Laundry Lover?

It may seem crazy to some, but I actually don't really mind laundry. My least favorite part is probably the putting away and hanging up, but really it's a pretty mindless task. Believe it or not most days, I'd rather do laundry than cook! I'm sure there are others out there who get a little high from having an empty dirty clothes hamper. Anyway, I'm not yet sure if Jack has taken after me or not, but I'm trying to break him in early. I've discovered that one of my laundry baskets is the perfect fit for him.

The basket is a great place for him to sit while I load the machine or move things from the washer to the dryer. The high sides are great for him to sit up against and since he's still learning to sit up, he's got that little bit of support that he needs to keep from toppling over. Anyway, I got several funny shots of him sitting in the basket the other day. Maybe he'll be a laundry lover like his mom!

Halfway to One!

It's hard to believe, but our little guy is officially half a year old. As of Wednesday, Jack is six months old. I know everyone told us it would happen so fast, but I think it's something you have to experience yourself. When you are in the moment, it doesn't seem to go that fast. Looking back, however, you think, "wasn't he just born a few weeks ago?"

To celebrate our little milestone, Josh suggested we get half a cake. As silly as it sounded, I had to agree...I do like cake! Anyway, to avoid the ridiculousness of describing what we were planning to a baker, I just threw together a box cake, which turned out pretty well.

We took the half cake (and cupcakes made with the rest of the batter) to church to share with friends after Wednesday night supper. The kids enjoyed the cupcakes and Josh and I along with our dedicated friends the Yorks gobbled up most of the cake. We did it for Jack. The Yorks have a 2-month-old, so we're already looking forward to doing this again in the fall! I like the picture that looks like he's reaching for the cake! Not for 6 more months, buddy!

More about Sunday & Our Memorial Day Fun

Today was Memorial Day and we spent the day together. We rested from our road trip on Sunday, which included visits to both of my grandparents. We had dinner at Grandaddy & Mimi's for my mom's birthday, which was earlier this month. Josh and I talked about the food all the way home...Mimi is such an excellent cook. I have to remember to get her recipe for sweet potatoes. I also have to remember to keep Jack away from them or he'll never eat that stuff from the jar again! In between great grandparents, we visited Stacie and Terri.

It had been a couple of weeks since the girls had seen little Jack and they were eager to squeeze and cuddle him. When we arrived at Stacie's we found the two of them playing Combat on the old Atari console. That's right...Atari! Stacie quickly gave up her seat to Josh and selflessly offered to play with Jack! It was great to catch up with the girls and hopefully they will be coming for a visit soon!

After a pretty no-fuss day today, we joined some good friends for a cook-out. The Yorks hosted a great party and everyone had a wonderful time. They introduced us to Cornhole, which I promise is a very innocent game (much like horseshoes or golfshoes to those that know that game!) Here are a couple of shots from the festivities!

Josh & Jack enjoying the party

Merideth and Andrew taking in the festivities

Josh dominating his first CornHole competition

Tori & Noah enjoying the party

Smack!

What a fun week this has been. Not only did Jack start vegetables (see previous post), but he also has taken to giving kisses, which is both cute and hilarious. We noticed a few days ago that after he had received kisses from us, he would put his mouth on our face. Then, on Sunday we headed down to Athens to have dinner with the family and he really showed off at Grandaddy & Mimi's house. He literally grabs your face with his hands and puts his mouth on your face and rubs it back and forth. Here's my mom getting a Jack smack!

While we were in Winterville, we also stopped and visited with Papa (Jack's great grandfather). Jack was so interested in watching him talk and was content to just sit next to him and observe. It was pretty neat to see the two of them together. I was able to get a great photo. Jack is getting so close to sitting up, which makes picture taking so much easier.

My Uncle Bill and Aunt Elizabeth who live in New Mexico are also visiting for a few weeks, so we were able to spend some time with them. They had not seen Jack since early January when he was just over a month old. So, needless to say he had changed a great deal and was a little bit heavier since the last time they were here. Jack loved the colorful print on Elizabeth's shirt and was fascinated by her eyeglasses.

VeggieTales

Last Monday, we started our own veggie tales with Jack trying out his first bites of squash. It was pretty much an instant hit. He's a big fan of food, but if you know us I guess that's no surprise. This weekend, we added sweet potatoes and of course his love for those was just as intense. Josh and I have been very pleased at what a good eater our little one is, and for the most part not too messy. Some days he manages to get it in his hair, but mostly he keeps it pretty clean. I'm also learning quickly that these foods stain on almost everything!

Jack also enjoyed a mid-week visit from his Grandma this week. My mom had the opportunity to take some time off of work and guess where she decided to spend her day off? At our house! Grandma Jan was kind enough to sit with Jack for a bit while I went and had my hair trimmed and picked up a few groceries. It was great having her here. We also got to have lunch with Josh.

Jack and I spend a lot of time together during the day, so it's no surprise that I'm not quite as entertaining as his dad. I have accepted the fact that he's the "fun one," and I'm the "food one!" I won't complain though...I do enjoy capturing the many laughs, smiles and other expressions Jack displays during "daddy time."

Jack's First Parade

This Saturday was the Mountain Laurel Festival in Clarkesville. I was looking forward to checking out the festivities (no pun intended) and see if it was on par with the good ole Marigold Festival. It was pretty much the same type of small town festival that I was used to...minus the long line of corvettes from the Marigold parade! Jack seemed to enjoy the parade and watched with me for a little while.

Later Ms. Martha (a friend from church) spotted her favorite baby and wanted to get some cuddling in. We watched a little closer to the action, which Jack enjoyed until the fire truck siren came by. It was way too loud for him. He got very upset. Luckily by that time, the parade was near ending and we were ready to walk into town.

