Does Fort Worth ever cross your mind?

In honor of Michael's (Kristen's brother) wedding to the beautiful Kara, the Utah branch of the Powell family hopped a jet plane down to Texas for lots of festivities, tex mex, sun, and barbecue. Jim went back to Utah early, but Jack and Kristen stayed for almost 2 weeks.

First, for those of you keeping stats, Jack is a little over 4.5 months old (and weighed in at 14.5 pounds, 26 inches at his 4 month check up).

Texas was toasty warm compared to Utah, and Jack was able to go around sockless. Here, soaking up sun with his Aunt Katie (Aunt K.).






Kristen and Jack (the rosy light is from a yellow umbrella, but yes, there is some red in his hair...he just wants to be like his Hampden cousin.)


With his Kaki during his first trip to the zoo! (yes, we do try to dress appropriately for all venues).


At the Fort Worth Zoo...still looking for our Plank...(the wedding gift that just keeps on giving...)



Even Jack got excited about Tex Mex at Uncle Julio's...
"Hmmm, what to order..."
"No Way, they have sopapillas!!"


While in Texas, Jack started talking more, chuckling more (especially at Aunt Katie), and sleeping on his tummy. But, perhaps the most interesting development was his surprisingly long tongue. At first, he'd stick it out only in response to someone sticking there's out at him, but soon, his tongue was out almost as much as it was in.


And, a final first: Here is a glimpse at Jack's first encounter with a glass of water.

The Bear Returns

This pic is actually from a few weeks ago. Utah weather got frosty again, and Jack revisited his Bear suit for an evening walk.

Jack in the Box

First Hike

We took advantage of the warmer weather and ventured up into the foothills near our house. These pictures look across Utah Valley to the mountains South of the valley (Nebo is the tallest). Jack seemed to enjoy it... (he's actually in full motion in the picture with Jim). The picture below is post-hike and pre-nap...a very concerning situation apparently.

Jack's Toes

Easter Portrait

Look who's talking...video

So, the length of this video is slightly indulgent, but we can't stop ourselves.

Clips of Jack from age 10 weeks to 16 weeks, showing off his verbal skills. You'll also sample Jim's goofy rendition of Free Falling and various gutteral noises (anything for a Jack smile). There's even a brief but priceless chuckle from the Jackster (soon after Free Falling).

"Okay Jack, show me 'Incredulous'. "

Future Keydet?

Thanks to Christian and Kelly Arllen for the VMI shirt!

Cheeks

March 28th

The view from our window this morning...

The Happy Drooler

Jack sometimes just can't let go...



Spending time outside with daddy on the first warm day of the year.



"Hello, Mr. Bug."
"Hello, Jack."
"Holy Pamper...a talking bug!"

Jack's Trip to TX

Jack and Kristen left Jim behind in snowy Utah in order to introduce Jack to his Texas roots. The trip involved lots of warmer weather, barbecue (not for Jack), extended family, old friends from Coppell, and meeting all of Khaki's friends (Jack was probably introduced to half the congregation of Christ Chapel Bible Church).

The trip was filled with many firsts for Jack:
First plane ride...he did great, slept most of the first flight, and decided to people watch for half of the flight home.

First phone call home to Dad...never before seperated, Jim called to talk to Jack once a day.


First encounter with a dog...my parents dog, Abby. At first they were both scared of each other, but seemed to warm up with a little time.


First meeting of the Greats...Jack soaked up lots of quality time with the Klints and with Gigigi (Great Grandmother Grace).
Jack with Neanie

4 Generations of Burr's...starting with Gigigi.

Jack with Neanie and Wilbur the Great.

All in all, it was a lot of new experiences and faces for Jack...and sometimes he just wasn't quite sure what to make of it all...

Family Portraits

2 Month Stats

Jack had his two month check up today complete with shots. In a related discovery, Jack relishes the taste of Cherry Tylenol....lots of lip smacking and big eyes after that flavor explosion.

He measured 24.5 inches and weighs 11 pounds 13 ounces...this would explain why we are already into 3 month old clothing. He's in the 95th percentile for height and 60th for weight. What amazes me is that only 20 days ago he measured 22.25 inches and weighed 10 pounds 13 ounces...which might explain why Jack wanted to eat about every 2 hours last week.

Jack's 2 Month Performance Review Video

Here is the review of the past 2 weeks! Enjoy!

Jack in his Hoodie

The not-so-glorious Jack

Though we do love him like crazy, we're getting a little tired of posting only wonderful pictures and photos of our son. So, perhaps this video will serve as a balancing act. Enjoy!!

A Bear

First day in several months over 45 degrees, so we decided to take Jack for his first walk. Still being a bit chilly we dressed him in his bear fleece outfit. He did very well. And by "well" I mean slept. Here are some pics as a bear while awake.

