Baby Jack

Breaking News...Part Two!!

2011-05-17T08:42:00.005-05:00

There are 440 pictures I have taken over the last month with full intention to post - and I will get to that this week, I promise - but today I have exciting news.

Mr. Jack Ellis Holcombe has spoken his first word.

What did he choose, you ask?

He said...

Hi!

Mama's Boy

2011-04-19T19:05:00.003-05:00

Funny Farm

2011-04-18T21:46:00.005-05:00

I know these posts have become somewhat of a photo bomb lately...it's just that Jack is so super cute these days & I have a tough time choosing just one picture to share. Also I might be trying to make up for the month of March when I missed pretty much every day. Hmmm. Either way, enjoy these lovely photos of Jack in his jammies :)

The Balancing Act

2011-04-17T21:36:00.004-05:00

As Jack gets older, more of his personality is emerging. So far, we've seen that he has a bit of a temper - he currently throws temper tantrums that include him throwing his head back and spinning in circles, followed by a dramatic fall to the ground and rolling around. It's hard not to laugh when he's mid-tantrum, although we try not to, since we don't want to reinforce the behavior. Another thing we've noticed is that he has quite the sense of humor. He will do silly things to get our attention - such as putting a bowl on his head (see how I tied that in to today's pictures?). He has also been experimenting with making different sounds. Still no talking yet, and he is sneaky about his "talking" because he will only practice in his crib when he thinks we aren't paying attention - but one of these days I think we are going to be surprised with an actual word. Maybe.

Top Chef

2011-04-16T15:08:00.003-05:00

Jack is very helpful in the kitchen. He helps unload the dishwasher, as well as all the cupboards and drawers. He has a few favorite items - the ones he usually steals (and carries off to hide around the house) are: the giant spatula, a red cooking spoon, a small frying pan & lid and his multicolored baby spoons. After a busy morning of cooking, he was quite worn out. He snuggled with his favorite stuffed animal (he loves Baby Tad - best Craigslist find ever!) and quickly fell asleep. perhaps he is dreaming of the next meal he will help prepare...or the next item he will swipe from the kitchen!

Friday Fun

2011-04-15T20:06:00.005-05:00

After a week full of work, school and being busy...Jack just needs some time to unwind. He spent the evening eating pizza, playing with Daddy, hiding my iPod (I still can't find it...even after searching for almost an hour), annoying Cassady and her friend, jumping in his Johnny Jump Up, dancing (until I got out the camera - so I have yet to capture his cool moves), , destroying the living room/getting all his toys out, and trying to steal my camera. He also practiced being as cute as possible - so that all the not-so-fun things listed didn't really matter one bit! (except the missing iPod - I'd really like to find that!!)

The Many Faces of Morning

2011-04-14T06:52:00.006-05:00

PS: yes, that is yesterday's outfit. last night Jack fell asleep in his Johnny Jump Up & we didn't get him changed into jammies :)

Game Boy

2011-04-13T19:27:00.003-05:00

The controller returns! Over the last few months, Jack has been distracted by other electronics and toys. Tonight however, he needed to get in on the gaming action - he wanted to help Cassady! Apparently, today he also figured out how to turn on the TV and start a Netflix movie. Another round of babyproofing will be taking place at our house over the weekend!

Oh Jammie Boy*

2011-04-12T19:55:00.004-05:00

For the first few weeks I worked, Jack was sleeping the majority of the time I was gone, so it didn't bother me as much to leave him. Now, though, since I miss out on playing with him all day...it's really hard to leave him every day! Some days he cries when I walk out the door, so I've quickly learned to slip out as unobtrusively as possible. This may work to trick him - but I'm still sad!!

*Possible failure at play on words :)

Drumroll, Please

2011-04-11T21:22:00.006-05:00

After months of intense practice, Jack is ready to debut his newest skill.

We'll need a volunteer from the audience to assist.

Your line: "How Big Is Jack?"

His (non-verbal) response: "SO Big!"

Self Feeding: Spaghetti

2011-04-10T20:42:00.002-05:00

Shortly after these pictures were taken, little Mr. Messy had a bath.

Then it was dinner time & we started the process all over again :)

Snack Time

2011-04-09T18:23:00.002-05:00

Apparently, we are past the point where I can leave a box of crackers on the counter. I walked out of the kitchen to find a certain little someone snacking away on his favorite treat. Since he usually gets a small handful of bunnies (or goldfish or chickadees - depending on where we shopped for the week!) in his snack cup, access to the whole box must have felt like Christmas all over again for him!

Playing Catch Up...

2011-04-07T16:47:00.005-05:00

Whew! It's been awhile, hasn't it?! I started working full time back on February 18 - who knew working would interfere so much with my blogging schedule!! After spending the last month working a crazy schedule (4pm - 2am), I am starting in a new position with new hours on Monday. (8:30-5, like a normal person!) I will try to resume normal picture posting again - I know how you've missed your Jack updates :)

So what have we been up to lately? Well...we've done some shopping....some hanging out on the car in our manly flannel shirts....

and we've spent time riding in the car,being super cute....

Jack has also grown more teeth, learned some super cool dance moves (I will be getting video of that as soon as possible), taken everything out of the cupboards & drawers approximately 96 times (per day) and has added to his repertoire of noises/words. That's right - he's now saying "mama", "baba" and something that sounds pretty close to "hi", but he hasn't quite mastered the "h" yet. Stay tuned.

