Jack showing his team spirit

Ever since Gina told me that she was pregnant using a Notre Dame onesie, I've been looking forward to the day that we could get Jack his own Notre Dame football jersey. He's now walking and ready for his first tackle and looking especially handsome in his 2T #3 Notre Dame jersey!

Dear Coach Kelly, We're willing to host a dinner whenever you'd like to come recruit Jack. He's already got a high rating compared to peers, he's got a ton of energy, is smart as a whip, and loves destroying everything (including Wolverines). We're pretty confident he'd make a great running back or linebacker. We'll be looking for that #1 rating in the Rivals class of 2028!

Jack lining up to make the tackle


Practicing to Cheer, Cheer


Practicing his run out the tunnel

Jack's first birthday and cake!

This week we celebrated a huge milestone in Jack's life (and let's be honest, his parents' lives as well). We all made it a year. All of those late nights and early mornings early on have paid off in droves for the three of us.

Last August, we knew of parenting from books and friends, but it's a whole new ballgame truly living that life day in and day out. Jack has grown so much and still astounds us every day with how much he's learning and growing. It's funny to think back on some of the mini-milestones throughout the year and now looking back and remembering how excited we were that he was able to push himself up to a crawling position. Now he's running all over the house, chasing the cat and dog!

We also celebrated the first time Jack had sugar as he got to enjoy his smash cake. He is Jay's son after all, so it's no surprise he dove in like a champ. On his birthday, Gina got him a cake to prep for the coming weekend party and get his first taste of chocolate. He loved it, and made bathtime that night especially fun.

Jack began the evening with his tribute to Mickey Mouse (but the ears didn't last long)


The obligatory "before" shot so you can see what the birthday cake looked like


About halfway through, Jack made his solute to chocolate


The obligatory "after" shot


"Hey dad, is there any more?"


"Thank you for the yummy cake mommy!"

Look who's walking

Jack has decided that it's time to give mom and dad another heart attack. It's walking time!!

I took him to a playgroup on Saturday morning and just like he'd been doing it for weeks let go of a standing toy and took a few steps. I about died. Seriously? THIS is where he picks to take his first steps??? I didn't have my camera, my phone was across the room and Jay wasn't there. The girls all cheered and he smiled so we've decided that since he was the only boy in a room filled with a dozen girls and their moms that he was just showing off.

I got home and told Jay so we kept our phones around just to see if he would do it again. I just happen to get this on video, it's not that great and it's only a couple of steps but it's still considered walking.


I know it looks like we never have him fully clothed but I promise you we do. Around the house it's easier for him to just wear whatever or just a diaper. He's a very messy eater so his shirt comes off during food time and sometimes it doesn't get put back on. We've also had the hottest summer on record so we try and keep him as cool and comfortable as we can.

He's still building his confidence so he only gets a couple of steps but he's coming along quickly.

Today I get home from work and walk in the door only to be greated by Jack holding Jays hand and walking like a big little man. I quickly put my stuff down and had to get in on the action. Can you tell that Jay dressed him for daycare?

I love how he reaches for Dexter at the end. They are going to be best buddies as they both grow.

If I keep pushing him down will he stop walking? I'm not ready for him to grow up. I love my wonderful happy baby. Babies don't walk.

Splash park fun!

We took Jack to the splash park for the first time and he had a ball!

First he and Kensington played some.

From 4th of July Splash Pad

He crawled around for a while and found the drain.

From 4th of July Splash Pad

Then he discovered the water spouts and it was all over.

From 4th of July Splash Pad

From 4th of July Splash Pad

He just loves the way it feels on his hands.

From 4th of July Splash Pad

From 4th of July Splash Pad

He gets so excited he takes his hat off.

From 4th of July Splash Pad

Then he stole this bucket from some other kid. Don't worry we gave it back and he even played with the little boy some.

From 4th of July Splash Pad

Then he went and played with more spouts.

From 4th of July Splash Pad

It was a good day and after we went and had dinner and he took a very long nap the second we got into the car. He slept well that night.

Jack at the beach

Every year a bunch of friends and I head to Port A for a long weekend. We go the weekend after Father's Day and I've been going for about 5 years. It's funny to see how it's changed and grown over time. This year there were about 50 people who went. Jay and I stayed away from or "normal" place but I think we'll have to get closer to everybody next year.

Jack had a blast. We stopped about half way at Jack in the Box to eat but I think Jack was just ready to be there.

From First trip to the beach

The first day out he was amazed by everything. He was such a good sport and never cried once while we were out there. First he played with the sand.

From First trip to the beach

Then he tried to eat it but it didn't taste very good.

From First trip to the beach

This was the first year that Jack's Godfather didn't go. We missed him but he bought Jack a very special present. He loved it and felt like a big boy sitting in it all weekend. It was his special chair and if you couldn't tell Josh is an LSU fan and slowly trying to convert Jack.

From First trip to the beach

The first night we went to a shrimp broil with some friends and he got to try Cheetos for the first time. Jay and I don't allow any junk food yet so this was a real treat.

From First trip to the beach

He was such a fan that even when he fell out of his chair he saved his Cheeto.

From First trip to the beach

He did get lots of cuddles from Ms. Haley.

From First trip to the beach

Since they kept putting Cheetos in his cup holder he keeps checking all cup holders for more.

From First trip to the beach

He did get some cuddle time in with Aunt Melody (his Godmother)the next day so it was all good.

From First trip to the beach

He also got Doritos for the first time too.

From First trip to the beach

He kept tasting the sand hoping it would taste better but it never did.

From First trip to the beach

He got some more play time with Aunt Melody.

From First trip to the beach

He even got buried in the sand a few times. Haley and Rena made him a mermaid.

From First trip to the beach

He was able to grab a couple of quick naps on the beach.

From First trip to the beach

The last day on the beach he got washed off and a new diaper so he slept for a bit longer.

From First trip to the beach

After he woke up he had snacks with dad.

From First trip to the beach

He also had sugar free Jello for the first time. He was in LOVE!

From First trip to the beach

We played in the water some more.

From First trip to the beach

He mainly wanted to hang out with the girls.

From First trip to the beach

Yup, he's already checking out girls too.

From First trip to the beach

We did make sure he got something healthy in when we got back to the condo. He loves blueberries and strawberries.

From First trip to the beach

The next morning we told him we were going home and he made a break for the beach again.

From First trip to the beach

From First trip to the beach

Not 5 mintues after we got in the car he was fast asleep.

From First trip to the beach

He only slept for about 45 mintues then he "talked" to us the entire way home. He's so easy to travel with and so well behaved, he was the hit of the beach and everybody loved playing with him. He just takes everything in stride and observes.

Jack with his walker

Lately our little crawler has been more and more eager to stand and even dance everywhere he goes. Before now he'd only ever really loved playing with the dials on the front side of his walker, but now he's realizing what else he can use it for. We're not ready for this!

It's really cute how proud of himself he is when he realizes he's starting to walk with it



Then he walked over to say hi to mom and then crawled over to say hi to dad



And finally, he experiences his first taste of traffic with Mr. Bill being the only casualty of the collision. He was safely able to crawl away from the accident

Silly afternoon with dad

Jack definitely inherited his goofy side from Jay. After work one day the two of them started to wrestle and give each other raspberries and we just happened to film the silliness: