Week Thirty Four

It is official! General Mills has promoted Jack to "Official Cheerio Muncher!"


I couldn't resist this one...Jack needed some new towels, since he has outgrown his infant ones. When I found this one at the store I couldn't help but giggle. As you can see Jack likes it too...he especially likes chewing on the ears. (And no I hadn't showered yet, which is why my hair is extra pretty in this picture.)


Along with eating Cheerios this week, Jack has started to get up on all fours and rock back and forth. It won't be long now until he is mobile...actually he already is...he rolls everywhere! We're keeping our fingers crossed that he does learn to crawl, so the other kids at daycare won't make fun of him, when he starts going in a few more weeks :-(


What's this!?!?!? Now we're stading too?!?!?! This is all happeing way too fast for this mom!!!!


Our good friends the Jaegers joined us for our annual Hanks' Hoo Ha, at Miller Park this year. Here we are with all of our gear getting ready to go in.


Here is a good portion of the gang who attended the Hoo Ha this year. We must be getting old, because we were all in bed by 11:00....I'm sure it had nothing to do with being up until 3:30 the night before!


A great picture of two new dads. The Hoo Ha took a turn this year with a lot of our friends having babies. We can't wait for next year when more little ones join us. (For those of you with suspicious minds...no I am not pregnant, but a brother or sister for Jack is being talked about more regularly at the Hanks house!)


Jack and Miles wore the same outfit for the game. Jack was very interested in Miles, he studied him a lot, which lead to Lindsay giving Jack a new nickname...Little Professor! Too cute I think that this one might stick!

Week Thirty Three

NEWSBREAK!!!!!!!!! Jack's first tooth decided to make an appearance this week. It was pretty funny how we found out about it. Tom was drinking some water out of a glass, and of course Jack wanted some (he LOVES to drink out your glass). After he had taken a sip of water he started gumming/chewing on the glass, and we heard a chink, chink noise. Tom and I just looked at each other and started laughing. After we confirmed the surfacing of the tooth with a "finger check," we understood why Jack had been a little clingy lately. So far things are going well, as long as we keep the Motrin and Tylenol schedule up!


Move over Beethoven...here comes Jack to tickle the ivories!


Jack shows Tom how to get out of the way of the boom when the boats tacks & jibes. It is a good thing that Jack showed him this, as Tom left on Friday to compete in his second Chicago-Mac Race. If you are interested you can check out how they are doing at www.chicagoyachtclub.org. He is crewing on Mosquito.


Emmie spots and airplane, while Jack is busy trying to dig to China.


I wasn't sure how the sandbox was going to go over. As soon as I saw Jack's hand up to his mouth, I knew it was time to be done.


After breakfast I ran out to get the pool set-up. When I came back into the kitchen I found Jack fast asleep. I guess he is pretty set on keeping 11:00 nap time!


Brrrrrr.....


Uncle Marc will be so proud! Jack tried asparagus for the first time this week. He wasn't quite sure what to think about it.

Week Thirty Two

Where's Jack?!?!?!?


Here I am!!!! Jack's new game is to hide under the blanket and then pull it off...he giggles like crazy once he is finally able to get it off.


So the parenting books suggest that children can start feeding themselves some "easy" finger foods at this stage. As you can see "easy" is code word for MESSY!! Jack had a blast attempting to eat the banana, we thought that it was also time for him to learn that the Chiquita sticker must be worn on your forehead while eating a banana.


We were invited up to Great Uncle Dana's and Great Aunt Sherry's for the 4th of July. We had a great time visiting around the campfire, boating, swimming, fishing, and watching the fireworks out on the lake. Jack was able to meet Great Uncle Dale and Great Aunt Donna for the first time, as they made a detour on their way back to Texas from Alaska.


Oh geez!! Here we go on that crazy boat thing again! Great Aunt Donna will keep me safe though! The first PFD we purchased for Jack was not a hit with him. In fact he screamed as soon as it was on. We decided to try a different one, which works out much better for him. It is too funny though...as soon as the PFD goes on he is very serious (he won't crack a smile at all!), and as soon as it comes off he is all smiles again.


Jack made it through most of the fireworks before he fell asleep. We weren't sure what to expect with the loud noises, but he really enjoyed all the bright lights.


Jack was very interested in Great Uncle Dana's cell phone ring tones.


Here kitty, kitty, kitty! This was the first time that Jack has taken an interest in Grandpa and Grandma Dresel's three cats.


Thank goodness I am safe in the laundry basket! I think Louie likes to eat little baby toes!

Week Thirty One

Come on Mom! I can do this all by myself!


Where did all of my cereal go?


I like drinking from water bottles much better than sippy cups! Sippy cups are for babies! (As you can see Jack is into doing things by himself lately. Up until now he has been easy going like his dad. Now we are starting to see signs of mom...independent, or as most people say...stubborn!


Hanging out at the Brewers game with Jen. Jack LOVES hanging out with Ryan and Jen. His favorite thing to do is pull Jen's hair. He can't wait until Sunday when she comes over to watch him while Tom and I go out on a date to Summerfest!


Being at the Brewers game wears you out! My two boys couldn't even make to bed before falling asleep!


Jack and Emmie went to the "big kid" pool for the first time this week. They had a ton of fun watching all the older kids run around splashing. Just think...next summer that will be them!


Check out my new pool! Dad says it looks like a circus tent, but too small, so he calls it the flea circus! Anyone want to come over for a dip?


Airing out after a refreshing dip in the pool.


Can you tell how excited I am to go on the boat?


The Captain and his Skipper! I am sure this will be a regular sight in a few more years...once we pay off all Jack's diaper bills and can afford to get a boat of our own!


Wait! Dad we need to turn back...there were some hot babes back there!


While Jack took a little snooze in the cabin of the boat, Tom and I set out to see how much horse power the boat really had!


Yumm!!! I LOVE butter, just like Grandma Jane! (This is an inside joke...Tom can tell you that you never want to sit next to my mother at Thanksgiving dinner and ask her to put some butter on your potatoes!)