Stairs... Now We Just Built a Word, We Built It, We Built It!

First off, if you haven't seen World Word yet, you need to turn on your local PBS station and get on that.

Secondly, have you ever "misplaced" your baby only to find him at the top of the stairs? This is the latest phenomenon here at the Reese/Barnum residence. Which is also why we have a brand new baby gate at the bottom of the stairs.

The other night, Kevin was teaching Jack how to climb the stairs. He's always trying to get Jack to do wild boy things with him, and although I objected to him teaching Jack stair climbing techniques, Kevin thought it would be a good thing for a little boy to learn. Well, the other day, Jack's birthday actually, Jess and I were in the kitchen, Muffin was locked outside so she wouldn't eat Jack, and Kevin was out getting Port of Subs. Jack was crawling around with the balloon attached to him (so everyone would know who the birthday boy was!) and he headed down the hall to play with the doorstop. Ya know, the kind that go BONG! when you flick them. Jack loves that, and there are two next to each other right next to the stairs that make different BONG! noises so he loves to sit there and flick them. So as we are prepping the food, the BONG!ing stops. Jess and I go over there to see why and there is no Jack! We look up and he is sitting at the top of the stairs laughing! AHHHH! Of course, me being the calm and collective mother that I am, I scream and panic, run up the stairs and hold him telling him how sorry I am. He could have fallen down and broken him neck! I get all teary eyed just thinking about it.

So, Kevin went to Target and got a nice new baby gate. One where dog snouts can't fit through, and babies can't get up stairs. Where's the bubble wrap when you need it?

Miracle Grow

About two weeks ago, Jack was playing with me in the master bedroom where our computer and desk are. Jack was standing completely upright underneath the desk and had about half an inch of room before his head would touch the under part of the desk. Today, Jack went under the desk to play, and I noticed he now has to crouch to fit under it because he's too tall! Can you believe how much he's grown in just that short amount of time? I guess because I see him daily I don't really notice it. Why can't he stay small? He's breaking his mother's heart.

Origami

You try looking at that face and telling him "no".

Kevin and Jessica always tell me that I spoil Jack. I can't help it, I look into his big brown eyes and I fold like origami for him. He's so sweet and when he makes that little whimper noise, how can I not give him exactly what he wants?

This morning I am playing on the computer and he crawls up to me, pulls himself up, and puts his arms out. He then makes a little whimper and his eyes get real big and watery. "He wants me to love him and cuddle him!" I think to myself. WRONG! The moment I bring him up, the teary eyes go dry, he smiles, then he turns around and starts pounding on the keyboard. My own baby knows how to play me!

So, even though he is spoiled (which I need to stop or he'll end up one of those annoying bratty kids in the store you just want to smack yourself), it's well deserved. You try looking at that baby without giving him anything he wants. Trust me, it's pretty hard to deny him.

Jack's Way or the Highway!

I remember last year when Jack was born, he was so sweet! He would just lay there like a big potato, and he'd never cause his mother any grief. Lately, however, my little potato has grown into a giant sized pumpkin who wakes up every morning thinking to himself, "How can I make my mommy crazy today?"

To get a diaper on Jack is like trying to bring peace to the middle east... IMPOSSIBLE! If I don't have a bottle or a rad toy handy when he needs a diaper on, well, then that boy will be naked. I tell him, "I am the alpha!" and he just fights me. I hold him down so I can get it on and he screams bloody murder at me! And this boy loves to be naked just as much as his mother. If I'd let him hang out all day with no clothes on, he'd totally do it. He hates it when I try to get clothes on him. Then again, if I could get away hanging out naked all day, I'd totally do it! We are a lot alike in that aspect. Anyway, here is a picture of Jack from yesterday after his bath. He was so mad at me when I put his clothes on him: 

Another thing this wonderful little dumpling likes to do is play with technology. Every morning I get onto the computer and there is Jack right behind me trying to reach the keyboard. He can't just push the buttons... No, he has to pound them until they pop off the keyboard.... where he then tries to eat them. Here's what I am looking at right now:

Sigh, Jack just made me a present in his diaper... Until tomorrow my friends....

The Proof!

The proof that Jack Sparrow can stand all by himself!

I took Jack over to Aunt Laura's house for a play-date with his cousins yesterday. Did you know babies like tot pools even without water? Well, I didn't. Those kids had the time of their lives without a single drop of water! They just played with the balls and the empty pool for hours.

Afterwards, we had an amazing home-made banana cake with frosting made by Laura. Pippa was quietly eating her slice of cake when Jack came over, grabbed the entire piece with his hand and stuffed it in his face. Poor Pip, she doesn't stand a chance against Jack when it comes to cake. So, after he stole her cake and rubbed it all over Laura's nice carpet, he then decides he's tired and it's time to go home. So, Laura, I owe you one! Sorry!

Look closely, Will is standing on his own!

Jack Sprat

No major updates today. Jack has been practicing his standing like a mad-man. Grandma Tutu is in town so I'm sure we'll have plenty of updates tomorrow.

As for this picture? Jack was hanging out with me in the bedroom. He was quietly playing on the floor. Then it got really quiet and when I turned around, this is how my sweet boy fell asleep. He looked so uncomfortable but stayed like that for about an hour.

Standing... Standing... WHOE! He's standing!

Of course, the day I write a blog that Jack can't stand is the he actually does it. Yesterday Jack officially stood on his own! We were hanging out and I moved away while he was using me as a brace, and I guess he didn't notice because he just stood there. I am so proud of my little tot! He practiced over and over yesterday and now I'd say he's practically a professional stander. Why, I'd even go as far to say that if the Olympics held a baby standing contest for 11 month olds, my tot would win the gold!