A Few More...

Here are a few more photos from our weekend in Oregon earlier this month. Thanks to Aunt Shawn (Matt's sister) for sending these our way.

Mom (Mindy), Nana Carol, Jay, and Cousin Alex

Here we are watching Cousin Josh's basketball game coached by Uncle Mike Saturday morning. Jay had grabbed my arm for "comfort." Silly guy.

Dad Matt giving Jay a zerbert on his tummy to evoke some smiles while sitting on Nana's lap

Hello to all my fans!

Jay and Cousin Alex

Having dinner at PopPop Jim and Nana Carol's house Saturday afternoon

Look at my toy peeler I'm playing with while eating dinner! So fun!

Eating lunch at Sweet Tomatoes after church on Sunday

Three Years Ago

Three years ago today

I stood up in front of all my family and friends

and made the best decision of my life -

I married Matthew James.

Happy anniversary, honey!

Daily Mail Errand

Here is a brief glimpse of a part of our daily routine here at home.

In the late afternoon I put Jay in his Radio Flyer red wagon for a ride down our condo hallway to the mailbox to pick up our daily mail. We do it after he wakes up from his afternoon nap and before I feed him his dinner. It always puts him in a great mood.

Weekend in Oregon

This weekend we took a trip to Oregon to see our nephews Alex and Joshua play their last basketball game for the season in their Upward program.

The only unfortunate thing was that PopPop was not feeling well all weekend so therefore didn't go "out and about" with us and he isolated himself around the house. However he was able to watch Jay and hear/take part in the many conversations.

We arrived at PopPop and Nana's house late Friday afternoon (the drive there was great - weather was beautiful and traffic was good) in time to settle in, give Jay a bath before his bedtime, etc.

Saturday morning Matt, Nana, Jay and I left the house before 8:00 a.m. to drive to the gym where the boys were playing. Josh's game started at 8:45 and Alex's game followed at 10. Brother-in-law Mike coached Josh's team this year so it is a full family affair.

Me, Nana, Jay and Alex watching Josh's game

Matt's sister Shawn arriving

Nana, Jay, Shawn, and Alex

Photos above: Joshua in action on the basketball court

Photos above: Alex in action during his basketball game

Josh watching Alex enjoy his after-game snack/treat

After the games were finished we all gathered back at PopPop and Nana's for the afternoon and evening. It was so fun hanging out together playing and catching up.

Jay loves to stand hanging on to legs or objects

Above it happens to be Daddy's leg

Josh and Jay playing together

Jay hanging with Dad Matt

Jay playing with Aunt Shawn (Matt's sister)

Josh working on his Lego creation

Shawn and Jay playing together

Video of all of us singing "Head & Shoulders, Knees & Toes"

Video of Jay playing with Nana's magazines

Nana made a WONDERFUL meal for all of us Saturday evening. Here is a picture of the beautiful table. It tasted even better than it looks here! :)

Sunday we joined Aunt Shawn, Uncle Mike, and the boys at their church. Afterwards we enjoyed lunch at the nearby Sweet Tomatoes and hit the road after the meal. We arrived home late yesterday evening and we're back to our normal routine this week.

Thanks PopPop, Nana, Mike, Shawn, Alex and Josh for a fun weekend. We had a great time!

Bowling Night!

Tonight we enjoyed fun times with Matt's new co-workers. It was their annual bowling night event which provided a great time of building comradarie and friendships outside of the work environment.

We brought Jay with us passing him back and forth as our "turn" came up. It was Jay's first time in a bowling alley and it took him a bit to get used to the fun music, the loud cheers for strikes and spares, and lots of pins and bowling balls colliding. That plus the fact that Mom dressed him too warmly. Once I took off his sweater and let him hang out in his t-shirt onesie and have a drink of water to cool off he came alive with lots of smiles and play. By the end of the night he was yelling with the rest of them. We'd cheer, then he'd cheer. So fun!

Matt posing for the camera before bowling a strike

Matt in action

Photos below: Jay enjoying a drink of water from the water bottle. He LOVED it - he was like a bird - open mouth waiting for another drink. He likes to stick his tongue into the opening and have the water touch his tongue first before I gently poured some water into his mouth. One time he stuck his tongue in and he sealed his lips around the outside and "sucked" it to see if it would give him more water.

Jay and me (Mom Mindy) enjoying the evening

Below: Jay enjoying interacting with some of Matt's co-workers. Jay likes to point at things now as evidenced by the first photo below. She'd tickle him and he'd react with smiles or a sly look. Others enjoyed playing peek-a-boo and coaxing him into smiles while he sat on my lap.

As you can see, all in all it was a very fun evening. Certainly not our "ordinary" Wednesday night activity and what a nice enjoyable change-up it was for us. Thanks PCRG!!!

Jay's Friends

Today Jay enjoyed getting together with his friends - Audrey, Elorie, and Kyler. Audrey, Kyler and Jay have recently had their 9 month check-ups so it was fun to hear the latest stats on each baby from the Moms.

Audrey seems to have quickly mastered the skill of getting food on the spoon and into her mouth. Jay isn't even interested in doing that yet. And sure enough, Audrey performed "on cue" today during lunch. Here is evidence:


And since I seem to always miss capturing a photo of Kyler, I made sure to get one of him today. Kyler is just a few hours older than Jay. Yes, believe it or not they were born on the same day, though looking at him you'd not guess it. He is a whopping 26 lbs. (he was 26 lbs at his 6 mo. check-up and also at his 9 mo. check-up) and wears 18 mo. clothes. He is a super happy, content, sweet, rolly-polly baby.

We're looking forward to our next get-together and to getting outside to our walks again. The rain is great to keep everything green, but not so good for walking wee babes around in strollers. I know, spring will be here before I know it...patience, Mindy, patience.

9 Months Old!

On Monday, March 2, Jay officially turned 9 months old! And with the age maturation comes another pediatrician appointment. Today was the day for his check-up. Here are his latest stats.

Today's Weight: 18 lbs., 2.5 oz. (10-25%)
Today's Length/Height: 29 inches (75%)
Today's Head Circumference: 46 cm (75%)

He received a clean bill of health! Hooray!

With that good news came two shots (his third/last Hepatitis B and PCV-Pneumococcal) plus a prick on his thumb for a blood draw for his Anemia Screening. (They check the iron level in kids at this age. They will call me with the results this next week.)

Jay was doing so great this week sleeping through the night, but last night we took a step back again (awake at 11, 11:30, and then 12:30 to 1:45). I received a "pat on the back" so to speak from the pediatrician with what I've been doing to help train Jay to sleep through the night so that made me feel better about my gut instincts.

Yes, his weight is "low" according to the charts, but it is no cause for concern since babies this age range in weight greatly depending on their activity levels. He has typically been on the "light" side anyway up until now. I know he is eating until he is full and he is happy and healthy so I'm not concerned in the least. It is fun to see that he continues to be "tall" for his age. Perhaps Jay will be taller than his Daddy some day (that is what Dad hopes).