A picture's worth 1000 words

Sweet Potato Face

Getting some serious work done.

A big commitment...

Last night Matt and I went to the Naval Academy Class of 2011 Commitment Dinner. This is an evening celebrating the juniors making their 2 for 7 commitment. Basically, they are agreeing to serve for 7 years, in return for 2 more years of "free" school. This is a pretty big day. These amazing college students are making a huge decision that will have a major impact on their lives - they are agreeing to serve their country for at least 5 years after graduation. I was able to hear why many of them were choosing to sign. All had inspirational stories. We had a delicious dinner in King Hall, the dining hall at the Naval Academy. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture while we were at the table, but I did get a great picture of what 1000 mids look like going through a small doorway! Congratulations Class of 2011! I am so proud of all you have done and all you will do!

Older Women...

On Friday we had our monthly lunch with Emily and Cardin. We met at Tyson's and had a wonderful, relaxed meal at the Nordstrom Cafe. This was the first "lunch date" where Jack and Cardin actually interacted. Jack is much more interested in other babies these days. It's really exciting to see him spot kids his age and squeal in delight. He is starting to reach out to touch them too. Before lunch, Emily and I did a little shoe shopping, and apparently the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, because the second we entered the shoe section, Miss Cardin ran up to the mirror to check herself out! :) Girl after my own heart! I put Jack down on the floor with Cardin and he didn't take his eyes off her the entire time! He absolutely loved her! This is just fine with me - having my best friend as an in-law would be awesome! I guess we have a few more years... Cardin, who has an amazing vocabulary, spotted Jack and said "Baby" while she patted him on the head. Soooo cute! This mall trip did get me thinking about Halloween costumes...what will little Jack be for Halloween?

That's one tasty banana

Day # 3 for bananas and so far so good. Today Jack sat in his new bebePod seat and downed almost a whole container of bananas. He really seems to enjoy eating "like a big boy" and even opens his mouth for the spoon. Too funny! Here's a video of the event!

Lobsters, Clams, and Planes...oh my!

This weekend we traveled to my grandparents' house on Long Island for their Annual Clam Bake. Not only was this Jack's first Clam Bake, but this was also Jack's first flight. And it took Mommy, Grammy, and Pop to carry all Jack's stuff on and off the plane. For safety reasons I bought Jack his own seat on the plane and lugged a diaper bag, stroller, and entire carseat and base with us....ughhh.

Jack did amazing on the plane. I fed him and gave him a pacifier during take off and landing to help him pop his ears and he slept during the rest of the flights. The only crying was due to the fact that I took the bottle out of his mouth for a second to wipe the milk off his chin - we all know how much he likes to eat. I think all the people around us really appreciated Jack's quietness!

On Saturday morning we helped set up for the Clam bake - put out table cloths, carried tables and chairs, put together baskets of utensils, lobster bibs, and napkins. Jack busied himself with a gigantic lobster for most of the morning. It was almost like you could hear him say "Now, if I pull off this leg, will the meat come out?"

Saturday evening (after showers and changes of clothes) we headed over to enjoy the delicious food. Our family took up a whole table (my grandparents, parents, cousin and her husband). We all really enjoyed the food and company.

This is a picture of a bake before it was unloaded. The bake has onions, garlic, and sweet potatoes in one bag, clams and mussels in another, corn and lobsters. They also serve salad, rolls, clams on the half shell, two kinds of clam chowder, corn chowder and hot dogs. Mmmmmm delicious! Oh, and don't forget the appetizers and desert!

Here is a photo of my grandparents in their traditional "Clam Bake" garb....my grandmother has a "lobster" skirt.....don't think my grandfather is "lobstery" enough? Oh, just watch out, because he will show you his lobster boxers!!!

We had a wonderful weekend! It was topped off at church on Sunday when we got a blessing from my grandparents' priest for all four generations of our family!

A momentous day....

Well, I was planning to just blog about this past weekend's festivities in New York today, but Jack had another plan. Today was a day for the baby book. After the 100th time of dodging Jack's hands while I was eating lunch and wrestling my spoon away from him, I decided maybe we should start real food today. At our doctor's appointment last week he told us we can start purees and rice cereal whenever we want. I bought some rice cereal and a few containers of baby food at the store and figured I would start whenever it seemed right....and today, it just seemed right. So, this afternoon, Jack chowed down on some pureed bananas. At first he absolutely loved eating off the spoon. Then, he decided he wasn't sure if he liked how it tasted and made a lot of "gross" faces. Then, he decided he liked it again and opened his mouth every time the spoon came close. I wish I had gotten some pictures. I will try to post some tomorrow. It was the funniest thing!

