Dear Poppie,

Dear Poppie,

I am so sad that you are no longer with us but I know that you are resting peaceful in heaven. You were a wonderful Great Grandfather and I feel so blessed to have been able to meet you. Just in the few times we were together I could tell that you were a one of a kind man. This past weekend hearing all the stories of your life experiences and accomplishments made me realize even more that you are an inspiration for all, especially me. Mom said that you called her your little angel. Now you are our angel and I know that you'll be looking down upon us making sure that we are alright. We love and miss you!

Love,

Jack Anthony Relle

Christmas in New Orleans

The day after Christmas we headed to New Orleans to celebrate with Nick's family. Since the big gatherings were on Christmas Eve and Day the family made drop bys to see Nick and I...we all know that isn't true-Jack is the one they came to see. Jack enjoyed seeing all of them. Grandpa and GG were in town too so as always...he loves visiting with them. We sure wish Leslie, Billy, Savannah, and Carter had made it into town...one day they'll get to meet the little (or big) man.

"Aunt Rosann...these textures feel so realistic in this book. The duckling fur is my favorite."

"What's up Grandpa? It's been awhile."

"So you're my Cousin Thomas...nice to meet you. Has anyone ever told you that you play a mean game of peek a boo?"

"I'm starting to get the hang of this present opening. Tear the paper and play with the surprise inside."

"Dad and Paw Paw...look how pimped out my car walker is."

"Dad says I try to escape my infant tub too much...but I know the truth...he just wanted to play in the water too."

"Look, there's Mom...say cheese. Mom, wanna come join us?"

"Christmas is awesome...keep these presents coming. Look at this Band Wagon Uncle Greg and Aunt Stacy gave me. My CD release party will be this Spring."

"I mean really...I unwrapped it fine by myself...how many adults is it going to take to get it out the box?"

"Uncle Eric I know how you feel...I've been milk drunk myself before...the next day is a tough one."

"Thanks for coming to see me before I left Grandpa and GG...when are we going to get together again?"

Jack's First Christmas

We woke up Christmas morning and had the traditional eggs, bacon, and Nina's rolls for breakfast. Presents weren't opened til later that afternoon when Betsy and Reid made it to town. Jack didn't know any better...but I was antsy to watch my little man experience Santa. We passed the time by eating, napping, and taking a nice walk to the school down the street.

Jack wasn't into unwrapping gifts like I thought he would be. But once Nick helped him get into this box he became pretty interested.

This gift from Uncle Brian was for sure one of his top gifts this Christmas.

Nick and Jack got matching ESPN shirts...another Sports fanatic in training.

"You unwrap it Uncle Brian...just bring it to my once it is open-I have to stay mobile so I don't miss anything."

"I love this Santa dude...he brought me a huge moving stuffed animal named Gus!"

Gotta love stocking stuffers!

After opening those gifts the rest of the family came over for Steak Dinner and then we got to open more gifts.

Jack loves his Bebe!

I can't wait til Christmas next year when Jack and Papaya are running around together...how much fun!

Go to the archives for 2007, December, and the holiday posts start with the post titled What a Trooper.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve morning started out nice and relaxing...no long car rides and we weren't expected to be anywhere til the evening so we took advantage of the "down time". As you can see...Papa C really took advantage of it.

Bebe was making rice for the gumbo party, Jack had permission to start table foods and had previously had rice in Gerber foods without any allergy symptoms, so we decided to try the rice out. We didn't get pictures of the many faces of dislike...not for the flavor, but the texture. He was so freaked out by it he kept gagging...eventually it and all the green beans came right back out. No more rice til we don't have to be anywhere because you know what had to come next...

a bath...we just took him to the tub high chair and all!

The Relle Family enjoying Jack's First Christmas. Off to another party.

Back home Jack hung out with Papa C some since he missed them during the party because Bebe got sick and had to leave. They made guesses about what were in the presents, played with ornaments, and listened to the Mickey and Minnie Christmas Train stuffed animal.

Jack loves his stocking that Aunt Mary Beth made him....he also loves playing with the knobs on the cabinet and the sliding doors.

"Santa who?!?! Are you sure I have to go to bed for him to come? He might want to play with the knobs with me."

"Forget Santa....Dr. Mathieus said that I can start solids...this cookie looks like a solid to me."

For Jack's First Christmas we continued the traditions that I grew up with....cookies and milk for Santa, candy canes for the reindeer, new pj's, and reading The Night Before Christmas before hitting the sack so Santa can come.

