Still here...

I haven't forgotten that I'm responsible for updating and maintaining our blog...just gotten a little distracted by other things. Its been a rough couple weeks, and hopefully soon, things will get back to normal. Then, perhaps, I can manage a real update or two with more pictures from the summer.

The dog...

Jake doesn't get much 'air time' these days. Once Jack came along he took his rightful place as....wait for it...the DOG. Before, he was kind of like the baby (I cried the first time I left him at the kennel...not so much these days). Despite the dramatic decline of attention...he's hanging in there.

Ava was teaching Jake where his nose, eyes, ears, and feet were (it was pretty funny).

Yeah, these are pretty much my sentiments exactly.

Jake is with us for the long haul (barring any major catastrophe), but I have to admit that when certain members of the family (who shall remain nameless for their protection lol) recently had to part ways with their canine companion--I definitely felt a twinge of jealousy for their new dog-free existence. (Sorry, Jake.....)

Ahhh...Refreshment

Jack loved drinking from his own big boy cup...only problem is that he isn't quite ready for the volume. Most of it would run out of his mouth and all over his clothes, but he'd keep doing it over and over again. It was so funny!

More Recent Interactions

Jack: Do-g
Mommy: Yes, there's the dog!
Daddy: He's saying DAD, not dog. Because daddy's #1!!!
Jack: (shakes his head)

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Earlier today, I was laying ont he couch, and Jack comes running up and kisses my cheek (you know, the way Jack kisses--opens mouth wide and then bumps his limps against your face). Then he turns his head and leans in so I could kiss his cheek. Jack isn't so big on showing affection...so when he does its extra special. It was quite sweet!!!

A Wonderful Week

Last week, Bob's sister, Jen, and her family made their annual trek to Illinois/Indiana. We had an amazing time with them. By the end of the week, we were more than tuckered out. I've been using the last few days to recover. I will get around to posting pictures soon.

Time Out Gone Awry

So, Jack usually does GREAT with time out. He knows to sit there until the timer goes off (well, most days, sometimes he turns running away from the chair into a game, but that's a different story). He actually does so great with time out that I'm not really sure it's 'time out'. He just sits in the chair, swinging his feet like its no big deal--so I have yet to determine its effectiveness.

Anyway, this particular day he found it quite entertaining. He even stood up in the chair backwards and started rocking it back and forth--I decided to ignore that behavior and praise him for staying IN the chair like I asked because after all, I guess I didn't specify. And, I totally get that you're not supposed to be interacting with them while they're serving their sentence....but I just found it too cute and funny not to snap a few shots.

Our Caveman...

...is moving up in the world. He's using new tools. Jack is starting to feed himself....with a fork and a spoon. Can't wait til he can do it efficiently.

First Taste of Ice Cream...

....was a hit! (in case you were wondering)

Recent Interactions...

Jack: (hits mommy in head with train while playing)
Mommy: "Jack, that's not nice!!" (in very stern voice)
Jack: (smacks mommy on face with his hand)
Mommy: (drags Jack to the time-out chair)

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Jack: (shakes his head)
Mommy: "Do you even know what that means?"
Jack: (shakes his head...then runs off laughing)

15 Months...

15 WHOLE months!!!! Where did the time go? These days we're rapidly leaving babyhood behind and firmly rooting ourselves in the toddler phase. This is both good and bad (and well, a little sad too).

Its sad not to have a little baby anymore (not that we're looking to have numero dos anytime soon). It's bad sometimes with the hitting (the occasional biting), the frequent use of the word "NO", and the stubbornness that this child exhibits on an hourly basis. Oh, but the good. Well, it makes the rest all worth it. The smiles, the kisses (rare, but makes them even more precious), the laughter, the words, the goofiness. Oh so worth it!!!

We had our 15 month checkup today. Looks like he is finally catching back up...

Weight: 24lbs 6 oz (back up to nearly the 50th percentile after a drop to the 10th...woo hoo!)

Length: 30 inches (20th percentile)

Head: 17.25 inches (not even the 5th percentile, ha ha, but its still growing, and that's all that matters)

Jack also has a rash--probably just a little case of eczema/heat. And he ended up on a week's worth of antibiotics for, get this.....a hangnail. Seriously!!! Only our kid. He was due for 2 vaccinations today, but we decided to hold off on one until next time, and get just the one today. Despite a hiccup in administering the shot, he really did great with it (I think he hated being held down worse than the shot itself). Other than those minor issues, he's been deemed in good health!

He is still an avid thumbsucker...although he's definitely become a right thumb only kind of guy. He rarely walks--he runs nearly everywhere he goes. Apparently, walking just doesn't get you there fast enough. This has certainly amounted to many more bumps, bruises, scrapes, and cuts than before. He loves books and his 'duckie' (although duckie #1 went for a swim in the toilet...so we're on #2 now, thankfully, he's none the wiser). Jack is currently obsessed with farm animals. He's starting to enjoy driving little cars around and makes a bbrrrmmm noise--its hilarious.

I still can't believe that our baby is already 15 months...and while I hate for him to grow up too fast, I really can't wait to understand more of what's going through that little head as he learns to communicate more.

All right, better feed this boy some lunch before he loses his mind!!

Michigan

Ahhh....Michigan. I am so sad to be home and that I no longer have it to look forward to. Its just so peaceful and relaxing. There's nothing better than swinging on the deck, feeling the breeze, and watching the boats on the water. And it was amazing to see the joy on Jack's face while he ran through the grass, played with his cousin Jason, ate his meals outside, enjoyed his first sucker(s), and so on.

It was a little cool there (70s during the day, cooler at night) so we didn't get to spend anytime in the lake...but I did get to do a little fishing (Ed gave me lots of pointers...and Bob and Brian put most of the worms on for me, but I dug through the worms a few times, and even touched a fish--once).

My dad let me borrow his fantastic camera...and I used it to the best of my abilities. I took pictures nonstop (it might have been borderline annoying lol but I had to take advantage of the opportunity). So here are my favorites--they span several posts...