Best. Month. Ever.

I honestly don't even know where to begin.

I could tell you that Lielle didn't bite Jack again, but I'd be lying.

I could also tell you that I didn't outright demand that the little vampire be moved to another room.

But, I'd be lying.

Instead, I'm going to tell you about all of the positive things that happened in my sweet baby boy's 6 month of life.  He's getting big, folks....and I don't just mean his Schneider feet.  The kid can eat.  And, eat. And, eat.

We've been making his baby food and freezing it in ice cube trays.  Now our freezer is full of frozen breastmilk and bags and bags of cubed peas, sweet potatoes, green beans, apples, squash and carrots.

I am a chef.

I remember when all my freezer had in it was a bottle of vodka and frozen pizzas. 

The term "times have changed" doesn't even begin to cover it.

He painted a caterpillar at school.  It's art.  He's clearly a genius.

He found Lucky's whiskers.  And, pulled.  And, pulled.  And, pulled.  I was a bit shocked that Lucky just laid there and let him.  He could have walked away.  I think he liked it.  Finally, this little blob of a person showed him some interest...and no matter how painful, he just couldn't walk away.

Our little fella sits up!  Sometimes he falls over.  But, honestly?  So do I.  



We made a road trip to see our friend Ashley.  She had a date with Jack to pick out a wedding dress.  He felt that the occasion called for a tie.  So, a tie he wore.

In Richmond, we figured out that Jack could no longer be swaddled since he figured out how to roll over from back to front.....even in the swaddle.  Now?  He barely stays on his back for 2 minutes before he flips right over to his belly to pass out for the night.

Jackson James was Baptized on 6/23/12, aka his 1/2 birthday!  It was a amazingly fun day with lots of family and friends -- and one happy baby standing on the Baptismal Pool.

DJ and Becky served as GodMothers and we couldn't be more thankful for all of the great people in Jack's life.  What a lucky little man.

I was worried that with all of those people and one little old baby, that we may need to schedule time for everyone to hold him.  (I may or may not have been looking for a reason to create a spreadsheet)  He was definitely passed around a lot but loved every second of it!

He thinks he's so big...trying to stand up by himself.  He better quit it.

I can already tell that I'm going to be one of those moms that has to drop their kid off a block away because I'm going to do everything in my power to smooch his face every chance I get.

He's already starting to resist my powers.

He likes to hang with Daddy when we are at Buy Buy Baby.  This is how they pick up chicks.

Actually, THIS is how they pick up chicks:



Do you know how many times I've "lost" Matt in the produce section only to find him letting some cute girl coo and babble to Jack.  Ya.  See what I mean?

I read somewhere that you can't spoil a baby until 6 months (by holding him/her all the time.)  I'm pretty sure that I'm going to be guilty of this....so, please forgive me now.  I just want to squeeze him until he pops!

Jack with his Grandpa on Father's Day

Life is Changing...or, How Getting Bitten at Daycare Is Just Another Day

Where is the time going?  One day you're chilling at the hospital watching nurses swaddle children with one hand...the next day, you're tearing some rabid toddler from your baby's head.  What is going on?!

Needless to say, it has been a seriously eventful month.  We've had lots of firsts (including being bitten at daycare for the first time), a dramatic emergency situation turned to a "this happens all the time" moment and our first Mother's Day.  It was a great month...and it went a little something like this:

We started rice cereal right as I wrote the last update...and we had yet to experience his first post solid food poop.  Can I just tell you that it woke me up out of a dead sleep in the middle of the night?  Yes, it smelled that bad.  It didn't wake JACK up...and, well, nothing wakes Matt up....but it woke me up and was so terrible, that I had to wake Jack up to change him.  You know it was bad if I woke that non-sleeping kid up.

The only thing that is worse than rice cereal poop is the COLOR of sweet potato poop.  It's not for the weak.  I don't know what happens inside of that small body after the sweet potatoes go into the mouth, but on the opposite end -- it's just not pretty.

Then, he starting pooping like a grown man.  Not. Kidding.  There are no wipes that handle this sort of thing in an efficient fashion.  When do we potty train?

That about sums up the poop talk.  I mean, for now.  There will be more...because more solid foods are coming.