After lunch from the food vendors in the park we watched some of the older kids take in the activities. Here is a great picture of Madeline and Hailey, some friends from church. We had a great time at our first Mountain Laurel Festival. Discussions are in the works for a MOPS float/walk in next year's parade. Can't wait!

Hitting the Links

Jack had his first outing on the golf course on Tuesday. Josh's great friend, Ben, came up for the afternoon and they played a round at Apple Mountain. The weather was perfect and Jack was a pretty good rider. In between holes he enjoyed goofing around on the seat of the golf cart!

It wasn't long before he found that I would be a nice place for a snooze. Although with the mountainous course...it's pretty amazing that he stayed asleep. It was quite a bumpy ride at times.



Jack sure seemed to enjoy himself. So, I'm quite sure it was just the first of many trips to the course with his dad. I'm keeping Josh in check though...no clubs until he can at least walk!!

Extra, extra...read all about it!

Well, Jack is an official celebrity in the big community of greater Habersham...lol! He was featured in the Habersham Living section of our local newspaper The Northeast Georgian on Tuesday. We're so proud! Of course you avid blog readers have already seen this picture a few weeks ago...but enjoy again!

Philadelphia...the City of "Motherly" Love?

This weekend was our big trip to Philadelphia for Carsten & Sarah's wedding. Carsten is a friend of Josh's from high school and he asked Josh to serve as a groomsman. Although I was a little bummed about being away from home on my first Mother's Day...it turned out to be a perfect day and a fabulous weekend. Ironically, Mother's Day was first celebrated/invented in Philadelphia, and this year was the 100th anniversary of the holiday and its origins. Cool, huh?

Jack did fabulous on his first flight. He was a real trooper in the air and on the ground as we jetted around the streets of Philly. Josh's parents were also there to attend the wedding so we enjoyed getting to spend time with them as well. Friday evening saw a brief rehearsal and a delicious dinner at an Asian fusion restaurant, Susanna Foo. It was excellent.

On Saturday, we had breakfast with the Garretts and then got ready for the ceremony. The church was really beautiful, like something in a movie. There was a bit of time between the ceremony and reception (which was back at our hotel). So, Jack and I, along with Grandmommy & Grandaddy did some window shopping. They had some very cute children's clothing boutiques. But, who wants to pay $36 for a onesie that will inevitably end up covered in spit up or poo? Not me! The reception was a lot of fun with fabulous food and dancing. Josh and Carsten both sang with the band. Carsten doing his best Patrick Swayze and Josh performing his usual James Brown tune. The lead singer for the band was incredibly impressed. We captured it all with Grandmommy's video camera.
On Sunday, we wrapped up our obligations with a wedding party brunch and then set off to do some sightseeing before having to catch our plane back to Atlanta. Josh had plans of surprising me with a walk to the historical monument commerating Mother's Day, but we couldn't find it. I asked an intelligent-looking police officer, who seemed to not have any idea what I was talking about...go figure! Needless to say we were exhausted once we arrived home last night, but it was an unforgettable first mother's day! Thanks, Jack & Josh!

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

May has arrived and with it the celebration of Cinco de Mayo! Thanks to our wonderful friends the Shaws, we indulged in a fiesta of epic proportions...complete with three-meat burritos, homemade salsa/bean dip, chocolate chimichangas ala mode and a pinata! I'm not sure who had more fun with the pinata...the little ones or the big ones? Either way...I left knowing I will soon attempt to make Joni's delicious salsa/bean dip and Merideth's incredible chocolate chimichangas!! Here I am ready to show that pinata who's boss!

Of course, the best part of the evening were the great moustaches and sombreros Merideth pulled out! What a hit with everyone...although Tate and Jack were the only ones to bravely wear them! We got some great photos. Here's one with Jack and Joni, but there are a few more in the May photos folder (link to the right). What a night. Thanks, Shaws! I hope we can return the favor soon.

Happy Birthday, Grandma...I'm All In!

On Friday, the whole Giles clan gathered at our house to celebrate Grandma Jan's birthday. The festivities were complete with savory barbeque pork, Josh's homemade brunswick stew, baked beans, potato salad, homemade ice cream and both birthday cookie and brownies! It was a lovely evening and we enjoyed dinner on the deck. We were thankful for the nice weather.

After dinner, we gathered inside for a friendly game of poker. It was definitely friendly since no money was exchanged, which also meant everyone was a lot riskier than if their chips had actually been assigned some value. Anyway, it wasn't long before Jack was being introduced to the world of Texas Hold 'Em. Hopefully, Josh and I can keep him away from the tables until he's legal! It was a fun night.

How we spend our days...

Jack and I are enjoying getting out and enjoying this beautiful weather. Sometimes, it's a walk around our neighborhood and other times it is a stroll with friends at the park. When we are out running errands, we enjoy stopping by and seeing Josh on his lunch break. Often times I'll pack a lunch for us to eat. It's always a treat for both Josh and Jack to see each other in the middle of the day. Since Josh can't always make it home for lunch, it's a great way to spend time together. Here they are hanging out during a recent lunch break.

Wednesday was my first MOPS Steering Team meeting. MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. Preschoolers means birth to kindergarten. It meets on Fridays during the school year at our church. The mom who served as Publicity team leader is stepping down as she welcomes another baby in the fall. So, I agreed to take over the Publicity functions of the group. I'm really looking forward to getting more involved. It is an incredibly fun group and our coordinator works really hard to make it a meaningful ministry!

On Friday, Jack had some friends over to play! Micah and Noah came over to play while their mommy, Tori, went to the doctor. They are so well behaved and play so well together. Jack was pretty content to watch them play. He enjoyed watching all the activity. Micah was very sweet to Jack. Micah and Noah live just a few miles away and go to our church. Tori and I sit at the same table at MOPS.