Exploring at home...

Alternatively titled: Getting into everything I'm not supposed to

A Rare Treat

We rarely go OUT to dinner. We just don't have one of those kids that goes with the flow. He pretty much sets the current...and if we choose to go against, its not usually pretty. The last week has not been a pleasant one for us. It has almost seemed like Jack entered the terrible twos instead of merely turning one. He's been rather difficult. Our schedules were off. Trying to wean him from the bottle. He'd just gotten over being sick. He got shots. He has 2 teeth that are breaking through the surface as we speak. Not his fault--but it hasn't made it any easier. So far our life with a toddler has made us really miss what life was like with a baby.

Today, though, he was in much better spirits after a couple days at home (and after mommy discovered teething tablets--they actually have a warning on the box that your kid may fall asleep after taking--is that a bad thing?). So, anyway, we braved dinner after the haircut and it went quite well....as long as we kept the snacks coming. Stop the steady flow of puffs and crunchies and things get hairy real fast. But we had a nice time, and it was great to go to a rare dinner out as a family.

The First Haircut

Today, we said goodbye to the baby mullet....and got Jack's hair trimmed for the first time.

Before

During

(Eva--who cuts my hair--was glad to have the honors of the first haircut. She's been doing my hair for 6 years. I took care of one of her little men, Ethan, for 7 months in the NICU. He's definitely one of those 'miracles'. And, with 3 boys of her own, she's a pro at chasing crazy little fellers.)

After

(Apparently, Jack was over the papparazi-like shooting I was doing during his haircut. He didn't really let me get a picture of the trim until much later. We didn't cut much off --we didn't want him to look bald again--but it sure looks much tidier. Now, its time to grow it in thick, buddy!)

Jack's goofy face....

Jack started making this face two weeks ago. Its a cross between a strain and a smile. Its hilarious. At first he would do it when he was excited about something. And now he does it to mimick us or make us laugh. It is hilarious. I'm not sure it will ever get old. You have to watch the video to see it in action...its too funny!!!!

The one where I catch up on pictures....

One of the first nice days outside....(and the day Jack turned 1).

Jack has recently gone back to his old ways. He's a thumbsucker once again.

Jack with his Poppy.

A four generation picture....Bob, Granny (Bob's mom), Jack, and Grandpa (Bob's grandpa).

And these pictures are from a month and a half ago...goofing around in his bedroom.

One Year Ago....

One Year Ago Today...

• At 8:43am we heard Jack take his first breath...followed by 45 minutes of screaming.
• The baby in our hearts became the baby in our arms...wish I could hold him forever.
• Our family of two became a family of three.
• Was the last time I woke up truly rested...I'll never sleep well again with my 'heart' running around outside my body.
• I was only beginning to grasp what it meant to be a mother...and still have only touched the surface.
• I still didn't understand how much I would grow to love that little guy...more every day.
• Our lives changed forever...and we couldn't be happier about it.

I could only get this one photo to load for now, but I'll keep working on it. I have so many photos from the last couple weeks. Hope to work out whatever issue my computer and blogger are having.

Missing my Laptop...

So, I probably won't add any pictures until I get my laptop back from the Geek Squad. We had one week left on the additional warranty we'd purchased with it, and it needed some minor repairs. Since they were going to be free now, but not later, I had to suck it up and let them take it....for 2 weeks. It would have been extremely rough since I am way too cool to use the desktop, but being married to an adorable computer nerd does come with its perks. Bob was able to bring an old dusty laptop home from work for the week. I wouldn't give it 5 stars, but its TOTALLY getting the job done.

On the rest of the home front, we are hanging in there. Jack was either really teething or sick again this past week. I'm going to vote for teething, just because I'm so over the alternative. Of course, I don't have any teeth yet to prove it, but those nubs are up there. Just taking their time!!!

Today, we got to have a playdate with Julie and CC. It was lots of fun (will be even better when they're naptimes coincide). And I'm so glad that CC is a few months older than Jack so I can get the scoop from Julie on what Jack should be doing. Needless to say, the visit prompted a trip to Target so I could get all the accoutrements that a ONE YEAR old requires (to eat the appropriate things that a one year old should be eating). We'll have to see how Jack adapts to these changes....he's not so big on change. His stubborn little self rebels at anything he perceives as different. Ah well!!!