A Lovey For Jack

2011-03-16T22:18:00.004-05:00

Jack has found a new favorite toy. Sorry, game controller, but Baby Tad is the top dog...err frog..now. Tad is quite gifted - he sings songs and has buttons that light up. He also requires frequent battery changes, or his normally friendly voice takes on a rather sinister tone. That doesn't seem to bother Jack much - he loves this stuffed frog!

PS: Tooth update. Jack grew 5 teeth in the last week. Yes, You read that correctly. FIVE.

Jumping Jack*

2011-03-03T13:17:00.002-06:00

Jack has figured out the mini trampoline. He thinks climbing on it is pretty fun. Once on top of the trampoline, he will stand and survey the room with a very proud look. He then bounces up & down for a few minutes, still sporting the very self-satisfied expression. He hasn't quite gotten the hang of getting down yet - he stands on the trampoline and yells loudly until he receives assistance. And then, 9 times out of 10, he climbs right back on and begins the process all over again.

* You knew that title had to happen someday!!

Wordless Wednesday: Kickin' Back

2011-03-02T16:29:00.000-06:00

(Remote) Control Issues

2011-03-01T14:54:00.004-06:00

I picked up this snazzy remote control car (found it on the clearance rack - yay!) a few days ago. He understands the basic concept: hit the button and the car goes. He's also figured out that it's really fun to pull JoJo (the blue bunny) out of the car. Cassady, however, enjoys the fact that if you drive the car into the wall enough times, the bunny is ejected from the vehicle and says "ouch!". She is teaching him lots of bad driving habits!

A Puzzling Situation

2011-02-27T15:54:00.003-06:00

We've been on a "quiet toys" kick lately. First there was the shape sorter, then the ball pit (he can be noisy while using it, but it doesn't technically play music/make noise...so it counts, right?) and now we have a puzzle. He understands the basic concept: remove the pieces and then replace them. He has a bit of trouble putting the pieces back in the right spot - he likes to just set (okay...throw) them on top of the puzzle. I'm not too worried about that - it is an ages 2 and up puzzle, after all!

Team Edward?

2011-02-25T12:40:00.005-06:00

Twilight fever has hit our house. Hard. I do want to point out, however, that it is mostly Cassady who is affected by this obsession. Jack seems to be rather unimpressed with the sparkly vampire. Perhaps he's more of a Jacob fan?

Can't Fence Me In

2011-02-19T19:08:00.002-06:00

Oh wait....turns out I can fence him in! We decided to purchase a few new items for Jack today: a play yard/baby cage and a blue pool, which I filled with (200) balls. Jack really liked being in his new play area for about 5 minutes. After he realized that he could not get out, he became rather agitated. Ball pit to the rescue - he was quickly distracted by the new toys and was happy for at least another 5 minutes. This new set up may take a little getting used to!

Tell Us How You Really Feel...

2011-02-18T22:14:00.002-06:00

We did a little shopping today for Cassady's upcoming birthday. Jack is a real trooper when it comes to shopping trips, but as you can see, he is not shy about letting us know how he feels about being confined in the cart!

Out Like A Light

2011-02-17T21:18:00.002-06:00

Looks like all the climbing and running is wearing him out. Seriously...climbing. He figured out how to get up on top of a file box and was standing, proud smile firmly in place, just waiting for us to notice. We noticed all right...and immediately Jack-proofed the room (again). I relish his naps - if he's sleeping he's not being naughty!

Sharing The Love

2011-02-14T08:00:00.003-06:00

Winter Walk

2011-02-13T19:11:00.007-06:00

We celebrated an amazing 64 degree day with a trip to the park. The sun was shining, melting all the snow (note the bottom of my jeans: Jack and I got stuck in a muddy lagoon/sidewalk) and it was great to be outside. We are eagerly anticipating spring....we're almost there!

Today's photography provided by Cassady, which is why she's not in the picture with us. Next time we will ask a fellow park-goer to snap a family picture for us :)

Splish Splash

2011-02-09T20:42:00.004-06:00

Jack reached a very important milestone today. He figured out how to splash! As you can see, he took to it very quickly. So quickly, in fact, that I was soaking wet by the end of his bath. The entire bathroom was too, thanks to the fact that he discovered how to use his toys to splash the water even harder. He had so much fun - which is good, since he's a bit under the weather today and had been a little grumpy. Splashing perked him right up again!

It's a Firetruck!

2011-02-07T11:40:00.004-06:00

Jack is an artist. His medium for today: crayons. For a first timer, he did quite well at not eating the crayons. He did sample a small portion of the green crayon, but quickly spit it out. After that, he was more into throwing the crayons. He also enjoyed coloring on the high chair tray more than the paper I'd provided. (Hooray for washable & nontoxic Crayola products!) No matter. After a 5 minute coloring session, we are the proud owners of limited edition original artwork. Price available on request :)

New Toy # 4876

2011-02-05T20:56:00.004-06:00

I was so excited to find this awesome Fisher Price shape sorter toy! My favorite things about this toy: it doesn't play music (!!!) and it was only $2.00! Jack loves playing with it. He had fun trying to get the blocks into the corresponding holes. After trying for several minutes to put the circular block into the rectangular hole, he figured out the easiest way to do it. He took the blue lid off and threw the blocks in! He's brilliant :)

Hand Me Down Fun

2011-02-03T19:57:00.003-06:00

Jack discovered this new-to-him toy recently. (It was hiding in the toy pile - no wonder he couldn't find it before!) He pushes the car all over the house, and when he tired of pushing it, he'll pick it up and carry it around. He also likes to put the car on top of things - chairs, shelves and Daddy's stomach have all been handy places to stow the jeep. He even figured out a way to play with his two favorite toys at the same time - the controller and the car. Wow! (We just won't tell him that it's his sister's former toy...hopefully the barbie license plate won't give the secret away!)

