A Movin' Little Jack

Jack is now into EVERYTHING!  As I type he has crawled over to me and is trying to get into my lap and "play" on the computer.  We just started having to tell him "no" and I feel like I have said "no no Jack" 50 times today.  The crib has been lowered to the lowest setting and plug covers are on all the outlets.  We are now entering a very NEW stage of life :)

Dressed In My Sunday Best!

Jack wanted to show off his new socks and shoes that he wore to church on Sunday.  His daddy walked in and saw him dressed like this and said "Buddy, I'm so sorry Mama dressed you like a girl today."  His daddy and I have a deal....I get to dress him for 3 years, then he can be a big boy and dress like his daddy :)

Mama getting me all spiffied up!

Can't get much more adorable than this!

Let's go!  I'm ready to go to church!

When I picked him up from the church nursery, his shoes were off.  When I asked about his them the nursery workers laughed and said about 2 seconds after I walked out the door both shoes were off and in Jack's mouth. The boy will chew on ANYTHING :)

Chicago Marathon 10-10-10

The Marathon was on Sunday morning, 10-10-10, and we  were lucky enough to be staying between mile 1 and 2.  We (me, Meagan, and Jack) simply got up and walked downstairs and out the front door to watch Allen run by.  After he passed us, we headed over to Dunkin' Donuts to celebrate the fact that we didn't have to run 26.2 miles that morning.  After our 2 dozen donut holes and coffee we walked a few blocks to cheer for Allen at mile 13 and again about 1/2 mile before the finish line.  We never got a good picture of Allen running (either he was running too fast or the camera girl, aka Meagan, wasn't quite sure how to work the camera) but we got lots of cute pictures of this little guy cheering for his daddy :)

Rise and Shine Sleepy Head!  It's time to go watch Daddy run!

I cheered and waved at my Daddy...He even waved back!

Sleepy and Silly boy at the 25.5 mile marker waiting on Daddy to run by

My Daddy is SO cool! And he can run faster than your Daddy :)

 Allen reenacted how he felt at mile 23

Off to Boston we go for the Boston Marathon in April!

Chicago!

First of all, let me brag on my hubby :)  Allen finished the Chicago Marathon with a time of 3:10 and QUALIFIED for the Boston Marathon!  I could not be more proud of him and his little boy is mighty impressed with his daddy!

We left Oxford at 3:30 AM Friday morning and landed in Chicago a little after 8:00 AM.  Jack was such a trooper!  Getting through the airport and flying with a baby was easier than I had ever dreamed!  Jack did great on the plane, train, and bus.  He was happy the entire trip...even without his naps! 

We did a lot of sightseeing.... The Sears Tower, Lake Michigan, The American Girl Store, Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, Wrigley Field, and LOTS of good eating (my favorite being Gino's East). 

 Jack LOVED the sand!

The Cravens 3 on the top floor of the Sears (now known as Willis) Tower

Allen was a little nervous about standing on the glass ledge :)

Aunt Mea Mea obviously didn't have a problem with it!

Happy Jack just liked to look and smile at all the people around!

Our hotel was a block from the Chicago River....absolutely beautiful!

 SISTERS!

A HUGE thanks to Jack's Aunt MeaMea for tagging along with us...She was a HUGE help and Jack is quite smitten with his Auntie :)

I will post pictures of Jack cheering for his daddy during the race later tonight....hated to have 20 pics on 1 post :)  Chicago was a blast and was beautiful this time of year!

Scootin'

Check out Jack's new "trick"!

For the past couple of weeks Jack has been spinning in a circle while on his tummy, but couldn't quite figure out how to go forward.  Well, he is slowly figuring it out!  I thought the hardwood floor was helping him out a good bit, but tonight after his bath he slowly scooted on the carpet all the way across his room.  Trouble with a capital T :)  Guess I better start baby-proofing.

The Marathoner Turns 27!!!

