Finally Florida

We survived a wonderful flight and trip to Florida. Just as everyone said, Jack was good on the plane, very busy, but good. Here is how it went...

Friday: We arrived at the airport an hour and a half early. Thank goodness for the six year old boy sitting next to us who kept Jack entertained while we waited to board. Clay mentioned feeling achy and wasn't exactly himself. I watched the clock intently, ready to get this over with. We boarded for our 57 minute flight. Jack read books, ate lots of Cheerios, climbed up over the seats and giggled at the passengers behind us, sat in Mommy's lap, switched to Daddy's lap, and then switched again, drank two bottles, tried to doze...but didn't, looked out the window, and wiggled a lot! Finally we arrived and Grammy pulled up to get us in her new shiny black SUV. We arrived at home and Jack was zonked...off to bath and bed he went after a little loving from his cousins and Uncle Matt. Clay ran a fever and was off to bed right behind Jack.

Saturday: Jack woke at 6:30 am (central time)...yuck! Jack enjoyed lots of playing and more loving from Grammy and Grandpa. Mommy was sent back to bed for some more zzz's...yeah! Clay drug himself around realizing he was missing his wallet....ugh! We all headed to cousin Whit's basketball game. Jack stayed home with Grandpa because the bleachers were too steep for a crawling 10 month old. Maybe next season. Back home to search for the missing wallet...still no luck and no ID. We were beginning to think Mommy and Jack were flying home alone. After a barbecue lunch and a visit to my old babysitter, Jack settles in for an afternoon nap. Two and half hours of sleep later, Jack gets a visit from Uncle Jim and Uncle Mike. Too much fun! Clay still searches and feels even worse...was it the missing wallet or the flu? Jack is assisted to bed by Grammy and Grandpa and Mommy makes a visit to her high school friend, Stephanie and baby Evan. Oh, how sweet and adorable he is! If Jack's bed time weren't on eastern time, he may have gotten to see them too.

Sunday: Busy day! Jack wakes with the sunshine. And what beautiful sunshine it is...70 degree weather. Oh, how I miss Florida. The missing wallet is found...in the dryer! Good news, Mommy and Jack don't have to fly alone. One morning nap and still a sick Daddy later, company arrives. It's Uncle Mike, Uncle Matt, Aunt Catlin, cousins Whit and Larkin, Nini, Grandaddy, Aunt Linda, and Sonja...all to see baby Jack and eat "hot off the grill" hamburgers. From toy to visitor Jack stays very entertained. Maybe he'll snooze on the flight back...not so, just more of the same as the arriving flight. We arrive at the airport 45 min before departure with suitcases full of toys for Jack. Close call, but much easier than waiting! Poor Clay is still feeling the flu and Mommy is ready to put both the baby & the Daddy to bed. Atlanta at last and we are ALL tired and cold. Sure do miss that Florida sun and of course, our wonderful family.

We had a wonderfully busy weekend! We finally made our trip happen...drama and all!

We're Off...Again

As you may remember (via the blog), our trip to Florida was canceled last month due to a vicious stomach bug. I was beginning to give up on the hopes that we could find another weekend that worked for everyone. After much planning, organizing, and checking of agendas, we are finally scheduled to leave tomorrow. I say that with caution after our last try. We haven't been "home" since Thanksgiving. Which means we have a lot of people to see. Jack will be visiting with Grammy, Grandpa, Uncle Mike, Uncle Matt, Aunt Catlin, cousins Whit and Larkin, Uncle Jim, and I'm sure many more. Not only will his social calendar be booked once arriving in town, but he also gets to take his first plane ride. Before hitting the skies, I asked for advice everywhere I could get it. I dont want to be the passenger on the plane with the screaming baby. Granted it is only a 45 minute flight, however no one loves Jack as much as his Mommy and Daddy, especially when he is crying. Therefore I needed advice. I heard..."give him a bottle at take off and landing for his ears", "have lots of treats" ( I guess he can't scream too loudly with a mouthful of food), "bring many books and toys", "pass him back and forth between Mommy and Daddy often to change the scenery", and "expect the best, it wont be as hard as you think" (gee, I hope that's true). So, we are taking all of that advice and our luggage on the airplane with us tomorrow and heading south. Nervous?...kind of. But, mostly just excited to see everyone and share my baby. With Jack's help, our bags are packed...again...and we are ready for a busy weekend! More when we get back from FLORIDA!

You Better Be Funny

When I get asked if Jack is a happy baby, I always want to go into a long disertation. You see when Jack is in a good mood, he is in a REALLY good mood and when he's not, he is REALLY not. He is very intense with his emotions....kind of like his Mommy (as Clay would say). When I was pregant I prayed he would get Clay's laid back personality, instead he got my more high strung one (again...as Clay would say). So everyday with him is an adventure. Not to mention, if you want to hear him laugh...you better be very funny. Jack is very selective about what he thinks is humorous. IF you can make him laugh, the first time he is hysterical, the second time he'll give you a courtesy laugh, and the third time, you're not so funny anymore. So when I heard him in hysterics while playing with Daddy on Valentine's evening, I ran to get the video camera. Who knew pretending to eat plastic letters could be so funny? He was just coming down from his emotional roller coaster when I started the video. But, I was able to catch the tail end of it. Trying not to disappoint me, Jack followed it up with a few bear growl imitations. Here is a video of our lovely Valentine's evening...if you can stand to watch the whole thing. You may have to press the play button twice to get it started.

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Love Is In The Air

Cupid's arrow hit our house today with Jack's first Valentine's Day playdate. He was dressed the part and ready to LOVE his company. We started with lots of red yummies to eat. Jack and I provide the main dish...lasagna and our guests brought either a red or Valentine's themed side. The Mommies and babies munched our hearts out and then headed to the playroom for the real fun. It was a packed venue with Allison & Ansley, Erica & Miller, Karen & Wesley Kate, Heather & Meg, Donna & Patterson and, of course, Jack & me. The odds of love were about 50/50 with 3 boys and 3 girls. Mister Irresistible didn't mind though. He kept himself very busy traveling from toy to toy and friend to friend. What an afternoon! Here are some pictures to prove it...

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!