Jack in the Springtime

We took a trip to the Huntley Outlet Mall today. It was beautiful outside and Jack got to enjoy the wonderful weather.

Fudge Goes To The Office

Jack came to visit me at work today. Taylor brought him to visit at lunch-time. I had been telling everyone that he was coming and then paraded him around like a doll. Everyone loved him and he smiled at everyone (except my former boss, who made him cry because he is bald and looks like an alien from the future...or a giant baby). I felt so proud of my little guy as I showed him off.

We went to lunch at Mitsuwa Asian Market. Jack sat and played while we ate and behaved well. I liked riding with him during the middle of the day, it made the afternoon more bearable.

When I got back from lunch, people kept coming up to me and saying how cute he is and how lucky we are since he is so well behaved. I am a beaming father, proud of my little boy.

JACK STANDS!

I don't know how he did it and I don't care! Jack stood up by himself!

While getting ready for bed, Jack showed interest in his exersaucer. I didn't want to put him in it and overstimulate him so I stood him next to it and supported him in a standing position.

On a whim, I pulled my hands away a little bit. Then a little more. Then some more. Before I knew it, Jack was standing up by himself!

I guess he may pass up crawling after all!

Here is a video of him doing it too!

Jack's Warm Weekend Fun

With unbelieveably nice weather this weekend (mid-80s! In April!), we enjoyed a lot of outdoor time with Jack. Being born in September, this is the perfect age and weather for him to explore the outdoors. We went for a walk Saturday and again today. We ran our errands together and when Jack was tired, he napped in his stroller. He still amazes us more and more with his laid-back personality. We cannot wait to get this kid crawling and walking so we can enjoy this upcoming summer even more!

Teef (Now With Photographic Evidence!)

Take a look at Jack's pair of incoming chompers! Just under 7 months and there they are!

Jackson Maidy and the Wind Tunnel

Jack rode in the car today with the windows down. It was beautiful outside and he loved feeling the breeze in his face. Watch his crazy hair move!

Jackson Maidy and the Magic of Science!

Jack had fun with this light up toy that vibrates. He thought it was the coolest thing in the world.

The Monstrosity of Fun!

My parents told me they bought this for when we come down to visit them in Florida at the end of May.

Apparently they think we had triplets...

But seriously, this thing looks way cool! I cannot wait to play with Jack in it. And, it costs less than $50!

Like Brand New!

Fudgy's ears have finally cleared up. The infection is gone and he got our doctor's approval on that!

We also got a reminder that in a week or so, he can start having meat - pureed of course. Cannot WAIT to give him chicken and Korean meat. This is an exciting time to try out new things. He's already eating Cheese/Carrot Pin Wheels and he's tried watermelon.

I cannot believe he's going to be 7 months! Time to start sippy cup training, and maybe even start to give him pasta!

My little man is growing up!

One Man & A Baby

So, Jack and I have been solo since 5pm yesterday. Taylor is in North Carolina for work. This is the first time she has been away from Jack for more than a few hours. I am sure part of her is not doing so well.

But, this was my opportunity to prove that I can handle Jack by myself. I was never so paranoid in all my life. What if I don't hear him cry? What if he goes into a fit while I am in the shower? What if I can't get him to go to sleep? What if? What if? What if??

But, it was a normal night. We ate and played and went to bed. It took him a little longer than usual to go to sleep (45 minutes), partly due to shorter naps at daycare and also because I am not the normal person to put him to bed. My body temperature is high, like his, so he gets sweaty quickly and has trouble getting comfortable. But, he went to bed and didn't wake up until 5:45 this morning. The drive to daycare was okay too, but getting to work after dropping him off took forever.

There were two moments in the last 24 hours that broke my heart:

* Normally, when we get home, Jack and I play for a few minutes, then change into his sleep outfit, then play until Taylor gets home. Then, he eats and we hang out a little longer before bedtime. Last night, Jack kept looking at me around the time Taylor walks in the door. He looked at me then towards the front door. A few minutes later, he did this again. Each time he lifted his head up to look at me and his big eyes looked like he wanted to say "where is mommy?"

* This morning, when I dropped Jack off at daycare, I kissed him and handed him off to one of the teachers and chatted for a moment. I have never dropped Jack off at daycare before and as I walked to the door, he stared back at me with the same eyes, but this time they said "where are you going? Daddy picks me up, why are you leaving?"

So, not only was traffic horrible this morning, I had his sad little face to haunt me the entire drive. Sigh, hopefully neither of us has to leave him very often.

