The Meeting

Brian and I took Russell to meet this guy yesterday at SantaLand in Macys in downtown Portland. Russell didn't seem too impressed with it all. Actually, what fascinated Russell the most was the red wall with stars painted on it. Yup, a flat wall painted red with stars. Never mind all the characters that had moving parts that sang songs, or the houses that lit up and sparkled or even the train that roared through a pretend city. It was the red wall. Kinda predictable, really. But his parents enjoyed it nonetheless. At least he didn't scream and cry and we got a decent picture! :)

Bottle it up

I can't believe I am posting such "naked" pictures of myself. Meaning no makeup, hair a mess, etc. Oh well. I just wanted to capture this moment.

I had just returned home from work and taken my usual shower to rid myself from the hospital germs. I slipped into my around-the-house-cozy-clothes and fed Russell his afternoon bottle. He was so tired he crashed on my shoulder. He fell asleep-hard. He even left a drool puddle! I thought, "well I better go put him in his crib; I have laundry to do, dinner to make, a house to clean and...." I stopped. I looked at this precious moment and decided to just sit. So we did. For 40 minutes. By our lit up Christmas tree. My heart was so filled, it was bursting. I am so glad I decided to enjoy this moment because this little man is getting very close to crawling. So I know it will only be a matter of time before he is far too busy to snuggle with me. If only I could find a way to bottle this moment and this feeling in time. This is what being a mom is all about for me.

California Visit

In October, I went to California to visit my family. We went to the Pumpkin patch. It has been many years since I have been to a California Pumpkin Patch-I will admit-it was a bit strange-it was 90 degrees and very, very dry. I was in shorts, a tank and flip-flops. Just a bit different from the Hood River trip Brian and I took the previous week!

This is my sister and her son, J.P. The two boy are 9 months apart. Very fun to watch them grow together. Wish we weren't so far apart (geographically). Since Russell was such a great companion on the flight and in the airport (this was my first solo airplane trip without Brian and with Russell), I just might do it again soon!
The two cousins swinging in the park by my parent's house. Russell's first swing ride-ever! He seemed a bit unsure...
All the cousins! (Left to right) J.P., Tucker, EmmaJoe, and Russell. (Notice Russell's head is the "Chief Hog" character. Rather appropriately named!)
Russell cruising in his stroller at the Pumpkin Patch.
This is Russell with his cousin Tucker. Tucker was born (6 "ish") weeks after Russell. He is the son of my dear cousin LauraJane who more like a sister to me than a cousin. For those of you who came to my baby shower, she was the pregnant one who surprised me all the way from California! I just love her!!

7 Months and 2 Teeth

Here is my handsome Russell. As I write this, he is rounding out 7 months old and heading into 8 months. Oh. My. Goodness! When!? I know everyone warned me it goes so quickly, but I didn't believe it. Brian and I love this little boy more than we though possible and very, very thankful for his health. Amazing answer to prayer he is. 'Nough said.

A sighting

Our big boy is growing up! 6 months old and he spouted his first tooth this week. Rather certain it was happening during a doctor appointment we were at for me. I was that mom for the first time. Yup screaming child. Nothing, yes nothing made him happy. I found myself apologizing, embarrassed, and promising, "he is usually a very agreeable baby. I have no idea what is going on. I promise, next time he will be better."

By the time I finally saw the doctor (new doctor for me) I was just praying he would send me away with some physical therapy for my foot problems and I would never have to return to his office with my unruly child. Nope. Not so much. Looks like I will be back. Again and again---more surgery for me. Seriously? Hopefully we can wait until after the New Year..... and after Russell has all of his teeth!

Hood River Fruit Loop

Brian and I have gone to Hood River every October since we started dating in 2003. So we decided to continue the tradition and introduce Russell. It was an entirely different experience this year with a 6 month old. But a good kind of different. For one, we tried a new stop on the loop and we sampled some unpasteurized pear and apple ciders. Couldn't have done that last year! We never took pictures of outings. This year we had a the perfect person to take pictures of--Russell!

