18 Months Old Today

Yes, Jay is officially 18 months old today. This Mom finds this very hard to believe that he is this old already!

We saw the pediatrician today and here are his latest stats:
Today's Weight: 23 lbs which puts him in the 10-25% range
Today's Length (Height): 33 inches which puts him in the 75-90% range
Today's Head Circumference: 49", again putting him in the 75-90% range

Jay's weight has been in the 15 to 25% range almost his entire life, so the pediatrician and I aren't worried in the least about it. And his height and head circumference remain "equal", still in the 75% range which has been Jay's norm, so we might just have a 6' tall boy in his later years which will beat out Dad's height (my comment/opinion)...we'll see.

Some of the latest developments and activites for Jay include:
-walks and runs well and can walk backward to pull or push a toy
-can walk and crawl up stairs quite proficiently now
-can use a utensil to feed himself, although this doesn't happen often since he likes to play with the utensil and bang it on the highchair tray more than using it to get a bite of food in his mouth
-can scribble
-when I dust the house, Jay likes to imitate me, then wants to dust with the feather duster after I'm finished with it
-temper tantrums happen now (and I guess are to be expected at this stage)
-we've begun to implement "time outs" when he completely looses it
-doesn't like to be dirty; will hold out his messy hands to be cleaned off if he gets something on them
-can remove his socks and shoes on his own
-vocabulary now includes: "oh wow", "uh oh", "no", some form of "Mama" and "Dada", and he definitely tries to say some form of "Nana" or "Grandma" when around these respective ladies -- sometimes heard as "Mom Mom"
-he will blow air out his mouth if he sees something hot (like food or a hot drink), imitating us blowing on it to cool it down
-understands most everything we say these days
-knows and points to his nose when asked (still working on knowing the names of his ears, eyes, mouth, feet, knees, etc.)
-understands and performs sequential actions; for instance, when I asked him to get his toothbrush and toothpaste tonight at bedtime he immediately got up, walked over and opened the drawer, got out those items, then shut the drawer and handed the items to me
-still takes two naps (about 1 hour in length) per day, though it seems we might start transitioning to one nap in the coming month or two (though this Mom isn't going to force it - two breaks per day is nice!)
-Usually wakes up between 6:15 and 6:45 every morning and goes "night night" around 8:00 every night
-when giving a hug, he'll often also gently pat the person on the back with his hand(s)
-hums and pinches his lips closed when he wants to give a kiss or receive a kiss from this Mom or Dad

Thanksgiving at Nana & PopPop's

Matt, Jay, and I left Wednesday morning after breakfast to drive to Nana and PopPop's house 3-1/2 hours away. We beat the traffic and enjoyed a smooth, easy, and beautiful drive (no rain!).

Matt and I came down with terrible colds, so Nana and PopPop were especially gracious to host us "sickies."

Here are a few pictures and a video that captured part of our time together.

Jay "helping" PopPop grate some cheese for Thanksgiving dinner Thursday, Nov. 26.

Here are PopPop and Jay playing with the cardboard box "tunnel" PopPop set up just for Jay. Jay loved putting various toys and shoes inside the box. And finally later on all on his own he decided to crawl all the way through. So fun!

Jay became quite good at crawling up and down the stairs.

Above: Jay playing with the bar stool. Just moments before I took this photo he had his leg, his arm, AND his head stuck in between the rungs.

Below: Nana playing a great "beat" with the silverware. As you can see, he loves playing with Nana and PopPop.

We left this morning to drive back home. We were again blessed with a beautiful day and great traffic.

Thank you so much for hosting us PopPop and Nana! We love spending time with you. All your meals were so nourishing, delectable, and beautiful. I'm just sorry I didn't feel well enough to help out more in the preparation of them! The rest, relaxation, love, and fellowship was priceless. We love you!

Our Friends' Atlanta Wedding

Matt and I flew to Atlanta on Thursday. Our flight landed about 15 minutes after our friends Phil and Ashley's flight from California. We met up with them at the rental car place in perfect timing. They had just finished the inspection of the Volvo stationwagon when we pulled up in the rental car shuttle bus. We drove straight to our hotel and checked in.

Meanwhile our friend/bride-to-be Rachel called us and spur of the moment invited the four of us to join her groom-to-be Mark, her, and her parents for a BBQ dinner at her parents home. That sounded great to all of us, so that is what we did! We arrived at their home shortly after 7 p.m. EST and enjoyed a delicious meal and fun fellowship/conversation for several hours.

