Jack and Daddy....just cause they are so darn cute!

Sometimes you just gotta watch the fan...

So, I apologize to all of you who check this regularly for updates on Jack...I haven't been on in a week or so. It's not at all that we haven't done anything or that I've been too busy...it's much simpler than that. My camera was out of batteries and it just didn't seem as exciting to post updates without pictures. I, like most new parents, do have the required battery collection - about 3 6-packs of AA, 2 8-packs of AAA, and a bucket of assorted C's and D's - but have been too lazy to reload the camera with it's bi-weekly AA feeding. So, there you go.

Over the last week or so Jack has had many fun adventures. We went to Babies in Bloom at the Annapolis Library. Babies in Bloom is like a music/story class for kids under 24 months. We sang silly songs and nursery rhymes, played with musical instruments and beach balls and had a blast. The class is a little old for Jack, but he absolutely loved watching all the older kids crawl and teeter around the classroom. Last Sunday we went fishing on the boat with Daddy and Pop. While not thrilled about his life jacket, Jack still had a great time. He really loves the breeze when the boat goes fast. We caught quite a few fish, including some called "Croakers". I'm glad Jack isn't learning animal noises yet because he would be thoroughly confused. Fish that croak? What sounds do frogs make then?!?!? I hope this doesn't come up in therapy down the road.

Well, today's post is a little different....something I really thought about quite a bit. Becoming a new parent you get all kinds of advice (I know you all know this), some welcome and some not so welcome. I always love to hear any good tips that parents want to give me to make sure I am able to raise Jack as a wonderful, well-rounded child (or even how to get an extra 5 minutes in the shower each day). Some of the best advice I have received was to just let him be himself. When he was the newborn "lump" this didn't quite make sense to me, but it's starting to be more clear now that he's forming a personality. I appreciate all the advice from the mommies my age about naps and teething, but I find the advice form grandparents to be the most beneficial in helping Jack become a great person (like the above). Obviously in letting your child be himself, make some of his own decisions, etc you have to be careful. You can't let them do something to hurt themselves or others, and help them learn how to make good choices. But you can't tell them what to do all the time because not only will they hate you for it, but they will not become the person they should become. This has not ever been more relevant to me than this summer when I hear Matt's stories about his plebes. Now, some of the problems are unavoidable - a broken leg, etc - but a lot of the problems that fall into Matt's lap to fix are brought on by parents that forced their children (whether by words or guilt) into a situation they did not want to be in - in this case, attending the Naval Academy. While we joke about it, and would love for Jack to attend the Naval Academy or Virginia Tech, he, of course, is free to attend the school of his choosing without pressure from us....even if it is West Point...or God-forbid, UVA. (on a side note I have already taught him Hokie fight songs to try and implant VT in his brain early :)). Although college is a long long way off, this is becoming more and more relevant to me on a daily basis and I know it will show up frequently over the next 18 years. So, you're still asking how this fits into my post for the day? Well....I've read the magazines, the books, the Internet articles on how to play with your infant. Tummy time (for a required time period each day), helping them learn to roll over, holding toys for them to grasp...and various other things....but after watching Jack crain his neck while he was eating and desperately try to look up while he was doing some tummy time....we decided to lay on our backs and chat....while we watched the fan. You know, books are great, but I'm gonna go with the advice of the other parents out there who have raised people I think are amazing and let Jack do what he wants today. There is plenty of time for tummy time this afternoon and tomorrow. Today, we are going to lay on our backs and watch the fan! (although I DO NOT recommend this for those of you who are type A personalities and didn't paint your own ceilings - I would have died form frustration if Jack hadn't kept me laughing the whole time!)

Island Girl - Our new boat!

Not much to say here, but I thought everyone would enjoy pictures! We can't wait to take everyone out on the boat!

Jack's Baptism

On Sunday, Jack was baptized at the Naval Academy Chapel. We were so lucky to have tons of family in town to share the special occasion. Our wonderful friends, Derek and Elizabeth Jaskowiak (and their son, Charles, and puppies Riley and Bella) were also able to make the trip up. Derek and Liz are Jack's Godparents. We have been blessed to be stationed with them several times, they are amazing friends! Charles and Jack are 6 weeks apart (Charles is older) and we are looking forward to them growing up together. Hopefully they will be just as good of friends as their parents are!

We were also blessed to have Jack baptized by a good friend, Chaplain Lt Jaime Stall-Ryan. Jaime was the chaplain on the Cleveland when Matt was on it. They became good friends. A baptism is a very special occasion and it means even more when a good friend can be involved.

After the baptism we all gathered for a small reception on the water at the Academy. The cupcakes and lemonade were delicious!

