Rainy Day

It was a nasty stormy day here today and Jack and I were without plans so we were stuck playing inside but for a wet trip to the grocery store. Luckily, Jack wore his new favorite shirt from Aunt Amy and that in and of itself provided some entertainment.

In addition to wearing Elmo, Jack played with his Elmo doll.He also read books to Elmo.Jack also kept busy playing golf. Here he is picking the perfect club.You're not the only one who likes to read the blog (and you know you do). Jack LOVES to look at himself on the computer. Any time Kevin or I is doing something on the computer, Jack asks to look at "baby." He doesn't seem to make the connection yet that he's looking at himself.While we had a good day, I really hope the weather clears up so we can get outside tomorrow!

An Oldie But Goodie

Okay, so it's not that old but here's a cute video from May (pre-big boy haircut) for your viewing pleasure. Man, this makes us miss his long hair!

The Sweetest Sound

I realize this may qualify me as a nut job, but I recently decided to shell out a few bucks and rent a fetal doppler machine so that we could hear Baby's heartbeat at home. I was hesistant because I didn't want to freak myself out if we ever had trouble finding the heartbeat, but decided the joy of it working outweighed the risks. I feel the baby kicking and moving, but not consistently yet so hearing the heartbeat is a great reassurance to us. We plan to keep it for a month and then return it and by that time we should both be able to feel Baby moving pretty regularly.

When the machine arrived and we tried it for the first time I was able to find the heartbeat almost immediately. We tried to time it and think it was beating at about 160 beats per minute. Last night we could also hear the baby moving even though I couldn't feel it! (The movement makes a sound distinct from the heartbeat, kind of like a "whoosh.") That was pretty cool.

The machine has a record function so we were able to upload and save a recording of the heart beating to the computer but we can't figure out how to add it to the blog. We decided the next best thing was to record us listening to the heartbeat. The video's not much to look at, but it sounds awesome. That's our little Baby!

Swim Lessons, Round Two

Jack is taking swim lessons this summer in Destin and today was his first class. We signed up for Saturday morning classes so that Kevin can be the parent in "parent and tot" and spend some quality time with Jack. The class is quite large, 14 kids, but there are literally 4 teachers and they divide the kids into age groups to complete different activities. The class wasn't quite as intense as Myrna's class, but Jack will definitely learn a lot and become more comfortable in the water (if that's possible).

Getting psyched up for class with dad.

Practicing kicking!

Kevin and Jack found time to have some fun, too!

Baby Bookworms

The Niceville library has a program that meets Friday mornings called Baby Bookworms for "walkers" to 3 year olds. The nice librarians read books, sing songs and entertain the little ones (and their parents) for half an hour. Sadly it only meets every other week during the summer and today was the first time we've been able to go since May, but we had a great time like always. Jack enjoys listening to the stories, looking at the pictures, and he also adds his own commentary and sound effects. Today he yelled "Mooooo!" vey loudly when there was a cow in one of the books. When it's time to dance to the music he tends to observe more than some of the other kids. Turns out Jack is more of a freestyler so he doesn't really do the motions to the songs like "Wheels on the Bus" and "If You're Happy and You Know It". He just does his own moves, watches the bigger kids and claps when the song is over.

Showing off his sticker from the librarian.

For some reason Jack thought everyone was being too loud during sing-a-long time so he told everyone to "Sssshhhh!!" He said something about "baby" so I'm guessing he thought everyone was disturbing a baby? Who knows.

On our way out, Jack recognized the computers so he sat down to watch and listen to a book.

Bump Watch - 18 Weeks

Teeth

For literally several months we've been saying, "Jack is teething" and we've been wrong. It was our go-to explanation for everything: random lack of appetite, runny nose, fussiness, you name it. Well, we're finally right: he's teething. And that's putting it mildly. He is literally cutting SIX teeth right now - both bottom lateral incisors and all four of his first molars. He's going to have a mouth full of teeth in a couple of weeks!

We printed this awesome teething chart to keep track of when his teeth break through. It makes it clear that Jack gets his teething habits from the Marsh side of the family because he is a late teeth bloomer like me, his Aunt Amy and his uncle Mike.

The Bar Exercise

Watch out Paul and Morgan Hamm. There's a new gymnast in town! (This is the video I was referring to in yesterday's post.)

Is that not the most ridiculous thing you've ever seen? I mean, seriously. As if he'd hold on to the bar and flip around. But, he seemed to enjoy himself and no one was hurt so it's all good.

