11 Months...It's the Final Countdown!

At 11 months, you are....trouble!

Here we go Jack-Jack.  In one more month, you will officially be my toddler and no longer my infant.  My goodness!  This month has been a month of trying new things and gaining self-confidence and independence (not that you lacked either).  You have so much personality!  You always have us cracking up from your cute little belly laugh to your focus on the little tasks.  You truly are a "Jack-of-all-trades"!  You LOVE being outside.  I am considering bathing you outside now that summer is here and I swear you would sleep just as peacefully outside if I set your crib up out there.  Here are some of your other milestones and favorite things:

• You now have 7 teeth, 4 on top and 3 on the bottom
• You say "Da-Da" for just about everything, but you actually look at Daddy and say it.
• You can finally say Dixie!
• You are absolutely head over heels in love with your Papa and you call him, "Ga-Ga."
• You love dirt, rocks, sand, bugs...in other words, you are all boy!
• You love to swim.
• You just started to stand all by yourself and have even attempted at a step or two!
• You know how to climb down things by turning around and going backwards.
• You love to pretend to talk on the phone and brush your hair.

This month you took your first airplane ride.  I can't say it was easy, but you charmed everyone with you personality and good looks, so I don't think they minded the first 20 minutes of fussiness on your behalf.  You just can't stand sitting still!  You earned your wings and got to see the cockpit and meet the pilots!

You fulfill Daddy and I's lives in so many ways.  We love you more than words can ever describe.  You are such a good baby and we are going to make sure that we always take good care of you and give you the life you deserve!  Happy 11 months...now I am off to plan your first birthday party!

You are very good at tearing and piling!

Jack and Grandma Sherry

"I need a few bucks for a toy, Daddy."

"On second thought, I will just use one of your cards."

"I am a big boy now!"

You love playing with your cousins!

You refuse to try the skills at My Gym, something I pay for, but will try everything at the park!  Are you trying to tell me something?

I love that you love the sand!

Always on the move!

You play hard and dirty...I actually had to hose you down because you were filthy from your ears to between your toes and under your fingernails! 

Happy Father's Day!

My goodness!  Is it really already June 19th?  Really, where does the time go?  We had a fabulous Father's day.  Daddy Surya was adorned with gifts in the morning (and coffee and breakfast) and we had my parents over for some of Surya's good cookin'.  Since it was Father's Day, I assisted him in the kitchen as his sous chef.  We made delicious pasta with baked asparagus and freshly made garlic bread.

Jack absolutely LOVES his Papa.  He napped while we feasted, but once he woke up, Papa could not be out of his sight!  It is so nice to see my son so attached to my Daddy.  I guess he senses what a tremendous man he is.

I am so glad I was able to spend the day with the two best men in my life.  My best friend and my rock, Surya and my Pops.  Jack could not be more fortunate to have such wonderful and strong male role models in his life.  They are hard-working, loyal, dedicated, caring, and above all else, they love their family more than anything else in this world.  It is an honor to be called your wife, Surya, and your daughter, Pops.  Happy Father's Day to you both from Jack-Jack and me!

Jack "helping" Daddy clean his office

Yay Daddy!  Open up the gifts I got you!

I mean the gifts I got....me!

Actually, I don't think I meant to put these sour Jelly Bellies in your gift bag.  They must have fallen into your bag by mistake.  (He's busy reading anyway...he'll never notice...)

Wait...let me see...oh yes, that gift was meant for you...just checking.

Jack and his Papa.  Or, as Jack says, his "Ga-Ga"

We had to take a photo with Dixie in it...afterall, my Dad is HER Papa!

The boys

My Pops!

Trying to take a nice family photo with a baby and a dog!

"All to-ge-ther now,"

"All together now!"

Oh Dixie and Jack!  One wants love and the other wants to get away!

I declare myself the King of the Dirt!

Nana having a rare moment with Jack away from Papa.

Nana, Papa, have you felt this stuff?  It is awesome!

Happy Father's Day to all those dads who bring so much love and support into their families!  This is a day well deserved!

New and Old Friends

I met up with some old high school friends this weekend and some of their kids and we all had a blast.  My dearest and best friend in the whole wide world, Megan, started up the Orange Home Grown Farmer's and Artisan Market.  Megan and I went to high school and college together.  In fact, we lived together all 5 years and we are still best friends!  We LOVED the farmer's market in SLO and Megan wanted to start her own Farmer's Market in Orange.  This is one amazing lady!  She is responsible for this fabulous Farmer's every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.  Surya, Jack, and I drove into O.C. on Saturday to check it out and then meet up with our old friends.  If you want a great market to go to the weekend, go there!  I swear I found something wonderful to buy at every booth I passed!  Anyway, click on the Orange Home Grown link to get more info.