Good Til The Last Drop

2011-02-02T19:22:00.004-06:00

Farmer Jack is quenching his thirst after working on his truck :)

The Music Man

2011-02-01T21:45:00.002-06:00

Here's another item on the "Do Not Play With" list for Jack. My iPod. He found it (I obviously need a new hiding spot!) and figured out how to make it play music. He enjoyed dancing when the music moved him. He has some pretty cool moves. Mostly shaking his head and wiggling his arms, but occasionally he'll throw in a booty shake or two. He'll be break dancing in no time!

Problem Solving - Jack Style

2011-01-31T18:28:00.006-06:00

As you may recall, Jack is rather fond of his video game controller. He carries it around most of the day and even tries to take it to bed with him. He also likes to hold it in the Johnny Jump Up, but sometimes he drops it, what with all the excitement from a successful jump. Until the other day, we were responsible for picking up the toy & handing it back to him. This changed when he figured out how to retrieve the controller himself. He snags either the cord or the actual controller with his toes, then lifts up his feet so he can grab the toy. Then he looks around, completely proud of himself, to make sure someone was watching. Of course we are!

Valentine's Sneak Peek

2011-01-30T13:52:00.003-06:00

We've been hard at work creating a Valentine's Day Card for friends & family. (Thanks, Rene, for the reminder!) We skipped Christmas cards this year, so I figured we were overdue to send out pictures. You know...because there just aren't enough pictures of Jack & Cassady available!!

You'll see the finished product either in your mailbox or here on Valentine's Day :)

The Helper

2011-01-29T21:10:00.004-06:00

Jack has developed a sixth sense where the dishwasher is concerned. Even if he's playing in the other room with the most fascinating toy ever (today this role was played by a small jar of sprinkles), as soon as he hears the dishwasher being opened he races into the kitchen. He prefers the unloading process rather than loading. Here, he can be seen assisting Daddy. Note that the aforementioned jar of sprinkles has been cast aside, due to the allure of the fork. Items he is allowed to play with pale in comparison to items he is not. Sorry, sprinkles.

Climb Every Mountain

2011-01-28T20:50:00.006-06:00

Jack's been up to all sorts of new things lately. For example, he's learned to open drawers and cupboards. If the room is suddenly quiet, it's probably because he's found something he shouldn't be playing with - like markers.He hasn't figured out how to get the cap off yet, but I'm guessing it's only a matter of time. (Note to self - hide markers!)

Another newly discovered bit of fun: the hallway outside our apartment. While helping Cassady start a load of laundry, Jack found the stairs. It took at least 10 seconds for him to figure out how to climb them. Maybe 15. Now that he's experienced the magic that is stair climbing, he is rather obsessed with getting out the front door. He's even started trying to turn the doorknob. (Note to self: keep the door locked!)

Sister Smooch

2011-01-27T18:45:00.006-06:00

Jack loves to play with his sister. Especially when she is trying to play video games or text her friends. He tries to sneak into her room to visit, but she usually leaves her door shut. (That's mostly because it's a mess & she doesn't want me to see it - as if I'd forget!) Jack also really likes to give her kisses. He's started giving open mouth kisses, on the recipient's mouth. He usually only kisses me at naptime - I think he's trying to cute his way out of being put in his crib. Sorry, Jack - I am on to your little game! Don't tell him though, because I like the kisses :)

Cause & Effect

2011-01-26T15:52:00.005-06:00

When you sleep like this:

You're bound to get hair like this:

I am so excited that he finally has enough hair to have a little bedhead. It's not much - but it's a start! PS: You may have to click on the 2nd picture to actually see the bedhead. It's there...really!

P-I-Z-Z-A!!

2011-01-25T19:06:00.004-06:00

Since Jack decided to get up for the day at 4 this morning, I ran out of energy before dinner. Luckily, Daddy picked up a pizza on his way home. Jack loves pizza. He ate 1.5 slices, plus a banana. Hopefully all that deliciousness will fill his little tummy and put him to sleep. I could really go for a full 8 hours of sleep. I think I'd like that even more than the pizza!

Boys In The Hood

2011-01-24T12:37:00.004-06:00

...Or more accurately, boys in their hoods! Jack and Daddy (or Addy, as Jack calls him now) decided to be twins today. Daddy opted for plain white, while Jack went with gray. Jack's sweatshirt, however, bears the words "Mom's #1 Troublemaker"- which has been quite appropriate for today. He figured out how to climb up onto his diaper bag, grabbed the bowl of laundry quarters, tossed the quarters and made off with the bowl. That was the first mess of the day...we'll see how many more there are to follow :)

Basket Case

2011-01-23T11:44:00.000-06:00

Cassady loves to play with Jack and is very patient with him, but there are times when she just needs her space. I returned from cleaning up the kitchen to find Jack stashed away in this makeshift play pen. He didn't seem to mind his confinement at all - Cassady thoughtfully provided his favorite toy. Once the picture was snapped, however, he quickly lost interest in being cooped up. Annoying Cassady is much more fun!

