Easter and the zoo

Here are a few pictures of Jack meeting the Easter Bunny for the first time.  The big fuzzy bunny didn't seem to phase him this year.

Aunt Marcia

 Jack took his first trip to the zoo this weekend.  It was supposed to be a rainy gloomy day, but we quickly packed up and headed out when we heard that the skies were going to be clear for about two hours.  We managed to meet the new giraffe, took a quick peak at some of the bears, visited with the white lions, and said hello to the gorillas and elephants on our way out.  It was a quick trip, but so much fun.  Of course Jack left with a new book and a stuffed giraffe to remember his first trip to our great zoo.  (Thank you Nana!)

Nana, Jack, and Mommy with the lions

Jack is happy to be at the zoo

I found this great trick for helping kids to dye eggs.  If you put the egg inside of the whisk the kids can dunk and lift the egg with less mess and less breaking.  I think it would have worked if we had we used deeper cups.  

Dying Easter eggs

 We had a wonderful Easter with our family this year.  We were able to worship together at our old church, ECC.  Jack was passed around throughout the service and wasn't lacking for attention at any point in our day.   Thank you to our family who hosted and for those of you who shared your day with us!

Easter Family

Grandma and Grandpa Troescher

Uncle Ryan and his guns and Aunt Brittany

Thanks for the outfit Aunt Louie!  

Easter basket

This might be why Jack loves Aunt Brittany

Jack with his cousin Emma - future babysitter!

Rice Cereal

Jack is eating rice cereal!  He isn't very interested in the food, but loves the bowl.  I think we'll start with avocado and banana soon and see how he likes that.  Maybe the cereal is just too boring for Jacob Samad's son.  

Jacob has been reading Super Baby Food, a book we'll be using to help guide us through this next stage in Jack's life.  We're hoping to make most of Jack's food and are growing vegetables right now that he'll be able to eat soon.  

Thankful

Today I am thankful.  Here is why:

• It is Thursday, which happens to be my favorite day of the week.  The Reds played today and they snapped their four game skid.  Bonus:  They wore their day game uniforms which are my favorite.  

• I had my Mom's group today which meant that I had social time with adults and Jack had social time with kids.  Also, my mother-in-law taught today's class and I left with new ideas and a fresh perspective on hospitality vs entertaining.  
• Jack laughed so hard today that he had to close his eyes and look away.  I have never made anyone laugh so hard - and I am pretty funny.  

• Today I bought diapers for Jack.  I am sure you are wondering why this made my 'thankful' list.  Well, today is the first time I have had to buy diapers for him.  Thanks to many very generous friends and family and two diaper studies, I haven't had to purchase any diapers until today.  (And technically, with the money P&G paid me to do those studies, I didn't really shell out my own cash to buy these diapers either!)
• I have fresh lilacs in the house that came from our own backyard.  The best part is that the tree was planted by the previous owners.  It is one of the few good things they left behind.  

Fresh lilacs

• I have a son who is a wonderful sleeper. 

This was not staged.  This is seriously how he sleeps.

• Jack is still a happy kid even though he is teething.

• At this moment I am thankful for a wonderful husband who cooks dinner so that I can write this for you!

Picture Wall

Dear Faithful Readers,

Thank you for keeping up with the Samads for the past three months.  I've enjoyed documenting our lives and appreciate the feedback you've given.  I'm sorry I haven't posted pictures of Jack this week.  He is sleeping now, but I will work on snapping pictures soon.

While you are reading and learning about Jack through this blog, he is looking at your pictures and hearing stories about all of you.  Almost every day we stop by our photo wall to check out  your pictures, and we also talk about the people in his family tree.   It is important to us that Jack knows  his family and friends, our neighbors, and all of the people in his life that prayed for him before he was even born.  He smiles and reaches out to touch the pictures and quietly listens to my description of the people he is learning about.  He seems to be particularly fascinated with Uncle Ryan and Aunt Brittany right now.

So, if we don't have a picture of you please send us one.  We'll add it to our wall and I'll teach Jack all about you.

Love,
The Samads

Photo Wall

Jack's Family Tree

My own outdoor coffee shop

I could really get used to this!  

Blogging, emailing, recipe hunting, and sipping on my new favorite coffee drink

Jacob has been working hard to refinish our deck and he is almost finished.  The structure supporting the deck was still sound but the boards and railings were either missing, broken, or ready to give little feet plenty of splinters.  We haven't used this space since we purchased the house and Jack gave us the extra incentive to get it done.  Jacob has spent many Saturdays replacing the boards and constructing new railings.  It looks great!  He has one more railing to finish before his work is complete.  I don't want to post pictures until it is finished, so stay tuned for that.

We ordered a table and chairs so that we could have meals outside and enjoy our new space.  The past few nights we have listened to Reds games while Jacob grilled dinner, and tonight we hope to enjoy our first outdoor meal on the new deck.

Today I am taking full advantage of the sun and warm weather.  I promise I won't spend Jack's whole nap basking in the sun and blogging.  I'll be productive and use my time wisely by folding Jack's laundry out here too. I wonder what other chores can be done outside?

