da da da da da September 30, 2007

I don’t think I mentioned that last week Jack started saying “da da” – A LOT! At first I thought it might be a fluke, but he continued to say it and now it’s all he says and yells! “da da da da da da da da da” on and on! It’s very cute. Now I’m working on “ma ma.” Hehehe! His cough is getting better but Gerry and I were hit hard. I had 103 fever on Thursday and 100 on Monday, and Gerry’s cough is terrible. I am getting better but Gerry seems to be getting worse! I guess all that matters is that Jack is getting better. We’re having fun with Grandma. She bought him a musical toy that you sit and look in the mirror and play music and sing. I’ll take pics – it’s really cute and he loves it.

Here’s a pic that was taken last week during Jack’s helmet-off time. He’s such a cutie! Looking at this photo I just don’t see me in him, but I’m sure it’s there somewhere besides his coloring!

Growing Strong September 27, 2007

I took Jack to the doctor yesterday because he has a nasty cough (thanks to another kid at daycare!). It’s just a cold and he’s on decongestant. The big boy weighs 17.6 pounds! He’s growing so fast. They didn’t measure him, as they’ll do that next month at his 9 month check-up. Just thought I’d share his weight.

He’s also doing fabulous with the helmet. When we take it off he rubs the back of his head against whatever he’s leaning on. It’s cute. I’m sure he feels free when it’s off, but he doesn’t seem to notice when it’s on.

Grandma Lisey comes today for 4 days so Jack will stay home from daycare on Friday and Monday. Nice treat for him. Not sure Grandma knows what she’s getting into! ha! Last time she was here he wasn’t on solids yet, so it should be fun watching her feed him his veggies!

And, Gerry and I both caught Jack’s cold. Oh well!

Big Boy! September 26, 2007

Ok, so I don’t look so cute, but Jack looks adorable in this photo! We had just returned from our nightly walk (which is why I’m dressed the way I am). It’s also the time when he has his helmet off in the evening, which is why he’s not wearing it He looks soooooo big!

Rams Fan in Exile September 21, 2007

Jack got his helmet yesterday, and he’s doing great! He is exactly the same as he was without it. He slept through the night yesterday and is his happy self. Phew! They had two kids at daycare last class, so his teachers are familiar with it too.

Yesterday and today he wore it three hours on, one hour off and through the night. Starting tomorrow, he wears it 23 hours a day. We take it off for one hour in the evening before bed. During this hour we clean it with alcohol and let it dry, go for a walk (it’s too hot to wear it on a walk) and give him a bath (it can’t get wet). His “band” – as they call it – was white, as you can see. But we thought it looked so medicinal. Since Gerry loves football, we went for a football theme. The Dolphins wear a white helmet, so Jack got a cool Rams design. You paint it with acrylic paint and then put a coat of Modge-Podge over it to seal it. He got lots of compliments. We think he looks cute! Hopefully he won’t have to wear it more than a few months. We’ll keep you posted.

Jack is 8 months! September 21, 2007

Jack turned 8 months old on Tuesday. He’s getting soooooo big! He is sitting up now on his own (for a few seconds!) and talking up a storm. He started saying “da da da” yesterday! So cute!

25 down, 5 to go! September 16, 2007

For those of you who have been following my weight loss, and for those who haven’t, just wanted to share that today I reached 25 pounds lost since I joined Weight Watchers in late May! Whooo whoooo! I can’t believe it! I only have 5 more pounds until I reach my goal weight. I had aimed for Christmas to reach my goal, and I am so excited that I will reach it well before. Weight Watchers has been amazing, and I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who wants to lose weight and can’t do it on their own (like me!). I am so glad I joined. I have learned so much about portion control and simply making smarter choices when it comes to food – without depriving myself of treats!

After I hit my goal and maintain my weight for 6 weeks (without going more than 2 pounds over), I become a “lifetime” member, which means I don’t have to pay. Love it! Thanks to everyone for their support, especially Gerry who tells me how great I’m doing every day

The Cutest Little Guy in the Whole World September 13, 2007

Here are some really cute pics that I took today. I know the last one is blurry, but I loved it! You can see his tuft of hair on top. So many strangers come up to us and say they love his hair

It’s still warm here, but Jack needs the long sleeves for daycare because they keep it cold in his room (so the germs can’t grow). He loves being on his tummy!

Football Season is Here (oh joy!) September 11, 2007

I think the photos say it all … we spent a lot of Sunday welcoming football season back to the Ellis house! haha! We did do other things, but we also watched a couple of football games. No, Jack did not sit in front of the TV all day! Just a few times while I cleaned. Jack also played in his pool in the backyard (which is why he’s wearing a different outfit in the second picture). He’d stay in there all day if we let him! He can be in a crabby mood, and if we give him a bath or play in the pool, he instantly gets happy. It’s really cute!

He’s still waking up early for a bottle, but then going right back to sleep. This morning it was 5:20 am. Ay…but Monday he slept until 7 am! We did the exact same routine with the same amount of food, so who knows. Hopefully he will outgrow this soon! All we ask for is one more hour of sleep

Ella is obsessed with Jack’s Cookie Monster stuffed toy. She thinks it’s hers! I caught her taking it from him once, and the other day we came home and she had given it a bath. Yuck! She has plenty of toys to play with, but she still prefers his!

Hope everyone is well.

Welcome Baby Evan! September 6, 2007

Congratulations to Julie and Brian Oglander! They welcomed Evan Matthew around 7:30 am St. Louis time via c-section, and Julie sounds great! I was so excited that she had a boy that I forgot to get all of the baby’s details, but Karyn told me he weighed 6 pounds 8 ounces – double Jack’s birth weight! Mom and Evan are doing well. Evan joins big sister Allison who turns three this month. Yippee – Jack has a new playmate!

Update: I spoke to Julie again last night and she sounded amazing! Still in shock over having a boy, I think! hehehe! Evan is doing well, and Allison looks like a proud big sister.

Jack’s Traumatic Day September 6, 2007

Well, today Jack got his cast for his helmet. Did I mention in a past post that we are going with the helmet (or ”band” as they call it)? His flat spot won’t get any worse, but it won’t get any better. And, down the line it could cause issues with his jaw and eyes, so there wasn’t a doubt that it’s the best thing for him. Hopefully he won’t need it more than a few months.

So, today they made a plaster cast of his head. It was a bit traumatic … after taking photos of his head, they made the cast. First, they put a mesh stocking over his whole head and cut a hole for his mouth. He couldn’t see well, and that’s when he began to cry – who could blame him! Gerry held his arms so he didn’t get his hands in the plaster, and I held his waist. The whole process was about 10 minutes, and he cried the whole time. When it was over, we gave him a bath. From the photo, you can see why! He even cried during the bath, which normally is one of his favorite parts of the day. After we got him dressed, he stopped crying and smiled. Phew, we made it through the worst part!

We go back in two weeks to get the helmet. They are white, and we can decorate it any way we want. Expect some sort of football theme  

PS – The orange tape on his bottle is from daycare. As I mentioned, that’s his color so his things don’t get mixed up with others.