11 Months

Hard to believe we met the 11 month mark already! Jack is becomming more vocal every day- just babbling away. He still only says mama and dada, although he will repeat us on occasion- which is hilarious, because all the sudden you will think there's an echo in the house. He is a speed demon behind the walker, but when he wants to get to something quick he still takes off crawling. He will walk for a bit holding on to mommy or daddy and were working on it- he just really likes to crawl!

He has been drooling unbelievably bad over the last month or two, and since he has all his front teeth, I assume we will have some molars fairly quickly. One more month to the big 1-2!

2nd Annual Black Friday Cookoff

For the last two years Dad and Brett have had their annual cookoff on Black Friday- I'm not quite sure how this got started, but I am afraid it will continue for quite some time. Any excuse to cook and drink half the day....

Jack and the boys

Lainey, Lindsay and her mom stopped by

And we attempted to get a pic of the kiddo's together. I thought I had a pretty good one, until I saw Jacks face in the second. I'm just glad he didn't poke poor Lainey's eye out. He kept grabbing at her face while we were setting them up- of course we would get them set and Jack would move, which ment poor Lainey fell over.

Then Jack was on to the cabinet under the t.v.

Some action photos! I must say they made some great briskett, potatoes and sausage- the smoked corn didn't come out so good! But they had fun.

Until next year...

Thanksgiving 2009

My little Turkey's first Thanksgiving!! Well, I must say it was a very tame Turkey Day for us. Aunt Angie and Uncle D stayed home so they could have Thanksgiving with his family. Jack was introduced to his first Macey's Thanksgiving Day parade (that lasted about 5 min) and we enjoyed a relaxing day, just the three of us. Then we headed Great-Aunt Jackie's for dinner with the family that evening.

Jack playing with all the family- he is still very unsure when he can't see mommy or daddy. We ate around 7 and that is right around little man's bed time. Needless to say, we didn't stick around too long after dinner was over!

We had a pretty slim crowd this year- I think we ended up with 15 or 16 for dinner.

Jack ready for food!

Dad and Jack watching the A&M/Texas game with the cousins and reading after dinner

Some more of Lou playing with a tired little Jack- and one of her putting up her plate. She looks annoyed, but certainly was not.

A "self" portrait of the three of us.....ready for bed after our first Thanksgiving with Jack!

My little Moose

I had to post these, partly because I think my child is the most precious thing I've ever seen and partly because he loves Moose. I let him watch NickJr. for about an hour or two during the day depending on what we have going on. He is on the move so much these days that he will start off watching a show for a few minutes and then he's off to explore around the house. But, no matter where he is or what he is doing, if he hears the voice of Moose (Moose A.Moose, for those of you with little ones) talking, he B-lines it back to the t.v. so he can see what's going on and what Moose has to say. Jack moves fast all the time, but it is beyond hilarious to watch him try and get back to the t.v. to see Moose. So, naturally, I couldn't resist the moose pj's!

Weekend in Lubbock

Last Thursday Daddy headed to Dallas for his annual investment conference so Jack and I decided to go with Gigi up to Lubbock and see Aunt Angie and Uncle Dustin.We went to the mall, saw that the Christmas tree was up and couldn't resist a few pictures. Jack just loves his Gigi!

He and Angie did lots of playing and reading....

 

Jack did some exploring while everyone was at the game. I have a boy who loves his naps and was not prepared to deal with a cranky little man if we had a mealtdown at the game. So, Jack and I hung back at the house, watched the game on t.v., took a nap and made a quick trip to Hobby Lobby ( I had to replace a glass candle stick that Jack broke in the first 5 minutes we were there).

Since Ang is off from school for a few days she decided to come back with us. Jack took a nap part of the way home. After he woke up, he, Ang and Abbye watched "Cars" the rest of the way home.

We had a nice, quiet weekend and are looking forward to our first Turkey Day with Jack!

Growing Up

Last weekend Jack helped dad with the ladder so we could get up the christmas lights.

And now he has mastered opening the sliding doors to the entry way, standing for a bit on his own and heading for anything breakable.

Helping mom put away his bouncer.

And cracking up while eating a snack.

Hard to believe our little boy will be 11 mos very soon!

Walking

Jack has been walking behind his walker now for about 2 weeks and I 'm just now posting...... It was nap time when I took this and he was not a happy camper! He still has not figured out how to turn very well, once he runs into something, he's done.

Today...

Today is November 12th and would have been my dad's 57th birthday. However, instead of looking at today as "another birthday" as my dad would have said, I am celebrating the life that was... and is.

To him his birthday was no big deal, but today is kind of a big deal to me.

Last year at this time I was what seemed like 20 months (actually 8 or so) pregnant with Jack- and celebrating this day, the first birthday we had spent without dad. We were awaiting this new little person that was about to come into our lives. I just knew from the very beginning that we were going to have a boy and I wanted name him after his Pops. I must say though, that when I tried to picture what Jack would look like I had a hard time. If any of you know Brian, you know he has very dark hair and dark skin. I of course am fairly light, but blonde- so naturally, I thought our little Jack would be of a darker complexion.

It's a year later and Jack is 10 months. I now find it very funny that my dad always jokingly told my sister and I that he was sure one of us would have a red haired child and I DO have a perfectly red headed child who looks quite like his namesake. I am constanly in awe of the plans God has set for us. I am reminded of his wonder in times like this.

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you...."
Jeremiah29:11 "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope."

There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about my dad, what was and what could have been. However, there is not a day that goes by that I don't look at my child and think of the possibilities that will be.

So today, I celebrate my dad, Jack, who made such an impression on my heart.


I celebrate my son, Jack, who has filled my life with more joy than I ever could have imagined.


I celebrate the wonderful guardian angel my family and I now have to watch over us. And, I celebrate God, who has known and will guide my little Jack's heart.

Happy Birthday dad! I know you are constantly checking in on us, just as you did when you were here. Today, although sad, is a good day.

Around the house

Here are some pictures of Jack around the house the last few days, exploring more and more every day!

Helping with the dishes

What's going on in the front yard...?

Stuck under the kitchen chair...yes, he is about to loose it, but I had to get the camera first!

Getting ready for his bath...he absolutely loves bath time, he would stay in for hours if I would let him. I just love his little bottom- I think this will be a good, embarrassing photo for later!