Lounging in Spring Canyon Park

Jack at 8 Months

On December 14th Jack turned 8 months old. He's now rolling over both ways and realizing that he can move his body towards whatever it is that is holding his attention, whether that's a book, a toy, Parchita, or the Christmas tree. Not crawling yet, but we're in no rush--once he turns that corner there will be no stopping him! He's also eating not just cereal now, but peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes too. Jack is quite a verbal baby much of the time, and communicates through grunts, giggles, whines, spitting noises, and plenty of sounds that may at some point turn into words. We're starting to use some baby sign language, and once his little hands are capable of using them too, hopefully frustrations will be eased. For the most part, Jack is sleeping through the night, which thrills us to no end. Before going to bed at night, he loves to read books or take a bath. Yellow ducks always make him smile, and he loves to play with his rubber ducky in the tub! Napping is not quite as easy as nighttime, since Jack fights it in some very creative ways, like swatting at his own ears. We suppose he just has too much fun playing with us and his babysitters Jeanay and Amanda, who are truly wonderful.

Last week, Jack was a trooper throughout our trip to Denver and his surgery at Children's Hospital. Jack recovered quickly and is just fine. No long term issues, just glad to have it done. Nothing to worry about, we promise! The positive of the trip was that Crested Butte friends (Kara and her family) coincidentally were in town too the night before, and we all went out for pizza as the snowstorm arrived.

Saturday we fly to Boston for the Delorey family Christmas. We have a whole week there and can't wait to experience Jack's first Christmas (although we suspect we will hardly see him with so many people who are going to want to hold him!). We'll also get up to Vermont for a night to spend a little time with Julie and her family. After the New Year back in Colorado, my mom will fly out from their new home in North Carolina to spend two weeks with us. Then we're off to Florida with my dad to introduce little Jack to his Great Grandparents Ray and Carolyn Smith. February will take us to Chicago with my mom for a Hood family reunion, where Jack will also get to meet his Great Grandmother Margaret Hood. Just before that on our anniversary weekend, we'll head up to the mountains to Devil's Thumb Ranch for a long weekend with my good friend Emily, who'll be coming in from Atlanta with her fiance (a change of status just two days old!). We plan to do some serious cross country skiing and relaxing by the fire. So much to look forward too!

Fat Tire Anyone?

No exploration of Fort Collins is complete without a stop at the beloved New Belgium Brewery. Hey, does that Tour de Fat shirt come in a onesie?

Jack and Jim

Mark's brother, Jim, visited from Boston for Thanksgiving. Jack was all ears (and eyes) for his musical Uncle Jim, who lost no time introducing Jack to the keyboard and guitar. This baby's got rhythm!

First Thanksgiving

Jack's spent his first Thanksgiving at home with Mom and Dad, Uncle Jim, and some statistician friends. It was a great feast!

Kisses in City Park

Are all babies this kissable?! Shooting some photos in City Park brought back memories of our engagement photo session there just two years earlier.

Winter Arrives!

Cruising to Old Town

The Chariot is all things mobile... jogger, bike trailer, ski trailer. With Mom bringing up the rear, Jack's first bike ride to Old Town was a grand adventure! Jack even scored a rubber ducky from the Children's Mercantile.

I dig this cereal!

This was Jack's first go at (semi) solid food, and he was way into it. But what will he think of peas and carrots?! We'll see in a few weeks...

Jack at 6 Months

Jack had his 6 month pediatrician appointment last week (a couple of weeks after his 6 month birthday). Aside from all those darn shots they give, he continues to be a good sport about the poking and prodding that has been a part of his life since birth. Jack weighed in at 13 pounds 13 and a half ounces, and is 25 inches long. He's on the charts for his age, which is great for a preemie at this point. Everything else looks great, and the doctor again commented on his level of interest and engagement with all around him. Unfortunately, Jack will have to have some exploratory laparoscopic surgery down at Childrens Hospital in Denver before the holidays. On a separate issue, he has to have an ultrasound next week. We are not getting too concerned about either of these, and will wait to have more information before getting worked up. Most likely everything will check out just fine!

