grandma judy's birthday

We spent the day in Arlington celebrating Grandma Judy's birthday! It was a beautiful warm summer day and we enjoyed a delicious meal outside among the trees and flowers. Mike and I both treasure these times and it made us so happy to have Jack with us.

Basking in the sun

An uninvited guest

8 weeks

Gesundheit!

8 weeks from Serena Stamper on Vimeo.

tummy time

Yesterday during my PEPS (mommy/baby) group I discovered that Jack is able to hold his head up while on his tummy! I laid him on the floor thinking he would lay there, grunt and wiggle around like a fish but to my surprise he propped himself up on his arms and proudly held his head up!

Here are some photos from today~

first babysitter

Last night we left Jack for the first time to go to a friend's wedding reception. Mike arranged for Uncle Philip and Aunt Ursula to take care of him so I knew he would be in good hands and really didn't think much about it. That is until we were getting ready to leave to drive him to their house and I realized how long we would be separated. But after a few tears in the car as we were driving away, and a glass of wine in the sunshine overlooking Lake Union with our friends, I started to unwind and enjoy myself. We had a great time celebrating with our friends. And Uncle Philip, Aunt Ursula and cousin Audrey had a great time playing with Jack!

opa turns 75!

{waiting for photos!}

jack's new friend

Fisher

(aka Giggles)
arrived on July 13th!

the fog is clearing

Finally. I am starting to feel like a real person again. Jack and I are venturing out of the house, and away from the breast pump, and it feels so good. I have to say there are some guilty feelings about not pumping every 2 hours but a bit of freedom and fun outweigh the guilt. This weekend Mike was working so Jack and I were on our own. We managed to get out of the house early enough and made it to Aunt Ursula and Uncle Philip's house for the 'monthly' birthday party and surprised every one with our visit. And then we headed up to Lynnwood for a friend's surprise birthday party where there was a reunion with many old friends. We were exhausted by the end of the day but it was so great to be out of the house with Jack. And so far he is a super traveler. I hope it continues!

Me, Jack, Gina and Diane at Jim's 50th Birthday party

the pereras

It's so much fun joining our friends in this parenting adventure. And to see Lucca finally meet 'baby Jackson'. He is always so excited and wants to hold Jack all of the time. We can't wait to see their friendship grow.




But besides wanting to post these adorable photos of them, I just want to say thank you to Heather and Shan for your friendship. You have given us so much love and encouragement during this exciting and scary time. And a huge thank you to Heather. Thank you can never match what you have given us. Just this morning I said to Mike "What would we do without Heather?". You have provided us with countless delicious meals, coordinated our wedding day, co-hosted our 'right out of a magazine' baby shower, captured my pregnancy and Jack's newborn essence through your amazing photography, passed along maternity clothes and even more important post-maternity clothes (thank you!). We treasure you and just hope you know how much we love you. All of you.

first smiles

6 weeks
10 pounds 0 ounces

Jack turns 6 weeks today and has started showing us his smile. And if we are lucky we get a little coo and maybe even a giggle. His smile is infectious! And today we 'played' for the first time. He was in his swing and when he swung towards me I would touch his lips with a blanket and make a silly noise. He loved it! He just smiled and smiled and made sweet noises. I had no idea it could be so much fun.

Untitled from Serena Stamper on Vimeo.

escape

This feeding schedule has been a bit overwhelming. I feel that I have been tied to the couch which is no fun when everyone is out having fun on some of these gorgeous summer days. So I have tried to venture out a bit more, either with pump in hand or just having to forgo the 2-3 hour schedule. Whether is is a walk in the dog park, a 4th of July party at the Perera's, or spending more time getting out the door than at the destination, it has been great for my mental health to get out of the house. Although I do have to admit to some guilt for not adhering to the schedule at times for fears that I am jeopardizing my milk supply. But Jack having a happy mom is pretty important too.

Magnuson Dog Park, an outing for Sunny...and me

BBQ at Salmon Bay Park with Auntie Elizabeth

Book Club...Jackson has been the only 'man' ever allowed!

a trip to grandma and grandpa's house

We finally ventured out and made it to Grandma Judy and Grandpa Kirk's house for the day. Time has flown by so quickly and we couldn't believe they hadn't seen Jack since the day he came home from the hospital. That is too much time to go by without Jack spending time with his grandparents. So we loaded up the car for our first trip to Arlington. And our first trip with both Jackson and Sunny as passengers. I will have to take a picture the next time because Jackson's view is Sunny's big head hanging over the seat right above his car seat! And I refused to have them both in the car until we got a restraint system for Sunny. Especially after someone told us that Sunny would be about 3,000 pounds of force flying through the car if we were ever in an accident. After an uneventful but loud car ride...not Jackson but Sunny's constant whines of excitement we made it. We spent the afternoon catching up, going for a walk (well, they did...I fell asleep on the bed after pumping) and hearing plans about a future tree house called 'Jackson's Jungle Hut', and of course eating a delicious meal cooked by Kirk. But Mike had to work the next day so we got an early head start back home with promises to not let so much time pass until the next visit.

five weeks already

I am starting to realize how fast all of this is going by. Jackson isn't going to be a 'newborn' much longer. And I can't believe this phase is already coming to an end. I always thought the first few weeks were my favorite stage. I would always hold new babies that I worked with and found myself just staring at them and being mesmerized. I couldn't imagine how it would be with my own. And now having Jackson I know. I could just stare at him forever and never grow tired of all of those smirks, grimaces, and funny faces he makes. And wondering what he is thinking when he is alert and looking into your eyes. But my favorite time is when he is sleeping on my chest all curled up in a ball. Especially when he wakes up and holds his head up and stretches out his neck with his eyes closed. It melts my heart. As hard as these days are I am trying to savor every moment. And find myself already being sad about how quickly the time is flying by. It's funny, I have found myself crying when he doesn't gain weight and getting teary when he does! But I am seeing glimpses into how much fun these next stages will be. He is already starting to give us some real smiles (and maybe a giggle)and I had no idea how rewarding and fun that could be. Now I look forward to hearing his laugh, his first words, all of those milestones to come.

Some of my favorite photos so far...

birth day

2 days

4 days

10 days

11 days

13 days

15 days

17 days

1 month

5 weeks

brunch with family

Grandpa John and Grandma Traudi (aka Omi) were kind enough to have us over for brunch so some of Mike's family could finally meet Jackson. And so Grandpa John and Omi could have a little more Jackson time. Alec and Nate were very smitten with their boy cousin. Aunt Robin took these photos which I 'stole' off her facebook page!

cousin Nate, Papa, Grandpa John and cousin Alec

my favorite picture