Teething Again

He may look cheerful in this photo, but teething has the opposite effect on Jack. The poor guy has been grinding his gums for weeks and drooling in mass quantities. Some more new teeth are ready to sprout... but they are taking their sweet time! Jack (and mom and dad) really, REALLY wish they'd hurry up!

He Knows His Name!

He finally has started responding to "Jack!" However, he already has demonstrated the art of selective hearing. If he is busy -- and he usually is:) -- you may have to call him again... and again... and again...

He also is starting to learn how to wave "hi" and "bye." He hasn't mastered the skill quite yet though... he waves most consistently at his own reflection. But, hey, baby steps, right?

And speaking of steps, Jack has become very adept at pulling himself up, and, once he's on his feet, he really wants to move. He can take a few steps (while supported by something, like the couch), though they're more like shuffles. He is getting ready to walk... but I don't know if Peter and I are ready!

Merry Christmas!

We're so sorry we didn't post this video sooner! Here's a look at Jack enjoying the Christmas tree (up close and personal).

He was particularly fond of the red garland and the shiny red ornaments in the shape of balls (which, thankfully, were made of plastic... because he pulled them down and batted them around the room).

All in all, it was a great first Christmas for Jack. He was spoiled rotten. He will be the best-dressed little boy at day care in 2011. And he has some awesome new toys. Big, big thanks to everyone who gave him such wonderful gifts!

After the Cookie...

...And this is what Jack looks like after sucking on his teething cookies (and smearing them on his face). Time for a bath?

Christmas (teething) Cookies

Jack is finally becoming less resistant to foods that do not have a mushy consistency. After taking down some high-priced organic mango and pear food, Jack chewed on a teething cookie.

At the Cracker Barrel...

The Cracker Barrel just outside of Elkton, MD (memories!) proved an excellent place for a pit-stop on the way home from New York. Jack had an opportunity to wiggle and people-watch, and Peter and I had a chance to fill up on some seriously awesome/cheap breakfast food and play that addictive peg-jumping game (if you've been, you know the game:-).

Here's a look at Jack sitting in his high chair, waving his straw around like a big boy.

O Christmas Tree

Jack slept through most of our visit to Rockefeller Plaza...

But we know he was moved by the Christmas spirit anyhow.

A Worm in the Big Apple

I'm not sure we've ever mentioned Jack's nickname -- Wiggle Worm -- on the blog before. We use it so frequently that we often have to consciously remind ourselves to call him Jack so he can learn his actual name (despite our best efforts, he may still think his name is "Wormy").

If you're wondering how he earned his name... well, come on over and try to strap him in a car seat or stroller, or try to put a coat and hat on him. You'll understand why the moniker fits:-).

Anyhow, this weekend, Jack/Wormy visited the great island of Manhattan for the first time. We stopped by Macy's and Rockefeller Plaza, as well as a restaurant that served Korean BBQ (Peter and Grandpa Steve were BIG fans).

The crowds in the city were INSANE -- seriously, the craziest we have ever seen. We could barely move inside Macy's, where Jack's eyes were as big as saucers. But we still had a lot of fun. Peter was sure Al Roker drove by us in a limo... and Grandpa Steve was sure he saw the guy who plays Jack McCoy from Law & Order (it wasn't).

Lights! Camera! Action!

It's the Patty Babb Variety Show!! We're coming to you live from the back of the Babb Honda Pilot! [Cue Applause]

This is a special occasion, folks! Patty is performing for a record amount of time! Jack woke up early en route to New York, and he wants to be entertained for the next 3 hours!

What can Patty do?

She sings! She dances! She plays peek-a-boo! She makes crazy faces, funny noises... and, well, basically makes a fool of herself!

She does whatever it takes...



















... when confronted with THIS face. The angry baby face. The I-hate-my-car-seat-and-I-hate-you face. The face that indicates that Peter and Patty have a finite window of opportunity to keep Jack from screaming wildly for the remainder of the ride.

