Breaking News...Part Two!!

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!

Sharing The Love

Climb Every Mountain

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

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 :)

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!

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!

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!!

Sliders

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!

Baby Kisses

I love when my babies play together. It is just the cutest thing ever. Jack adores Cassady, and the feeling is very mutual. During dinner, Jack is usually so busy watching Cassady that I have to resort to drastically silly measures to get his attention back on eating. I think that is saying something about how much he likes her...because this baby looooves his dinner!

Keeping Busy

Jack began the day reading with Cassady, followed by a quick work out. (He favors the two pound weights, knowing that its the repetition that helps gain muscle tone, not necessarily the weight.) We went to the grocery store, where he charmed everyone in sight. Upon returning home, Jack enjoyed a leisurely lunch. His favorite part was stealing my spoon. He also fed himself corn. After lunch, a nap was needed. He snoozed away the afternoon, waking in time to play with his toys and crawl around the house. This flurry of fun was followed by a delicious dinner. Then more playtime, a few diaper changes, and bedtime. How's that for a Labor filled Day?!?

The Success Story

Today Jack achieved. He got up on his hands and knees and perfected the crawl. He only went a short distance before returning to his preferred army style crawling, but he did it! I have no pictures of this feat, so you will have to console yourself with this sibling shot. I hope to have video soon…so you’ll have to check back. How’s that for a teaser?!?

The First Day

Cassady went back to school today - and we miss her already! We had to get up early (for us, anyway) to help her get ready and drop her off at school. Once the weather cools off a bit, Jack & I will be walking her to school every day. It'll be a good way to get up & moving for the day - a regular schedule will be nice, too. We can work on wearing Jack out earlier in the day so we don't have to stay up until after midnight!

The School Visit

Despite the extreme heat, we attended Back To School Night. We met Cassady's new teacher, saw last year's teacher and said hello to lots of friends. Jack is never one to disappoint an audience and was in full charm mode. Until he got overheated and hungry. And then...he was d-o-n-e. I am fairly sure the rest of us were feeling the same way, but somehow it is not quite as socially acceptable for us to break out the tears. Life is just so unfair that way!

PS: Doesn't Cassady look grown up? When did that happen??

The Bongos

Cassady has been showing Jack how to play one of her favorite games. He should be good at it, since he loves to clap and slam his arms down. Now all we have to work on is his timing/rhythm and he will be a Super Simian. It's on like Donkey Kong!

Silly Siblings

Here's a good reason to wait ten years between having your babies: Cassady and Jack adore each other. I realize that as Jack gets older/more mobile/more verbally inclined, this may change just a bit, but for now..I love it.

Home-aha to Omaha

Wow, what an exciting two weeks we have had! After driving most of yesterday, we decided to just keep going and drive the remaining 6 hours straight through. Jack was not a big fan of this plan, and was initially fussy. Luckily for us (and especially Cassady, since she was sitting right next to him), after a late night gas station feeding he fell fast asleep. He didn't wake up again until Daddy got pulled over for speeding just outside Lincoln (less than an hour from home, naturally). Our luck continued to hold out and Daddy was only given a warning. Phew! We made it home just before 5 am - time to go to sleep, now!

Colorado Cuties

Today our travels took us through Colorado. We had the pleasure of stopping to visit Great Grandma & Grandpa Wessel (and Chan, too!). Jack was a little fussy for the visit, but still seemed to enjoy meeting his great grandparents. After saying our goodbyes, we hit the road again. We drove through the Rockies and stopped at a "scenic point" to snap some pictures. As you can see, some of us were more excited about this photo op than others!

Snoozefest/Utah

We had to get back on the road this morning, much to our disappointment. We would have much preferred to stay! On our way out of Las Vegas, Daddy decided to stop and spend one whole dollar in a slot machine. Surprisingly, he did not win anything. There's always next time, I suppose. Today's drive took us primarily through Utah. I think Jack can sum up our collective feelings about this state pretty well with the following picture.

Viva Las Vegas

After spending 5 fun filled days in California, it is time to move on. We are not ready to go...there is so much more to do and see! We went to lunch one last time with Grammie, where Jack & Cassady were smothered in kisses. After some yummy frozen yogurt, we hit the road for Vegas. We arrived at our hotel around 6, which gave us lots of time to relax in our fabulous room. Cassady immediately claimed the bed by the window (the view from the 19th floor was pretty awesome), but was happy to share her space with her favorite little brother. We elected to stay in rather than go out sightseeing - navigating a stroller through debauchery just isn't our style!