The Hauer Family

Jack’s first Thanksgiving was celebrated at Grandma and Grandpa Hauer’s house. As always the visit was filled with laughter, games (lots of Wii Frisbee Golf), hot tubbing and lots of leftovers. And, for whatever reason we failed to capture the dinner occasion with a photo #fail.

We did, however, capture Jack decked out in his Buckeye gear in preparation for his first ever OSU-Michigan game. The scoreboard didn’t reflect the ending we were going for, but it was an exciting game to watch.

And, him hanging out with Great-Grandma Vera (ridiculously sweet to watch!)

The crazy busy schedule I had been keeping finally caught up with me; and I spent most of the long weekend enjoying naps. Bill and I didn’t even venture out as we usually do. It was absolutely perfect. Kind of like this guy.

Here we are at 6 months – half a year down. He has changed so much (we all have). The milestone passed without much fanfare, Dad was down in Mississippi with Habitat for Humanity for the week, so to say Mom was in “survival” mode may be an understatement. We had our first experience of crying himself to sleep; it is proven, I can sleep through it. I’m sorry son, but your bright future depended on me getting 6 hours of sleep.

The deal:

• talking, giggling — yay for 2 syllable laughter 🙂
• sitting up; preferably with the toys scattered around. thankfully he still finds the toys people got him when he was born amusing (Christmas is coming soon, right?)
• scratching fingernails on anything within reach
• eating rice cereal, bananas – not so much on the avocado and sweet potato
• battling (still) the first cold
• not sleeping through the night — waking at least once for food. somewhere around 4 months we lost that sweet baby who slept from 10p – 6a and we can’t figure out how to bring him back!
• rocking the t-shirt over the long sleeve shirt look like his Daddy

Official stats from the birthday visit to the pediatrician:

• 14 lbs. 3 oz.
• 25″
• 2 bottom teeth
• Best comment from pediatrician: “well we need to watch his weight (short breath)…wow, he has big feet”

Regarding weight: we’ll be back at the pediatrician the first week of January for a weight check. Though, as his mama, I know that he seems to only eat when he is hungry and doesn’t like to stuff himself. Interestingly enough, my Mom and Dad checked the British percentile charts and rather than the 10th percentile, he is in the 50th. And, let’s be honest those kids in the 90th percentile, once they hit age 3 the same pediatrician will be telling the parents they need to watch what the kid eats. Nonetheless, here’s hoping the continued introduction of solid foods will inspire him to pack on some pounds.

Oftentimes I catch myself wishing to freeze him at a stage; and then he learns something new that eclipses the cuteness of the stage before. I must say 6 months is pretty awesome.

new face.

if i press my lips together real hard

i can feel my two bottom teeth.

amazing.

dear readers, ignore the bumbo on the elevated surface in the background. i assure you my parents are responsible 95% of the time.

For the past 4 years, Bill and I have turned off our porch lights — ironically, it is the only time they are off — and headed down to the Boone residence to watch the parade of trick-or-treaters. Unlike me, they enjoy getting up every 2 seconds to hand candy to children and tweens.

Bill must have been too busy, as I was allowed to select the costume. As a result Jack was…wait for it… a Jack-O-Lantern. An all-in-one fuzzy sleeper with a pumpkin face on it. $7 from the thrift store. Topped off with the crocheted pumpkin hat.

Adorable. Uncle Billy helped with the entertainment; after a couple strolls down the street, many games of peek-a-boo and all around silliness, Jack said good night to Halloween.

Thanks for hosting Johanna and Billy 🙂

October 28

I picked up Jack from Amanda’s house and, as always, he welcomed me with a smile then grabbed my finger and put it in his mouth. Only this time, instead of a gummy chomp, there was a small sharp sliver of tooth poking into my skin. Yep, we are cutting our first tooth. I say we, cause let’s be honest, we are all affected by this new development.