After the sweet potatoes, we tried regular old potatoes and that did NOT go well.  He spit that back out at me A LOT, so I gave up on that one pretty quickly.  However, all was not lost, because I figured out that if I mix a little mushy carrot with some potatoes....it's alllllllll good.  He really, really loves carrots.  In fact, I got worried his first night that he overate -- and it would end up on the walls later in the form of a little projectile vomit.  Oddly?  It all stayed down and he slept through the night.  (Sometimes, I think someone switches Jack with another baby that likes sleep....so I end up checking on him at least 3 times/night when he sleeps through.  Yes, I know this defeats the purpose.)

Also?  Mushy carrots (and mushy peas) are not my thing, nor are they Matt's, but we are THRILLED that Jack feels differently.  I assume this will change one day and I'll have to figure out some other way to get vegetables in his belly.

Our Little Man Ready to Eat!

Shovel. It. In.

So, did I mention that this little girl from Crazyville bit Jack on the head at daycare?  YES!  I know.  I couldn't believe it either....I'm appalled that such things happen at daycare.  I assumed everything was orderly, all babies were angels and that everyone napped on time every day.

Oh, this isn't the case?  Right.

Enter Lielle.

This small little walking child stalks Jack.  And, because Jack can't move...she typically catches him -- if she doesn't get distracted first.  The day this happens, I've just gotten done feeding Jack, so I lay him on his little Boppy pillow thingy so that I can wash my hands and clean up (clearly there's spit up on my work shirt, at this point).  I turn around to see that Lielle has Jack in a headlock (ok, she had both of her hands on the sides of his head, but that's a headlock to Jack!  The little guy can't move yet!)...and she is GNAWING on his head with her only front tooth.  I mean, FOR REAL?  So, I run over and pick her up -- only to quickly realize....um, I don't work here and she's not my child, so I am not supposed to be picking her up.  Oh, right.  So the daycare lady runs over -- as she sees that I'm panicked -- takes Lielle so that I can assess the damage on Jack's head.  (who, by the way, is so far in a milk coma that he has noticed NONE of this activity)  Anyway, he has this throbbing little welt on his sweet little head, but is obviously fine.

This has since happened 2 more times.  Imagine my frustration with this small child that I do not know and am (clearly) not in charge of raising.

What is Lielle learning at home?  Is this normal behavior?  Get control of your kids, people.

The good news is that the daycare folks have responded -- and will not let Lielle near Jack during their "play time."  I mean, at least wait until Jack is crawling so that he can get away!

And, yes, I will re-read this post when Jack uses his first tooth for bad rather than good.

While the sweet nibbles of Lielle didn't hurt him, I was certain that him hurling himself from the couch head first WOULD.  Turns out?  He's Gumby.

Yep, folks - he flew off the couch head first onto the floor.  He was sitting on the couch strapped into his bouncy seat (see below)....when he decided to sit up, lean forward and use his big head to topple himself over.  Needless to say, I had a heart attack....but Jack (after his initial screams) laughed it off with the pediatrician.

No more bouncy seat on the couch!
(or any where really because he just sits up
and topples out of it now...good grief!)

Matt and Jack made my first Mother's Day nothing short of awesome....as did everyone who sent gifts/cards and called/texted.  So, THANKS!  I felt like a special girl.  We even hit up my favorite parent/tot activity...the pool!

He has also found his voice, but still likes to take it for a test drive sometimes.  And, by sometimes - I mean at every inopportune moment.  Like, say?  at 3am?  or maybe at 30k feet?  Ya....that was my kid screaming and then giggling.  The good news was that it wasn't an early morning or red eye flight....AND, thankfully, he had to entire section giggling with him.  He's just that kind of fella.

God Love Him!

Speaking of traveling, ay?  Jack went international....and headed to Canada, America's hat.  Vancouver to be exact!  He hung out with Daddy for a couple of days while I worked and saw the sites of downtown and then some.

Checking out the city from Stanley Park

When momma gets upgraded, so do I!

First Class makes me tired.

I like the Red Carpet Club!

Over the past few months, conversations in this house have changed a lot.  We've reviewed puke patterns, poop colors and consistencies, sleep tendencies, swaddling strategies and, now....the binky debate.  We are only on this topic because we encountered a child on our plane that still had a binky in his mouth....

