Sleep!

We have been really lucky with Jack.  He is a good baby and puts up with a lot.  The one thing that has been less than desirable is the fact that Jack does not seem to appreciate sleeping at night as much as his father and I do.  He rests well during the day and then when the sun goes down he doesn't seem to want to sleep anymore...unless he is laying on one of our chests.  When he does sleep at night, he will sleep for 3-4 hour stretches.  Now, we are not complaining by any means.  We know that some people have it much worse and we are very appreciative of our awesome little boy.

Last night seems to have been a turning point for Jack - he had an awesome night!  I fed him at 10:30 pm and then got him in his bassinet a little after 11 and he quietly went to sleep.  He didn't wake up again until 3:30 am this morning.  I then fed him again and he went back down in his bassinet for another 3.5 hours! It was wonderful.  The only bad thing is that I had a hard time going to sleep after putting him down for fear that he would wake up and I would have to get up again.  Let's hope we are on the back end of his not wanting to sleep at night!

Snow Day

Raleigh hasn't had a "White Christmas" in several decades until this year.  While Jack and I stayed inside and didn't venture out into the snow, Scout and Molly loved playing in the snow.  Typically, Scout doesn't want to be outside much more than possible.  If it's 60 degrees and sunny, she has been seen shivering at the back door begging us to let her in.  I didn't think she would last very long at all in the snow...I was wrong.  Scout and Molly loved playing in the snow and would have happily stayed out there for hours if we had let them.  They would charge around the backyard and chase each other.  They would bury their noses as deep as they could in the snow and they would roll all around in the snow.  It was quite a site to see!

the view from our front yard

The girls checking out the landscape

Molly-after burying her head in the snow

Jack's First Christmas

We had a very low key Christmas this year.  I'm sure that this is the last low key Christmas we will have for a long time so we really enjoyed ourselves.

Here is our day in pictures:

Daddy and Jack getting ready to look through their stockings

Jack already exhausted from all of the excitement

Scout and Molly modeling their new jackets

Jack and some of his gifts

Molly enjoying her new jacket and toys

Bundled up and going for our Christmas Day walk

Jack is really bundled up for his walk

It has finally started snowing

Just a dusting so far

Dave and I truly got the greatest gift this year-a healthy baby boy!  We are so in love and look forward to all of the adventures that are sure to come.  We hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas!

Yet More Visitors

We've had a couple more visitors that wanted to come by and meet Jack. 

Jess and Jack snuggling

Deron fighting the urge to check out Jack's toes

Deron and Jess brought us dinner when they came by to meet Jack.  When they had their baby (3 years ago) a neighbor brought them a crockpot chicken dish for dinner-which I later names "Pop a Baby Out Chicken".  Once I finally popped my baby out, they brought me Pop a Baby Out Chicken.

Renee loving on Rupert Jack in between checking his reflexes

I work with Renee and she was the first person to name my baby.  Unfortunately, she named him Hermione.  Then we found out we were having a boy and she had to quickly change his name to Rupert.  We kindly explained to Renee, that Jack is just an alternate spelling of Rupert so as not to hurt her feelings.  Renee also brought her husband, Chris, to meet Jack.  Chris watched Jack from across the room and promises to play with him once he is a couple years old.

Christmas Card Outtakes

We have mailed off our Christmas cards, although much later than usual but we wanted to wait for Jack to make his appearance.  We had grand plans to have Jack and his two four-legged sisters in a picture together...but that didn't end up working out as great in reality.  Here are some outtakes from our Christmas card photo shoot:

Scout passed out, Molly being encouraged to get in the picture

Scout and Molly dreaming of being somewhere else

Molly in attack mode

Molly thinking about "tasting" her new brother

Scout looks like she is being yelled at

Scout is so over this photo shoot

Molly looks rather scary and Scout is being encouraged to participate

Mom and Dad showing the girls how to do it (too bad Mom's wearing her pajamas)

Happy Christmas from the Mulleys!

Photo Shoot

We had Jack's newborn photo shoot today.  We have always been pretty certain that Jack is the cutest baby ever but today's photo shoot cemented that fact!  He was such a good boy and really turned up the cuteness for the photographer.  The photographer said she would be able to edit the photos in the next couple of days and we should have them early next week.  I cannot wait to see them!

Mommy snuggling with Jack while the "studio" is set up

Jack getting posed

More Visitors

After the previous "Visitors" post we have had a few more visitors and some of them rushed over when they realized just how many people have been over to meet Jack.

Great Great Aunt Helen came over and loved on Jack for a while.  He got the hiccups while she was holding him and she got so upset because she thought she had caused them.  We explained that Jack tends to get hiccups often (just like his dad) and they go away as quickly as they come.

Great Great Aunt Helen

Tatiatiatiana

 We had to go over to Dave and Vicki's house so that Jack could meet them.  They have been really busy with the holidays and their annual "Christmas Movie Marathon" and we wanted to make sure they met Jack before he was in school.  Jack was a little disappointed that his friend Drake wasn't there, but they will meet soon.

Vicki (looking especially stoic)

Shute

 Angela is a very special friend of mine and we are so happy that she was able to take time out of her busy schedule to get over and meet Jack.  She said she just couldn't wait until after Christmas...he would be too grown up by then!  He certainly is growing up fast...but let's hope it's not that fast!

Angela

Challison

Chip and Allison came down to meet Jack this evening and it was great to see them.  Jack was happy to see them and celebrated by sleeping through their entire visit.  Chip's daughter, Madison, sent Jack a teddy bear.  The teddy bear is the same size as Jack!  I'm so happy that Chip and Allison got to meet Jack.  We will see them again in a couple weeks when we go up to Arlington, VA for Pa's funeral.

Uncle Chip and Jack

Auntie Allee and Jack

Uncle Chip, Auntie Allee, Mommy and Jack

Jack and his teddy bear from cousin Madison

Visitors

While Jack is sleeping and Dave is out running some errands for me, I have a little bit of time to blog.  Although, Dave and I love sitting at home and staring at admiring Jack all day, it is also really nice to have people stop by and visit us and meet Jack.  We have been trying to get a picture of everyone that visits, but I know I have missed a few people.  Don't worry, I'll catch you next time!

Aunt Bridgett (of Auntle McBridgett)

Uncle Shane (the other half of Auntle McBridgett)

Great Aunt Kay

Great Uncle Bobby

Elissa-ready to attack anyone who tries to take Jack from her. Kori-counting fingers.

Aunt Kori loving on "The Gimel"

Geoff-admiring Jack's jumping jack technique

three-fifths of the Brown clan

Ken and Steph...Jack was melting into Steph's arms

Ken-dwarfing Jack and making him look even smaller

Uncle Chip and Auntie Allee are planning on coming down to meet Jack this evening.  Challison (as they are know of when they are together) should be an entertaining break from feeding, diapering and napping.

Jack and I are pretty much staying home-with the exception of doctor's visits so please feel free to stop by and visit with us.  It would be best if you call, email or text before you come just so I can make sure all of my wobbly bits are tucked away.  Make sure you brush your hair and your teeth before you come because we will be taking your picture!