Is it a Scream or a Squeal?

This week Jack started yelling! It's somewhere between a scream and a squeal. Once he starts he keeps doing it over and over again. He thinks it's funny and so do we until he starts doing it in public places. Poor Rocco had to miss the last 15 minutes of church this evening because Jack started yelling. Oh the joys of parenthood!

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Kisses!

Jack's newest trick- giving kisses! So darn cute!



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Jacks 1st Cold

This past week/weekend Jack had his first cold. I think I felt worse for him than he actually felt. He started getting a stuffy nose last Wednesday, but he didn't have a fever or cough so I figured we were ok. By Friday night he started having a low grade fever, but he still was his normal smiley self. Luckily, I received some good advice from my friend, Amanda about the Vick's wall plug-in's. They made his room smell like a jar of Vick's, but it seemed to help him sleep all night long. Saturday was the worst! He ran a fever off and on all day and slept a ton. I kept having to go check on him while he was napping to make sure he was still alive. Grape flavored Tylenol seemed to do the trick in getting rid of his fever. On Saturday night Ms. Vicki gave us her froggy humidifier to use, which seemed to help out, too. Sunday morning he slept in while I ran in the marathon relay race. His Nana came to stay with him because Rocco was at the ranch deer hunting with his friends. By Sunday afternoon he seemed back to his normal self; he was playing and laughing like nothing was wrong. He still has a stuffy nose, but it doesn't seem to bother him one bit! I guess we will see what the doctor says tomorrow about the congestion at his 6 month check up. Hopefully we won't have to give Jack any medicine! Mommy is definitely glad we are on the mend!

McAllen Fiesta Marathon Relay

On Sunday I ran with 4 friends in a marathon relay. It was super fun! I ran the first leg of the race, which was around 5 miles. I ran my 5 miles in 39 minutes. After I handed off the baton I drove back to Weslaco to pick up Jack,who was staying with his Nana. Once Jack woke up we went back to the race where we got to see my friend Vicki start and finish the last leg. We had great weather for South Texas... a cool 55 degrees! After we were done we all went to eat at Mimi's Cafe.








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My Baby is 6 Months Old!

Today my sweet baby boy turned 6 months old! I really cannot believe that he is half a year old. Where in the world did the last 6 months go? This has definitely been the best 6 months of my life!

At 6 months old Jack is able to roll over from his back to his tummy and can almost sit up on his own. He loves to laugh and play with his Mommy and Daddy. He loves to sleep and suck his thumb. He is learning to eat real foods. So far he has tried rice cereal, sweet potatoes, bananas and avocados. Bananas are his favorite by far!

This past weekend we had Jacks 6 month pictures taken at the Houston Garden Center in Hermann Park. We've seen a sneak peak and will post some pictures as soon as we get them in. But here are our home photos at 6 months old.







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2 Realizations

Realization # 1: While we were at Madeline's party I realized that Amanda and Madeline are so lucky they live in a town that has a play group. I thought it was so awesome that Madeline has so many friends already and that Amanda has a great group of Mommy's that she gets to hang out with, exercise with and socialize with on a pretty regular basis. I really wish I lived in a town like that! I can't wait for Jack to start sitting up so we can start going to the Little Gym in McAllen so we can hopefully meet some friends for Jack and Mommy! Don't get me wrong, I do have great friends in the Valley, but most of them are working Mommy's and have older kids. It would be great to find a few new friends that are in the same boat as me! I mean is that too much to ask for?

Realization # 2: Yesterday I realized I need to do a better job at updating my blog. I want Jack to know everything he did that we thought was cute or not cute and everything we did with him. I feel so bad for Rocco because his mom does not remember much about his childhood, I mean he doesn't even have a baby book! I want to be able to look back and say at 6 months old Jack did this or Jack did that. So I just need to get better at this blogging thing!

Madeline Kleckley Turns 1

Jack attended his very first birthday party this past weekend. On Saturday, December 4th, Madeline Kleckley turned one! I can not believe that Amanda's sweet little girl is one already! Where has the time gone? I still remember talking on the phone to Amanda when she was in labor and still had not gone to the hospital.  The party was so cute, with a pink and puppy theme! She had puppy ear headbands for all the babies to take pictures with and dog bone sugar cookies as party favors. Everything was very cute and you could tell Amanda put a lot of time and effort into making Madeline's first birthday unforgettable. Madeline is a beautiful, vibrant little lady and she is going to keep her mommy and daddy on their toes for sure.