Woe Is Jack

2011-01-22T05:27:00.004-06:00

Jack has devloped the habit of walking around with his sippy cup in his mouth. He doesn't really mind if it is full or empty, he just likes to carry it with him. He tried walking around with an empty plastic bowl earlier. Unfortunately, he fell face down onto the bowl and got a bit of a bloody lip. He needed lots of hugs and kisses, but has made a full recovery. I'm guessing that from now on, he will stick to the sippy cup!

Up To No Good

2011-01-21T21:23:00.005-06:00

For the last two weeks, Jack and I have had the pleasure of spending time with Miss Harmony Rose, who is two months old. Despite what it looks like in this picture, Jack has done very well with sharing Mommy. He (usually) likes to walk over to the swing and watch her, then smile at her. Today, it seems he may have had some rather nefarious plans. I was able to distract him with (what else?) the video game controller and Harmony was safe :)

Don't Let That Smile Fool You...

2011-01-20T20:01:00.005-06:00

Today, Jack decided to let a few of his destructive tendencies out. First he tipped over a cup of water (the same one pictured, as a matter of fact). Next, he opened a drawer and tried to eat a crayon. Then, he was throwing toys and being very loud. This was all before naptime. His morning nap. Toddlerhood might get a little messy...

Sounding Off

2011-01-19T21:30:00.006-06:00

Jack added a new consonant sound to his repertoire today: Ba! He is now saying da, na, addy and ba. He will yell these "words", as well as whisper them. Usually it's the yelling - he is quite loud these days!

Twofer Tuesday

2011-01-18T09:48:00.003-06:00

After breakfast and right before his morning nap, Jack likes to play. We had fun with various toys, we did "This Little Piggy" (he loves that - he giggles in anticipation as soon as I touch his foot), we chased each other around the room and then played peek-a-boo. Apparently all that was just enough to wear him out - he's fast asleep now!

Sip It

2011-01-17T17:52:00.006-06:00

Jack has transitioned nicely to using a sippy cup. He drinks mostly water and (extremely) watered down juice. He prefers cranberry or a cranberry pomegranate blend, both 100% juice. I've tried giving him almond milk in his sippy, but he's really not into it. We're avoiding cow's milk because both Daddy & Cassady have some allergies. I need to find a milk substitute he will drink, especially since he's getting closer to being fully weaned. (He nurses at bedtime, and sometimes in the wee hours of the morning.) We'll keep trying new things...one of these days we'll find something he likes!

Game On!

2011-01-16T19:29:00.006-06:00

I'm not really sure what's going on here, but his expression made me laugh. The video game controller he is holding has become his favorite toy. He carries it around with him while walking around, while jumping in his Johnny Jump Up and even while sitting in his high chair, waiting for his food to be ready. It's also the first toy he goes for in the morning after waking up for the day. It's quite amusing to watch him walk around with the cord dragging behind him. It's like a high tech version of Linus and his security blanket!

Slightly Peevish

2011-01-15T19:31:00.005-06:00

We can't be cheerful every day, right? He missed his afternoon siesta today. I think we may actually be phasing out the second nap, since he refuses to go to bed (without a huge battle) at night if he sleeps twice during the day. Losing a nap makes me sad - partly because it means he is transitioning more & more out of babyhood, and partly because it means less free time during the day for me!

Mommy - 1, Jack - 0

2011-01-14T13:28:00.004-06:00

We have begun the bedtime battles. Or, rather, the bedtime battles continue. Jack will sleep in his crib, it is true, but getting him to sleep has become a challenge. Two nights ago, he was awake until almost 3 am (no, really) refusing to sleep. Last night I decided I'd had enough of his nightly shenanigans and put him in his crib at 9 o'clock. He did cry and fuss (loudly) for nearly 20 minutes, but I won. He slept all night and woke up in a great mood that's lasted all day. We'll be doing that 9 pm bedtime thing again. Tonight, as a matter of fact. And then again tomorrow :)

Baby Steps: The Movie

2011-01-13T21:04:00.002-06:00

Lion Kisses

2011-01-13T20:32:00.003-06:00

Jack got this bop and wobble toy for his birthday. He was completely terrified by it and refused to even go near it. What a difference a month and two days can make!

PS: Jack is officially throwing tantrums now when he doesn't get his way. And today he randomly walked over to me and bit my toe, then laughed at me. Is it possible that he started the terrible two's a little early?

Getting The Scoop

2011-01-12T20:45:00.006-06:00

Jack is reading his blog.

Apparently he likes it.

He's got great taste :)

Snow Day!

2011-01-10T15:08:00.004-06:00

As you can tell by the view outside my front door, we are snowed in today. Jack certainly doesn't mind - he loves having Cassady home all day. I like it too!

Time For Tea

2011-01-09T19:50:00.001-06:00

Jack graciously shared his recent cold with me, and I've been drinking lots of hot tea. Luckily, I'd already finished the beverage before he found my mug - especially since he likes to smash everything! He had a lovely time slamming the empty mug on the hope chest. But, like everything else, this was short lived fun. He noticed that in my haste to rescue the mug from his destructive clutches, I'd left my laptop on the ottoman. You can't take your eyes off him for even a second...

Jump It Up!

