10 Months

Jack,

A few things about your 10th month...

• I gave birth to a weed.  Seriously you are growing WAY too fast!  We look at pictures from a few months back and WOAH!  That's not even the same kid is it?  Then we recognize your baby blues and very natural combover...
• You are still wearing a size 3 diaper (and will be for a long time).  Clothes, however, vary in size.  You are currently wearing anything from 9 months to 12 months.  Very few pants fit.  OshGosh has the adjustable tab waist and is the only brand that fits around your skinny belly.  At your 9 month check up you weighed 18lbs 7 oz (20th percentile).
• Despite your slender figure you eat anything and everything.  Your dad and I are convinced you have a tapeworm (and honestly would love for you to share). We feed you table food now, practicing picking up as much as possible.  Jack, you have mastered the pick up, just not the rationing it out.  Daddy and I have to remind you that 20 Cheerios in the mouth probably won't have the result you are looking for!  "Slow and steady"...definitely not your motto.
• You are a parrot.  Mimicking everything we do or say.  Consequently, we say and do some really funny stuff.  It's not uncommon to hear us ask you "How big is Jack", throw our hands up in the air and respond, "SO BIG" as you reach for the sky.  In your head I'm sure you are saying Santa says HOHOHO, a dog goes woof, a horn says HONK so lay off me people!  Can't you see I'm trying to shovel Cheerios in my mouth, not do tricks!!
• Walking is in our VERY near future.  You've mastered pulling up, walking around objects, and pushing your car.  Every once in a while you take a "shuffle step" to get from the coffee table to my leg, or the couch, or so on.  I'm not calling it walking yet, but you sure are close.  We definitely need baby gates...and get them up.
• Crawling is one of your favorite modes of transportation.  Second only to being carried.  You. love. contact.  Snuggling, being held, carried, you name it you like it.  for months now you let us know when you want up.  Throw your arms in the air and stare at us with those baby blues.  And man you can work it.  Those eyes are going to melt hearts someday...right now they melt ours.
• Napping.  Awful.  I hate thinking about it and you hate taking them...unless you can do it on me or dad, or Grandma.  Again, back to the whole snuggling thing.  The doctor says you are smart and playing us like a fiddle.  I agree, but it still breaks my heart to hear you scream in your crib.  Nights are a different story (FINALLY)!!  You sleep from 8PM-6:30AM, like clockwork.  HOORAY!  I think you are the world's EASIEST baby to put to bed too.
• 5 teeth and you know how to use them.  You bite.  Everything.  We are trying to remind you, no biting. Like everything you do, it is so stinking cute though.  Good thing you don't go to preschool, I don't think I could handle getting kicked out.  (I think you are just testing the waters and it feels good on those sore little gums)
• Speaking of testing the waters...you definitely know right from wrong.  In fact I believe you are going to think your name is Jack NO!  Lately before you do something you know is wrong you take a look over your shoulder to see if we are watching or not.  We are.  Trust me.  Remember that.

We love everything about you Baby Jack.  You never cease to amaze us.  Where in the world would we be without your smiling clapping, "SO BIG", chunky legged self?




We had to give you a distraction...



...because you wouldn't stay still
MUST.LOOK.OUT.WINDOW.

LOVE HIM

Who you might ask?  Well if you think I'm talking about either one of these two then..well...guilty.

But on Sunday (and sometimes Monday) afternoons my heart is taken by none other than...

Tom Brady.  It's ok Chris loves him too.  We agreed to share.  

I WON I WON!

I'm not much of a contest "enterer".  I don't win, so I just don't play.  Can only win if you play right?  One the flip side you can't lose if you don't play!  I've always subscribed to that theory.

Last Friday Jack and I were having an impromptu playdate with Baby Dean (who by the way is EXACTLY 5 months younger than Jack). Jack loves him some Baby Dean. I totally see future football games and playing war in the backyard, or maybe fishing at Baby Dean's house. Look how much Jack likes Dean. He just wanted to touch his face, chew on his feet, and take his paci.

Phone rings and the following conversation ensues:

Dan: "  Hi, this is Dan from ODU Athletic Department.  Congrats on your win!"

Me:  "Won what?"

