1 Year, 1 Month

Jack and Henry have had a busy month. They both now stand on their own for short periods of time, expertly cruise along the furniture, and have started to take tentative little steps on their way to running around our house with wild abandon.

B.H. (Before Haircuts)

Early in the month, the boys open a cool building toy from Uncle Jim and Aunt Brooke:

Jack, looking very much the handyman with his plastic keys in his back jean pocket, pleads to be let through the gate to "fix" something in the kitchen:

"Well, if I can't fix anything in there, how about we work on Daddy's computer?" (Henry left, Jack right)

Henry, showing off some of his toys. First up, singing cube:

Activity center:

Doing some light shopping, little Jack is excited to ride in the big cart:

Henry getting in on the food selection action:

Henry, showing off his muscles...

... and karate chops...

... and professional realm-surveying arm.

Jack is quite the climber. He pulled his stroller out from under this chair, used it for a step to get up onto the chair, then proceeded to climb the back and attempt to face-plant into the toy storage furniture behind:

The boys have refined palates. Here, Henry attempts to eat Daddy's belt:

Peek-a-boo with Jack:

A.H. (After Haircuts)
Dad reads to his boys, Jack in lap, Henry standing beside:

Little baby Jack, not such a little baby anymore:

Jack, you're supposed to smile in selfies!

That's better.

More smiles from Jack-Jack:

Jack, caught in the act of trying to get his finger stuck in the cutout detail of our secretary desk:

Henry, stuffing his horaffe (rare cross between a horse and a giraffe) into his mouth: 

Even rarer, picture of Henry without pacifier or big grin so his face can actually be seen:

He reminds me a bit of my dad in that picture; familial resemblances are fascinating.

Onward, tired Mom!

Jack has really been enjoying his newfound power of pointing, and now points to basically everything... sometimes because he wants it, sometimes because he wants you to name it for him.

Rocket Jack, having figured out his cool new toy from my parents:

Henry showing off his toddling skills with his new walker wagon from my folks:

And, finally, a party...

Steve's parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary over Labor Day weekend. Since the event was an evening affair, the boys had to duck out early to get some shuteye. However, Steve tried to take them around to say hello to as many people as possible.

Steve with Henry:

Rare picture of the parents sans kiddos:

My folks came along to celebrate, as well as assist me with the boys. Of course, helpers were not difficult to find at this friendly affair. 

Grandpa Pool, me, Grandma Pool with Jack, and honorary Aunt Gail, who was ready to entertain the little guys:

Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of the boys with their Grandparents Loveridge on this special occasion, but here's a shot of the happy couple I lifted from other relatives on Facebook:

Hopefully the boys will be so fortunate as to find partners to stick with them through all the challenges life throws at a couple over fifty years of marriage. I'm sure if the boys could talk, they would have chimed in a hearty "congratulations!" to Grandma and Grandpa.