New Baby Baloga

Our friends Chris and Marci Baloga had their first boy on December 8th at 2:43pm!! 8lbs 1oz and 21 inches long. We went to visit them 3 days later when they got home and couldn't believe how little he was. It's hard to imagine Jack was ever that little, because he's so big now.

Congrats new parents! Welcome to the club!

Boys Doing the Shopping

Melissa and I were at Mom and Dad's for Holly's birthday on the 12th and had to run to Safeway, so we took the boys with us! Thankfully they fit in the carts because they are getting too big to just carry around. They look like they are riding in style!

Santa's Lap

As this time of year tends to bring confusion and forgetfulness to most Americans on the real reason for the season... we want to make sure that we emphasize and encourage Jack in celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Risen Savior! We're still debating on some Christmas traditions to have so that there is no doubt in Jack's mind about Jesus's birthday. Any good ideas, please pass them on!

Despite that, we do plan to at least involve Santa Claus a little bit. Northrop Grumman puts on a Donuts with Santa every year and we get a chance to see where Daddy works, and where Mommy used to work and Grandpa used to work and Uncle Charles works! So we waited in the long line and discussed how to break it to Santa that we wanted him to take a pump of hand sanitizer before holding Jack. When we got to our turn, Santa was wearing gloves so we handed Jack over with comfort! :o)

In Mommy & Daddy's Bed Photoshoot

Last Friday morning, I was tired from being up late watching a movie with AJ before we had to return it to redbox... so once Jack woke up from his nap I pulled him into bed with me and he just kept talking and cooing so I just had to take some pictures of him. I know... it's probably excessive but I thought you could see a little of his personality through these selected few!

Bath Time, Alone....

Jack is getting better at sitting up on his own so we thought we'd try him out in his bathroom tub. He kept trying to touch his toes and lean back. It was funny! Almost all the pictures aren't too "modest" and I'm sure when he's older he'll appreciate me NOT posting them publicly... but this one is rated "G" so I thought I'd share his joy and excitment! It doesn't do bath time justice as he splashes and splashes!!

Hand-made Outfits!

We were so lucky to have friends and family with the amazing talent to knit outfits for babies! It's perfect weather for them and he just looks so darn cute!

Thank you Amy Lieberman and Mom Mom Wise!!

Doorway Jumper

Jack has FINALLY figured out that the doorway bouncer is the most fun thing in the world! For the last 2 months he would just sit there like a mope and not jump in it and after 5 minutes want to get out. But now... this boy goes to town!!! You should see him, I call it his River Dance show (for those of you who don't know River Dance is a famous irish stepping production... amazing in itself!). You can't help but laugh at his little feet jumping like springs in this thing!

Most of them turned out blurry because he's moving so fast! The best is when he jumps towards me (see second picture)! See the 2 videos too!

Bachmann Man!

Well, Jack still fits into his coming home from the hospital outfit... yes, it was huge on him. But it was the first gift AJ gave me for Christmas last year when I was pregnant. AJ and I both have "Bachmann University" t-shirts to match and so AJ got Jack his own onesie that says "property of the Bachmann Family" on it.

I just went out to get some sweat pants that say "JB Record Breaker"! He's one in the making!

First Swing At The Park

On a warm day last week I took Jack to the park behind the shopping center across from our community. There is a beautiful pond with lots of ducks and geese and a big playground park. I thought he might be too small for the infant swing but I thought I'd kill some awake time and take him up to try and get some exercise for me. He fit perfectly and giggled everytime the swing went back and I'd catch his toes with my hands! He really loved it! I only had my phone to take his picture but it captures his joy!

We can't wait to take Daddy back to the park and try it out again!

Bachmann Turkey Bowl!

As Calvert Hall Tradition... AJ initiated a football game Thanksgiving morning for all the cousins to play. He has been training and playing with Jacob and Adam every chance he had for the past few months. So on a beautiful sunny morning, Uncle Bennett and Uncle AJ piled everyone into our car (Mary Clarie, Elle, Jacob, Adam, Charlotte, Jack, Jen, me, Bennett, and AJ... yes, one car) up to the Elementary school to play some football at 8:30am! Woohoo! It was just a little nippy but perfect football weather! Even Aunt Jen played! We missed the other half of the cousins but met up with them late for a big Thanksgiving feast in Severna Park!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and remembered all their blessings and how fortunate we all are to have such big and loving family!

Something From the Matrix?!

Jack had his cardiac checkup appointment and he is doing fantastic! Praise the Lord! The Doctor told us to treat him like he is completly normal with nothing wrong! God is so good. Our son is one healthy boy and weighing in at 18lbs at 5 months old!

Get Your Toes!

Jack's newest trick is grabbing his toes! He does it all the time! He does it on his changing table, he does it in his bed if he wakes up in the middle of the night to smile at mommy and touch his toes (sigh), he does it in his car seat and tries to do it in the air if you hold him up.

Daddy Dressed Me For Church

I asked AJ to dress Jack for church, and I guess it was my fault for even having a "hand-me-down" camo outfit in his closet and the only pair of slippers in his sock bin.. but down came 2 very proud boys ready for church.... sigh.... needless to say this was the first and last time Jack was in camo, good thing it was too short for him anyway! He's going hunting for moose in his snowman slippers!

Out for Fun!

On a beautiful day we took Jack out for our many walks on the weekends! He'si n his Christmas long johns.... at least, that's what they look like! We all happened to be in fall colors!

BIG BATH

So we went a little overboard and instead of putting him in the bath tub in his bumbo seat, we thought for fun we'd try our own little "pool" time! So we went in our master tub and filled it up and wanted to see if he liked it. Well, he LOVED it! He splashed and kicked and "squak'd" while AJ took pictures.

When it was time to get soapy and wash his hair, AJ got in and held him while I scrubbed him up and then we dumped watered over his head and into his face! We want to get him used to it early so there is no screaming if water gets in his eyes! He held his breath the first time it got in his eyes but he "coo'd" it off and kept on splashing! I have a video to show later on too... super cute!

Last Sponge Bath

I captured Jack's first bath time when we got home back in July and now at 5.5 months old, this boy has out grown his Puj tub! So into the big tub we shall go next! He loves to look at himself and watch me sing to him in the mirror during his whole sponge bath! I sing the entire time so I guess bath time is pretty fun in our house... AJ makes me sing to him while he's in the shower too now! ;o) HA!