Dear Jack’s first ear infection,

While we’re very thankful that Jack does not seem to know you’re here, we would appreciate you packing your bags, taking your friend fever with you, and heading out-not to return!That’s right-our boy is sick for the first time. Jack had a high fever, so I took him in, and Dr. Castles spotted the ear infection right away. He didn’t like the high fever, so they tested for the flu and pricked his toe. NO FLU! Yeah!! And the blood work looked great, so they sent us off with a prescription for an antibiotic and lots of love!You’re being such a trooper, Jack a Roo! We pray for your good health to return quickly and for you to be as comfortable as possible until then!

We love you!
Mommy and Daddy

A new trick-on video!

He started clapping a couple weeks ago, but now he’s pretty good at doing it when you ask!  Please ignore the mommy voice and enjoy our little boy’s new trick!

Our Weekend-this and that

Our weekend was full of fun, family play time and football watching! Jack started pulling up more and has kind of, sort of started to wave! He sticks his arm out and opens and closes his hand-we’re practicing!

We went to Hobby Lobby to get some inspiration for Jack’s first Halloween costume. Nothing yet, but I’m getting so excited about it! Mark says he has to be a ninja or a pirate, so we’ll see what we come up with.

I bought this cute little bubble a few weeks ago. The label says it’s an 18 month, so I stuck it in his closet with all the other next season clothes. Well, I looked at it last week with next summer in mind, and I thought it looked pretty small. I put it on him last Sunday, and it fit! Actually the elastic around the legs is a little tight! He has to wear it more than once, so we put it on again today for church and some pictures. He’s wearing 6-9 month clothes right now, so I’m thinking it’s mislabeled. I’m going to try to redo the elastic to get a few more wears in-we’ll see!Amy let me borrow her baby food cookbook, so I made some sweet potatoes for the boy. It said I could steam and then just mash them, so that’s what I did. He did NOT like them! As a matter of fact, he gagged! Not willing to accept defeat, I made some broccoli and sweet potatoes and some pears. This time I pureed it, and he liked it! He’s doing great with all the different types of food, but maybe he has a texture issue like his mommy! Aunt Linds and Uncle Ryan celebrated their one year wedding anniversary today-Happy Anniversary! We hope the cake was yummy!

We hope you had a great weekend, too!

Gooo Gamecocks!

Jack’s ready to cheer the Gamecocks on tonight against the Ole Miss Rebels. We’re hoping he’ll bring them some good luck!

They just keep happening-

-the milestones.  He’s been doing really good getting himself to sitting, and he loves to pull up on us, so we lowered Jack’s crib last night.  Here’s what we found this morning!  I might just fall over when I walk in there and see him standing!  He is growing way too fast for this mamma! 

30 weeks, 6 days

Happy Fall!

I’m so excited that Jack’s first Fall is here!  This starts my favorite time of year, and I can’t wait to see it through his eyes!  And to document these fun first ‘steps’, take a look at our boy after his bath!

This boy…

…loves a good book!  Thanks, Emory!

30 weeks, 3 days

Seven Months Old

Happy, happy, happy-that’s my sweet boy!  Jack, you continue to be such a good natured little boy, and you bring so much joy to your momma and daddy every single day!  All we need to do is look at you and you reward us with that precious smile! If you’re not flashing us those yummy baby gums, you’re focusing on learning something new.  Your sixth month was full of fun changes to note, and yep, it’s all my favorite!  {I know I’ll always say that!} 

You’ve mastered baby food and like pretty much everything.  You’re not a huge fan of apples, but I think it’s because they’re too tart.  I’m going to start making your food, and I KNOW you’ll love grandma-great’s applesauce!  You eat food twice a day, we’re working on moving to three times, and you nurse every four hours now. You’re totally mobile now and it’s too, too cute!  Your crawling method is two part-you get up on all fours and crawl a step or two, and then you collapse onto your tummy and army crawl a step or two.  Love it!  Just today you got from the crawling position to sitting by yourself-good job buddy!  You love to stand up.  You take steps towards us, holding our hands of course, and you squeal with excitement as you get closer and closer.  We have so much fun with that-I can only imagine what the first steps are going to be like!All that play time makes for a great sleeper!  You sleep 11 to 12 hours at night and take three naps a day ranging from an hour and a half to two and a half hours.  Another one of my favorite things to do is to get you out of your crib.  You are always SO excited to see us-it’s like Christmas morning every time! You’re talking to us more and more, adding da-da-da and blowing raspberries just recently.  You’ll often mimic us, so I’m working on ma-ma-ma right now!  You talk to your toys, your books, your lovey-I think you’re going to be a friendly little guy, and that makes me so happy!Baby boy, you are my heart.  I most certainly did nothing to deserve you, but am one grateful momma to be able to call you my son.  I will always pray for God to be near you and that He will one day {a LONG time from now!} give you the joy that you have given us!

