Thursday, May 17, 2012

5, 6 & now 7...

Well, as I have mentioned in several previous posts... I LOVE to blog, but this activity has taken a back seat since returning to work. I dont know how you other girls are able to carve out enough time in your day. I am talking to you, Britney, Emily, Lauren & Racheal! Your are my inspiration.

With the breaking news that MillerCoors eliminated Razorfish from it's agency roster last week, my days have dramatically changed since returning home from Florida. So, now that I have some free time back in my day, I decided to catch up on the past few months.

First, our baby boy is 7 months and 1 week old! I can't believe how fast the time is going - I know everyone says that, but it's so true.

Jake is eating 3 meals a day, sleeping thru the night and full of surprises each day. His favorite foods are fruits and vegetables, but we are experimenting with meats now too. He is sitting up on his own, babbling 'da da da' , laughing, playing peek-a-boo, has 8 teeth (yes, you heard right), is all smiles and exploring his world around him. He found Lyla just last week and is obsessed with her. Lyla isn't sure what to think of him, but she sits still for a bit while he grabs, pokes and prods her. I am working on getting a video of these two in action - it's hilarious and super cute.

On a personal note, I made it to 7 months of breastfeeding (my goal was always 6 months if I could), so feeling pretty good about that. And, now that he is taking formula, Jake's dairy and soy intolerance has since passed, I can enjoy soy sauce, Parmesan cheese, edamame, dark chocolate and all my favorite foods again. After a year and a half of dietary restrictions with pregnancy and nursing, I must say, that it is refreshing. I am feeling like me again.

Our boy is tipping the scales at 19 lbs 8 oz, 27.5 inches long and is busting out of 9 month clothes. We are moving onto 12+ month. Healthy boy. His 7 month photoshoot is tomorrow (the wardrobe doesn't fit, and this mom needs to run to do some shopping before we can have him strike a pose)

Here are his 5 & 6 month photoshoot pics as well as some from mama & Jake Florida trip to see Gread Grandpa Colnon and Nana & Pop Peressini. It was so nice to get to spend a week with my baby. We even bunked up and shared a room for the week, but we missed daddy for sure.






























Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Thank you, mom.

A dear friend of mine just sent this to me... I needed this today to remind me what is really important. This is for my momma. I love you.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

For Ella Rose

From my sister and brother in law and my sweet niece.....please do what you can to help her legacy live on.
 
 
 
Ella Rose Clark was born on September 26, 2011. Although I had a normal pregnancy, our sweet baby girl was born very sick. Immediately after her birth, she was taken away by ambulance to Doernbecher NICU. Our family spent the next 33 days there trying to figure out what was making her so sick, and doing everything we could to make her better, but nothing could help her. We lost our angel on Octobe...r 29, 2011, but she passed surrounded by her family and friends, in the loving embrace of her mommy and daddy.

Ella was sweet, she loved to snuggle, and she was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! She was the baby in the NICU that all the nurses fought over to take care of, the baby that even when the doctors had the day off would call in to check in on her. Ella is the baby that makes parents want to have 10 more just like her.

Having a baby in the NICU is one of the most stressful experience parents have to endure. Your baby you waited over 9 months to meet is taken away from you and her health and care is left in the hands of strangers. The little things, such as taking their temp, giving them baths, changing their diapers and putting them in those cute outfits, really become the moments you treasure while in the NICU...the things that other mommies and daddies are able to do without a second thought.

In honor of Ella's first birthday, Zach and I are putting together a donation drive for those babies, mommies and daddies, just like us, in the Doernbecher NICU. We know there are a lot of you with new babies, so we ask that you please donate a couple of their onsies, hats or blankets in honor of our angel Ella.

We will be collecting items at our house and will make one big donation of September 26th.

What to donate:
Onsies (sizes premie and newborn)
Blankets
Socks
Hats
Books
*The NICU does NOT allow anything fleece or terry cloth because they can carry bacteria.

Where to send items:
11299 SW Capitol Hwy. Unit 1
Portland, OR. 97219

Thank you for helping our daughter's legacy live on and never be forgotten. - Stephanie, Zach & Ella.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Look What Sprouted Up

Another milestone (we had a ton in about 10 days time!)

Baby boy sprouted 2 teeth... literally overnight. We were in the airport parking garage loading up all bags we brought to Boston to visit my parents and I looked down at Jake while he was smiling and suddenly noticed teeth... two of them! We were shocked that he got them so early at 4 1/2 months.

He is already working on the 3rd & 4th bottom teeth and I am sure even more are going to make an appearance soon. See for yourself!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Things Are About to Get Messy

Jake's first experience with solid food on February 19, 2012!



And verdict is in ... he liked it (even though this picture doesn't show it)! We are giving him 1 - 2 'meals' a day of sweet potatoes or bananas. We are about to try out avocados this weekend. So far, so good. We only had a bad experience with pears (gave him a serious belly ache & some gas).

He now pulls the spoon to his mouth. We had a feeling that this little boy wasn't going to have any issues with food.

Rolled Over!

Jake actually rolled over for the 1st time on February 27th, 2012 (but no one saw it!). Beth came back to his playmat with his bottle and there he was on his tummy just looking at her.

 He has done it a few times more since, but reserves this skill when he wants to dazzle mom & dad.

Photos!

Just hangin in my Sock Monkey outfit (thanks Auntie Jen)


Big Boy drinking his bottle

 And playing with toys


Staring contest


Smirking for the camera


Game Face.

Wearing my new hat from Disneyland (thanks Grammy)


4 Months! 16lbs 11oz & 26 inches long

In Boston with my Nanya

I love my Sofie & my stroller sleeping bag
My my track suit with Pop (a drooly mess)
 Beautiful Boston weather with Auntie Christa, Uncle Tony and Cousin Peressini in the belly.
Grammy & Pop come for a March visit!