Crybaby

Jack does cry - I swear. It might be for only a second - but he does cry.

The Token Tooshie

I know Melissa loves tooshie - I love tooshie ... we all should love tooshie.

Bathtime, bathtime, rah, rah, rah!

Each bath gets better and better because each bath Jack is bigger and more fun. I look forward to our date nights at the tub.

Jack & Sophia

This last weekend, Jack and I drove to Columbus to visit our dear friends - the Facchini's. Jack is finally big enough not to get clobbered by Sophia ... but could actually 'somewhat' play. She still towered over him - but was more than happy to show him how to play with her toys. Hopefully next month (when we visit to meet the newest Facchini addition!!! tick, tock, tick, tock) Jack will be able keep up with Soph. But, he did good considering this was his first 'real' playdate (that he wasn't sleeping or sitting helplessly).



I'd like to add, too - that my girl Adriana (5) LOVES Jack and Jack loves her. They are quite a pair. She was so helpful with 'Baby Jackie' and even put him to sleep on Saturday night. She is going to be such a great big help when her baby brother arrives.

Green Bean Champ

After a short couple of weeks of just rice cereal - we moved onto some veggies. Jack started out with some sweet potatoes and cleaned the bowl each time. Now - onto green beans and he loves them, too! So far, Jack has his daddy's sense of taste. I mean ... look how excited he is to eat his vegetables??





However, Jack must learn his manners ... there is no pooping at the dinner table ...

Still Loving His Pool

On the move

As in rolling around ... I don't think it'll be too much longer until he crawls, though. He's ready to investigate.

Bottles Up!

Jack did use training wheels on his bottles ... not no mo!

He has a hard time understanding he can't lie on his side and drink. He also tries to lie on his stomach and drink, too. Uh, not to much luck with that one. I enjoy watching him attempt it.

He's Up!! & He's Down...

Jack is sitting up! SUCH a big boy. SUCH a big boy (if you didn't hear me the 1st time). Now - don't let Jack let you down ... he's not a pro by any means - but hey, you gotta start somewhere, right?

Playing with a fascinating toy (as in it lights up and plays music)!
So proud of himself.

focus ...

whoa! whoa! whoa!

and he's down...


(please note, he's tough, too!)

Atop Afghanistan

A Little Chit Chat

R

what makes you think uncle deRich came to visit?


looks like jack has his mama's thighs. :)

5 Month Pictures...

I was hesitating on posting 5 month pictures because I refuse to believe my little baby boy is nearly a half of year old. It's going by too, too fast. (flip side ... faster it goes, faster B comes home) But still. Tomorrow Jack is going to be 5 YEARS old - I swear. This monthly session Jack actually ignored me and couldn't keep his hands off his hippo...

And ... he's spent.

Jack is surely developing right along. He's eating off of his spoon like a champ - he ate in his highchair tonight with no complaints. He's still great at standing, he's starting to maneuver. He'll spin himself around; scoot to get what he wants. He screams. He coos. He laughs. He actually enjoys his tummy time. He loves to lean on you while your laying back on the couch and he'll move all over you and explore.

Giggle Box

There is absolutely nothing better than making your baby laugh other than hearing him laugh. And now I finally got it on tape. It was a liberating moment for me today. Enjoy.

(please excuse my growls - but Mr. Jack likes them)

A Moment of Gratitude

Over the Independence Holiday, our Statesboro unit was stripped of 2 men. Two young men: SGT Brock Chavers & SPC Isaac Johnson. Their bodies are finally coming home this week. SGT Brock Chavers will be welcomed home with Planeside Honors tomorrow at the Statesboro Airport.

God Bless both of these soldiers for their sacrifices they have given to our country. We are forever indebted to them and their families. From patriotguard.org:

"Thank you Sgt. Chavers & Spc. Johnson for your service and sacrifice for our nation and way of life. It's only because of heroes like you that we understand the meaning of the word Freedom. May God welcome you into that special place He has reserved for those who serve."

I pray that the rest of our Military family comes home safe and sound - and soon.

Jack Meets Spoon

Jack turned FIVE MONTHS OLD yesterday. Where has the time gone?? He's sooooo big now, I can't even believe it.

