Gracie Girl!

Jack's Two Week Old Wellness Visit!

Jack had his two week old wellness visit today with his pediatrician. The picture above shows Jack lying on the exam table at his pediatrician's office for the very first time. Jack now weighs 10 pounds, 10 ounces! When Jack left the hospital on December 18 his weight dropped down to 9 pounds, 2 ounces so he is growing very quickly. Jack is now 22.25 inches long (which is over three inches longer than his birth length), however, we tend to think that the nurse today may have over measured Jack's length a bit. Jack's pediatrician said Jack is very strong and healthy.

Jack took a much deserved nap in his car seat following his wellness visit. Isn't he so cute?!! Jack is such a sweet baby boy.

Sleeping Beauties

Uncle Adam took this very sweet picture in snowy Vermont and I wanted to share it with everyone. Thank you, Uncle Adam.

Learning & Playing Together

We all stayed in our cozy pajamas this morning and had a great time playing and learning together. Grace practiced sorting fruits and vegetables into separate baskets. Grace helped Jack touch each fruit and vegetable prior to sorting them. Grace also told Jack the name of each item. This was a very special moment for me to watch my two children learning together. Grace was so gentle and kind to Jack. Grace is such a wonderful big sister and she will also be a wonderful teacher & role model to Jack. Jack loved every moment of the sorting activity with his big sister this morning. He always lights up when he sees Grace's face and hears her voice.

A Little Picasso!

I told Grace that she was my "little Picasso girl" today. Grace asked to wear her new polka dot hat to paint. That, combined with the smock and paint, made Grace look like the true artist that she is! Grace enjoyed choosing her paint colors and using her new paint brushes to make thank you cards for our friends and family who have been so very kind and generous with their thoughtful Christmas gifts.

Two Weeks Old

I can't believe that Jack is already two weeks old. Time has gone by much too quickly! I have already noticed some big changes in Jack in just two weeks. Some of Jack's favorite things are: being carried in a sling, looking at his reflection in the mirror (seen here on his play mat), a play key ring, his What Does Baby See? book, music, and dancing with Mommy. Jack also really enjoys his crib with all of its fun and interesting toys and patterns.

Here is a picture of our beautiful boy taken today after falling asleep in his sling.

Our Day of "Firsts"

Today we took our first car trip into Portland as a family of four. We all woke up this morning at our usual time of 6:00. We ate breakfast, got dressed, and packed a few essentials for our trip. By the time we all got into the car it was 11:00. Our first family outing together only took us five hours to get ready....not too bad!!!!!!! :)Here is a picture of Grace and Jack in their car seats. If you look closely you can see Jack in the mirror. Jack slept the entire way to and from Portland and our Gracie girl talked and sang songs all the way to and from Portland! We also had another "first" today. Grace and Jack had their first ride in their double jogging stroller. We took advantage of this beautiful day with temperatures near 60 degrees by going for a walk on our dirt road. Grace faced forward and was excited to see mud puddles, several dogs, neighbors, and snow along side the road. Jack faced me in his car seat and was comfy cozy warm with his monkey! Thank you to Memere & Pepere for this wonderful stroller that is absolutely perfect for our family.

A Family Fun Saturday

Memere, Auntie Allison, and cousin Kimberlee came for a visit today. This was Auntie Allison and Kimberlee's first time meeting Jack. Grace had a great time playing and sharing her toys with Kimberlee. We really enjoyed watching the two girls interact with each other today. Thank you, Memere, for all of your help today. We truly appreciate all that you have done to help us welcome Jack into our family and all that you continue to do for Grace. Thank you, Auntie Allison, for taking such good care of us today and for all of your beautiful gifts for Jack and Grace. We can't wait to see everyone again!

Good Morning Jack!

Last night was the first night that Jack spent the night in his crib! Prior to this, Jack was in a pack-n-play in our room so he could be close to me as I recovered from my C-section. This picture was taken this morning shortly after Jack woke up. After unswaddling Jack, I put him back in his crib. Jack loved looking at his crib bumper, which is made of different black and white patterns. Jack also really loved watching and listening to his new Glow Worm that he received for Christmas. Jack is starting to visually track objects from midline to the left and right side. Such a big boy!!!

The Bouncy Seat!

Today was the first day that Jack was introduced to his bouncy seat. He loved it!

Since Jack was sleeping when Grace woke up from her nap, I put him in his bouncy seat while Grace and I read books together in an adjacent chair. After Grace and I finished each book, she would jump down from my lap to check on "Jack-Jack." Each time Grace checked on Jack she said, "Jack-Jack is STILL sleeping!" Toward the end of our book time, Jack made several baby noises in his sleep. Each time we heard Jack, Grace quickly ran to Jack's side and excitedly said, "Jack-Jack is waking up. Hooray!"

