Five Week Checkup

Today marked week number five in my, thus far, totally awesome life.  My parents and I went to the office for a while this afternoon and good times were had by all.  Well, at least good times were had by me.  I mainly just cried and slept but it was still nice to get out for a while.

This afternoon was fun but this morning marked the real news.  I had my second doctors visit.  Prognosis: I’m a total stud!  That’s right.  They measured me up and down and I am off the charts awesome.  Now for a quick rundown of my bio:

• Height: 23 3/4 inches – 100th percentile…that’s right.  I’m taller than 100% of babies.  That means you!
• Weight: 11 pounds, 14 ounces – 97th percentile.  I know, you might say I’m slacking here allowing 3% to pass me up but I’m trying to keep trim.  Gotta keep that body mass index down to eliminate the flab!
• Head Circumference – 100th percentile.  When you’ve got a rockin’ bod like mine, it is only natural that you’re going to get a big head 😉

And now, feast your eyes on my giant, rippling muscles.  Ok, maybe they aren’t muscles yet but they will be one day.  Then you really better watch out!

Today was…

filled with a little of this.

and quite a lot of this.

Don’t give me too hard of a time though.  In the words of my favorite alternative rock band, R.E.M., “everybody hurts sometimes, everybody cries.”

Hit The Road Jack

Yep.  Yesterday, after my fun little interaction with Finley, I hit the road for the first time.  My parents and I headed out for our first road trip together.  We made the 90 minute drive over to Champaign-Urbana to see some of my extended family and some family friends.  My aunt Heather drove over with us and we took a nap together on the way.  Mom took this fun picture of us.  I know it looks like she’s choking me but I promise she’s helping.  My head was a little tipsy (lactose hangover?) so she was helping me keep my head up.  She helped me quite a bit but I’ve got one question.  Who’s going to hold her head up?

I Met A Girl

This morning was fun.  I got up to my normal, lactose heavy, breakfast and then I picked out a snazzy looking outfit to wear for the day.  The choice was important because just a few hours later I met my first ever cute girl. 

This is Finley Grace Ryder.  As you can see, she is a pretty good looking young woman.  She’s a little old for me (around 10 weeks old, but that is TWICE my age) but still, I had to give the sweet moves I’ve been working on a try.  This may be slightly embellished but our interaction went something like this.

 Jack: Hey Baby, what’s happening?  You are looking mighty fine this morning.

Finley: Excuuuse me?  Did you just call me baby?  I happen to be a fully developed 10 week old young woman.  Do not assume just because I’m looking all cute that you can come over and treat me with disrespect.

Jack: Oh boy.  Sheesh!

Finley: What?  You can talk the hand son because my face is done listening… Bo Ya!

Now I know.  Girls are trouble…at least when you try to hit on them.  Other than that short interaction though we had a quite pleasant time together.  Her parents are really nice and she was pretty cool too, as long as we didn’t talk.  I could stare into her eyes forever though.  Or at least until I get tired…or hungry…or maybe if I got really bad gas.

Behind the Scenes: Week 3/4

It’s been a few weeks since I posted any of my behind the scenes pictures.  Every so often I try to give everyone a glimpse of what you may not have seen posted here.  For every great photo you see of me there are lots of others that didn’t quite make the cut.  They aren’t all flattering either.  One afternoon last week, I’d had a little too much milk and sort of passed out on the floor.  I’m not proud but the photos don’t lie.

Check out my portfolio from week three and week four (a.k.a. lots of pictures of me!)

 

A Big Dinner!

I had an interesting new experience today.  Around dinner time tonight I sat down with Dad to eat.  That may sound normal to all of you but it was a first for me.  Mom has done an AMAZING job of taking care of me and lately she’s even worked overtime to make sure I’ve got all I need.  I’d been doing so good that Mom & Dad thought I could try a bottle and I think it really well.  Mom and Dad were actually pretty surprised at how much I can put down.  I ate twice as much as they thought I would! 

What can I say?  I’m good.  I’ll be sending in my registration for the Future Competitive Eaters of America in the morning.  Look out Kobayashi, here I come!

Happy Birthday…

to ME!  That’s right, I’m one month old as of this exact minute.  It’s been a whirlwind few weeks with lots of new experiences and great friends. 

Mom and Dad watched the video of my original birthday today and then we had a little cake to celebrate.  Well actually, I can’t have cake yet so Mom had some cake for me.  I figure it’ll make it’s way to me eventually.

Basketball Mania

Every year at my Mom & Dad’s office they have a little NCAA Tournament Bracket Contest.  It is open to all staff members and their families so I thought I’d jump in and give it a try this year.  It is AWESOME!  Our family has the trifecta so far.  My mom is in third place in the contest, my dad is in second place and I am in first!  That’s right, I’m beating people more than 600 times my age (literally, I did the math) without breaking a sweat.  Out of 26 entries, we’re the top three.  What a family!

It’s too late to benefit from all of my amazing basketball wisdom when making your own picks but I thought I’d share them in case you’d like to know how the rest of the tournament is going to turn out.  It’s a lock. 

Baby Skillz

Today was a pretty quiet day.  I went to church with Mom & Dad again.  Slept through the sermon…again.  But they say that is ok for now.  I promise I’ll do better when I get older.

This afternoon I took my first real nap in my room and slept in my sweet crib.  I’ve got lots of buddies in there.  I can’t ever seem to get close to them but I like starring at them (especially my Illini bear…still sad about last Thursday though).  I even checked out my rock(a-bye)’in mobile. 

As you can see from the picture below, one of my many awesome skills is the ability to blend in with my environment.  I thought I’d show my face for a minute just so Mom & Dad could get a picture but otherwise I’d still be hiding in there.  It’s nice to have cool skills like that because you know, “Girls only like boys who’ve got skills.”  (Thank you Napoleon Dynomite for all of your great advice on life.)

Dad is Back!

Dad was gone most of the day today.  Mom and I finished up our first overnight alone together and I thought Mom did great.  We got up this morning and played.  Then we went for a walk, took a bath, sang some songs (kum-ba-ya anyone?) before doing a little house work.  Well…Mom did a little house work.  I pretty much just laid there drooling.  Fun times for all.

It was good to get Dad back home tonight.  I was pretty sleepy but he held me for a while and told Mom and I about the trip.  Sounds like it went great. 

I didn’t get to see him while he was gone but Mom and I emailed him a bunch of pictures of what we were up to.  Here is one of the ones we sent him this morning right before we went for our walk.