Jack is ONE!!!

Happy Birthday to our sweet, baby boy! Jack is one, and I can hardly believe it. He has grown and changed so much this year. Right now, he seems much more like a toddler considering he has been walking for seven weeks. He runs everywhere, and is so happy now that he can hang with the big dogs (Charlie and Samson). Jack has discovered a love for shaking his booty to the music and dances in circles with Charlie. It is hilarious watching him try to keep up with his big brother, and Charlie is taking very well to Jack being so mobile. Sure they have their rough moments, but I have to say they are really starting to get along very nicely and play together. Jack adores Charlie and laughs at him all the time. I love watching them together, and I know that it is only going to get better.

Jack is growing up so quickly. He weighed 21 lbs, 14 oz (25-50th percentile) and was 29.75 inches long (50th percentile) at his one year check up. The doctor said he looked perfect, and it was the first time I have not had any questions prepared for a well check up. It was such a welcome change from the first few months of Jack's life when it seemed like we lived at the pediatrician and all I had was questions. The happiest news I have to report is that Jack is completely off of his reflux meds. He was weaned off of the Prevacid by his GI specialist, and it is been about three weeks since his last dose. So far, there has not been one sign of reflux, and I can't tell you what a huge relief it is to be done worrying about Jack's belly.

This month, we have seen a big jump in Jack's cognitive ability. He is copying gestures and movements, pointing to what he wants or where he wants to go, and just getting so smart. I think he says "bye-bye" and "Dada", but it is not consistent enough for me to consider them his first words yet. Charlie did not say his first word until 15 months, so I am curious to see when Jack will start to talk. Jack loves to be read to and likes to flip through books. He reminds me of Charlie when he was one. They both love a good book. Jack is a happy little guy most of the time, but he is quick to let you know how he feels. Recently, he has taken to throwing himself back in protest or going limp in my arms when I try to move him away from something. He is a mama's boy, but he is also very independent. I have to keep my eyes glued on him, and I swear I have lost five pounds just since he started walking. I love watching his little personalty unfold.

In other news, Jack has cut his two bottom molars this month. He now has a grand total of ten teeth. His mouthful of teeth makes it easy to introduce him to all types of foods. He has gotten better about trying new foods but is still picky. He is not a fan of meat and only likes a few veggies (carrots and green beans). He loves fruit and is particularly fond of berries. Specifically, he loves blueberries. He starts to get excited as soon as he sees me take them out of the fridge. He loves his carbs and dairy, too. He'd be happy to live off of cheese and pasta. Both of my boys definitely inherited that from me. Jack is drinking whole milk from a bottle now. He is not taking to the sippy cup and usually tosses it around in protest. He also refuses to hold his own bottle. He is a head strong little bugger, and I can see power struggles in our future. Good thing he is so stinking cute!

This year has gone by faster than I could have ever imagined. Jack has gone from a tiny baby to a little person, and all the while I have fallen more and more in love with him. He stole my heart the second he was born, and I think he knows it. Every morning when I walk into his room and he flashes me a big grin, my heart skips a beat. He is my little love, and I am so blessed to be his mommy. Happy Birthday, Jack! Getting to know and love you this year has been a true gift. Mommy, Daddy, and Charlie love you very much!