Goodbye Maddy & Poppy

We were all so very sad to see Maddy & Poppy leave for Vermont today. Poppy was with us the first several days after Grace was born but had to return to Vermont due to work commitments. We were very happy to have Poppy back with us for Christmas. He was a tremendous help to us. Poppy and Grace have a special bond and the time they were able to spend together was priceless. One of the greatest joys of having children of my own is seeing them with my own parents. The grandparent/grandchild bond is truly amazing to watch develop and grow. Maddy has been with us the entire time since Jack has been born. There are not enough words to thank my beautiful Mom for all that she has done to help me and my family. I could not have gotten through the past two weeks without her love and support. While Bob, Jack, and I were at the hospital, Maddy was home taking the absolute best care of Grace. Maddy arrived with an activity bag full of fun projects for Grace to do each day that she had spent weeks preparing. While I was at the hospital I felt so at peace just knowing that Grace was happy, safe, and in the best hands. When I returned home from the hospital I came home to a perfectly clean house, with everything in its place. It was obvious that Maddy spent her evenings after Grace went to sleep making sure everything was ready for my arrival home ~ all this without any electricity! Maddy also did endless loads of laundry (far too many to count!), drove to the grocery store on snowy roads to get my medicine, woke up every morning to read to Grace so I could spend time with Jack, prepared all of Grace's meals, and best of all she showered Grace and Jack with lots of love, hugs, and kisses. Thank you, Mom, for everything. My wish is to be the type of mother to Grace and Jack as you have been and always will be to me. I love you and Dad so very much.

Pajama Love

Silent Night

Christmas Morning

Our Christmas Walk

Our Christmas Eve Angel

Opening A Few Presents On Christmas Eve!

Maddy & Grace Making Cinnamon Ornaments on Christmas Eve

Maddy & Grace made applesauce cinnamon ornaments together this morning. Grace enjoyed smelling the cinnamon prior to making the ornaments. Jack enjoyed smelling the cinnamon too! Once the dough was made, Grace & Maddy used rolling pins to flatten the dough. Grace asked Maddy to trace her hand in the dough ~ this was her favorite part!

Hard working hands!

Grace & Maddy used cookie cutters to make different ornament shapes.

Another favorite part of making cinnamon ornaments for Grace was cleaning up! Grace loves to wash her hands. She tells everyone that it is very important to wash their hands for at least "twenty minutes!"

Here are the finished applesauce cinnamon ornaments. Maddy has them drying by our wood pellet stove. Tomorrow morning Maddy & Grace will tie ribbons through the holes that they poked with a straw. Some of the ornaments will be hung on our Christmas tree and the others will be given to friends and family. Grace made a very special ornament for "Jack-Jack," which is my favorite. Maddy & Grace also enjoyed making the orange cloves (seen here) earlier this week.

One Week & One Day Old

As some of you know, because of the many phone calls today, I experienced some complications yesterday and had to be taken by the local Limerick rescue squad to the emergency room. It was a disappointment to have missed posting a picture of Jack's one week birthday but the emergency room did not exactly provide the best conditions for a photo opportunity!!! I am so happy to be home now. Jack is such a sweet, gentle, and a very loveable baby boy. I had to visit my doctor today so I dressed Jack in a big boy outfit for the visit.

"Humpty Dumpty" by Grace

While Bob & I were at the hospital having Jack, Grace & Maddy made a Humpty Dumpty book together. I was a little shocked today when Grace sat next to Jack & I on the couch and read her collection of booklets and stories to us. Grace began with her Humpty Dumpty sequence booklet and then read us her booklet about horses. Next, Grace spun the wheel and told us all about the "Ovals in my world." Grace then read the booklet that contains words that begin with the short vowel "e." But, by far, my favorite are the two booklets that Grace so perfectly says, "Egg facts." One booklet lists animals that lay eggs and the other one is about small and large eggs. When Grace told me that she was going to tell me facts about eggs I was so amazed and surprised that my tummy hurt from trying to hold in my amazement. Maddy & Grace have been doing such wonderful projects together every day. I'll be sure to share more of their projects in later posts.

Little Boy Blue

Celebrating The First Day of Winter

Bedtime

Cuddling With Friends

Jack with Monkey.

Jack & Monkey meet for the first time.

Grace with Ella.
Grace & Ella ~ Good friends.