Special Family Weekend

Instead of going to Colorado this year, we had a San Antonio family weekend. John and Katie joined us for the first time together since they've moved back to Texas. We caught up with each other while visiting, eating and playing. The weekend closed in a special way as we celebrated Dad's life by placing part of his ashes at the columbarium at church. Ron spoke, read scripture, told a story and we each placed a rock on the "tomb" like is done traditionally in Jewish culture as a symbol that Dad was here and we were there remembering him. Jeffrey hung out with the family all weekend. I don't think he cried once! He took his naps at Gigi's and was a trooper, laughing and smiling a lot!

Meeting Aunt Katie

Chillin' with Aunt Jen

Watching a movie, (napping)

Giggling with Gigi

 

So, Who Does He Look Like?

We wondered forever who Jeffrey would look like and we still cannot decide!

Like Dad?

 

Or Mom?

 

We also cannot decide whether his eyes will be blue or brown. Just like the looks, everyone has their own opinion. They are mostly blue now, but have some brown around the pupil.

Some other pictures from this week! 15 weeks old!

 

 

Just drool!

 

 

 

 

 

 

First time in Jumperoo!

 

Beach Boy's First Trip!

We joined Brant's extended family for our annual beach trip this past weekend. Jeffrey was great and went about as usual as far as sleep, eat and semi-routine. He loves to watch the big kids and observe everyone around. Because he can't wear sunscreen yet, we were very careful with the sun and stayed inside most of the time. We had a good visit and he got to meet more of his relatives!

Evening on the beach and a very mellow baby! Loved the sounds.

 

Morning on the beach

 

 

While reading to Jeffrey before bed this week, we've noticed he actually looks at the pictures on each page now! So fun to see all the changes and growth!

 

First Father's Day

Dear Daddy,

Where do I begin? First of all, thank you and I love you. I am so lucky I got you for my dad.

Thank you for learning so much and caring for me so well when I was born. You swaddled me and made me feel warm and snug. You changed my diapers and made sure I was comfortable and dry. I felt safe in your strong arms. You know how to take good care of me. Someday I will realize it was you who taught me to “step up to the plate” when it’s needed.

Thank you for working so hard for our family. I know you work very hard because I can smell it when you get home! Ha ha! Someday I will realize it was you who taught me to be a hard worker.

Thank you for giving me the strong name that you also have. Someday I will realize how special it is that we share that name.

Thank you for being calm and patient when I cry. It must be hard to listen to, but that’s the only way I can get my point across. Someday I will realize it was you who taught me patience.

I know I will make you mad sometimes, but I also know you will love me no matter what. Someday I will realize it was you who taught me unconditional love.

I know you will be a wonderful example for me in so many ways. I look forward to playing with you, hunting with you, being with you and just plain loving you. Someday I will realize I want to be the kind of man you are.

Happy First Father’s Day.

I love you, Daddy!

Love,

Jeffrey

(13 weeks old)

3 Months and Rolling!

     3 months ago today, we met our baby boy! He is growing so quickly and learning a lot! He surprised me by rolling from his front to back 2 weeks ago. I was so excited! He did is three more times right after that and I got to record one and send it to grandmas, great-grandmas and aunts! He's been practicing ever since. Once he's rolled over, he talks to his "friend" the star that is attached to the overhead part of the play mat. We joke and say he talks to that guy more than he talks to anyone else. He loves the simple face on it I guess.
     We have been walking in our neighborhood in the mornings. Sometimes we use a carrier, sometimes the stroller. We also try to get out and "see some people" once a day and always sing "Let's Go Riding in the Car" while getting out the door. Jeffrey enjoys being sung to and listening to rhymes. He loves the silly, repetitive things I do and anticipates what I will say next by opening his mouth wide with a big, excited smile. He watches my hands as I move them in the motions that go with rhymes or songs. He sleeps through the sermon at church and wakes up when the music starts again. He sometimes uses a quiet voice when it's just the two of us up close and he just smiles at me and giggles, which melts my heart!!!
     I went to work on Saturday for our teacher work day. I wrapped it all up, met the woman who is taking my place and said goodbye to some of the most amazing people. I've been very fortunate to have worked in that school for the past 4 years. They really did make me feel loved like it was my home away from home. I am now officially and full time mom! I've waited so long for this time. Brant and I have planned for this for a long time. Brant looked at me on Sunday night and said, "You look happy." I am. I'm finally feeling normal this week. Everything is getting a little easier too. For example, I usually have to wait for someone to help me take his monthly picture in his chair and this month he can sit up on his own so I can take it by myself! 3 months is a great age so far!



 

 

Our beautiful neighborhood park in the mornings

 

The adored star friend

Watching the storm come in with Gigi

"Oh brother! It's too early!" after an early morning feeding

Lovin' and Learnin'

A few of the many things I love about my son:
His laughter, which surprises me each time. The sound of it is like nothing else!
The way he moves his hands on my side and chest when he eats
Him talking to me, "cooing"
Narrating everything to him as he seriously studies what is going on
How his tiny ear makes an imprint on my chest when he falls asleep there
Him smiling up at me when I'm changing his diaper (especially in the car, on my lap when I'm not expecting it, in hurry to get going-so cute!)
How getting to know him and having him in our lives somehow keeps getting better and better

What I am learning:
To appreciate my mom even more
That I will sacrifice anything so that he doesn't have to
To take it slow and be present because he's not going to be small for long
He really is watching and listening to everything we say and do, (even at this young age. And he can feel what we're feeling, I am certain!)
There are a million ways to parent and very few of them are "wrong," just different

I ROCK FOR DOC

We got a very special delivery this morning-a one of a kind treasure from our friend Rex.

Rex is one of those great people that always makes you laugh. We know him from church and I got to know him during our tours in Italy and Israel. In Rome, he started sneaking rocks into my backpack at the coliseum. He'd ask, "Is your backpack getting heavy?" He kept sneaking those rocks in the whole trip! I would get back to the hotel in the evening and find them! In fact, he asked me today if my backpack was still getting heavy. Another good memory was when he and I were both museumed-out and opted out of seeing the Dead Sea scrolls he told me about his younger years outside the museum.
He's also a big UT Longhorn. I remember he would always tease my Dad about being an Aggie and tell Aggie jokes at church. Today he said, "You may think this is strange, but John helped me make this. When I was done he said, 'You did a good job.'" Dad would definitely have loved this. Mom was here and she boo-hooed. Rex even found a 12th man sticker for the rocking train. He said he had to wear rubber gloves while painting, "this maroon paint will contaminate me!" When I texted Brant a picture, he wrote, "Wow! That's impressive! Did he actually paint it Aggie maroon? In his own house??!!!"
He said he started this project as soon as he found out I was pregnant. I have been overwhelmed by the continuous generosity of our friends. I am especially touched by gifts made with such love, by a friend's own hands. Rex does so much for our church and is a busy man, yet he took a lot of time to create something special for Jeffrey.
I ROCK FOR DOC is the BEST part!!!
Thank you to Rex, a very special friend!

"The happiest people I know are people who don’t even think about being happy. They just think about being good neighbors, good people. And then happiness sort of sneaks in the back window while they are busy doing good." Rabbi Harold Kushner