Pooh

Speaking of Hokie families, my college roommate Heather, is a big fan of Winnie the Pooh. She had babies before I did and for one of her showers I gave her a stuffed Pooh that walks and talks. When Jack was born, Heather brought me that Pooh bear and a Pooh sleeper I had given her. It really meant a lot to me for our boys to share something. Jack spent a lot of time in that sleeper when he was smaller and is just now starting to enjoy the Pooh bear...
























I don't think Jack is quite sure of him yet. He spent a long time just looking at him and every once in a while he'd touch him...
























And then Pooh fell over and Jack cried as though he himself had fallen over! He cried and cried and cried. I sat Pooh back up and all was well again! I haven't even put the batteries in yet. Who knows what Jack will think of him then!

We miss Daddy!

It sounds like the boys have had a great time in Lincoln and Jack and I have had a busy and fun weekend here but we are ready for Daddy to come home!

Friday after his check-up Aunt Ansley came to visit! Look how cute they are in their matching Hokie gear! We had a nice lunch and went shopping and just enjoyed being together!

























Saturday we went to cousin Dillyn's soccer game and watched them win big over the other team! Then it was off for more shopping and chores. Later that night we went to the Pearson's for a Hokie football party! We had a great time...Jack had so much fun he refused to go to sleep so we had to leave just before halftime to make sure he'd get a good night's sleep! He loved hanging out with both of the Mrs. Maxwells and meeting Owen! Owen wouldn't let Jack out of his sight - he was too cute!




































Being married has a lot of advantages but I think one of the best ones is that you double your friends and family! Kenny's friends and their families have always been so welcoming of me and it felt really good to be with them last night even though Kenny was gone. I am so excited for Jack to grow up amongst these great folks and to learn to love Hokie football the way that they do. Thanks everyone for including us! And thank goodness the Hokies won!!

Hope you guys had a good weekend too and hurry home Daddy!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Maggie

We love you and miss you and wish we could be with you today...and we REALLY hope the power comes back on for you tomorrow!

Here's Maggie just a few days after she was born...
















And then just a little younger than Jack is now....


















And just a few months ago...
















Isn't she beautiful? Happy birthday sweet pea!

6 month check-up

Jack went to see the doctor for his 6 month check-up this morning! He had lots of fun with the exam table paper...








































He was 17 lbs 7 oz (50th percentile), 26.75 inches (50th percentile), and his head circumference was 18.5 inches (95th percentile). She thought he was doing just great and suggested we introduce a sippy cup and mashed up soft foods. His teeth are just below the surface so they will be in soon and she said he wasn't too far from crawling! He got 6 shots so he's not all that happy this afternoon but who could blame him? I'm sure with a few extra snuggles and plenty of Tylenol, he'll be just fine!

Just a funny picture for a dark and rainy day...

Grandma bought over some more of cousin Emory's clothes and we found this great hat!

Who needs toys?

Last year around Christmas, Kenny and I kept Nash for a few hours while Brooke and Ray went to a party. Nash did really well for the most part but every once in a while I think it hit him that his parents were gone and he'd get a little upset. Of course, Brooke called to check on him when he was going through a few minutes of fussiness...that's always the way, right? Anyway, I told her he was doing fine but that every once in a while he needed distracting and she suggested that we give him some Tupperware. I questioned how that would go over (assuming he needed a bigger distraction than a plastic bowl), but of course, moms always know what works best! It worked like a charm! He was completely entertained by it. She had of course packed toys for him as well, but the Tupperware was a much bigger hit.

Last week, Brooke sent Jack a little present. (It's TOO cute not to mention - it's a Jack Jack PEZ dispenser) Of course, it came in a box...and while Jack appreciated the PEZ dispenser, he has really fallen for the box! It's been 3 days now and he's still fascinated with it. He bangs on it like a drum, turns it over and around like a big block, and even chews on it like a teething ring when he catches me not paying enough attention! Seems fitting that his new favorite "toy" came from the mom who suggested Tupperware...
























Thanks Brooke!

Fun with friends!

We had a busy weekend but we got to see so many friends this weekend - it was great!!

Friday night Jack stayed with Grandma while Momma and Daddy went to Ann & Chris' shower. We had such a good time catching up with folks and getting excited about their big day coming up in a few weeks!

Saturday we hung out at home in the morning...Daddy put Jack on my shoulders and he was SO excited to have access to all of my hair. He LOVES pulling hair!



















That afternoon we went to Aunt Audrey and Uncle Eddie's to watch the game. Uncle Joe came too which meant even more fun than usual!

Here's Aunt Audrey trying to teach Jack how to shake his keys for a "key play." I know it doesn't look like it here, but Jack did get the hang of it eventually and was definitely the "key" to the Hokies' success!

















Here he is trying to call Frank Beamer and give him a little advice...
























It just so happened that Joe was in town on the day Jack was born, though he was leaving town that very afternoon. So on his way to the airport, he stopped by the hospital to meet Jack, who was literally, just minutes old. Just as I suggested that Joe couldn't possibly head back to Prague without holding Jack, Jack started to cry...and so Joe decided he'd wait until next time. Last night Jack was in a much better mood. Understandably so...his day yesterday was quite a bit less traumatic!

















Jack wishes Uncle Joey would move back to Richmond!! He was so much fun!



















