Jack's Announcement

My sister designed this great announcement for Jack. I am very happy with it. I love the work that Julie has been doing for people with graphics and design. Very cool.

On a side note, we are going out of town for the week to Morro Bay and Carpinteria. I can't wait. I'm hoping that Jack and Ryan will sleep for some of the car rides, but I am doubtful because for whatever reason, my children don't seem to sleep in cars. Jack cries and Ryan talks, and talks, and talks, and asks why, why, why, until given an ipod to watch Cars. Phil or I tend to have to ride in the back seat and soothe Jack while the other one drives. With two car seats in the back, this is not a comfortable car ride. Anyway, I hope to spend a lot of time outside next week walking around and soaking up the cooler weather. I also hope to remember to get out the camera and take some pictures so I have something to blog about when I get home.

Jack 1 month old

Jack had his 1 month check up today and is doing just fine.  He is long and skinny just like Ryan was.  He was 22.5 inches long and 9 lbs. 1 1/2 oz.  He's grown and inch and gained a pound since his last appointment 3 weeks ago.  He had to have a shot and only whimpered.  I was amazed.  We'll see how he does next month when he has to have 4 shots.  The wonderful Ellie is taking some pictures tomorrow so I will post some later.

Sling

This baby sling is the best invention of all time. I am able to do housework, play with Ryan, get some shopping done, take a walk, or eat a meal, all thanks to this wonderful hands free device. As soon as Jack is inside, the crying stops, and he usually goes to sleep. I love it. Happy babies equal happy mommies. Thanks to Rita for the fabulous modeling job. Jack was unavailable due to his nap.

Here is the link to directions for how to make this sling and here is a link for how to make several different kinds of slings.

Randomness

First of all, I must say, although baby bedding looks so adorable, it is such a pain. I HATE crib sheets. The mattresses are so large so a baby cannot get stuck in the 1/8 inch gap surrounding the perimeter, but this also prohibits sheets to be able to be changed easily. On top of this, the crib sheets seem as though they may rip every time I put them on (and when they are old and worn enough, they do) because they have to be stretched so tightly to get on. The situation only gets worse with the addition of bumper pads because then you have just closed the gap where your hand needs to go in order to fit the sheet onto the mattresses. I end of removing the mattress whenever I need to change it. Is it totally necessary for mattresses to fit so tightly?!?!?!
In other random news, Ryan completed two weeks of swim lessons last Thursday with Mr. Edgmon. He did so well. I'm also so impressed with what Ed can get those little kids to do. I think another two weeks would have really benefited him, but I just couldn't manage it with little Jack everyday for another couple weeks.
Lastly, I don't often brag about Phil, but he is the best. He brought these flowers home for me this week as a congratulations for Jack. He had waited till now because he wanted his favorite florist at Vons, Kelly, to make them. I love them so much. They have my orange lilies and pink daisies and I also adore the orange and yellow tulips. I appreciate these gestures so much.

4th of July

Yesterday we celebrated our 4th of July in our traditional way of going to my parents' annual party. Seth and Amy and their baby, Liam, joined us for the day.

Jack and Ryan both decided to boycott a significant portion of their nap times before they finally relented and slept a little. Obviously, Jack was a little fussy.

Jack finally decided to take a little cat nap after arriving at my parents house and Grandma Net got to hold him, and for once, he didn't fuss for her.
Amy Meyer and my mom bought glow stick toys for the kids, which were a huge hit. Ryan loved his glasses, although I'm not sure where they ended up after the evening was over.

Ryan still wasn't old enough to appreciate the fireworks. He thought they looked cool, but he said they sounded like sirens and were too scary. With a preschooler and a new baby, we only made it until 9:30 and had to call it a night. All in all, we had a really great day.

Jesus Loves Me

Phil's mom came to visit yesterday and was taking pictures of the boys. She happened to capture a hilarious and sweet moment of Ryan singing Jesus Loves Me to Jack. You can check it out on Phil's blog.

Ryan Visits Mommy in the Hospital

My mom has been urging me to post some more Ryan-isms so here goes.

My dad and Ryan decided that we should properly celebrate Jack's birthday by having a "happy cake" as Ryan calls it. My mom obliged and baked a wonderful chocolate sheet cake and brought it to the hospital to share with us. After the cake was eaten, all the guys left for another celebration of cigars and whisky on our back patio, while my mom and Ryan stayed with Jack and me at the hospital. Jack got hungry after while and so I fed him. Ryan was horrified and asked, "Why's that baby chewin' on your boobie?!?!" He couldn't get over it and started sobbing. He's starting to get past this, but is still confused about the whole thing.

Next, Ryan let me know that he needed to use the restroom. I helped him to the bathroom, and closed the door to let him have some privacy. I heard him talking to himself like usual and thought nothing of it. After a few minutes, two panicked nurses came running into my room, asking, "Are you alright?" I said, that I was, and was confused for a moment, until I realized that Ryan had pulled the emergency cord in the restroom. The nurses quickly learned who he was from this incident.

After while, the guys returned and we let Ryan know that it was time for him to go home. He had apparently thought that he was staying the night, or that I would be coming home with him. He immediately had a meltdown that broke my heart, and started saying, "But I need you Mommy, I need you!!!" I heard him all the way down the hallway and past the nurses station. My mom said the only time he stopped was when he was in the elevator and was allowed to push the buttons. When we were discharged the following morning the nurses said, "Oh good, now you can get home and see Ryan." I guess I have a memorable kid.

Now that we've been home a few days, we're starting to settle in a little bit. Ryan told me yesterday that he loves being a big brother and he really likes Jack. He "read" him stories this morning and showed him many of the toys that he has in his bedroom. I'm getting used to having two, which is so much easier than getting used to the first one, in my opinion. I've had a little trouble with the baby blues setting in and some of my same problems with anxiety resurfacing, but the doctor said that would be likely and helped me out with some meds, so I'm doing a lot better and getting my rest. I really do feel a lot better than I ever felt after Ryan, but it does help that Jack has been a very mellow baby. He just melts into me when I hold him and I'm so thankful that he doesn't seem to have the colic or the reflux that Ryan had. What a blessing.

Jack 1 week old