At home, Jack is working on his crawling moves--he tries to bend his knees and scootch forward, but it will probably be awhile before he takes off, which is fine with us! He also has started rolling over periodically, but not consistently yet. The other night he woke up crying because he had rolled onto his tummy and couldn't figure out how to get back. Jack is also reaching for objects with much more control, trying to put most things right into his mouth, and definitely wanting to hold his bottle. He's experimenting with sounds of all sorts, and really seems to like the "buh" sound. When he's upset, he says "meh" (working on "ma ma?" He is of course wonderfully adorable when he laughs! Just yesterday Jack had his first solid food, some organic rice cereal, and he was totally into it. We've also started taking Jack out in his Chariot now that he's big enough, which makes us all happy. Bike rides are soon to follow!

The biggest news has to be that as of about 10 days ago Jack has slept through the night fairly consistently, for 11 hour stretches! He must like sleeping in his own room (and yes, we have a monitor, it's not that we just don't hear him anymore!).

In short, Jack is doing really well for a 6 month old, and especially well for one that was born two months early. We are ALL doing really well!!!

Jack's First Halloween

Getting Ready for Trick or Treaters!

Red Sox Fan in Colorado (post 2007 World Series)

World Series 2007--Go Red Sox!!!

We may live in Colorado, but does anyone think that Mark's son will be anything other than a die hard Red Sox fan?! Andrea has even retired her Yankees hat. So we are a Red Sox family all the way.

Ann's Visit to Fort Collins

Mark's sister, Ann, came out to Colorado in October to spend more time with her new nephew. We spent our days taking hikes around town, cooking yummy meals, and visiting. During the evenings we cheered the Red Sox on as they beat the Cleveland Indians in the playoffs.

Aunt Ann and Jack

October Trip to D.C.

In early October, Jack took his second airplane journey, this time to Washington, D.C. to meet Aunt Ann, Uncle Chuck (Chuckle Unc?), and Cousin Lily. Andrea and Mark also attended the wedding of fellow Colgate alum Sue Lavigne to Jerome Mullin. Jack had so much fun with Lily,who was a superstar at entertaining and taking care of him. He also got to meet the rest of the Colgate crew and all their kids. Jack once again did well on the plane, and loved getting out and seeing the world and meeting more of the special people in his life.

The Cousins Meet

Cousin Lily Shares Her Love of Reading

Future Geologist?

On a hot and humid October day, we all hiked at Great Falls, Virginia.

Suse and Jerome's Wedding

With Jack in such great hands at his cousin Lily's house, Andrea and Mark danced the night away.

The Newlyweds

Jack Turns 6 Months and Andrea Turns 40!

It is hard for us to believe that Jack is already over six months old, but probably even more difficult to comprehend that Andrea is now 40! With life so full of joys, it seems 40 is the way to go. No blues whatsoever were experienced. For the actual day, Andrea's good friends from teaching in Ecuador--Emily, Margie, and Aimee--flew in from all parts of the U.S. for a weekend of playing cowboy, a visit to New Belgium, hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, and just plain good girl time. The family celebration took place a couple of weeks later with a spectacular getaway to Beaver Creek/Vail, where the Aspens were bright gold, the village of Beaver Creek charming, and the trails full of breathtaking views. Our "boutique" lodge was luxurious in every way, and the perfect place to relax. Mark even got Andrea a massage at the spa! Jack also enjoyed this family getaway, and has requested an annual adventure for his mom's birthday and his half year celebration.

Preparing for the Hike to Beaver Lake

Jack in baby-sized Patagonia long underwear and fleece... way cute!!!

Jack in Pack

This was Jack's first time in the backpack, and when he wasn't sleeping, he was happily taking in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

Riding with Dad

Beaver Lake

Fall at Beaver Creek/Vail

Beaver Creek Bridge

The hike to Beaver Lake and back ended up being 8 miles, and Jack stayed happy the entire way. We didn't see any bears on the trail, but we did see a mama and baby bear cross the street earlier in the morning while we were lying in our bed looking out the window. A grand way to start the day!

View from Our Room at the Beaver Creek Lodge

The Girls Celebrate Andrea's 40th

Mom Turns 40!