Jack's First Thanksgiving

Jack and me started our Thanksgiving week in League City visiting my family. We had lots of fun hanging out with Mimi, Pop pop, Auntie Lindsay and Auntie Becky. We went over to the Pevehouse's for dinner on Saturday night. Sunday Jack got to hang out while I went to dinner at Lupe Tortillas with my girlfriends, Amanda, Jami and Stephanie. Monday we went shopping in Rice Village with Mimi, Aunt Becky and Jami and met up with Aunt Lindsay for dinner. Jack decided he didn't like the restaurant so we hung out in the car until everyone else ate. Tuesday Becky and I got our hair done so Jack hung out with his Mimi. Then we ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant, San Lorenzo's. No trip to League City is complete unless we eat there! Wednesday we headed off to the ranch.











We celebrated Jack's first Thanksgiving at Rocco's family's ranch in D'Hanis, Texas. There were 31 people at Rocco's Grandma's house! I made my famous pumpkin roll and a spinach casserole, which was requested by Rocco. It was my first Thanksgiving without my Mom's broccoli cheese casserole. I think a few people were disappointed it wasn't made so I think we will go back to it next year. Rocco even shot a big buck out at the ranch so he came home a happy camper! Overall we had a great time, but we were very ready to get home and back to a normal sleeping schedule.








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San Antonio Rock n' Roll Half Marathon

On Sunday, November 14th I ran my first half marathon since becoming pregnant and having Jack. It was so much fun! It was a beautiful morning with temperatures in the mid 50's. I ran the race with one of my best friends, Jami. We did great! We ran our 13.1 miles in 1 hour and 47 minutes. We even had to dodge an on coming train! One of my other best friends, Vicki, ran in the race and she did awesome as well, despite losing her at the finish! There were over 30,000 participants that ran either the full marathon or the half. So after we searched for Vicki, we finally found out she was back at her hotel, which was smart on her behalf because we were freezing looking for her and she was nice and warm in her hotel room.



Vicki, me and Jami before the race




The medal!

After we figured out where Vicki was we went back to our hotel and showered and packed up the car. That shower felt SO good! Then Jami and Colter went to lunch with us to Lulu's Bakery. This was our appetizer:



This was a 3 pound cinnamon roll! Very yummy and super sweet! Then we had burgers and felt re-energized for our drive home to the valley.

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Jack's 1st Trip to the Ranch

Jack had his first trip to his Nana and Grandpa John's ranch in D'Hanis, Texas this past weekend. Here is his first picture at the ranch:




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Jack's 5 Months Old

Today my sweet baby turned 5 months old! Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday I was just telling everyone I was pregnant and having baby showers. Now that I think about it today is exactly one year to the day that I found out I was pregnant! It is just crazy how fast time flies when you're having fun and being kept busy.

At 5 months old Jack can sleep through the night (woohoo!), roll over from his tummy to his back, stick out his tongue, smile, suck his thumb (UGH!), he loves to stand and sit up (with assistance), laughs, loves being outside, enjoys playing with his toys, reading books and watching football on TV (especially the Texans and Eagles)!

He is such a happy, sweet and serious baby. He gets so focused when he is playing. Every time he smiles he melts my heart. He is such a joy and a blessing. Rocco and I are very lucky parents!










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Happy Halloween!

