A big week for Jack

Jack has had an exciting week, complete with his first hair cut and 1 year doctor check-up. He started the week playing "only child" with Nana and Poppy and ended it with a great 1 year well visit at his new Pediatrician's office. All of that sandwiched his first hair cut and learning "peek-a-boo" and "patty-cake."

He did great with his first haircut. At first he was a little apprehensive, but by the end he was smiling and laughing. I wish so much that Steve could have taken him to get his first cut. I can't wait till I see them both walking into the Barber Shop at the BX to get their military haircuts together!

His one year doctor's visit went very well. He now weighs 24 lbs (70%) and is in the 50% as far as height. Everything else checked out great. It was nice meeting his new pediatrician, though I hope we don't have to see her too often this winter. I am praying for a cold free/flu free winter. I can not tell you how thankful I am for two very healthy children. God has truly blessed us!

Here are some pictures from Jack's first haircut.

Girl's Day!

Nana and Poppy were nice enough to watch Jack for the day, so Isabella and I headed to Indianapolis! We had so much fun eating at the Cheesecake Factory, sharing our favorite Chocolate Raspberry Truffle cheesecake, and trying on shoes in the Nordstrom kid's shoe department (Isabella LOVES shoes). I know...we're in trouble!

When we arrived home I checked my email and found a message informing us that Isabella had been accepted to a great preschool, which will begin mid-September!

Yes, she was on a sugar high the rest of the day.

Pictures from our week

We've had a fun week, full of playing, watching Uncle Jon & Aunt Diane's new home going up (or down in this case), reading and enjoying the beautiful weather.


Ok, let's just get this picture over with. Steve, I have NO IDEA where he picked up a pink pacifier.


My brother & sister-in-law's new house was started this week. It was fun to take the kids by to see all the digging equipment. The basement walls are going to be poured next week, so that will give the kids something new to see. It will be fun to watch the progress of the house...hopefully they'll be in by Christmas!


The start of the basement. A basement is something very foreign to Bella. We don't have them in Texas!


There is a wonderful new park near our house. It is HUGE, with lots of slides, things to climb on, and items to stretch the imagination. When we first started going at the beginning of the summer Isabella was a bit timid, but boy did she surprise me today. She ran all around, trying new slides, stairs and even the rock climbing wall. She said to me, "Mommy, I'm brave."


Part of the fun playground.



Bella playing leap frog.



Running down the ramp to another fun slide.



Bella playing with the Jeep. Notice she's on the right hand side driving. I think she's trying to give us a hint that she'd like for us to be stationed in England next. No argument here!



"Weeeeee!"



The piano. It's one of the coolest things I've ever seen at a playground.



Bella climbed up the rock wall and then went down the "bumpy" slide.



Bella selling lemonade.



Jack chilling in his stroller.


I was testing some of my camera settings on the next few pictures:












Isabella is participating in the Summer Reading Program at the ACPL. She counts all the minutes that she's read to, and after 15 hours she now gets a cool new book from the library. Thanks Nana for all the reading!!

The weather has been unseasonably cool here, which I LOVE! I'm definitely not a hot weather person. It's been wonderful having all the windows open.



Bella's completed reading chart.

Gardening with Nana

Watering flowers is one of Bella's favorite things to do. Everyday she reminds Nana that they need to water their plants. The pink one below is what Bella planted the first part of summer. She loves that it's getting so big!

Jack's One Year Pictures

So, I thought Jack was going to be my "chilled" child, but I'm beginning to think I was wrong. Just this week he has shown his temper (don't you dare take anything away from him), his stubbornness, and his mischievousness. We'll see how he progresses.

These are some of his 1 year pictures:

Jack's Birthday Party

I really wanted to give Jack a Red, White & Blue birthday party this year since I know by next year he will be into all things that include trucks, cars, and Disney. Ok, so it looked like someone threw up the American flag in the dining room, but I thought it looked cool.







It was so much fun planning his party, and wanted to include some different things. Instead of party hats I had a patriotic hat for Jack and fun headbands for the girls.







Yes, Steve, we made sure he got cake on his face. :)



















It wouldn't be a family occasion without a grand kids picture. The only problem this time was that we waited until the kids were really tired, so this is the best we were able to get.




We now have lots of "masculine" toys in the house...trucks galore, footballs and fun stuffed animals to put in Jack's crib.













HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY JACK!




Finally, I couldn't post this without putting a picture of what Steve sent me today. I missed him SO MUCH today! Steve, I really wish you could have been with me to celebrate our Son's first birthday, but I know there will be many, many, many more celebrations when you return home.

Happy Birthday Jack!

My baby is 1 today! What a blessing he is to our family! One year ago today we were at Abilene Regional Hospital getting to know our Jack. He was a big baby! He was born around 12:30am, and I remember right after he was born Steve went with him to get his first bath and be evaluated, and I just slept and slept!

Jack has been a wonderful baby. Here's what he's up to now (mostly for my own benefit as I've not been so good about filling in his baby book):

- He hasn't been to the doctor for his 1 year baby appointment yet, but my guess is that he weighs about 26 pounds.

- He's pulling himself up to standing, but not quite brave enough to walk around.

- He waives hi and bye.

- He has two teeth, both on the bottom (had his first tooth at 10 1/2 months)

- He says, "Mama, Dada, Nana, Baba," and screeches like a raptor.

- If it was his decision he wouldn't wear any clothes at all...including a diaper

- For now, he LOVES his sister! She can make him laugh like no one else!

- He has a first crush...Aunt Diane!

- He's eating about 8 jars of baby food a day, but HATES the #3's with texture. He'd rather just have small bites of cheese, chicken, fruit, etc.

- He doesn't need nearly as much sleep as Isabella did at this age.

- He really is laid back, but has his opinions on a few things including, the warmth of his milk, and which stroller he likes to ride in (Maclaren)

- He loves anything with wheels

- Most of all...HE'S ALL BOY! :)


July 2008



July 2009