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.

FYI

I just added plenty of pictures from the middle of January up until today...so be sure to scroll down to the 11th.

Let it Snow....Or Not!

All ready for a quick 'plop' in the snow.

What I really wanted was to sit him in the snow...take a quick picture of him and go back inside. Jack's speedy enough though that I didn't even have time to snap a picture before he was trying to crawl away. Inevitably, this was not fated to end well...

....so yeah, he totally face-planted. And, then, well having your entire face covered in snow kind of stings I imagine.

Might go without saying, but this was the end of our snow adventure.

Ba-ba-ba-bath

Jack kept trying to escape his blow-up tub, so we pulled the plug on it...and put him in the plain old bathtub. Although, now he's all over the place, but that's sort of just how he rolls.

Blurry, but funny...

A Precarious Position

Jack's crazy. I mean, literally, just plain crazy. You don't have to spend much time with him at all to realize this. Most people figure it out fairly quickly. He's a boy on the go...ALL the time. His curious and crazily active nature frequently get him into 'scenarios' that he can't quite get himself out of. But sometimes, you just have to take the picture BEFORE you get them out of the bind they've gotten themselves into.

Standing on your own two feet...

This is not an easy picture to capture. But Jack's been letting go and free standing more and more frequently. And, like most things with him, he'd be able to do it much better and longer if he would just stand STILL (the meaning of this word may elude him for years to come).

Someday soon...

...I'll find the energy to post some pictures (once I load them on the computer, that is).

For now, we're just hanging in there. We finally thought we were on the mend from the week of pure torture, but Jack got sick again at the end of the week. Poor guy is congested, had goopy eyes, a fever, and turned out to have a double ear infection. Thankfully, the antibiotics have seemed to kick in (plus, we're keeping him happy with some motrin and tylenol). I tried my hardest to disinfect and scrubbed my hands and face like a crazy person for 3 days...but all to no avail. I certainly knew that kids were germy little creatures, but I really didn't plan to be sick every other week for the entire winter. Guess this is why we make all our parents/babies at work go into seclusion for the whole cold/flu season.

Anyway, soon I'll post more Jack pictures.

Let's Play House!

Trust me, Jack....we already know the sun rises and sets with YOU. No need to prove your point. Anything and everything go in the mouth. No wonder we're sick all the time.

Anything to give himself a boost.

He's a climber already.

Stretch!!

Our Little Superhero...

Up until recently, Jack has always required bibs. All these adorable clothes...always covered up because he's been a puking monster. Lately, things appear to be getting better, but I hate to say so and jinx us. Today, though, he somehow managed to get it turned backwards, and he traipsed around with his little 'cape' for awhile. I'm sure he thought he was pretty cool.

Up, Up, and Away!!

Jack's a bit of a daredevil. He loves a good toss in the air.

It makes him laugh, and while it sure scares mommy...

...there's nothing that compares to knowing Daddy's right there to catch you.

My Little Teddy Bear

Some things take time...

Being that he's 9 months old and all, we're trying Jack on the Stage 3 foods. Other than having more in the container, the big difference is the chunks. I wouldn't say that Jack 'loves' the chunks. Perhaps its the texture. Maybe its that he doesn't really mash them well enough yet before they go down. So, teeth or no teeth (well, 2 teeth)...we're forging ahead. He'll figure it out.