Gross!

This is why boys need their fathers...


Pat & Jack find a mouse

 

Jack LOVES animals...especially gross ones

  

No we did not let Jack touch this...but he REALLY wanted to

Uncle Matt and Mike

As most of you know Jack has twin uncles. I never really thought much about how he would react to them…whether or not he would be able to tell them apart. I have known them for so long that I take for granted they look so similar. Jack now knows both of their names and can say both names he just mixes them up. What else can we expect I guess?? We went to visit Uncle Matt last night and Jack proved just how smart he is. After calling Matt Mike a few times and being repeatedly corrected he decided to come up with his own version and combine the two names ‘Maat-ike’. After thinking about this I am completely amazed. Yes - there is a chance this was coincidence however I am going to choose to believe we have one smart cookie on our hands who decided to combine the two names to make one (after all he can't get it wrong that way). Perhaps this could be Jack’s potential nickname for the two of them?? Time will tell.

One thing is certain he definitely gets his love of motorized vehicles from the twins. I can’t keep this kid out of the truck or off the lawnmower. He is 110% obsessed. I swear it has to be genetic.

Big Boy Room!

From baby blue to crayon colours.  This little nursery had to be transformed over the weekend as my big baby boy is turning into a little man.  I removed the changing table to make room for the big toy chest that was passed down through Jack's father's family.  A gift he will surely cherish for many years and likely pass along to his little ones.  Painted the old brown dresser bright RED to make it a little more modern and fun.  Hung some paper lanterns as Jack is obsessed with balloons right now.  He calls them balls and insists on swinging at them every time we come into his room (not really sure how long they will last).  Finally I put out some big boy toys that he recognizes like his Buzz and Woody dolls and removed some of the baby like teddies from his shelf. 

This big boy is ready to snooze in style!

Here Froggie Froggie

Uncle Jay and Uncle Brady caught Jack his first frog and it went a little something like this:


"Let's see who can catch one first..."



"Nice little froggie in there. How do I get him out?"

"I want to hold it Daddy"

"Nice Froggie"

"Again!  How do I get him outta here?"

"Here froggie froggie"



"Gottcha!"

We released the frog back into the pond shortly after the last photo as Jack had caught him and picked him up by the little froggie legs.  Something tells me this will not be the last frog I see in my house.

ALL Boy!

I would like to think that I have not pushed BLUE on my son. I think no matter what he would have turned out all boy anyhow given his family tree. Jack is crazy about anything with wheels, a motor or a steering wheel. It amazes me how he is attracted to certain things at such a young age. Here are a few shots of him doing what he loves driving and getting wet & dirty :)

Getting wet on a hot day

Watching the cars drive by on the road

Soaked!

Bye Bye Baby Days, Hello Bumps and Bruises.

'Just wait til he is walking' - a comment that I have heard a fair bit over the last year.  I am happy to report the day has come!  Another huge milestone in a little life.

Although Jack did take his first steps some time ago he had yet to venture out on his own.  Yesterday he mustered up the courage he has been looking for for weeks to take those first slow, unsteady and cautious steps alone...without a hand, a couch, a table or chair, the walker, mommy, daddy or Marjorie. He got halfway across the room, fell and bumped his head...but he did it and he is PROUD!

I have been asking myself the following question for weeks. "When will that moment come when I no longer see a little baby when I look at him? " It came - last night.  He is a big boy now.  Of course he will ALWAYS be my baby but he has moved into the little boy category.  Look out world another Simonson boy is on the move!

Time for another? Nah, not just yet....

Looking back...

A year ago this Friday I was heading into the hospital not to return home for 7 days!  The whole 'Jack process' began Friday morning and ended Sunday morning....and that is all I will say about that other than I feel so blessed to have delivered a beautiful baby boy on mothers day 2010.  How cool it that? 

Now almost 1 year later he has turned from a baby into a little boy with smiles, laughs, chatters, kisses and truck sounds galore.  As I prepare for his first birthday party, which will be occurring on Sunday, I reflect on the year that has passed before my eyes so quickly and think about how lucky I am.  What a precious boy he is turning out to be already.  I look forward to a lifetime of fun, laughter, smiles, tears and joy with this little guy and in no way can I ever imagine my life without him now that I have him!   He is truly my pride and joy.  The love of my life!

I have included one of Jack's 1 year portraits below to show you just how adorable this little tot is! 

Jack's 1 Year Portrait - Such a big boy now!

First Haircut.

Jack just had his first big boy haircut.  It turned out adorable.  He was such a good boy.  Sat still most of the time :)  Here are a few pics.

Before Pic

Being such a big boy

After! Very happy with his new do

What a handsome little boy

I can climb!

The days of blocking Jack in the living room and knowing he was safe are OVER.  Today I was making lunch and blocked him out of the kitchen and this is what I come around the corner to see.  He figured out the coffee table has a hole in it that he can fit through.  Was nice while it lasted!

ALL Smiles.

What a happy boy! Jack loves to smile. Doesn't he have the prettiest smile in the world?? -I think so!

It's a...

BOY!
I officially have 19 weeks left to figure out how to raise a Simonson boy...wish me luck! What an amazing moment we had today in the ultrasound room. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Pat was quite tickled to find out he was right all along and that our little one is a boy. I was sure we were having a girl but hey…I can’t be right all of the time.