Friday morning we enjoyed a lazy start to the day. Late that morning we met up with Phil and Ashley and groom Mark. We decided the guys should go pick up their tuxes from the local mall. Ashley and I went along and browsed through some stores while the guys tried on their tuxes and got squared away. From the mall we headed toward downtown Atlanta and found a great hole-in-the-wall place for lunch called "Twisted Tacos." When we drove by the place we saw lots of people out on the outside patio eating so we figured the food would be good. And it didn't disappoint! After lunch Mark headed back to the hotel since he had "groom" responsibilities to attend to. Phil, Ashley, Matt and I headed to the nearby botanical garden to enjoy the gorgeous afternoon.

Phil and Matt


Me (Mindy) and Ashley w/ downtown Atlanta behind us


Me and Matt (Yes, I'm starting to show at 12 weeks!)

Rehearsal at the church started at 5:30 p.m. It went very smoothly. It was such a big, beautiful church. I took a few photos of the rehearsal since cameras were not allowed during the actual wedding ceremony the next day.

The bridal party - all in their "spots"

Left of Rachel are her sisters - co-matrons of honor

Right of Mark are his co-best men - Aaron and Matt

Mark & the co-best men waiting for Rachel's walk down the LONG aisle

Beautiful Rachel escorted by her Dad

Although blurry, I'm glad I caught this sweet moment

Rehearsal dinner followed at nearby Chastain Horse Park. It was a terrific evening filled with great food and touching toasts.

Groomsman/friend Rick and co-best man Aaron

Me and Matt at rehearsal dinner

Groom Mark giving his thank you speech

Bride Rachel giving her thank you speech

Groomsman/friend Greg and wife Dara Saturday at the wedding reception

Matt and me at the wedding reception Saturday evening

The newly married couple cutting their cake

Matt, me, and Phil ringing bells as the couple departed the reception

The happy couple in the back of Rachel's Dad's Impala convertible

(In the front seat - Rachel's dad is driving and her Mom getting in the front passenger seat)

A parting shot of the front of the church sanctuary where Mark and Rachel were married.

Sunday morning our flight departed back home. It was SO NICE that our flight was incredibly smooth and that it landed 45 minutes early (how often does THAT happen!) which meant we arrived home to reunite with Jay at the time our flight was supposed to have landed at the airport. Hooray!

We were so glad we were able to attend Mark and Rachel's wedding. It was a blessing to be a part of it, too. We look forward to continuing to spend quality time with them - now as married couples! :) And we are so grateful for Nana and PopPop who sacrificed lots of travel, time, and energy to care for Jay here at home while we were away. What a blessing!!!!

Exploring the Fridge

Matt and I just returned from a trip to Atlanta - WITHOUT JAY - the first time I've been away from Jay for more than half a day since he was born. Nana and PopPop kindly did a road trip last Wednesday to stay with Jay while we were away. We just returned late this morning and Nana and PopPop are driving back home this afternoon.

Earlier last week I took some photos of Jay. While I was in the other room, Jay got mysteriously quiet. When I found him, this is what I saw...


I like the look of trepidation on his face in this second photo.

Thankfully he decided to just take out the jars and containers on the bottom level of the fridge door and nothing more. He shook the bottles, but all the tops were secured, so no mess other than putting the containers back in the door.

Trip to Texas

Last Thursday morning we took an early morning non-stop flight to Texas to visit Matt's sister Traci, husband Keith, and our nieces Samantha and Sydney. Matt's other sister Shawn, husband Mike, and our nephews Alex and Joshua flew in later that day from Oregon. Matt's parents (from Oregon, too) had flown the day before and came to pick us up from the airport in their rental van.

This was our annual family gathering - this year in Texas vs. our annual trip to the Oregon Coast at the end of August. With Keith and Traci's move to Texas earlier this year, we all opted to go see them in their new home where ALL of us stayed (quite comfortably - it is a big, beautiful home).

The three siblings, Matt, Shawn, and Traci catching up in the kitchen

Sydney opening her birthday gift from Shawn's family and our family

(Her birthday was the week before)
A funny photo of Sydney asking her Mom for scissors

A new skateboard!

Above: Video of Sydney unwrapping her gift

Below: Alex & Joshua unwrapping their Xmas gifts from Traci's family

Shirtless Jay (he got too warm in his long sleeved shirt)

An impromptu family photo Thursday night

(missing Mike on the far right and Traci who is taking this photo)

Friday night PopPop and Nana treated all of us to dinner at Babe's -- a must-go-to restaurant if you are in Texas.

Saturday morning Matt, Jay and I drove about 30 min. and met up with our good friends Joe, Jennifer, and their daughter Elisabeth (she'll turn 3 in December) for breakfast. We learned they are expecting Baby #2, too, and to all of our amusement, they are due with their baby the exact same day we are expecting our Baby #2!

