All I want for Christmas are my two (bottom) front teeth!

As I told you about a month ago, Jed started really teething. My question is: Where are the teeth? We have yet to see a pearly white in his little mouth. But, finally, he has bumps on his gums. He won't let us look, but every once and a while I can get my finger in there and feel around. Maybe he'll have two (lower) front teeth for Christmas!

Saturday morning breakfasts are special at the Roll household. We always have a large breakfast and eat together. The menu usually consists of whole wheat blueberry pancakes. Last Saturday was the first Roll family breakfast that Jed got to partake in. We gave him half a blueberry pancake - no syrup of course. He didn't know what to think at first, but after passing the pancake from hand to hand, pulling it apart, clapping it and squishing it in his fists he realized that blueberry pancakes taste great!

Last Tuesday, I picked up Jed from Karen's and headed home. While we were sitting and playing I noticed that his tongue would pop out of his mouth when he was concentrating. I stuck mine tongue out at him to see if he was aware of what he was doing. And, "pop," out came his little tongue again - this time amongst lots of smiles and giggles! He has discovered his tongue!

Jed has been doing lots and lots of new things lately. One is pulling himself up on the couch, toys and mom or dad, among other things. The first time this happened was Monday, yes, 4 days ago. I put Jed on the floor so I could check on dinner. I came back to the living room and he was standing at the couch! I couldn't quite believe that our little, squirmy, fussy, helpless Jed was standing there looking at me so proudly. Tuesday night, while I was running into the other room, I saw him begin to pull himself up the hassock - so I stopped to watch. He wanted my cell phone. I now need to be more aware of where I set things down - not all objects, just the ones that only mommy and daddy are allowed to handle!

Examining the blueberry pancake.

Enjoying blueberry pancakes!

A rare glimpse at the elusive tongue. Who would have thought it could be so cute!

"I think I can, I think I can . . ."

Success!

First look at our decorated and lit Christmas tree.

"Hey, the blinking things on the tree are pretty cool! I think I'll give them a round of applause."

Jed really loves his "ba ba."

Jed On Tour

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend visiting lots of families - which Jarrod dubbed "Jed On Tour." Even with all the hustle and bustle of traveling between 4 families we are so blessed! Jedidiah had an especially fun weekend - he enjoys being the center of attention. Jarrod and I enjoyed being able to sleep in a few mornings - Grandma and Grandpa Oswald watch Jed when he wakes up at 6:30 in the morning. That was the first time in about 9 months that Jarrod and I awoke and saw that the clock read 10:00am! :)

Jed eating his favorite food - green beans - all by himself! What a big boy!

I wonder who has more fun at bathtime - Jed or Mom & Dad?


Much to Mom and Dad's surprise, Jed will climb out of his car seat if you do not buckle him in right away!

Enjoying Mommy's balloon.

Jedidiah has taken a great interest in his books lately. He enjoys looking at all the pictures and turing the pages. Here he is standing up and using his book for a drum.

Sharing his zwieback toast with Grampa Oswald.



Reading his favorite book - 5 Little Ladybugs.

The rest of the pictures are from our evening Christmas Tree Hunt. We didn't get home until dusk, but it did not deter the Roll family from tracking down the perfect Christmas tree. The air smelled amazing as we snuck between the pines. Jed was mesmerized by the trees - they are very different than the birch tree that is outside our front door.

Just Jed's size.

Helping Daddy cut down the tree.

He is such a good helper!

Teething And Yes, More Pictures!

Jed has officially started teething. He has all the signs and symptoms, EXCEPT no swelling or white spots on his gums where his teeth will be! Since he started this phase, he has been less interested in nursing - even taking mom milk from a bottle. So, we begun the weaning process. He still nurses when in the morning before we all separate for the day and then I get home from work (and sometimes at night - much to our dismay). That leaves me with an actual lunch break now! So, expect more updates and pictures to come on a more regular basis!

On to the pictures!

Jed & his infamous bitter biscuits -

he loves them, but they are messy!

Jed has been eating those Gerber Fruit Puffs. This one got

stuck on his lip just in time for Halloween!

Making the most of a "warm" day!

His first pile of leaves! He still does prefer them on the tree.

Daddy and Jed having fun with a new - used toy.

Jedidiah doesn't quite know what to think of the snow.

Shortly after I took the picture he began crying. Maybe he

is still going through leaf withdrawal . . .

This is Good Morning Jed!

Amazing!

