Working it out

Almost overnight, Jacob's voice got turned on like a switch. He is babbling and sputtering up a storm. It is amazing to watch him, actively figuring out how to make new noises. Every minute is a new exploration.

Cute

A message from Hank and Stella:

Jacob is NOT the only cute creature around Team Jost HQ and nor is he the only one who needs naps and cuddles.

Thank you very much.

3 videos from today

Mr. Kicky McKickerson, moments before falling dead asleep in the middle of a meal.

I will eat you. I will eat your face.

Jacob has, out of nowhere, started growling like a bear. Not sure if it's mucus or just a fun sound, but he does it all the time. The doc says he isn't stuffed up or congested at all, so we choose to just make fun of him and call him our Growly Bear. You can hear a little of it in the first few seconds of this video.

And that was our day.

Storytime

I've been invited a couple times to do a storytime at a Barnes and Nobel through my company, The New Victory Theater. It's really a wonderful opportunity to hone my storytelling skills outside the classroom. The most amazing and fun part is, of course, the chance to have my own little bean in the audience. What a privilege!

Fall Fun

It is clear that Jacob is quickly approaching his 6-month mark. He is growing by leaps and bounds, constantly making discoveries about his body and the world around him. He is wanting to stand and sit (with help, of course). No more baby-cradling for this young man! The feet are ALWAYS in the mouth, and if they aren't, about three toys are. He always wants to be on move and seems to realize that there IS such a thing as mobility and is kind of frustrated that he can't achieve it just yet. He's started occasionally flipping over from his back to stomach, but not with any predictability. And he can't seem to remember that he can go from front-to-back and back-to-front at the same time, so the log-rolling is still an elusive goal.

Jacob is so very, very incredibly social. He loves being around friends and having visitors - he rarely will fuss if there is a new fun person there to play with. He's a very laid back and quiet baby, but he is not shy and will shower friends and strangers alike with endless smiles. He is absolutely over the moon about other babies, whether it's the baby in the bathroom mirror or his play-date friends. I really need to spend more time getting him to social baby events on a regular basis. Yesterday he hung out with his older friends Adam and Quinn for about 15 minutes (wise elders of almost 8 months old!) and within minutes his sitting skills and vocalization shot through the roof. It's as if he were inspired by them!

Every day is a joy and delight. I am exhausted and exhilarated every evening. I can't believe what a big and strong little man he is turning into!

Spooooooky...

Jacob's first Halloween was a week-long affair. There was, first, the trip to the Botanic Gardens, which we had pictures up of last week. Then, on Friday, our dear friends Victoria and Adam hosted a party for our play-group. The mommies sipped cider and ate candy corn, and the babies tumbled all over each other in their adorable costumes. The attempts to capture all 9 kids in one picture was...interesting...given that half of them can't sit up yet and Jacob got a little freaked by all the big kids rolling around him, but cute nonetheless.

Then Jacob and I went to the lake with Brad and Michelle and enjoyed a relaxing weekend of hanging out in a moose suit while Daddy had to stay home and work. We missed him terribly, but not so much that we couldn't have a little bit of fun.

The Trials of Hank

If only Zach hadn't been too distracted to come to his aid...sigh...Hank has to do everything himself these days.