Jack goes to the zoo!

What, I think my animal shirt for the zoo makes me look tough!

Oh! Seals!

"Come to me, oh creatures of the sea!"

At the front gate

For the zoo--much better than a stroller!

On July 30, Jack made his first trip to the Brookfield Zoo with Mommy and Auntie Michele. Ordinarily, I have mixed reviews of zoos. On the one hand, I love to see the animals. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure the animals would prefer the whole continent of Africa to their itty bitty pens in captivity. But when Michele asked me to go awhile back, I was excited but also curious about how Jack would react to everything. Would he enjoy it? Would he sleep through it all? Would it be more like two adults just going to the zoo?

We got there around 9:45, just after the zoo had opened and got Jack's stroller loaded with the MILLIONS of things this kid needs to travel. Seriously, he needs more stuff for a day activity than I need for a week vacation! And he's not even a girl! The first animal we saw was a leopard. Jack didn't see it because it was lazy and barely moved. I kept snapping my fingers in the direction of the big cat so that Jack would look at my fingers and then the cat, but it was for naught. I thought, uh oh, is this how it's going to be the whole time, me trying to get him to pay attention to things he doesn't need? However we then went into an exhibit where we saw meerkats. Those little guys are a bit more active and Jack immediately saw them scampering around. As he usually does when discovering something new, he got quiet and his eyes got big as he watched the little meerkats skitter about. After the meerkats, we found our way to the lion den. Fortunately, he couldn't miss the gigantic cats from the start. He watched them and then looked away, just as the female lion did something to really irritate the male and he went after her and growled. Jack jumped about a mile! He didn't want to be in his stroller much because he couldn't see anything and I didn't want him to be in there either since I couldn't see him react. However, carrying a 20 pound kid in your arms for four hours was NOT an option. I put him in the Baby Bjorn for the first time (unless you count the time I was cleaning the house, found the Baby Bjorn and tried it on just to see how it would be). We both felt more free after that.

We then traveled to the seals' underwater enclosure, which proved to be the best part of the trip. Jack's reaction to the seals was worth the price of admission alone! He first noticed the big blue windows with the water and was in awe. But that was nothing compared to when the seals started swimming by! Huge eyes, squeals, kicking of legs and punching of arms in the air. He then would put his arms out to the sides as if trying to say, "Come to me, my friends from the deep!" It was hysterical to watch and so exciting to see Jack so excited!

After a quick lunch, Jack unfortunately fell asleep and missed the pachyderms and some rather boring goat like things I had never heard of. He woke up to the giraffes. He definitely saw them but I think he was still a little groggy and didn't fully appreciate them. We saw the majority of the zoo and had a wonderful time. I am excited to visit again when he is a little older and can appreciate it even more. I also think that a visit to the Shedd Aquarium is also in order after his reaction to sea creatures! I think he might want to be a marine biologist! On the way out, I got him a little stuffed seal to remind him of his first trip to the zoo and the friends he made there!

Jack goes to Wisconsin!

Jack with Chloe and Cullen Spain

It looks like Jack is about to eat Chloe and Cullen Spain

"One of these things is not like the other. . . "

This weekend, Jack visited his third state. Well, fourth if you count our overnight at the Best Western in Nashville, Tennessee. Anyway, we finally made it up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to visit our friends John and Nicole Spain and meet their twins, Chloe and Cullen, who were born a month and a half after Jack. However, they were born a little early, which is one of the reasons that Jack looks positively gigantic compared to them. The other reason is that Jack is positively gigantic. Holding Cullen (13 lbs) and Chloe (10 lbs) was like holding a feather compared to my little sack of potatoes.

When we first arrived, Cullen enthusiastically greeted Jack with a variety of coos and squeals and smiles. Jack looked very serious at first and then his eyes lit up and he reached out to grab Cullen's face. Then he smiled and smacked him in the face. Cullen was, understandably, a little taken aback by his rude little house guest, but he didn't cry and they really enjoyed checking each other out. He also enjoyed staring at little Chloe. He is really very intrigued by kids his own age and by older kids that he sees running around and doing things.