Today is my wonderful, handsome, funny, stubborn, handsome, strong, fast, handsome husband's 27th birthday!!!  Happy Birthday Allen!  You are a wonderful husband and daddy and we are so very grateful for everything you do for us!  Jack knows how much his daddy loves Ironman (the movie), so he hung the banner earlier this week for the big birthday  :)

We celebrated the birthday last night with The Kings at Nagoya.  Jack and Wyatt were amazed by the hibachi grill....that is after Jack screamed with fear at the noise of the cooking utensils hitting the grill...It was a short lived scream and soon he was happy again.  This morning we woke up bright and early and took Allen for his birthday breakfast at Honest Abe's Donuts (my FAVORITE).  Tonight we are celebreating with hamburger steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, and black eyed peas (Allen's favorite).

Did you know that the birthday boy likes to run. ALOT.  Allen has done a handful of 1/2 marathons and a few full marathons.  Last Novemeber we ventured to New York for the NYC marathon and this Sunday, 10/10/10, Allen will be running the Chicago Marathon!  I am so very proud and amazed at his drive and self control...he has done every bit of the training without a training partner all while working hard all day and being a new daddy.  We are VERY excited about the trip to Chicago and all the yummy food we will eat while there.  My sister, Meagan, is going with us and we are thrilled about going to the America Girl Store....Allen said he will wait outside with Jack :)  Please pray that we have an easy flight with Jack  and that Allen has a good and safe run!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!  LOVE, JACK

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work I go!

Today is my first day back at work!  I am SO thankful I was able to be home with Jack full-time for the first 6 months, but am also thankful that I am going back to work part-time.  Allen tells me I have a dream job and I have to agree!  I will be working 2 half days a week doing what I love to do (working mostly with children with autism at an outpatient clinic), and the rest of the week I get to do what I love best, being home with my little boy.  I know Jack will be in GREAT hands today because his CC is coming over to play with him while Mama is at work.  As much as I don't want to be away from Jack (ever) I think this will be good for both of us....Time for me to be out of the house, and time for Jack to realize that other people can meet his needs...not just his Mama :)

Can't have a post without a picture of my little Gonzo :)

Jack's 6 Month Stats and a Few Pumpkins

Jack had his 6 month checkup this morning and did great even when he got his 2 shots.  Here are Jack's stats:

Weight: 17lbs

Height: 26 inches

Head Circumference: almost 17 inches

After his appointment, we meet Jack's buddy, Wyatt, at the Episcopal Church for a little photo shoot with the pumpkins.  Taking pictures of a 6 and 9 month old are pretty much the hardest thing I've ever done :)  They were much for interested in the pumpkins and hay than looking up and smiling!

Jack hanging out watching the cars go by.

 "Mama, look at this big pumpkin I found!"

Jack gets excited anytime Wyatt is within reaching distance :)

Sweet Wyatt did look at the camera, but wouldn't give us a smile :)



We are going to try Take II with the pumpkins when Allen can go with us....He is always able to gets Jack's attention with some kind of animal noise :)



A Bulldog Weekend

We had a great weekend in Starkville and Jack finally got to meet Bully!  He wasn't really sure what to think about him.

Jack is always such a happy baby when we venture to a ballgame (although he technically doesn't go to the ballgame, just the tailgate).  I think it is because he loves to be outside and watch people.  We made him a little pallet in the middle of our tailgate and just let him play.  When it was time for a nap, his CC and I tried to get him to close his little eyes by taking him on a stroll.....didn't work.  Too much to see! 

When the game was over, he sat in CC's lap and peaked over her shoulder to watch everyone file out of the stadium.  That did the trick!

We have a big week ahead of us.... a very important birthday, someone is going back to work, and a trip on an airplane to see a favorite person run the Chicago marathon.  More on all the above soon!

ALSO, my baby boy figured out how to army crawl yesterday!  I am hoping to get it on video and post this week....he is too funny working SO hard at it :)

I'll leave you with a rare family photo...looks like Jack is trying to escape :)

Look at Jack GROW!!!

After I took Jack's 6 month pictures, I decided to go back and look at all his weekly and monthly pictures.  I can't believe how much my little man has grown in 6 months!  Here are a few (well, a little more than a few) of my favorites :)