Climber

Here is Jack climbing up the stairs for the first time.  I didn't start filming from the bottom of the stairs because I though he would just go to the second or third step and come down as he had done in the past.  Surprise!


- S.

Tree Whisk

"Jack, please don't whisk the tree."

- S.

Sweeper

We are seriously considering getting Jack his own Jack-sized broom for Christmas.

Maybe a shovel too while we're at it!

- S.

Walkies

As mentioned a couple of posts ago, Jack is getting better at walking independently.  

Here is a sample.

(Thresholds are tough.)

Also, Jack has started climbing up on the couch with mixed success.

The cat might start to pack her bags soon.

- S.

Thanksgiving Dinner

We had a nice Thanksgiving at home this year.  

Please note the "innocent" look on Jack's face above.

Less than five minutes later the whole plate was on the floor.

Happy Thanksgiving!

- S.

Thanksgiving

Jack's gift to us which he helped make at daycare today.

- S.

Checkup

"Just sitting in my diaper waiting for the doctor, drinking water, and learning about kitties.  

No big deal."

Jack had his 15 month checkup last week, which actually was a 14.5 month checkup because apparently there were some vaccinations he needed before he reached 15 months.  So, the poor dude got three shots.  

Important stats: Jack now weighs in at 27lbs 4 oz and is 33.5" tall.  He's come down a bit on weight percentile and is now closer to the 80th mark, but is even further off the chart this time for height.  It's not like Derrick or I are super tall, so I assume this will even out sometime.  But for now, most strangers seem to assume Jack is around two years old.

In other fun news, I've had to sign two injury reports at daycare over the past week and a half.  The first one was because another kid scratched Jack because Jack took his toy.  The second one was self-inflicted when apparently he fell and hit his chin on the table and busted open his top lip (see evidence above, at least of the bumped chin).  And of course this happened two days before his first picture day at "school!"  

Also, Jack is now walking unassisted in short bursts here and there.  It's been busy times around here.

- S.

Raker

Jack earning his keep.  Organic fruits and veggies are expensive!

- S.

Halloween

A belated Halloween post.  Instead of carving a pumpkin, we decided to use some Potato Head pieces in an effort to have Jack involved a bit more in the process.  

 I have at least four Potato Heads worth of pieces, 

so we grouped them together by type and let Jack pick his favorite.

Jack supervising.

The (almost) completed project.  

Jack lasted about five seconds before he started taking the pieces off.

Jack ready to hand out candy.

Jack in his monster costume.

Monster family.

Overall Jack seemed to enjoy Halloween.  Since it fell on a day he goes to daycare, he got to wear his costume there and they did a bit of trick or treating within the center, so he came home with a little bag of goodies.  And he really enjoyed seeing kids in costumes come to the door at home that night.  Next year maybe we will take him around the neighborhood for trick or treat.

- S.

Cart

Jack walks with assistance from his cart, with a small pause for some frustration and then some giggles.


- S.

Lynn Woods

Since it is no longer bike riding weather, we've headed to Lynn Woods the past two weekends.  Jack really loves the backpack and being outside, so it has been a lot of fun.

First time in the backpack.  All smiles.

And the backpack makes it easy to touch leaves.

And needles.

Round II the following weekend.  Still lots of smiles.

I gave him a pinecone early on in the hike which he held onto even when we got back in the car.

I'm not sure if he really liked it or if there was enough pitch on it to make it stick to his hand, 

but obviously he's taking it very seriously.

- S.

Topsfield Fair

The Topsfield Fair has come and gone.  This year was more successful than last in terms of Jack's participation and level of enjoyment.
(Looking back now, it was kind of crazy of us to bring a one month old to the Fair, but live and learn.)

As Derrick said, I think Jack's favorite part of the Fair was finding this stick on the ground.

Derrick couldn't resist, but alas, he came away empty handed.

Fair food overview.

First place pumpkin.

We did get better photos of us, but this one makes me laugh 

and really kind of sums up what life is like with a toddler right now.

- S.

