5 Months

Dear Jack,

You are such a funny baby!

This month you have discovered the joys of giggling over just about anything. I can even get a laugh out of you just by looking at you a certain way. Life is becoming so much more simple now and I find that I look forward to parenting you every single day.

You turned 4 months old while we were on our extended vacation to WA. Since then, you've had your very first Christmas (mmm.... tissue paper tastes good!) and been a trooper once again on a 20+ hour car ride back to CA. You win the award for most flexible and easy going baby because we have jerked you around to so many different "homes" and messed with your schedule constantly. While it was amazing to spend so much time with family, it is also great to be back under our own roof and settling into a normal routine.

Some of the things that have changed this month:

* Your size: Holy weight gain batman! You are large and in charge, my friend. During your 4th month of life you outgrew size 9 month clothes.

* New tricks: While we were in WA, your Grandma Panther taught you all kinds of things like how to pull yourself up to sitting and how to be on your tummy. Before now, you just put your arms out to the side, grunted, and smashed your face into the ground.

* Peek-a-boo: You discovered this amazing game all by yourself. It cracks you up.

* Potty training?: Seriously, Jack, this one is crazy. Every time I lay you down on the bathroom rug while I go to the bathroom, you poop. Every. time. I can't believe you are smart enough to know that the bathroom is the place for that sort of thing. Way to be!

* Piano lessons: At some point everyday, you and I sit down at the piano and you play and play. You like to look at the sheet music and take this activity very seriously. When we are finished, I prop you up on the couch and play a few classical pieces for you. You sit very still and just listen for up to 8-ish minutes. You are an amazing listener and absolutely love music!

* Eyes: Your gorgeous blue/gray eyes are starting to change to brown from the inside out. We don't know if you'll end up with dark brown eyes like your Daddy or a mix of colors like Mama.

In our world, Daddy is busy interviewing for residency programs. He is traveling all over the country and we are driving to the airport A LOT. We are reminded each time he goes about what a huge role he has in your life. You are so lucky, Jack, to have a Daddy like you have. He loves you so very much and would do anything for you. He even blesses both of us by getting up at 6:30 to play with you and give Mama an extra hour of sleep. You should know that sacrificing morning sleep is a very big deal for your Daddy. :)

As always, Jack, you need to know how much we love you, how proud of you we are, and how much we just plain like you.

All our love,

Mama and Daddy

Four generations of Goffs

Your Grandma and Grandpa Panther are the BEST!

They think you are the best thing since sliced bread.

It is so fun watching them love on you!

Four generations of Panthers

(Your Great Grandma Panther is 96 in this picture)

We went with Grammy and Grandad up to the Klicker homestead to get a Christmas tree.

You didn't quite know what to think of the cold.

Oops, we didn't bring anything to keep your hands and feet warm.

Besides the fact that you looked absolutely ridiculous, it was pretty great.

Merry First Christmas, Jack

Our first Christmas as a family of three

You are working so hard on bringing in some new teeth.

You chew on things like it is your mission in life.

No one ever said you didn't like to eat.

The proof.... see below.

Although you have previously been a bit un-flexible (blame your Dad)

You have finally found your feet. What a fun toy.

You blow raspberries like it's going out of style.

If you're going to do something, might as well do it up right!