Jack's First Christmas

I had a great first Christmas! I got to open a lot of presents, and I was very good at it!

I especially loved spending so much time with my cousin, Vera! We played together and had a great time!

Thanksgiving

We had a great time with our family on Thanksgiving! Jack had a great time, too!

Jack's first Thanksgiving meal! We let him try a small bite of mashed potatoes and pie, too!

Jack's First Hair Cut

Yes, that's right. Jack had his first hair cut. Most likely the only 6 month old you know who has already had his hair cut, but it was getting to be a hazard: tangles, getting caught in the bib, and not to mention the fact that we didn't want our child to have a baby mullet for another 6 months. Jack's grandpa cut it for him and it looked so cute when he was done! I don't think Jack knew what was going on!

Look at all that hair!
The after picture. What a handsome guy!

Happy Halloween!

Jack had a great halloween, especially because both of his grandmas gave him some yummy treats!



Halloween is exhausting . . .

Let's Eat!

I've been smelling my mom and dad's food and watching them eat it for 6 months now, and I've tried over the last few weeks to get my hands on some of it. I've reached into their bowls of morning cereal, tried to grab their forks and spoons when they were not looking, and last weekend, I convinced my grandma to give me a taste of her apple . . . it actually didn't take that much convincing, which I noted for future use :). Anyway, mom and dad FINALLY gave me my own food yesterday for the first time. It was in my very own bowl and I had my very own spoon. It was pretty yummy!

I was so happy, and I got the hang of it pretty quickly. Like I said, I've been watching them, so I knew exactly what to do. I can't wait to try more things!
On day two, I really got the hang of it! I grabbed my spoon and bowl and went to town. I even asked my mom for more once I emptied the bowl. I really like to eat, just like my daddy!

Passing on Family Traditions

Fall is my favorite season. I love the beautiful colors of the leaves, the crisp, cool air, and the smell of autumn. What I look forward to most, though, is going apple picking with my family. Since we were kids, my parents have taken my brother, sister, and I to the apple orchard every October. It was a tradition started by my grandparents and passed along to our family. The day always consisted of cider and donuts, eating as many apples as we wanted and getting "apple sick" as Andy called it, helping to cut and core the apples when we got home, baking yummy apple treats, and then eating "comfort food" like sloppy joes for dinner and apple pie all evening! The past couple years, it has been hard to coordinate everyone's schedules with the perfect apple picking time, but every year we manage to at least get out to the orchard for a little while to try to keep the tradition alive. I hope that, especially as Jack gets older, we can continue to share this family tradition with him! He really enjoyed his first time apple picking! The pictures speak for themselves!

Growing Pains

The journey of parenthood is emotional. I never really understood this, nor did I ever expect to, before Jack was born. Every moment that I spend time with Jack and every day that I get to know him better, the more I fall in love and the stronger those emotions get.

One important way that I have bonded with Jack over the past 6 months is through breastfeeding. While pregnant, I didn't really feel very strongly about breastfeeding. I thought, I'll do it, but if it is too hard or if it doesn't last, then oh well. Nursing Jack, however, went very well right away and has continued to be successful, until recently.

Two weeks ago, when Jack started refusing to nurse, it was surprisingly very difficult for me. I never imagined that I would feel so devastated. It was heartbreaking. I remember a friend of mine telling me about her experience with this around the time that Jack was first born. I also remember not fully understanding why she was so upset. Even now, I really can't put into words the emotional pain I felt over this. I guess it's just one of those things that only a mother knows and experiences. One of many of those things, I'm sure.

I've now tried pretty much everything that I can think of or read about to try to help Jack overcome this; however, we are not progressing much. I still try with him daily, but I'm realizing more and more lately that this is just one of many, many times that Jack will break his mommy's heart simply by growing up and becoming a little bit more independent. And maybe this is a time for me to grow as well, a time for me to learn to let go of this special experience that we had for a while, a pretty long while actually, and realize that the hugs, kisses, laughter, love, and everything in between are the things that really matter the most.

Giggly Jack!

Back to Work

It's been an interesting month adjusting to a new schedule and getting used to working and taking care of my baby Jack. It was definitely hard going back to work. I was a mess the first few days, but I'm getting used to it a little more each day, and I'm cherishing every moment with Jack in the evenings and on the weekends. It's those moments when I sometimes get sad knowing that I have to leave him to go to work soon.

When I'm at school, though, I'm so busy that I don't have time to think about being sad. I do love my students and enjoy working with them, so that has been a fun part of going back. But a big part of me wishes that I didn't have to leave this sweet face!

Ed's doing such a great job with Jack! It's awesome knowing that Jack is at home with his daddy all day. I love hearing about the fun times they had together when I come home. It's great to know that Jack is going to grow up having a close and special relationship with his dad and that means a lot to me. I love coming home to my two favorite guys!

Happy 4 months, Jack!

Jack went for a more formal attire for his 4 month birthday. How fancy!