Our Little Gymnast

Kevin is night flying so he was able to join us for Jack's gymnastics lesson this morning. We did totally different activities from last week so it was fun to see Jack trying more new things. First, the kids in Jack's class and the older toddler class played with a giant parachute. Jack had a blast moving the parachute up and down and then running around on it when it was his turn (and often even when it was not).


The second circuit today was beam work. Yes, I'm serious. The beam. As you can see in the pictures, Jack had a little help to keep his balance but he walked across them several times. He especially liked when he got to crawl up the beam like a bear. He even made sound effects.


The last circuit was on the bar. The teacher tried to get all the kids (including Jack) to do a flip around the bar. Yes, I'm serious. A flip around the bar. (We got a video, but it's kind of long so I'm not sure I'll be able to upload it.) Jack's favorite part of the bar circuit is the giant styrofoam pit. Here is a video of Jack swining on the bar.

The final activity today instead of bubbles was jumping on the trampoline. Jack still hasn't mastered getting both feet off the ground at the same time, but he is great at bouncing.

Weekend with the Andersons

Stewart and Maura Anderson made the trek from Dallas to hang out with us for a few days and we're so glad they did. We had a blast. Friday, we went to the beach and pool at their hotel. Jack showed off his swimming skills and "jumping" (aka walking off the edge) into the pool. The adults just enjoyed staying cool in the crazy heat.

After enjoying a delicious dinner Kevin prepared on the grill, we got to the real point of the trip. The Andersons didn't make the trip alone... they brought PlayStation 3 and Rock Band. Jack tried out all the instruments for us to make sure they were in good condition and the Youngs joined us Friday night for a jam session. The game was hysterical and we stayed up too late making awesome rock music.

On Saturday, we borrowed a friend's pontoon boat and hit the water. It was rather stressful using a boat no one was familiar with, but once we got moving we had a great time. Jack did some driving and some sleeping and the rest of us enjoyed wading in the clear water of the ocean.

That night Jack stayed home to play with a babysitter and we went out for a date night and had a great dinner. We went to Baytowne Wharf and enjoyed a really nice evening.

Sunday we went for lunch and to Florida's Gulfarium. It's kind of like a ghetto Sea World, but it was so cool. Jack was totally entertained by the "ish" and sat through three half hour shows so you know they're doing something right to keep an 18 month old's attention.

The Andersons are on their way back to Dallas to pack up and prepare to move to Australia! We wish them luck and look forward to seeing them next March when we'll both be in Austin for weddings.

18 Month Well Baby Appointment

Jack's appointment this morning went really well. Kevin took leave today so all three of us made the journey to the Pediatric Clinic to see Dr. Bryan. It was our first time seeing this pediatrician and he was awesome. Kevin said he looks more like a UFC fighter than a baby doctor, but he was very sweet and reassuring about Jack.

Jack weighs 22 pounds, 9 ounces and is in the 15th percentile (up from the 10th). He is just shy of 32 inches long putting him in the 20th percentile for height and once again his head circumference was in the 75th percentile. (Here's a cool growth percentile calculator.) When we asked about Jack's size and all the blood test endocrinologist nonsense from January the doctor just seemed puzzled by it and said, "I am NOT concerned about Jack's size." I think he even threw in a "He's perfect" which we appreciated. He said he doesn't care about the numbers and is more concerned with seeing consistent growth.

Dr. Bryan said Jack's development, gross motor, fine motor and verbal skills are right on target and he also conducted a brief autism screening that Jack passed with flying colors. Jack will get his next shot in August since we are on a slightly delayed shot schedule and be seen for his next well baby when he turns 2. I suppose then we start calling it "well child"?

Jack is 18 Months Old!

Holy cow. We can't believe our little baby boy is a year and a half old! He's not really our baby any more as every day he grows and becomes more of a little boy. Jack is definitely working on his vocabulary and it seems like he is saying a new word daily. We're trying to teach him to count and identify colors. His counting is ridiculously cute, but he just repeats the same number "three" over and over and the only color he says - for everything - is blue. We'll keep trying.

His 18 month well baby doctor's check up is tomorrow so we'll post afterwards with his height and weight stats and any interesting info from the doctor. For now, take a look at Jack "then" and "now".

December 19, 2006

December 2006

June 19, 2008

The "Big" Ultrasound

We are officially the most impatient people in the world. July 10, the original date of the "big" ultrasound, was just too far away so we called this morning to reschedule. Now the ultrasound will take place on July 7. It's only a few days earlier, but we'll take it.

If you haven't already voted in our "Boy or Girl?" poll, please make your pick on the left.

