Car-GO!

Jay got a new carseat!

I forgot to take a picture of him actually riding in it!

I am working to keep  get things more organized since we are on the go more (and I got a new car, which is pretty motivating). I love my ppb bag from Downtown Baby, but when we're packing up for the day we need a few more just-in-case type of items than my fabulous bag allows....

I got the smaller bag so I wouldn't schlep around with a ton of stuff so, here's my strategy--pack the "what-if" items in a smaller bag that can be kept in the car or just dropped into a larger bag when I am carrying a bigger bag for the day--here you are--

From upper left-disposable bibs, disposable table toppers, powder formula packs (I have a backup liner and nipple in the diaper bag already), Dreft pre-treater pen, onesie (I decided on a white longsleeved in a size larger than we actually wear now since I have heard other moms say that sometimes the "back-up" clothes they have are a size or two small by the time they actually need them) Burp cloth, disposable changing pad, first aid kit and handy zippered bag (which was saved from the gift when it was given, I just thought it might come in handy one day. 

Ta-da! (I also threw in a bottle of sunscreen to keep in the car.) We have stowed it away in the car along with our handy highchair/grocery cart cover. Hopefully this will keep me from a.) forgetting something I may need and b.) lugging around an overstuffed diaper bag and only using 1 or 2 of the 17 random items I carry in it. The diaper bag has basics now-diapers, wipes, bottle, diaper rash stuff, diaper garbage bags, a few toys, a spoon. 

Our newly lightened bag was great today when we took Jay to his VERY FIRST ALABAMA ATHLETIC EVENT--SOFTBALL, of course!! 

Regrettably, I didn't think to bust out the camera until right before we left when our little Turkey was all gobbled out. But, here is a picture of Jay in the bottom of the 4th (it was Bama vs. UNC- run rule)

We had a really fun day today, going to lunch in T-town with the Harshmans, visiting some friends at softball and seeing a great game. I think we will try to take in a few more this spring, since next year we may be chasing him!

ROLL TIDE!

Mohawk Friday!

Busy life at 7 months!

I am waaayyy late with this 7 month post, but here we go!

Jay still has just 2 teeth with no signs of any newcomers anytime soon. But those two are getting to be some serious choppers!

Which has led to the adventure we'll call "experimenting with self-feeding". Oy. Hopefully we get a handle on this soon!

Speaking of handles-Jay's sippy cup has 2. I introduced the cup somewhere between 5 and 6 months at mealtimes, empty. We learned to bang, shake, grasp, sling and occasionally launch it at the dogs. Somewhere between 6 and 7 months Jay began chewing on the "sippy" part, so I added a little water. Now he has gotten a good feel for it and has a few sips of water on his own after meals, before getting out of the highchair. He is actually drinking no more than an ounce or ounce and a half all day, but can do it himself so I feel like that is something we can be proud of.

Vocabulary consists of "BA" "LA" DA" "GUH" and "peehh, peehh" (he shouts everything but the last one, which he sort of whispers, I think it is because of the way I say "Presh, Presh" sweetly to Precious and have to SHOUT at GUS. "GUH" is always something he says 10 times louder than the usual babble. Oops.) Once in a blue moon we might get a "MA".

While we are still hard at work learning how to clap, Jay has learned to "dance" he will bob up and down and shake his head when we sing him a little song or say "can you dance?"

Oh, and he sticks his tongue out SO MUCH that I actually wonder if it will dry out.

He is great at sitting unassisted and can get from sitting to tummy without trouble. He can get around by scooching and rolling so we have started using the Pack 'n' Play for those times we need to have him contained. He likes it okay. He really likes it if you just sit beside him while he is in it, but that sort of defeats the purpose.

For his 7 month birthday Jay got the Laugh and Learn Table-he really likes to stand and can almost do it by himself. I can already tell that he has gotten stronger and his balance has improved over the last 2 weeks.

We are moving to size 4 diapers very soon. We are still in 12 Month clothes, but some things that are one piece are getting too short. I think its a combination of his growth and shrinkage. I really don't want to move to 18 months until later in the spring...like maybe when he is 9 months! Sheesh!

We've ordered the "big boy" car seat and it is on the way! He is within 1/2 an inch of the height limit of his infant carrier, so away it goes.

These days Jay really loves his Johnny Jump-Up, the dogs, Sophie, stacking rings, Crawl Along Snail, stacking cups and anything with lights--which was the deciding factor in purchasing the Fisher Price Laugh and Learn table vs. the Leap Frog table. Oh, and we can't forget to mention his preferred cloth diaper Gerber Birdseye Flatfold he has cute ones with his name and appliques. These are thinner, plain cloth diapers. We have one or two with us at all times. He would give up every lovey and blanket he has for one of these diapers to cuddle. Good thing they come in 12 packs!

Also, we've moved downstairs for playtime. Some of the pictures above provide a glimpse of how the Living Room could barely contain our little Turkey and his toy store. I moved several toys downstairs so we're working on playing downstairs most of the time. There is a lot  more open space for Jay to move around, no iron coffee table or rock hearth. Unfortunately there is no computer, washer/dryer or dishwasher. The good/bad part is that while we're down there all we're focused on is playing. I just need to manage my duties better around naptime vs. playtime.

And a few more pics....

Not sure if I have words...

I can't really explain how much fun it has been to be Jay's mommy these last few weeks. The weather has been getting better, we're out and about more with parties, lunches and errands and Jay loves all of it. I regret not taking photos of everything, but here are some moments to share and remember from the last few weeks. We're really just playing and having a grand ol' time!

Hey Gus!

This child is BONKERS! But, boy-oh-boy are we having fun!!

Puffy smiles!

Right after naptime. Jay has started sleeping on his tummy more and wakes up puffy.
I think he looks more like me like this. 

Hey Gus!

Jay has finally started laughing at the camera! 

I have no idea what they were doing, but they both look very serious.
Daddio says Jay put the diaper on his head himself. I believe it. 

4, 9, 1, 31, 56, 2-all about numbers

This week, it's all about the numbers.....

4

I started a little craft project for Easter, then it was suggested I make a few more to see if they sold. In 4 days I sold 4, so back to the craft store I go.

The prototype.

Sold! 

As I mentioned before, Dede has recently become a vendor at Homewood Antiques, so we sent 4 to display. She sold one walking in the door last Saturday afternoon. I couldn't have imagined they would be so popular! I will produce more this week and am creating some additional designs for holidays and special occasions. I will also figure out a better way to photograph them!!

9, 1

Joseph and I celebrated our 9th Valentine's Day together-- but our 1st with Jay!! 

Jay's loot. (Yes, another Lion.)

Daddio helping Gus "sign" Jay's card.

Precious' turn!

Happy little valentine!

Daddio cooked a DELICIOUS meal for Mommy after Jay went to bed!

31, 56, 2

My birthday was Wednesday! Hello, 31! We had to get up extra early to catch our flight to VEGAS! We took our first trip without Jay! I was a bit  nervous but created a set of freakishly detailed thorough instructions for Mimi and Dede and everybody did great! (excessive use of exclamation points, anyone?)

We were gone for 56 hours, ate some great meals, stayed at the Aria which was wonderful and took 2 crappy pictures. Oh well, we have the memories and they are much better than these 2 photos. :)

The King and I.