Today Jack is...50 weeks old.

That's right people...two weeks until his birthday! Amazing. Look at that kid. Quite a handsome boy if you ask me. He was pretty happy this week until yesterday when a serious bout of teething hit. Or at least I think that's what it is. He was so cranky and just keeps jamming his fingers and whole hand to the back of his mouth. I guess his molars might be coming in though I'm not sure how to help him. But it's sort of sad to see him so upset.

But the week wasn't all bad. I find that if I keep him busy, Jack is a happy boy. He really hates just sitting in the house though. So we go out. To the park, to the zoo, to classes, etc.

The zoo is fast becoming our favorite place to pass the time. I just hop on over there for an hour or two to entertain him and tire him out. He loves the seals and is excited he can get right up against the glass.

His balance and strength is getting so good. He can stand unassisted and a few times this week he has taken a step without holding on to something. But I think then he realized that he wasn't holding on and just sat down. That's his usual move when I try to coax him to walk. Just sitting and crawling is so much easier! But he's getting there...

Jack and I have a lot of fun together every day but he has been exhibiting a little bit of separation anxiety. The other day we did a mommy and me class where the moms left for about 30 minutes while teachers watched the kids and I was called back to come get Jack because he was crying inconsolably. It was so sad but I guess he's pretty attached to me since I'm always with him. Soon we'll need to make room for daddy though! He'll be off work for a few weeks and we are so excited to have him home.

The other day I snapped this picture while he was sitting on the pool lounge chair. We haven't just sat there for a long time because he no longer will sit still. He still wasn't pleased that I was making him sit in one place. In fact, he looks pretty pissed and like he's going to kick the crap out of me.

But compare that pic (ignore the frown) to a picture of him from 6 months ago. Amazing. He was such a skinny little dude.

And now more pics from the week!

Growing Like a Weed

Our little boy is growing at a rapid pace. Or at least that's what it seems like to me. Literally two weeks ago he could not reach the piano and now he stands up with help from the piano stool and starts playing. And at New Years he definitely couldn't touch our top kitchen drawer which he now does.

And then today he did this.

Holy moly. It's all starting. Yikes.

Today Jack is...47 weeks old.

This week Jack learned a bunch of new things which I think will just make my life a tad more difficult. I can't help but be amused though because he's so darn proud of himself. First he learned how to flush the toilet and now he just loves the noise.

Then he decided to help me wash the dishes which I would have appreciated more if he hadn't been brandishing the dirty knives. Might have to watch him with those sharp objects. That's what moms do, right?

He also helped me with my laundry which was quite nice of him. But then he got pretty mad when I actually closed the door and started the dryer.

Of course, what I really have to look out for is his climbing. Climbing on his little rocking chair to be precise. He just grabbed hold, climbed right up, turned around and sat down.

Then the little bugger decided to stand on the chair. This might not be so bad if it wasn't a rocking chair, but man it was tipsy.

In other news, we put a fence up around the pool and we feel a lot better about that. Jack is a little confused though.

But although his beloved pool is no longer reachable, he does love his newfound freedom. I sort of "let go of the leash" as it were outside and he's been crawling around from one end of the yard to the other. Man, he loves being outside.

Our best outing this week was to the little play area at the local mall. I thought I'd let Jack run around after a thrilling trip to Bed, Bath, and Beyond. As usual, he was the youngest by a mile and the only non-walker. Usually he tries to make friends with the older kids and they rebuff his advances. But, for some reason, these kids just loved him. They fawned over him and got down on all fours and crawled all around with him. And when the little guy reached out to wave/pet one little girl, she reached out and grabbed his hand. I think it was the cutest thing I've ever seen.

And now, more pictures from the week!

Yes, those are nail clippers. But it made his teeth feel better...

Riding the giant frog at the park

He loves pulling every book off the shelf and making a mess

Shopping for a birthday card for his daddy

Mesmerized by an ant on the ground

Upset that the Steelers lost their playoff game (and wearing a handmade Steelers onesie from Aunt Julie)

Today Jack is...45 weeks old.

45 weeks old! Man, that is dangerously close to one year old. We had such a jam-packed week. Obviously I have a lot of Christmas pictures but I'm saving them for a Christmas post. (I promise I'll get to it soon.) So this post will be full non-Xmas photos. In the pic above, Jack is playing with John's amp, one of his favorite toys.

This week the little guy has been so amazing. So cute and full of smiles and laughter. He is having a ton of fun with his daddy who is off from work. One night we spent 45 minutes, just the three of us, playing with the kitchen door. Jack is so amused by the act of closing and opening the door and playing peekaboo. We laughed and laughed and he furiously crawled back and forth opening and closing. He was so proud of himself.

Pretty good standing, right? He also stands all day and pushes around everything he can move.

He's also become obsessed with our broom which he loves to play with outside.

And now, more pics from the week! Though these pics are all from our first family trip to the zoo yesterday. What a fun time!

Tried to put the little guy in the stroller but he cried his head off after two minutes so into daddy's arms he went.

He loved every waterfall we encountered

Making friends with the monitor lizard

He pretty much waved hi to everything. Here he is waving hi to the giraffes.

And waving hi to the other kids (who couldn't have cared less).

Getting very very tired at the end of the visit...

And asleep by the time we reached the exit.