Getting There

It has been a slow start for me to get into the groove of fall. So I thought I would use my cute pumpkin as inspiration! I usually love autumn and all of its festivities, I just am finding myself not quite there...yet....but getting there.

I am sipping the first cider of this season as I write this. Brian is at his back to school night. We have our Fruit Loop Tour on the calendar and our corn maize date on the calendar. So I guess all is as it should be. These are all traditions Brian and I have taken part in since we started dating in 2003. So we must continue and introduce Russell!

Just Russell

Just some pictures of Russell from this summer. He is growing into a personality all his own. It is such a joy to watch. I can't help but be a proud mama!

California Grandparents

My parents came to visit Mr. Russell a couple weeks ago. Perfect timing...I was recovering from having my gallbladder removed. It was nice to have extra help around the house. Russell was excited to see his grandparents, too. It had been 7 weeks since they saw him last. He has changed so much since then. They were excited to see his new milestones in person.

This is the other Barry in Russell's life. My dad. I thought this was such a sweet picture. My dad is already teaching Russell the ways of the world--and Russell is listening!

Russell meets Russell

The day Brian and I found out I was pregnant, the name game began. I naturally assumed I was having a girl. What on earth would I do with a boy!? I never had much experience with those around. My closest cousins were all girls. So I just figured a girl was the obvious course for the beginnings for our family. Well, turns out we were having a boy. Brian immediately wanted to name him Russell Barry. Russell to honor his grandfather and Barry to honor both of our dads.

Great grandpa Russell was down visiting from Alaska last week and the two met face to face for the first time. What a joy to see.

(Brian wrote a very sweet letter to his grandpa Russell explaining all the reasons why he wanted to name his son after him. It is in Russell's baby book. I didn't think Brian would like it too much if I posted it on the blog, sorry. It's a rather large tear jerker anyhow!)

Grandmas

Russell was visited this Summer by a few women. Most notably his many Grandmothers. Below are his Great-Great Grandmother Carrie, Great Grandmother Marilyn and Grandma Vicki. He naturally charmed them all! He is learning quickly! Smart boy.

This weekend he will meet his Great-Great Grandpa Russell (his namesake) and Great-Great Grandmother Freda. Pictures to follow.

Moms and babies

Well this picture didn't turn out as we had all hoped, but it was fun trying. We are at my sister's house celebrating her son's 1st birthday. All these boys were born within the past year. Our extended family gatherings just multiplied really quickly! Looking forward to watching these cousins grow up together.

From left to right is Erin (my Dad's side) and baby Cash, Jenn (my sister) and 1 year old JP, myself with Russell , and LauraJane (my cousin who surprised me at my Oregon baby shower) with baby Tucker.

Cousins

When we were visiting my parents in California we also had lots of time to spend with my cousins who had boys within 3 weeks of Russell! Very exciting time in year in our family.

From left to right is baby Cash, baby Russell and baby Tucker. . Very fun. Wish we lived a bit closer so we could play more often. See you guys in October! Maybe they will all be a bit more excited about it by then???

Jump-Jump

Russell doesn't like to sit up. But standing and jumping sure seem fun!

***Thanks RaeAnn for my fun Johnny Jump-up!

A Day of Firsts

Russell turned 4 months old. He went to see his doctor. He weighs a touch over 16 pounds! Simply amazing since he spits up more than he eats (or at least it appears that way with the numerous wardrobe changes per day)! He his growing up so fast! Since Russell is progressing in the weight category without issue, his doctor said we could introduce rice cereal, which might also help calm the spit up-an added bonus! He wasn't super excited about it....

Then we decided since his weight has exceeded my ability to carry him in his car seat, we should try him in his stroller without the car seat. He hated it at first, but seemed to settle in after a few moments. We took an evening stroll over to Grandpa Barry and Grandma Vicki's house to pick more Marion berries. I think he likes facing outward-more to see. This is how we found him when we parked in the garage....