Patriotic Thoughts for Monday

I got this as a forward several times over the last couple of weeks. I normally delete these, and I think I even deleted this one once or twice. When I started receiving it so many times, I decided to go ahead and read it. It's similar to a lot of the patriotic emails going around since 9/11, but the thing I thought was interesting was that it was written by an Austrailian dentist. Who knows if that's true, but either way, it's a good read. I think that now and then you need to read something that makes you feel good to be an American, considering our reputation lately.

To Kill an American...
Written by an Australian Dentist

To Kill an American - You probably missed this in the rush of news, but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a newspaper, an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American. So an Australian dentist wrote an editorial the following day to let everyone know what an American is . So they would know when they found one. (Good one, mate!!!!) 'An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish , Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may also be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani or Afghan. An American may also be a Comanche, Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, Seminole or one of the many other tribes known as native Americans.An American is Christian , or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim. In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan . The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses. An American is also free to believe in no religion...... For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.
An American lives in the most prosperous land in the history of the world.
The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence , which recognizes the God given right of each person to the pursuit of happiness.An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in return......... When Afghanistan was over-run by the Soviet army 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their country! As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan ..
The national symbol of America , The Statue of Liberty , welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built America Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September 11 , 2001 earning a better life for their families. It's been told that the World Trade Center v ictims were from at least 30 different countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists.
So you can try to kill an American if you must.. Hitler did.. So did General Tojo , and Stalin , and Mao Tse-Tung, and other blood-thirsty tyrants in the world. But, in doing so you would just be killing yourself . Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.

A New Home for the Island Girl

Today we went to check out the new home for our new boat, Ferry Point Marina! She's officially ours tomorrow and Matt is bringing her up from Edgewater to Arnold. This will be her new home....right next to the tastiest restaurant in Arnold, Magothy River Seafood! For those of you who are like "you have a new boat?", yes....it happened rather quickly. Matt has been asking me if we can get one for the last 4 years and last weekend I finally said yes...it's been a whirlwind week! We are planning to christen her this weekend (drinking the champagne instead of breaking it on her) so I should be able to share some pictures soon. We are excited to share our new boat with the family who is coming up this weekend for Jack's baptism....and we can't wait to take friends out too! If you ever want to go out with us, just let me know! I also added a super cool photo of Jack and I in our shades!

Quite Quiet Waters

Yesterday Jack and I spent the morning at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. Quiet Waters is a huge park (many many acres) on the South River. I guess Wednesday isn't a big day for the park, because we pretty much had it to ourselves. We drove all the way to the back of the park by the Dog Beach and took a beautiful walk down to the South River Promenade and Overlook. We did get to see a few lucky pooches wading in the water, chasing tennis balls and sticks. Mostly, we just enjoyed the view and the solitude.

From the parking lot you walk through a wooded path towards the river. When you emerge from the woods, this is the view you have. It was the perfect day...sunny, not a cloud in the sky, and unusually not humid - unheard of for July.

This is the gazebo where we ate our lunch and watched the passing boats.

My attempt to take a self-portrait....really the only downfall to an empty park...no one to take our picture!

My one and only picture of Jack smiling! He must love the park! I sure had a wonderful time.

After the park we stopped by the local doggie shop and picked up a special "daisy" shaped treat for Mr. Bailey. Jack picked it out himself! As you can see, he loved it!

It was sooooo beautiful we just had to admire it for awhile!

Strike, Spare.....so many things to learn

As a fitting ending to a wonderful 3mo birthday, Jack had his first (and I'm sure not last) trip to the bowling alley. While he wasn't able to fully participate in the game, he did cheer everyone on, and deposited some "lucky" spit up on Gretchen that caused her to bowl several strikes in a row. Above, he is choosing his ball - I had to tell him later that those holes are for fingers, not toes! Since I was bowling along with everyone else, Jack couldn't sit with me the whole time. I think he got passed around to everyone in the office at least 3 or 4 times...including our summer intern, John. John looked a little uncomfortable at first, but he could handle it....he is a Hokie after all! Apparently this is what you do when you intern at First Command....leave work early on Fridays to bowl and babysit!

Happy 3 month birthday, Jack!!!!

Jack really celebrated his 3mo b-day in style today. First, we met up with his girlfriend Cardin and her mommy, Emily for a delicious Mexican lunch in DC at Cactus Cantina. It was a beautiful, non-humid (shocking for July) day, so we shared an outside table. We even had a beautiful drive to the restaurant, down Mass Ave, by all the Embassies.

The two love birds took some time out from eating to just enjoy each other's company.

