And We're Back....

So, we've been busy. And we went without internet at home for a little more than two weeks.
So, without a June update - not a single one - we've got some serious ground to make up. And I'll do it all in one post. Make sure you've got some time.

At the beginning of June, Stacey's brother (Jeff) and family (Steph, Avery, and Oliver) came for a visit. It was great to see them and watch the cousins play. Jack and Oliver (just a few weeks apart in age) got matching clothes from Grandma Smith. They even took a bath together. What fun!

(I think Oliver looks like a little body-builder in this picture)

Good buddies. They really could be twins.

Jack has developed this love for letting his tongue hangout of his mouth all the time. He's such a smiley, happy kid. He crawls like a demon, he's cruising around tables and couches, and has started attempting to let go of things when he's standing. And he likes to swing, too.




He's also experienced his first time in the swimming pool. We should have known how he'd do based on his fervent love for bath time. A few times we put him in with trunks on, then we tried his "wet suit" with floaties built in. My mom has a boat for Jack to sit/float in. He is ridiculously adorable in the pool - he just can't get enough. The video doesn't do justice to his joy.











The video:




He's starting to like having books read to him. And he loves falling asleep. Yeah, he's definitely my kid. And to prove it, I'm training him on how to wear a hat - my Notre Dame hat.










We'll try to do better - things at work are slower and his first birthday is approaching. Time to get excited!

A Laugh to Make You Melt

Hey, just two pictures and two videos to share. But first...

In other news, Jack may have said his first word yesterday.

Stacey had opened his door in the morning, opened the window shade, and headed down to make his bottle for breakfast. I got up, walked into his room and he said: "Dada." No more, no less. Now, he has been saying "dadadada" and "mamamama" a lot. But he may actually know what he is talking about now. We are tentatively thinking he does. More testing is required.

He popped out a third tooth, so the drooling is back in full force. But he stopped spewing constantly - that is a trade-off I'm willing to take.

Alright, pictures. Stacey bought him a new hat the other day. Pretty sweet.




And two videos. The first one is from mid-April. The second, what amazing laughter!, is from about two weeks ago.

Way Too Long

It has been way too long since we last posted - sorry!
Let's catch up - prepare yourself for an explosion of photos and videos:

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He's standing, crawling, pulling himself up - basically, Jack is everywhere! His little knees have been red for a while because this kid loves to keep on the move.





It's finally gotten warm enough for Jack to wear shorts. It didn't stay that way, but since he is naturally hot, he really enjoyed getting to shed some layers.






Not only does he like to crawl, he likes to climb. He flipped over this basket and the climbed on top of it. It gave him lay of the land and instant access to toys spread all around him.





At the end of April, some of Stacey's family came to visit from Colorado. Jack's Aunt Stephanie, and cousins Avery and Oliver made the trip. Oliver is just two weeks younger than Jack. See any family resemblance?





Time for a photo essay: At this point, Jack seemed to want to be ahead in the crawling race, so he chased Oliver down.

And slugged him a good one! (not really, but the randomly captured photo makes it look like that)




Here is Oliver, Aaron (Jack's best friend from across the street), and Jack lounging around the living room.




And of course, Avery loved to hang out with Jack.




He was so tired from playing with friends and cousins all week. Clearly, he was ready for bed.



Here's a picture from Mother's Day - Stacey's first!



And then, just some cute pictus of Jack in action around the house.

The Proof is in the Pudding

Jack is definitely crawling - it's not a judgment call, it's a fact.

However, it's hard to catch him crawling a sizable distance. So, these videos aren't long. I had to keep cutting off for one of two reasons:

a) he was about to grab something he shouldn't (can you say babyproof?)
b) every time I say 'come here', the dog comes pouncing in

But our kid is definitely crawling. It's a whole new world.

Oh Boy!!!!

Jack is crawling!!!!!!!!!!!!

Video to come soon - maybe even tomorrow.

It's a bit wonky and belabored - but he is definitely crawling!