....at the tender age of 7.  Yes, SEVEN.

And, you know - I'm trying not to judge, but that's kind of what I do.  I'm good at it.  ....and I'm judging.  I mean, is this kid taking that thing to school?

All I know is that Matt and I may still be letting Jack have that binky after 6 months (even though all the books say not to)...but he will NOT have it when he starts first grade.  You gotta set achievable goals, people.

That is all.

You Mean I Can't Get Paid to Take Care of My Kid Forever? Oh.

Yep...I'm back to work!  I can hardly believe 4 months went by so quickly, but I'm excited to re-enter the world of my career!  It was 1st and then 2nd (only to Matthew) for so long...and now it's 3rd in my life, but I have re-realized how much I need it for my sanity, self worth and, well, shopping addiction.  I have a serious addiction to Nordstrom, but even worse - an addiction to baby clothes!  Aaaaggghhhhh!!!!!

How is he already 4 months old?
And, why does he think he needs to stand up ALL THE TIME!?

(50th percentile on weight, 85th percentile on height)

During my transition back into work, I took Jack into the office with me a couple of times.  Everyone there just loves him....and he loves them right back with his cute smiles and giggles.

My lead(s) at work have been super flexible with my transition back....and we've figured out what "perfect" looks like for me as a mom with a successful career.  I'm so excited to start my work/life balance and to make it a success for everyone!

Jack....sleeping on the job.

With me back to work, Jack has made his debut at daycare where he just flirts with all of the ladies there all day.  He's the only baby, so he gets a TON of attention.  And, luckily?  He still likes me, his favorite girl, at the end of the day.  Whew.  He's only there 2 half days per week....and Daddy Day Care takes over from there.  Matt takes care of Jack on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and then Jack hangs with Grandmas Schneider on Fridays.  He gets in some good outdoor time with her as she takes him for nice, long walks.

So, besides being the cutest baby ever created, he's doing all SORTS of new and amazing things:

He has been bearing weight on his legs for a while now, but here's a picture of him standing like a little man!  

Easter with Grandma!

Jack started his swimming career and he's sure to be the next Michael Phelp.

Matt had to dunk his little face into the water.  I think it hurt me more than it hurt Jack.  He popped right back up like a little champ!

Pre Pool

Post Pool

Matt didn't stop smiling for the entire lesson!

See what I mean?

Tummy Time at the Pool!

He's a tired duckling after swim class, but I'll still smooch his face!

After talking to our pediatrician about Jack starting a new routine of eating 3 times/night (uhm, pardon?), we've started a little rice cereal for dinner each night.  Although I think it smells like wet socks, Jack seems to love it!

Our first attempt wasn't super successful:

...but the second time around, we were shoving it in with both hands!

In any case, a little rice cereal led to a full night of uninterrupted sleep for the entire household!!  Of course, I woke up at 6:15 am having a mild heart attack that he might have been stolen in his sleep.  To my astonishment, he was snoozing peacefully....

Upcoming events:

Baby Jack goes International with a trip to Vancouver

Baptism on 6/23

Half Birthday on 6/23

Until then, enjoy some other adventures outside of the crib:

That sweet baby sleeps best right in the middle of our bed.  It's our early morning ritual.  After a long night in his crib, I miss him, so this is where he ends up!

My Loves out to Dinner.

They are very serious about shopping.

Oh Wait - You like to be on a schedule? ME TOO! We were meant to be together!

As Jack turns 3 months old (WHAT?! where did my mini baby go?) and weighs in at over 13 lbs, we've come to realize that he loves his schedule - and it should NOT be messed with.  He's up around 7 am and passed out by 7:30 pm with a couple of naps in between.  He's almost like clock work...and that's a good thing, because this little momma is all about the schedules and the checklists!  

Our Big Boy!

As I worry less about if he's eating enough (um, duh.) and sleeping enough (finally!), I find myself finding new things to obsess over....

1.  Making Baby Food.  I can barely make food edible enough for Matt and I.  Poor Jack!

2.  High Chairs.  I hate them all.  They all look silly and plasticy and like a lot to clean up after a feeding frenzy gone bad.

3.  Wipes.  We used to use about 10/diaper change.  Well, we got better at that, but now we use about 100/day wiping down toys and his hands and Lucky's mouth.  Ok, not really wiping Lucky's mouth, but close.