Fnding out the gender of the baby is a benefit but not the purpose of the "level 2 ultrasound". The real purpose is to perform an anatomy scan is to measure the baby from crown to rump, around the middle, and around the head, for starters. The four chambers of the heart will be viewed, as well as the kidneys, bladder, stomach, brain, spine, and, of course, sex organs. Measurements are taken to make sure the baby is growing appropriately. A survey of the organs, including the umbilical cord, ensures that it is developing normally. The sonographer will also be looking at amniotic fluid levels, the location of the placenta, and the fetal heart rate.

Master of the Fork

Jack has been growing more independent recently and it is most apparent during meal times. He wants to feed himself everything, and as a result he has become pretty adept at using even grown up utensils. I don't know why, but we find it pretty cute. (If you haven't caught on by now, we find just about all things Jack pretty darn cute.) Here he is serving himself some carrots while holding a pen (?) in his left hand.

Sometimes, just like the rest of us, Jack just wants his food fast so he resorts to using his hands.

First Gymnastics Class

I think it's safe to say gymnastics class was a hit. Jack had a blast and we are both worn out! I wasn't able to get any photos today because I was pretty busy doing my share of the "parent and tot" class, but I hope to get a few next week.


We played on three different "circuits" around the gym. The first focused on floor work so Jack did forward and backward rolls and jumped on a trampoline. He really seemed quite pleased with himself every time the teacher or I would flip him over to complete a roll. The second phase was the vault. This involved a lot of climbing and jumping and I was exhausted after doing the exercises a few times. The last circuit was on the bar and the styrofoam pit. Jack seriously hung onto rings and a bar like a little monkey and then dropped when instructed onto the mat. It was hysterical. He especially liked going down the slide into the giant blocks of styrofoam.


The last bit of class was spent running around chasing bubbles. The teacher, Miss Kathy, instructed the kids to catch, pop and stomp on the bubbles. Jack would watch the other kids for a minute to see how they were doing it and then join right in. He really did great today considering it was his first class. He lasted the entire hour and Miss Kathy was impressed he hung in and participated the whole time and he was the youngest in the class to do so.


Here's Jack after gymnastics class. I anticipate a good nap this afternoon!

Rocking Elephant

In Atlanta when Jack wasn't trying to ride Maggie the dog, he was rocking on Edie's Elephant. In this video you can see Jack rock and hear him say my favorite word of his "elephant."

Happy Father's Day, Kevin, Grandpa and Papa Lou!

Catching Up with the Lockes

On our way home from Atlanta we made a pit stop in Montgomery, Alabama to meet for lunch and play time with our friends the Locke family. Joe "Snake" and Kevin were in the 23rd Fighter Squadron together in Germany and the Lockes are now on their way to Korea. I'm so glad they allowed us to totally crash their Father's Day so we could see them before they move.

Here are Garrett, Jessica, Jack and Carson. Please notice the big gap in Carson's smile; he lost his fifth tooth this afternoon while we were hanging out. (Once again, Jack was not feeling the photo shoot and the only way to keep him still on the couch was to let him play on the phone.)
Jessica and Garrett

The Jack and Edie Show

With Kevin out of town (again), Jack and I hit the road to catch up with some friends in Atlanta. We went to stay with Jennifer, a college friend, Alex, her husband, and Edie, their adorable daughter. It was our first time meeting Edie and we were not disappointed. She is adorable and smiley and we are so happy we finally got to spend time with her.

With two little ones running around, we kept quite busy without really doing too much. We spent quite a bit of time in a couple of pools: the community pool in Jennifer's parent's neighborhood and the little backyard pool.

When we prepared the bath tub for the kids, we filled both the baby tub (for Edie) and the regular tub (for Jack). After a few minutes of interacting and playing, Jack decided they weren't quite close enough so he climbed into Edie's tub with her.

On Saturday we tried to do a photo shoot of the kids in matching outfits. We managed two costume changes before totally giving up: coordinating striped one pieces and matching Mount Holyoke t-shirts. Jack was not cooperative and wanted nothing to do with sitting still, but at one point he was feeling very affectionate towards Edie.

Here are a few highlights from a slightly more successful photo shoot after the pool on Friday.

Jack's other new best friend after the weekend is Maggie the dog. She is the sweetest, most relaxed dog. Thank goodness, because Jack was all over her. He seriously layed on her, pulled her tail, stepped on her, hugged her and she just took it. Between his new friend baby "E-ie" and Maggie the "daw!", Jack was in heaven in Atlanta.