Mid July

A few months ago Jack decided that even though he likes riding around in his car seat, he does NOT like the process of getting into said car seat. The joke is that he "just can't be restrained!" Inevitably there is arm-flailing (how does he always manage to get his hand back under the should harness before I can get the buckle done??), and plenty of yelling. The latest fix for this? Distract him with the tightening strap, which is apparently a delicious snack...



While on a shopping trip to Target one day I came across an impulse-buy on an end display - a baby sized driving cap. I totally love this hat on Jack. My Grandpa Cusi always wore this style cap when I was growing up. I just think it looks dignified, and Jack wears it like the handsome little man he is. :)



We had a sad occasion in the family this month. Jack's great-great-grandpa, my great-grandpa Hart passed away after a long string of ailments. He was a few days shy of 96 years old. When I thought it through, I realized it had been about 11 years since I last saw Grandpa. I can't believe how quickly the time went. Jack has two great-great-grandmothers, but Grandpa Hart was the only patriach of the g^2 distinction alive during his lifetime. It was important to us that Jack get to meet his great-great-grandpa, so we decided to make the trip to Buffalo, NY for his funeral. A 7.5 hour drive each way, I was amazed that the trip actually worked out as nicely as it did. Must've been a sign that we made the right choice in going. :) When we mapped the trip, it turned out Jim's family's cabin was at the halfway point. We were able to stop there for snacks and to stretch our legs before finishing the trip. Jack basically slept the whole time he was in the car. We so lucked out with this kid.

Anyway, the funeral was on Saturday the 16th. The night of the 15th we stayed in a local Hampton Inn, Jack's first time in a hotel!



Jim and I both travel frequently for work. I loved having Jack at the hotel with me because it felt a bit like I got to bring him to the office. :) Jimbob showed him how to properly start the day reading the paper.



Then we headed off to Amigone funeral home (that name has been a family joke since I was a kid...) The entire weekend, while sad, was a bit of a celebration because we all felt Grandpa was finally at peace. It is also so rare for that side of the family to all be in one place at one time, it was a nice gathering. At Amigone, Jack met several family members for the first time including his Aunt Patti who had flown in from Florida. And appropriately he wore his driving cap, which it turns out was a fashion statement that Grandpa Cusi shared with Grandpa Hart. :)

There was a funeral mass at St. Aloysius church, and we drove past Briarcliff one last time. I'm glad Jack was with us. Then Grandpa was buried on a beautiful sunny afternoon, with Irish tunes played in the background on a bagpipe.

Afterwards we headed to Uncle John Hart's house for a short picnic. I could not believe how much the family kids had grown! Babies were now teenagers and new little ones had been added. It was a lot of fun to see everyone. Jack enjoyed playing with the Up & Down Roller Coaster we found in the driveway. Think we'll be getting one of these at home!





Made it home Sunday and then had a busy week. Jim flew to North Carolina and back on Monday, we coordinated the restoration contractor's last-minute touches at Wilson Rd, we passed all the Wilson Rd inspections, somewhere in there Jack developed green-horrifying-goop eyes (thank goodness for the triage nurse who called in his drops!), and managed to set things up at work to be off the whole next week. Good time for a vacation! On Thursday Jack brought home his very first art and craft from daycare. It's his interpretation of a sunshine. :) A definite addition to the mommy's-keeping-this-forever box.



In other news, Jack seems to be stretching out now rather than gaining weight. He's getting so big! Here he's being a goofball wearing his daddy's tshirt. Not quite that big yet. :-P



All this growing requires some serious fuel. I've been making his solids with the Beabacook my brother bought us. I love making Jack's food. I am a terrible cook, so I'm enjoying my time while making his food is still within my capabilities lol.



Smiley boy at dinnertime... Have I mentioned this kid is awesome??



That's all for now! Time for this mama to quit slacking and start packing. We leave tomorrow morning for a week up in Troy.

Finally getting started!

For months I've been wanting to find an easy place to capture little notes about Jack-Jack's babyhood before I forget them. I am so frustrated that I could never find the time to set up this blog until now - I want it to look nice but don't have hours to play around with a format and background. Now eight whole months have passed so I'm putting my foot down and just doing this! I can always make it look prettier later. :)

Hopefully this helps me keep on top of organizing all my pictures as well. Jack's dozing in his playpen now...



Jim is away on a business trip to Mexico so this week has been mommy and Jack time. It's been hectic but manageable. I remember when Jim went to Mexico the week before Christmas last year - Jack was less than two months old. I was so incredibly stressed out. By some miracle my mom was able to come down to stay with me. It's amazing how much easier to care for Jack is now that he's older. It was intense for those first three months, but we made it through.

Every time I look through my pictures and video clips of Jack I wish I had more. We must have thousands already, but I can't believe how quickly the time is passing! I want to remember everything.

Some silly little things about Jack:
...His head sweats like crazy when he's sleeping
...Lately when he talks most of his babbles start with the letter "b". My favorite is when his chubby little cheeks bunch up when he's talking
...Whenever he gets surprised, like when daddy spins around with him, his eyes get all big
...After so many months of struggling, he finally nurses nicely and seems to be happy with the arrangement. When he's getting ready to eat, he spits his binky out of his mouth and makes a hissing/growling noise. I joke and call him "The Intimidator" :-P
...He got his first tooth on his 5 month birthday. Then by the time he hit 7 months, he had six teeth! He has the goofiest toothie grin, it's awesome. :)