Happy Halloween 2011

This year we had a hard time deciding on a costume. Sponge-bob was the first pick, that we bought and put on. It was cute, but not really cute. So, one day when Jack and I were at Target we decided to look around the costume area and ended up finding a Bumble-bee! Jack was so excited that he wanted to try it on right their in the store! It was precious, and looked great one him! Sold!




We started the evening by just hanging out with the neighbors and taking pictures of all the cute little kiddos in their costumes.









Soon, Jack was off to the races ready to knock on some doors!



He did great, but we are still working on the idea of taking the candy and then leaving - Not running through every persons home! Thank goodness we know most of our neighbors and they didn't really care!


Jack 2010 -



Jack and mommy 2011-





Happy Halloween!

18 months!

So much has happen over the last two months, where to start?

Picture time!
We recently had family pictures taken, finally! We met two young college students at our neighbors sons birthday party who have started a photography business. After viewing the pictures they took of Jack at the party I knew we could get some really great photos of our family with them! We never had professional newborn pictures taken of Jack, due to me having a C-Section, and taking so long to recover. It was finally time to get some good professional family pictures taken! And I love the way they turned out!







Charlotte-
We also took our first vacation since Jack arrived to Charlotte, NC. Katy is the COO of the DNC, and will be living their for the next year and half so we thought we would make a trip of it! Considering it was our first flight with Jack, and Jacks first flight period I feel we all did as well as could be expected. We were armed with DVD's, books, and snacks! Jack ended up sleeping the first part of the flight there, and then watching Sesame Street, and reading the rest. About the last 20 min of the flight he head had enough and was ready to be done, as we all were!
Charlotte was awesome! The weather was cool with the highs in the low 70's and, the city has many attractions for kids . Discovery is like the Austin Children's Muesue but 10 times better!They had lots of hands on activities and a whole room just for his age group!







Then we headed to the Fish splash pad and had lunch outside one afternoon. Actually we had lunch outside many afternoons because the weather was just hat nice!





The next day we ventured to a placed called ImaginON. It is a huge Children's Library, with tons of hands on activities as well.




That evening we went down town for dinner and Jack got to go on his first carriage ride. It was a little cold and windy but after warming up with a blanket we all had a nice ride through the city!



And lastly here is a pic of the adorable condo we stayed in!



We had a great trip, and Rob has been trying to talk me into moving there ever since we returned! I have to stay, it would not be a bad place to live!


18 Month Well-Check!

Stats-
Weight - 26.5 ( 50-75 %)
Height - 36 ( off the charts)

Jack passed his well-check with flying colors!


Mother's Day Out aka MDO

Rob and I have been discussing for awhile when would be the right time for Jack to start an MDO program. The main problem is myself, and my lack of trusting non-family members with Jack. It is in fact one of the main reasons I decided to stay home with him. We have recently both seen a desire in Jack to have more peer interaction, as it seems that anytime he is around other kids (mainly older kids) he will interject himself into whatever they might be playing. I love that we have an outgoing social son, but mommy is not, and probably will never be ready to hand him over to someone else. However, to me, being a good parent means doing whats is best for Jack even if it forces me out of my comfort zone. So with a heavy heart we are going to start the process of touring some programs, and find a place that we hope will fit our needs.

16 Months & More milestones!

Our sweet little Jack man is now 16 months! He is no longer eating any pureed food, and he let us know very clearly that he was "donezo" with it! One day during lunch he decided to throw his food from the dish it was in onto the table and didn't want to eat any of his pureed food. So I decided to heat up some other solid food, and he went to town on it! Just like everything else he has done, until he can do it 100% (crawling, walking, ect) he won't really do it at all. I am so excited that we have moved past pureed food, as it makes eating out and traveling SO much easier!

The second milestone- Jack is getting so much better at wanting to drink out of his cup, instead of his bottle. He will drink out of his cup in the house, at meal times, and in the car! Just not outside while playing, on a consistent basis yet. He still gets a bottle when he wants one, as I believe that when he is ready to be done, he will do it one his own (you never see grown men walking around with a bottle!).

Some recent pics!

One of our neighbors recently had a birthday party for her 3 year old son. They had an amazing photographer their who got some pretty awesome shots of Jack! We have already booked a family session with him, and I am so excited to see what we get!

HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

OMG!!! Do you think it could get any hotter outside? Lately I have defiantly had to pull some creative ideas out for new morning and afternoon actives. Jack used to play outside in the morning, but lately it has been so darn hot, that it has been impossible. So, what have we been up to? The pool, the Splash pad, indoor play-dates, of course Gymboree, and anything else we can think of indoors! This has been a summer for the record books, hitting triple digits for weeks in a row!
Some recent pics!


Gymboree!


Aunt Katy came to play with us at Gymboree!



Crashed out with daddy!

Lets get this party started!!!! Please!

We are reaching another major milestone! (June 22, 2011) Jack took about 10 steps on his own tonight!! I am beyond excited! We were outside playing and Jack decided he wanted to move from one push toy to the next. Instead of crawling, he decided to walk. Once we noticed he was walking we began to push the toy he was going after farther and farther, and Jack just keep on walking!! YAY! There is no turning back now, we officially have a walker on our hands!!