Pictures with daddy...

Relaxing on the porch with Daddy....

Pictures with mama...

Here are pictures we took yesterday when Jay was a little happier. You can also see our "kissing game" in action. Nothing makes my day better than a big, slobbery, kiss from my sweet boy.

Wes' canoe

more pics...

Our attempt at a homemade photo shoot...

I think he is confused???

Yep, definitely confused. :)

We tried to take Jay's 6 month pictures with our cheap camera and limited photography skills and this is all we came up with. Jay decided that he was not going to smile for anything (not even Jane and Josh, who can ALWAYS make him smile). We will try again soon and hopefully have some smiles to show off.

Jay learning that loud=fun.

Still working on tummy time.

singing with the walker... yelling and shaking the rattle...

banging the teether on the walker....

dancing to blues clues....

playing the piano...

Eating....Lowes....Sleeping (life in the day of a baby)

Don't question a baby and his rice cereal!

Passed out after shopping. Trip to Lowes....Jay is very serious about this. There's a little grin!

Playing with my lunch.

Watching CMT.....see dad, I'm raising him right!

Jay is changing every day in one way or another and it is so fun (and funny) to watch his little brain figure out more about this world. He drops toys on the floor constantly, then looks down to see where they went. He does not get tired of doing this no matter how many times it hits the floor. He is still gumming everything, but no teeth yet. We started him on bananas a few days ago and he likes them. He really doesn't seem to prefer them over the rice or oatmeal...I think he just likes eating from a spoon, regardless of the food. In fact, he would rather just tip the bowl up and drink it straight - bypass the spoon all together. I posted a picture of this below. He never has been one to take his time eating and I guess this is more efficient. :) He is officially in the "noisy" stage now. Anything and everything is more fun if it sings, lights up, or even if he can just force a racket of some kind. The other day we were eating lunch and he had a rattle (nothing unusual), however, he decides the rattle itself is just not loud enough. So, beating the rattle on the table seemed much more fun. Not really a problem except that we were in a semi-quiet restaurant and the echo off of the table was getting obnoxious quickly. Before we had an audience, I replaced his toy with my bag of chips and let him go at it again (much more civilized)....I did have crumbs for lunch though....the sacrifices I make. ;) I have been taking random pictures of him "making some noise" this week. He has discovered my and Wes' toys too...the computer, cell phone, and remote control. He refuses to be within 5 feet of them and not lunge with all of his strength to get them. This is a problem for me since I did the majority of my emailing/internet browsing while holding him. No matter what he is doing (eating, sleeping, etc) he is immediately distracted. The computer he loves because he can bang on the keys and, you guessed it, make some noise himself. After a few days of this, I decided he was probably close to breaking my lifeline to the outside "non-baby" world so I put a stop to it. We did get him a piano, which he seems to like, not nearly as much as MY toys though! That's about all for now. Oh, here is a video of Jay and Blues Clues playing. Jay smiles every time we play with this. It pretty cute! Also, I put up some more pics.

Bah Bah Bah!

Here he is in the crib after a nap. He is talking to his mobile. You can hear him say his "bah bah" sounds!

Sitting up

Here is Jay in his room playing. This shows how well he is sitting up!

6 months old!

Sleeping on the way home. I love love love his smile!!!