2011-01-08T16:43:00.001-06:00

I'm letting the pictures speak for themselves today :)

A Post Meal Nosh

2011-01-07T11:59:00.001-06:00

After eating dinner, Jack still needed a little something, so we made some sweet potato fries. Not content to leave them in the bowl, he spread them out on the table for close investigation. He started out eating them individually, but then remembered how much he likes the fries, so he jammed as much in his mouth as possible. I think his days of dainty, virtually mess-free eating are over!

Frying Pan Fun

2011-01-06T21:40:00.008-06:00

I am starting to think that this particular pan will never make it back to the kitchen. Jack has so much fun playing with it. So far, he's put toys in it, taken them back out, used it as a hat, used it as a weapon, and he's also enjoyed standing with one foot inside it. And that was just today!

Rough and Tumble

2011-01-05T20:11:00.004-06:00

Our little Jack is becoming a toddler. And he is such a boy. His favorite activities these days include slapping everything and banging the frying pan (stolen from the kitchen a few days ago) on furniture and toys, as well as his (extremely tolerant) sister. He may look innocent in today's picture, but let me be the first to tell you that this little guy is going to be quite the handful. Oh boy...

Caught You Being...

2011-01-04T19:39:00.005-06:00

...naughty. You can just see it in his eyes! Most likely, he was contemplating a raid of the kitchen cupboards or another attack on the kleenex box. Not that he does those things regularly, or anything. I'm just guessing here :)

Where's Jack?

2011-01-03T20:17:00.006-06:00

Today, let's play a little game. Your mission: find the baby in the giant pile of toys. With all these options, which did he choose to play with, you ask? Today, it was a frying pan he stole out of the dishwasher to beat against anything & everything in the living room. He then tore up some kleenex - perhaps he was seeking revenge from all that nose wiping? He also enjoyed pushing an empty cup around the apartment. He keeps busy, that is for sure!

Welcoming Committee

2011-01-02T20:23:00.007-06:00

Thanks to the holidays, Jack has been enjoying having Daddy home a little more than usual. However, it was back to reality today. After working all day, Daddy came home to a little guy who was very glad to see him. Jack's happy little face sure makes for a nice welcome, don't you think?

Sick Day

2011-01-01T19:16:00.006-06:00

Jack is feeling a bit under the weather with a little cold and cough. He has been rather grumpy today. He also seems to have developed an intense fear of kleenex. Whenever we get one out of the box to use for his runny nose, he crawls away as fast as he can. Once cornered, he screams and swats at us with his hands. We did try using boogie wipes, but he quickly realized that those were basically wet kleenex..and therefore suspect. He's too smart and he's got quite the little temper, too. Wonder where that came from?!?

I know the post has nothing to do with the picture of him reading. I assumed you didn't want to see a picture of him getting his nose wiped :)

Well Hello There, 2011!

2010-12-31T19:39:00.004-06:00

Jack still doesn't have a top hat, but he can definitely still rock the toilet paper sash!! Oh and in case you're wondering? Yes. It was much easier to pull off this photo idea last year...

Want to see how much Jack has changed in a year? Click HERE to compare photos. Happy New Year!!!

Baby Steps

2010-12-30T22:12:00.006-06:00

Jack has been hard at work, practicing his walking skills over the last few days. He usually takes 5-6 steps per attempt, then sits on the floor with a smug smile on his face. He is very proud of himself - and rightly so! He has also been experimenting with making new sounds. In addition to the shriek, he has added "na na", "da da" and "addy". I'm hoping he won't put "da" and "addy" together before learning to say mama :)

Finger Foodie

2010-12-29T21:27:00.005-06:00

Jack is no longer eating any baby foods. He has moved on to big boy foods, such as ground beef (he prefers it with peas and hot sauce...he gets that from Daddy!), bananas, peanut butter and jelly on waffles or toast, and tonight's dinner - spaghetti. He had a great time slurping up the noodles. His favorite part was definitely the meat, but it's fun to see him trying new foods. The not so fun part is cleaning up the mess - both on him & the high chair!!

Towel Dry, Please

2010-12-28T19:55:00.005-06:00

Jack is still not the biggest fan of bath time. He doesn't splash, he doesn't move around and he certainly doesn't like having his hair washed! He has a hair pick (purple) and a plastic cup (red) that he plays with. He eschews fancier, more exciting bath toys for those two items. Every time. At least he doesn't scream through the cleansing process anymore..so we are making progress!

Breaking News!!

2010-12-27T20:49:00.007-06:00

I think I know why Jack has been sleeping so much over the last few days. He's learned a new trick! Today, he stood up in the middle of the floor and walked 5-6 steps by himself. He repeated the performance several times thoughout the day and each time he took a few more steps! I will try to get a video tomorrow - he was unwilling to walk in the presence of the camera today :)

Too Much Christmas!

2010-12-26T21:13:00.005-06:00

All this celebrating is really wearing Jack out. He took two naps today - both of them over 2 hours. He is a little grumpy too, which means he is shrieking loudly at the slightest provocation. Poor guy. It's not easy to return to the normal routine after partying it up for two days :)

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T21:41:00.001-06:00

We had the pleasure of sleeping in this morning - no easy feat with a one year old. Jack decided to sleep in until nearly 10 am - and it was the best present he could possibly have given us! After our late start, we enjoyed brunch (scrambled eggs and toast - Jack's new favorite breakfast), and opened presents. Jack had fun playing with his new toys, and especially enjoyed a new book sent by Grandpa & Grandma Wessel. He had so much fun playing that he skipped his nap. Fortunately, the extra sleep he got in the morning prevented him from being a total grump when we went to Aunt Jeannette's house for dinner. Jack amazed all his aunts & uncles with his ability to consume large quantities of turkey, ham, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. Naturally, after all that yummy food, he fell fast asleep on the way home. Holidays can be quite exhausting!