4.  Pacifiers.  Wait?  I thought you only like soothies!  I bought a million of them and now you like this other kind?  Good grief.

5.  Milk.  What if I don't have enough milk stock piled in the freezer for when I go back to work?!

6.  Milestones.  What if I am not doing enough with him each day to teach him things?  He already rolled over (you knew this already because I told EVERYONE!), but he doesn't like to grab onto things much (I thought all men were grabby?)...although I read that's a 3-4 month thing, so we'll see how it goes.  He HAS found a fondness for my shirt, my necklace and Matt's chest hair, though - LOL!

7.  Swim Lessons.  We've signed him up for swim lessons, which are less "swim" lessons and more about "water survival."  They basically teach the babies how to survive should they fall in a pool....by rolling over on their backs and holding their heads up.  I AM NERVOUS, but it's a parent/tot class, so Matt or I will be right there with him.  (and the other will DEFINITELY be videoing!)

8.  Lucky's Balls.  No not THOSE kind (he doesn't have those kind anymore!)....but his tennis balls.  They are icky...and I just know Jack is going to want to play with them.  I wonder if I can sanitize them without killing the dog.

9.  Swaddling.  Every book says something different, but most say to stop around 3-4 months.  Well, we'd love to stop except that when he's NOT swaddled, he attacks his face with his hands and it wakes him up.  So, we swaddle or we don't sleep.

10.  What if Jack forgets who I am when I go back to work?  (April 18)  I won't be able to handle it because my heart simply bursts with love every time I see/think of/hold this kid....and if he decides that he doesn't like me that much.... I. Will. Die. 

All in all, month 3 brought all good stuff.....and less confusion.  We were also able to schedule his Baptism to be on his 1/2 birthday (6/23), since our boy is a Christmas baby!

We did a whirlwind maternity leave tour in FL...visiting Becky and Jimmy in Jacksonville, my parents and Jaime in Pensacola and our St. Pete crew for KB/Emmalee's wedding.  

Meme getting her time in with sweet Jack.

Granddaddy Bullard getting in his time with Jack too!

He rolled over for the first time at my mom's house:

We even hit up Jack's first baseball game with his buddy Liam (our friend's Katie and Bill's baby boy who is two weeks older thank Jack):

Our Tiny Little Yankee Fan

This is Jack's friend Liam:

As Liam looks down at Jack laying in my lap, he's like "Holy Crap!  There's another little dude like me!"

Jack even had his first slumber party - sans momma! - at the Bells' house.  He loved watching their three kids and the chaotic bliss that comes with a big household.  And no one is a better momma than Amy, so he was in great hands!  (He even wanted to come back to us the next day, so it was a successful night away from us!)

We've also started the "Your Baby Can Read" program....and I know there are a lot of mixed reviews out there.  We just wanted to try it to see how Jack reacted to it - and he absolutely loves it!  I love doing this program with him to see his reactions.  It makes him so happy and gigglyl...which makes us happy!

Someone asked me recently: "What has changed the most?"  

The only answer that I could think of was "EVERYTHING" .... every cliche about having children is true.  

A baby changes everything....and you won't believe to what extent until you have one.  And I don't mean the small stuff like, not going out to dinner on Friday/Saturday nights or rearranging your entire life....I mean, it changes you in ways that you didn't think you could change.  Like, I have more patience now than when I didn't have a child.  How is this even possible?  Screaming children don't bother me anymore - in fact - I always think "I wonder if they could use an extra hand to help whatever is ailing that baby at the moment"

Matt is still a germ-o-phobe, but really has no issue wiping spit up off his face with his bare hand....nor does he mind catching poop/pee/puke with his bare hands.

Most of all, I didn't know I had this much love to give another person, least of all one that pukes on me on a fairly consistent basis.

I just hope he likes me as much as I like him.

All smiles all the time!

All giggles with Sophie the Giraffe

Jack grew a mustache

Lucky watching over Jack during play time.

Going old school with his Run DMC Tee.

Raising one eyebrow like his momma and Meme!

"I wore my tie to the office today for all of the Gator fans there!"

Dinner with Grandpa Schneider

This is my Aunt Teen!