First Trip to the Zoo!

Last weekend, we got a call from our great friends, the Words, to see if we wanted to join them on a trip to the zoo. We've been talking about taking Jason there for a few months now, especially since he now does sound effects for most zoo and barnyard animals. It was a great time! The elephants were especially exciting to Jason and we got a great show from the gorillas (it was far from PG rated; heck, it was far from R rated, but Jason didn't know that) who were right up against the glass by Jason's stroller. But the train ride was by far the highlight for Jason, who laughed and made the same sound his father makes when he's very excited about something. We also ran into some other friends, the Fulfords, and enjoyed catching up with them. Jason was definitely exhausted by the time we got in the car (notice his expression at left at the end of the train ride), but it was a great first trip to the zoo and we can't wait to go back again!

Thanks for the blocks, Nana and Papa!

One of my fondest memories as a kid was building forts and houses with these big cardboard blocks that looked like bricks. My mom found some similar in a catalog and they arrived today! We had some friends and family over for brunch, so everyone immediately sat down and started putting the blocks together, so Jason could start building and tearing down with his blocks. He loved them! Thanks, Nana and Papa!

School's out for the summer!

Finally! I can update the blog with pictures and news! I've been getting some subtle (and not-so-subtle) hints from my Mom that she'd like to see more of her grandson. So, here's a quick update. More to follow soon. I promise!

Jason is walking and talking (although, not much in English). He has his own language (sounds Eastern European) and points to everything. Sometimes he gives it a name and sometimes he just grunts until you bring him over to it or hand it to him. He does say "car," but in a Boston dialect, where the "r" is only slightly there. He's also finally using two signs in ASL for "more" and "eat." He is definitely our son! Speaking of food, Jason loves sushi and spicy foods, like chili peanuts and Wickles (sweet and spicy pickles). He ate practically a whole jar last night! Steve and I are so proud!

Puck is back to normal, other than the shaved part on his side from the pain medication patch they gave him after surgery. He's his old puppy self and is so good with Jason, taking so much abuse and just licking back.

We've got a crazy weekend, but we're planning on taking Jason to the pool on Monday, so I will try and have more pictures soon.

One year old!

What an incredibly crazy, life-changing, wonderful year it's been! I can't imagine my life without this little guy. His smile makes my whole day and his giggle is the best sound in the entire world. I am so very lucky to have such a fantastic family!

We actually celebrated Jason's birthday last weekend, with a bbq party (of course!) at Fox Bros. My parents were in town and we had my sister and her husband, and several close friends who came out to enjoy the day. The meal was great and Steve made a Boston Cream Cake for the event. Jason got his very own cupcake filled with custard cream and topped with chocolate ganache. As with most 1st birthday cakes, Jason wasn't sure what to do with it. He seemed intrigued by it at first and gingerly tried to break off a piece. He tried some of the cake, but as soon as he got the cream on his finger, he no longer liked the whole affair. He kept trying to get the cream off and when it wouldn't, he began crying. I wiped off his hand and gave him some broccoli, which he practically inhaled. Yes!

Sunday, it snowed! Crazy since it was in the 60's the day before, but that's Georgia weather for you. We bundled J up and took him outside to experience his first snow. He was interested in it for a little while, but then all he wanted to do was crawl in it, so we didn't stay out very long.

Today was supposed to be a low key day, where we just are together celebrating J's birthday. It did start out that way. Steve made omelets for breakfast and matzo ball soup for lunch (delicious!) and Jason enjoyed playing with the boxes and ribbons that his gifts came in. (I'm sure he'll enjoy the gifts later). He's also taking longer and longer stints of walking, and getting more confident every day, so we cheered him as he walked all over the place. After his nap, we decided we'd enjoy the gorgeous spring weather and all four of us go to the dog park. We weren't the only ones that had the same idea and it when we got to the dog park, there were probably close to 20 dogs there; more than we've ever seen there at once. As soon as Puck's leash came off, there were some German shepherds that started chasing him and trying to mount him. A boxer got involved as well. We weren't there more than a couple minutes and there was a fight. Steve and the owner of the boxer tried to pull them apart, but since Steve had J in the baby bjorn, it was more the owner of the boxer that did the pulling apart. When the chaos ended, Puck was bleeding from both front legs and had punctures on his jaw as well. We're not sure exactly what happened, but Puck was the only one bleeding. So... our lovely trip to the park last all of about 2 minutes, before we had to go over to the emergency vet. Puck was put under anesthesia for some stitches. He's got a couple drainage tubes sticking out of his leg and he's wearing one of those awful head cones! We also have to give him pain meds and antibiotics for the next week or so. Our full of energy puppy is practically comatose tonight. :- (

