Happy 8 Months Jack!!

Jack turned 8 months old today! We just love this kid to pieces. He has the best personality and is always smiling and squealing.

Jack is currently working on his top two teeth. Once has broken through...the other is going up and down (freaking thing). He used to fight meds so bad and we haven't been giving him much because it was such a pain but a few days ago he decided he'd start taking it with no problem! So he's getting some much needed relief now.

This month we've been to the splash park a few times. He's not a huge fan of the cold water but he did like walking around the kiddie pool at our house with sissy. He loves her so much. His eyes light up every morning when he hears her wake up and he kicks all the way down the hallway when he knows we are going in to get her. He also started saying "lala" this month. Layla loves it!

Jack has been an amazing eater this month too! He's starting to eat solids more consistently. He will do baby food but also loves to feed himself. We are struggling a bit with what to give him because he has to stay dairy free. L lived off cheese, yogurt puffs and yogurt so it is a bit of a challenge on what to feed him. Right now he'll eat pretty much everything in baby food form (LOVES prunes) and will feed himself chicken, puffs, crackers, bread, mum mums...he's still having a hard time picking up the slimy stuff but loves to squish it in between his fingers. Here is Paw Paw Barton feeding Jack some avocado:

He likes to use his food as hair gel:

 Jack is still doing great for night sleep. He goes down between 7-7:30 and wakes up for the day around 6:30. He normally only does one night feeding but since he's been teething he's been waking up a couple of times. And he is starting to want Daddy to put him to bed at night! Mommy nurses and then Daddy walks in circles around his room for a few minutes. He has been doing better about napping but still not great. He is taking longer naps for the most part (2-3 40 minute naps a day) and has taken a few 2 hour naps in the morning a few times a week! He is starting to sleep hard and will wake up with bed face:

Jack is still growing like a weed. He's in 18 month PJs because the feet of the 12 month ones were too small. He's still fitting in his 12 month summer clothes but I have a feeling we'll be buying a new wardrobe by this time next month. What a big healthy boy!

Jack still loooooooves his Mommy. I think we have a major Mommy's boy on our hands. During the day all he wants is for Mommy to play on the floor with him. And by play I mean he wants to roll all over me and chew on my legs. It is exhausting but I'm trying to enjoy it (mainly because I can't get anything else done!).

Another BIG milestone he hit the day before he turned 8 months...crawling! He looks like a little inch worm but just in the last 24 hours he's gotten stronger and faster. Look out world, he's coming for you!
 

The next month will have another big milestone for Jack...his first night without Mommy! I hope he does OK and doesn't miss me too much. :( At least he got crawling out of his system before I leave so I don't miss anything. And he's doing pretty good with the sippy cup now! Let's hope Daddy doesn't have a hard time. Who am I kidding? Big sis will be here and is the REAL boss of the house...I'm sure they will do just fine!

Gma and Gpa Mudd's visit

I'm patting myself on the back because I was much better about getting my camera out this visit. Yay me!

Mom and Bob came to visit us this weekend. The kids had so much fun spending time with Gma and Gpa "Rosco". Bryan and I even got to go out and celebrate our anniversary!

One day we took a trip to the zoo. The kids were so good despite all the sugar, sun and walking we did. 

We even got to spend some time biking around the neighborhood. Layla loves riding in the bike trailer as long as there are no bugs in there with her. Grandma decided it would be a good idea to give her the iPad for her ride. Spoiled ROTTEN. 

We can't wait until Jack can ride with her. It will be a few more months. Until then we can enjoy some one on one time with Layla and and dream of the day when J will get to ride and we will hear "he's slobbering on ME!" or "she's touching ME!".

On Saturday we went to the tall ship festival in Bay City. How cool is THIS?!

We didn't buy passes to go on the boats (good thing because the lines were long). It was hot and I think I spent 80% of my time in the nursing tent there...but L thought it was so cool to see ship wheels and anchors live in person. 

She was not thrilled about the pirates. I thought she'd be cool about it but she was so shy!

Captain Jack fit right in though! 

Grandpa thought it would be a good idea to try and show Jack how to crawl. He's not allowed over for another 6 months or so. 

Oops, Mommy's watching LAY DOWN, LAY DOWN! 

Grandma got Jack to laugh a few times. Why do babies laugh at the dumbest things?

We had so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa and can't wait to see them again! Thanks for coming!

Daddy's Birthday (and the 4th)

We've been so busy this summer. Our days are filled with trying to get stuff done around the house, zoo trips, traveling to Lansing and keeping the kids busy. We also like to take lots of "school bus" rides in the laundry basket:

We had such a great 4th of July and Daddy's birthday. Our friends, the Elliott's, came over to help us celebrate. We've missed them this summer and always enjoy our time together!

Jack dreaming of next year when he can get in there and terrorize the girls:

I love bounce house hair!

After dinner and some bounce house action we sang happy birthday to Daddy. I love that L can get excited about cake and candles now...and sing along with us! Jack loved to stare into the fire and reach for the cake!

Then we went downtown for the fireworks. Half the fun is the anticipation-

Layla has talked about the fireworks almost everyday since LAST year. She was so excited about them but after seeing a few this year she was over it. She played with her glow sticks and wanted to just jump around. Jack loved them! He kicked his legs and screeched the whole time. :)

Daddy had a great birthday and we can't wait to do it all again next year!