Fun with Auntie Erica

Jake and I had a fun afternoon with Erica. Jake showed off how much
he's developed since her last visit -- his gross motor skills (danced
to Jai Ho), fine motor skills (ate puffed snacks using his pincer
grasp), and language skills (babbled "babbababa" and "mamamma"). And
emotional development? Well that hasn't changed - he's just as smitten
with Erica as he's always been.

Jai ho!

Jake's new favorite song, "Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire." He usually "dances" longer, but whenever I take the camera out it seems like he stops doing all his tricks!

Hitting on the girls

I worry so much about Jake being the youngest at daycare, but I guess
he's holding his own. He loves the other kids and shows his affection
by pulling their hair and hitting them. There is a sweet, sweet little
2 year old little girl named Sienna there and I guess jake will crawl
up to her and just slap her face. She sits there and takes it because
she needs to be "gentle with the baby." Of course I have the bully baby!

Dear Allie

Hi Allie!

Thanks for drawing a picture for me. It's hanging up on the fridge
right next to my high chair. It's what's making me smile in this
picture.

Love,
Jake

Dear Jack

Hi Jack!

Thank you for saying you like my new video. I can't wait to see you in
Maine this summer. My mommy kind of copied your name, huh? Sorry about
that.

Love,
Jake

Feeling better

We spent Saturday, our first day after a week with grammie, at South
Bay Children's Urgent Care. After a day of battling a low-grade fever,
Jake's temp spiked to 103.2. He felt so hot! The doctor couldn't
pinpoint any reason for it, and after just one dose of motrin the
fever started to subside. I've gotten too used to blaming everything
on teething!

9 month appointment

We went to Jake's 9-month checkup today. He got his final Hep B shot, was checked for iron levels (fine!), weighed (21 lbs. 12 oz. = 50th - 75th percentile), and measured (I think he was 24 inches... he's in the 90th percentile for height). He failed his "waving bye bye" and "pulling himself up" milestones. I told the doctor he can take his socks off with his teeth and drinks his own bath water. Shouldn't those two talents cancel the others out?

So we're on to the next big things! Jake can start eating just about anything! We still need to keep him away from dairy since his digestive system still seems to be a little immature. We also don't have to worry about his lack of interest in food and his preference for the bottle - the doctor thinks this also has to do with his stomach - he's still not digesting normally (I'll spare you the details).

And the best news? I can give him a bottle in the middle of the night if he wakes up! Despite what all the books and experts say, Dr. Pearlman says it's not going to do any permanent damage if that's the only way I can get him back to sleep. Yippee! I love you, Dr. Pearlman.

Trapped

Eating, laughing, and hiccuping

Crawling... sort of!

Yummy table

I need to find those sticky disposable placemats ASAP! We went to a
new breakfast place Saturday morning. Dave called to find out how
early they opened. What a change - a year ago we'd be rushing to make
it to a restaurant before it closed!

New teeth

They work. Can you see the teeth marks in his crib rail? I caught him
in the act today... but try saying "no" to this face!

My monkey with his monkey

This is Jake's favorite friend to sleep with (yep, he sleeps with a
blanket, stuffed animal, and REAL bumper now).

Little explorer

He's still not up on all fours but Jake can certainly get around - and
he's fast! Is there some sort of baby rule that no matter how many
toys you put out, they go for everything besides the toys? Jake loves
scooting over to the closet and peeking inside. My bad habit of never
closing things (closet doors, cabinets, drawers) makes it easy for him
to explore.

Taking a ride

Jake is starting to catch on to his little rocking giraffe that he got
for Christmas. He's a bouncer, so he still bounces up and down, but
he's catching on to the back and forth, too. And he likes to eat the
ears, of course.

In jail

Now that he can move, mornings are so much harder. This is where Jake
has to hang out while I get ready (I actually switch him between his
crib and exersaucer). The other challenge is he needs to see me at all
times or he screams. I think I was actually brushing my teeth in his
room right before I took this picture.