Paul, Alexa, and Jack Angell

Where did June go?

I can't believe it's already July. Our trip to the Outer Banks in late May was wonderful. Very relaxing, although not as relaxing as the pre-Jack era :-)  Howie and Anna joined us for the first few days, Suzanne was with us all week, and Danny made it for the last few days. I got some reading in, which I haven't done in forever. Suzanne got a chance to chill too - and of course lots of time to be the great honorary aunt that she is! Oh, and when you look at the OBX pics, you'll see pics of wild horses on the beach. This year we stayed in the 4x4 only area, where there are no roads, you literally drive on the beach. And the wild horses are just part of the beautiful landscape.

We celebrated Paul's first Father's Day by treating him to a big home-cooked breakfast and a "My Dad Rules" bib and picture frame set. He does rule - wonderful husband and father.

Jack got his first little cold/illness in mid-June. At its highest, his fever was 101.8, but it quickly went down. For a few days, he sounded really congested, and his voice was hoarse. I took him to the dr after three days of symptoms, and the dr said he was basically fine. No ear infection, no strep, probably just a little viral something that needed to run its course. This kid has been so healthy (knock on wood) - you would never know he was 7 weeks early. I think we have all paid our dues for a while though :-)

Saraiya turned 3 on June 28th, and Paul Sr. turned 62 on June 29th. We couldn't celebrate with them that week, but we'll be seeing them very soon!

Paul went to Moab, Utah, site of this year's Primal Quest adventure race (www.ecoprimalquest.com). He got media credentials, so he reported on and photographed the race for Checkpoint Zero. He left on June 23rd and returned July 1st. 9 whole days without him :-(  My first thought was that this would be the first time I've taken care of Jack by myself for 9 days, but I then realized that I don't think Paul and I have ever been apart for 9 days either! Jack and I missed Paul very much, and we are SO glad he is back home. Paul didn't get much sleep at all when he was gone, so he's still catching up on that while trying to get back into the groove of things here.

Jack's first birthday is July 15th, only 12 days away! I really cannot believe how fast the past year has gone by. It seems like only yesterday that I was admitted to the hospital and we had no idea what the future was going to hold for us and our baby. We're having a birthday party for Jack on the 15th, which I know is more for the adults than for him, but we wanted to gather some family and friends to celebrate the occasion! We can't wait to see Jack try to stuff a handful of cake in his mouth!  - Alexa

OBX or BUST

We leave at 8 am tomorrow morning. It's possible that one of us might post pics or an update while we're there, but I wouldn't count on it. See you in a week!

Mission Accomplished - Sitting Up and Crawling Everywhere!

Today is Jack's 10-month birthday :-)

Over the past few days, Jack has mastered going from an on the belly position to sitting himself up - and successfully staying that way. Also, he is full on crawling now too! Everywhere! The times they are a changing. Time to baby-proof the house!

Jack's third tooth has been coming in over the past couple of weeks. The bottom center two came in, and this one is upper but to the side. Not sure what it's called, but it's the one b/t the middle two and the incisor.

We are doing laundry, cleaning, and packing this week for a week at the Outer Banks. This will be our first real vacation with Jack. And I'm sure it will bring many joyous and challenging moments!  - Alexa

Big Week!

This week has brought about a lot of firsts for Jack. He is now trying to climb out of the infant/toddler tub, which sits in the big tub. He is now eating Cheerios and is really digging Stage 3 foods. In fact, he ate an entire 6 oz jar of Stage 3 food for dinner tonight! He's never eaten that much of solids at one time before.

Yesterday, we were shopping for Mother's Day gifts in a store, and Paul sat Jack down on the floor b/c he loves sitting now. Jack then did his first full crawling movement - with his belly off the floor. Only one, but it's something! He is also starting to get the idea of going from an on the belly position to a sitting up position. He hasn't mastered that one yet, but he's trying.

Jack also shook his head "no" for the first time today. I don't think he knows what that really means yet. At least I HOPE he wasn't purposefully saying no to me already!

Oh, and we signed Jack up for his first "school" experience. Starting in September, he will attend a 1 yr old class at a local Catholic church - 2 days a week for 3 hrs each day. We think the socialization will be good for him!

Everything is happening so fast all of the sudden!  - Alexa

9 Months!

Jack turned 9 months old on April 15th! At his 9 month checkup, he weighed in at 17 lbs 14 oz and was 29" tall. His weight is in the 10th percentile, and his height is in the 75th percentile. Jack's head circumference...well, let's just say he has plenty of room for all those smarts he's gonna get from his mom - I mean, parents :-)  His head size is in the 80th percentile!

Since Jack is now 29" tall, he's at the max height for his infant car seat. Today we tackled the installation of his convertible car seat. He looks like such a big boy now in that car seat!

