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

Jack's first Christmas

Jack's first Christmas...an excellent opportunity to take photos that will embarrass him for the rest of his life. Please feel free to save these and use them against him when he hits those obnoxious teenage years.


Pardon me, but have you any Grey Poupon?


Jack offering up a prayer for world peace at Christmas time.


Handsome in blue.


Learning a few of the Powell favorite sing-a-long songs

One Week Old

First visit to the doctor today. Jack has grown almost two inches in length!! and weighed in at 8 pounds 2 oz. He's in the 75th percentile for height and 60th for weight.

The first week was a big one. Kristen's mom came to Utah on the 15th, and her Dad and sister arrived the day before Jack was born. Michael, her brother came up on Saturday, and the whole Burr family was able to celebrate Jack's first Christmas together.

Jack and Kaki (Kristen's Mom Kathy)


Jack in his Santa hat.


Jack and his Dad

Oh, and just in case you start to think its all fun and games here at the Powell household...a small reality check:

Jack's mom putting the choke hold on him.


But before you think he's the victim here, this is a shot sent to us last night from the Orem City Police Department. Evidentally he snuck out in between feedings to go find some "real" food at Albertson's and got picked up for J-walking.

They just keep on coming...

Soft taco anyone?

Our new favorite person...JHP

Because we cannot get enough of looking at the little guy, we're positive the same is true of you, the blog viewer. So, here are 2 more.


This is the boy wide awake in Jim's arms.


Our friends, the Hewitts, reading Jack his first story. Thanks, McKenna

Photos of Jack Harrison Powell

The Boy

A great gift this year!

Family Portrait

Jack weighed in at 8 pounds 4 ounces, 19 inches and healthy and whole in every way! He also has long fingers and the biggest feet in the nursery.

As far as labor goes....we left the shopping mall at 10 pm when the extended holiday hours ended. We went up to walk around with my parents to see if we could get the process moving along...and Kristen had a few minor contractions while walking. We arrived home at 10:30 and contractions started in earnest at 45 seconds long and about 2 minutes apart. We checked into the hospital around 11:30 PM and Jack was born at 2:39 AM. Our Lamaze classes had us prepared with lotion for hand rubs and talked through various things to do while waiting through the early part of labor...we didn't have a chance to use any of that.

Another Jack Pic

Jack's first bath.

Some Pics of Jack

O.K. Blogger hasn't been letting me upload multiple pics at one time, so I'm going to do them one at a time. This just means that I'll probably only post a few today and perhaps a few tomorrow instead of all at once. Sorry, but I hope you enjoy seeing Jack the Boy just the same.

We wait no longer...

Friends, Family, random people stumbling across this blog,

Jack Powell has arrived! At 2:39 AM Tuesday, December 19, the little man with big feet made it into the world. He and mom are great. Very soon, pictures will be posted!

Still Waiting...

Today is the official Due Date...but no baby yet...

Only 12 Days Away

No major pre-labor signs yet...but Dr. says we could go anytime. Right now we are feeling more content than impatient...trying to soak up these last few days of being just the two of us (and getting to sleep in).

Thanks to Tracy for the fabulous sweater...of course, if I get any lower, it'll be a flashy little midriff top.

In other news, it hasn't been above freezing in Utah for the past week. And I've never seen so many Christmas lights. At night, you can look towards the neighborhoods built up on the slopes of the mountains and you can see hundreds of rooftops outlined with christmas lights...pretty cool.