09/30/04: NEW!
Jack's Journal, Volume 1, September '04

After a brief summer hiatus, I thought I'd launch the debut issue of my very own newsletter, entitled "Jack's Journal." Stay tuned for future editions, which I will attempt to publish on a monthly basis (bear with me...I'm not the fastest typist).

Hello to my adoring public!
It's been quite an exciting two months since I've talked to many of you, so I thought I'd let you know what's been going on in my crib...

Labor Day weekend: planes & wines
I had a VERY full schedule over the Labor Day holiday.  On Friday, Aunt Noelle and Uncle Eddie flew in from Boston to come visit me. We all got a chance to catch up that evening, and then the next morning, we packed up Daddy's truck and Mommy's car with everything we'd need for an afternoon picnic...at a skydiving facility.

That's right, Grammy Werking finally got to enjoy her 60th birthday present from "the kids": a chance to jump out of a plane and experience skydiving! So while Poppy Werking, Uncle Eddie, Mommy and me watched from the ground, Grammy Werking, Daddy and Aunt Noelle got onto a plane, flew 14,000 feet up in the air, and then jumped out...can you believe that? To be honest, this little excursion raised some questions for me about my family's sanity. See the skydiving photos here.

After all the excitement on Saturday, we decided to relax and unwind on Sunday. In an effort to expand my horizons, we all went to a wine festival at a local vineyard.  Boy, was that ever fun!!!  Grammy and Poppy Werking joined us and Miss Rebecca came up from D.C. If I may say so myself, even though there was a very talented bluegrass band playing, I was the true hit of the party.  I turned on all the charm that I inherited from my Daddy and the women just flocked to me! Miss Rebecca fell hopelessly in love with me, even though she said she's not looking for a younger man at this point in her life. See the wine festival photos here.

Finally, we all got together for a big family dinner on Labor Day. Aunt Noelle had to relinquish control of me, given that both grandmothers outranked her. We had a nice visit, although Grandpa Page and I got a little tuckered out after dinner. Here are the family dinner photos.

Baltimore instead of Key West
Later on that week, I was supposed to fly down to Key West with Mommy, Daddy and Aunt Noelle.  Did I mention that Daddy is SO good at his job that he was awarded an all-expense-paid trip by his company? He's the best. Aunt Noelle was coming along as my "nanny" so that he and Mommy could enjoy a mini-vacation AND me at the same time. Unfortunately, one of the many recent hurricanes decided to ruin our plans and postpone our trip. (Mommy explained to me that a hurricane is not unlike what I produce inside my diaper, whatever THAT means.) So, Mommy and Daddy will go to the Keys in January when they'll really enjoy the warm sun. Plus, my Daddy's birthday falls during their vacation! I may or may not go with them...I haven't decided yet. It's kind of fun to watch everyone arm-wrestle over who gets to babysit me while they're away.

At any rate, instead of vacationing in Key West, Aunt Noelle stayed at my house for a week and I just loved it!  She taught me some new songs (she says you don't always have to sing the real lyrics...it's more fun to be creative and make up your own), dressed me in the latest fall fashions, and took 8 million pictures of me. In return, I took her to see Daddy's job site, and we treated him to a bite to eat after work. You can see those photos here.

The next night, we went to the Ten Hills neighborhood block party. When we got back, Daddy built a fire out back and Mommy and Aunt Noelle joined him outside to enjoy a bottle of "Mommy's juice." I do find it interesting that lots of people BESIDES Mommy seem to drink Mommy's juice. Come to think of it, Mommy's juice was by far the most popular beverage served at the wine festival. Hmmmmm. See the backyard bonfire photos here.

Visiting with friends and family
Mommy and Aunt Noelle and I went to visit the Bernstein's. Lauren and Allie were amazed at how big I've gotten, and Aunt Noelle couldn't believe how much they've grown. Emily was so excited to see me...she couldn't wait to give me a big squeeze! It's fun being the only boy amongst all these girls. I think Aunt Meg's in love with me, too. See for yourself in these photos from my visit.

I've also been hangin' out with my girls, Brynn & Lynn.  Mommy has two friends (Aunt Jess and Aunt Sally) who had babies within a month of me being born, so we see each other a lot.  In fact, Lynn and I "did lunch" recently...see the photos here. My Aunt Stacey also checks in frequently.  I've been learning a lot from her little boys Cole & Brock....I'm keeping those tricks in my back pocket for later, you know, when I can reach back there.

This past weekend was my Grandma Page's birthday.  Aunt Jen pulled a fast one and surprised Grandma and me with her visit to help celebrate (I must have been sleeping when she and Mommy put together those plans).  They made a special birthday brunch for Grandma, but more importantly, Aunt Jen got me my very own Halloween costume and taught me how to roar like the manly lion that I am!!! Those pictures will be coming soon.

All about me
When I'm not a slave to my personal calendar, I get down to the hard business of getting big.  I've been working out with my very own personal trainer every other week.  Starting in October, Miss Elizabeth will be coming to my crib once a week.  She's taught me to hold my head up a little bit and to wave my hands in the air.  My mom and dad squeal with excitement every time I do either of those things.  Just wait until I get to the good stuff!  Right now I'm teasing them with random smiles, but when they're not looking I flirt shamelessly with any women around. Here are some really cute photos of me.

I've also become a little chatterbox, sharing my point of view on the things that I see and think. So far, Mommy and Daddy seem to understand me about half of the time, but they're quick learners, steadily increasing their vocabulary every day. You know, I give them a lot of credit for learning a second language. In an effort to better communicate, I try to speak as LOUDLY and CLEARLY as possible into the baby monitor. They really seem to be paying attention when they sit bolt upright in bed at 3am when I have something important to share.

And for all you sports fans out there, how awesome is it that football is on TV every weekend now?!  My Daddy got me this cool Pittsburgh Steeler's onesie with Heinz Ward's number on it.  I wear it when we watch them on the tube and drink beer, errrrr, I mean formula.  Seems as though Daddy DID receive my telepathic messages from when I was in Mommy's tummy to get the "NFL Sunday Ticket" on cable.  He's been doing a great job teaching me all about touchdowns, zone defense, and tackling....Grandpa Page is going to be SO impressed with my knowledge when we get together to break down films. Here are some photos of me and Daddy watching football.

Well, I'm getting tired and I need to go to bed.  I like sleeping in my crib now.  At first, it was hard to leave behind the bassinette in Mommy & Daddy's room, but Mommy still checks in on me a couple times at night.  She thinks she's being sneaky but I know it's just because she loves me. Plus, my big brother Scuff usually guards me at night from the nearby glider chair. He likes to be VERY close to me. Did I mention that he's jumped into my crib a couple of times? If you've ever seen how big and plump Scuff is, you'd be very impressed. Well, Mommy was NOT happy with that little move, so now he contents himself by crawling under my crib and into the drawer that pulls out underneath me. See photos of that crazy cat here.

Thanks for keeping me in your prayers, everyone.  And please, feel free to keep that fan mail coming!

Love,
Jackson