Jack & Steph's Semi-Saga: Minnesota, Part IV

Wow ... this has ended up to be a long Semi-Saga.

Friday was Laura and Aaron's Rehearsal Dinner. I don't seem to have any pictures from that evening, unfortunately. It was my first mommy-free-overnight-trip. I needed it, but I definitely hated it at the same time - most favorite part of the weekend was being able to sit back with my girls and just catch up. Love all of them.

Saturday ... up and early to get our hair done - get dressed and get married! (not me, Aaron and Laura.) It's wedding time!!!

Melissa doing Ra's make-up

Beautiful Bride to Be!

It was a beautiful wedding and I was so happy to be a part of it. Good to see all of the girl's husbands and we ran into an old friend Katie and her hubby Travis (And, they have, by far, one of the cutest kids ever). SO good to see her. It's been a decade - literally.

The girls ... Carrie, Lesley, Courtney, Melissa, and Laura

Laura, of course, was an absolutely stunning bride.

Me and the blushing bride. :)

Best Wishes to Laura & Aaron!! Love you!

(might have to say one of the best moments was the bit of good luck that Lesley and Court received by a passing bird while we were outside taking pictures .... ha.)

Jack & Steph's Semi-Saga: Minnesota, Part III

THURSDAY (4/30)!

Jack met his best friend, Jaxx!

We headed over to the Berberena's for the morning to spend some quality time with Isaac, Jaxx and of course, Melissa. Isaac ran around while we doted on our 'babies' - Jaxx loved that there was someone who was smaller than him. He kept wanting to touch Jack and by the end of the afternoon was pretty much showing Jack who was boss. I, being a horrible mother, forgot Jack's formula ... so I had to run out and buy some more; at least Jack is still forgiving.

What's this?

Jaxx clearly taking advantage of a younger baby... but Jack doesn't seem to mind;
not that he actually has a choice.


Jack now trying to fend for himself...
"Um, hello Isaac - see? this is mine ... it's attached to me."

The Berberena Boys are so cute! I wish I could spend more time with them. I miss them and their mom, my best friend, so much. She's such a great mom - and is always a phone call away when I am stressing over something stupid. I definitely learn from one of the best. :) But, I wish she was just a 'down the street' away.

Uncle Derich came over that evening and the 5 of us had a nice, quiet dinner. Derich even took on feeding Jack - but after seeing Jack exploding his bottle onto my shoulder Tuesday, Derich gave Jack back to me for burping. I think they get along nicely.

Jack is 3 Months Old!

Mother's Day & 3 Months Old ... all in one day.

My little baby is getting so big - you wouldn't know it by the pictures, but he smiles all of the time - he just likes to study the camera. He'll talk your ear off and do jumping jacks all day long (go figure.) He's a mover and a shaker ... he's ready to get going.

What a Big Boy

3 Months Old

Checking the Hippo Out

Getting Excited

A Little Smirk

Mid-Sneeze

A Little Talking

2 Months Old

1 Month Old

Mooooother's Day!

First off: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Secondly ... Before you ask - No, we did not spend the day with Nia and Gracen; as much as I would have liked that - it's just not true. On our day shopping, we came across some Mother's Day garb ... and each bought a t-shirt for each other. We checked out, walked out the door, and traded Mother's Day t-shirts for our little ones. So yes, these pictures were previously recorded.

Cousin Lovin'

Nia and Gracen are way more fun that we are ... Jack thinks they're crazy.

These pictures, however, were not previously recorded:

My first Mother's Day. Just Baby Jack and Mom.

We spent the weekend celebrating Wilkes' MBA and Mother's Day.

Steph, Whit & Jack

Congrats to Master, Wilkes! & Whitney meeting Jack, FINALLY!

Robbie and Matthew had all of us over on Saturday night to grill out and treated me to a gift certificate to get my nails done. (thanks!!) Sunday, Jack let me sleep in until about 10. (wow!) Lindsay and Jeb picked Jack and I up and treated us to lunch at Mellow Mushroom (and thanks to you, too!!)

Jack & Mom.

Jack poking me in the eye ... I know ... I deserve it.
Sorry, Mom.

biggest. red. envelope. box. ever.

Bryan, the wonderful husband that he is, sent the biggest Red Envelope box I have ever seen. So nice of him to think of me while he's out in the field training.

Jack & Steph's Semi-Saga: Minnesota, Part II

Yes, we're still talking about our travels...

Wednesday we woke early to have yet another meet and greet. This time, with my dear friend, Christine (pictures will come once she gets her new computer set up... eh, hem... ) Christine and I have one of those great friendships that you don't need to talk on the phone every day or see each other every trip; in this case - THREE stinkin' years! Three years and three kids later, I finally was able to meet Jacob and Sophia. What BEAUTIFUL, precious wee little ones. Oh - what a good way to start the day. Thanks, Christine, for the Pizza and the great morning!!

