Favorite Red Head

We met up with my friend Kristin a couple weeks ago for lunch.  Kristin and I went to high school and college together and she is truly one of few people that gets me and is just as silly and inappropriate as me.  She was with me the night Jack was born and she entertained my mom while I was delivering Jack (they were kicked out of the room).

Jack hadn't seen Kristin since that first night and it was high time we got together so he could re-meet her.

It was love at first sight.  I know Jack is a friendly kid, but he was doing things I have never seen him do. He would lay his head on her hands if she had them on the table.  He would share is food with her (Jack's not a big sharer when it come to food).  He was just fine when I walked away and left them together a few seconds after she arrived. 

I'm so glad they love each other!

Jack is slightly concerned that Kristin is giving him bunny ears

Muppet Smiles

love.

I'm Doing Okay

Sometimes you just need to hear that you are appreciated...

Sunday Fun-Day in the Pool

Back in December when we went swimming with Marisa and Miles, Jack wasn't such a big fan of the pool.  He was really clingy to me and really only wanted to snuggle in close.  I was concerned that he was afraid of the pool after not having been in for at least 4 months so I decided that Jack would be entered into Mommy's Pool Boot Camp to get him more comfortable in the water.

Since the beginning of the year, Jack has gone swimming at least once a week and now he LOVES it!  He puts his face in on his own, goes off the side, walks down the steps into the pool and happily goes under water.

And, because all of the grandparents live far away, we made a couple videos of Jack in action at the pool.







I'm so glad that we have a boy that loves the pool.  Now, we just have to keep a close eye on him so that he doesn't just go jump in any pool he sees. 

Reading is Fun

Jack is finally starting to show some interest in books and being read to.  He always has several board books at his disposal, but up until recently he hasn't really cared much.  While I'm cooking dinner, Daddy and Jack often sit in the living room and read a few books.  After dinner, while Daddy is cleaning, Jack and I read books.

Dave and I both enjoy reading (although it's been about 14 months since I've read a book) and we really hope that Jack will love to read, too.  I know how difficult it is to get boys to enjoy reading, but I think we are building a great foundation...and what little boy wouldn't love to read Harry Potter (in a few years)?!?

Daddy reading about trucks

Mommy reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (one of her favorites)

Hey interweb, what's your favorite book?

Jack is figuring out how to play with some of his toys in the manner in which they were intended.  Having worked with kids with special needs, I know how big of a milestone this is and I'm so excited for Jack.  We got this giraffe off of craigslist along with about a million other pieces.  He, just like any other kid, likes to be successful!

Silly

From Jack:

"Mom changed my diaper and she forgot how to put my pants on.  I didn't want to hurt her feelings so I just left them where she put them for a while.  To make matters worse, she kept taking pictures of me.  What am I going to do with her?"

Blowing Kisses

Jack loves to blow kisses!  When Dave makes the commute to work (read: goes upstairs) in the morning, I say to Jack, "Say bye-bye to Daddy." He then proceeds to blow about 50 kisses while he chases his daddy to the stairs.  When I leave the house and leave Jack with Dave, I say "bye-bye" and Jack shoos me out of the house by blowing kisses.  He still likes to assault me with his European kisses (i.e., tongue and teeth involved), but he is so sweet when he blows kisses.

Ear Infections

Since about mid-November Jack has been battling ear infections.  It started off as croup and then he had an ear infection in his right ear.  A couple weeks later we went back to the doctor and he had a double ear infection.  A week and a half later we went back and he had an infection in his right ear.  Ten days later, Jack had another double ear infection.  Yesterday, we went back for a follow-up appointment to check the status of Jack's ears.  They were all clear!  The doctor and I were both surprised.  Each time we went to the doctor we got a different antibiotic for Jack to take.  The last time we went, he got two shots and ten days worth of antibiotic to take.  We are so glad this has cleared up and we don't have to do tubes.  Had we not gone to the doctor, we would have never known Jack was suffering with an ear infection.  He has been his happy, pleasant self the whole time.  In addition to the antibiotics, we decided to make some adjustments to his diet.  I guess only time with tell if we are completely in the clear.

And, because no post is complete without a picture of Jack...

14 Months

Jack and Tedison (14 months)

Here we go.  14th verse same as the first...

