This is what happens when Jack hangs out with his dad. It doesn't look like he was bothered!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Jack is 8(1/2) months!
Jack is 8 1/2 months old today. I've been behind in blogging so I'll give you what you want -- lots of pictures!
My brother Ryan, and his wife Brittany watched Jack a few weeks back. Ryan brought his camera along and we came home to find quite a few great pictures of Jack. I won't post all of them, but you are welcome to check them out here.
For most of the last month it has been difficult to capture a picture of Jack without his tongue sticking out.
Jack still loves to eat and really enjoys being able to feed himself. Jacob noticed that when Jack eats he picks the food up with his right hand then transfers it into his left. I don't know why he throws in this extra step! He eats a variety of finger foods and I squeeze in some pureed fruits and veggies when I can. Thank you to all of you who responded to my request for food ideas. With your advice and the suggestions from friends and websites, Jack now has a long list of finger foods to enjoy. Here are a few of the things he has tried this month:
And, in case you were wondering, Jack loved the Spinach and white yams and Moroccan-ish carrots I mentioned in a previous post.
Here is Jack's 8 month picture in the big red chair.
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| Jack's new smile - with a scrunched up nose |
My brother Ryan, and his wife Brittany watched Jack a few weeks back. Ryan brought his camera along and we came home to find quite a few great pictures of Jack. I won't post all of them, but you are welcome to check them out here.
For most of the last month it has been difficult to capture a picture of Jack without his tongue sticking out.
Jack still loves to eat and really enjoys being able to feed himself. Jacob noticed that when Jack eats he picks the food up with his right hand then transfers it into his left. I don't know why he throws in this extra step! He eats a variety of finger foods and I squeeze in some pureed fruits and veggies when I can. Thank you to all of you who responded to my request for food ideas. With your advice and the suggestions from friends and websites, Jack now has a long list of finger foods to enjoy. Here are a few of the things he has tried this month:
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| avocado |
- shelled edamame
- frozen peas
- graham crackers
- goldfish crackers
- cherries
- pasta
- homemade sweet potato 'fries'
- brown rice
- banana pancake coins
- raisin bread (who can pass up the Shadeau Bread stand at the Farmer's Market?)
- Chicken Tikka Masala and naan -
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| My taste tester |
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| I think the banana pancakes were a success! |
And, in case you were wondering, Jack loved the Spinach and white yams and Moroccan-ish carrots I mentioned in a previous post.
Here is Jack's 8 month picture in the big red chair.
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| Look at those cheeks! |
I found this onesie on Etsy and couldn't pass it up! Jack is was no doubt, Worth the Wait. He is brings an incredible amount of joy into our lives and his smile lights up a room. I feel incredibly blessed to have such a happy baby and I promise I don't take that for granted.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Jack says Ma Ma
Jack has been babbling repetitive sounds for a few weeks now but quiets down as soon as he sees the video camera. I caught this on tape last week and finally figured out how to share this with you!
I am going to count this as his first word. Hopefully Da Da is not far behind!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Jack and Nana
Jack and I have had a few lunch dates with his Nana at Half Day Cafe this year. He is at the age where all of the people and noises are entertaining and he stays pretty quiet while we are eating. It is so nice to get out during the day and I really enjoy talking to another adult over great food. (Their pork loin sandwich is amazing!)
Jack sure does love his Nana!
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| First visit to Half Day - 12.30.10 |
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| Today: 7.7.11 |
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Jack's food
In the Samad household cooking is much more than something we do to quiet our growling bellies. It is a huge part of our life, consuming much of our time, a large chunk of our budget, and it is something we enjoy doing as a family. So it should come as no surprise that when it came time to feed Jack we wanted to be the ones to prepare his meals.
We purchased Super Baby Food, a helpful but largely overwhelming book about baby food preparation. We skimmed through the book and decided that we wanted to make most of his food, but that we were ok with purchasing cereal and some of the fruits and vegetables. When he was six months old we started steaming and pureeing some of the recommended first foods and have gradually added variety to his diet each week. We have learned his favorites (peaches and pears), and have learned that green beans are best from Gerber. (I could never really get the texture right.)
One of the things that I enjoy about making his food is that I can control the texture, taste, and variety. He is now able to handle thicker foods and I have decreased the amount of time that I puree each batch.
We are at the point where we want to start mixing flavors and adding spices to his foods. We're seeking out new recipes and have stumbled upon a few that we're going to try.
Today we are going to try Moroccan-ish Carrots and Yams from Smitten Kitchen. This is one of my favorite foodie blogs and she has great pictures to accompany each recipe. I have found a few keepers from her site and I would encourage you to check it out. We might just try the First Spinach with White Yams too, since I haven't yet tried to prepare fresh spinach.
