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

Trucks

Jack usually uses this truck as a climbing accessory. If he lays it on its side, he can use it as a step stool onto the fireplace and occasionally the couch. Today, though, he actually rolled it along the floor and pushed the buttons--you know, what its made to do.

Is this not seriously the most ornery face you've ever seen?

Mmmm--when he looks like this, I just want to eat him up. He's so stinkin' cute sometimes (if I say so myself).

Goofing around...

Double Digits!!

10 Months Old !!!!

Its so hard to believe, but today, Jack is 10 months old. The last month has certainly been trying at times--primarily with all the sickness we've experienced. We're on our 2nd round of antibiotics for an ear infection that doesn't want to disappear, but I think we're on the right track. Last Thursday (at our 5th doctor's visit this past month)....Jack finally hit the 19lb mark. While apparently not the least bit concerning, Jack's weight gain since 6-7 months has dramatically slowed....probably because there is no way to feed him enough to keep up with his crazy state of constant activity. However, as the puking has (thankfully) slowed, his appetite has definitely increased, and it appears he might be starting to put a little meat on his scrawny little self. Although--I don't think he'll be catching up with his cousin, Jason (who's almost 9 months old)--he's got him beat by 4 pounds.

A week ago, we got to see him take his first step. And he appears to get a little braver all the time. Currently, he's really big into climbing--quite scary. He'll use anything to give himself a boost. Really, he's just all over the place. And into everything. There is no way to contain him. He has only 2 modes--insane or asleep, but we're starting to adjust to that fact.

The last couple weeks he's been taking GREAT naps...and we are ALL sleeping much better now that he's in his own room. He now wakes up in the morning and from naps happy...usually willing to sit and play for several minutes without us rushing to to get him. He's also starting to more discriminately say ma-ma, da-da, ba-ba, and makes this weird 'gong-gong-gong' noise when he's playing--I have no idea what that means. Its really funny to watch. He's gotten extremely goofy over the last week. Laughing and giggling at the smallest things.

So far, I'd have to say we are LOVING 10 months.

A new hideout...

A Big Step...

Today, these little piggies took their first solo step. We certainly weren't expecting it. Jack had been standing near the couch and had turned around to look at Daddy. Bob held his arms out and Jack's little feet tried to oblige. No, we didn't get it on video. It wasn't even more than one step, but I was SO incredibly glad that we were both there to see it. Can only imagine where these feet will take him next.