So, along with the motto of “everything is a teething toy”, we now are on a regimen of frozen washcloths and baby Bonjela (thanks Mom for bringing back the “jella” from England!). Here goes nothing.

crazy eyes, crazy tooth

Pumpkin patch at Springdale Church’s Fall Festival.

He was way too interested in the grass

and my hands

paparazzi, please respect.

for any decent pictures to be taken of his smile.

I suppose

that’s why you pay “real” photographers.

Check out Jack’s newest talent!

Ohio State v. Illinois.  ||  October 15

An annual tradition…in its 2nd year.

Our 2010 visit had us Hauers sharing our news with Kim and Brandon — they were the first to find out that “nutter butter” was arriving.  There were no secrets to be had since our agenda for that weekend was to relive college and watch football — both of which involved me having a drink. And, well, I’m not a good liar.

Round 2 we returned to the scene of the first reveal — Motel 6, Urbana, Illinois. Without Kim and Brandon it didn’t seem nearly as classy but it served its purpose. And other than our heavy-footed friends in the room above us, it was perfectly acceptable.

We got there on Friday night and spent some family time around downtown Champaign. There were rave reviews for The Blind Pig but upon walking past I deemed it a non-stroller friendly establishment — you know, littered with bar stools and only one window and 5 lights in the whole place. I’m sure that the reviews were warranted when they said they had a great beer selection 🙂 We then debated if we looked like college kids that just happened to have a baby, or 30 year olds with a baby walking around campus. Is one better than the other? In the end we found a more suitable establishment; however, we were sat by the front entrance as the stroller could go no further. Ha!

Anyhow, back to the main event. The Lennox family were kind enough to, not only offer us free tickets to the game — sure they were in the Illinois season ticket section — but to offer free babysitting while Bill and I attended said game (with John and Kelsey). Jack spent the afternoon being doted on by Maria and Kyle. When the report was “he is the cutest baby ever” – I knew he had been on his best behavior.  While we were out they sneakily replaced his Ohio State bib with an Illinois sweatshirt. As if.

kelsey & jack

It was surreal to have someone I babysat, babysitting my child. And I know it was wild for Maria to be watching over Jack when she knew me as a 12 year old who watched her kids! Lovely to spend time with all of the Lennox family — including the dogs (thankful to know Molly isn’t the only high-maintenance dog around town). So proud of Kyle who is in law school at Illinois, and so amazed at the lovely lady Kelsey has become. So grown up 🙂

It’s painful — I didn’t get any more pictures of them with him! #fail

Jack was a great traveler. And seemed to enjoy his routine a la Motel 6.

He indulged our little – ahem 2 hour – trip to the outlet mall. And almost made it all the way home without screaming despite our detour through Madison, Indiana instead of sitting in I-65 bridge traffic.

Oh, and the Buckeyes won. 17-7. According to Kelsey the game itself was boring.

Til next year.

Another month has flown by for little man, and us.

This months picture was taken a day late, and without the usual photographer. And, let’s be honest, it is not a task for one person.

What we’ve been up to:

– working on doubling up that chin. he eats rice cereal twice a day, once in the morning and once at bath time (thanks Jacki for the tip).

– rolls over consistently, and now pushes up on his hands so his arms are straight. 99% percent of the time he rolls left, and he also only rotates left.

– practicing sitting up — household record is 5 seconds

– not only puts hands in his mouth, but his feet — talented little guy. well, and anything he can reach.

– sneezing: so far this activity elicits smiles

– outgrowing all of the “baby” toys and his socks

And some of the better outtakes…

A Jack fix was ordered up — or as my friend likes to call it “vitamin J” — by the grandparents in Cincinnati. So we made a quick road trip this past weekend.

Jack enjoyed being doted on by Grandma and Great-Grandma, got to hang out on the back porch with Grandpa and watch the Buckeyes in Buckeye-country (let’s not record the score here). And with a special guest appearance by Aunt Andrea.

enjoying the fall weather

handsome

can I play?

As for me, not only do I love the company, but I got to sleep in. #winning.