The Week in Review

We've had a pretty quiet week. Jack was battling a little cough, so we have tried to lay low and see if he can beat this thing. He is feeling much better now, just in time for the weekend!

 

On Tuesday, Jack and I went to the University of Washington's Institute for Brain and Learning Sciences. Jack took part in a research study that is looking at nonverbal cues that infants use. He did a great job and even got to pick out a book afterwards! It was Jack's first official visit to the UW, his future alma mater (if Mom and Dad have any say)!

 

On Wednesday night we got to hang out with Caden and Linnea Greco while their parents went and saw the Indiana Jones movie. We had a blast!  The first hour really put me to the test. Tom was still at work, so I was in charge of 3 kiddos at once!  There was a constant happy chaos as we played and I tried to cook dinner.   I gained a new appreciation for parents of more than one child. Linnea and Caden loved playing with Jack. He got tickled many times by those two!  Jack was fascinated by the "big" kids and giggled nearly the entire time.

 

I've been trying to get back in shape, which has meant some pretty painful jogging this past week. I strap Jack into the jogging stroller and we head out. Unfortunately, we live at the top of a hill, which means that the first part of the run is super easy, but the second half is not!  I'm starting to get used to pushing the stroller, but it is pretty hard going up those hills!  I'm glad that the weather is beginning to get nicer. It gives me no excuse not to get out there and jog.

  

5 months old!

 
Video: Giggling

 

No big plans for the Rodda family this weekend. We are planning to spend lots of time together as a family. Hopefully the weather will be nice, so we can spend some of the weekend outdoors. We wish you all a great Memorial Day weekend!

What a Weekend!

This was quite the weekend for the Rodda family!  On Friday, Jack and I went to Greenlake and enjoyed the sunshine while having a picnic lunch. Then we met Tom at Lake Union and headed out on the boat for Jack's very first boatride. He got to wear his life preserver that Grandma and Grandpa Rodda gave to him. He looked pretty funny in it, but we knew he was safe! The lake was packed with Seattlites all trying to enjoy the 80 degree weather!

 

Chilling at Greenlake                                          Mom and Jack having a picnic

 

   

Jack's first boat ride

 

Saturday morning we packed up the family and went to Alpental. Tom just couldn't resist the chance to ski in Seattle in the middle of May!  Jack and I took a walk down Alpental road and checked out the ski cabins (per Tom's request ). We had a picnic lunch out on the patio of the lodge while listening to a live band. The sun was shining and people were partying! It was very fun to have Jack up there and it made us excited for a couple of years from now when Jack will be skiing alongside us! Yes, Tom plans to have Jack skiing by age two.

 

 

Dad finally got Jack up to Alpental!

 

Saturday night we went to Mount Vernon to celebrate a belated Mother's Day with my family. Uncle Matt came up on Sunday and we BBQ'd kabobs and hung out on the patio.We tried our best to soak up every last ounce of the beautiful weather by coming home and doing some yard work. Well, Tom actually did the work while Jack and I supervised.   All in all, we had a pretty incredible weekend.  Unfortunately, all of our activities are catching up to us. Jack woke up this morning with a bit of a cough. He's in good spirits, so hopefully this is just a little bug that will go away quickly.

 

 

Just a couple of cute pictures I had to add!

Mother's Day

I had the most special first Mother's Day. It began with a latte and breakfast in bed. Instead of a written card, Tom shared with Jack and I all of the reasons why he thought I was a great mom. It was better than any card he could have written to me. Once we had finished breakfast, we got the family ready and headed up to Mount Vernon to be with Tom's family. His grandma and grandpa were thrilled to see Jack again. Between the great-grandma, grandma, and everyone else, Jack got plenty of attention! 

 

 My parents were out of town, but I got to speak to both of them on the phone. My mother is with my grandma in Spokane. It was a very special way for her to celebrate Mother's Day. My dad spent the weekend with my other grandma. He took her shopping, did yard work for her, and even cleaned her house. What a guy!

 

After church, Tom took me out to dinner. We tried the new Mexican restaurant at University Village, Sonrisa. It was good. We thought it was a lot like El Camino in Fremont--Mexican food with a modern twist. All in all, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. Throughout it, I was constantly reminded of how blessed I am to have such a fantastic family. They rock!

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures:

1. Great-Grandma Betty, Grandma Becky, Mom, and Jack

2. Great-Grandma Betty just can't get enough of Jack!

3. Jack ALWAYS smiles for Auntie Jane

4. Great-Grandpa Roy can't believe how much Jack weighs

5-7. Jack and Mom on their first Mother's Day

A Visit to See Grandma

Today Jack and I drove up to Mount Vernon to go to the craft fair put on by my mother's orthopedic guild. All of the proceeds from the event go to Children's Hospital to help with uncompensated care. Having spent a weekend at Children's with Jack in March, I know what a special place it is. I hope that the event does well and that they are able to raise lots of money!  Jack got introduced to lots of women who have heard countless stories (and seen lots of pictures). As always, he was his adorable self....they loved him!  Since we won't be spending Mother's Day with my mom, this was a special way for Jack and I to be with her. I'm so blessed to have such wonderful women, like my mother and mother-in-law, who have modeled what being a mom looks like. It is easy for me to love and care for a child because I have always been a loved and cared for child, myself.  Thank you for that, Mom.

 

Two Babies...For the Day :)

Today I got to experience what parents of twins encounter everyday, two babies!  My friend, Keri, had a work emergency so Jack and I got to spend the day with Maggie Rose. Jack and Maggie Rose are only weeks apart, so it was very fun to watch them interact with one another. I soon learned that everything takes just a little more planning when you have two!  While Maggie was having her bottle, Jack got a little jealous and cranky. I must have looked pretty funny as I tried to balance Maggie, the bottle, and entertain Jack. Despite the challenges, it was a great day. I had so much fun playing with the two of them. They kept turning and facing one another. At one point, they were even holding hands!  Of course I took pictures of it....I had to!

 

This has been a very rewarding week since returning from my trip. I've just been soaking in all of the time that I have with Jack. Being gone was good for me. I had a good conference. It was nice to be around professionals, but I also found that my priorities are in a different place now. The weekend was the perfect amount of time to be gone. It was just enough time to be away and I was ready to be home on Sunday night.   It helped that Tom and Jack had such an awesome time. My weekend in Texas was just as important for them, as it was for me. They really bonded during their "guy" time.

 

   

 

Batch'n it

Jack and I get to spend the weekend together while Melissa is in Dallas for a training.  We've had a great time, and are enjoying this chance to hang out.  I am learning to read him better - like Melissa tells me she does.  I can tell when he wants to eat, play, or is tired, although he hasn't wanted to nap much, probably because we're having so much fun.  We've watched a couple of movies, and today we went out for coffee and peeked in at the Church picnic at Magnuson park.  Jack has an eager spirit, and likes getting out, but I think his favorite thing right now is just playing on the bed.  Mine too.  

(Oh, here's a picture of Jack in his "Space Suit" that we use for cold walks.)