$135 for Daycare Pictures!?!?!

In this video, Jack demonstrates what he really thinks about the $135 photo package offered by Teddy Bear Portraits, the scam artists that take pictures of all of the kids, show them to you, and then ask if you want to buy the package. Jack nearly shredded the flyer outlining the costs, but in the end, the scammers won.

Sitting in a Shopping Cart

Jack sat in a shopping cart sans car seat this weekend. He looked like such a big boy until he started licking the handle.

Christmas Lights

Jack doesn't fully appreciate our Christmas lights, but someday he'll be hanging off the roof with a stapler in hand!

Jack Loves Luis

It was really cute -- Jack just couldn't get enough of our friend Luis. Jack was very considerate and slept most of the time that Luis, Barb, Patty, and I feasted at Rabieng, a wonderful Thai restaurant. However, as soon as we got home Jack was on Luis like a tattoo on a sailor.

Santa is Coming!

Jack celebrated the start of the holiday season by wearing an impressively full white beard of yogurt.

Man vs. Food: Babb Edition

If you have heard Peter wax poetic about Chicago food, you won't be surprised to learn that our family has been anxiously awaiting the grand opening of ChiDogo -- a new restaurant in D.C. that offers two classics from my hometown: 1) a Vienna Beef hot dog (with a sesame bun!) and 2) Peter's beloved Italian beef sandwich.

During our first visit to ChiDogo this past weekend, Peter was feeling ambitious. He ordered a "Superior Street Combo" -- a big beef sandwich, a foot-long hot dog and fries. If he finished it in 20 minutes or less, his name would be added to the "Wall of Honor"...

Well, OF COURSE, he finished it. Did you have any doubt? In fact, he ate at a very leisurely pace, and he finished well before the timer went off. The Travel Channel's Adam Richman would have been proud.

While his dad was eating and loosening his belt a couple notches, Jack spent time banging on (and licking!) the restaurant's diamond-plate walls.

Gobble Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

A Puff Goes Down the Chute Successfully

Jack's love-hate relationship with solid foods continues. He is completely fascinated by it -- as evidenced by the photo in which he is biting on a dinner plate with carrots and dip -- but he gags whenever we put any textured food in his mouth. Whatever flavor it might be.

Ah -- but the "we" is the key, it seems. In the past, WE have put the food in his mouth. If it's our idea, he hates it. But if its HIS idea, well... that's different.

Jack Strategically Holds His Toys

No one hates people looking at his 'junk' more than Jack. You'll note in this picture, and in the previous video, Jack's private parts are not visible.

Fun in the Bath with Special Sound Effects!

Jack has lots of fun in the bath - it's a great place for him to blow off some steam before bed. He has been making lots of new sounds with his mouth as of late. Listen closely -- the strange sound at 52 seconds comes from Jack's mouth. The very similar sound at 60 seconds does not.

Fun with Shapes

I don't know what this toy is called, but, we have two of them (thanks Steve S. and Katie T.!), and they are terrific. Jack loves playing with both and and has gotten pretty adept at moving the different shapes along the wires.

A Young Liberace

Jack loves playing with the piano. Yes, I typed that correctly. He's really not interested in tickling the ivory, he'd rather flip it over and beat on it like a bongo!

Teething with Envy

Jack wants to put everything he encounters in his mouth. Hair? Check! Dust bunnies? Check! Telephones? Check!

Dinner plates are no exception.

Best Hat Ever

I've written before about funny hats for babies -- they are the BEST. I am not sure who gave us this particular hat -- it definitely was a hand-me-down -- but its fabulous. So hilarious. It looks like an old-fashioned football helmet.

Jack has learned how to pull it off his head, unfortunately... but, thankfully, the other day, I managed to snap a photo of him wearing it while he was too sleepy to do much about it. Love it so much.

Missing Home

Greetings from Las Vegas! I am in town for a work conference, and I am seriously home-sick. Love it or hate it, I think everyone who has visited Las Vegas can agree: No one needs to spend FIVE days in this city -- that's about three days too long.