We didn't really celebrate Halloween this year since Jack isn't old enough to go Trick or Treating. I also didn't feel like it was necessary to buy a costume that he would just spit up all over or have a bib covering it. We did have a few different outfits for Jack though. My mom, Mimi, sent Jack a pumpkin shirt, I bought him 2 onesies and Rocco's mom, Nana, bought him a super cute outfit. So Jeana (Rocco's sister) and I played dress up with Jack and took pictures of him in all his outfits so they would go to waste. We will dress him up and have more fun next year when we are able to walk and go trick or treating. Here are Jack's modeling pictures:

Pumpkin t-shirt from his Mimi

 Onesie that Mommy bought for Jack

 Outfit from his Nana that says "Mommy's Little Pumpkin"

 Pumpkin booty

Uncle Tony's Welcome Home Party

This past Saturday Rocco's Uncle Tony had a welcome home party at the Weslaco Elks Lodge. All of Rocco's family and their family friends came to celebrate Tony moving back to the Valley after living in Houston since May of 2009. Tony had a heart transplant in July. The transplant went great and he was able to move back to the Valley in October. We had a great time visiting with over 250 family and friends.

 Uncle Tony giving a speech

 Me and Rocco dancing

 Rocco's cousin Laura, Jeana and Matt

 Rocco's Mom, Bette (Nana) and her Mom (Grandma)

Mommy and Jack

McPumpkin Fun Run

Last night two of my girlfriends (Vicki and Tracy) and I ran in the McAllen McPumpkin Fun Run. Vicki got us cute Halloween shirts to run in since we didn't want to dress up. When we got to the race we thought we were running in a 5K which is only 3.1 miles, but when we got to the starting line and the guy was about to shoot his little gun for us to start he informed us it was 4.6 miles! That kinda busted our bubble! Anyway, we weren't too concerned because all three of us have been training for a half marathon. So off we went! Oh I forgot to mention that it was on a golf course so it ended up being mostly in the grass and up and down man made hills! Hills, yes, in the Valley!? So I started off great until I reached the first hill and the wind was totally blowing against me... I had to slow down or I was not going to make it. But I survived and ran the 4.6 miles in 39 minutes... I figured that's not too bad considering I thought I was only going to run 3.1 miles, it was super windy and hilly! I was the 21st finisher overall and ended up in first place in the Womens 20-29 age group. I even got a medal! Haha! It was lots of fun and I'm so glad we ran it.

Our nice husbands found the club house while we were running. What else did they find???? Beer and TV's with college football. So we had no cheerleaders until after I came across the finish line! Ugh, MEN! I kept looking for my sweet little Jack after the first loop and when I finished, but he was watching football with the men.

Afterwards we all went to eat at a yummy sushi restaurant. We had a great time!




Vicki and Me sporting our Halloween shirts she bought us.




Vicki, Tracy, Jack and me after our run




My medal... Haha! I love it!

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What Weslaco Needs...

Weslaco needs the following things:
1. Nice side walks for running or biking around town.
2. An HEB Plus
3. A Wellsfargo Bank
4. A really good sushi restaurant ( Kato doesn't cut it!).

And last but not least...

5. A Target!!

These things would make my life in Weslaco much nicer!


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Thumb Sucking

So today my son fell asleep twice on his own for his naps! At first I was really excited about this until I realized how he did it... With his thumb in his mouth!

Rocco and I have been fighting him sucking his thumb for over a month now and I think we are losing! :( Good thing he looks cute doing it!











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Meeting Great Grandma

Today Jack got to meet his Great-Grandma! Rocco's Grandma came to visit along with his Aunt Laurie, his Mom's cousin Suann and his Mom's Aunt Vivian. We all went over to Rocco's parents house for pasta and meatballs. He received some fun new gifts, including an old coffee mug that was his great grandfather's who is Jacks namesake. It was a fun family gathering. Oh and Jack slept through all of this!











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Another Girlfriend for Jack

Jack got to meet another prospective girlfriend for himself this week, Amelia Humphreys. She was born on Wednesday July 28th. She is so cute!

I took Quiznoes over to Amanda so our babies could meet. They both slept for the first hour or so and then they both breastfed at the same time. After they each had their diaper changed they were ready for their picture.

Amelia fit into Jacks arm pretty well... Kinda scary! Then Jack smiled at her and proceeded to eat her bow. Too cute! We look forward to our next play date.







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Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary!

On July 18, 2010 Rocco and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary. We ended up having to go out to dinner the night before since our anniversary fell on a Sunday and all the fancy restaurants in the Valley are closed on Sundays. Rocco took me to a nice steakhouse called, Lansky & Brats. We started our dinner off with wine and Italian peppers stuffed with shrimp and topped with crab meat. I ordered fillet medallions with mascarpone cheese mashed potatoes and Rocco ordered a huge rib eye with flash friend spinach. We ordered creme brulee for dessert. Everything was delicious!

