5 Months (and 10 Days)

So I meant to post this on Jack's 5-month birthday, but it's a little busy around here these days! Jack is checking off the milestones left and right here - trying new foods, pushing out some teeth, rolling over, and just generally being the cutest baby in the whole world.

Not a fan of banana (yet!)

Two little teethies poking through!

Jack has started rolling over from front to back - here's a quick video:

And here's a slo-mo photo stream:

Bouncing Baby Boy

Jack has spent more time in the bouncy seat than Ryan did (at this age he was already in the Exersaucer) but he's starting to get strong enough to give himself a good bounce.

I think my string bean is just destined to have high water pants - if I go up a size for the length, the waist is too big and the pants slide right off (or, in the case of overalls, the extra fabric on the sides gets in the way of his hands).

Mangia Mangia!

I decided to see if Jack was ready for solid food - he's been reaching for our spoons and forks and watching intently when we eat, though his neck strength is still a little weak. He has already had rice cereal in his bottles (per the pediatrician and Operation Make Jack Fat), so I wasn't worried about him tolerating it. Oh boy, was he ready!

Wait, what's big brother eating? Can I have some grapes?

Yoo-hoo, Mama - put down the camera and FEED MEEEEEEEE

Not fast enough with the spoon, so I'll chew on your finger

Still not fast enough, so I'll chew on MY fingers

Oh, thank God. There's the spoon - finally!!

Yeah, it's alright...

One Fine Day

Just another Saturday morning with two adorably rambunctious (Ryan's new word) boys.

Helping Daddy fix the sink

If it's a sunny day, there must be baby clothes drying on the line!

Supervising the final sink pipe fitting

Next, a trip to the park

Jack's First Dip in the Pool

We took Jack to our favorite rec center, where Ryan has had most of his swimming experience and where we hosted his (and David's) 2nd birthday party. Jack seemed to enjoy the warm water, and Ryan had a blast splashing around with Daddy.

Ryan and David spent a lot of time exploring the pirate ship with its water cannons and fountains.

Our partners in crime, David and James

The real reason we love this pool:

Shuggeling

It's a well-known axiom in Colorado that if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes... or, in this case, a week. Here's Ryan helping Daddy "shuggel" (shovel) the dirt in the garden on January 27 (breaking up big clods so the compost and snow can better work into the soil). It was about 65 degrees and Ryan was thrilled to be playing in the mud.

Battle scars - he pitched face-first into the bathroom door jamb that morning, earning the bright red bruise on his forehead. Yes, that is dirt on his lips (and I think he actually has a rock - or four - in his mouth at this point).

Jack came outside after his nap, but at that point it was getting a little chilly and he was not impressed. He digs Mama's new glasses, though! (yes, my hair is unintentionally too short!)

And here's Ryan helping Daddy shovel snow a week later after work. I'm inside getting dinner ready and taking photos from the warmth of the living room!

Grandma Fleming bought him snow boots that light up when he walks, but he kinda has to stomp to get them to flash. He's a really good stomper now.

Winter is really here now, and Ryan seems to have overcome his distaste for snow (we haven't tried sledding again, though). Here's Sam and Ryan shoveling MORE snow.

Furry Friend

Peter cat is oddly unafraid of Jack - perhaps he realizes that the baby doesn't move as fast as Ryan, and can't yet tackle him. Jack does still manage to come away with fistfuls of hair, though, which Peter doesn't seem to mind (any attention is good attention, right, Furbaby?)

Look at that double chin - Operation Make Jack Fat is working!