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!