Jack has been sitting up on his own very well, and he still seems to be on the verge of full on crawling (on hands and knees with belly off the floor). A lot people we talk to say that what he's doing now - slithering forward on his belly - is a form of crawling. To me, he looks like he is completing a military obstacle course! It definitely gets him where he wants to go. Also, if you walk with him, holding his hands and arms above his head, he takes steps forward in a walking motion. I don't think I am ready for that :-)

I'm posting pics from March and April! - Alexa

The End of March

We spent last weekend in Blue Ridge, GA for the North Georgia Adventure Race. Paul's software Checkpoint Tracker (www.checkpointtracker.com) was a huge hit! Paul's mom babysat Jack in our gorgeous rental cabin, his dad rode around with him taking pics, and I ran Checkpoint Tracker at race headquarters (another gorgeous cabin). If you ever want to spend a few days relaxing in north GA, check out www.blackbearcabinrentals.com. We stayed in Million Dollar View, thanks to Checkpoint Zero for covering that expense :-)

Jack is now constantly rocking back and forth on his hands and knees. He seems to be SO close to crawling. He will lunge forward, and b/c he doesn't know to move his hands forward, he ends up doing a face plant on the floor. Also, we invested in a Jumparoo and laughed til we cried the first time we put Jack in it. It is a hilarious sight to see. He LOVES to jump and bounce! Jack has been eating Stage 1 solids for a while now, so I think he's ready for Stage 2. We'll give them a try this weekend. So far the only food he really doesn't seem to like is peaches. Which is odd for a southern kid ;-)

Datastream was officially acquired by Infor today. Thankfully, we both still have our jobs. Our thoughts are with the families who were not as fortunate.  - Alexa

Crawling soon?

Jack is consistently slithering around on his belly - he can do a complete circle in just a few seconds. He has now started something new. When you put him in his crib, he slides/pushes himself backwards until he hits the end of the crib. Then, he gets on his hands and knees and rocks back and forth. He gets a lot of motion going when he does this, but he has yet to reach out and move his hands forward. He does this too when he's on the floor, but not as much. He seems to get the idea that the end of the crib provides more support for this new activity. Does this mean that crawling will soon follow?!?!

Oh, and Jack gave me the best belated birthday present! This past weekend Paul was holding Jack, and when I walked up and put my hands out, Jack reached for me!!! That was the first time he has reached for anyone - and it was for ME :-)  - Alexa

8 Months Old - and Teeth!

Jack turns 8 months old on Wednesday, March  15th - the day before his mommy turns 33. I think turning 33 may be hitting me a little harder than when I turned 30. I wonder why that is - could it be because it's a 1/3 of a century?

Last week Jack had his last RSV shot, and he weighed in at 17 lbs. He is doing so well, and keeping us moving b/c the kid can't stay still. I wonder who he gets that from? ;-)  Jack can sit on his own by bracing himself forward, but he isn't sitting completely upright yet. He makes up for not sitting by rolling and slithering around on his belly - A LOT. He also loves to be held in a standing position so that he can bounce - the kid giggles and laughs whenever he is on his feet.

This past Saturday Jack's first tooth made its way through - and then this morning his second tooth appeared. I had no idea they would come in so fast, one right after the other. Our little man is growing WAY too fast!

I posted pics from Dec, Jan, and Feb, so take a look when you have time! - Alexa

Paul's Birthday!

We celebrated Paul's birthday at home last night - b/c well, that tends to be the easiest way to celebrate when you have a baby :-)  I bought birthday balloons for Paul, which Jack was completely mesmerized by. He won't stop staring at them! Jack got some nice gifts for his daddy - a mug with his picture on it and his first work of art. I put blue paint on his foot and Jack placed/squirmed his footprint on a card. We also did the same with his thumb. It's now framed, like all works of art should be!

Jack was exhausted from getting his RSV shot yesterday and not getting a good afternoon nap, so he went to bed at 7pm! We then got to enjoy dinner, a movie, and dessert without any interruptions! That NEVER happens :-)

Jack weighed 16 lbs at his appt yesterday, and he is really enjoying tummy time. Whenever you put him on his back, he immediately rolls onto his tummy. Over the past week, he has been able to get his knees under him. I think we will promptly freak out when he starts to crawl!!! 

I have pics from Christmas, Jack's Baptism, and all of January to post. I promise to get those up ASAP!  - Alexa

6 Months...

Time goes by sooooo fast. Jack had his 6-month checkup today. He is 26" long and weighs 14 lbs 14 oz. Our little man is doing very well, and the dr gave us the go ahead to start him on solids like rice cereal - that is if Jack will eat it. I imagine going from mom's milk to anything else may take some getting use to!  - Alexa