 

Happy Fall

- S.

(Photo and video by Derrick.)

Boss

"I need that report on my desk by 3pm.  No excuses."

- S.

Art

Somehow scribbling on paper quickly turned into...

...scribbling on the oven.

The masterpiece.

Did you know they make washable crayons now?  Good thing I bought those.

- S.

Spaceman Jack in Action

- S.

Cereal

So, Jack does this thing now where he piles some of his food on top of his cup and ever so carefully brings the cup to his mouth, then eats the food off the cup and takes a drink.

I don't know what this is all about, but it is interesting to watch.

- S.

Daycare

Jack has completed his second week of daycare.  He is going two mornings per week, mostly so he can socialize and maybe start to learn to share and fun stuff like that.  He can also do cool things like fingerpaint and there's no mess for me to clean up at home.  According to the staff, he has been doing quite well and according to the daily reports that are sent home, he is excelling in snack time.    

And now I have a few hours per week to do things I haven't done in a long time like: exercise, read a book, or maybe actually respond to some emails!  Oh, and update my resume and look for a part-time job.

- S.

Apples

We went apple picking last weekend at Brooksby Farm.  

"You guys, this is booooring."

"Ok, maybe it isn't so bad."

"Now this is more like it."

(Jack's first cider donut.)

Checking out the animals with Dad.

- S.

Swings

We went down to the park again recently and Jack seemed to enjoy the swings much more this time.

"Hey, this is kind of fun!"

Ruler of the swings.

- S.

Jack's One Year Checkup

Jack had his one year check up about two weeks ago.  

Our visit was pretty much the same old routine, which is not a bad thing.

Latest stats: 25 lbs. 11 oz. and 31.75" tall (though I think he grew more last week).

On top of his routine shots, we had to go back so he could get blood drawn to get his iron and lead levels tested, also routine, but not fun.  The results were normal, so we are good until the next checkup in December.

- S.

Birthday Video

To conclude the glut of birthday posts, here is a video that Derrick made of Jack's first year.

- S.

(As always, you can click on "Jack's Birthday" above the video and it will take you directly to You Tube where you can view it larger if you'd like.)

Birthday Fun TImes

Jack's first birthday was Monday.  Derrick and I decided that we would have a small do with some immediate family for this first birthday.  It was a much bigger deal for us than for him, but he seemed to have a good time.

Just finishing up some pizza.

Monster cupcakes

In typical fashion, the bow was most exciting.  Forget the presents.

Jack had his own mini two-layer carrot cake.  This is as far as he got.  Cake coma.

The next morning (Jack's proper birthday), we gave him a couple of toys.

The cat was very interested (string!).

Maybe they can be friends someday after all.

From here on out we hope to start the tradition of just the three of us going away somewhere for Jack's birthday, with him having as much input as possible regarding where.  Perhaps some camping will be in order for next year, depending on his vocabulary.    

- S.

It's Been the Fastest Year Yet...

Jack, one year ago today.

Jack, this morning, excited about his birthday loot.

Happy Birthday!

(Pics of cake and stuff to follow sometime this week.)

- S.

Spaceman Jack

- S.

More Standing

No attempts at walking yet, but Jack is getting pretty good at standing up.

This is all well and good until you are the one being used as a climbing apparatus, for Jack has no qualms about pinching and pulling himself all the way up your side until he is standing next to you.

Cute, but not very comfortable (and in some cases painful depending on the state of his fingernails).

- S.

Beach

We enjoyed a bit of time at our local beach last weekend.

Jack figured out how to use the shovel.

This was a two bath day.

- S.

Kitchen

What the kitchen looks like on any given weeknight.

- S.

Salem Willows

Jack's first trip to Salem Willows on a beautiful Sunday last weekend.

He seemed to enjoy the breeze, the trees and watching the seagulls.

And people watching, of course.

- S.

Elvis Breakfast

Jack's breakfast of peanut butter toast and bananas.

Perhaps not the best choice to serve peanut butter in the morning so far from bath time.

- S.