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).