Well Hello There, 2011!

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

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

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

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!!

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!

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!

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

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

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!

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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..

...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!

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

I think the title says it all :)

Back to the Patch

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

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!

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

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 :)