Ten Month Birthday

Jack is ten months old today. Double digits...this is serious business! He is going to be a toddler before I know it. I'm trying to come to the realization that it is inevitable that my baby is going to grow up. Why is it so hard though? I've loved every month. Actually every month has been "my favorite". So, it should be easy to look ahead to more growing and more "favorites", but it's just not. Instead, it is extremely hard. I look at the baby fat slowly disappearing and his independence rapidly appearing and all I can think is...my baby is growing up too fast. So, in honor of Jack's 10 month day, here are 10 of my favorite Jack-isms...

1. his half toothy grin when I come to get him after a good night's sleep or a nap

2. his love of food and the whine that precedes meal time....as if to say, "hurry up"

3. his adventerous spirit...he is all boy and in and on everything

4. his "catch me if you can" diaper changing challenges

5. his high pitched squeal when he sees Cosby or a dog in the neighborhood

6. the shy Jack that digs his grinning face into my shoulder when someone says hello to him

7. the way he babbles on and on to me as if I have any idea what he is saying

8. how he always chooses blue, no matter the item...once again, all boy

9. his squishy rosy cheeks when he gives me that baby Jack smile

10. the way he has made us a family and how I couldn't fathom life without him now

So much has changed in so little time. I can only imagine what the next two months of baby life will be like before we are faced with toddlerhood. All I can hope for is more of the same. We will keep you posted on our growing boy and all of the new adventures that come with it!

The Coffee Park

Now, why couldn't I have thought of this? What a simple and much needed concept. The Coffee Park is a cozy establishment that serves lunch, smoothies, and of course coffee. The best part is they provide a supervised play area for tots. So, Mommies eat lunch worry free while the kiddies play! Jack adores the baby side with the life sized tree planted right in the middle. He climbs all over it, entertains himself with the oodles of toys, and flirts with the play area staff. Every time I've checked on him through the glass he always has Jill at his becking call. I think Jill is his favorite...she thinks it's because of her name..."Jack and Jill"....who knows? I thought he might show a little of that separation anxiety he has been displaying lately...not so. He was in complete awe and enjoyed every minute of it. Today was Jack's second visit to the tree house. Last Tuesday we met Cristina and baby Sophia and this Tuesday we met Erica, baby Miller, Heather, and toddler Meg. He had such a great time you wouldn't even have known that Jack was feeling a bit under the weather. And unfortunately, that leads me to the rest of our day. We returned home just in time for his afternoon nap. Poor guy was exhausted! He tried his hardest to fall into a deep slumber, but that cough fought him every step of the way. As I listened outside his door the cough worsened into a deep bark. Okay, time to call the pediatrician. And that is where we spent the rest of the afternoon. What started as a wonderful day of play turned into a disappointing diagnosis...croup and our 4th ear infection. Another dose of antibiotics, more breathing treatments, and a new shiny blue humidifier will hopefully be the cure. Poor Jack, he just can't get a break lately!

Wouldn't You Know It

As soon as I bragged about being cold free so far this month, hear comes....you guessed it...a cold. And a nasty one at that. We've got coughing, a runny nose, watery eyes, and a tired baby Jack. Where is spring?

Nine Month Update

Today Jack had his 9 month appointment at the pediatrician. I know it's a little late considering he is 9 months 2 weeks and 5 days old today, but we ran into a few scheduling conflicts. None the less we were at the DR today and Jack weighed in at 21 lbs. That's the 55th percentile in weight. Oh no!...his first average statistic! I'm not sure how I feel about that. I'm so use to having the "big boy". He sure feels heavier than that, I think the scale was malfunctioning. As for height, he is still up there in the rankings...28 1/2 inches, that's the 75th percentile. Don't ask me how! We also got the go ahead on feeding Jack adult food, (which we have already been doing for about a week now). Which by the way, he is REALLY enjoying. All in all, the DR and I both agreed he was perfect and he was right on target. I also thought it would be appropriate to revisit Mommy's 9 month wish list for Jack.

It was as follows:

1. more teeth...we got 2 on the bottom 4 months ago...where are the rest?
2. bigger feet...I sure hope they catch up with his body this month
3. a slimmer waist line...with all of this crawling, surely that's not too much to ask for
4. creative mobility...he is pulling up on everything, but I wouldn't mind a little cruising
5. restful naps...since crawling, they are far and few between and he NEEDS them
6. no ear infections or colds...wouldn't that be nice?, just for 1 winter month
7. baby sign language...we've been working with him, but no response yet
8. an utter of the word "mama"...with meaning
9. and of course more of the same...lots of smiles, giggles, crawling, and playing hard

Now for the update...

1. We have MORE teeth! 4 new ones pushing through on top! Talk about pain and whining!

2. Unfortunately, his feet are still growing at a snail's pace...maybe next month.

3. I have recieved 3 comments in the past week about how is getting longer and leaner. I still think that his waistline is rather plump though. Must be true though...statistics don't lie.

4. Jack is doing a little semi-cruising. He travels around his music table while shuffling his feet. Unfortunatley, we've removed all of our coffee tables, so he doesn't have much to practice on. Maybe the couch?

5. Ahhh...naps! Much better! He actually lays down and stays down when I put him in the crib now. And since teething, naps have extended close to 2 hours some days....those pearly whites wear him out.

6. So far (fingers crossed) no colds or ear infections. However, we did get a nasty stomach bug. I should have been more specific on that wish....I meant NO illnesses!

7. No baby sign language yet. But, he does wave , clap his hands, try to imitate The Itsy Bitsy Spider, and attempt high fives with daddy.

8. Of course no "mama" yet. But, we've got "DUCK"...go figure!

9. And YES! Lots of playing , smiling, laughing, and enjoying life! LOVE this baby!

Jack still has a little time before his 10 month birthday to finish up his list. However, Mommy thinks he has done a fabulous job so far. Keep up the good work, little buddy!