Watch out Michael Phelps--You May have Some Competition!

Last Saturday, on June 20th, Jack had his first "Splish Splash" class through the Oak Lawn Park District. Jay and Jack are taking this class together this summer since Jack and Mommy are taking a stroller fitness class together. So many fun activites this summer planned for this little guy! My 2 favorite boys were so cute in the pool.....I loved being their photographer! Jack loved the water and Jay did a great job getting him acquainted to the "big pool." It certainly was a LOT more water than he is used to in his bath! Anyhow, he did great and is already looking forward to his future lessons! At this rate, we may have a Michael Phelps on our hands by the age of 2! HA!!!

"Hey Daddy...this is sure one BIG bath!! Why are we all taking a bath together!?!"



Jack getting used to the water......and Daddy being ever so gentle so he does not get scared or overwhelmed:)

"Ahh Daddy...I don't think I like the back float...."



Mommy having a little fun with her Birthday present--PHOTOSHOP!!! So much to learn and oh so addicting!!!!







Here are some video clips of my guys in the pool....

Happy First Father's Day, Jay!

To know my husband Jay is to love him. He is an amazing husband and a remarkable father. I am sure I do not tell Jay this enough, but he is the love of my life....and I am one lucky girl. I knew this when I married him, but now that I see him as a father, I am reminded on a daily basis of what a wonderful man he is. His patience, temperament, wit, and charm are some of his most notable characteristics, but the list could go on and on....and on and on. Jack is so lucky to have Jay as his Daddy. When I see my two favorite boys together, my heart just melts. I love them both to pieces!

Happy First Father's Day, Jay! We love you!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Katie!

Lookout World! There is a new stud in town!!!!!

After much debate on the "right" time for Jack to get his first haircut, we decided that today was the day! I had mixed feelings about this....part of me didn't want to cut his hair yet because it is yet another reminder that is he growing up so quickly....but, part of me thought that a little trim would look so adorable and help with "unruly" and wild hairs that have developed in the past month or so. Also, a hair cut for the Little Man would help with the transition from a baby to the big boy that is he really becoming.....far too quickly may I add!

Anyhow, Jay and I decided that we would wait until he was 9 months and then get it done. We are so happy we did. He is such a little stud now! It is really cute! We took him to Grandpa Harris's barber Mike who was so good with him. He too, has grandkids and was very gentle. Jack got to sit on a horse and liked it...in the beginning anyway!

I am happy to report that Jack survived his first haircut...and we even have a certificate to prove it! Here are some before an after shots.....


The "before" shot sporting the slightly "unruly" look.....


The first couple of snips....."Hey Grandpa, this is not so bad and this horse is pretty cool!"


"I am done! Yipee! I get an official first haircut certificate and my first lick of a grape sucker!!!"



"I am sorry I cried, Barber Mike. You were very nice and gentle to me. I just don't like anyone touching my head. You should see when my mommy and daddy try to clean my face after I eat. YIKES! I always get upset! Thanks for the sucker and first haircut certificate!"


The "after" shot! "Watch out, ladies! There is a new stud on the block!!!"

Here is a short video clip of the Little Man's First Haircut....

My Guy is 9 Months Old Today!!!

9 months ago today, I was in the hospital holding my precious 6 lb., 15 oz. bundle of joy! 9 months, 2 teeth, and lots of "hoots" and giggles later, my precious bundle of joy has turned into my precious little man! It has been quite a trip so far...and I know the fun is just beginning. The countdown is officially on to the BIG milestone--1 year! I am already planning for his 1 year birthday party but, for now, we continue to enjoy each wonderful day.

I took Jack to the Dr.'s today for his 9 month appt. He weighed in at 18 lbs., 14 oz. (a little under the 50th percentile) and he still is so tall for his age. Jay and I have no idea where he gets his height from...there has been talk about the mail man....hmmm! HA!

Here are some pics of my 9 month year old from the past month....

Cutie Patutie....

Ahhh, snoozin on Aunt Katie....
HI THERE!
The Little White Sox Fan.....

Jack's First Rainbow Cone!

