“Breakthrough”

Big day.  It’s day two of our Maui vacation, and Jack’s first tooth popped through today.  Actually not one, but two.  We’ve been wondering if little man would be a lifetime member of the “drool and gum it” club at the rate he was going.  He’ll be crunching down apples and ice cubes in no time.

Family’s First Christmas

A Merry Christmas indeed!  Time keeps flying though as Jack Jack’s already a month old.  We’re Christmas junkies as it is, pretty much going haywire every year with decorations, family dinners, parties, etc., but this year obviously added another dimension.

The temp is still sub-30, so the snow and ice remain.  And while it makes for some sketchy driving, the scenery isn’t bad.

The water “issue” behind us, or at least to the point that we have hot water again, Abby and I set out to have Christmas basically explode all over the house, have a few friends and family over, and just thoroughly enjoy the Holiday with Jack.  Hopefully, we’ll find some time between now and New Year’s for a little R&R.  But that’s a Christmas wish that’s not likely to happen.

Along with Grandma and Grandpa Rogers and Aunt Chelsea, we had our good friends Rick and Lori over on Christmas Eve with their new baby girl Emily who is a few days away from six months old.  Grandma, Grandpa, and Chelsea stayed the night, so I had my sous chef again for Christmas dinner…although we kept this a bit more low-key than Thanksgiving.

View Full Album

I know mom and dad had a blast, and I think Jack did too.  Granted, it was more for us than him, it’s another milestone first of our family.

Ho, ho, ho!

Winter Exacts Its Pound of Flesh

Mother nature created quite a balancing act this year.  On the one hand, it looks like Jack’s first Christmas will be a white one.  Outstanding!   On the other hand, the temp has been so far below freezing that a water pipe busted at 3am on Sunday.  Definitely NOT outstanding! 

I have to give credit where it’s due here, as I was immensely impressed by the City of Bellevue who not only had the decency to answer my wee morning call with a live body, but sent a crew out within 15 minutes to shut off the water main at the street.  They helped keep a nasty situation from becoming truly disastrous given that the previous owner of our house, in an epically boneheaded move, had buried the water shut-off valve behind drywall – something we didn’t discover until days later.  Anyway, all that “fun” is worth a separate story.

Let’s just say, this isn’t the type of thing you want to see on the outside of your house:

And though I can’t stand shameless plugs, I have to give one here.  Right after the 3am call to the city, the 3:30am call to Beacon Plumbing went out.  Not only did the owner answer the phone himself (evidence of how much volume the weather was creating), he guaranteed a crew would be out by 7am – something no one else would do, if they even bothered to answer the phone.  I almost felt guilty when the guys had to spend another hour digging their truck out of our driveway. 

A Very Happy Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for, all the more true this year with Jack joining the family.  It’s hard to believe little man’s only (already?!) 10 days old.  It’s been non-stop action since we brought him home though…the parade of visitors, 3am feedings, etc, and now hosting Thanksgiving dinner.  This was, of course, by our own design since the idea of packing up to go anywhere with a not-yet-two-week-old had less than zero appeal.   But we wouldn’t change a thing. 

Jack spends most of his days sleeping, and despite a full house with plenty of noise, today was no different.  Every now and then he cracks an eye or two and joins in the festivities…

All in all though, a rather smooth day.  Abby had one “demand” with a late-November due date: “I want to spend Thanksgiving at home!”  So as promised, I spent the day in the kitchen.  If not for my trusty sous chef in Grandma Kristine, it wouldn’t have happened though (I’m not sure how Grandma feels about ever reprising that role though).

Just a low key night at home with family.  Now, family +1.

Peanut’s Outta the Shell!

Introducing John Michael Mellon, our flawless new addition.  Baby “Jack,” as we’ll call him, joined us at 11:06 AM this morning, weighing in at 7 pounds, 4 ounces and stretching out at 20 inches long.  Abby and Jack are doing well, both sleeping peacefully as I write this.  Stay tuned for more to come as time, picture aggregating, and exhaustion recovery allow.

It’s GO TIME!!!

Something told me I should stay home from work today.  But wouldn’t you know it, as soon as I head out for a few minutes to run a couple of errands, I get the call from Abby that her water broke!!!  It looks like little “Peanut” is set on making his or her grand entrance a few days early.  So after setting the land-speed record getting home, the car is packed and as soon as Abby’s out of the shower, we’ll be off to the hospital to welcome little “Peanut” into the world!

And Still Ticking…

Much to Abby’s frustration, there’s just doesn’t seem to be any movement. At least she started maternity leave yesterday, so there aren’t any more go-go-go-go 16 hour days.   Hopefully that means a little R&R before the REAL 16, 18, and 20-hour days begin.

Meanwhile, I’m being told to think “happy labor thoughts” since Abby’s ventured further down the path of “ready to meet Peanut” over the past few days.  I think it’s safe to say she’s reached the point of discomfort. 

Regardless, the bags are packed and in the car, the nursery’s ready, we’re as ready as we’re going to be (I think)…now, about Sam and Gracie…