I am looking for some new ideas and inspirations for purees and meals and finger foods. If you have any favorite recipes that are a hit with your kids, please share! Jack has just started eating Cheerios and Puffs, plus egg yolk, tofu, and cottage cheese.
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| How many knives do you need to cut a mango??? |
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| Pureed butternut squash |
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| Finished product |
We purchased Super Baby Food, a helpful but largely overwhelming book about baby food preparation. We skimmed through the book and decided that we wanted to make most of his food, but that we were ok with purchasing cereal and some of the fruits and vegetables. When he was six months old we started steaming and pureeing some of the recommended first foods and have gradually added variety to his diet each week. We have learned his favorites (peaches and pears), and have learned that green beans are best from Gerber. (I could never really get the texture right.)
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| My kitchen helper |
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| A meal with Aunt Marcia |
One of the things that I enjoy about making his food is that I can control the texture, taste, and variety. He is now able to handle thicker foods and I have decreased the amount of time that I puree each batch.
We are at the point where we want to start mixing flavors and adding spices to his foods. We're seeking out new recipes and have stumbled upon a few that we're going to try.
Today we are going to try Moroccan-ish Carrots and Yams from Smitten Kitchen. This is one of my favorite foodie blogs and she has great pictures to accompany each recipe. I have found a few keepers from her site and I would encourage you to check it out. We might just try the First Spinach with White Yams too, since I haven't yet tried to prepare fresh spinach.
I am looking for some new ideas and inspirations for purees and meals and finger foods. If you have any favorite recipes that are a hit with your kids, please share! Jack has just started eating Cheerios and Puffs, plus egg yolk, tofu, and cottage cheese.
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| First puff |
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| A mixture of egg yolks and tofu |
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| His first taste of Skyline. He slurped the spaghetti while we ate. |
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Fourth of July weekend
Our little family decided to stay home and enjoy the holiday weekend here in Cincinnati. Norris Lake with the family was a really, really, tempting offer, but we decided that Jack might have more fun here. (Tubing, tanning, beer drinking, card playing, and eating at the marinas just isn't what he enjoys quite yet.)
The weekend started of slowly and I started wishing that we had gone to Tennessee after all. But Jacob had a plan and we had a great time right here at home.
On Saturday we got to spend a lot of quality time together as a family. We didn't have any plans, didn't feel pressure to work in the yard, and were able to spend time together enjoying our lack of obligations. We took a walk, took a nap, ran some errands, and purchased a small pool for Jack. He wasn't phased by the cold water and love splashing and chewing on his toys.
On Sunday afternoon we got the chance to celebrate the 4th with wonderful friends. My friend Susan was kind enough to host a party at her parent's house and we all got to go swimming. Jack and I actually spent our time in the hot tub and he got passed back and forth between Gus, Samantha, and Corrie Guckenburger. He loved it. I am so thankful that I have a wonderful group of friends that have kids close to Jack's age, who love the Lord, who are generous with their time and resources, and have husbands that Jacob loves too!
I failed to take ANY pictures of our time together, so if anyone has some, please share!
This morning we walked in a small parade in our neighborhood. As people were walking and riding bikes many bystanders were passing out beer and some families were offering popsicles. The whole parade ended at a yard party complete with hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones, and lots of neighbors. I love College Hill!
The weekend started of slowly and I started wishing that we had gone to Tennessee after all. But Jacob had a plan and we had a great time right here at home.
On Saturday we got to spend a lot of quality time together as a family. We didn't have any plans, didn't feel pressure to work in the yard, and were able to spend time together enjoying our lack of obligations. We took a walk, took a nap, ran some errands, and purchased a small pool for Jack. He wasn't phased by the cold water and love splashing and chewing on his toys.
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| Only at Walmart... |
On Sunday afternoon we got the chance to celebrate the 4th with wonderful friends. My friend Susan was kind enough to host a party at her parent's house and we all got to go swimming. Jack and I actually spent our time in the hot tub and he got passed back and forth between Gus, Samantha, and Corrie Guckenburger. He loved it. I am so thankful that I have a wonderful group of friends that have kids close to Jack's age, who love the Lord, who are generous with their time and resources, and have husbands that Jacob loves too!
I failed to take ANY pictures of our time together, so if anyone has some, please share!
This morning we walked in a small parade in our neighborhood. As people were walking and riding bikes many bystanders were passing out beer and some families were offering popsicles. The whole parade ended at a yard party complete with hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones, and lots of neighbors. I love College Hill!
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| Jack with his buddy Cooper Maune - born three days after Jack |
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| Some of the newest additions to College Hill - the boys with Katelyn Hodapp |