This month, Jack:

• wears size 4 diapers during the day and size 4 overnight diapers at night
• wears mostly 12 month clothes and 4W shoes
• has switched over to almond milk from cow's milk
• blows kisses
• walks backwards
• says "Hi", "Bye", "Momma", "Dada" and other non-decipherable words
• loves to talk on the phone
• plays independently for 25 minutes 
• is starting to show signs of dancing (a little booty poppin')
• gives great snuggles
• eats pretty much anything-favorites include: raspberries, cucumbers, apples, kiwi
• naps twice a day for at least 2 hours each
• sleeps at least 12 hours a night (usually 12.5-13)
• plays appropriately with some toys, throws most
• pushes and pulls toys while walking
• can "walk" on his knees (no hands)
• responds to instructions (when he wants to)
• imitates us
• got his first hair cut
• turns the pages of a book 
• enjoys having his teeth brushed
• loves to play peek-a-boo
• turns around and backs into you in order to sit on your lap
• laughs when he hears someone else (even on the tv) laugh
• claps when he sees others clap

Puppy Bowl

As many of you know there was some big sporting event on television last week.  No, it wasn't a football game.  No, it wasn't some college basketball game.  YES, it was the Puppy Bowl.  Apparently, it happens to coincide with some Super football game, but that didn't matter to us...we were ready for the big game!  Jack loved watching the Puppy Bowl and did a lot of cheering for his favorite players. Much to my dismay, he was even slightly interested in the Kitty Half-time Show.  In my humble opinion, the Kitty Half-Time Show is a little scandalous.  Maybe that's what attracted Jack?!?

The view from the "Water Bowl Cam" cracked Jack up

Imitating some plays

There were some intense plays.

It was a real nail-biter of a game

"Mom, I love the Puppy Bowl!"

*Yes, I also just realized how many finger prints are on the television and yes, I plan to take care of that even though our small person will undoubtedly replace the cleaned area with some fresh finger prints.*

Dining Out

We went out to dinner recently at one of our favorite restaurants, The Pit.  Dining out is practically an Olympic sport based on how much preparation we have to do before we head out. We have to make sure there is something on the menu that Jack will eat, we have to make sure we take his bib, and place mat, and sippy cup, and some snacks (in case the food takes too long), and something to entertain him.  We are often exhausted before we ever leave the house, but Dave and I both feel that taking Jack out to restaurants with some frequency is good for him.  We want him to be a well-behaved child when we are out to eat and the best way for him to learn those skills to practice them.

A little pre-dinner coloring

Enjoying a biscuit as an appetizer

Horray! The food is here!

I can't believe I ate the whole thing!

Wipe your mouth.

All clean!

Brrrrring, Brrrrring....Hello?

Jack is a little obsessed with telephones lately.  For the past several months he has enjoyed playing with our cell phones.  And then he got a toy cell phone from his Auntie Allee and her family for his birthday and that has just encouraged his obsession.  His toy cell phone rings, makes noise when you push the buttons, has pre-recorded messages and I was even able to record a message of my own.

My favorite part of him "talking on the phone" is when he screams Hiiiii! and then puts the phone to his ear shoulder.  He appears to answer several questions (quick, one-syllable words) and even laughs at something funny (his imaginary friend must be a hoot!).

When we have actual people on the phone, he clams up immediately.  He doesn't want to talk to real people.

Then & Now

There are few things as good as snuggling with my baby, but it sure is hard to get him to stay still long enough for a good snuggle now a days.

Snoozing with Mommy (5 weeks old)

Tolerating a snooze with Mommy (13.5 months old)

Faking a snooze with Mommy (13.5 months old)

Little People with Great Big Plans

I did a little shopping on Craigslist recently and found a huge lot of Little People for Jack.  I have always loved Little People and almost all of my students have too.  I always get the theme song from Little people stuck in my head when I start thinking about them... Little people with great big plans. Last week, Jack and I drove to Chapel Hill to pick up our findings from Craigslist and I hummed the song the whole way there.  I was clearly much more excited about this purchase than my son was.  We met the lady and made our exchange in a grocery store parking lot and then we were off to pick up our other purchase.  When I got back in the car, Jack was a little upset that he didn't get to get out with me so I reached into one of the bags and pulled our a character.  I cleaned him off and handed him to Jack.  The one that I happened to pull out was a pilgrim from the Thanksgiving set.  I told Jack that it was his daddy.  He held on to that little guy the whole way to our other pick-up location and then the whole way to the gym.  He spoke quietly to the pilgrim and studied him intently.

Jack does not appreciate his private moments with "Daddy" being captured

Loving the "Daddy"

Whatcha lookin' at?

Taking "Daddy" for a ride on his firetruck

Very sad that Mommy took away his "Daddy"

Oh wait, there he is!

First Hair Cut

Jack's hair has been looking a little raggedy lately and we decided to get it cleaned up a little bit.  My favorite hair dresser is swamped lately and Dave was getting anxious so we went to the local Great Clips to get Jack a little trim. 

We weren't too worried about him acting up, but we weren't really sure how he was going to react.  The sweet lady that cut Jack's hair was so nice and patient with him.  She took time to show him all of her tools before she used them on his head and worked with him as he moved around constantly.

Glenda and Dave discussing the style

Jack apprehensively happy

Profile...before

Jack got some hair on his hand was was a little weirded out

Glenda working to get the front meticulously straight

Jack checking out the clippers

And my boys look even more alike now!

Jack's new smiley face

 All in all, Jack did a great job and hopefully he won't be afraid to get his haircut in the future since he had such a successful first hair cut.  I think he looks so much older since the trim.  What do you think?