Weight Check!

Jack weighs in at 10Lbs 10 Oz this week, a result that pleases both parents and doctor alike. He has improved coordination and pays much more attention to his visual world than he did even a week ago.

Go Jack!

White Stuff

Did we mention that we like snow? So much so that Thom is snow blowing deep trenches into our hill to better able the kids to sled! Now that is dedication to winter!!!

Where's Jack?

Well. Let's look for him....He isn't in his bassinet. He isn't in his crib. And he's not in his bouncer. Oh! There's the happy baby! In Mommy's arms, smiling up at Daddy.

Now if only the critters could teach him how comfy it is to sleep in a crib!

Takin' It Easy

Although some things, like sleeping in his crib by himself seem to not yet have surfaced on his agenda, Jack certainly has learned how to relax. Perhaps by watching his sister Avery...

Another Snow pic

We love snow!!!

Avery and her friend Marina building a snow fort out front of our house. The fort includes a long tunnel connecting two outpost. Very tired children (and Dad!) retreated for hot cocoa at the end of the afternoon...

Who needs Sears Portrait Studio?

Our dear Avery created this drawing of Jack- her most realistic drawing ever.  She put great care and attention into this, coming back to it after a few days to finish it up.  It captures the essence of Jack perfectly.

It's a process

Jack hates baths at the moment.  See the look in his eyes?  He thinks I'm crazy for insisting he get cleaned up.  But he is in such a messy cycle of eating, spitting up, pooping and peeing, then spitting up again.  And it's not like he has a bath every day.

Maybe he'll even get to go out once he's clean!  Anything is possible.

Jack being uber-cute

He is super-adorable, he can't help it.

Jack at the Birthing Center

Some of Jack Finnian's first photos, for those who may not have seen these yet.  Gosh, right from the get-go-- such a cutie!  

Lessons

I am so tense concerning just about everything these days.  And yet our critters are the most relaxed animals for miles.  I think they're trying to pass on a lesson here....about how to just lay back and enjoy what is now.  It's probably wisdom worth heeding.  Jack seems to know all about "chill-axing," too...Well, he does most of the time.

Elli and Jack at play

Here we have Elli helping Jack discover all the cool attributes of his toy given to him from the women I work with at the Bank.   There are just the neatest things available for babies these days.  And Jack seems to be particularly fond of the cow that you see hanging at the upper right.  He is quite the spit up king these days so his head is resting on a burp pad.  It only took us one or two days to figure that out!

Cat Girl!!

Aves designed this cat costume the other day, just for fun (you can't see the tail).  

January Highs and Lows

We are three weeks into being a family of five, and all is progressing well. Jack is growing, growing, growing; and the girls are increasingly interested in helping him (But to be honest, their version of 'help' isn't always the help that the parents would request...) Our biggest struggle at the moment, is trying to convince Jack that it is OK to sleep in the crib or bassinet. He mostly likes to sleep on top of his parents, and is uninterested in the 'rules' laid down by various healthcare professionals. But we remain confident that eventually, he'll decide the crib is OK.

We are trying to get comfortable with the Bjorn, in order to smooth out shopping excursions. Jack seems to like it.

It is dropping into a severe cold spell here this week, but our fam is made of stern stuff. After living in the house at 35 degrees for a week in December, a small drop outside means little to us.

Ice Storm Livin'

In December, our area was hit by a huge Ice Storm which knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of people. Our power/ heat/ phone was out for six days, which seemed plenty long to us. Some of our friends had to last even longer. We'd cheer about the home thermostat hitting 39 degrees! We cooked over the fireplace and huddled under blankets. We read or played games by sunlight when we could, but had to save our batteries so we didn't read too much at night.

Our generous friends helped us get through, cutting down trees, clearing roads, sharing hot food and information. Indeed, gossip was the only means of getting most information-- the radio was annoyingly bereft of useful info. So our sincere thanks go to our neighbors across the street, the owners of Harlow's Pub and Our Town Pizzaria, and The McMahon and Eichler families.

Jack had the good sense to stay indoors until after the power was restored, but came in time for us to be home for Christmas.

Ice Storm Induction

Prior to his birth, Jack spent several months being measured and ultrasounded and checked on-- the doctors were thinking he would weigh in at a scale tipping level when born (though they didn't call him 'him'-- we had requested to not know the gender until the baby was born...).  We had many conversations about what the options might be if the baby continued to measure on the large size.

Concerns about how big the baby might be eventually led the doctors to recommend an induction in the 39th week.  Both Elliot and Avery were over 9 pounds when born, and the new baby looked to top both of them.  

The week before the birth our area was hit by a huge ice storm, which knocked out our power for a week, and many of our neighbors for even longer.  Not the ideal time to bring a baby home, so it was just as well that Jack decided to stay indoors for a bit longer.  A week without heat and power in the New Hampshire winter was a tough one for the family.  We were happy to have it back.  

New Beginnings

With the arrival of our newest member, Jack Finnian on December 22nd, our little family hasgrown to five members, and it seems time to open up our rambling, and mumblings to our far flung family and friends.  

If you are reading this, that probably includes you.  

So starting now, and updated as often as we see fit, or can manage, we present the continuing adventures of our crazy group.  Enjoy, add comments and keep in touch with us.