all in stride (I'm trying my best to do the same).

The End of an Era

We recently rearranged our living room again--in need of more space (which you can only get so much of in 1200 square feet so every inch counts). In doing so, we decided that it was time to put away the things we haven't been using so much--first item on the chopping block was the baby swing. And while he basn't really used it in a month or so...it seemed kind of sad to me that some of the staples of 'babyhood' are slowly disappearing. Anyway, Bob took it apart and Jack was right there beside him to 'help'. So we said our first farewell to an old friend--and I'm certain there will be more in the weeks to come.

Naptime Bootcamp Part 2

After months of not wanting to take naps anywhere but in my arms...I came to the conclusion that drastic measures needed to be taken. I really didn't understand why a child who goes to bed on his own every night was so adamantly opposed to taking a nap by himself. So--some 'crying it out' was necessary (although I kind of tweaked it my own way--so it didn't seem quite so traumatic for him or for me). However, I am quite happy to report that after deciding to restrict naptime (at home anyway) late last week to his own 'bed' and around the same times everyday--Jack has been taking marvelous naps (up to 3 hours in the afternoon even) all by himself for a couple days now--that frees me up to get stuff done around the house or even take my own nap sans Jack (even if he was kind of cuddly). The first couple days were tough, but then he took to it like a charm--and is doing great. And, thankfully, it wasn't quite so traumatic after all.

He's definitely going to be upset with me one day...

Some things are just way too cute not to video/photograph. And when your child crawls (naked) from his room to the bathroom to take a bath for the first time...its pretty darn cute (even if he is trying to eat the laptop right now as we speak). So I'll share with you all what I know Jack will kill me for later. Forgive my voice in the video--I still haven't quite recovered from being sick last week and I sound pretty awful.

Yelling....for fun!

Just being his silly little self!!

(Definitely need the volume on for this one)

Mission Accomplished

And magically....it just happens! I guess when you want to GO so badly--you have to figure it out pretty quick. Jack can really crawl! Not just army crawl (aka drag himself) across the floor--but do it right. I worked all weekend--and Friday he couldn't totally do it, yesterday he figured it out, and today he's trying to pick up some speed. Tonight, he crawled TO me for the first time tonight...and then lifted his arm--his new thing for pick me up. Made my day!!!

Naptime Bootcamp

20 Minutes of Crying (okay--screaming)

2 Puddles of Vomit

3 Rounds of "Guess Who Lives On Sesame Street..."

Finally, taking a nap IN the Pack N Play--Beyond Priceless

Before Bedtime

Seriously--goofy

Come on...isn't that the cutest little grin?

Loving that those dimples are starting to show

We had a good hour of playtime tonight--all three of us--after the nighttime bath and before bedtime. Jack was in an excellent mood (a rarity in the evening)--laughing, smiling, being totally squirrely--I don't think that boy will ever sit still.

Now-- I know you can't see it, but some serious headway was made today. Tooth numero uno has finally broken through the gums. You can see the opening and feel the actual tooth now, but its not quite visible yet. Hopefully, the other one will follow suit shortly--and maybe we'll get to see some teeth in the days to come.

A Lesson in Feeding

A lesson in SELF-feeding, that is. Today, Jack got his first finger, er, hand food. Most of the time he just held it and sucked his thumb....although he did manage to get some of it down in between the thumb sucking and banging it on the high chair (as you can see in the video at the bottom).

First bite (okay, first gumming)

Maybe he thinks he's a pirate.