Sneak a Peek

The first year of Jack's has been amazing so far. Clay and I can't believe how much he changes from day to day. That is why we are so excited that we made the decision at the beginning of Jack's life to capture every moment with pictures, hence the purchase of a good camera. However, both of us are still far from being professionals behind the lens. And again that is why we are so excited that we chose a photographer we LOVE to capture the milestones in his life. Lisa Russo first came to our house when Jack was 19 days old. She tool beautiful endearing images of him all around our home. She captured moments of our family that we will never be able to return to except through pictures. We asked her to come back for two more milestones...when Jack was sitting unsupported and eventually when he begins walking. Last weekend she came over to take his "sitting" pictures. She sent us a "sneak a peek" a couple of days ago of just a few of the shots. I was in awe, I fell in love with my baby boy all over again. For the next few days I couldn't wait to see the full slideshow. We just received it and as you can imagine, I am so torn as to which ones to order. I want them all! I love the pictures of his curious face...that is just so Jack! But, I also love the images of him laughing and the ones with Cosby and the ones of our family and the ones of him playing with Daddy. Decisions, Decisions!! I have included the link to our slide show below, just click on it, wait a few moments (it takes a while to load initially), and then tell me what you think. I could really use some advice, because if it is left up to me, we are ordering all of them! (Note to family--if you click on the shopping cart at the bottom of the slideshow you can order too:)http://www.lisarussophotography.com/Slideshow/Jack

Seven Month Birthday

Today Jack is seven months old. Everyone said it would go by so fast and I kind of believed them. Now I really do! I know it sounds so cliche but, they really do grow up fast. And that probably won't be the last time you hear me stating that observation. It amazes me that last year at this time I was just barely 4 months pregnant and 7 months ago today Jack was just coming into the world. It is truly amazing, but it is too fast. I have learned to enjoy every minute with Jack...the good and the challenging. Thankfully today has been one of the "good", unlike yesterday which would have fallen into the challenging category. But, that's okay...that is what keeps motherhood from getting mundane or boring. So far, seven months has started out super. Jack woke with a smile on his face, still hungry, but a smile none the less. Between feedings and naps, Jack has talked to me...a lot! He has told me all about his peaches at breakfast, his colorful toys, his reflection in the mirror, and how much he loves me. (I know he was telling me that because he hugged me right afterwards.) We've sang a lot of songs today too. Jack pipes in just when I need his harmonious voice. Can you tell we miss music class? We also went for a stroll and soaked in the warm sunshine. It doesn't look like it will last long so we are enjoying it while we can. We topped our afternoon off with a cozy nap. Jack even babbled his "7 month self" right to sleep. I sat outside his door and listened to the most entertaining one sided conversation I had ever heard. Being Jack's mommy is the best. I love him more than I could have ever imagined. There is no way it gets any better than this. How could it possibly? I know people always tell me, "if you love him now, just wait" or "if you think this is your favorite stage, just wait". I don't believe them...yet anyway!

Nowhere to Be

This week Jack and I have nowhere to be. I opened up my calendar today to plan for the upcoming week and it was empty. It looked like this...

Monday: we usually attend Music Class, but the fall session is over and the winter session doesn't start until the first week of December...so nothing!

Tuesday: we usually have swim, but that 6 week class ended last week...so nothing!

Wednesday: my nanny day...so nothing for Jack!

Thursday: our usual play date with pregnant Karen, baby Patterson, and Donna but, it's actually Karen's due date...so nothing, (except hopefully a baby will arrive)!

Friday: usually a Mother's Guild meeting at church, but that was last week...so nothing!

With nothing to do and nowhere to be, Jack and I are going to play it by ear this week. We will probably...

bundle up and go for a stroll

perfect our sippy cup skills

read some books

practice crawling (which he shows no interest in)

and of course, not worry about what to wear

It will be interesting to see what a week of nothing is like. I think I can speak for Jack too, when I say, "we both like to be busy". He loves observing everything and everyone and with just me to look at he might get slightly bored. Then again, I could be completely wrong. He may actually enjoy having me and my undivided attention all to himself...it remains to be seen. Regardless, I'll keep you posted on how we fill our days this week. If I know "us", we'll find something to get into!

The Big One

Today Jack and I met pregnant Karen, baby Patterson and Donna for our weekly "play date" and lunch. These are some pictures of Jack and Patterson trying to play together. Jack is the "big one".
I like to point that out because it won't always be true. You see, Patterson comes from a family of height. His Daddy is, I don't know...6 foot something ginormous and his Mommy is 5 foot something else tall. So, it is inevitable that Patterson is gong to be a very tall boy. Now Jack doesn't have those same genes running through his family. I am definitely below average in height and Clay is considered average. No matter what we do Patterson will be the "big one" soon. Actually very soon...Jack and Patterson are only 3 months apart. In baby time that may seem like a lot, but in a couple of years that will be nothing. Who knows, maybe even by a year old Patterson will be towering over Jack, he is already getting close! But for now, Clay, Jack and I are are going to revel in the fact that Jack is considered the "big one". Even according to the Pediatrician Jack is tall. At his 6 month appointment he was 29" long and was in the 99th percentile for height....wow! that never happened to me. As for weight, well, you know, he is always up there in that area. When we ask the Pediatrician "when will his genes catch up with him and his numbers seem more realistic?", she just smiles. I think that is her way of saying , "enjoy it while you can". And that is exactly what we are going to do. We're also going to hope that Jack will inherit some of our above average traits too...wink, wink!