After relaxing at the Spain house for awhile, we took the whole gang to the lakefront to watch the air show. We got there near the end, only in time to see the Thunderbirds. Jack couldn't see them but he definitely followed their sound. He didn't get too scared by the loud noise and only really reacted when they did super close fly bys, by hugging me tight around the neck. Other than that, he really loved watching the older kids playing. He was all smiles and jumping up and down in my arms with excitement. He definitely had a full day and not only passed out on the car ride home but hit his crib hard and slept well all night!

Today was another fun day as Jack got to spend a good portion of it with Grandma. He was super happy in the morning, greeting me with a big grin and laugh when he saw me. Later, he found it hysterical as I danced with him both at home and in the car. He hung out at Grandmas and got to meet a bunch of different relatives. Though Daddy and I had to leave for a little while, Grandma said he was all smiles and laughs while meeting everyone. When we got back, more of the same. I wonder if his face hurts from all the smiling he does. He just seems to love every new experience.

Another new experience is sitting up. He is doing a great job of sitting up on his own and playing. He sometimes takes a little tumble when he turns to quickly of straightens his legs out. But, in general, he's pretty darn good. He likes the new vantage point while playing. He still prefers to play on his tummy but has also gotten good at turning over on to his back (though he doesn't like being on his back as much so he doesn't do it as often.). We have changed bathtime to him sitting up in his old infant tub. It's adorable to watch him sit up, and less adorable when he completely soaks you while splashing EVERYWHERE! He only stops when he waterboards himself so much that he makes himself sad. We plan on having lots of toys in there in the future to curb the soaking of Mommy and the waterboarding of self!

First Playdate!

The three Js--Jack with Josh and Jake Clement

"So, what do you think about being a baby?"

Jack and Josh

Hangin' out

I love my blocks! They make me want to crawl and roll over!

Jack had his first playdate today. We went over to my co-worker, Nicole's house early in the morning to play with her two boys--ages 2 and 6 months. Another former co-worker came with her brood: a 4 year old, 2 year old and 2 month old. There were a LOT of kids! And almost all boys--only one girl, besides the mommies! Anyway, I was especially excited for Jack to meet Josh, the 6 month old. He had never met anyone his own age and I was curious to see what he would do. We put them on the floor together and Jack was really interested. He immediately reached out and grabbed Josh's belly and then face. Unfortunately they were only awake for a couple of hours together. Jack wasn't a very good guest and he fell asleep about an hour and a half after we got there. Then Josh fell asleep an hour into Jack's nap so they didn't get too much time together. But it was fun for all, nonetheless.

Apparently, being around the older kids was quite inspiring for little Jack. When we got home, he was all about moving around. When I pulled him up to his feet, he was doing a little boogie, taking little steps all around. He also was much more stable when sitting by himself. It's amazing how much better he got even from yesterday! He also decided that today was the day to roll over from tummy to back. His little blocks work wonders. I put them sort of behind him and trying to touch them, he rolled over. Then he thought it was cool and kept doing it. He rolls in the same direction so he actually can get places by rolling. Maybe he'll skip crawling altogether and just roll everywhere! He is also working hard to get the blocks and moving a little bit. He was able to turn himself around and is better about pushing himself up. I feel like crawling may be coming soon! It's so fun to watch him learn and do new things. It seems like he does something new or better every day.

He gets so excited about everything too. It seems that he wakes up each day, pumped to see what it has in store for him. This morning, I woke up, not to the sound of crying but of thumping. He was smacking his bed, drumming his hands and feet on the bed. When I got into his room, he looked up at me and gave me a huge grin. I picked him up and he just began screaming with delight and making all sorts of noises, waking up Daddy. But he didn't mind because he woke up with a big grin on his face, hearing his little boy so happy.

Something that doesn't make him happy--peas. We found the first food that he doesn't like. When I say "doesn't like" I mean, doesn't prefer but still eats it. I think he finds the act of eating so interesting that he will try anything. Yesterday, Daddy gave him his first peas and he said that Jack made faces and only ate half of what he normally eats. Today I tried it with him and he made a stinkface right away. I also made a stinkface feeding him cold, smelly green mush. But he ate it. We'll see how long I stick with it--probably more because of me than him. It was especially disgusting when he would spit it out. It was like the Exorcist. Bottom line, I can't wait for fruits!

