Dunzo!

Today marks a pretty big day in my life.  No, I'm not pregnant again!  Geez, people!

I turned in my official resignation today.  We have decided that I will stay home and take care of Jack instead of returning to work.  We are so lucky that we are able to have such a luxury.  We still haven't been able to sell our townhouse (stupid economy) but we do have a renter that is moving in tomorrow!

I can't even imagine how difficult it would be to work all day and then come home to a sweet (but sometimes difficult) baby, especially when Dave is out of town. 

I am jokingly calling this new phase my retirement, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to be busier than I've ever been.

I am now available for leisurely crazy child screaming lunches and other fun play date opportunities.

Maybe someone should throw me a retirement party!

Hello Stranger!

Forgive me followers, for I have sinned.  It has been nearly two weeks since I last posted.  I'm so far behind on the ol' blog that I have been putting off writing because I don't even know where to begin.

I had every intention of blogging last week, but Dave was out of town and Jack decided that he didn't really like sleeping.  That left me with very little spare time.

I will make this post picture heavy and word light.  Since I last blogged:

We had some visitors from far, far awayland (aka England).  Grandad Fred and Nanny Lin came for a visit.  We really enjoyed having them and wish they lived closer.  While they were here; we went to the Farmer's Market and Duke Gardens, took several walks, ate way too much and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with one another.  Grandad and Nanny also went on their own adventure through The South.  They visited Wilmington, Myrtle Beach, Charleston and Savannah and came back with great stories of their adventure.  I was so sad to see them leave and was a blubbering idiot as we said our goodbyes.  We are already starting to count down the days until we head to England to see them again.

While Grandad and Nanny were in town, some people came by to meet them.

Jack's Great Great Aunt Helen

Aunt Kori and Jack with their best smiles

Barbara loving on Jack's thunder thighs

Jack stayed up late to see Uncle Marcus

After the grandparents left, Jack was exhausted from all the fun we had.

I have a few more posts in the works.  Hopefully, it won't be so long before we meet again.

Then & Now

Run, Jack Jack, Run

As you'll remember, Dave got a jogging stroller for his birthday.  Unfortunately, Jack was too small to ride in it.  Now, he just about fits.  Dave strapped Jack in this morning and off they went on a 5 mile run.  Jack seemed to enjoy himself. He slept for part of the journey and then cooed for the last mile.  Dave said that everyone they encountered on their run admired Jack. 

My Two Front Teeth

Jack has been drooling a lot lately and I keep checking to see if he has any teeth.  The other day, Jack put my finger in his mouth and I definitely felt a tooth.  I couldn't see it for a while, but I could feel it.  Today, I looked in there and he has two teeth!  They don't seem to be bothering him too much and he hasn't bitten me yet.  So far, so good!

Don't mind the fingers, I'm not a dentist, but I play one on tv

5 Months

We didn't have a doctor's appointment this month, but we did "redneck weigh" (Dave gets on the scale and then steps back on holding Jack) Jack he weighed in at 18 pounds, 12 ounces and was 25.5 inches long.  I think he still falls into the heavyweight division.

This month, Jack:

• is wearing size 2 diapers
• is wearing 3-6 month and 6 month clothes
• is actually jumping in his Jackie Jump Up
• is standing up with our assistance
• splashes in the bathtub
• eats solids for lunch and dinner (so far, he eats carrots, apples, green beans, bananas and rice cereal)
• smiles and giggles all the time
• only cries when hungry, tired or has a dirty diaper
• has two teeth that have broken through his gums
• is only getting up once at night to feed

Jack's personality is shining through more and more each day.  He is such a fun little man!

She's Done it Again

If you'll remember, we had Jack's pictures taken (mentioned here and here) a little over a week after he was born by Annie Leibovitz Harrison.  She came to our home and did an amazing job and I kind of developed a little bit of a girl crush on her.  

A few weeks ago, we meet Annie at Raulston Arboretum to have Master Jack's pictures taken again.  This was what she calls a "mini session".  Basically a quick and dirty version of her regular photo sessions for less money.  When I scheduled the session, I went ahead and picked out what I wanted Jack to wear.  Since it's spring and typically warm, I picked out a cute seersucker Jon Jon.  Well, the day before the big shoot was the day the tornadoes invaded Raleigh and with all of the rain and crazy weather it turned out to be rather chilly out.  That didn't stop me from putting Jack in his cute little outfit and heading out to meet Annie.  I did pack a sweater too, just in case Jack wasn't able to channel his inner super model and just deal with the elements.

Jack was a real trooper and let us get several shots with him in is minimalist outfit before he began to shiver and I allowed him to put on his equally adorable sweater.

Annie has decided to join forces with Rebecca and they have formed Red Bridge Photography.  We were fortunate enough to not only have Annie taking Jack's pictures but Rebecca as well.  What's better than one person shooting your kid....two people!

We just got our disc of pictures in the mail today and I am THRILLED with them.  It is so crazy to look at them in comparison to Jack's newborn pictures.  My little man is growing up and has changed so much.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Jump!