A Day (Or Two) In The Park

Lately we have been blessed with some great family time at the park.  We have a great park near us that we go to whenever we get the opportunity.  Newton Lake Park offers a huge playground with great baby swings and a nice loooooong paved path around a lake.  We all (including and maybe especially Zoe) really love our park time.   If you haven't gotten the picture already of how much we have recently enjoyed the park here are some pictures to even further show how much we love the park! :) 

Hi Daddy!

Zoe ~ Our Happy Lab

A large crane that I just happened to capture taking off

Tristan's first time on the swing 

We will be going back very soon!!!!

Help! A Monster Ate My Baby!

Bath time! The time of day Jack loves most.  He gets so excited when we start running the water, that getting him undressed is a production.  He squirms and shimmies until he is free and then takes off in a mad crawling dash to the bathroom!  Ahhhhh good old reliable bath time!  We splash and play and get all tired out, because what comes next is a small slice of Mommy's heaven!  Bedtime!

 

Happy Ten Months to the Bub

Just an update (for my own benefit)

4 1/2 months - first tooth (bottom right)
10 months - 6 teeth (three top and three bottom ...one more top one coming soon)

8 months - started crawling
8 months and 1 week - started pulling himself up
8 months and 2 weeks - cruising and walking with push walker
10 months - WATCH OUT!  Mr. Independent Superspeedcrawler has emerged.  He is also piking out one leg as he crawls around trying to stand up......

9 months - said "Da Da'
10 months - said "Ma Ma"--The most beautiful sound in the world :)

There are so MANY things that Jack is learning and doing on a daily basis and we are amazed by them!

My favorite thing as of late....his love of reading.  He get so excited when I pick him on and put him on my lap to read a book, then he cuddles up with me and follows along as I read and he turns the pages.  One of my very favorite moments with him so far!

I know I am his Mother, but I really think I do have a pretty amazing kid!

Happy Ten Months Bub!  I love you!

The Tale Of A Winter's Break

Winter Break.  To relax, or to visit all friends in relatives with in desired (or not so desired) driving distance?  That is the question.  Us?  We definitely did a little of both.  I thoroughly enjoyed the luxury of waking up every morning (even though there was very little sleeping in for me) and not having to RUSH!  Enjoying the first cup of coffee, while giving Jackson breakfast, listening to some of our favorite CDs, reading lots of books, playing with new toys....it was so nice just to be at home.  I feel like in just the one week  after Christmas, Jackson has made leaps and bounds.  He is not only "Superspeedcrawler" but also is becoming much more comfortable walking with his push toy and cruising around the furniture.  He is also babbling up a storm and he said "Ma Ma" for the first time!  It was "Da Da" for weeks and hearing that first "Ma Ma" was magical!

We also had the opportunity to visit lots of friends and family over the break and enjoyed every minute catching up!  This break was the perfect reminder of how blessed we are to go in to the new year with so many wonderful people surrounding our family.  And, speaking of the new year, I look forward to many new beginnings and many more 'firsts' and reflect back on 2009 and am in complete awe of what it has left us with.  To think back to this time last year, Frank and I were anxiously and excitedly waiting for the birth of our (unknown) baby to be born.  Planning and preparing for the year ahead.  Fast forward to now, we are graced with the presence of this little person who is almost walking and talking.  Truely miraculous.  I can not wait to see what 2010 has in store for us!

playing with my Cuz

 

 Enjoying a foamy cup of java

 

Yum

 

 Becca & Jake playing Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head

 

Hangin' around the Howley's 'house'

Lovin' the big kids!

Uncle Dennis

 

Our Happy Family (now the Eagles just need to win)

 

Uncle A.J. & Aunt Maggie

 

Enjoying a cookie

 

 Washing off the cookie

My favorite toy

 

Supporting my Uncle Dennis (#1)

Happy New Year 2010