Fever Pitch

So...we're still sick. Well, I'm still sick, our little sparrow has stumbled upon another bout of sniffles and fever after a few days of glorious health. He's been asleep in our arms for most of the day. His rosy cheeks make my heart ache. Yesterday evening after a cooling bath, Jack found his personality again, if for a few brief moments. He escaped the clutches of his fleece pajamas and made a mad dash (peg-leg crawl) to Kya's toys. This kid is so wonderful and full of spirit, I am ready to see him healthy.

I love how Kya makes it into this video.

She doesn't look all too pleased at Jack's interest in her ball.

Oh and on a totally weird note, apparently, "Da" is the new "Malkovich".

Man, I miss 90's cinema.

Hey, we're over here!

Sorry we have been MIA. Or rather we have been to the flu, pink eye, ear infections, colds and back again. Rian calls it the baby plague. Infant daycare appears to be a breeding ground for infectious disease and we have dealt with our fair share this cold and flu season. Let me tell you, frumpy teacher khakis + pink eye + sleep deprivation = one hot mama. Oh and toss in a little I-only-wear-these-in-the-privacy-of-my-home-for-a-reason-circa-2004-glasses (thanks super contagious pink eye!) and I could give Jessica Alba a run for her money.

Sickness and exhaustion aside, these last few months have been busy. Jack is just busy. He is growing so fast and his development is on turbo speed lately. I spoke to my dad this evening. He was asking me about all of the things Jack is doing now, so much has changed since they last hung out. It made me smile (and of course tear up a bit, I'm a pro with the emotions) to hear the softness in my dad's voice as we talked about all of the little intricacies of Jack's development. From his two front teeth, which have finally broken the surface of his gums to his penchant for walking around the coffee table, it was so much fun to fill my dad in, but it also made me wish he was able to be here to see it. Distance is the reality though for many families and I forget what a great tool this blog can be for connecting my family to the amazing growth that is the first year of life.

Here are some snippets of life from the past month:

Glory Days

Tonight we celebrated living. We celebrated with a big fancy dance party, right here in our living room. It was a dance party for the ages. Me in my flannel jammies and Jack on bongos. Springsteen started us off. We traveled down Thunder Road, celebrated our glory days and danced in the dark, by the light of the Christmas tree. Rian and Kya joined us from upstairs, so it was onward to the Pulp Fiction soundtrack: Chuck Berry, Urge Overkill and Dusty Springfield. And for the grand finale we had to throw on a little Biggie Smalls (uh huh, yes you read correctly), Jack was the guest of honor at this dance party afterall.

Spinning, shrieks of joy, breathless laughter; note to self: THIS is what is important.

They'll pass you by....

Portraits from Our Long Weekend

What a nice weekend it 'twas...time with family, lunch at the Kennedy School, walks around Mississippi Avenue, a singular glass of wine, warm comfort food at Serratto, a blustery autumnal walk around Northwest and lots of baby watching.

Does the weekend have to end?

Jack getting ready for Grandpa Bob's visit with some pajama push-ups

Showing off with synchronized push-ups

 Chillin' with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Amy,

we pretty much watched this baby all weekend

Babies are the new TV

Clasping is the step before clapping and boy oh boy,

does this boy want to learn how to clap 

Trying Papa's guitar on for size, a natural?

Somehow this boy is all smiles after pulling ANOTHER all-nighter,

 teething is the pits, but Baby Jack is well worth the lack of sleep

Long weekends are the best.

Long Weekend!

Did anyone else notice how goregous the moon was this evening? There is nothing like working in an elementary school on a full moon. Well, perhaps working in a junior high school...Anyway, let's just say it was a bit of a wild day! I am so grateful for a long weekend, a visit from my Dad and Amy and I am grateful for this little boy. He just gets cuter by the day.

P.S. He and Kya are best friends, they go everywhere together. It is awesome.

Creeping Towards Crawling

So the backwards scoot is in full effect in our household and as of this evening...Little Jack is propping himself up on all fours. Oh.my.goodness.

Jack Talking Back

Little Sparrow reached a critical stage in his language development a few evenings ago...he learned to talk, er, scream, back at us.

Them There Eyes

We rushed home and had ourselves a lovely little afternoon today, me and Mr. Blue Eyes. Blinds were opened, sunshine was revealed, khakis were traded for flannel jammies and Liz Phair was popped into the stereo. Smiles, laughter and goofy dancing ensued. It was our first afternoon dance party since I returned to work. Mr. Blue Eyes, Liz and I, we all needed it.

They sparkle, they bubble, they're gonna get you in a whole lot of trouble...

We're On the Move!

Well, really Jack is the one on the move. Can you believe it?

This little lovebug is officially mobile and we are simply in awe! It all started with learning to sit up a few days ago...

Then, we stepped out of the room for a few moments and found Jack in a new place. We thought maybe we had just forgotten where he was playing last, but alas, we saw him starting to scoot backwards across the carpet and then slipping and sliding across the wood floor. Wowee zowee!

Oh and then there's my favorite new(ish) move. I call this one, "foot in mouth". Wool socks, yum.



Cute T. McGee

The gym is...

 

that way.

Keya!

Yesterday I headed north to begin the arduous task of new classroom set-up. Surprisingly, I moved quickly and got a lot done (mamahood has made me more efficient...at some things). Monday also marked the second day I was away from this little cutie for more than two or three hours. He was in wonderful hands, my mama's, but I missed his presence all day. So today it was all about the mama and her boy. There were bubbles blown (the boy), Lisa Loeb songs sung (the mama) and lots of smiles (from the boy and his mama).

P.S. A three-month letter is long overdue, this little boy is up to so much lately that I need to document before it passes us by.