And I am missing lots of fun at home! Peter wrote to me the other day to tell me that Jack was giving him lots of kisses (a kiss from Jack is basically a lick, but its still super cute). The end of the week can't get here fast enough!

When Jack Sips, You Sip, We Sip!

We've started trying to convince Jack to drink from something other than a bottle -- the much more advanced Sippy Cup. He has embraced the new drinking tool, but only because he enjoys chewing on the spout. The spit-up on Jack's shirt is actually notable, it's yogurt. We gave Yo-Baby yogurt to him for the first time today, as the doctor stated that he could begin trying yogurt at seven months. Happy seven-month birthday, Jack!

Dueling Stripes, Fun with Pants, and a Pull-up!

Thanks to the kindness of many friends and family, Jack has a lot of toys. However, pajama pants are sometimes the best toy around.

A Diverse Palate in the Making!

Jack gave three Michelin stars to Uncle Liu's Hotpot, a terrific Chinese restaurant in Merrifield, Virginia. He relished the taste of the relatively clean mug he continually licked (and eventually dropped on the floor) while his father and some friends ate some fairly authentic Sichuan food.

Jumperoo II

I know, I know - we already did a Rainforest Jumperoo (yes, that's its name) video. It's worth a sequel due to the fact that Jack's much more into the device now, meaning he can sometimes remain entertained for the full amount of time it takes Patty and me to hurriedly devour dinner.

Soar Eagles Soar!

Jack has begun to enjoy the swings at the park. One the outfit -- his father found a terrific Philadelphia Eagles outfit at Wal-Mart and Jack proudly supports the home-town team on Sundays (until he has an accident of some description and we have to change his clothing).

Jack the Monkey

Jack was really cute -- and also the picture of discomfort -- in his Halloween costume at day care this morning. He participated in a "harvest parade" with his classmates, which was, essentially, a quick stroll around the halls of the FDIC.

To his credit, Jack was very patient about wearing his costume, even though he was extra tired after an interrupted morning nap (hence the sleepy eyes). He managed to postpone his meltdown until after the parade -- at that point, he'd had enough:-).

Jack's class is below. There were some hilarious costumes on display... and some really angry babies!!

When Dads Dress Their Kids...

It is a time-tested truth: Dads do not have the most discerning eye when it comes to kids' fashions. While I can spend a good five minutes fretting about whether Jack's socks match his shirt, Peter cares only that Jack has clothes on his body... as evidenced by the "stylish" ensemble above.

Jack wore this gorgeous outfit when Peter took him for a run the other weekend. To me, his face says: "What the hell am I wearing, Mom?!?!"

Jack Crawled!

On a visit to Wake Forest, NC, Jack crawled for the first time. After four and a half hours cooped up in our car, it only took an empty Gatorade bottle to inspire some legitimate baby locomotion. At six months and a week old, that's not too shabby!

6 Months!

Last Wednesday, Jack turned six months old. Whoa.

He visited the doctor on Monday, and here's what's new with him --

He is getting bottom teeth! You can just see the little, white ridges. Until now, he was sleeping through the night -- however, his new teeth have woken him up on occasion this week. We are wiped out!

He weighs 17.5 lbs. That puts him at about the 50th percentile for weight. He is still tall -- in the 90th percentile for height. And his head is on the bigger side -- he is in the 75th percentile in that category:-).

He is very talkative -- lots of squeals and a few babbles. He also enjoys gasping really loudly, which totally freaked us out the first time we heard it. Also... he is starting to whine when he doesn't get what he wants. Uh oh.

On the Move!

After mastering the art of sitting up, it wasn't long before Jack decided that staying in one place was kind of boring. There are so many things he needs to investigate -- plugs in unprotected electric sockets, dust clumps in corners we haven't swept in weeks... oh, and the cats. Jack LOVES the cats. Unfortunately, they don't seem to feel the same way about him.