Correction: 4 Teef!

Jack's teeth are coming through like crazy!

The one we felt first is more pronounced now, plus the one next to it has popped out!

Plus, the two front upper teeth are about to come through!

HE CAN HAVE RIBS!!!!

A Toof!

Jack's first tooth broke through his gums last night. It is the slightest little bump of tooth, but definitely a tooth! Taylor and I both were extremely excited to feel that little corner!

Grandpa wants to make him some ribs to try out the new chomper. I guess we can't call him Gummy Joe anymore!

The Development of Language

Jack has begun talking like crazy in the last week. It started out with sounds like this:


But now, he is making conversation like this:


It is only a matter of time before he actually says Mama or Dada. Trust me, we have been trying!

Jack and the Spoon

Cold-free Zone

I have not run/worked out since last Friday. Gads. But how does one run in the coldest of weather without the threat of catching a cold and then passing it on to your child? This house must stay cold-free for at least a few weeks.

Jack is JUST starting to get over his ear infection. I think the meds he got finally worked it's magic. He's been fever free since the completion of his meds for three days and counting.

I don't think I can remember the last time everyone in the house was relatively healthy.

Having said all this, Jack does have a runny nose again. It doesn't seem to bother him much, but we are doing our due diligence to suck up every bit of nose drip in the house for fear it will be a home for ear infection causing bacteria. Die bacteria, die!!!!

Jack's First Easter

Here are a few images from Jack's first (and loooooong) Easter Sunday. The day began at 6am and ended at 9pm. Jack was awake for 90% of that time, and in mostly good spirits. He wore his first pair of shoes for just about 90 minutes. He was having fun with his new firetruck and his cousins, both of whom looked beautiful in their Easter dresses. A lupper (between lunch and dinner) followed at the Stonegate banquet hall. I believe it is the only place you can eat pasta, oysters, scrambled eggs, and ice cream sundaes at the same time.

6 Month Checkup

Stats:

Weight: 19 lbs (75th Percentile)
Head Circumference: 17.5 inches (75th Percentile)
Length: 27.75 inches (90th Percentile)

Immunizations: 3
Tears: Lots

Big News: We got the official OK to give Jack solids. Even though we had already started trying some, Dr. Winiger now told us to try any non-citrus fruits and any vegetables! She also said we can start trying meats next month as well as Cheerios and similar snacks!

Jack is also teething like crazy! He has the two bottom front teeth almost at the top of his gums and his two front uppers are not far behind!

Dr. Winiger gave us more advice and tried to calm us down seeing as we have called her on-call number at 3am a couple of times in the past month due to fevers and other paranoia that, in retrospect, could have waited until the next morning. Jack's ear infection is almost gone, so we will be doing a quick followup on that in two weeks.

"Mom, Why is it 28 degress outside? I thought it was April?"

Jack Tumbles

Jack's Guide to Baseball Signs

Steal Third!

Yerrrrrrr OUT!

Steeeeeeeee-rike Three!

You call that bunting??!

Ball Four! Take yer base!

20 LBS!

We weighed him this morning and Jack has finally hit 20 pounds! This kid is a beast!

He did extremely well with sitting up yesterday. The daycare told us that he keeps himself upright for long periods of time, unless he tries to grab his toes which sends him toppling over.

While feeding him last night, Jack held his own bottle by himself. He had trouble keeping it in the position to get formula, but he is trying! Taylor said he is growing up too fast. I cannot wait to see what else this guy can do!

In reading some baby food books, it says at this age that babies can start to have certain juices and water and may even want to attempt drinking from a Sippy Cup. Taylor held a glass of water to Jack's mouth and the kid took a tiny mouthful of water!

It is quite amazing how these little achievements can send parents over the edge looking for information on Gifted & Talented children. But, it is hard not to be proud of such a little baby doing such milestone things!

Opposite Day

Well, ignore everything we said about Jack yesterday...

He had a very rough day today. He had an short nap in the morning and then was crabby as crabby could be. He screamed and cried and fussed and whined. It was horrible. Usually in these situations, Taylor is able to calm him in a way only Mommy can. But, it didn't work!

It went on for hours. Finally, during his afternoon bottle, Jack fell asleep while eating. This nap seemed to turn things around.

But, the Teething has Begun.

Jack is teething in full force. His gums are very swollen and only gnawing on something calms him down. Part of me is very excited to see the little guy with a tooth, but the discomfort it puts him through is painful for us too.