Grumpy Bear!


Grrr....please don't feed the Bear...scary...


Jack is keeping bald in style...

Bath Time

We are very thankful that at around one month old Jack decided that he liked taking a bath. Since then, bathtime has been pretty fun. Here, Jim working with Jack on his backstroke.



However Jack is still having a hard time with the transition out of the bathtub...usually ends up with a sad face like this...


In other Jack news, he weighed in at 10 pounds 13 ounces on Jan 30th, and today we measured him...22.25 inches.

More Jack posts

In case you were to draw a blank on his identity...


When Kristen bought this book I said "waste of money--black and white was out in the 60's." How wrong I was. He can look at this book for an hour at a time. Which is good because it takes the place of crying.

Superman

So, I've heard that in the original Superman movies Christopher Reeves was filmed flying by laying down on a table-like apparatus, and then they'd blend the color of the apparatus and the background (usually blue sky) together so it would look like he was flying in mid air. Well, we thought we would try something similar here, only we haven't gotten around to photoshopping out the boppy and blanket yet. But when we do, you are going to be amazed by our little Jack "Superman" Powell. Faster than a speeding bullet...


Jack watching Utah Jazz highlights.

Jack's 5 week performance review video

A little sampling of Jack's 5 week review. He talks a little and rolls a lot. Pretty advanced for a kid his age. We think so anyway...but, then again, we do have parent goggles on...

Jack and the Polka Dots

It never occured to me, when we were picking out nursery decor, that Jack could be so smitten with design at such a young age. However, with pictures to prove it, Jack LOVES the polka dots in his nursery.

He stares at them...for hours, well, no...minutes on end...
here in his crib, the bumper pads have the same pattern as the sheet... (and a special shout out to Jake Wilson and Jessie Knadler, who provided the oh-so-manly bulldozer and dump truck outfit, which is good since Jack is often wearing "nightgowns" to bed (much to his Dad's distress).)



Jack intent on the polka dots on the wall above the changing table...



The boy even talks to the polka dots...

Smiles!

Jack smiled at Grandma Annie, Kristen, and Jim today....seemed intentional about it...so we'll go with the idea that it was on purpose. Tried to capture some of the sweet grins on film...managed to get a smile with a lot of tongue...




Grandma Annie (as called by Jack's cousin Michael Braden Powell..see Powells of Hampden link) came to visit for about 5 days. Jack's been soaking up her attention. Here, one of our favorite moments.

JHP: 3 weeks old

Jack, intently listening to another of Daddy's amusing stories.



Daddy's story had a great surprise ending.



"Daddy, I bet I can stay awake longer than you..."



Again, offering prayers for world peace. (Jack has been very concerned about the continuing violence around the globe).



"Speak up, I didn't catch that last part..."

Late Night Adventures of Jack

Well, Jack's late night adventures aren't actually super exciting...mostly eating and burping and being persuaded to fall back asleep as quickly as possible. Jim, however, is fairly entertaining at 3 in the morning. Now, Jim is a true champ, he changes all the diapers in the middle of the night, and will help if Jack is fussy or needs extra time before falling asleep...but as long as Jack is just eating, Jim keeps sleeping, which is fine with me. Several nights ago, I sat up feeding Jack and had pulled one of Jack's baby blankets over my shoulders because I was cold. Apparently the edge of the blanket had fallen on Jim's hand or shoulder as he slept next to me, and next thing I know, Jim has grabbed the blanket, pulled it off of my shoulders and spread it out over his chest...all without opening his eyes. Now, Miss Anne (Jim's Mom) has told stories about Jim's childhood blanket, but I didn't know the need still existed...

A few nights later, Jack was especially sleepy during a feeding, but at one point opened his eyes and looked at me. I said, "Oh there you are." Jim, again, sleeping next to me, stirred, but without opening his eyes, said " Here I am. I'm right here." then rolled over. Very reassuring.


Jack with his Dad...very snuggly.

Jack is usally pretty alert after he eats around 5 pm...which makes for excellent time with Dad and the guitar.




By the way, I think I can see some resemblance to cousin Eli in the picture above...anyone else?

Jack's 2 week check up was good. He weighed in at 8 pounds 11 ounces and 21 inches. He's been amazing us by lifting his head a lot when he's on his belly, tried to capture it on film, but only got the backside!



Family Visits:
On Friday we dropped Kristen's Mom, Kathy off at the airport, she was a huge blessing as she stayed with us for the past 3 weeks. Pics forthcoming from her visit. The rest of Kristen's immediate family came up for
Christmas. Jaymes and Katie arrived the day before Jack was born, and Michael came in on the 24th. We're looking forward to Miss Anne coming out to Utah from Baltimore in a few weeks...can't wait for Jack to meet his other grandmother!

Jaymes and Kathy with Jack