Happy Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!
Jay and I did not celebrate with a big fancy dinner like we have done in year's past, but I think this was my most favorite ever.
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Jack entertained us all evening with his games and his giggles...it was better than any play or movie Jay and I had ever been to!

Jay picked up Chinese food from our favorite Chinese restaurant and we planned to have a picnic on the living room floor.
I don't really know why I thought that was a good idea, looking back, I realize that was quite silly of us!
Jack spent a good two minutes crawling all over his food before Jay and I gave up and we all went to the dining room to eat our dinner at the table. Jack loved his sweet and sour chicken!

Here is a picture of Jack giving me one of his well-intentioned-yet-over-zealous-and-somewhat-painful kisses. This one is actually a little better than the norm, usually he tries to hold you down so he can give you a really good kiss!

10 Months!

Jack turned 10 months old today! I know I say this every month, but, Wow, I can't believe how time flies!

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Update:

Jack has gone back and forth about walking over the last couple of weeks. He will walk quite a bit for a couple of days--then give up for a few days. Right now, he is pretty consistantly walking most of the time, but as soon as he falls down, he needs to crawl to something to pull himself back up on. Also, when he has a need for speed (like when he sees the bathroom door open) he will crawl instead of walk. I can't say that he is very good at walking. I will admit that one thing Jack gets from me is "more guts than skill". In my experience, most children actually have the ability to walk before they do it, they just lack the confidence to do it on their own. Not Jack, well before he was anywhere near successful at walking with our help, he would just be standing by something, let go and take a step. He would always land right on his face, but wouldn't even give it a second thought. Again, more guts than skill. (Any of you who ever been with me on any sort of water craft know as to what I referring to.)

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Jack also has a new way of showing affection for his mommy and daddy. He has started trying to share his pacifier with us! OK, yeah it is kind of gross when he shoves his slobbery pacifier in your mouth, but it is also really sweet that he is willing to share his most prized possesion with us.

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Jack's new favorite game is "Chase". He loves it when you chase him around the house and then tickle-attack him when you catch him! He then will also take a turn chasing you :-) !! He also likes it when you hide from him and he has to come and find you. Jay and I barely even turn on the TV anymore, as Jack is the only entertainment we need.

Mommy Mondays

If you have read Jack's blog for long, then you have heard me mention "Mommy Mondays". Since Jack was about 4 weeks old, we meet with 4 other babies Jack's age and their mommies (who are all first-time mommies as well). We were put together as a group in the hospital we delivered in and then we just started to meet on our own after the class ended. Jack is the oldest of the 5, but the youngest is only a week and a half younger than him. I LOVE getting together with the other mommies and babies. It is so wonderful to hear other mommies are going through the same things you are and that you are not the only one that goes completely crazy when your husband sets the dishes on top of the dishwasher (rather than to actually place them IN the dishwasher) or that you are not the only one that is convinced that you have somehow "missed" the developmental window of a certain skill and that because of this your child is destined to become a serial killer (see, this is why I need this group, these thoughts actually go through my head). Anyway, as I said, I really enjoy Mommy Mondays...Jack on the other hand has tried his hardest each week NOT to be invited back.

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It all started the first week. Jack started out happy and full of smiles, but by the end of the very first Monday, he won the award for the worst behaved. This is a legacy that Jack has continued each week. The last week that we met at the hospital, Jack hit an all-time low. It was so bad, I was convinced he was doing it so that he would never have to see any of these people again. Much to Jack's disappointment, the other Mommies overlooked Jack's behavior and still invited us to be part of their group. We have now been meeting (almost) every Monday for nine months. Jack started out as the baby that cried the most and has now turned into the toy-taker, the bully, the well-intentioned-yet-over-zealous-kisser, the food hoarder and also very rarely will even crack a smile. He also will "investigate" to what degree the other mommies have baby-proofed. He then will show them in what areas he feels they are lacking in that department. (He hasn't broken anything yet, but I am thinking we may have to dip into his college fund at some point to refund the other mommies.) It is amazing that the other mommies haven't "voted us off the island".

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I know you probably think I am exaggerating, but I am serious, once it was so bad that one of the mommies suggested that we all go outside so that Jack would calm down. I swear this kid doesn't want me to have any friends at all.

Here is the proof:

On this day, Jack and I were headed to his favorite store--Costco. We invited my friend Brie and her baby Ava along. Ava nicely waved to everyone we passed and would clap her hands with excitement. Jack acted like he had no spine and had some unknown chromosomal disease. He would lean out the side of the cart as if he was afraid that Ava was going to give him "cooties". The two did enjoy trying to take each other's pacifiers and they also were very excited that it was sample day at Costco.

Here is Jack at the ball-pit last Monday. He acted like I was torturing him (OK, I was having germ-o-phobe issues in it, but he is way too young to understand that). This picture was taken after about 15 minutes of him clinging to me, he finally let me set him in the balls. Can you see how much fun he is having? The other babies happily played with the balls and even laughed when the balls were tossed into the air.

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I hope that some day Jack will start to come out of his shell when he is around his friends, but until then I want the other Mommies to know that I am truly thankful that they tolerate us!

Walking Man!

On Saturday, Jack decided it was time to start walking!!!

He would take up to 10 steps at a time! Jay and I were so excited!

Unfortunately, by Monday, Jack decided that walking is over-rated and has gone back to crawling and only will walk if we coax him along. I can't say that I blame him, you can see at the end of the video that landing is not easy!

Again, please ignore the annoying mommy in the backround.

The Great Pacifier Conundrum

Here is a video of Jack deciding between pacifiers. Please ignore the annoying Mommy in the backround.

9 month stats

9 Month Update

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Stats:

Height- 29 1/2 inches (86%)

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Weight- 20lbs 4oz (45%)

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Head- 17 1/2 inches (25%)

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The doctor says that he thinks that Jack will be tall like Jay, but have a "slight" frame like me. (I could have kissed the doctor for telling me that I have a slight frame!)

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Likes: Yogurt, Lasagna, bread, peas, green beans, any snacks, Mommy's shoes, bath-time, remotes, phones, anything that is not intended for a baby to play with, walking around furniture, causing trouble, being naked, anyone holding food, the bathroom and playing baby Foosball.

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Dislikes: Fruit, diaper changes, getting his face washed, people that don't share food and people that don't understand that boys are meant to get into trouble.

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A lot has changed in the last month! Just a few weeks ago, Jay was asking if I was ready for another baby (yeah, right!) and just last night Jay was saying that we can't have anymore because Jack would either attack them or eat them! Whenever people are around Jack, we hear the phrase, "Wow, Jack is kind of a little wild man isn't he!?!". When Jack was still "in-utero", I used to think he needed Ritalin...now I know it!

Jack is cruising around the furniture and is even taking a few steps by himself! We think he will probably be walking by March! (I really think it will be by Valentine's day, but I am giving him a little grace period.)

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In this picture, Jack has gotten into my closet and is playing with my shoes (AGAIN!). Jay is a little concerned that Jack's favorite ones to play with are my black and white polka-dot high heels! (And no, I never even wear them, but I can't throw them out, who knows when I might have a need for them again!)

Silent Night!

Last Sunday night, Jack FINALLY slept through the night! (He hasn't done it since, but at least I know he can do it!)

Jay and I started sleep training with Jack on January 1st and it has been going pretty well. He is no longer in our bed (yes, I will admit it, I was letting Jack sleep with us half the night) and will put himself back to sleep most of the time.

(Can you see the Not-So-Favorite Blankie at the far end of the crib??)