Dan:  "You obviously didn't get me email."

Me:  "No, won what?  I never win anything."

Dan:  "You've won the dinner and a game contest."

At this point I have absolutely no idea what he's talking about and I don't even try to play it cool.  Dan keeps explaining the contest.  I finally vaguely remember signing up.  He probably thinks I'm blonde.  I then squeal and squirm and tell Dan he's made my day.  I keep going on about how I have a 9 month old that doesn't sleep, Chris and I don't go on dates, and my husband used to work for 456FISH (the dinner part of the contest).  Wait?!?!  That doesn't disqualify me from the contest does it?  No.  OK!  Great!  WE WON!!!  He most definitely thinks I'm blonde. 

We went to the game.  They played High Point.  Nobody was there, but we did get to sit 10 rows back  It was a total blowout.  We saw a kid that obviously never plays play.  And he dunked it.  The players went wild.  I bet it was his best basketball moment to date.  I may or may not have teared up.  We got ice cream.  And headed home.  Grandma babysat while we were gone (THANKS A MILLION x infinity for that).

We're saving out gift card for a special night.  I'm going to order the crab cake...and the fried green tomatoes...and a bottle of wine...and the bread pudding.  It's going to be fabulous.

Now that I've won I'm a contest playing fool.  What's a little junk mail in the inbox?  YAHOO has a SPAM filter anyway!

I'll keep you posted...I'm definitely ready to win again.

9 Months

Dear Jack,

This letter is for you, but this month it isn't about you.  It's an introduction to a man you will never meet on this earth.  About a man you probably met up there before you were born.  It's about a man I want you to know, even if it is only through words, stories, and pictures.

To most he was Charles.  To some GaDoc, The Bank, and Doc.  To 3 people he was Dad, and to one, best friend and husband.  To me, he was perfect.  A perfect mix of loving, caring, hardworking, and smart.  He was interesting, passionate, talented, and stubborn.  Funny and witty.  Gentle, yet stern.  He was the love of G.G.'s life, the father to your Nana, and my Grandpa Doc.

A million stories and tales run through my head when I think of him.  Where do I start?  How do I summarize, and what if I forget something?

55 years ago he met your G.G.  On their first date he asked her to marry him.  He sent her love birds, wrote her letters, and 6 short months later they were married.  He worked hard.  Pursued a career in medicine.  Spent countless hours at work, all to put food on the table, horses in stalls, and smiles on the faces of his  kids at home.  From him, you can learn a lesson or two about hard work.

Grandpa doc was interesting.  He had hobbies and tools galore.  Whether it be canning or creating model airplanes his passion for these hobbies never wavered.  I hope you are as passionate as he was. 

Although I truly believe you two met before you were born I wish, Jack, that you could have met him on this earth.  I can almost picture his hands holding your little body and I can imagine you tapping his belly or pulling on his suspenders.  I know each development you make would blow his mind.  He was fascinated by things like that.  Jack, he would have adored you, you would have worshiped him.  I'm certain of it.

Your dad and I promise to tell you stories, show you pictures, and remind you of who your Great Grandpa Doc was.

Today you turn 9 months old.  Today your Great Grandpa Doc would have been 80.  Happy Birthday Jack..  Happy Birthday Grandpa Doc.

Love,

Mom and Dad

My Little Rooster

Back in February I gave birth to a little baby rooster boy.  We named him Jack and love him to pieces....even at 5AM (if we are lucky).  Sunday we dressed our (almost nine month old) baby boy up as a rooster.  He loved it.  I loved it.  Each and every time I looked at him I smiled, no more than smiled, I laughed.  He was the cutest darn boy rooster I've ever seen.

Not quite sure about this getup...

My GG loves it

Boo!!  Ahh!!!

My girlfriend, Stella, was a duck

I think she's funny

We jammed with the "Bat Ballerina"

All this partying really wore me out

Happy Halloween 2010!! 

I have total blogging anxiety

So I am going to break the ice with diarrhea of the mouth (or fingers in my case)...

For months before I even met Lindsey I stalked read her fabulous blog. I raved about her funny posts, called my husband at work to read snippets of her stuff, and let myself get so lost in her blog I was totally convinced we were friends. Her hilarious random stream of consciousness inspired today's post. Also, I'm convinced the best way to get back into the swing of blogging, is to dive right in. So here goes...