Hanging with Dad

We decided just to lay low today. These two were just too cute so I snapped a quick shot. Russell has been very, very fussy today. This was a moment of silence for him (he is already crying again as I type this). The expression on his face says says so much.... poor baby. If I could fix your tummy "issues" for you, I would! Poor Russell. Looks like we may be investing in Miralax sooner than later....

Our California Surfer Dude

Well here we are at Russell's California Grandparent's house. We made it here no problem. Russell was a champ on the airplane. The flight attendants "forgot we even had an infant with us because he was so quiet!"
We are all soaking in the warm sunny rays, enjoying the pool and family. Poor Russell got a little over heated the first day-it was 99 degrees! We came from a high of 60s in Portland. Poor kiddo. He go a cold bath that night to cool down.
We'll post some more pictures as we take some. We will be celebraing his cousin's 1st birthday and meetng 2 other cousins for the first time. All born 1 month apart!
We have a fun-filled week ahead. And the best part-guaranteed SUN! I am such a California girl! It is so good to be "home."

**Russell's wardrobe provided by Jim and Polly Carl (swim shorts) and Leah and Eric Moffat (sunglasses)

Bath Time

Since Day 1, Russell has enjoyed his bath time. If he is crying (which isn't very often anyway), and we put him in the bath, he immediately quiets. He sticks out his tongue, puts his hand in a fist and into his mouth. So cute. This just captured him so accurately, I couldn't resist.

Similar......

Or not......?

The Happy Family of 3

This is us on Mother's Day. Russell is 6 weeks and 4 days. Look at those BIG feet! He's already in size 3-6month socks and size 1 shoe and those are getting small. He is taking after his dad for sure. Size 16 here we come....

My First Mother's Day

We celebrated on Saturday at Barry and Vicki's house. Brian smoked meat all day on Saturday. He smoked brisket (sp?) and pork shoulder. And made his own BBQ sauce. Yumm-O!!! Greg made broccoli salad that was d-lish. And Barry topped off the night with homemade strawberry shortcake. My britches were a bit tight as we drove home, but well worth it! Oh, and Brian made (from scratch) hamburger buns. The poor guy was up either changing diapers, feeding Russell or "stoking the fire" since 3:30 am. He was giving me a Mother's Day break and killing himself in the process! What a guy, as my mom would say.

We had the pleasure of Russell's Great Great Grandmother join us as well. She just moved here from Sisters, Oregon. We had such a lovely evening, I can't wait to do it again next year. Thanks for the yummy food and especially for cleaning up!

A bunch of pics of the Baby Man

Check out those long fingers and arms. A product of his daddy!Getting some stretching out time on the beautiful blanket Grandma Freda made for him.
Our fat kitty wearing one of Russell's hats. My mom brought it home from the hospital before we got home to introduce Russell to our kitty, Sampson. So far they are getting along...
One proud daddy!
Our little "surfer dude." He looks bald, but he actually has blonde hair-lots of it!

Life with a newborn

My mom took this picture. I think it is really cool. Hey-by the way-I imported (is that the correct word?) to blogger myself! Woot Woot!

So adjusting to a newborn has been interesting. Going from just the 2 of us sure is a "big life change." We celebrated 5 years of marriage yesterday. Kinda strange to reflect back over the 5 years and remember what we've done, overcome, accomplished, and achieved. Knowing we have such a strong partnership has helped me settle into motherhood a bit easier than I think I would have otherwise. I thank God for Brian just about hourly right now!

We are enjoying little Russell. Maybe enjoying him a bit less at 3a.m.-but I hear that is normal! Brian has been off of work since spring break and will be home with us for another 2 weeks. What a blessing that has been!

We are home

A quick pic of our growing family. I am still learning Blogger. I need lots of help from Brian. perhaps if I did this more often, I'd get better...?