Chicago & Boston 2013

With Jack's 5th flight, we safely made it to Boston (Brandon lost his luggage going into Chicago, me into Boston...but both were safely delivered the next day!) 

Chicago, or Chi-town, is amazing! You have a smaller NYC-esque city next to this gorgeous crystal blue ginormous lake, Lake Michigan. There are miles of lake front parks, complete with sandy beaches next to the tallest skyscrapers in America! I didn't want to leave. Although I heard the weather in the winter can leave much to be desired! In one city, the temp can span over 100 degrees during the year! Crazy. And it's not named the Windy City for nothing, added to the winter temps, brrrrrrrrrr :)

So we had a great 4 nights in the city. Explored downtown a lot: saw the silver bean, went up the Sears' (now Willis') Tower to look at the view from 104 stories high, took a 90 minute architecture boat tour of the skyscrapers along the Chicago River, saw the waterfront, ate at some great restaurants (including buying some deep dish pizza), celebrated Adam & Krista's wedding and Tom & Christine's 1st anniversary. 

I just spent my first full day at my Grandparents' cottage on the Boston Harbor water! Jack has taken 2 full naps, as I type this he has been sound asleep on my chest for almost 2 hours. With 4 full days in Chicago and a fun day chasing crabs in Boston, he is worn out!! But, he is a great traveler. He knows that good boys get to travel and have fun!! And he never cried once on the planes...just had many admirers ogle over him :) 

Can't wait to show him Natasket Beach tomorrow.

Jack is 8 months!

On his 8th month birthday, Jack had a big first! His first airplane ride...and in 1st class!!! He did awesome! Fed on the ascent, fell asleep for an hour, woke up and played on my lap for 40 minutes and then fed again on the descent!! Then taxiing to the San Francisco gate, he let out a few gleeful exclamations!!! And of course the flight attendants loved him. So Happy to hold him while I went to the bathroom!

Today Jack got to have more fun in the sand. We went to Half Moon Bay to play in the sand. Such a happy boy. San Francisco agrees with him! He's slept the longest length of time during the night to date! And..he's had his earliest bedtime too! Sleeping by 8!!

At 8 months, Jack has mastered official crawling. Since 7 months, he's been easily getting around with army crawling...but, a few days ago he did full, chest off the ground, crawling quickly across the room!!

And he is as social as ever. Always up for an adventure, sleeps between activities! Loving eating! Constantly is rolling his arms, like in the 'patty cake' song! And still likes to cuddle with me as I sing to him and massage him before bed. Couldn't ask for a sweeter 8 month old boy! Love, love, love!!!

Our 6th Year Anniversary and the Seattle Aquarium

Sunday, July 14th, Brandon and I celebrated our 6th year anniversary! Brandon decided to plan the day...and I decided I was excited to be 'surprised'. We rented the same horse drawn carriage that Brandon and I took to the hotel after our wedding receiption, 6 years ago! It was fun to reminense and realize how fast 6 years has flown by...after all the trips and play time, the best part of our love and marriage is of course Jack. In fact, we cut our night short because we missed the little guy too much :)

We had dinner at El Gaucho and changed the rest of our plans...when we decided bowling at our old college stomping grounds, sounded so fun. So on a Sunday afternoon, we rented a lane (basically had the place to ourselves) and bowled our hearts out. Brandon won 3 games to 1, but I wasn't too far behind in each game.

This Tuesday, Brandon's parents invited us to go to the Seattle Aquarium. Jack's first trip. He enjoyed seeing the big fish, seals and artificial waves in the wave pool. The little guy fell asleep at the very end, but not before spending a couple hours at the aquarium. Below are a few pictures of the fun day.

 

Happy 4th of July, America!



For Jack's first 4th of July, we rented a suite at the Marriott over Lake Union! We had a balcony on the top floor overlooking the fireworks! We wandered down to the street fair below, ate some food and introduced Jack to more Seattle life! Jack must have known we were celebrating America's birthday because he didn't want to sleep! He was very awake and happy to watch the Seattle fireworks! Happy 4th! 

Jack is 7 months :)

Happy 7th Month Birthday Jack!!

 

Over 18 pounds, 2 ounces...our guy is getting more rolls, and heavier to carry! Jack continues to be SOCIAL! If we are out and about...Jack is happy. 

Jack is eating more and more solids...he's LOVES avocado and banana. He's eating sweet potato & banana with cinnamon, oatmeal with apple and cinnamon, green beans with butternut squash, green beans, & broccoli. He's had little bits of chicken! LOVES ALL OF IT. It's been fun to puree my own food in the baby food maker. He continues to breastfeed. I am determined to go a year...because it's SO fun to pump at work :)

Oh and crawling!! Jack loves to crawl. He gets from point A to point B...quickly. Right now it is more of an army crawl...but there are a few mixed in coordinated crawling movements. Which means one thing: there's no turning back. Jack is a mover! Ready to explore!

He's getting better at entertaining himself. If surrounded by his toys, he can spend 1/2 hour playing by himself. He loves toys that have cause & effect. He hits the keys and they light up and play music. Oh and he's discovered how fun it is to JUMP. Between his jumper in the doorway and his stand alone jumper, he loves JUMPING. It's hilarious to watch how fast he gets going. And...how tall he's grown. When we first got him the stand alone jumper in April, he couldn't touch the ground. Now we've raised the height adjustor, and he can definitely stand! Boy oh boy!

 

Happy 6th Month Birthday Jack!

Mother's Day 2013

Happy Mother's Day

Wow, what a difference a year makes. I'm thinking back to a year ago, last Mother's Day. I had just entered my 2nd trimester of pregnancy. Many people were wishing me a Happy Mother's Day, because technically I was a mother to very precious cargo...But, it was still hard to imagine that a short 6 months later I would actually be holding my son; with perfect little features, soft, silky blond hair and the most velvety skin around. I had no idea what an honor it would be to be called Mother until I met Jack. He has made me such a proud mama! I love him so much. I can not look at him without smiling. He is perfect; very social, outgoing, funny, and sharing his cute little smiles with his family. Being a mother is amazing and such an incredible responsibility! :)

This morning I slept in (to 8:30 am!) but was woken up by the joyful sounds of Jack talking, LOUDLY! Just twisting and turning, rolling around in the bed, talking all these wonderful sounds, happy as could be. And I was just as happy as could be, listening while getting to lounge in bed. Perfect! And his giggle, such this deep down pure happiness I feel when Jack begins giggling with his whole body. Coupled with the fact that I had the day off work to relax...So perfect!

Thank you Jack for making me a mother. I have enjoyed the past 6 months (almost, 8 days away), watching you grow and change and become the curious, happy, playful, watchful boy that you have become. Sometimes you will sit in my lap watching the trees shake in the wind, the birds fly or anything else that you spot in your eye, other times, you cannot sit still, instead anxious to be free to roll and roll playing with your toys. But you always let me snuggle and lay with you each night as you drift off to a peaceful sleep! What a special time for me. :)

As you can tell, I'm smitten & I am excited to watch you grow and grow. Love, mama! xoxoxo