I am continually amazed at God's creation! Jedidiah is growing so fast and changing so quickly. I was looking back at his first pictures while we were still in the hospital. He face is the same, but yet different. He is now longer, heavier, even more alert, says syllables such as da da, la la lo, ma, ba, mo and even some fff's, is beginning to pick up objects with his thumb and index finger as well as getting up on his hands and knees. His head is still bald and his mouth still lacks teeth. He is amazing!
Sorry, we've been such slackers! We always talk about what to put on the next post, but we have little time to actually post, since we do not have the internet at home. Life has been hectic since I started back this fall. I love teaching and being a mom, but wow - is it tough to do both! I've been teaching AP Biology, AP Physics, Physics and Anatomy and Physiology this year. Even with all the challenges of new curriculum God has encouraged me through student thank you's and words of appreciation, support of the faculty and even conversations about Creation (vs. evolution). I feel out of touch with so many friends and family. I was recently speaking with a dear friend and she said to me (in reference to my exasperation of being out of the loop), "Teachers are often out of the loop. Parents of small children are also often out of the loop. You are a Teacher and Parent. Get used to it!"
Jarrod spoke a few Wednesdays at youth group - about the supernatural and what the Bible has to say about it. Jed and I were able to make it to his first talk. Jarrod did a fantastic job and the kids really responded well to what he shared with them. Jarrod is really enjoying being a Daddy. He and Jed do the most giggling (Jarrod reminds me that Jed may not giggle with me as much, but I sure can comfort Jed). Jarrod and Jed enjoy the outdoors together - walking, running, watching the 'choo-choo' go by and playing with toys on a blanket on the lawn. Jarrod and I wonder what winter will be like - some days the only thing that make Jed happy is being outside.
Well, enough of us, here's Jed:

Jed's first taste of Cheerios! (Don't let that smile fool you - notice the cheerio on his bib!)

This is cranky Jed. Cranky Jed gets to go outside. Outside transforms Cranky Jed in to Life is Good Jed!

Got more pics!

I finally got pictures to load! Hooray! They are not in sequencial order. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!!


Jed's last romp with tree before it lost its leaves.


Jed & Mommy giggling on the couch.


Daddy tried to give Jed "bubble hair."


Enjoying the fall weather. He misses the leaves off his tree.


Help! I'm stuck!


Jed still loves bathtime - just in the sink. He doesn't like the tube!


He makes big messes at mealtime.


Jed's Got Mail!

Cooling Off

On a 100 degree day, Jed spent some time splashing in his bathtub in the shade. He loves to be outside, which is challenging on those very hot days. Using his tub as a "kiddie pool" worked great!

"I Can Grab My Toes!"

Jed started grabbing his toes at the end of June. Now it's one of his favorite past times. He struggles to get his toes in his mouth. When he succeeds he makes an "icky face".

He also enjoys sitting on the ottoman in front of our 2nd floor bedroom window. The window is low enough that he can gaze out into the neighborhood.

Jed and Daddy Laughing

Jedidiah chuckles when he hears laughing. So, Daddy and Jed exchange giggles in the mirror and get each other laughing.

Family outing

We went on our first family bike ride one sunny day in early July down to Riverside Park in downtown La Crosse. Heather and Jed are cooling off next to the fountain. Jed doesn't seem to mind wearing hats and he looks so cute wearing them. This is good because he is still very bald.

Where's your smile, Jed?

We tried to get Jed to pose for this photo, be he wouldn't smile. He just kept on staring at Mommy intently as she did her best to get him to "show his teeth" (so to speak).

On his four month check-up, Jed weighed 16 lbs 6 oz and was 25 3/4 inches long. The doctor said that he is a very healthy boy.

A little prune juice gets things moving...

Jed's a very healthy baby, but sometimes he gets a little...um...stopped up. This makes for a very uncomfortable baby. Here's Grandma Oswald giving Jed a bottle of good 'ol prune juice, at the recommendation of our pediatrition. The juice works (when he chooses to actually drink it!).

Can I Take My Tie Off Yet?!

We had a few weddings in late June and early July. Needless to say, he almost received as much attention as the brides . . .

After A Bath

I love to snuggle after a bath! OK, really I just love to snuggle!

Bath Time!

He's graduated to the kitchen sink . . . and is loving it! This was the first bath time with no crying . . . until it was time to get dressed.

Weeeeeee!

Well, not quite yet. This was Jed's first time on the swing - he really didn't know what to think about it yet.

My Circus Book

Elephants are neat! They come in such pretty colors!

Dad On Paternity Leave

Jarrod was blessed to be able to stay home with Jed for 5 weeks while I finished up the school year. They had a grand time - taking walks, talking, visiting mommy for lunch, and (best of all) napping!

Jedidiah Jump Up!

Jed just loves to kick, but for some reason knawing on the front of the seat is more interesting . . .
This is a rare moment of him 'jumping.'

Even sleeping can be dramatic!

I'm getting sophisticated!

I can hold my rattle for a long time now (like . . . 5 minutes)! Mommy is so proud!