Rocco's mom babysat Jack for us. It was our first time to go out to dinner by ourselves. Rocco actually said it felt weird not having him there with us and it was! He did great for his Nana. He drank his bottle, pooped and slept for her. Rocco asked me to call his mom during the dinner to see how he was doing and I said, "No, I don't want to be one of those moms that calls every 10 minutes to see how their kid is doing."

On Sunday, our anniversary, we went to the beach for the day. Mommy got to lay out for a hour or so while Daddy hung out with Jack in the condo. Then we went to Carter Papacek's (my friend Vicki's son) 4th birthday party at their condo's pool. When we got home we just relaxed with Jack and eventually ate a piece of our wedding cake. It was actually really good! Our cake lady had it wrapped and taped shut.

Our first year of marriage was fantastic and jammed packed with lots of excitement! We went to Aruba for our honeymoon, I ran a half-marathon, got pregnant, went to Lake Charles to see my sister Becky play volleyball, went to Lubbock for a football game, a few trips to Hershey, Pennsylvania, had two awesome baby showers, Rocco went to California with some friends, was hospitalized twice due to my sweet baby Jack and then on June 7th the best gift of all was the birth of our son, Jack. What a year to remember! I haven't been so happy in my life and I owe that to my wonderful husband. I look forward to what the next 70 + years have in store for us.

Jack's New Cousin

Jack has a new baby cousin, Jenna Delilah Fasano. Jenna was born on July 1, 2010. She was 7lbs 10oz. Jenna is Rocco's older brother, Jason's new daughter. Jenna has an older sister, Emma (4 years old) and a brother, John (2 years old).

We saw Jenna for the first time when she was two weeks old and she was already weighing in at 9lbs 2oz, which is more than what Jack weighed at 5 weeks and now. Jason's family has some big babies! 

Sister-in-law, Becky with Jenna (2wks) and Jack(5wks) and me.

Jenna and Jack

Nana with her grandbabies: John, Jack, Jenna and Emma

Noni with her great grandbabies: Jack, John, Emma and Jenna (being held by Aunt Jeana (Gigi))

Mommy's New Car!

Rocco surprised me with a brand new Texas Edition Tahoe! It is black with black leather interior and I can start it from inside. It is so awesome!! It drives great and is very spacious compared to my Ford Escape.

Rocco and I had been talking about getting a new car for a while, but he decided to surprise me and make me angry throughout the process. Every week he would change his mind... yes, lets look for a car... no, we can't afford a car. So I just stopped talking to him about it. The 2 days before he surprised me he kept asking me what kind of car, what color, what kind of interior and I just became more annoyed because I just knew he was joking with me.

They day Rocco surprised me he went golfing with his friends and he picked up the Tahoe on his way home. He parked it in the drive way behind the escape in the garage so when we went to dinner with the Nittler's I would see it. He came in from golf with a big grin on his face. He asked Jack if he was ready to show Mommy her new car and I just laughed. I mean, I had had it with him joking with me about getting a new car. So when we went out to the garage to get in the escape and I opened the garage door there it was... my brand new Tahoe! I was in shock and I was speechless!

I am very lucky to have such a great husband, but sometimes, well who and I kidding, every time he tries to surprise me I end up annoyed and angry at him during the process. I am very happy with his selection! Oh, and Jack likes it too!

4th of July

We celebrated Jack's first 4th of July at my parents house while we were on our evacuation trip. My parents had a get together so everyone could come and meet Jack and watch fireworks from their backyard. Jack got to meet our family friends: the Noto's, Davis', Pevehouse's, Hill's, and my best friends Amanda and Jon, Stephanie and Chuck, and Jami and Colter. It was really great getting to spend time with my family and all of our friends over the holiday weekend.

Jack was such a sweet baby. He let everyone pass him around and hold him. He never made a peep until he was hungry. We took Jack outside to watch fireworks for a few minutes, but the mosquitoes were horrible and it was too humid for him.