Where has the time gone?

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and almost Happy Birthday to Jack!!!

Wow, the time has really gone by fast.  I can't believe in about a month Jack will be a year old already.  I figured I should check in and just give everyone a little update on what's been happening with us.

As many of you know, Derek's sister Lindsey had a life changing accident at her home in the beginning of November. Her boyfriend Steve was seriously injured and unfortunetly they lost Andy, there best friend and roommate. I am just so amazed at all the support from family, friends and the community they have received and all the people who have supported them through this tough time. They are all in our thoughts every day. Both Lindsey and Steve are doing well as they continue to heal and get stronger every day. We love them so much!

After the busy month and a half following the accident, we headed out to South Dakota for Christmas with my mom's family.  It was so good to see everyone and just all be together. Jack was excited to see and play with all the cousins. I think Jack maybe tore one piece of wrapping paper on a present, the rest Derek and I had to open for him.  We then headed back to Wisconsin and had Christmas with the Stephany's.  It was nice being in Mosinee and relaxing with the family there.

It seems like Jack is changing all the time, always moving onto the next thing. He went from pulling him self up in December to "cruising" along the furniture in early January.  He loves crawling around and exploring everything!!  A couple weeks ago he started crawling up the stairs, so each night he crawls up the stairs to bath.  Oh and we had to retire the little bathtub of his.  He started standing in his tub and then stepped out of the tub, so now he is in the big tub and loving it.  I think he could stay in the tub for hours if we let him.  By the time he gets out now, his fingers and toes are all pruney. Jack is so busy, all the time!!  I don't think he lets Derek or me sit while he is awake, unless we are feeding him.  He actually took his first steps on his own last Sunday at Grandma and Grandpa Stephany's.  He was going between the chair and the ottoman and took two or three steps to get there.  This last week at home we have been setting up the two ottomans in the living room and getting Jack to walk between them.  Sometimes he gets a little tired and just tries to reach over and doesn't make it. Of course he just laughs when he falls down.

And boy does he love to laugh.  He has really started to laugh a lot more. Of course I love to do anything silly to make is smile and laugh, but it doesn't take much. He is such a good baby, he sleeps though the night, loves to eat mostly everything and just has a fun personality. We hope the next year is as much fun as this year has been with him. 

I think that is getting us all up to speed.  We are heading out to Denver to visit my brothers at the end of March, maybe do a little skiing...not sure if there will be skis small enough for Jack, so we might have to wait a year or two before he gets to go skiing.

Until next time...
Michelle, Derek and Jack Joseph

P.S. Sorry there are no pictures with this update. We have been having computer issues, so the pictures can not be uploaded at this time, but hopefully soon!!!