Jack Lives Here

Here’s a new video of Jack as he works on his climbing skills. He’s not going to take on Half-Dome yet…

It’s Jack’s First Christmas! Check out the video of the exciting day… yes, it was a White Christmas here in Portland (and we don’t just mean due to dog fur)! We hope you all had an awesome Christmas… time to eat!

Jack had his one month birthday! Wow, how time flies. Jess, Jack and Grandma and grandpa Volkman went to lunch on Jack’s birthday. Jack got some board shorts to practice surfing when we go to Hawaii. We also went to lunch with Meghan, Coy and Laynee. Jack and Laynee slept most of the time. Jack had a banana cream pie with a candle on it. Mom and dad ate the cream pie. Dad was tempted to give Jack some… mom advised against it. Dad figured his diapers couldn’t get any messier. Here’s a video of the past couple of days. Let us know if you guys like the videos and if there are any song requests.

Yesterday we had our first “Jack” Easter Sunday. But the story begins on Saturday. On Saturday, mom and dad dyed Easter Eggs. Mom hardboiled the eggs and made the dye. I slept in my vibrating chair. The eggs got dyed bright colors, blue, pink, red, pink. Mine was blue. Then mom and dad put stickers on the colored eggs. Dad sweared alot at the stickers. I think his hands were too big for the stickers and they ripped. My hands could’ve handled it, but I was too involved in sleeping, did I mention I have a vibrating chair? Dad also got a camcorder so I’m sure I’ll be starring in plenty of movies over the years.

On Sunday all four of us went over to Grandma and Grandpa Volkman’s house. I was cranky all day. I think it was the chili my mom ate the night before. Seriously. Nobody thought about giving me some Rolaids. All four of us, yes, my sister Loki got to go too! I wore my totally dope bear outfit. It was impressive. We had an Easter Egg hunt (I helped my grandpa find eggs) and Loki got ahold of the Easter Bunny, no joke. Watch the video. Oh yeah, my mom and Auntie KK found an egg on the toilet. It was funny. We had lamb for dinner and cobbler. I still was fussy, but at least it wasn’t because of the chili.

Jack made it through his first doctor appt. yesterday and managed to pee on the nurse while getting weighed.  An extreme reaction, but not entirely out of line.  Basically, the doctor said he looked great and commented on his strong tummy and neck muscles - so I’m already signing him up for various pro sports teams.

After the doctor we went with Grandma to Starbucks and 3 people commented on his cuteness & wanted to talk baby stuff - which is now my favorite subject!

Dad/Dan is back at work, but taking 3 day weekends through April and another week in May when we’re all going to Hawaii .  I thought it would be a lot more overwhelming taking care of Jack by myself, but he’s such a good baby and I have a lot of help from my Mom that it’s really been great!  Still hard for Dan though– I can’t imagine being away from your favorite little person all day long.

We all went for Dan’s birthday brunch today at Acadia.  Mom had a huge bananas foster french toast covered in caramel and whipped cream, so that’ll be coming down the pipes to Jack soon.  Jack did great, just slept in his car seat the whole time - he dug the music.  It’s getting easier and easier to take him out– we’re learning a lot faster than anticipated.

Jack and his Dad are cheering on the Ducks as they battle Florida for a spot in the Final Four– so far their mostly down but staying close– at least it’s a competitive match up.  Tonight, more birthday food and presents!  Loki and Jack picked something out for their Dad– fingers crossed that he likes it, since he’s soooo picky when it comes to presents.

Family portrait here soon.