These days all he does is walk around. Its amazing how much better he's gotten in the last week and a half. He doesn't crawl anymore at home. He'll stand himself up and walk to wherever he wants to go. We let him toddle around the driveway this evening, and could hardly keep him from the road. Little scary, that one!!!

Less than a week until Jack turns ONE!!! Crazy!

Here it is!!

This is a video of Jack walking across the living room the other day!

We're walking....

Jack took his first steps a couple months ago...and while he's definitely been practicing and improving, he's just been too impatient to take more than a few steps and then drop down and crawl (he's a pretty speedy little crawler). This week, however, he's suddenly just been doing it. And he's gone from only walking a foot or two at the beginning of the week to being able to walk across the living room. He certainly isn't stellar at it yet....but his little drunken sailor walk is quite funny to watch. (I hope to get some video this week)

Finally...

This little man has finally started gaining weight (he was almost at a standstill for the last 2-3 months). We had to make a trip to the doctor today....and he weighed in at 20lbs 8oz. That's nearly 2lbs since he was weighed at 9 months. It appears that his appetite has finally caught up to his activity level (certainly helps that we've 'almost' left puking by the way side).

And now for my venting session:

Sickness has once again hit our house--Jack is coughing up a storm and super snotty. I'm so overwhelmingly tired of Jack picking up things at daycare (he doesn't really go anywhere else because one of us is always sick nowadays, so this is about the only option). I know its going to happen. Its par for the course. Its nobody's fault. And I can tell myself all this til the cows come home, but it doesn't make me any less frustrated. We haven't gone more than 2-3 weeks between doctor's visits since November. One of us is always coming down with something. I've been to see our family doctor more this past winter than I've been to see a doctor in the last 15 years. Its insane.

I'm tired of Jack being sick, tired of getting sick myself, tired of Bob getting sick, tired of worrying about getting sick, tired of spending an outrageous amount of money at the doctor's office and the pharmacy, tired of one of us having to call in to work, tired of using my vacation time for sick time--I think you get the picture. We try so hard to never send Jack to daycare when he's sick. Certainly, there are times when they are contagious before they have symptoms and it can't be helped. But is everyone else doing the same? I can't see how. Its just so different when its YOUR baby that keeps catching bugs and getting sick.

Anyway....hopefully this beautiful weather this week will signal the start of spring (and maybe just maybe the end to cold and flu season). I sure hope so cause I'm not sure how much more I can take.

Naked Baby...

While we were waiting on the bathtub to fill up, I let Jack play in the sink with the water.

He thought it was quite a good time.

Once he got into the bathtub, though, we could hardly even bathe him.

The boy practically refuses to sit, let alone sit still.

He kept standing up and pulling down all the bottles.

Crazy man.

We love our snacks....

Jack has recently gotten quite addicted to his little puffs. He recognizes the container, and has even figured out how to open it. I had let him have a few while sitting with me before his nap today, and, of course, we lost a few--but I couldn't find them. After his nap, he was playing on the floor and every now and then he'd find one and pop it in his mouth. Sadly, he does this with lint and microscopic pieces of dirt. Anyway, he grabbed the container and was shaking it up having a blast until, well, I took it away (before he could make a mess).

Nothing I Love More...

...than to hear Jack squeal with laughter.

On a Happier Note...

I hate to leave on such a sad note with nothing cheery to follow.....so here are some pics of Jack. They (like him) are always certain to brighten my day.

And I have SO many more where these came from.

And....Jack walked 4 feet all by his lonesome without a thing to hold onto (and yes, I broke out the tape measure just to be certain). Sure, I was sitting there bribing him with a cell phone, but that's not what matters. We're on a roll now!

A Sad Day

This is my Grandpa (with Jack at 2 months of age).