Fashion Forward Family

2010-12-24T23:28:00.003-06:00

Take a look at our snazzy new sleepwear, courtesy of Grammie! All four of us received a set of these rockin' fleece pants, as well as a long sleeved black shirt. We love our matching outfits - thank you, Grammie :)

PS: As soon as I can find someone to snap a picture of all 4 of us in our awesome new duds, I will update this post with a family picture. I considered recruiting a neighbor for the task, but sadly, no one else in out building was home on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T23:18:00.001-06:00

Happy Holidays! We celebrated with family tonight, enjoying the company of lots of aunts, uncles and cousins. Jack had fun opening gifts - he was way more into the unwrapping this time around. The toy truck he received was definitely his favorite present, and he had lots of fun pushing it around the house. After playing with his new toys and charming all the relatives, Jack returned home to rest up for Christmas. He will need his sleep, as there are more gifts to open and more snacks to eat!

One!

2010-12-11T22:01:00.005-06:00

Happy Birthday to Jack! Here's what he's been up to lately: He continues to be the strong & silent type, not really saying many words yet, but he has definitely discovered his voice over the last few weeks. His new favorite way to communicate is to shriek/scream. He is working on saying what sounds like "hi", but still has no interest in saying "mama" or "dada" with any regularity.
He pulls himself up to stand, and will remain standing, unsupported, for up to a minute. He has taken a few tiny steps, but prefers crawling as his method of transportation. He has become very fast, and recently we installed a baby gate to block off the kitchen, as Jack also figured out how to open cupboards and drawers.
Jack now has 8 teeth - 4 on top and 4 on the bottom. He did go though a phase where he enjoyed biting me, sometimes when eating and sometimes quite randomly, but luckily he no longer finds that fun. Some other things he likes to bite into: bananas, Cheerios, almond butter & jelly on waffles, ground beef mixed with peas, sweet potatoes and graham crackers. He's not eating any baby food anymore, and has switched to table foods. He uses a sippy cup, and is getting much better at not spilling the contents all over the floor :)
We have yet to take him to his one year check up, but once he visits his pediatrician, I will be sure to share his stats. He is growing quickly now - we are guessing that he is at least 27 pounds. He's turning into a toddler and losing his baby shape...it is rather bittersweet.

The Birthday Boy was decidedly unimpressed with the cake,

but he really enjoyed playing peek-a-boo with the plate.

The Triumphant Return!

2010-12-01T19:03:00.000-06:00

At long last, I have been reunited with Internet in our apartment. I apologize to each and every one of you, as I know you have all been very disappointed with the lack of Jack updates for the last month. To make up for it, I will be sharing all 439 pictures currently stored in my camera!

Just kidding.

Here we are at the library, where Jack was trying to please his fans by updating the blog. He started working, then remembered that he is unable to type due to his rather young age. (This photo was taken back in November, so he was not quite one yet. I guess we can cut him a little slack, right?)

Leave It To Beaver

2010-11-15T12:46:00.002-06:00

Jack needs this hat. I know he already has a winter hat that's super cute and warm, but he needs this one too. I need to stop taking him to Whole Foods to try on these hats..I have a serious case of hat envy now!

PS: I will be working to get the blog caught back up. Internet issues have prevented me from posting regularly. I've still been taking pictures, I promise!

Not Impressed

2010-11-08T13:57:00.003-06:00

Does it seem like all Jack & I do is take walks anymore? We are really getting some mileage out of his stroller these days! Today we headed to Memorial Park for a quick jaunt through the autumn leaves. We stopped to rest for a few minutes and I gave Jack a few leaves to play with. He liked thowing them back on the ground, over and over again. Other than that, he really didn't find the leaves to be all that scintillating. He much preferred to be on the go. He's more of a mover & a shaker!

Last Chance For Fall

2010-11-07T21:51:00.003-06:00

We went for another walk today. The weather is definitely starting to winterize and we are trying to enjoy every last minute that we can before the snow comes. Jack, Daddy & I went to the park tonight while Cassady stayed home and practiced Independence. (It still seems weird to me that she can stay home alone...how did she get so old?!?) There were lots of people getting their pictures taken surrounded by the fall foliage, so of course I had to snap a few photos too. Peer pressure!

Table Time

2010-11-06T21:09:00.003-05:00

Of all the toys we've acquired lately, the activity table still reigns supreme as Jack's favorite. (With the exception of the spatula, of course!) Unfortunately, the batteries are slowly dying and the table now vacillates between a high pitched moaning sound and this strange sort of clicking noise. We really need to replace the batteries - Jack spends a lot of time trying to get the toy to sing at him. At least the bowl in the middle is still a great place to put his snacks. He loves to stand at the table and eat his cheerios. It works well, because he is less likely to throw the cereal all over the floor. More in his mouth and less on the floor makes us both happy!

Armed & Dangerous!

2010-11-05T16:39:00.001-05:00

See all those fun, fancy and educational toys in the background? Now check what Jack is playing with. That's right: a giant spatula. He loves kitchen utensils. He has recently discovered the joy of banging spoons and spatulas on objects, such as pans, furniture and Mommy's head. He also likes to swing the spatula around as if it were a weapon of some sort. Hide your valuables - Jack is on the loose!

