Swinging Stunt Baby

The great thing about living in the suburbs is that no matter which way I turn out of the neighborhood there is a kid friendly park nearby. That's exactly what Jack and I did today. We turned out of the neighborhood and went to the park. We couldn't resist the unusual spring like weather and figured we better enjoy it while it lasts...cold weather and rain are on the way. As soon as we arrived, Jack knew where he was. He started telling me all about the trees, the joggers and their dogs, and of course the many kids playing. He was completely satisfied with observing all of the sights until he spotted the swing set. One look and that is where he longed to be. I put Jack in the baby swing and away he went. With each push he belted out a boisterous giggle. So much so, that he accumulated a full audience of Mommys and kids....which he loved! If the swing slowed down too much his face turned into a somber grimace. If he could talk, I know he would have been saying, "higher, higher". I kept pushing higher until I thought the swing would come off of the hinges and that is just what he wanted. Giggle after giggle told me he was enjoying every minute of it. It makes me wonder if I have a future stunt baby on my hands...no fear here. After Mommy's arms got tired and too much spit up was flying, we headed over to the play scape. Again, no fear, Jack climbed and wiggled and talked to all of the big kids who surrounded him. I had to join him up there to make sure there were nearby hands to catch my little dare devil in case of any emergencies. We topped off our visit with a 2 mile walk on the park's trails. Not nearly as exciting for the stunt baby but, he enjoyed it none the less. Upon returning home, Jack settled in for an afternoon nap. The only problem was he fell asleep sitting up...I think he was dreaming about that swing!

Christmas Again

Jack celebrated his 2nd First Christmas this weekend. Grammy, Grandpa, and Uncle Mike came to visit from Florida to celebrate with us. It has been 2 weeks of holiday celebrations around here for us and oh, what fun it has been. We have had a full house since the day before Christmas! Jack was showered with more toys, lots of love, and constant entertainment. So much so, he didn't even want to sleep. He surprised Grammy with a 6:30 am wake up to play on Saturday. That is a whole hour earlier than usual..don't get to use to that Jack! He had so much fun showing off his new crawling skills to all of the admiring faces. Jack even gave them a little run for their money during diaper changing sessions. He squealed, laughed, and ate the whole weekend through. Of his new collection of toys, his Sesame Street riding car was his favorite. As soon as he opened it, he was crawling on top and pushing buttons. It didn't take him too long to figure out that it moved too! We put him on the seat, he grabbed the steering wheel and he was gone...with a little pushing from Daddy. It's hard to believe in no time his feet will reach the ground and he will be doing it on his own. All of this moving is more than a boy could ask for! Jack also got some new trucks, books, a See n' Say, a bowling ball set, and more. Daddy's favorite gift for Jack was his new FSU hat and shirt. He already grew out of his last suit...can't have that! Jack proudly wore his hat around as if he knew he was going to be a future Nole. Jack, Clay and I sure did love having all of that company. The house is so quiet now...well I wouldn't go that far. We still have Jack and Cosby to keep the volume up, but it is much quieter. I guess now life resumes to normal for a while. Jack and I are going to enjoy all of his new toys. We can actually call his playroom an official "PLAYroom", not just a room anymore.

Baby's First Christmas

We all knew Jack would change the dynamics of Christmas. I'm just not sure we knew how much. After a wonderful first Christmas with Jack we did learn one thing... from here on out it's all about him! It went a little something like this...

7:30 Jack wakes with a smile...we think he knew what was ahead of him!

7:45 Jack enjoys Christmas breakfast with Daddy while everyone else dresses for Mass

8:15 Jack dresses in his Christmas attire...button up and all

8:35 Jack & the family load in the car for church

9:00 Mass at St. Ann's begins

9:20 Jack sings along with the Christmas carols

9:35 Squirmy Jack is passed up and down the pew

9:50 Mass is over and Jack is greeted by several parishioners

10:00 Jack passes out in the car on the way home

10:15 Jack naps in his crib and we all wait and wait and wait for him to wake

11:30 Jack wakes with a smile again...time to open presents!

11:35 Oops!...got to wait again...Jack has to eat

12:00 Finally...present time!

12:05 Jack opens his first present...a moving Choo Choo train with colorful balls

12:15 Jack tries to eat bows

12:30 Jack is trying to crawl amidst used wrapping paper and boxes

12:45 Jack opens present number 2...a green alligator xylophone...music to every one's ears

12:50 Jack is back to eating bows and wrapping paper

1:00 Jack squeals as others open presents

1:15 Jack opens present number 3...Tickle Me Elmo

1:30 Jack is due for an afternoon nap and we only made it through 3 presents!

3:00 Jack wakes with another smile..."more presents?" he's thinking

3:30 Jack is hungry for dinner...turkey and veggies

4:00 More presents for Jack...a book, a puzzle, zoo balls, a green monkey, and an animal pop up toy

4:30 Present break...too much stimulation for Jack

5:00 The Christmas baby is tired again!...this time it's only a catnap...thank goodness

6:00 Christmas dinner...Jack munches on bread with Elmo by his side

7:00 Bath & bottle time with Grandma

7:30 The Christmas baby is out like a light...what a day!

All of that and he still didn't get all of his presents opened. Looks like more of the same tomorrow. Not to mention, we are doing it all again when Grammy and Grandpa come in town on Thursday! What a Merry Christmas it was. We hope yours was as exciting!

Busy Baby

The anticipation of Christmas has the Cibula household bustling. The house is full of family, dogs, presents, and cookies. With all of the excitement, Jack has been a busy baby. It started yesterday with a holiday family party. My great Aunt and Uncle and 3 second cousins, who are home from college, came over to celebrate with my Mom, Grandma, Uncle Jim, Jon, Clay, Jack and I. We had a wonderfully loud house full! Jack, who is a new crawler, made his way to the beer tub immediately, and dug right in. We couldn't help but snapping a picture of the thieving baby. Luckily, all he was able to snatch was a piece of ice. After being passed around, kissed on, and a little football watching with the boys, (the ratio was 9 to 4), he was off to a peaceful sleep.


The sleep was well needed because Christmas Eve day was even busier. The family loaded up in the car, (poor Jon was thrown in the way back seats), and we headed downtown to the Georgia Aquarium. Jack started the journey in his stroller. We pulled him right up to the glass of each tank and he watched in awe as the fish floated by. Occasionally he even tried to talk to them and didn't even mind when there was no response back. It didn't take long before he batted his big blue eyes and did a little wiggle in his stroller and Jon had him in his arms. He loved when Jon took him up close and he was able to climb on and touch the aquarium glass. His favorite sea creatures were the glowing jellyfish. He practically scaled the glass wall trying to swim with them. Jack was enjoying himself so much that he didn't even realize that he was missing his afternoon nap. He was passed from family member to family member and enjoyed the varying views from each person's arms. After 3 long hours of fish fun it was time to leave. As soon as Jack's weary head hit the car seat he was out for the ride home.

As busy as we have been, I can only imagine what Christmas Day will be like...only a couple more hours to find out!