Jack and His Animals

Jack has a new interest in his stuffed animals, but they will never compare to Parchita!

Jack and Bunny on Bed (film)

Tour de Fat 2007

Tour de Fat is an annual celebration put on by New Belgium Brewery, which is based here in Fort Collins. Originally a bike race, the event has evolved into a large-scale bike parade requiring the craziest of costumes and contraptions created on bicycles. With Jack still being just a bit too small for the bike trailer, we opted to attend this year on the sidelines.

Steve, Megan, Shaden and Mark at Tour de Fat

The Fam at Tour de Fat

Pre-Tour de Fat Bottle

Jack Meets the Hoods

In August Jack got a visit from Andrea's uncle Bill, his wife Vicki, and their son Tyler, who is a senior at CU Boulder. Tyler is following in the footsteps of his older brother, Elliott, who also graduated from CU. So Andrea is almost 20 years older than her cousin, Tyler, and Tyler is about 20 years older than Jack!

Jack at Four Months

Jack is now over four months old, and is doing really, really well. He weighed in at 11 pounds 9 ounces at the pediatrician last week, and he's quite long for his age. The doctor was very impressed with his development and gave a positive report in all respects. So what's Jack doing now? He smiles a lot, and loves to babble away in conversation. He's highly interested in all around him, and especially loves to watch people engaged in activities such as cooking and gardening. He holds his head up well and puts his hands together. Jack's thumb is very close to making its way into his mouth and actually staying there, and it obviously makes him happy when he gets close to success. He's started sleeping much longer stretches at night--knock on wood--and does pretty well going to sleep on his own. We had stopped swaddling him, but started again, as it really relaxes him and helps him fall asleep. He loves to play on his activity mat and swat at whatever toys are hanging there. He also loves to look at his stuffed ladybug, especially the rear end mirror where he can see himself! Outside play is a favorite as well, all that much more if there is a gentle breeze blowing and soft grass to explore. Truly, Jack is a dear baby and such a joy to have in our lives!

Cutie pie!

Silly littly guy

Hanging out in mom and dad's bed

Sleeping like a baby

Hiking in the Colorado Rockies

Colgate University Visit

On the last day of our trip to New York, we met Mark's freshman roommate, Kevin, and his wife, Sue (also known as Flam)--all Colgate alumni--at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. It was a fun day of memories and awe over the many changes on campus and in town. Mark's undergraduate adviser, who we stopped in to visit, quickly calculated that Jack would be a member of the class of 2028!

Jack at Colgate University

Sean and Jack

Freshman roommates and their offspring!

The Deloreys at the Romas' house

At the dinner dance

Jack and his Great Great Aunt Minnie--the oldest and the youngest of the Greco family

Jack's generation

Taking a break from the dinner dance

Jack's first plane ride

The Greco Family Reunion

On the last weekend in July, we traveled to the Greco family reunion in upstate New York, where Jack was the youngest member of the family. Mark's great grandparents settled in Endicott, New York after crossing the Atlantic from southern Italy and passing through Ellis Island. Jack is actually a full quarter Italian! Many Greco family members still live in Endicott, and there were about 100 people at the reunion. Jack was a real trooper with all of the traveling, delays, and stimulation, taking it all in stride. We had a really special weekend, spending time with immediate and extended family. Some highlights were the interview of Mark's four great aunts that are still living--they are amazing and lively women--, and visiting Jim Roma's bakery, a local family business with their own unique and delicious pizza and Italian baked goods galore. Jack also loved meeting his aunts and uncles--Jim, Teresa, Andy, and Gianna (Ann, Chuck, and Lily could not be there)--as well as spending quality time with his grandparents Joyce and Bernie. We really had a great time and are so glad we could be there!

Andrea and Jack in July

Baldy

Jack has now lost all of his hair on top of his head, so he has some great male pattern baldness going. We're anxiously awaiting the new growth!

July 4th

Jack's Grandparents Smith came to visit during the week of July 4th. It was their first visit since Jack got out of the hospital, and they were thrilled to be able to hold him and play with him all of the time!

Jack on July 4th