Paci Lover

Jack is in love with his paci! Maybe I shouldn't let him have it all the time, but right now it makes him happy and keeps him calm, so I let him have it. Normally I keep the paci on a paci holder. The other day the holder was stuck under Jack's ankle and he couldn't get it out from under there to bring the paci up to his mouth. So Jack's solution....
...just bring his mouth down to the paci! He kept going back and forth. Sit up and take a breath. Bend in half to suck on the paci for a few seconds. Sit up. Bend down. Back and forth. What he will do to get that paci...

Sweets for a Sweet Boy!

Well we gave in and gave Jack some sweets last weekend! First off...a donut hole from our favorite donut place in front of our neighborhood.
We broke it up into little bite size pieces for him to pick up and eat. He loved it!

The next day...a baby size ice cream cone from Double Dips. Look at those eyes ready for his first lick.

So cold but so yummy!!! He kept opening his mouth for more.

I'd say that is a satisfied face.

Now he knows! Not sure how much longer we can keep these sweet things away without him knowing.

Football

We went to Korbin's junior high football game one evening. It was the perfect weather for an evening outside! Jack watching the game with Daddy

Too cute - Oliver and his popcorn while watching the game!

Korbin playing football. He is in yellow (not sure where he is...)

Jack and Griffin

I love football!

Fall

It is about time to play major, major catch up on my blog! It has been busy around here!

Fall is here, although it doesn't quite feel like it yet. Today the high is about 90. Luckily the cool front blows in tonight and it will be in the 60's tomorrow! Yay! We took a trip to the store and filled the cart with fall decor - pumpkins and mums. Fall decorations make me so happy!
Our front door all set for fall. I'm still on the lookout for a good fall wreath...as I have been since we moved into this house. Will this be the year I get one?

Our little "bones" baby sitting on the floor watching a Charlie Brown Halloween movie.

So relaxed!

I always love the thought of going on long walks in the spring and fall when it is nicer weather. Since it has been a little cooler Tara and I took the boys (Griffin, Jack, and Zach) on a walk to the corner store....

...and enjoyed a yummy icee and cheese hot dog. Yum!

Happy Fall!

9 Months Old

Jack is now 9 months old - 3/4 of a year! Jack is just as sweet as can be with his big blue eyes and head full of brownish (with a hint of red) hair. Just a few months ago he had no hair, so this is quite an accomplishment for him!
Jack wears size 2 diapers (but we are close to moving up to 3.) He wears size 3-6 or 6-9 month clothes. I have several size 9 and 12 month pants I thought he could wear once it gets cool out but I'm beginning to think he may not fit in them - they're too big! With him being so short I tried on a pair of 3 month jeans I had packed away from earlier this year and they fit perfectly for the length.

Here he is reading a book with daddy while waiting at the doctors office for his 9 month check up.

At 9 months:

Weight: 16 lbs. 2 oz. = 2 percentile

Length: 26.5 inches = 5 percentile

Once again, a small little guy! You don't look at him and think he is small. He still has rolls on his legs and tummy. It all evens out I guess with his weight and length being low. He looks just perfect!

On the way to the doctor I let him know he wouldn't be getting any shots today. I was wrong. He ended up getting a toe prick to check his iron level (which was a little low, but not much of a concern) and a flu shot. Poor guy! But he handled it well and was very brave!

His next check up isn't until he is a big one year old! How is that even possible?

Jack started taking baths in this big rubber ducky tub. It is the perfect size for him and has made bath time so much more enjoyable!

Jack sleeps about 10 hours a night (in his very own bedroom upstairs), going to bed around 8 or 9 at night. He takes a morning and afternoon nap lasting an hour or two each and sometimes slips in another short nap throughout the day. Jack has started some what pulling up. His favorite time to pull up is when someone is sitting on the floor with him, he will grab onto your leg or shirt and pull himself up to give you a hug (or at least I like to think he is trying to give me a hug.)

Within the past 2 weeks Jack has really picked up on his eating! He is now eating baby food, like for real this time! He will eat about 1/3 or a jar of food which is really good for Jack! His favorites are fruits. He doesn't like veggie baby food.

With eating so much more food he is also getting many more baths. That food gets everywhere!

The pediatrician also suggested that we start giving him more finger foods - just cut up whatever we are eating. So last night he ate a real dinner - roast, carrots, potatoes, corn, and a roll. He LOVED it! He ate almost all the food that was on this plate! And he slept great last night too since he had such a full tummy!

He uses his pointer finger and thumb to pick up the food. It doesn't all make it to his mouth but he gets better everyday!

He still nurses about every 3-4 hours. When given a bottle he eats 5-6 ounces. His thing right now is that when he is given a bottle, he thinks only mommy should be the one giving it to him. It is rare when he will allow anyone else to give it to him - daddy, grandparents, nursery workers. etc.

Jack's Baby Dedication

On Sunday, September 25, 2011, we dedicated our little boy, Jack Ryan, to the Lord. We are so thankful for this precious gift that God has entrusted to us and promise to raise Jack in a home that honors the Lord. Our prayer is that one day Jack will make his own personal decision to ask Jesus into his heart. Jack, all dressed up in his big boy clothes for his big day.
Our family - Daddy, Mommy, and JackJack with Mom-mom and Pepa Jack with Pa-Pa and GramPam

Griffin and Jack

Griffin was also dedicated on Sunday.

Tara and I with the boys

It was so much fun going through our pregnancies together, having new babies at the same time, then now dedicating our baby boys on the same day.

Jack was able to have both sets of grandparents here to celebrate with us...

...along with Grandy - his great-grandmother!

Here Jack was introduced to the congregation (about 5,000 people) along with meeting the Pastor. Pastor Jack met baby Jack. I think they like sharing such a great name!

Listening to the dedication message

Our Week

GramPam and Pa-Pa came to stay with us this week. One weekend was Mackenzie's 8th birthday party and the next weekend was Jack's dedication at church, so we got a whole week of visiting together. GramPam and Jack reading books
Mackenzie, the birthday girl. Look at her ceiling - full of balloons!

Jack was excited to be at the party! Look at that excited face!

Jack playing with Pa-Pa.

Preston

More playtime with Pa-Pa.

Barrett got this swing hung up on our back patio this week, so now Jack can enjoy some nice fall evenings outside!

There is proof now that, yes, Java has licked Jack in the face.

Jack has really enjoyed eating this week too!

Dedication pictures are coming soon...