One, Two, Skip a Few..

2010-11-04T14:39:00.004-05:00

...and now we're in November! I missed a few days of pictures..I apologize to all of Jack's adoring fans who were sitting by their computers, anxiously awaiting daily updates. To make up for my lack of posting, here's an extra cute Jack smile for you. He's recently taken to eating pastrami. Daddy will sometimes bring sandwiches home from work and Jack loves to help eat them. I heated up some pastrami for him today at lunch, and he refused to eat it. Apparently it's only good if it's from Daddy's plate!

Trick or Treat!

2010-10-31T21:31:00.003-05:00

Happy Halloween! Tonight we took our little Jack-o-Lantern out for his first official trick or treating. Cassady gathered candy door to door with a friend from school, while Jack rode happily in his stroller. Although we didn't take him up to any houses, Cassady was excited to receive extra candy from more than a few people for her little brother. I'm not planning to save it for him, so she scored a few extra treats - just for having an adorable little brother!

Pumpkin Painting

2010-10-30T22:24:00.003-05:00

We chose our pumpkins at the patch last week, on trip number 3, I believe. I decided to skip carving this year, and we got out our craft supplies to decorate our pretty pumpkins. Cassady and her friend loved the project - Cassady made hers into an Easter egg, while her friend transformed hers into a clown. Jack, however, was not a fan of the finger painting experience. I fully admit to assisting him in the decoration process - both the paint and the blue glitter. Maybe he's just not the crafty type?

Pumpkin Patch - Take 5

2010-10-29T21:20:00.004-05:00

We went to the pumpkin patch today for the last time this season. This time, Grammie came along to enjoy the fun. She decided to stock up on her favorite fall treat to take back to California with her. Can you guess what it was that she bought?

The Overalls

2010-10-28T20:50:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago, we went on a shopping spree for Jack's winter wardrobe. Among our purchases were these adorable corduroy overalls. They're super cute, but Jack doesn't like them too much. The problem? He gets stuck in them when trying to crawl. I quickly snapped a few (okay, fine. 57) pictures of him, then changed him into clothes that allow him the freedom of movement he so craves. He was back to exploring the house in no time!

Cry It Out

2010-10-27T14:43:00.006-05:00

Can I just say that I detest the cry it out method? I hate putting my little guy in his crib and leaving him to cry. I hate that even after he falls asleep, his little body is still wracked with his sobs. I hate that this is the only way that we can get him to go to sleep anymore. We have been doing this for 3 days now, for night time as well as naps, and his crying time has decreased to under 2 minutes. It's still awful. I am hoping that within the next few days the crying stops and he falls asleep without all the heartrending tears. Until then, I will be hiding in the other room, trying not to cry. Being a Mommy is just no fun sometimes!

Daredevil

2010-10-26T21:14:00.003-05:00

Jack has this new thing when we put him on our bed where he immediately hightails it to the side and attempts to lunge off. He has no fear whatsoever. Gone are the days where I could set him on the bed for a few minutes of quiet playtime. Now it's all about diving for the floor. Good thing he's finally started sleeping in his crib or we would have some very rough nights!

He's Certainly Not Camera Shy...

2010-10-25T22:22:00.002-05:00

Jack and I spent our day preparing for Grammie's visit tomorrow. We are very excited to see her, especially since we have not seen her since our vacation in June. In addition to helping me with a few chores, Jack also played with his toys, grudgingly took a few naps and had a few yummy meals and snacks. He stays quite busy, but always manages to take time out to flash his adorable smile at the camera. He is quite the little ham!

Fashion Show

2010-10-24T19:41:00.002-05:00

Jack tried on a few hats at Target today. Daddy likes the first hat - the fuzzy lumberjack style. I prefer the second hat - with the tassels and pom poms (and attached mittens for an extra festive look). Whichever you prefer, I think you have to agree that Jack rocks head wear. We didn't get either of these hats today, but we did get this:

A big boy carseat.

Jack outgrew his infant seat, and it was time for an upgrade. This gray and green combo was our favorite, plus the seat goes up to 65 pounds (at the rate he has been growing, this may be sometime next month.) He'll be riding in style...and he even has cupholders now...woohoo!!

Walker Time

2010-10-23T17:26:00.005-05:00

We were on our way to the grocery store the other night, and when passing the thrift store, this toy caught my eye. For the bargain price of $ 4.98 and a few chlorox wipes, Jack is the proud owner of a walker. We also found a few other toys that just couldn't be left behind. He needed them for developmental and educational purposes, of course!

Crib Update

2010-10-22T20:21:00.003-05:00

Although it is nearly impossible to ascertain this from today's (adorable) photo, Jack has become more accustomed to sleeping in his crib. Now, before you go thinking he's sleeping in there for 8 hours a night or something ridiculous like that, let me tell you that we are pleased with his 4-6 hour stints at this point. Yes, we are certainly working on those oft-dreamed of full nights where Jack is happily ensconced in his own bed. Until that happens, however, our nights look a little something more like today's (adorable) photo. It's going to happen someday. Right?

School Night

2010-10-21T21:07:00.004-05:00

We went to parent teacher conferences tonight for a chat with Cassady's teacher. Jack went along to make sure his big sister is doing well in 5th grade. He was not disappointed by her scholastic efforts. He was, however, quite disappointed that this event did not involve snacks - especially since it took place during his mealtime (the horror!). Cassady's teacher is known for his rather loquacious nature, but Jack's impatience cut our visit short. Good job, Jack!