For the most part, Jack does the "army crawl." He scoots across the floor on his belly, pulled by his hands and pushed by his feet. And he is fast! But he is THISCLOSE to crawling the proper way -- as seen in the video below. Looks like its time to baby-proof...

P.S. Sorry about the Blair Witch-like quality of this video. I was trying to avoid stumbling over CC (who, as you can hear, was extra hungry).

Ethan and Jack

This weekend my aunt Pat, cousin Jeff, his son, Ethan, and his special lady-friend, Heather, came to visit. Ethan did a great job pushing Jack's stroller while we explored a few monuments -- even though he was starved for ice cream and barely had the energy to walk. A trip to Ray's Hell Burger II, complete with delicious hamburgers and a thick chocolate milkshake, got everyone back on track.

Duck Sponge

Yes, we know we're supposed to have a cover over the faucet in the bathtub. It's on our "to buy" list, but, in the interim, Jack loves the duck washcloth we hang on the faucet.

Jack Hates Puffs!

"Puffs," a strange puffed grain food designed for transitioning babies to solid foods, are not Jack's favorite food. Earlier in the day, Jack gagged on a puff and vomited all over both of us.

Jack Loves Bananas!

Jack attacks the spoon with great vigor (when he likes the food we're feeding him).

He's Gonna Be a Barber!

I can think of few things Jack enjoys more than grabbing an handful of someone's hair. If he's really grouchy and I want to turn that frown upside down, I'll present the top of my head to him, and he'll do three things: (1) immediately smile, (2) grab as much hair as possible, and (3) drool all over my head.

Pay no attention to the typical weekend greasiness of my hair, please.

Jack's Teething

Patty and I wish we could somehow divert the pain from him to ourselves...

Blowing Bubbles

Kids friggin' love bubbles.

Fran and Owen Come Bearing Blocks

Fran and Owen visited this Saturday, bringing Jack some great blocks and a Wiggle Worm. Both were a hit with Jack, but the blocks immediately became a part of the "keep Jack occupied" toy collection.

Jack and Auden at the Park

Jack and Auden had a fun afternoon at the park. It was Jack's first time on a swing, and it initially terrified him. He had become much more comfortable by the time we shot this video.

Jumping Around

Jack loves his jumper. We know someday he'll pinch his fingers between the seat and the door frame, but in the interim, he has a blast and it occupies him for five minutes so we can eat dinner.

Jack loves the bath (for a while)!

He has a blast, but then he grows weary of what's often 3/4 playing and 1/4 actually getting clean. When he's ready to get out, he often pulls out the plug in the tub and drains out the water. We like to think he's ending the bath on purpose...

Jack and Grandpa!

Nothing gets Jack fired up quite like Grandpa Steve. His intense masculinity somehow transforms even the crabbiest little baby into a giggling ball of joy.

Giggles

At 12:59 a.m., Jack turned 5 months old! During that time, we have endured some seriously long days -- but, somehow, time is flying by way too fast. We are having lots of (sleep-deprived) fun!

To commemorate Jack's birthday, we decided to let him "cry it out" this morning. Ugh. After waking up at about 2 a.m. for a bottle -- which he didn't really need -- Jack screamed (literally) and cried for a 45 minutes before finally soothing himself and going to sleep. It was MISERABLE. For all of us. I never realized that letting your baby cry takes serious restraint. Even in the middle of the night.

Here's a video of Jack in happier times. He laughs so easily now, and it is the best sound in the world.

Gone Fishing

This past weekend, we headed to Luray, VA for some fishing and spelunking (no, really!). Jack spent lots of time sitting by the river and enjoying the outdoors. He repeatedly tried to eat grass and dirt, but we managed to keep him from doing so -- or, at least, we're pretty sure we did. He may have snuck a fistful or two.

If this picture appears blurry, that's because Jack was a little wobbly while trying to sit up for the photo shoot. He has been sitting up on his own for a week or so, and he usually manages to stay upright for a minute or two before tipping over. He is getting so big!

