Florida Fun

We had a great time in Florida last weekend. The weather was great, except for Monday. Jacob got in lots of swimming between family events. We learned that Jake isn't up for Shabbos services yet, but luckily, Bubby's synagogue has a great playground, complete with infant swings. Jacob would have loved to spend all afternoon swinging! Jacob also had his first potato pancake at TooJay's and he loved it!

Crawling around before synagogue.

L-R Mama, Jacob, Mommy, Uncle Adam, Bubby on our way to synagogue.

Swinging!

Gotta have shades.

Swimming!

I'm crawling, I'm crawling!

We've been waiting for this moment for a long time! The physical therapist said he could skip it, but we really wanted to see him crawl and he's finally obliged us. He's also pulling up to kneel! Here's some video:

We're heading to Florida on Friday for my cousin's Bat Mitzvah. We're looking forward to seeing family and getting some swimming in. Jacob's got some more teeth coming in - pre-molars. This guy's got a mouth full of teeth!

Hey Ma, Watch me swim!

Jacob started swimming lessons with Caroline a few weeks ago. He loves it! He's going to be just like his Pappa Jack who swam in college.

Swimming lessons focus on propulsion (kicking) as pictured in the first video, buoyancy (floating on his back) as pictured in the second video, and breath control (blowing bubbles and holding his breath). Jacob seemed to enjoy all of it, but sometimes he wasn't into going under water. I think mostly it was due to wanting a nap (see video 2). The pool is a heated saltwater pool. There were four other babies taking lessons too! He should be swimming in no time.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Wow, Jacob is one year old! I can't believe it. Bubby, Grandma, Grandpa, Pappa, Mom-mom, and Pop-pop all came in for the party.

Pappa, Mama, Jacob, Mommy

At his party he discovered his love of balloons.

All of Jacob's grandmothers - Grandma, Bubby, & Mom-mom.

Blowing out the candles. Not so sure about all the fire!

"So many toys, where do I get started?" (w/Aunt Marisa)

It was a great party. We're very grateful to our friends and family and everyone's generosity. Jacob is very loved and I'm sure he knows it too. Now we're bracing for toddlerhood!

Just Before I'm One

Well, this is the last week of Jacob's infancy. I can't believe a whole year has gone by.

This week Jacob started swimming lessons with Caroline. He had a blast! (I missed it but I hope to see it sometime.) He put his head underwater 5 times and didn't cry once! I think this is going to become a permanent activity.

Jacob continues his feeding endeavors. He is especially motivated by his mommies jumping up and down and clapping. We do that whenever he puts the spoon in his mouth. It's pretty funny.

We're looking forward to all the family arrivals coming up for his birthday party. We'll be sure to post lots of pictures. Here's a couple to tide you over.

Eating egg/spinach souffle. He loves it! He cleans his plate.

Just chillin'.

Me, Feeding Myself

Me, Feeding Myself

Hanging out in my pack 'n' play.

Jacob is two weeks from his first birthday. He's looking forward to his birthday party. I hope he doesn't sleep through it. Besides his ongoing quest to feed himself with a spoon (see above), not much is new in our world. We're getting a little cabin fever because the groundhog saw his shadow on Monday, guaranteeing 6 more weeks of winter. Here's picture:

Master of the Spoon

Jacob is feeding himself with a spoon! And I caught it on video! Recently, mealtime has been a struggle because Jacob wants to feed himself everything, even yogurt. Of course, he starts with putting his whole hand in the bowl which usually leads to some interesting food art on his table ... and on his shirt ... and on the floor ... and on his face. Caroline and I hold our tongues because it's all part of the learning process, but it's hard! So now he's got his own dishes and spoons which are designed to help him learn how to eat with utensils. When he's motivated, he can get a good four or five spoonfuls in his mouth. And in between his own bites, he takes some of ours.

In other news, Jacob is mastering his floor skills, rolling all around, getting up, laying down and crawling ... backwards anyway. We're in his last month of infancy. Next month - toddlerhood.