Buddies?

Jack and Harley

Reaching out to touch him or trying to claw his face off?

Early on, Jack didn't really think much of the cats. I think this largely had to do with the fact that he couldn't see them, but he didn't give them much attention. They didn't really care for him either. They especially didn't like the attention that was so suddenly sucked away from them entirely and directed to Jack. I have felt terrible but after schlepping around a 20 pound kid, picking up a cat once you put him down isn't on the top of your list. They have been really good about it. Over the past months, they have gotten more interested, yet they still stay a short distance away. They aren't afraid of him and they are curious but it's almost like they know that he is a baby and therefore, must take caution. Inky stays further away, I think because she doesn't like it when he screams and yells, testing out his voice. Harley doesn't care because she's deaf. I have said before that the only thing that cares less than a cat is a deaf cat. Most of the time, it is quite annoying but with regards to Jack, it's a good thing. Hopefully they will continue to be good to him and enjoy hanging around with him.

As far as Jack, he is getting increasingly curious about them. He can see that they are now creatures, instead of moving black blobs. He sees that they have faces. He tries to talk to them. He smiles when he sees them and if they are close enough, he reaches out to touch them. We still have to work on being gentle, as Harley didn't take to kindly to him pulling out a clump of her fur recently. I am hopeful that they will continue to grow to like each other. I hope they become good friends and Jack begins to develop a lifelong love of animals. And I hope that soon he gets enough manual dexterity to feed them and change their litterbox!

Tummy Time!

Notice drool droplet on chin

I swear, I'm gonna get this crawling thing down!

Jack can't crawl yet. But boy does he try. Since he learned how to turn over, he doesn't spend much time on his back. He likes to play on his tummy, sleep on his tummy, and just hang out on his tummy. Though he can't crawl, he gets what he is supposed to do. I have put blocks out in front of him to try to entice him to make a move. He bangs his hands and feet, thinking that does something and then gets frustrated when he gets no where. But he also gets a little crazy and excited too. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he actually makes himself move!

Other than that, he is drooling like a rabid dog. They say teething can last months. Jack has been a waterfall for two and a half months. He bites everything. He pulls himself up using my hands and then chomps down on my thumb. He grabs our faces and pulls them toward him to bite our faces. When he's not trying to bite us, he eats his own fingers. I count them regularly to make sure he has them all. I keep checking for teeth--nothing. He's been wonderful though. He doesn't cry about it, he just gnaws around and gets spit everywhere. I'll take it!

He also has been enjoying using his voice. He babbles at times but mostly he just screams (not in an upset way, but rather in a "look what I can do" kinda way). Last week when we took him to Grandma's he yelled the whole car ride. It's hilarious, even if our telephone conversations have been pretty lame as of late.

5 Months!

Hey!

Jack has started to put his arms up when he wants out--Uppeee!

Do I look like my Daddy?

Jack and Mommy

First 4th of July

Jack's Playlist

Okay, so he doesn't have an IPod (and I am planning on keeping it that way for a LONG time.). But he does have certain songs that he really likes. We have just found Moose and Zee on noggin.com, which plays sing-songy 2 minute kid tunes with colorful characters. That's where his kiddie music stops for the moment.

Other than that, he likes anything I sing to him. He thinks I should be the next American Idol--he'll probably change his mind when he is a little older. I make up all sorts of songs to existing tunes or some I just sing whatever comes out of my mouth. For the most part, he loves it. However, I do sing him actual existing songs too. I have come to realize that Jack is a big fan of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. (Like the IPod, I won't be taking him to see Jersey Boys for a LONG time.) He particulary likes, "Who Loves You" (I change the words to include his name at the end.) and "Let's hang on." (I also include his name here!) I have recently changed nearly the entire verse of "Who loves you?" to make it more appropriate:

Who loves her Jackie baby?
Who's gonna love him all his life?
Who loves her Jackie baby?
Who's gonna pick him out a wife?

I have also recently discovered that he likes "Proud Mary." The Tina Turner version, not the CCR one.

Maybe this will give me some hope for the future--that he'll like good music and that I won't have to listen to the typical teenage crap when he is that age. But I doubt it. For now, I'll just enjoy the moment, I guess!