Itsy Bitsy 16 Months

I have to share this sweet little video. Jack is really into boxes and laundry baskets right now. He also LOVES to drag around anything with a cord...blow dryer, curling iron, computer charger, etc. He is mimicking sounds and says a real word every once and a while like "hello" and "cracker". I love that after singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Pat-a-Cake" over a thousand times, he is finally starting to do the hand motions!

So here's a few more tid bits about little 16 month old you...

• You are starting to throw slight temper tantrums when you can't have something that you want.
• I am finding things in weird places, like a lid to a pan under the couch and toys in kitchen cupboards!
• You like to drink out of a cup, but it dribbles all down your chin! You kind of slurp it, it's pretty funny! And when you drink out of your sippy you say "Aaaaahhhhh" after a drink!
• You are still a pretty good eater, but are becoming more picky and I can't get you to eat a veggie anymore! You have a sweet tooth and love fruit, especially bananas!
• You are blowing kisses and waving goodbye all the time, even if we just run to the garage real quick.
• You are starting to run a little and love to dance, but you like it when we hold you in our arms and you grab our hand to dance.
• I just noticed that you can point to your nose, eyes and ears! We have a great sitter because daddy and I did not teach you that!
• You are loving Grandpa Wolf these days and will run right up to hem to be held when we see him!
• You are so sweet when we get home from the day and are anxious to see daddy! You run to him with smiles and giggles and I think it makes for a good end to a long days work!
• You are on your tube feeds for only four hours a night - we are pretty excited, but we hook you up at 10:30 and unhook you at 2:30, so it becomes a little tiresome! Your doctor is pretty impressed with your progress. 
• You weighed it at 22lbs 12oz last week and I'm getting out 18month clothes!
• You love to run around naked before bath time and sometimes you escape from us during diaper changes and you think it's hysterical - I love a giggling, naked baby running through the house!
• You NEVER stop moving, EVER! You are constantly on the go discovering new things and getting into everything that you are not supposed to be into! The Christmas tree should be interesting!
• Ice cream is a very special treat that you love!
• We took you to your first trip to Bianchi's, and Ottawa tradition, and you waited very patiently for almost an hour for pizza!

 Checking out the pumpkin Mommy carved for Jack!

Spooky "Jack" themed pumpkins.

 I really got into Halloween this year. Last year, it was our goal to be home from the hospital by Halloween. Jack came home on October 28th, 2010, so this is a really special time of year for us. i decorated and made some decorations and a homemade costume of course! We started a night light collection for Jack, a spooky skeleton, and we got him a toy doctor kit for his special "One Year Home" celebration! Truly a very special time of year for us - lots of good, scary and nervous feelings!

 Kind of happy for a second...

 It was the hat that he did not enjoy...trying to make it all better with a sucker...

But as you can see, it didn't work! But I swear, he was a very happy trick-or-treater and loved walking up the sidewalks holding our hands for only a second. He carefully chose a piece of candy out of the neighbors candy bowls and put it in his little pumpkin.

Last year's Halloween! Our little Jack-O-Lantern!

You sure do keep us on our toes these days! Our house is full of laughter and love and a very tired mommy and daddy! But we love you to the moon and back all over again and will do whatever we need to for you, not only now, but for the rest of our loves son! You are an amazing little boy with an amazing spirit! I know I say this every month, but we do love you more, and more, and more each and every day! Life truly keeps getting better! All my love - Mommy

PS Remind me that I need to take more pictures! I don't know what has gotten into me lately! But I do have lots of pictures on my phone...just need to get them onto the computer!

15...and 1/2 Months

Life has been busy and I have been exhausted, but hey late is better than never! I really need to write this months update because so much has happened, most importantly, WALKING!!!!! Yes out little man is walking everywhere these days. My how life has changed! So here's how that started and a little more about you at 15 months!

