Prepare for Cute Overload- Jack's 6 Month Photos

Seriously, this kid melts my heart. I can't take it. I can't believe these were taken almost 2 months ago!!! This boy is going to be 8 MONTHS OLD next FRIDAY. I can't take it!!! He really is this happy all of the time. He barely ever really cries. He is such a ham and it really shows in these photos. A good friend of mine and photog extrordinaire Katrina has been photographing our family for years and I knew I wanted her to photograph Jack in all of his 1st year photos!

She had the awesome idea of taking his photos at a park and in a town garden in my hometown. I had no idea how great the photos and the colors would pop like they do.

I melt!

All photos courtesy of K Sleder Photography

Check her out!

More importantly don't take my pictures!

 

There are a ton of nudies too but it is the internet so I saved those but trust me they are adorable.

There are so many it is hard to pick my favorites.

I swear I would wallpaper my entire house with these if it wouldn't seem to insane mom!

 

ENJOY!!!

 

 

 

 

Vacation Days- NJ State Fair

Brian and I try to make it to the NJ State Fair each year. It's pretty ridiculous to me because neither one of us go on any of the death trap carni rides. We don't watch any of the derby shows or the auctions. Mostly we go to pig out of deliciously bad for you carnival food. So we pretty much pay to get in to eat. Such a waste of money but hey, you only live once, right?!?

While I was on vacation Brian took a day off to spend with us so we attempted the fair. This time we were $ smart and went before noon to save soe cash. We subjected Jack to some of Sussex County's finest. I mean that with LOTS of sarcasm. This summer has been unseasonably cool here in NJ except for this day. It was sweltering at the fair. We were all so sweaty it was tough to enjoy ourselves.

Jack loves animals so we made sure we visited all the horses, cows and even a few angry ostriches from local farms. It was against my better judgement but we also went to see the "petting zoo" animals because we had heard about a giraffe and I didn't really believe it. I'm not into keeping animals for profit or attraction so it really didn't sit right with me. I actually felt guilty for bringing Jack to see them.

Our little guy LOVED the equestrian show too. We happened upon it on accident. It was the only shady section of the fair grounds.  Jack would squeal with excitement every time a horse would pass. We finally couldn't take the heat any longer so we grabbed some, terrible for you but delicious gyros and fried oreos and called it a day!

Vacation Days- New Jersey Botanical Gardens

On the 3rd day of my vacation we were finally together as a family of three. We started our day at church. We have found ourselves a new church that we would like to raise our son in. (I grew up Catholic but have not been practicing in years.) We love it and have decided to Baptize Jack there in the fall. It is the most welcoming community and we feel lucky.

After church our family took a trip to The New Jersey Botanical Gardens at Skylands Manor. It was gorgeous. The grounds were amazing.  They are filled with 96 acres of formal gardens  and surrounded by 1000 acres of woodlands. They are filled with all types of gardens including hosta, wildflower and annual gardens which were all in bloom during our visit. Although we only saw some of their late summer blooms the grounds are filled wit amazing blooms like the peony, lilac gardens as well as magnolia and crab apple trees.

 The Skylands Manor is also located on the grounds. We did not take a tour inside it was beautiful.  It was built in the mid 1920s and I could totally picture Great Gatsby-like parties taking place here. They continue to host weddings and events. My husband even sang here with his high school choir.

It was a perfect day. We had such a nice time. Jack is always such a happy boy when we go places. It has been such a pleasure introducing Jack to new experiences. Although he may not remember all of these times it is so nice for us to make memories as a family.

Vacation Days- Part 2 Movie In The Park

I love the summer for so many reasons. This summer is even more important than most because it is our first one with Jack. We want to share as many adventures as we can in the last few weeks of the summer sun. I will admit we have jam packed most of our weekends.

While we were on vacation we tried out Movies in the Park. Its a free event that takes place every Saturday in August. We didn't even know what we were going to see but it really didn't matter. The little We figured we would have a little boy who would sleep through the majority of the movie. Guess again because Jack is so much of a social butterfly he couldn't get enough of the movie and all the big kids playing. We laid out a blanket, cuddled up as a family of 3. The Lego movie was pretty fun. Jack loved to music and all the bright colors. Mommy and daddy had a great time too. I mean a free movie and all the concessions were $.50!!! Totally worth it! It's the special moments like these that make simple moments so great.

Baby Jack 7 Months Old

Weight and Height- 

Jack now weighs 15.4 and is 26 inches long!  He's still wearing lots of 3-6 month clothes. He is still small for his age and I'm hoping he puts on some weight now he is onto solids. 

Health- 

Jack continues to go back to his group of specialists. We continue his nebulizer and percussion therapies 2 times a day.  He is feeling good lately! You would never even know he has cystic fibrosis. He will be getting some blood work, another sweat test and chest x-rays next month. 

Sleep- 

Jack hasn't gotten into a pattern yet. One week he will be up 3 times a night and the next week he will be sleeping for 6+ hours. We are back to waking up 2-4 times a night this week... Pass me some caffeine!

Crying- 

Jack barely cries.He is such a happy little boy. He has started crying in the car.  When he can't see me it gets him upset. If I give him my hand he will usually calm down and fall asleep. 

Hair- 

It's growing so well and it is getting lighter. 

I still think he may be a strawberry blonde.

Eyes- 

A gray Blue! 

Clothes- 

Jack is wearing 6 months. He also fits into some 0-3 onsies, crazy! I notice his one piece pjs are getting a little small, length wise. 

Feedings- 

Jack is nursing whenever he is with me. He only seems to nurse for a very short time and I feel like I'm always feeding him. I pump all day at work. He takes 7-8 oz bottles every 4 hours. He has also started solids and it has not been easy. We are making very slow progress. He has a strange gag reflex. If something touches his tongue its puke time. So gross! He really enjoys bananas and yellow squash. He has tried carrots, sweet potatoes, plums, and zucchini. 

Routine- 

We have one down. Most days start at 5am. We begin with this treatments and follow that up with a feeding. Our nights usually contain another treatment and feedings. We all go to bed around 11pm.  

Social 

He is so incredibly happy and friendly. He is such a flirt its crazy! He smiles at any pretty girl. He loves watching older kids too.  Jack reacts to people he is familiar with and its usually a huge smile. He is now interested in his cousins and smiles at them when they play. He is so friendly with my best friend's little boy. They laugh and smile all the time when they are together. 

Likes-

He LOVES being in the water to swim and take baths. 

Jack love dogs. He squeals with excitement when he sees them. 
He loves pretty girls too. He is very flirtatious.  I've got trouble on my hands. 
Jack loves to imitate others. He will cough and giggle when he hears others. 

He is obsessed with phones, iPads and remote controls. 

Bananas
Jack loves his Fisher Price musical push toy. 

Family- He loves his grandmas and grandpas. He always smiles at mommy and laughs when daddy makes funny faces. 

Cartoons especially Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. 

Jack loved his first adventure swinging. 

Dislikes- 

Solid food

Car rides

Being in a different room than his mom and dad

Mommy- 

Is exhausted all the time. I'm having a tough time. I feel like I have finally hit the wall and I'm tired all the time no matter how many hours of sleep I get. I still hate being at work. Every hour I'm away from him I wish I was with Jack. I want to experience so much with him and I just feel like I'm missing a lot when I'm away. I'm sure most working moms feel the same way.   

Kisses from his furry brother.