Hopefully, Jason's 2nd birthday will be less traumatic!

11 months!

I haven't had a lot of time to add to the blog much lately, but here are a couple pics and a quick "what Jason's doing now" update.

He's almost walking. He walks, almost runs, if you're holding his hand, and moves very quickly between items. He has taken a step and then sits down a couple times, so it's not going to be much longer and we won't be able to keep up with him.

He's climbing EVERYTHING! He can go up the stairs in about a minute, climbs the ottoman, to the chair, to the couch and over to get around the barracade of his ball pit, and he's learned to push things up against the board blocking the tv, to try and climb up and over it. Pretty smart little guy!

He's eating lots of different things and it's fun to go out to a restaurant again, because he can try new things and it keeps his attention for a while. His favorite thing right now are ribs - for two reasons. One, they taste good, but more importantly, they're a great teething aid. Our friend who has three boys suggested it and it's perfect! Jason will gnaw on a rib for a long time.

Movin' and Groovin'

It's been over a month since our last post and I don't know where to start when it comes to sharing all that Jason can do now. I remember hearing lots of other parents describe their kids as "doing something new every day," but I didn't believe it until having a kid of my own. It's amazing! He's crawling everywhere, even up and down steps. He pulls up to standing on pretty much anything that remains somewhat still; although, he quickly learned how unreliable Puck can be as a support. No matter how many toys or books are on the floor for him, he will always (ALWAYS) beeline for any electrical cords, remote controls and technology in any form that are within a mile of him. He is his father's son.

We've exchanged our coffee table for a ball pit; keeps him contained when I just have to get something done, and it doesn't bruise his head if he bumps into it while crawling. We also put a long board up against the fireplace, to keep his hands away from the T.V. (I know some of you are asking why our T.V. is in the fireplace, but you'll have to speak to my husband on that one). Unfortunately, I can tell that Jason is inspecting all the things around the board to see how exactly he can climb up and over the board. Won't be long before he figures it out.

We've also had our first experience with middle-of-the-night calls to the doctor and even a run to a Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Immediate Care Center. Just when we'd pretty much gotten Jason to sleep through the night again, he came down with another cold, a stomach virus, horrible diaper rash as a result, high fevers that wouldn't come down, and blisters in his throat so he wouldn't eat. We also were told by the doctor at the immediate care center that he had an ear infection, so we have him on antibiotics. However, when we went to see his regular doctor and day and a half later, there was no ear infection, but of course, we have to stay on antibiotics once we've started. I guess it's a rite of passage to have to deal with this, but man, is it miserable on everyone! We are very happy to have our happy, playful, eating baby back!

Other than having a sick baby, our Thanksgiving went nicely. Steve had to do all the cooking this year, which I felt bad about, but he had access to our neighbor's newly renovated kitchen with three other ovens and a warming drawer, so it was one of the least frenzied dinners we've had. We had smoked turkey, deep-fried turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, lobster mac-n-cheese (a new tradition, I think), roasted sweet potatoes, roasted fennel, onions and carrots, sauteed greens with raisins and almonds, yeast rolls, cranberry sauce, and baked apples and cinnamon ice cream for dessert. Our friends also brought pumpkin mousse pie, carrot cake, and pumpkin oat bars. Very tasty Thanksgiving!

Halloween!

So, any excuse to dress up the baby, right? My mom offered to make the pirate costume, but she thought it was going to be too big, so we also borrowed the lobster costume from a friend. Both are really cute, of course, but I'm partial to the one that works with the dog!