10 Months

Dear Jack,
  What a HUGE month we've had.  Just after you turned 9 months, we celebrated Mama's first Mother's Day.  You thought a good way to celebrate would be to practice standing without holding on to anything.  Pretty impressive, son!  On May 18th, you pulled yourself up to standing in your crib for the first time.  Jack you were so incredibly proud of yourself!

Mama's First Mother's Day

 We had a house full of your very favorite people starting on May 23rd.  Grandma and Grandpa Panther, Aunt Katie, Aunt Jenny, Uncle John, Brian, Grammy and Grandad all made the trip down to watch Daddy graduate from medical school.  You did so well even with a hectic schedule and we had so much fun with our family.

 This month had lots of firsts for you.  You took your first camping trip to Sequoia National Park on May 30th, had your first bike ride to the Redlands Farmers Market on June 2nd, and your first trip to the beach on June 8th.  Each new adventure was a wild success!  You helped convince us that trying new things with a baby is A-OK.

Checking out the deer in the campground

Wow, those are some big trees.

Let's check 'em out!

First bike ride

 For the past several months, you have been super clingy to Mama throughout the day.  If she isn't physically holding you or holding your hands while you cruise around the house, you get really scared and cry.  Needless to say, Mama has been enjoying these precious times together but has been looking forward to giving her lower back a rest.  :)  So guess what?  In the last few days, you have found a new contentment in playing by yourself.  HOORAY!  Sound the trumpet!  Clap your hands, stomp your feet!  You are obsessed with looking at your Usborne board books and are happy to cruise around the ottoman, plop yourself down to read a book, practice standing up, and repeat.  This means that Mamas back isn't killing her by the end of every day AND she is able to wash a dish every once in a while.  Pretty amazing!

Lost in a book

The only downside to this new found freedom is your new lack of interest in nursing.  You love to nurse when you are tired (before naps and at night) but don't really see the point of stopping your busy play schedule to nurse.  We've still got to figure out a new normal in this area.

Last Saturday, Mama put together a surprise 30th birthday party for Daddy.  The three of us rode our bikes to the Redlands Farmers Market and when we got there a bunch of friends were waiting for us with breakfast, balloons, and fellowship.  Daddy wasn't in a very good mood on Saturday and was making it difficult for Mama to get us to the party, but he sure was happy when he saw his surprise.

Naked time on a hot afternoon

Our sweet water baby

We can't believe that in two short months you will be one year old.  My how time flies.  We are enjoying every single day with you and are so grateful for this time as a family of three.

Love you,

Mama and Daddy



* * * MAJOR update!
This evening, right before bed, Jack took his first steps.  He went back and forth between us with a few detours to the vacuum cleaner which (no doubt) he loves just as much as he loves his parents.  The only thing that made him stop was getting out the video camera (typical).  We are so in awe of how much has changed in 10 months and so proud of all of his "accomplishments!"