Jack and the Sweet Pots!

We've been trying to gradually introduce solid foods to Jack. The rice cereal-added-to-the-formula sessions were not particularly notable - at first Jack made a face, but then he powered through and took down the rice like a champ. The introduction of sweet potatoes to his diet warranted our purchase of a high chair, the use of 3/4 of a roll of paper towels, and our taking a few photographs.

Spirit Week!

It's Spirit Week at Jack's day care! To show his school spirit, Jack must wear a different themed outfit every day. Today was mismatched clothing day. Tomorrow is pajama day. And Thursday is color day -- everyone in the Infant II room must wear green.

Things like this help get our little boy prepared for the real world. It was short-sleeved dress shirt with a tie day at Peter's office. And it's nearly always mismatched clothing day at Patty's office.

After Bath

The Rainforest Jumperoo

This fine device was kindly passed on to us from the Snow family. Patty and I get overstimulated just walking by it in our den, so I can't even imagine how Jack feels when he's strapped into the driver's seat.

Another Great Visit!

A Situation

Since Jack's been born, Patty and I have been noticeably absent from the gym and have no hope of getting a tan this summer, but we have done plenty of laundry.

Spike

As the four-month mark draws near, we have a couple new developments to report.

First, Jack's hair is starting to grow, and -- though this picture does not do it justice -- the strands on the top of his head are very spiky. It's rather stylish, no? What do you think -- should we frost the tips? Like Justin Timberlake during the early N'Sync years?

Don't worry, the rat tail -- or, perhaps more accurately, the duck tail (it often sticks straight out) -- is still very prominent. Jack continues to rock a party in back.

In other news, Jack wore big-boy jammies for the first time the other night. Sadly, he only got a couple hours of wear out of them (a very wet diaper was to blame). But, a milestone nonetheless!

P.S. Check out that outie!!

One of the Funniest Comments Ever Posted on the Blog!

Courtesy of Uncle Tony Tuntasit -- "The force is strong with this one. I have seen first hand his awesomeness and he is wise beyond his years. He did not move when we visited but you do not have to see him move to know and you never have to see them move when the force is strong. He already has the power of the no-smile that will make him deep, dark and mysterious to the ladies in fifteen and one-half years and you can see from the pictures that he has claws like Wolverine. He will be a street fighter like his father and the streets will be very safe. With his cousin Aimee who already has the power to cut her own hair and his other cousin Angie who has the power of teething the empire is very safe."

Jack's 14th Outfit of the Day

Some days Jack keeps his bodily functions in check and wears the same clothing all day long. Other days, he goes through his entire wardrobe in no time flat. Today was one of those days...It's a good thing we can fit all of his toggery in a single load in the washing machine.

An Exhausted Little Baby!

A Terrific Visit!

Jack was very pleased to meet and spend time with his family from the fine state of North Carolina.

Jack's Trying to Sit Up!

Jack's been working out his abdominal muscles (his father hasn't seen his own abs since 7th grade), and wants to grab, and enjoys playing with, everything in sight. You might note the drool on his shirt. That's less than an hour's worth of production!

McDonalds at the Air and Space Museum

A fine crew of orange haired Babbs came to visit from Wake Forest, North Carolina. We ate in style at the 1,000 seat McDonalds and had a great weekend together!

Babb Brunch

Avoiding the yuppie, wait-45 minutes-to-be-seated-before-you-can-order-a-$16 omelette places that are the norm in the DC metro area, we found a great place called Bentley's in Falls Church that serves terrific Pennsylvania diner-priced breakfast all day, with no reservations or wait to get into the door. Having not yet developed a taste for pancakes or bacon, Jack tried his best to eat a paper napkin.

Jack Scratch Fever!

I swear, I clip his nails. Religiously! And yet, today, he managed to make a considerable gash in his face. And that's only the most noticeable scratch. He has scabs on his fingers, nose and forehead. Grandma Chris assures me that this is typical. I hope it's a short phase!