After a long day of cheering extra hard for the Hokies and playing with Uncle Joey, Jack snuggled up with Aunt Audrey for some rest. What a great day!



















Sunday was Employee Appreciation Day for Philip Morris/Altria employees. They rent out Kings Dominion each year for this event and employees get to take their families for free! It's usually a home football weekend so we don't go but this year it worked out. It was a gorgeous day and we met the Colassacos and the Hayes there and had a great time.

Here's Jack with Daddy - Daddy can always make him giggle!
























But so can Uncle Darin...(No, that's not Uncle Darin in the picture...)



















More smiles...



















Jack didn't get to ride any rides this year but he enjoyed watching the others ride. They sure look like they're having fun!










































So no rides, but he did get to drive Scooby's Mystery Machine...



































It was a really fun weekend - hope yours was too!

Next weekend Daddy, Uncle Eddie, Uncle Joey and Uncle Tavis are all headed to Nebraska for the big game. We might need to wear Hokie gear all week to make sure they have all the luck they can get!!

Finally Friday!

It's been a busy one around here...Jack seems to be getting a tooth which has turned his schedule a bit upside down. He's not been that fussy really, he's just not sleeping that well...which means we aren't sleeping that well either! But that's ok - he's still extra cute...
























I think this picture is a week or so old - not sure we even took any this week actually! We tried carrots this week which went over pretty well until I mixed them with peas! Yesterday at school he held his own bottle for the entire feeding! He won't really even try for me at home but we'll see about that this weekend...

UPDATE** He did it this morning too for Daddy! So independent...if he could just reach the bottles in the fridge, he wouldn't need us! :)!
























Uncle Joe is home from Prague so we're excited to get to see him this weekend and we get to kick off the celebration of Ann and Chris' upcoming nuptials tonight which will surely be fun! With any luck tomorrow we'll get to cheer the Hokies to victory over the Tarheels too.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Warner for Senate '08

Mark Warner has Jack's vote in November...



















For those that don't know, my Dad (Gramps) was appointed by Mark Warner as Director of the Department of Environmental Quality and served in that role while Warner was governor. Since then he's worked on various environmental projects for him as well. Saturday Kenny and I went to Blacksburg for the football game and Jack went with Grams and Gramps to Mark Warner's place on the Rappahannock for a pig roast. Sounded like they had a big time...



















Before they went however, he got to spend the morning with Grandma! Here he is watching her buckle him into the carseat - just making sure she was doing it right...or trying to figure out how to un-buckle it himself?



















Grandma also got Jack a new toy that he loves!
























Then it was off to the pig roast and Jack's first night without Momma and Daddy. I think I missed him a lot more than he missed me!





































This morning Jack got to read the recap of the game and was so happy the Hokies won!! And I was so happy to get back home to my little monkey!

No more peas please

We seem to have found a food Jack doesn't really like...

Thankful

We are happy to report that our Texas family (the Bradburys, Gibsons and Yius) all weathered the storm ok. We are so very thankful for that. It didn't sound like it was much fun while it was happening, but we are so glad they are safe!

First ride

Last Wednesday, Jack went for his first ride in the seat reserved for big boys at the grocery store (or Target in our case)!




















Jack loved it! In fact, he was having so much fun that I got distracted and we forgot most of what we went to Target for! Grandma brought us Emory and Ellie's cart cover which I do think will make for even more fun...since I won't be quite as worried every time we turn a corner.

Listen up Ike...

Don't mess with Texas!
























We sure hope the Bradburys and the Gibsons and the Yius are all ok...and have headed for higher ground. We love you guys!

Running behind

The week is flying by and I haven't even posted pictures from last weekend!

We went to a cookout at Uncle Harold and Aunt Judy's house Saturday just as Hurricane Hanna was rolling out of town. It was amazing how the weather turned from dark and rainy to just beautiful.

Here's Jack enjoying the view...



















And this was MY view...too cute!!


















Uncle Harold said Jack looked like Roy Rogers in his red bib and plaid shirt...
























I guess the pretty weather brought out the local deer population. At some point, there were 5 prancing around!



















Gramps tried to get Jack to watch them but he was focused on something else...



















and then he moved on to another something else...


















Aunt Judy must have been telling Jack a good story...he sure seems to be listening intently!
























It was a lovely afternoon and the food was, as usual, wonderful - thanks so much for having us!

What we're up to...

Jack's quite the busy-body these days. He never seems to stop playing and exploring. It seems like almost overnight that he went from looking around at things to deciding to take full control of them. He grabs at everything and tries so hard to make it do what he wants it to.

Here the boys are being boys...
































































The stacking rings are definitely his favorite toy these days. He's finally sitting up well enough to be able to play with them. At first he had to use his hands to balance and now he can usually manage to balance without his hands so he can use them for other things...



















Although the monkey is probably his second favorite...they get along quite well...I think it's because they are so much alike!
























Last night Jack decided he knew what to do with that spoon I've been putting in his mouth...

He's also been growing lots more of that pretty red hair. (Ignore the sweet potatoes (or "sweepy tatoes" as Dillyn called them as a little tiny girl) on his face - we were headed to the bathtub!)














Here he is after his bath...look how long his hair is on top!

Who knows what else he'll learn this week...seems to be figuring it all out SO fast!