First Tooth!

Jack decided to surprise Nathaniel with his first tooth today as a birthday present. We really did not see this one coming. He has been drooling like crazy for the last month or so, but ironically this past week he seemed to drool less. He was not cranky or anything. However, he did wake up in the middle of the night two nights in a row (the first one was probably because we skipped a dream feed to see if he needed it, and at 1 am he woke up letting us know he did). But last night, he woke up for what seemed like no reason. I went in to comfort him and he instantly went to chew my finger. And that is when I felt a tiny sharp little ridge on the right side of his lower gum. This morning I was able to see a white ridge-about 3/4 of the tooth has popped through his gums, but it is just a little thing. We both cannot believe it! He is getting so big.
We will definitely post a picture as soon as we are able to capture it!

Birthday Festivities

Today we went to Famous Dave's, which is Nathaniel's favorite place to get ribs. Jack absolutely was mesmerized by the antler lights and all of the buzz of the restaurant. However, as happy and go lucky as he was, he just did not feel like taking any pictures. We captured one, and he looks less than enthused! I am sure we will see this face many many times during his teenage years!

Happy Birthday Poppie!

Dear Poppy,

I just wanted to tell you how much I love you. I might not be able to tell you in words quite yet, but I hope my smiles, cuddles, and giggles let you know just how great I think you are. I am so lucky to have you as my poppie AND buddy. I love spending time with you, whether it is "rough-housing", cuddling, reading books, or going on adventure walks. I am very lucky to have you as a role model. I can't wait for all of the fun things we are going to do together during this coming year.
Thank you for all of the love you give to both momma and me. You are just the best.

Hugs and Kisses,

Jack

P.S. Here is a video that I love, because it shows how you can make me laugh and squeal like no one else can!

Winter Walks

Jack's "I will not move my head, just my eyes" method of looking around.

Yes, there is a little guy bundled up in there

Winter has not been too kind to us in Minnesota this year. So, last week, when it was 30 degrees, we jumped on the chance to go for a winter wonderland walk. This was momentous for several reasons: 1) we were able to go on a family walk, something that Nathaniel and I have loved to do for years and 2) it was Jack's first time in the stroller facing forward and not in his car seat. We could not get over how big he looked with his little legs hanging over the seat. Selfishly, we don't like it as much because he is not facing us. However, it is so fun to watch him take everything in. It cracks us up, because he becomes VERY quiet, not making any noises at all-he is too busy soaking everything up with his eyes. He also does not move his head. He stays very still and only moves his wide eyes to look around. It is HILARIOUS! You can just see the synapses in his brain firing away like crazy, as he is learning about the world around him.  

A funny side story about him in this winter snow suit-we were at Target and a little boy who was maybe 5 came running up to him as he was in the stroller and said, "he looks like a frog!"  Now, whenever he is in the snowsuit, I can't help but think he kind of does :)

Jack's New Favorite Past-time

Jack LOVES to be part of anything that is going on. We recently got out his high chair so that he could watch and play while we are doing things in the kitchen. He loves to just watch and smile as we make silly songs up about the things we are doing in the kitchen. It is great, because he makes you feel like you are the funniest and coolest when he laughs at you.

You may notice that the high chair is nice and clean right now. I have a feeling that this will quickly change once we introduce cereal next month when he turns 6 months old.

Also, feel free to admire that chunky ankle and calf in the lower right part of the picture. So juicy!

Go Bucky; Jump Around!

Jack has been feeling under the weather, in some form or another, for the past 3 weeks, but he's still able to muster excitement for the University of Wisconsin.  After a BIG win vs. #1 ranked Ohio State, Jack wanted to celebrate by dancing/singing to House of Pain's "Jump Around."   Oh how I love this boy's enthusiasm for the Badgers!

 

Buddies

Work has been a little more than rough for Poppie these last few weeks, but when he gets home he and Jack can just cuddle and decompress.  We could stay calm and still like this for hours, cheek pressed against cheek. 

Bath Time!

Jack LOVES to take baths!  We're excited for him to start swim lessons in a few months...chunky thighs in swim trunks.  

 

 

Future Babysitters

A couple of weeks ago, when we were in Madison, Jack got to spend some quality time with his favorite "non-family family members."  It was so cute to see Jack cuddle with them. I cannot believe that 8 years ago I was babysitting the girls, but now they are almost old enough to babysit Jack! Where did time go?

Our little Inch Worm

Here is a little video of our little man not quite crawling, but definitely getting ready for it. I was not able to get my phone in time for all of the action. If you see the little round pig, before he started to move, it was in front of him. And initially, he was not screaming with frustration! It is so cute to see him move-I can't wait to watch him actually crawl! I do hope that he does not look back at this video one day and hold it against me for laughing while he was not so enthusiastic about his situation!

Baby Fine Hair

If you look very closely, you can see Jack's first experience with one of the side effects of Midwest winters-static hair. His hair is so fine, it was just precious seeing individual strands sticking up.