What a Trooper!

The marathon began on Saturday. We packed up the car, headed out in the morning, and were in Baton Rouge that afternoon. The trip from Dallas was a little bit harder on Jack this time around because now that he is mobile, the car seat is all to restrictive. We used to think traveling with a newborn would be difficult...boy were we wrong...traveling with a little boy that wants to be on the go is difficult.

He didn't have long to stretch out his legs because the next morning Papa C, Bebe, and Uncle Brian piled into the Pathfinder so we could all go to Gulfport, MS to visit Mimee and Poppie. Jack was just thrilled to be in the car seat AGAIN...cant you tell by his face?!?

Poppie and Jack had a great time chillin' in the chair. They even "snacked" together....well, Poppie had coffee and Jack had a bottle.

Jack loved playing with Mimee and his toys!

Uncle Don had a shed which as you can tell Papa C and Jack had a good time in. No worries....we were in Mississippi....the tractor wasn't started...now if we were in Louisiana....a ride would have been very Britney appropriate.

Where's Jack?

Here he is! Jack even tried to get his daily serving of green vegetables while in the patch.

Back in Baton Rouge after a great visit Aunt Deborah and Adam came by for a visit. Jack loved his clothes that she got him (and I loved my candle)...wish we could have visited longer...can't wait til her wedding in a few weeks!

Nick Manale (friend from Learning Express days) and his new wife Jamie stopped by for a visit. They had seen Jack when he was in the belly but wanted to meet the man himself while we were all in town. It was really great to see them and to hear all about their wedding/honeymoon. Jack had fun showing off how cute he was too!

Right after the Manale's left we were straight out the door to Katie and Billy's Christmas Party (yes we are still on the same day). Jack did great playing around and visiting with family and friends to celebrate the Holidays. That night we all got back to the house and crashed....had to rest up because the next day was Christmas Eve and things weren't going to be slowing down any.

9 Month Well Baby Stats

Jack did great at his 9 month check up this morning! We were there for over an hour which is hard for a little boy who wants to be on the go non-stop (I guess I had a few too many questions huh?!?). He only cried a bit when giving blood and getting his shots. We love all of the people at the new pediatrician's office. Below is a picture of Jack with Dr. Mathieus.

Jack weighed in at 17 lbs 12 oz. (25%-yea finally out of that darn 5th percentile)

His height was 28 3/4 in" (90%)

And his head was 17 1/2 " (25%)

We got the go ahead to start on some table food so tonight Jack had two new things grilled chicken chunks and a biter biscuit with some mixed veggies (Gerber style).

He wasn't too sure about the cut up chicken-can't believe he wasn't a fan..he sure liked the 2 band aids he tried to eat today and the piece of bark he found on the carpet.

At first he wasn't too sure about the biter biscuit but before long he was kicking his feet and humming as he ate it ALL.

Can you tell it was a hit?!?! Off to the bath he went to wash this and the hair off from his trip to the barber earlier today.

Saying Good-bye to Gymbo til Next Year...

What a day-We left the house at 11 and didn't get home til 7 (Thanks Ash and Nate for letting us wait out the traffic & for teaching me how to upload 5 pics at once). Took some cute pictures at our last Gymboree class til the Spring Semester that I thought I'd share.

Today was the last time the three of us would be together at Gymboree since Amber and Cora are moving....we'll miss them and I'm so glad we've become such good friends. Jack loves being the man in the group.

During parachute time Jack was the only baby not in his Mom's lap...he took off to stare at Linda.

He loves the rocking horse! Patrick...wanna make us one too?!?

Jack playing with his friend Abigail...too bad she's a Razorback fan (Jack wore his LSU Santa shirt today since last week she wore her Arkansas garb on our behalf)

You can almost read Olivia's mind here... "I'm not going to be any part of beating up on Gymbo."

In Need of a Big Screen TV...

Wanted to share with ya'll that we FINALLY got an Entertainment Center/Amoire. Robin and Derrick have had this one from their old house in their garage and due to an urgent need to get both cars in the garage they had to get rid of it....since we loved it and it was a great deal we went for it. Thanks Robin, Derrick, and Willow! Now we just need a big screen TV to fill it up!

Front view

Inside view

Jack is excited because now that the TV equipment is contained...he won't have to be in the "cage" so much because we will be able to use it as a baby gate to keep him in the couch area so he doesn't escape to the fire place....yea!!!