What a wonderful lunch and 3mo birthday! Can't wait to do it next month!

You know what they say about all work and no play....

Jack came to work on Thursday for the weekly office meeting and a quick tutorial by our summer intern on the ins and outs of the new 2010 Roth IRA conversion rules. As you can see, he was the consumate professional throughout the meetings, but there is only so much "work" a 3 month old can do. While mommy answered some client emails, Jack took his new knowledge on Roths and educated each and every one of the dangling toys on his playmat...just in case they thought they might be in a higher tax bracket in retirement and wanted to make the leap in 2010.

A wet, wordless Wednesday

Can you have a milk hangover?

After this morning's second feeding....we still had to get to work too!

Who you lookin' at....

Sunday Arts

This past Sunday we met Grammy at the First Sunday Arts Festival in Annapolis while Daddy was at work. They had so many beautiful things! I found a wonderful vase that matches the color of my kitchen and some beautiful sunflowers to go in it! After shopping we had a delicious lunch at an outdoor table at Reynolds Tavern (a cute tea place in Annapolis).

the 1st 4th!

This was Jack's first 4th of July and we had a very memorable day. Matt had to work, so my parents, Jack and I went to the Annapolis 4th of July parade. We followed the parade with a picnic at the Naval Academy and Matt was able to join us! We watched fireworks from the sea wall - an excellent seat! Grammy held Jack and fed him a bottle during the fireworks and he seemed to love them - no crying or fussing at all! He seemed to love the bright lights! These weren't Jack's first fireworks, but they were the first he didn't sleep or cry through! (it's because I bought 2 forms of ear protection...that's how it always goes!)

A name sake

Almost everyone has asked us how we came up with Jack's name. Matt has made up quite a few stories....like we named him after Johnny Cash songs (that really is just a quirky coincidence)....but in all honesty, we just liked both of those names. We saw Jackson in a baby book and we instantly both liked it.....and I think that was the only boy name we agreed on!

As for Porter, it's a bit of a different story. We were invited to a statue dedication last fall for Admiral William Porter Lawrence. Admiral Lawrence visited the Academy almost daily while Matt was in school (he and his wife, Diane, live in Annapolis). Unfortunately, Admiral Lawrence passed away a few years ago. We were searching for a middle name for Jack and as we were looking at the program for the statue dedication we both were like " How about Porter?" We both loved the name and it came from such a well respected military man and a great American, hopefully both things that Jack can aspire to be.

The photo is of Jack in front of Admiral Lawrence's statue at the Naval Academy - the exact statue that helped us find his name!

Not much that's funnier....

There isn't a whole lot that's funnier than a 110 lb Rottweiler in the front seat of a VW Jetta....ok, maybe a Great Dane in a Smart car....but I don't have a picture of that!

Bailey went for his weekly swimming lesson last Friday morning. We normally take Matt's truck (so we have room for Jack and Bailey) but we forgot this week and we all had to squish in my car.....I say all of us.....Bailey and I had to squish and Jack got the whole back seat to himself! It's that how it always is?

To celebrate the 4th, the doggie swim club was having a BBQ. As we walked out they were taking the first burgers off the grill. Bailey immediately pulled us right over to the guy who was BBQing....and drooled all over him until he forked over a burger. Lucky Bailey had a delicious lunch!

Is this a sign?

Well, not much to report today. Jack's been doing quite a bit of work (i.e. being passed between the ladies of the office while I see clients) the past two days - a big special thanks to Nancy and Nancy, Stacy and Andrea for keeping Jack entertained!

We've also tried to sneak in some visits to the Academy this week, too, so we can see Daddy. Not only is Jack asleep when Daddy gets home at night and leaves again in the morning, Mommy usually is too! Feeling the need to spend some quality time together just talking, Jack and I decided to drive over to the Academy tonight to go for a walk. We strolled around the sea wall for about 45 minutes and waved to Daddy in his window before he had to go give a speech to his plebes. We talked quite a bit about all the fun things to do in Annapolis in the summer and why we love it. There were two things that made Jack smile and laugh every time I said them - feeling the warm breeze on your face and smelling the salty air. I'd have to agree with him, those are my two favorites too!

I also bought Jack his first plane ticket today. We are going to Long Island in August to visit my grandparents and go to a traditional clambake. After reading about 50 websites on airline safety for infants, I decided to go ahead and buy him a ticket so he can have a real seat. I took advantage of Jack's long nap today to check the airline ticket prices and book the flight. The second I clicked "confirm and purchase" to actually buy my tickets, Jack woke up screaming. He had been asleep for 3 hours, so it was about time for him to wake up. But I can't help thinking.....is this a sign?