Sorry, again, for a slow week of updates. Honestly, there really hasn't been anything to "write home about" literally. Jay is still pooping everywhere and manages to make that obvious to everyone when we go out in public but I feel like that's what all of my stories are about so I will spare you. :) There have been small (no less exciting) changes over the last few weeks. He is more aware of Jake and grabs at his nose and eyes all of the time. Jake doesn't care, he just moves his head around when Jay starts to bother him. I am so thankful he has a gentle spirit since Jay has no concern for the dog's comfort. I can tell they are going to be great friends soon! Jay is learning new things to do with his toys besides jabbing them straight into his mouth. He is learning that they make sounds and light up and that usually brings a big smile to his face. He isn't quite sure what to do to make them talk/sing but loves when they "surprise" him. He also wants to drink and eat what Wes and I have- to the point that he was screaming at Wes the other night when he couldn't drink out of his cup. He would grab it, open his mouth, and try to figure out how to get it around the cup. Then he would just get mad when it didn't work. Our game right now is "peek-a-boo" and we play it all day. He gets so excited when I cover him up and then snatch the blanket off. It is funny to watch him anticipate being covered up because his eyes start to quint and he gets a thrilled expression on his face -- like if you are on a roller coaster and your about to go down the hill. His naps are better now too, they are more predictable and last 1 to 1 1/2 hours. That gives me more time to get things done (mainly reading the Twilight series that I have become completely addicted too). I am on the last book so I guess by the weekend I will start being domestic again when he naps. It's a good thing Wes doesn't mind the house being sloppy -- I am usually the neat freak but I can't manage to keep away from the book long enough to get anything done. Wes' mom is ordering a program to teach me and Jay baby sign language and I am really excited about that. I have heard that it is wonderful for learning what your baby needs before they can really tell you. I think that is all. I am going to try and post some videos of our playtime yesterday. Jay is not as expressive as usual because he was distracted by the camera. I keep meaning to let Wes film while we play so that you can really see how much fun he is having but by the time Wes gets home Jay is usually more irritable so we can't catch as many laughs. Oh, and the point of my post today---Jay is officially 6 months! I can't believe I don't have a newborn anymore. We will be throwing his 1 year b-day party before I know it. I am sure there will be a ton to post over the next few months. I am so excited to see the milestones he will meet but am trying to enjoy each moment. I can already tell I will be looking back to this time and wishing he was a baby and I could cuddle with him again. Of course, living in a fog the first 3 months was annoying...the lack of sleep will not be missed. :)

Almost 6 months...

Fun with my sweet boy!

Studying his pacifier...

Watching us eat.

Sorry for the lack of posting lately, there is a good reason though...Wes is now on a much easier rotation so he is home a lot more! He leaves around 8am and gets home about 3:30pm. So, the days go by much faster and I don't get my usual "morning blog time." It is great having him home again though. :) We have not done a lot this week other than house stuff. Wes bought a canoe and is repainting it (the previous owner did a not so great job of make-shift camouflage). We took a ride with Jay in it the other day but he did not enjoy himself. Mainly because he was in a thick life jacket in 95 degree weather. Hopefully, as it cools off, he will have a better time. he did enjoy watching the water since that is his new obsession right now. We are almost where he can sit in the real tub without falling over and he will love that. The baby tub is just too small for his need of kicking and splashing as much as possible. I was in a hurry last night and didn't let him play for a long in the tub and he SCREAMED at me for about 15 min. Not a sad cry, but an angry yelling. I guess he is learning how to exhibit different emotions now, which may not be a good thing. ;) Also, he is sitting up like a champ! He loves this new position and will sit and play for as long as I let him. The other day, he got really quiet and after about 10min I went to check on him He was just sitting up, staring at the blanket. He didn't care that his toys had stopped singing or that he was by himself. I think playtime will be much easier! His favorite word now is "ba" and he says it over and over in a very serious tone, like he is honestly trying to tell us something very important. The other sounds he makes are more playful and sweet but not this one. I guess it is just his way of exploring his voice capabilities. I have been telling Wes that I want to get a video of him sitting up but I forget when he is doing it. I will try and get one this weekend. For some reason, he has been waking up at night again. He always has a dirty diaper so I can't just stick the pacifier in and let him drift back off to sleep. By the time I undress and change him, he is wide awake and angry which makes it a battle to go back to sleep. I hope this is just a phase and will soon be over. I am not used to waking up at night anymore! Today, Wes' parents are coming up to visit. They are keeping Jay tonight and Wes and I are having a date night! That will be so nice. I forget how great it is to sit in a restaurant and just focus on the meal, rather than keeping a baby from screaming. Jay will be six months next week! I can't believe that he is halfway to a year. I know the next several months will be so fun watching him start to crawl, talk, and eventually walk! I am sure there will be many pictures to come. I posted a few that I took this week.