Turning 5 months old is a ground breaking experience. 5 months old means Jack can be introduced to the spoon. He was more interested in the process of feeding himself than the actual food itself. Which is okay ... but then he'd get frustrated because he wasn't getting fed fast enough. He wanted to hold the bowl, hold the spoon, hold his bib and hold his rag. Jack started in his highchair but got mad because not a really big fan of trays. [yes, random, I know] So, we had to move to the Bumbo.

Jack started with some rice cereal and we'll move onto more flavorful food soon. Hopefully his palette will have been passed down from his daddy. We had to take a break and give him some of his bottle to ease his impatient little self. Not to worry, Granny & Pop, I will feed Jack things I don't even like.

Jack experiencing food & getting mad ...



...and finishing up in his Bumbo

4th of July Pictures!

Jack didn't feel so good during dinner - finally, he lost his stomach all over himself and Robbie and went from a Comatose Jack to Fun Jack. It was pretty entertaining - lucky for Jack that Robbie doesn't have a queasy stomach.

Once Jack livened up, our supportive Statesboro family wedged in the truck after eating to watch fireworks. It lasted about 2 minutes, then we crammed back in and went home to play on the driveway with some sparklers. He was entranced with all of the lights and sparkles, for sure.

Watching the fireworks from a distance...




Playing with sparklers ... wayyyy past his bedtime.

Uncle Tom showing Jack a sparkler

Thanks to Auntie Robbie for bringing her camera!

Good Morning, Sunshine II!

At the beginning of June, Jack started sleeping through the night ... and no, not by the 'standards' of baby books and such - but literally ... Down at 9pm and up at 6am. Sometimes I actually have to wake him up so I am not late for work! Such a good boy. And, as always ... if he's up, he's patiently waiting for me to join him.

Father's Day Video

Jack, as always, was in a great mood during Father's Day. Here's a little video of Jack playing with Granny.

Sir Spitsalot!

Jack won't get a rash from drooling ... he'll get one from spitting. He actually gave me a fat raspberry on my neck tonight ... !

I Still Got It!!

Hells Yeah ...

[ All essay and short answer, too :) ]

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!!

Happy 4th of July! Thanks to our soldiers (especially ours)
for protecting our freedom! (we miss you!!)

Bryan's favorite holiday. Jack's 1st 4th. Doesn't seem like much of a holiday without him [Bryan]. Bryan is always the party-planner when it comes to the 4th and he always does it right. We have about as many 4th of July decorations as we do Christmas.

So, in honor of Bryan and the Independence of our Country, we'll be having a small all-American cookout at the house today. I just hope that we can live up to Bryan's expectations. :)

We hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable 4th!

Pre 4th Post

In light of the upcoming Patriotic Holiday, I figured I should give everyone a Bryan update ... (and also because I have gotten many-a reminders)

Bryan is good - he actually never moved bases as previously thought [thanks to the oh so organized military]. So as of now, he's staying put. I will email Bryan's address to those of you who have asked. :)

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

Noisemaker

Jack's got new tricks, man - thanks to Granny! I don't know what you call them... fart noises and raspberries? Anyone have any insight?

Here... Fishy, Fishy... !

Jack can practice his swimming skills even more, now! Yes, that's right - we got a pool. Now, it's nothing to REALLY write home about ... Jack's Granny made me do it :)

The culprit... Granny! & Jack!
Yes, I moved my Lemon Tree to the pool for some ambiance.

Easing Jack in!

Hooray! Happy Jack!

Swim, Swim, Swim!

Now I can float (with two friends + jack) and work on that non-existent "I work full time, am a single parent and going to school" tan on the little breaks I get. Now Jack can do what he loves most whenever he wants ... play in the pool! Because at the end of the day ... that is what matters most, right?

I have room for two! Who's in!?

Jack's Token Water Face.

Playing in the Water...

Having a Ball!

Jack & Mama Playing...

Jack's a Fish

playing with Olivia (one of my favorite pictures!)

lounging with mommy ... this kid knows how to relax.... !

Jack loves his pool time as much as his mom; although he can't stay out in the sun as long as I can. But, lucky for us, we have great friends - the Carter 4. They have a marvelous pool and are always very gracious in inviting us over for some Vitamin D.

Dylan and Olivia especially like to tote Jack around the pool. Dylan does what he calls their [J&D] "Superman" move. Then, when Jack is done swimming, he has a house full of a/c (& love) to retreat to - while mom works on her tan. :)

It's hard to catch, but Jack definitely smiles while he plays in the water.