Happy 60th Birthday, Gu-Gu!

We want to wish Scott's Mom (or Gu-Gu) a Happy 60th Birthday! We were able to spend the day with her yesterday and had a great time as always. Only more fun in the years to come!

We Love You!!

Following in Daddy's Footsteps

When I picked Jack up from school last Monday, his teacher suggested that we buy him new shoes (and I quickly felt like a bad Mom). He is now a confident walker and needs something with a little more support. We took a trip to Stride-Rite yesterday and got him measured - Yes, I was that nerdy Mom taking pictures! He loved walking around and picking up all the shoes - he might have his Dad's love of shoe shopping! We picked out a pair that we liked (and quickly emptied $50 from our pockets - crazy!) and watched him wobble at first getting used to them. What a big boy!

We chose the kind with VELCRO - I am amazed that they even make shoes for little guys that have ties! What crazy Mom would want to re-tie those suckers 80 times a day? No Thanks!

Hard to do

Simply put, Jack is not a stellar napper. When we had his first Parent/Teacher conference a couple of weeks ago (I know, funny for an 11 month old); this is the only real "item to work on" that his teacher touched upon. He fights tooth and nail and usually only lasts 45 minutes. Scott and I have not helped things by routinely laying down with him when we are home or rocking him to a dead sleep. So...we decided that we needed to try the Ferber Method of gradual extention. We have done it for 2 days and nights with some result. Here is a picture of Jack after the first night of 3 rounds, 10 minutes each. He finally gave in, but it was SO HARD for Mommy. He had great naps yesterday - 1 1/2 hours and 3 hours, so I think it is for the best...



P.S. Last night, I gave in after 45 minutes and cuddled him to sleep...so sue me.

A Great Holiday Ending

My dad took offense when I said in an earlier post that "my Dad is coming this weekend and I am ready for the holidays to be over." I did not intend that - we had a great time this weekend! As usual, it was filled with laughter and good conversation...we included a new game this year - Table Topics - which brought in some interesting results...or maybe it was the whiskey?

Jack loves his new John Deere 4-wheeler!

Thanks, Dad, Ellen & Kensi for traveling up here for a great time! (But, I am ready for the "normal" schedule to begin...)

Ringin' in '09

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE WALTI'S!

We spent NYE '09 at The Ludwig's (Thanks, E!) with some of our closest friends. Jack attended his first dinner party and did a pretty good job of engaging with the guests and entertaining them with his pointing and walking. We will see what 2009 brings, but I am guessing that it will be less eventful than 2008 for our family!

As much as I don't want my baby to grow up, I am looking forward more "Jack Firsts" in '09 - running, throwing a ball, first haircut, first real words, first active summer...it will be fun!

Ellen, Kate and me