Last week was the annual St. Catherine's Carnival. Jay, Jack, and I somehow seemed to make an appearance at the carnival every night! After all, who can resist elephant ears, hot dogs, Italian beef and sausage combo sandwiches, Taco Joe, pizza, popcorn, corn dogs, and draft beer....especially when all of this delicious carnival food is only a stone's throw away from our house!?! OK, the reality is that I am too lazy to cook dinner when some of my favorite junk foods (especially hot dogs!) are all available in one location for a cheap night out! Plus, Jack was literally enamored by some of the rides that had lots of lights and moved very quickly.

For those of you that do not know, I have a HUGE sweet tooth. In my opinion, dessert is the best part of any meal! One of my VERY favorite things in the summer is ice cream. I seriously eat it almost every day. "Rainbow Cone" has been a tradition on the south side of Chicago for many, many years. It is called a rainbow cone because it is one ice cream cone that consists of 6 flavors (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cherry palmer house, pistachio, and orange sherbet). So, the end result looks like there is a mini rainbow on top of the ice cream cone. It is a great concept and oh so delicious!! Every year, Rainbow Cone has a stand at St. Catherine's carnival. Jay and I decided to allow Jack to have his very first taste of ice cream. This was a very exciting day for Jack because up until last week, we have been very strict with what he eats (fruits and veggies only) in addition to milk, of course. So, ice cream was such a treat!! Predictably, he loved it! Uh oh, I think my little man may have inherited my love for sweets. I hope we didn't set the wrong precedence. I have had a very difficult time getting him to eat his beets the last few days and he usually loves them. He must still have the rainbow cone on his mind!

Here are some pictures of Jack tasting his first rainbow cone.

"Ummmm, I am not sure about this...it tastes kind of weird. What are you feeding me, Mommy?"


"Oh wait, on second thought, it is not so bad."

"Actually, I really think I love this stuff you call a rainbow cone!!"

"Oh, more please, Mommy! Ice cream is delicious!"


"My new favorite food is ice cream!!!! I love rainbow cones!!!!!"

Chunky Monkey

Everyday Jack does at least one thing that makes me smile, laugh, cry, or think to myself that I am the luckiest mom on the face of this earth because I have been blessed with such a beautiful baby. I am truly so grateful. Lately when I look at him, I try to take as many mental notes of his silly faces, baby sounds, adorable giggles, etc., etc. Although I have my camera with me often, it is impossible to capture every moment. Jack is getting so big so quickly and I already know that I am going to look back one day soon and wonder what happened to my baby boy!

Jack's Aunts Julie and Katie think his little thighs are hilarious because they are getting so chunky! Sometimes they take his pants or shorts off just to check out his little baby rolls! Although Jack is really not "big" for his age (his weight has always been right at the 50th percentile), even I do often refer to him as my little "chunky monkey" sometimes.


Here are some pics of the lil chubba bubba....





The little sausage feet.....
Jack's dimples on his hands.....HA!

So Stinkin Cute!!!!

This picture of Jack really does not need any words at all.....

Our little golfer is SO STINKIN CUTE!!!!!

The Little Garden Helper

This is now the second year in a row that we have planted a garden in our back yard. While we are still lightyears from becoming true gardening professionals, Jay and I are very happy with our accomplishments! We choose this year's crop with Jack in mind. So far, he is such a great little eater and really enjoys his fruits and veggies (with the exception of peas!) We are still making most of his baby food so it will be so nice to have our own garden!

This year we planted tomatoes, yellow peppers, jalapeno peppers, sweet peppers, zucchini, butternut squash, beets, and blueberries. We also have a fresh herb garden that includes chives, peppermint, sweet basil, and oregano.

It was a couple of weekends of really hard work to get the garden in as well as all of the annual flowers, but we are happy that is in finally done (for the most part anyway!). In only a few more weeks the flowers will be in full bloom and the yard will look so pretty! Just in time for outdoor patio/BBQ season!

Here are some pics of Jack helping in the garden. As you can see, the little guy has quite the green thumb!!!!

Helping Mommy plant the flowers.....



Helping Grandpa with his garden.....