Today was also the first day Jack rolled over on his own. I had a continuing education course and test I had to take online today so Jack got some tummy time on the floor next to me. He is doing a great job of pushing himself up with his arms. Every minute or so I would look over to Jack and talk and laugh with him. He was giggling and trying to grab the toys in front of him. Then, all of a sudden I looked back at him and he was on his back, laughing, and looking totally shocked about what just happened. I jumped out of my seat and ran over to him and told him how amazing he was for rolling over...and he started laughing so hard he got the hiccups!

So, today was a pretty momentous day for Jack - and we had a lot of fun too!

Hey Mom, when does training camp start?

Ok, so Jack's a little young for football practice, but he's on his way. Jack turned 4 months old on Monday and unfortunately he had to celebrate by having a doctor's appointment the next day. The doctor was so surprised with Jack's size that he told me to swing by the Redskins Training Camp on the way home to have Jack measured for a uniform. He also told me that he saw a 4 month old earlier that morning and that Jack could "definitely have taken her down". I love our doctor...he is hilarious. He is the same doctor I saw when I was pregnant (yeah, I know, only in the Navy does your PCM work as an OBGYN and a Pediatrician) and it's wonderful to see him as Jack grows - we know him so well by now! The computer system was down on Tuesday at the doctor's office, so all growth calculations had to be done by hand. He calculated Jack's percentile using a paper chart which only went up to the 95th percentile. Jack weighed in at 18lbs 10oz and measured 27" long. That put him over the 95th percentile (but we don't know how far over). He has gained 10lbs, 9oz and grew 6.5" since he was born 4 months ago. It's no wonder my back and knees are killing me! The doctor also told me we can start "real" food anytime I want. He said he will leave it up to me. If Jack starts to seem interested in my food, than go ahead and start him on purees and rice cereal, but if he doesn't, then it's fine to wait until 6 months. So, eating will become a lot more fun (and challenging) in the weeks to come!
Unfortunately, along with a check up, Jack also had to get his second round of shots. He was less than thrilled with it, but pulled through like a trooper, and even started smiling at the Corpsman when he put the band aids on. He had a post-shots fever of 101 on Wednesday and was really out of sorts most of the day. But, with lots of love from Grammy and Mom - and plenty of Tylenol - he broke the fever and was all smiles by the time we went to the baseball game Wednesday night. Even more exciting, Jack got to spend most of the game being held by Daddy. He loves it when he gets to see Daddy, but right now it's kinda limited because Matt's "other kids" (the plebes) take up most of his time....but we're nearing the end of the summer and our normal schedule should be back soon.
If the last few days have helped me learn anything, it's that I need to start working more$$$. Jack is out growing his clothes faster and faster and I have to start thinking about things like a new (bigger) car seat, new stroller, and *gasp* a highchair! I've included a picture of Jack's "ouchies" and he and Matt enjoying some QT at the baseball game.

mmm mmm good....

There's nothin' like the smell of fresh baked cookies...and that's what our house smells like tonight! mmmmm!!!! I've had the chance to make some treats for Matt's plebe company this summer and I have received the CUTEST thank you notes! I guess when you're away from home as a 17 or 18 year old, you really do appreciate some comforts of home...and a few extra calories when you're running like 10 miles a day. Before plebe summer ends, I am making India company some cookies....all 80 plebes and 14 detailers! So, 5 dozen chocolate chip cookies down, 18 to go! Here's a few snapshots of the delicious cookies and the mess left over in the kitchen!

"I'm on a boat"

Today my parents joined us on the boat for a delicious brunch and cruise up and down the Magothy River. We haven't been able to get out on the boat for a couple weeks because of Matt's hectic schedule. It turned out to be perfect weather on the water today - sunny and an amazingly cool breeze (can't say that about land today....sure was hot!!!) Thanks mom for bringing the food...and thanks to me for bringing the mimosas and bloody marys!

Jack and Daddy got to share some QT on the boat....they don't get to see each other much these days...but it should be better when plebe summer is over in a couple weeks. Jack was intent on eating Matt's hand...and not smiling for the camera...


Rumbly engines and sea breeze really do make you sleepy! Not to mention a life jacket that works like the snowsuit in A Christmas Story. If Jack could talk he would probably say "Ralphy, I can't put my arms down!!!"

Grammy and Pop enjoyed themselves on the boat and got a chance to just relax and catch up on some reading...and some "Jack" time!

Happy Birthday Bailey!

On Saturday we celebrated Bailey's 7th birthday! Seems like he was just a tiny puppy...can't believe how fast time has gone by. Jack, Matt and I sang a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday to You" to Bailey and then he feasted on some Frosty Paws Ice Cream and a delicious bone. It never ceases to amaze me what a ham this dog is....all I wanted was a picture of him near the ice cream and bone...I pull out the camera and he lays down and poses right next to it! Head on his paws and everything. If only Jack was so cooperative with photos!