Jack Playing Piano

CHRISTMAS

We had a wonderful Christmas. On Saturday, Jason, Jack, Sam, Dugan, and I headed to HSV. (Packing for 2 adults, a baby, and 2 cats was difficult) It was a nice and quiet evening before the crowd arrived.

After attending Church on Sunday morning, we went to visit my friend who had a baby Saturday morning. When we got back, everyone had arrived. Gran and Richard were there. Also, James, Jen, and Mary (Jen's mother) had finally ended there long trip from Wisconsin. They also brought their two dogs; Abby and Gigabyte (Gig).

Monday was a fun day of visiting with family. We finished a movie and then went to church for a Christmas Eve service. It was nice to have Gran and Richard in town so early. We had a big group at Church.

I think that Jack was held the entire trip. It was only the second time that he has seen James and Jen. Also, he loved Gig and Abby. He sort of bonded with Gig. Gig loved to smell Jack and he thought that was funny. One evening Jack had a huge laughing fit, when the dogs started barking. I thought the barking would scare him, but he loved it.

It was definitely a crazy Holiday, considering we had 9 adults, 1 baby, 2 dogs, and 2 cats in my parent's house. Even though Mary slept on a twin bed in the study, somehow, everyone had a bed!

I missed David very much. It was strange to have the entire family there without him. Considering we are twins, we have celebrated almost all of our Christmas mornings together. (except for a couple that I spent in Andalusia)

The Family (minus David).

James and Jen

Gig kissing Jack

Jason is dressed for golf. They showed up for their 8am tee time and unfortunately, the 27 degree weather had created frost, so the the golf course was closed. I don't think anyone complained.

Richard and Gran

Gig and Abby

Gran bought Jack a visor. He kind of looks like a casino dealer.

Cochrun's House

Since we are going to miss the annual Cochrun Christmas Party, we visited them during the week. Jack has been out past his bedtime too much, lately. We are messing with his sleep schedule.

Presents!

We celebrated Christmas with Jason's parents, yesterday. Jack loves his new toys!

Playing in the leaves.

Getting excited about his presents.

Dugan wants a present, as well.

Does he have cotton balls in his cheeks?

He was A little overwhelmed with everything.

Getting some help from LeeLee.

I want tools like daddy's!

Contortionist

I know all babies do this, but it was funny. It just so happens that he was waiting on a bottle. I guess he was really hungry.

6 Months Old

Jack is 6 months old, today. I can't believe we are already at this point. It seemed so far away, in June. He had his checkup, yesterday. Jack is 16 lbs 9 oz and 27.5 inches long. That is fairly long for his age. I don't think there was ever any doubt that he would be on the tall side!

He has changed so much in the last couple of weeks. Now, he reaches for everything. I used to be able to hold him in my lap, while I worked on the computer. I can't do that anymore because he constantly tries to grab the laptop. Also, he has discovered Sam and Dugan. This has been an enormous revelation for him. If one of them is in the room, he strains to look at them and starts kicking and laughing. Dugan shows off by rolling around on the ground near him. He loves it!

It looks like he is going to have Jason's pretty eye color. Sometimes they look gray and sometimes they have a hint of green in them.

I thought this picture was cute.

Give me that camera!

We are still working on sitting by ourself.

This was cute until he tried to put Jason's foot in his mouth.

So Peaceful

It's Christmas Party Season

Well, Jason and I attended our first Christmas Party last Friday night. I skipped all but one party last year because I was pregnant and still not feeling well. My parents came in town to babysit Jack. Jason's parents are coming this weekend to celebrate Christmas and babysit for us to go to his work party.

We attended the Cespedes Party. They have 2 cats, 2 dogs, a tortoise, and a couple of hermit crabs. I included a picture of the tortoise. She just lives in their dining room/ kitchen. Sunshine puts her in water, in the bathtub, to use the restroom. She was enormous. Speaking of enormous, one of their dogs is a 160 lb bullmastif.

WEDNESDAY

I hate to say it, but sometimes his hair looks like Hitler's.

Don't ever question why we strap him in.

My little tumbleweed.

Jack has been able to roll over for a long time, but he rarely chooses to do it. When he does, he will only roll from his back to his stomach. Well, you can imagine my amazement when I walk back into the room and Jack is about 3 feet from where I left him.

NO MORE CONDO!!

For those of you that have heard me complain about one salary and two mortgages, we have officially sold the condo! We closed on it this morning. A very nice couple paid cash for it and gave it to their son and his fiance. They are about to leave for their house they just built in downtown Breckenridge, CO. Oh, the life of the rich. Haha.

Anyway, it feels like a burden lifted from us.

Auburn Beats Bama, again!!

It took every last bit of effort for us to make it to the Cofield's for the Iron Bowl. We were so worn out from our 5 hour drive home from Andalusia that we really wanted to stay home and watch the game in our PJs. But, this game was way too important! Jack got to see some of the game. He stayed up until about 7:45pm. Then, he spent the night in Karsen Cofield's crib. Amazingly, none of our yelling and screaming woke him up.

Playing with karsen

We are definitely getting an exersaucer for Christmas. He loved it!

Jack was "man enough" to hang out in the pink Bumbo

Thanksgiving

Jack had a wonderful first Holiday. We spent 3 nights in Andalusia. He enjoyed spending time with relatives.

He continues to prove that he is a "great baby".... There was a bad wreck on the way home and after sitting on the Interstate for about 30 minutes we turned around and went back to Greenville to take Highway 31. We had to stay on 31 all the way to Prattville. It took us 5 hours to get home!!! Jack only complained one time and that was about 30 minutes south of Bham. He just hung out and played with his Freddy.

Aunt Jennifer bought Jack some yellow ducky slippers

Jack put on a nice shirt for dinner with the Rabrens

Uncle John

Jack's Great Grandmother (He has 3!)

We thought this was hilarious

Jack vs. the Cats

Jason calls me into the den and he has Jack in his lap and Jack is petting Dugan. Dugan was a little nervous, but let this go on for a couple of minutes. Then, Jason sets Jack in the corner of the couch. Sam is sitting above him and he reaches up to pet her. Well, Sam has a lot less patience than Dugan. I ran to get the camera and when I came back, Sam started whacking Jack on the head (with her clawless paw). Jason hits Sam and we both freak out. Over Jason and I yelling at Sam, we hear the loudest laugh Jack has ever made. He thought Sam trying to maul him was hilarious. Below, are the pictures.

Notice Jason's hand in the process of spanking Sam

Baptism

Jack's baptism Sunday was wonderful. He did great, during the service. Jason and I had planned who would take him out, when he got whiny, but he just fell asleep during the Sermon. Lunch at the house was great. We had a lot of family come over and even some "almost" family.

Jack fell asleep, during the Sermon.

Jeff and Mandy

The Grandmothers

Wearing the shoes my Aunt Jennifer bought me.