Jack at Six Months...What a Fun Month!

Things have been busy here in Erie.  It has been quite cold, and some days the weather is as cold as -2 degrees.  We are doing our best to keep Jack warm.  We tried to walk outside, and made it about five minutes before we had to run for cover....Carl thought his ears were freezing off!

Jack in his bunting outfit.  It keeps him quite warm!

Warm and cozy with the heat and fireplace on!

Jack at 6 months!

After our walk, Jack and Dad fell asleep on the couch together...the cold really gets to you here.

Jack is eating all new foods now that he is six months old.  His favorite foods are sweet potatoes and peaches.  He also really likes carrots and apples.  He finds pears  a little tart, and makes this surprised face every time he eats them.  We tried prunes on our trip to Florida....boy did I learn a lesson!  Never give a child prunes three times a day, especially if they don't have a problem to begin with.  Jack is on a banana strike.  He used to really like them but all of a sudden has decided that he would prefer, just about, anything else.

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 Jack is developing quite a personality.  He has learned how to assert himself both physically and in conversations!  His new favorite is to stand up in his highchair when I go to put him in.  He wants me to know that he can stand and lock his legs, and thinks it is funny as we all try to get him to sit down.  We let him get his way for a few seconds before just pulling his legs down.  He does have two very strong-willed parents so I don't doubt he, too, will want things done his way:)

 Here he is standing in his highchair. No worries, Carl was standing behind him as I took the pic.

 Jack is also starting to recognize familiar sounds, voices, and faces.  He loves playing with his Daddy!

 One of his favorite things to do is try to eat your nose.  Here he is playing with Carl's nose.

 Jack laughs constantly.  He loves peek-a-boo, and being tickled (especially under the chin).

Playing with Mommy after dinner.  He still has sweet potatoes on his face.

Carl had to go on a business trip this month to Colorado.  While he went to another snowy location, Jack and I headed to Florida.  Jack had never met his great-grandfather, Gabby.  It was a huge surprise when we showed up.  My brother also flew in from D.C.  Gabby was so excited.  He started to cry the moment he saw Jack! I was so glad that we made the trek from Erie to see him. 

Gabby and Jack!

My Grandma Helen is going to be 80 this year.  She is quick as a whip, and still works five days a week.  She is quite the fashionista... I wish I could honestly share her wardrobe.  The woman walks Bloomingdales and the Boca mall every Saturday for literally four hours.  

As you can see, they were quite enthralled with their first great grandchild!

Jack and my brother, Stephen, playing on the mat.  I absolutely love this picture!  I am not sure who was mimicking whom.

If you saw the previous blog entry, you know that Jack loves to make this bubble noise.  He thinks he is SO funny, and here he is trying to get Stephen to smile as he makes the noise....I guess it worked! 

I think Jack looks a little like Stephen (and I don't mean the fact that they are wearing the same colors, although that is cute!)  

The family at a Japanese restaurant

My grandfather loved to sit and watch Jack.  

 Jack loves dogs.  He adores both Herme and George, our pups, and also really enjoyed playing with my parent's dogs.  Little Nicky, shown above, was so protective of Jack.  He sat with Jack for most of our stay.

When we got to Florida, we were welcomed with a surprise, Teddy!  Teddy is a brown lab puppy that my parents just got.  She is nine weeks old, and so playful. This plastic flower pot entertained her for hours!

Jack loved the warmer weather.  From the plane, he could see the sun, and was somewhat surprised by the bright thing in the sky!  We haven't really had sun in Erie.  I think he liked not having to wear three layers to play!

 Jack loves his go-go ball!

 Jack after his first dip in the pool.  Mom heated the pool for us.

Jack loved the toy on the highchair. 

 My mom playing with Jack

 The second time in the pool was not as warm so it took a little while for him to get use to it. 

 Getting better!

 Very happy!

 Jack eating lunch after his dip in the pool.

 He is getting ready for his Florida playgroup.

 One of Carl's close friends from college, Molly, bought Jack this outfit.  She said it reminded her of Carl.

While we were in Florida, I saw some of my friends from high school that also had kids.  We went to Saint Armands Circle for some fabulous frozen  yogurt.  Below are Dylan (7 mos), Will (2 yrs), and Jack (6 mos).

It was so fun seeing the girls.  Tina (far left) was my best friend in middle school, and Meredith (middle) was my maid of honor.  It is crazy to see us all with our boys!

 Jack and I on the circle

After five days in Sarasota, Jack and I traveled to Saint Petersburg to see his other great grandmother, Corinne, and also his great uncle, aunt and cousins.  It was so nice seeing everyone, and meeting Kyle's fiancée, Ximena.  Below is Jack at GG Corinne's office.  She is also amazing and still works full-time.  Jack is so lucky to have these ladies in his life.

 Stare off contest:)

Happy Baby and GG!

Jack loved playing in his great grandma's office.  

Scary as this sounds, these pics only account for half the trip. Up next, our trip to Tampa and Baby Gasparilla with Kennedy!