Jack and I then took off to meet Cousaunt Nia (no, that's not a typo - it's the long version of Cousin + Aunt ... the short version is not so child-friendly) and Cousin Gracen. She's getting SOOO big!! We spent the afternoon looking for some clothes for me that fit my 'hopefully' in between stage and I ended up only buying stuff for Jack. Thanks, kid.

G-Rae reading Jack stories...

Posing with Jack.

Gracen checking Jack out...

G-Rae kept doing sign language and saying 'toot' ... meaning cute ... when she'd look at Jack. Now, if that isn't 'toot', I don't know what is. What a smartie.

We headed back to the Lighter's house for a quick goodnight read, some delivery Chinese food - and of course, LOST.

Nia suddenly verklempt by how precious Jack is.

Navy Ranger

Jack & Steph's Semi-Saga: Minnesota, Part I

Early morning - up at 5am. Back on the plane. Whew.

After another hour-long drive to Savannah, Jack and I had a early flight out to Minneapolis on Tuesday morning. By now, we felt like pros - our carry-on had a little less crap and I was a little less neurotic. We had a quick up and down to Atlanta (total flight time is like 34 minutes) and Jack slept through it. Quick layover in Atlanta; we had some Chick-fil-a. Well, I did and Jack watched and smiled as I enjoyed some waffle fries. Back on the plane and off to Minnesota. Plane wasn't all that full - Jack and I had an entire row of three to ourselves! So - we stretched out and took a long nap. (silly lady behind me bought a seat for her infant ... boy did she feel stupid while she watched us snooze all the way to MN.)

Grampers (as dad has dubbed himself) and Grandma picked us up at the airport and we headed to their home for an evening of 'Meet Jack' with close family friends.

Kristin & Kathy with Jack

Dan & Liz with Jack


Alice with Jack


Jack meeting Uncle Derich

Erik, Joni & Jack

If you didn't notice, Jack was pretty tuckered out from another day of travels. So, we hit the bed pretty early. It was good to see everyone and appreciate everyone coming out for a quick bite.

Jack & Steph's Semi-Saga: Statesboro, Part I

Jack and I made it home LATE Sunday night. Suitcase stayed in the truck and we hit the sack. Jack pretty much slept all day on Monday while I washed, folded and repacked our suitcase for our trip out to MN Tuesday morning.

Our bank had been bothering me to bring Jack in so they could meet them. Gotta love small towns. I am sure they knew when Jack was born before some of our family members. So I knocked that out and then life-saver Aunt Robbie stopped in after work and watched Jack so I could last minute errands... like picking up my bridesmaid dress!! Ahhh!

That night, we had a relaxing evening at the spa. Jack had a nice lavender soak and then knocked himself out again until Tuesday morning. Is he ever content in his bathtub... disregard the fists - he always has them clenched.

Jack & Steph's Semi-Saga: New Jersey, Part III

Sunday ... Time to relax.

We spent the day on Sandy Hook at the Beach. It was SUCH a good day for the beach; not too windy, nice and warm. We watched little boys dismantle Horseshoe Crabs, which was somewhat disturbing - not to mention their parents didn't care. The weather was SO nice, that we have to leave 5 hours early for the airport. Good thing we did - it took us over 2.5 hours to get out of Sandy Hook. Everyone seemed to have the same idea: Beach.

Sandy Hook Beach

Sean & Nathalia

I got to the airport just in time. Jack then screamed our entire way thru the ticket line. Awesome. Thanks little guy. And to the people in the line in front of me. Don't glare and roll your eyes at me because I have a screaming baby ... either let me go ahead of you or ignore him. I don't like a screaming baby, either... Especially when it's mine. :)

Jack content in his sling.

Waiting for the plane...

Happy Birthday, Nathalia!!

Look who's 4!!!
Nathalia!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!

Jack & Steph's Semi-Saga: New Jersey, Part II

Saturday! The main reason for our travels to New Jersey!! Jack's Great Grandma's 80th Birthday Surprise!! It was great to see the Zacharczyk Family and I think Grandma Jane was really surprised. Seriously. How great for her to have so many people in one room to help her celebrate her life.

Cousin Rachel & Jack

Grandma Jane's Grandkids & Great-Grandkids...
Sean, Rachel, Nathalia, Jack, Sarah & Josh

Great-Grandma Jane & Jack ... in her stylish movie star glasses

Great Aunt Mary & Frank

After Party ... Nathalia & Jack playing with a balloon