Today, my Grandpa left the farm he grew up on and moved into the nursing home (he has Alzheimer's). I can't even wrap my brain around this. I can't imagine visiting Grandma and Grandpa's (and now my parents location as well)....and not seeing Grandpa. For as long as I can remember, when I pulled into the drive he was outside-rain or shine-to greet us. And ALWAYS there to wave us goodbye. In recent years, I realized the day would come when he would no longer stand outside to wave us off, but its so much harder than I ever thought it would be.

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We visited them this past Sunday...I hadn't been down there since the end of November. Last time I was there he was still getting around, knew who everyone was, and was able to engage in conversation. But now, he is no longer mobile, and there was nothing but a blank/vacant stare...no idea who I was. And not to be overly depressing, but he never will again. I don't know how Mom and Grandma have handled this on a daily basis because it quite simply breaks my heart. And I'm struggling to find any kind of positive in this. I'm just going to miss him and the incredible man he was.

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I love you, Grandpa.

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(Here is a picture from this weekend)

I am not sure when Grandpa decided to become a monk lol.

And yep, you guessed it--that's a Snuggie. My dad can't resist those infomercials.

Temper Tantrums 101

Want to know what turned my sweet little boy.....

....into this screaming......
....arching madman?

I took the remote out of his hand.

Sad, really.

Whatever Works...

This is from the middle of February but I couldn't get the video to upload for the longest time...so here it is now.

2/17/09:

Jack is getting braver and braver taking his own steps. We've seen lots more steps since the first ones a few weeks ago. He's definitely got a long way to go, but I think he's on the right track. The video shows him pushing around his little table...another thing he never uses correctly.

A Tractor Ride with Nana

We spent Sunday down at my parents/grandparents. I totally forgot my camera....and missed SEVERAL pictures I would have loved to get. Thankfully, I was able to get these from my mom.

Jack went for a short little tractor ride with my mom........and he absolutely LOVED it. He kept his little hands on the levers the whole time. I'm sure he thought he was in control. No fear--just lots of smiles as they rode off into the wind.

I have lots more to say about this visit (primarily to see my Grandpa)...but I'm going to save it for another time.

11 Months!!! Are you kidding me?!?!

Wow!!! Today, Jack turned 11 months old. I can't even fathom the fact that he is nearly a year old. It really just doesn't seem possible.

I have no idea what he weighs--since he seems to have avoided the doctor for about 3 weeks (even though Bob and I both spent time there this past week due to strep throat). He's been eating like a crazy man, though. I feel like we can hardly shovel the food in fast enough. So I am quite hopeful that he's finally starting to gain again.

He's still as busy as ever...and I imagine we'll be seeing full-fledged walking in the next few weeks. He takes lots of steps on his own now...and will walk quite a distance if you hold his hand(s). We've seen the emergence of temper tantrums this past month--its almost funny now, but I imagine in a year when he throws himself on the floor at the grocery store, we won't be laughing. Other than that, he's really just working on perfecting his skills.

Will have more pictures soon.

Mommy and Daddy

Jack L-O-V-E-S Grace!!!

Thank goodness for Grace (Jack's cousin)! She kept him so entertained that not only did he quietly (and happily) sit with her for quite awhile--but he did so nearly 2 hours after bedtime. A feat I have never seen accomplished. I think its safe to say that Jack has taken a liking to her.

Sleeping Beauty

Of course, we also got to see Greta today. She has grown quite a bit since we saw her last. She decided to spend most of her time cuddling/sleeping (which probably meant she kept Jace and Laura awake all night), but it was sure nice to snuggle with a little baby for awhile--Jack, uh, doesn't really go for that kind of thing. Never has. Can't wait to see this pair playing together in a year or two. And I hope Jack doesn't corrupt this sweet little girl.

Aunt Jen comes to town...

Bob's sister Jen came to town this weekend to visit Jace, Laura, and Greta--fortunately, we were lucky enough to catch an afternoon with her as well. We loved seeing everyone, but sure wish we didn't have to wait until summer to see Jen, Chris, and the kids.

Aunt Jen and Jack

Grandma Teresa and Jack

Cousin Kendra and Jack