Jack and I, Megan and Josie, Bernie and Dom, Jackie and Noah, and Mary Ann

Jackie's twins, Noah and Josie.  Jack and the twins are 3 weeks apart.

Havin' fun with new friends!

10 Months Old...Sniff, Sniff

Oh Jack, where has the time gone?  You are now 10 months old!  Sometimes I forget what a big boy you are and I find myself rushing to stop you from doing something only to find that you are a big boy now and can do many things on your own without hurting yourself, like climbing, cruising, and pushing things endlessly across the house. 

When you were in my belly, Papa had a dream about you.  He said that in his dream you were a little naughty and we have found that you are indeed very strong-willed.  I know I will never have to worry about anyone pressuring you to do things you don't want to do.  You are so very curious, too.  Your dad and I are still in the process of trying to baby-proof this house because you always find SOMETHING to get into.  You do not give up easily either...or forget.  The other day at Babies-R-Us, I turned around to find you standing (strapped in, of course) in the cart seat!  Then you took the rubber cover off my cell phone and threw my phone to the ground, breaking it!  Oi vey, little boy!

You LOVE to laugh and be silly.  We have so much fun together!  You have become such a good and adventurous eater.  You still don't like some things that I make you, but you have gotten much better.  You babble and talk a lot.  Everything is either "Dada" or "dog-dog".  You even try to say Dixie. 
 
At 9 1/2 months you weighed 22.83 lbs (74th percentile), your head circumference is in the 94th percentile, and you are 30 inches tall (97th percentile).  You are just PERFECT and we love you so, so much!

When you wake up, you want OUT of that crib!

You always look out the door for Daddy or Dixie.

Good morning, handsome!  Are those blueberries on your face?

What are you doing?

Oh yeah!  Just being JACK!!

You love our afternoon walks!

Look at those soccer skills!

Maybe you're going to be a goalie!

Your most favorite thing to do ALL day!!...

bug Dixie!!

Poor Dixie girl!!

You get very sad when I put her outside.  This is what you usually do.  So sweet!

Silly boy!

We can't wait to you see you grow in this 10th month!  We love, love, love, love you!!

Havin' Fun & Belly Laughin'

Just for fun...I love hearing my baby laugh!

Jack taking a ride in the new beach bag.

Our friend Ryan has been staying with us since September, and Jack has developed a strong friendship with him.  He LOVES Ryan.  When he hears his voice, he goes looking for him.  He will often "sneak" into his room and just sit quietly listening to Ryan play the guitar.  Oh, and everything Ryan does is hilarious to Jack!  Ryan often assists me on diaper changes by keeping Jack amused so I can change that squirmy wormy!

Playing with his cousins.

Happy Birthday Surya!

Last Friday was Surya's birthday and we had the fam over for some oven baked, fall-off-the-bone ribs, twice baked potatoes, salad and carrot cake (Surya's favorite).  His first birthday as a dad was a hit.  We both feel so lucky to have him working from home so he doesn't miss a minute of time with Jack-Jack.  Here are some pictures and videos of his special day.

Surya's gift from Jack

Jack and Daddy being silly and having fun!

That's a lot of candles!

That's a lot of smoke!

Jack happily practicing walking with his Nana.

Look at that face (and that drool)!!

Jack going after Kaitlyn's food (that look on her face is priceless).

Got it!  Even Jack knows delicious food when he sees it!

We hope everyone is having a great week!

OCD Put to Good Use

So those of you who know me know that I can be a little OCD.  When I say I am going to do something, by golly, I am going to do it!  I have to say that I LOVE sewing and I have just discovered, thanks to my good friend, Mandi, how easy it is to make pillow covers and curtains!  I may never buy another pillow cover or curtain again knowing how easy it is to make my own!  Here is what I have been up to:

I made some throw pillows for our bed.

I added 2 pillows to Jack's window seat (the stripes, obviously, not the complicated ones!)

Outdoor throw pillows for our new patio furniture.

I loved the outdoor fabric so much, I used it to make curtains for our dining room!

Next project on my agenda:  seat cushions for our kitchen table chairs and curtains for our bedroom.  I will post pictures when they are finished!