Almost One, But Not Quite

We really can not believe that our baby has become such a little boy lately! He is so big and become so much fun! I've become so nostalgic lately that I find myself looking at his baby pictures and wondering where our baby went. So excuse me while I wax on about it, but I can't help but reflect a bit.

I really remember this time last year. I was as big as a house and his nursery was PERFECT and full of every type of baby accessory that we may ever need. It was organized and waiting for him and I would rock in the glider as I anxiously daydreamed about what he might look like. I can't believe how crazy and absolutely amazing this year has been. His nursery is not nearly as organized as it was then and there are often blocks and toys strewn about with a full laundry basket of his big boy clothes waiting for mommy to fold. Such is life, I suppose! :) We are so proud of surviving this year and love watching our Jack grow.

Jack is 11 months old now (and really, since I'm behind in posting he's just a hair under 1 year old). He's so full of energy and loving cruising and crawling. He stands on his own and takes every opportunity to practice. He's doing well and can hold it for up to a few minutes. Jack loves walking around while holding onto someone and lately has become so daring as to hold on with just one hand. Mobility is certainly his goal and he has taken a few steps but only one at a time and usually followed by a fall! :)

He has become very vocal and loves babbling like a mini orator (arms out stretched and chin up high as he pontificates the finer points of life). We've had a lot of fun going to playgroups at the library where Jack has made friends with a few other boys and enjoys smiling and 'chatting' with the teacher. He waves (although not on command by any means), reaches up to be picked up, and says "na na" for food or milk. He babbles non stop and I'm sure that there are some real words coming, although the kindergarten teacher in me hasn't really counted any of them as a first word. I'm waiting for the real, "da da" or "ma ma" or "dog" or something for one thing consistently. But I can tell that he's learning what language is all about and taking it all in whether he's talking or not.

It's been a great month at the Hov Home and I'm sure a few more nostalgic posts are on their way. Who is this big boy and where did my baby go???

Daddy dressed Jack for this round of pics. He decided that he had to show off his baby AC DC shirt for those about to rock. (Thanks Boo!)

Thank goodness this year of monthly pictures is almost over! This has become SOOO hard to get him to sit semi-still, not eat the paper, look somewhere near mommy, AND smile. Ugh! :)

A little WWF action with Brian Bear. (Oh yes, it's Brian, as in Urlacher. What, he is Pete's son after all!)


Jack's facial expressions have really blossomed and he is always coming up with new (and usually funny) faces for us!

Just chillaxin in the tub. :)

Oh, and check out those teeth! Poor thing is cutting two more on either side of his top two. That will bring us to 6 teeth! Good thing we are just about done with nursing...it's been great, but I'm SO done!

Doesn't he look huge in the chair??? Oh, and yes we're working on the spoon thing, but mostly he just likes to bite on it and then drop it on the floor.

A Jack wave (which he has only recently started to move like a wave) is really more of a salute. :)

Here's a video of what our days are like around the Hov Home. :)