We love you, Jack-a-Roo!
Mommy and Daddy

Uncle Adam comes to visit!

Uncle Adam came to town for the Carolina game and spent some time with his favorite nephew!  Jack loved showing you all his tricks, and Mark and I enjoyed your company!  Thanks for staying with us-see you in a couple weeks!  We love you!
Mark, Sees, and Jack

Thank you!

Thanks for taking care of me while mommy and daddy went to the football game!  I sure had a great time!Love,
Jack

Game Day!

The Gamecocks played their home opener today against Florida Atlantic and pulled out a win!  In true Gamecock fashion, they made it interesting, but in the end it was a good game and a WIN! Jack stayed home with Grandma and Grandpa Thomas while Mark and I headed out to tailgate with friends and cheer on the team.  We had a fun day with the boy before we left, including a nice morning walk/nap-no stop at the park this time!  Even though we expected rain, it turned out to be a beautiful day!  We got to spend time with Uncle Adam and all the girls from Fort Mill-except little Lucy of course!  She and Jack will be at the games before we know it, I’m sure!

The little monkey

Seeing Jack every day, it's hard to notice the little ways he changes. Here he is on July 9th and then today. I can see the difference, obviously more hair, but I can't put my finger on exactly what's changed. I know what hasn't changed-I just love to kiss that face!He's really taken an interest in Sofie-he was telling her all about his day and about the blueberries he got on his shirt!

The simple things

These days, it’s the simple things that bring the biggest smile to my face. Like watching these boys together, for instance. Watching the love of my life and the love of our lives play and laugh-I don’t think it can get much better than this! Our boy loves to stand, and even though he’s no where near walking, he loves to pick up his feet and “dance”!

He’s so snuggly right now, and I LOVE it! Everyone knows that I’m a total hugger, and hugs from that little guy are extra sweet!And those kisses! He loves to give open mouth, sweet baby slobber kisses! We’ll take that any time, sweet boy!

Lunch date!

Thanks for stopping by to see us and treating us to a fun lunch date!

We love you, deed!
Jack and The Moo

He’s clapping!

Apparently we’re doing a great job as parents in Jack’s eyes because he started clapping for us!  Yep, we think it’s another one of the cutest things we’ve ever seen!

Meeting Watson

I had the chance to go see Amy and Aaron at the hospital today and meet baby Watson! He is just gorgeous and looks a lot like big sister Emory did when she was born.

Watson’s grandmother is one of seven girls, and Amy is one of four girls, so a boy is something new to their family, and they’re in for a treat! I didn’t have the chance to take too many pictures, but I did get a few of the sweet guy-just look at him! We love you, Watson! Can’t wait to hug you again soon!

Welcome Baby Watson!

Congratulations to Aaron, Amy and Big Sister Emory on the birth of Ryan Watson Dupree! Watson arrived this morning at 10:50, and mommy and baby are both doing great! Check him out!

We're so happy for your new little miracle, and Jack is super excited about his new friend!

We love you!
Mark, Michelle, and Jack

He’s on the move-sort of

He’s not a full crawler just yet, but he knows how to get where he wants to go!

29 weeks, 3 days

Da-da-da, part two

29 weeks, 3 days

Da-da-da-da

A few days ago, Jack said “da-da” just once. Mark and I looked at each other to see if the other heard what we heard. Jack didn’t say it again.

Two days ago, we heard, “da-da-da-da-da”, and hasn’t looked back! I know he’s not yet connecting the two, but hearing his sweet voice is music to our ears! He whispers it and changes his inflection a lot. It’s so cute! He sure loves his da-da-da!

Jack’s big day

After spending the night at Grandma and Grandpa Singer’s house and having a great time with the family, Jack and I headed home, and he had quite a big day!

Tonight is the first time he’s been excited about eating his food! He’s been doing pretty good, but tonight he was opening his mouth and leaning in for more! And it was green beans! He had some banana Yo Baby yogurt for dessert, ate the entire thing!!, and nursed! He’s a growing boy, huh?!

I couldn’t help but get pictures of him in his Baby Legs! He’s so squirmy when we change his diaper, so we decided to just go with it and let him have some diaper free time! I know I’m biased, but I totally think he’s edible-I could just eat him up!I think this inspired him, because today is the first time I’ve seen him go from sitting to the crawling position-and he crawled! The real thing!! He made it a good four or five moves forward, and it was SO cute! I can’t wait to get that on video!

I love those baby cheeks!

29 weeks, 1 day

You are my SUNSHINE!

Mine and Daddy’s sunshine!

You make us happy, when skies are grey!

You’ll never know, Jack, how much we love you!

Please don’t take our sunshine away!
{Another one of our favorite songs!}

We’re so happy with your easy going, easy to please demeanor, sweet boy! Your attitude is something you can always choose, and life is so much sweeter lived looking for the good!

We love you!
Mommy and Daddy