We picked my car up from the impound lot the other day. It had been there since last Friday. Apparently whoever stole the car was SHORT and preferred driving while leaning back so far I'm not quite sure how he (or she) could see over the steering wheel. Backtrack, our car was stolen a couple weeks ago. FROM OUR DRIVEWAY. Who does that? And the kicker? Chris' car was parked behind it. Awesome. Not only did they steal our car, but they drove through the grass to get it out. Who steals cars anyway? Anyway, they still have a key to it, so we can't bring it home. There is tons of body damage, a window is busted out, and the worst part? They sat on one of Jack's baby blankets. The sight of this poor swaddle blanket all crunched up on the drivers seat instantly brought tears to my eyes. Perk? Somehow we managed to get a PS3 in the backseat. The cops said it's ours, now only if it works.

I need new shoes. Unfortunately, I have a closet full of shoes, but none seem to be perfect. I need a few of the basics. FLATS. TONS OF FLATS. I only have a pair, and they are yellow. Not very practical huh? Boots. I love boots. Especially flat boots. I need a new pair. Black ones. I have 3 pairs of brown, tons of winter black clothes, and nothing to pair them with! Ugh. The options are endless...unfortunately for me (and the bank account) my favorite pair cost $1,000. Won't. be. buying. them.

Speaking of boots. What is wrong with our weather? Who wears a tank top the last week of October? Oh this girl. And not to mention Jack has been in short sleeved onesies all week long. 90 degrees the other day? 80 today? I'm starting to believe in global warming and starting to be depressed that it might be too warm for Jack to dress up on Sunday. Total. Depression.

He's going to be a rooster. Total cute. Well it will be if I can dress him up in it. Or if he will keep the hood on (total doubter). He won't let us keep anything on his head. Not even the hooded towel when he gets out of the bathtub He yanks at it and grabs it; frustrated as they come. What am I supposed to do when it is freezing outside? Let the poor child's ears freeze? We like to run in the mornings (like might be a stretch..need to is more like it) and without a hood/hat on Jack's ears may fall off come January. Any suggestions?

Yes, I run. Sometimes. I love it, hate it, and everything in between. The part I love most is watching Jack grin and chat with himself while in the jogger. He loves to run too. The part I hate most is...the running. I'm not a natural runner. I struggle to breathe, my legs itch, my feet get achy, the list goes on. But a workout is a workout right? Why can't weight just fall off of you? Why can't we all burn calories just sitting around? That would be lucky. Currently I'm the luckiest gal around. I breastfeed. I pump. I nourish my child with my own body. And I burn calories while doing it. Tons of calories. I read somewhere (probably wikipedia or some yahoo forum) that for every 1 oz of breast milk you burn 20 calories. Hooray! Every morning at 5AM I wake up with my boobs in my chin, hard as rocks, and throbbing to let loose (sorry dad, Steve, and any other male figure that didn't know that happens), I hook myself up to a machine, put my head in my hands 1/2 asleep, and burn calories. Approximately 160 to be exact. It's awesome. I've done a full workout without ever leaving my room. Not to mention just 1 short hour later Jack is up and wanting breakfast..woohoo another 80 calories or so!!!

I have so much more to share, but hopefully this got me in the swing of things! I'm not so nervous any more! And I feel the creative juices STARTING to come back. My cousin said once I start sleeping through the night my creativity will go away...I didn't believe her, but I think she was right. I'm working on it, I promise.

I'll be writing again soon. Again, I promise.

Love,

LDial

PS This picture is totally unrelated, but totally adorable.  I mean I think he's cuter than the Gerber babies.

MISSING

Dear Blog,

I'm so sorry I've been missing since the end of August.  I desperately want to write more than just monthly love letters to my child.  But I haven't found any free time!  Good news is when I do find the time...watch out!  I've got tons to post.  I've done a 1/2 marathon, traveled across the country, went to a concert, my baby learned to crawl, he learned to pull up, and tonight...we're going to let him CIO.  Wish us luck!
xoxo.

Love,
Mom