Big Birthdays

Last week my Grandma Cindy had a pretty big birthday. I won't say what, because I've been told women don't like to talk about their age. But we had some family over to help celebrate. My cousin Sophie and my Uncle Tanner came over. We had a blast!

Here's Uncle Tanner reading to me and Sophie while we're chillin' on my couch:

And here's me and Sophie playing in Claire's "tent":

And here's the birthday girl trying on her necklace that all her kids got her:

Happy Birthday Grandma Cindy!

Catching up...

Hey, everyone - thought I'd share some pictures from the archives with you...

Here's one from my birthday - yep, me and Jackson went for the icing a little early:

Here's one of me playing with something called shaving cream:

Here's one of me and my Uncle Colin playing on the computer:

And ladies, he's single - here's a headshot he had done just last week:

And to close things out, here's a picture of Claire (this post was a little Jack-centric):

Catch you later!

A Weekend Away

Well Daddy informed me that some people have been asking why I haven't blogged since last week. Mommy took Claire and me to Nana and Happy's house last Friday and we just got back last night. And while I have internet access over there, I was much too busy to think about blogging. Mostly I played outside in the sprinkler or on the slide, but let me give you a short play-by-play.

Saturday Mommy went to a baby shower for one of her old high school friends. She took Claire with her, but luckily, I got to stay at Nana's and nap. Here's Claire all dressed up to go:

That evening, we went to my Great-Grammie and Papa's house to go swimming. My Mommy's cousin Carter was there. He's the same age as my Uncle Tanner and I loved him! I ran right to him and crawled up on his lap. Maybe it was because he had my last name on his t-shirt.

And then Great-Grammie brought out a toy for me that ended all hopes of me going into the pool. So Mommy took it in the pool, but I still wouldn't go past the top step. My Great-Grammie heard that I peed on the potty once, so she bought me my first pair of big boy underwear. They have Cars on them and I'm super cute in them. She also bought me some training pants, but Mommy hasn't tried them out yet. I think she's discouraged because I throw a screaming fit every time I sit on the potty.Monday we went to Sam's Club and stocked up on diapers for me and formula for Claire. Boy wait 'til Daddy gets that bill! He can't understand how someone so small could cost so much. Mommy also stopped by Hallmark to see her friend Amanda. Luckily Nana was there to keep an eye on me because I wanted to touch everything in the store! Later that evening we went to Oklahoma to visit some more family. I was pooped that night, but I still wanted to play outside with Happy. And Tuesday I played in the sprinkler nearly all day. I was soaked!

We headed back to Poplar Bluff around naptime Wednesday. Claire and I slept the whole way home and Mommy didn't have to stop once. When we got home, I ran to my bedroom, crawled on my bed, burried my head in my pillows and said, "bed" in my most loving voice. There's no place like home.

To the Doctor's Office We Go...

Hi everyone! Today Claire and I went to Dr. Fernando's office. I had my 2-year checkup and she had her 2 month checkup and shots. I was actually excited to be there! I love to play in the little house they have in their waiting room. Mom always makes me wash my hands really good after I'm finished for some reason. Today I was playing with another little boy who was 2-years-old and he picked me up and pushed me out of the playhouse window. I was even bigger than him. He must be Superman's son or something. I got a nasty carpet burn on my forehead and his mommy didn't even tell my mommy "sorry."

I now weigh 29.5 pounds and am 35 inches tall. Dr. Fernando gave me two suckers (and I told him "two suckers") and then I counted to ten for him. He was very impressed! He drew a dinosaur on my hand for me. I guess it was to make up for the Hepatitis A vaccine that I got. And I thought I was done with shots until kindergarten. I didn't cry too much, though. Claire on the other hand...whoa! She wailed! But she did get stuck three different times. The doctor said she was a perfect little girl (I could tell him some stories that might make him think otherwise!). She had perfect reflexes, excellent strength, and excellent head control. She's also a porker. 13.1 pounds (95th percentile) and 23 inches (75th percentile) and her head circumference is in the 95th percentile, too. I'd better watch how much I torment her now because I'm afraid she's going to catch up to me quickly!

Claire awaiting the dreaded shots, my dinosaur tattoo, and Claire's 2 month picture:

Doctors and Gardens

Wednesday I had to go to St. Louis for one of my regular checkups at Children's Hospital. I've always been a really good traveler (partly thanks to Nana and Pappy for my portable dvd player!) and now I'm teaching Claire to be one, too. She didn't cry at all! Thank goodness, because I'm starting to get a little worried when she cries. I usually get Mommy or Daddy to tell them that "baby" is crying.

I had a bit of time between appointments, so Mommy and Grandma Cindy (who came along to help wrangle us kids) took me up to the rooftop garden at Children's. I loved running around and smelling the flowers! I even met a little boy that I tried to make friends with. He didn't seem very interested in me, though. Here I am "smelling" a flower:

Just being generally cute:

I thought this was a real frog!:

And by the way, the doctors think I'm perfect as always. Thanks for reading everyone!

A Fabulous Fourth

Jack here. This is my very first blog and Oh! what I have to talk about! This past weekend we celebrated Independence Day with lots of fun activities. The weekend started Friday morning with a parade downtown. Dad, Mom, Claire, and I sat on the curb waiting for the parade to start and I played with some weeds I found. This is a picture of us waiting for the parade to start:

I really liked watching all of the floats go by. I especially liked that they threw candy at me. Dad even let me have some Smarties and Tootsie Rolls! I thought the little cars were pretty funny and I really liked the horses.

When the parade was over, we all went to MaMa and PaPa Funke's house for swimming and bbq. The pool was a little bit cold, but that didn't stop me and Daddy from getting in. Even Claire put on her swimsuit, but Mommy wouldn't let her go out. She said it was too cold for babies.
Later that night, we all went to watch the big fireworks display in town. I was sick last year and didn't get to see the fireworks. This year, I was really impressed--at least for the first half of the show! I kept saying, "Wow!" And then I got bored and wanted to crawl up on the hood of the car to sit by my cousin Ethan.
On Saturday, Daddy wanted to get out of the house, so we all loaded in the car and went shopping. Mommy and Daddy didn't get anything, but Claire and I got lots of clothes. Too bad they're all for next summer! And then, later that night, I did the unthinkable. I peed in the potty for the very first time! I also got a little on the bathroom floor and rug, but Mommy wasn't too mad. She wanted to take a picture, but Daddy said that that was gross.

I have to get ready for bed now, but I promise to keep everyone updated on the happenings in my life. And Claire's too. Everyone seems pretty interested in her these days. Thanks for reading!