The Football Star

We start 'em out early in the Shackleford home. Little Jared is well on his way to being a Tennessee Volunteer (according to Daddy) or a Missouri Tiger (according to Grandpa.) Either way, after that he'll be headed to the NFL......for sure. We took him to the park one day and he saw some folks with a football, and because he's his father's son he went craaaazy. We decided the next time we went we would take the football with us. We let him play to his little heart's content. He was so funny, he wouldn't let us play with him at all. It was a solo practice I guess. We loved how his one arm would swing as he ran after the ball. I wish I could make the videos longer, but the digital camera will just have to do for now. Enjoy our little football player! We sure do.......he's just so darn cute we can't help but love him to pieces.

Christmas Pony

This is especially for the Santa Claus who didn't get to see the joy on our little boy's face. I hope you enjoy it. We love you and thank you again.

A Video

Unbelievable!

Well, our little boy is one year old now. He turned one on the 9th of June. It's so unbelievable to think that it's already been an entire year since our precious (yet often quite naughty) little angel joined our family. It's been so incredible to watch him grow and develop, to see his abilities to daily improve. We were lucky enough to have the majority of the Comer half of our family come out for their "vacation." It's true, vacationing in Rexburg Idaho is the new trend. They were able to be here RIGHT before it got sunny and beautiful. Anyway, it was nice to have them here for Baby Jared's birthday. We can't wait to be back home so that it will be more feasible to have more family togetherness with both halves! So, here are some pictures of our great big one year old eating his first birthday cake. He was actually surprisingly clean, I think. Though he did have cake filled nostrils. Ah, I love my boy. It still seems so surreal that a little over a year ago, Jared, Mom, Dad and myself were going to the hospital for an induction of our week late rather large and large headed son, where upon our arrival we got stuck in the elevator. Next time, we'll be taking the stairs.

He got pretty lucky with his presents. He got such nice new toys, and yet he still plays with plastic bottles, paper and nightlights. No, he really does play with his new toys, especially his musical rolly thing. His Mega-Bloks too are strewn across the living room, his caterpillar is constantly singing ABC, and he loves to hear his tractor sing "Tow and pull, tow and pull, tractor's wagon is nearly full......yadda yadda." It's so cute, I love to watch him play and dance. Speaking of dance, I've got some videos I'll post soon. Meanwhile, enjoy our son.

As Promised....

Here are the videos I promised. This first one, well, actually the first two, he displays his orneriness in not doing as I ask. Which is nothing unusual. In the first one, he does say "MaMa" but that's about it. In the second one, he shows us all how he can shake his cute little head no and asks "What's That?" The third video isn't a very good one. I was trying to record him walking, but, it didn't happen like I had hoped. That's alright, I'll try again shortly. He's walking better and better every day. Enjoy!

A Little Boy

He's no baby any longer, he's a little boy. He's walking, he's rolling his hands (along with his clapping,) he's asking "What's that?" and pointing to everything he sees, he's been waving hello and bye-bye for a while now. He's interested in other children he sees, he poses for the camera, he's an amazing ball player, and he loves to "read" his books! He's so funny...he has a counting book that he makes us read over and over and over. He turns the pages for us at all the right times! He loves to give the animals in his books hugs or kisses. He has also started being so playful. He runs and squeals and giggles when we chase him and tell him that we're going to get him, and he loves to be on our bed and throw the pillows all over himself and the bed. He's such a silly boy. It's so hard to believe Baby Jared will be a year old next month!! Well, below are quite a few pictures. I realize I've slacked off alot with this blog thing and I'm not going to apologize for it. I'm just no good at it. Oh well. Please, enjoy this ubercute Punkin' of ours. I've got some videos to add on, but for some reason they're not uploading. I WILL get them up, so check back soon. This photo is the ill-fated day wherein I gave him a banana to eat on his own, which he did, and in so doing he also ruined his beautiful Cardinal's jammies. I'm sorry Mom and Dad. Here we see the baby monster in his first self feeding. He does love to play games with his food. Posing for the photo op. He should be a model.

Our Little Bitty Goofball

So, I'm pretty sure most of our family has seen these pictures, but I'm going to post them on here as well just because I can and I want the whole world to see how silly our adorable little boy is. Also, here's the video to go along with the pictures, as promised. (The video is kind of bad quality due to a lack of lighting. Watch closely and you can see a bit.) It's so funny, he only did this for about a day and he hasn't done it since. I'm glad we were able to catch it on video and in pictures.

Now, today he started doing another new thing. He was cracking us up so much today. I can't really put it into words (I guess I could, but it's much funnier to see.) So, having said that.........here's a video (that also displays his new hand-clapping capabilities!)

He's developed such a wonderful personality. He's always talking or screaming, making himself known. He's the sweetest little boy in the world and is just so cute. I couldn't have even dreamed up a more perfect baby than Jared Jr. He never stops making me laugh out loud (or chuckle to myself when he's being naughty and I'm trying to scold him.) Ah, I love my boys.

Videos!

So, after sending out an email to our family with what should have been a sweet little video of our boy, I discovered the video was actually too big. I've been trying to think of a way to let everyone see him, and I remembered that this is EXACTLY why I started a blog! I don't use it often, but I should, and.......maybe I will. So, here he is, Jared, the adorable baby boy.

I don't know how to get it to you so you can have it if you want it, but I'll try and figure something out. Here's another little bit of him (and his very handsome daddy) on his first Christmas.

Growing Boy

Well, I've come to the realization that I am a terrible, terrible blogger. Jared Jr. is 5 1/2 months old now and we've just been keeping him to ourselves and not sharing his accomplishments. He's getting so big and strong! He started rolling over onto his back while we were on our trip to Missouri and Tennessee and now he's been rolling over onto his tummy as well. He's been doing that for probably about a month or so now. He's getting way too mobile. He's figured out that he can get from point A to point B by rolling over a few times. We take our eyes off of him for a second and when we look back, he's gone. He is also eating solids now. Had his first bit of cereal October 31st. All the other kids were getting candy for Halloween, and he was getting rice cereal. Poor, poor baby. We also got his brand new high chair! Yay! No more lap feedings. (Thanks to a great-grandma.) He looks like such a big boy eating in it. I can't believe we're going on 6 months of him in our life. My, my, how the time does fly.

I just want to let all of our family know that we are so very grateful to you all for all that you've done for us and given us for our little boy. We couldn't possibly have been prepared enough without your help. We sure love you all and we miss you all. We so look forward to school ending and moving back home.

Sporting his St. Louis Cardinals wear.