Saturday afternoon Sydney had a soccer game. Everyone went to watch her game, but Jay and I stayed back at the house for our afternoon naps. Following Sydney's game we enjoyed eating out at Pei Wei (the cheaper, more casual version of P.F. Chang's).

On Sunday we attended church and listened to Chuck Swindoll give a wonderful message (what a treat and blessing for Traci's family to attend his church and sit under his teaching) followed by a delicious Thanksgiving meal Traci had planned for all of us. After coming home from Pei Wei Saturday evening, we had all helped out in the kitchen preparing the various items for the Sunday Thanksgiving meal -- PopPop and Nana did the stuffing, Samantha made a yummy no-bake turtle pie, Shawn and Nana peeled the potatoes, Mike and I helped put together pumpkin bars, and Traci prepared the turkey and other miscellaneous items.

The kids made daily trips to the nearby park and community pool. Jay being his very independent and busy self, walked pushing the umbrella stroller the entire way there and back almost every time, but one time he did a face plant on the concrete. Nothing a little love, witch hazel, and neosporin couldn't fix. Jay LOVES being outside and put up a fuss most times when it was time to go inside the house.

We had a very relaxing, wonderful time with our family. We miss Traci's family so much so it was REALLY terrific to spend quality time with them.

We flew back home Monday afternoon. Matt and I quickly learned we'd been doing it right to tackle air travel in the mornings. On this final flight Jay's energy level (since it was in the afternoon) was definitely on the active side vs. his more lathargic mornings so it was a bit more challenging keeping him occupied and happy, but he was still a pretty good traveler. We were tuckered out yesterday (Tuesday) recovering from the trip, but all is back to status quo today.

More and better pictures of our time were taken by PopPop, Shawn, and Traci, so I hope to post more pictures that they took in the week to come.

PopPop and Nana, THANK YOU SO MUCH for this special trip and Traci, a HUGE THANK YOU to you and your family for your hospitality. You did so much work to get everything ready for our time there which was truly wonderful. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family members. We love you all so much!!

Harvest Party 2009

We had a fun time tonight -- making this officially our "2nd annual" at this particular church going through the various rooms of games for kiddos with the same friends we went with last year. The church does such a great job and it is REALLY NICE to be dry and inside on often cold and rainy Oct. 31st days here in the Northwest.

I love this first photo that Matt took of Jay and me. Jay's eyes are so bright and he has that big, happy grin. He looks like he is ready to enjoy the night away! (And he did!)

Below: We met up with our friends who have two boys that are two years apart (ages 3 and almost 1). They came as cute little frogs... ('Twas hard to get all three of the boys looking at the camera at the same time. After multiple attempts, this was the best we could capture.)

Below: Helping Jay with the Egg Toss game. He had to "taste" this particular styrofoam egg before attempting to toss it in a basket.

All the church hallways were decorated with cute farm animals for their "Down on the Farm" theme. Jay especially liked checking out this horse eating hay.

PopPop, you'll be proud to know we introduced fishing to Jay tonight. Dad had to help, but Jay took everything in and reluctantly gave the fishing pole back to the man who was managing the poles this evening.

The prize for "catching" the fish helped ease giving up the fishing pole...

I had a hard time choosing which family photo to post tonight so I've decided to post both of them.

After the Harvest Party we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with our friends along with two other couple friends of theirs. The 5 boys ranging in age from 1 to 3 played WONDERFULLY and PEACEFULLY for two hours while us 8 adults enjoyed great fellowship and adult conversation (which us stay-at-home Moms especially LOVED).

It was a wonderful evening -- many thanks! We hope to continue the tradition next year. We reminded each other tonight that next year we'll be one-on-one with TWO kiddos!

Reverse Trick-or-Treating

Jay and I visited some friends and former co-workers of mine on Wednesday and then we visited Matt's office and his co-workers yesterday and did some reverse trick-or-treating. We dressed Jay up in his lion costume and filled our pumpkin basket full of candy treats to hand out to everyone we met. We had such a fun time!

This close-eyed picture above isn't very good, but it is showing Jay discovering what happens when you hold onto and then put a wrapped Dove candy square in your mouth...it melts and out from the foil comes a wonderful sugary, chocolatey with carmel goodness! What a mess it created and he certainly was unhappy when we pulled it away from him (trying to take the foil from him - but he thought we were just plain taking his treat away from him).

When we arrived home from Matt's office I set the pumpkin on the floor for a minute. He made a beeline for the bucket and pulled out one of the last Dove squares and succeeded at enjoying a second square. Suffice it to say his nap was delayed because he was still experiencing the sugar in his system, but oh, he would say it was TOTALLY worth it!

Our carved pumpkin all lit up

We plan to go to a Harvest Party at a church with some friends of ours tomorrow. More pictures from that to come!!