Daddy's Little Shadow

2010-10-20T21:43:00.004-05:00

One of the highlights of Jack's day is definitely when Daddy gets home from work. Jack will stop whatever he is doing to rush over to play with Daddy. He follows him around for at least an hour after Daddy gets home. Jack is especially interested if Daddy's post-work routine includes eating - he knows he can beg a bite (or three) out of his Daddy. Jack has the cuteness thing down pat. And oh boy does this baby know how to work the cuteness!

The Threepeat

2010-10-19T22:14:00.004-05:00

Jack, Cassady and I spent the day at our favorite October spot - Vala's Pumpkin Patch. When I say the day - I mean it quite literally, as we were there from 9:30 am - 8:30 pm. It was crazy long, but crazy fun. I can't wait til Grammie comes next week so we can go back again!!

Jack in Action!

2010-10-18T20:41:00.003-05:00

Jack and Cassady were playing a game where she would toss a beach ball to the other side of the room. Then, they would both crawl really fast to go get it. Jack loves this game. He is quite good at it too. He only went the wrong way a few times. He got distracted. It happens!

A Sunday Stroll

2010-10-17T20:03:00.003-05:00

One of these days, the weather is going to turn nasty. To prepare ourselves for this unpleasant fate, we have been going to the park and spending as much time outdoors as possible. Today we walked on the Keystone Trail for a few miles, then frolicked on the playground. Jack had so much fun watching the trees sway in the breeze as we walked. He also enjoyed going on the slide & swinging with Daddy. We need to move somewhere warm before the cold weather hits so we can keep playing outside!

Biggest Smile Ever

2010-10-16T21:43:00.003-05:00

I think the title says it all :)

Back to the Patch

2010-10-15T19:44:00.002-05:00

Jack and I took another trip to the pumpkin patch today. We spent most of the day there. It was very crowded - probably due to the amazing weather. We rode the train, got lost in the corn maze (Jack wasn't much help with the maze - he fell asleep & I had to figure out how to get out all by myself!), had a picnic lunch, saw bunnies and goats, went on the hayrack ride and had a total blast. I am hoping to go back again next week - have to make good use of my season pass!

The Beggar

2010-10-14T21:18:00.003-05:00

Anytime someone is eating, Jack makes it his business to hightail it over and try to score a taste. You know, because he is never fed. Tonight he worked his cute magic on Daddy, who was eating a sandwich. Jack loves meat and he seems to have a sixth sense for when Daddy's snacking on it. He has gotten to try all sorts of interesting goodies using this begging technique. Indian food, funnel cake, corned beef...such typical baby foods, right?!?

He Speaks!

2010-10-13T21:34:00.003-05:00

We are proud to present to you...Jack's first consonant sounds.

(I am refusing to admit that this is Jack's first word, because everyone knows his first word will be Mama. Daddy will not get gloating rights. He will say Mama first!)

Muffin Man

2010-10-12T19:54:00.003-05:00

I made a batch of Pumpkin Banana Muffins today and shared one with Jack. He is hooked on pumpkin! He also had some pumpkin puree mixed with vanilla yogurt & cinnamon for lunch. I am thrilled that he is a fan of my favorite fall vegetable. Now the challenge will be getting a muffin before they all disappear - since everyone in the house loves them!

Another great thing about the muffin: Jack ate one by himself at dinnertime! He is becoming so self sufficient. Messy - but self sufficient :)

A Perfect Ten

2010-10-11T20:58:00.006-05:00

Jack is officially 10 months old today.

Let's let that sink in a moment, shall we? While we are recovering from the shock that the last 10 months has flown by so quickly, let's take a look at what he's up to now. He is crawling everywhere, climbing over anything in his path and pulling up on any surface taller than him. He started making random "ma" and "ba" sounds, but he only does this when very excited. The only thing that excites him enough to vocalize consonants is eating.

And speaking of eating, he's got that skill down pat. He has tried all sorts of new foods lately: funnel cake (I blame Daddy), pineapple, spaghetti, lentils, split pea soup and lots more. He is quite adept at feeding himself dry foods (ie: Cheerios and graham crackers), but is still adamantly refusing to put anything wet (ie: peas and corn) into his mouth.

He is a happy little guy and very playful. His favorite words that make him giggle are: jammies, sayuki (a show that Daddy & Cassady watch), and the phrase "you eated the breakfast". His favorite toys are: anything electronic (especially Daddy's laptop & Mommy's phone), the controller for Cassady's Game Cube, Sophie and his activity table.

He's a sweet little guy & gives lots of hugs and kisses. He has been sleeping in his crib for most of the night for the last 2 weeks. He likes to hold onto the handle of his carseat, making it look like he is riding the bus. He has the cutest gigantic smile ever and if you really get him laughing you can see all 6 teeth. He's a keeper :)

Sliders

2010-10-10T11:38:00.003-05:00

This will probably come as a huge surprise, but we walked to the park again. It feels like summer out there today - too bad we can't get to the pumpkin patch today! Cassady took Jack for a spin on the slides. He loved it! He is getting very adventurous - when we first started going to the park, he refused to crawl around in the sand. Today I had to chase him all over the playground. Shades of what is to come, I am sure!