• You are off and walking! Holy cow, I can't believe it! It started with a few steps here and there, and now you are full fledged walking and you love it!
• You are so good at playing. You play so good all by yourself and really love to sit and look at your books.
• You are into everything that is not a toy. Opening all of the cupboards and emptying them is your favorite past time. It makes cooking dinner twice as long.
• You are getting so big! You weigh it at bout 22 pounds and 30 inches. We were just remembering when we could hold you on our chest under out chin and your butt hit our belly button. 
• You blow kisses and wave to everyone
• Your red hair still makes all the old ladies at the grocery store stop dead in their tracks!
• You can now say Hi, mama, doggie, I think you say Aggie for our neighbor, and Daddy is your FAVORITE word!
• You love music and are into the Laurie Berkner Band. I turn it on in the car when you are fussy and it calms you right down!
• You have been watching a little more TV these days and will sit and watch an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba.
• You are on your tube feedings for only five hours a night! Woo hoo Jack, keep up the awesome work! Doctor says we will try no tube feeding after the holidays! I can't even imagine how life would be!
• Speaking of the tube, you pulled it out at the sitters house with the balloon inflated! This resulted in an emergency trip to Peoria on a school day. Just more time to spend with you and a pit stop at the park on a lovely fall day!
• I always try to make our doctor's visits special. Last one, we went to the Discovery Museum in Normal, it was awesome and you truly loved it!
• You love to be outside and will cry when it's time to come in or when we can't go out. 
• You are still an amazing napper taking two 1 1/2 hour naps during the week. You sleep in on the weekends and are usually doing one nap on the weekends.
• You have adjusted beautifully to day care...but I'm still working on it!
• You're sleeping thought the night pretty well, except when it comes to teething and having a bit of a cold.
• You are one happy boy all of the time! We are blessed!
• You are a huge fan of spaghetti and pizza! Some of your other favorite foods are pancakes, bananas, cheese, and chicken nuggets with ranch!
• We have recently bought a hiking backpack and have started to take you hiking. Wow, 22 pounds can get heavy real fast! But you enjoy the ride and fall asleep.
• You love to peek thought things...doors, the crib slats, the spindles in the deck, windows. 
• You have been obsessed with cords lately. Especially my hair dryer and such! Great way to keep you busy when I need to get ready in the morning!

At the NICU walk. This is your friend who was born weighing 2 pounds! We got to see all of your other NICU friends as well. We are happy to report that everyone is happy and healthy!

Team "Jack's Journey" raised $1,300 for our favorite NICU! We are so grateful to our friends, family and co-workers!

Checking out fish bigger than you at Bass Pro Shop

Playing in the leaves. You did NOT like being buried in them

Another new obsession, the French doors!

A family hike before the new carrier! We are loving this fall!

Daddy and Jack in Bears gear. Daddy is being silly!

I had to convince Matt that this was a good purchase, so I felt that I had to be the first to carry you! It was pretty comfy, but I was feeling it the next day!

Daddy's turn, and you're out!

"Practicing" trick-or-treating!

Our special day at the children's museum...

There was NO ONE there! You had the run of the place! You loved all the buttons and levers on the tractor and kept going back for more.

But this is the best picture ever! There was a bridge that you went over a hundred times, then you would peek through the glass and giggle at me! It was too funny and you made the best piggy faces in that glass at me!

 These 15 1/2 months have been absolutely amazing! It really does just keep getting better and better. Your laugh and smile still continue to light up rooms. You are the happiest baby ever and aways smiling! Somedays I am sad that you are not a little baby anymore, but you do have your sweet, cuddly moments. I enjoy every second being your mommy Jack! I am so proud of all of your accomplishments both big and small. I can tell, you are here to conquer the world, and you are going to have fun doing it! Daddy and I couldn't be happier to be at your side watching you do it! Life is changing so very fast, but we always make sure to take the time to slow down and enjoy all you have to offer. Love you to the moon and back little man...and then again and again! XOXO Mommy