I found a recipe for a frozen coffee drink that I wanted to share.  It tastes similar to McDonald's frozen mocha and has fewer calories!   Let me know what you think.  This recipe serves two.

1c double-strength brewed coffee or espresso - frozen in ice cube tray
1c low-fat milk
2T unsweetened natural cocoa powder
2-3T pure maple syrup
1/8t vanilla extract
1-2 ice cubes, if needed

Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth, adding the extra ice cubes if you want it thicker.

Eating Well Magazine's Frozen Mochaccino

Jack is 5 months!

Jack celebrated five months of life yesterday.  We had a busy day filled with a play date, baking, lots of books, a few blow-out diapers, and plenty of snuggle time.

Jack and Eleanor Boys
4.12.11

One of my favorite things to do with Jack is to read books.  We've been to the library a few times and I am figuring out which books are his favorites.  Yes, he has favorites!  As much as I've tried to avoid flashy books, he enjoys the lift-the-flap, puppet included, and pop-up variety.  He also seems to really enjoy anything that includes animals.  I am not ashamed to make loud oinks, quacks, and hee-haws to make the books more fun.  It always gets a smile, so it's worth any embarrassment.  

A highlight for this month:  Jack has become more excited about sitting to listen to stories!  We made it through Caps For Sale! and Make Way for Ducklings this week.  This makes me so happy.

Jack's first trip to The Blue Manatee
(We went for gifts, but I caved and bought him a book too)

Jack takes his reading seriously - but not his books.
This one even makes me giggle

This month Jack started reaching out for anything in front of him.  He has better control of his arms and hands now so he's getting better at gripping onto his toys.  Once it's in his hands it typically goes straight into his mouth.  This new skill helps me during car rides.  Now that he can hold onto his toys, he is less likely to fall asleep on trips across town.  

Since before Jacob and I were married, every Sunday night we have had dinner with his family at his parent's house.  In typical Samad fashion, dinner has not been served until somewhere after 7:00.  We arrive early and  hang out as a family while Mom cooks.  It has worked out perfectly for our family up until this month.  Jack just can't make it that late.  We had a few fussy meals before we figured out dinners are going to have to change.  Thankfully, everyone was willing to be flexible and we now eat at 6:00 (gasp!).  Thank you everyone for changing your schedules for us!  

First of many dinners on the deck  

Hopefully this makes all of the rushing around worthwhile!

Jack has been growing quickly this month.  I think he weighs over 19lbs now.  That is nearly two pounds in one month!  He is outgrowing all of his 6 month clothes and many of his 6-12 month pants are too tight already.  What are we going to do with you, Jack?  He has three pounds to go until he outgrows his baby car seat.  Hopefully this pace will slow down soon.  

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His Blue Manatee onesie is from his Aunt Christy.  When I was a nanny I visited this store every week for their great story time.  I promised Ms. Gail that someday I would be back to actually buy books and that I would bring in kids of my own  for her story time.  This local children's bookstore has a wonderful staff and they offer a variety of classes and activities. It is certainly worth visiting if you live near Oakley.

Jack and I went in on Monday to purchase some baby shower and birthday gifts for friends.  We stayed for a while to catch up with the staff and to read our books.  I'm sure this will be the first of many trips to The Blue Manatee.  

For those of you looking for a story hour on this side of town, we are lucky enough to have 'Storytime Sam' at the Grosbeck library.  Not only is he animated and fun (and talented - He sat on the Newbery Medal Committee this year), but he happens to be married to Ms. Gail.  How lucky is their daughter?

Month 5 on the big red chair

A great day for a walk

Playtime with Mara and Lily

Jack and I spent Friday afternoon with his cousins Mara and Lily.  He loved all of the attention from the girls and I think they enjoyed their time here too.  After Jack went to sleep we did some 'big kid' activities.  We made kool aid play dough, played with stickers, read books, and made smoothies.

The smoothies were supposed to be a healthy late-afternoon snack.  I typically use yogurt in my smoothies, but I realized that all of my yogurt had expired.  I reached for the milk as a replacement but remembered that I used the last of it in my cereal that morning.  What to do?  Ah ha!  Ice cream!  The girls loved it.   (Well, Lily loved it once the loud blender was turned off.)



Thanks for loving on Jack, girls!

Making playdough

Kool Aid playdough

Stickers!

  

Smoothies

An afternoon with cousins

Jack was completely spoiled with love and attention yesterday. My sister and her family are in town this weekend to attend the Midwest Homeschool Conference. We all gathered at our parent's house to grab dinner and to let the cousins play together.   I don't think there is any doubt that Jack will fit right in. 

The last time Jack and Drew saw each other was when Drew was just four days old.  Here are the pictures from then and now:

Jack and Drew
1.15.11

Drew and Jack
3.31.11

Lily

Mara 

Sam

Titus

Most of the boys

Mara and Lily are going to come over this afternoon to play with Jack.  I am so thankful we get to see them again and that Jack has such wonderful cousins that love him already!

All six grandkids