climbing the charts

We went back to the pediatrician today for a quick check-up to be sure that we were still on the right track. Jack is climbing the charts again (literally)! He weighed in at 13 lbs 12 oz (that's another pound in 2 weeks). A month ago he had dropped off the charts, then climbed to the 5% and now to the 9%. Good news all around! We won't see Dr. Grant again until our regularly scheduled appointment at 6 months, but I feel completely fine with that since our new routine and Jack's growing is going so well. Jack is looking fatter and happier everyday, so that's all that really matters anyway.

still loving the cereal

Jack loves rice cereal! In fact, you really can't give it to him fast enough. I guess, when you're used to food being given in a steady flow, waiting at all between bites is a bit challenging. It's actually kind of funny to watch, so of course I had to take a video of the process.

Happy Birthday Hudson!

Hudson and Jack are exactly 7 months apart and today is Hudson's BIRTHDAY! To celebrate his 1st birthday, Tiffany and Dan invited everyone out to the HUDSON River and a nearby park. At 1 year Hudson is toddling and jabbering (something I can hardly imagine Jack doing). It was a fun afternoon (of course) and great to celebrate with them. Happy Birthday Hudson!

Happy 5 Month Birthday Jack!

5 month thoughts...
*We love attention! This works pretty well for me in NYC actually because everyone loves a woman with a happy baby. Not only does Jack love attention, but he kind of seeks it out. It's pretty common for him to lock eyes with someone on the subway and stare intensely until they finally look at him (I'm sure they can feel his little eyes on them), but then when he gets what he wants he gives them a HUGE smile which instantly endears them to him. Not a bad trick if you ask me.
*We love the camera too. You kind of have to sneak up on him with the camera (the video camera especially) because the minute he sees it, he stops whatever it is he was doing and just stares at it.
*We still love the changing table! I have yet to figure out just why that is, but there truly is something about it that just makes him so happy. He will stare at the shelf and kick and talk to it for as long you let him.
*The start of this month was a little emotional when we went for his doctor's appointment and found out he wasn't gaining enough. But after a month of "re-learning" Jack and figuring out just what he needed, he is now 13lbs 12 oz and back up to the 9%. Happier, healthier, and looking a little fatter than ever:)
*Jack now has a new cousin his own age! Christian Dietrich Berg was born July 20 (almost a month early) and is absolutely perfect! Jack and Christian will officially meet in September and I am sure they will be best friends.
*Rice cereal is a new favorite. He LOVES it. I really believe he is going to love everything put into his mouth. The only problem with the cereal right now is that it doesn't come fast enough. If you pause for too long between bites he gets a bit anxious...kind of funny to watch really.
*All of this new food has increased some of his attention for our food. While he still isn't experiencing much of anything, he does enjoy watching you eat and drink. Further proof that I think he is going to love food.
*Oh the rolling over. We roll over all the time, but only from our back to stomach (the hard way)....go figure. Once he gets on his stomach he's completely content to play that way for a few minutes, but then the moment he's done he face plants and cries for help. One day we'll figure it out, but for now this will have to do.
*Jack had his first successful car trip this month to Richmond. I thought a car trip would prove difficult since he's not used to riding in a car at all, but he was perfect! I guess I shouldn't have been surprised though because he is content in his stroller everyday and probably spends more time in there than he would in a car seat living in the south. Besides being good in the car it was fun being in Richmond with the whole Sherouse family.
*Jack is learning how to be more "grabby." We were out to dinner with Katie and Robert one evening and Jack reached and grabbed onto a knife on the table. My response was rather excited "Look! Jack grabbed the knife! That's his first time!" Robert then replied, "It's funny that you think that's a fun trick right now because in a few months you're going to roll your eyes in exasperation." It's only the beginning...
*Jack really is such a happy baby! I know we are truly blessed by his sweet personality. He genuinely loves people, smiles all the time, is content to be held by any and everyone, sleeps well, eats well, plays well...further proof that he truly is the perfect baby:)

5 month photo shoot!

goodbye for now

Saying goodbye is never fun, but it's exciting to think about the next time we'll all be together...with Jack's new cousin! The Sherouse family is growing and we can't wait for our next visit!

Beautiful Susan...7 months pregnant! We couldn't be together without at least one maternity shot.

Someone knows the camera a little too well. This time he even figured out the flash (or at least he's trying to).

Jack is finding his voice and learning new things to do with it everyday...I absolutely love it!

Family Brunch

Being in Richmond also means the chance to see extended family. Mom worked out the details for a brunch with Whitten's, Hughlett's, and Paxson's (aunts, uncles, cousins, and second cousins). It was a fun morning to be together and to catch up and of course to introduce Jack!

rice cereal

Another first for Jack...eating rice cereal!! We weren't sure what he would think, but he took to it right away. The video's a little long, but about halfway through Jack expresses his new found love for rice cereal:) (Oh, please excuse my odd looking outfit in this video.)

SWIMMING

Jack went SWIMMING!! Access to swimming in the city is pretty limited (as you can imagine) and I have just been wishing for the chance to take Jack swimming at some point this summer. I mentioned the idea to Mom and as you can see, she made it happen! Truthfully, I was just thinking we could hang out at the YMCA for an afternoon, but Mom thought Jack's first time swimming could be a little more special. So she asked a family in their church if we could borrow their pool for an afternoon. The Glass family said yes. They have a beautiful home and Kitty is an amazing hostess! She not only opened up her pool, but took it upon herself to make us lunch too (fried green tomatoes...sooo good). It was a great afternoon! Complete with a boys kayak trip down the river, my first shopping trip to Target since Jack was born, and Jack's first time SWIMMING (which he loved)!

Showing off our adorable new swimsuit...



LUNCH...amazing right?

The boys!


Going SWIMMING!








Cool Uncle Jeff...I really love these photos:)

Our fabulous hostess even thought of a birthday cake for Mom!