Author: John

This week, Grandma came to visit Jack, Christine and I, because I was flying to Tulsa for work on Tuesday. (Sorry Tulsa family… I meant to call, I promise).

So, while I flew up to Oklahoma for work, Grandma Engler came to cover for me while I was out of town, and to help out during the day while I was at work. She stayed until today (Thursday).

While she was here, Grandma cooked some amazing meals, like homemade chicken soup (with some really good homemade noodles) and a fantastic potroast. Both meals are in the fridge, and will feed us for a few days still. She also brought up some Bellville Meat Market Sausage (always a crowd pleaser) and cooked steaks, asparagas for dinner one night when Brad and Kim came over.

Christine was able to get out of the house one night thanks to Grandma, and Christine had a good time with her friends at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar.

Here are a few recent photo galleries from the recent past, starting with the ones from Grandma Engler’s visit:

• Grandma Engler Visits – a few photos of Grandma Engler holding Jack before she went home
• Reflections of Jack – Reflections of Jack in the mirror, too cute!
• Kim and Jack – Kim came over to visit Jack
• Erin and TJ Visit – Erin and Tejashri came over to visit
• Jack and Mom – Jack and his mommy late at night
• Jack at two-weeks – Jack at two weeks old
• Jack and the Tree – photos of Michelle and Josh with Jack and the Christmas Tree

Mary and Frank (Grandmother and Granddad, as we think they’ll come to be called) left Austin today after spending almost two full weeks with us.

We’re very thankful that they were able to stay with us for these past 12 days, and very thankful for all they’ve done to help us get through this crucial first couple of weeks (like laundry help, cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner, helping out with (basically doing all of the) yard work, installing fire-alarms, changing dirty diapers, putting up the Christmas tree, and putting little Jack to sleep… and sooo much more).

Don’t worry Frank and Mary, we’ll post a new photo or video of Jack every couple of days so you can keep up with his growth (and I’m sure Christine will call often.

Jack is 12 days old today, and he was sad to see Mary and Frank leave (so were Chrstine and I).

Love you guys.

Next up in the hot-seat of visiting: Grandma Engler will be here on the 13th or 14th for a few days… can’t wait!

Oh, and yes, this means tonight will be our first night as a family by ourselves at home on our own… hope we all make it through the night just fine!

And since I’ve got the first shift, I’ve decided to post a few more photo galleries:

• Upclose with Jack – random photos shot up close.
• Jack and his Wesley – Jack loves his dog.
• Some closeups of the 2004 Christmas Tree – we collect ornaments on our travels… these remind us of our previous trips.
• Frank and Mary leaving

We’re all home.

Today is Thanksgiving day, and Christine and I have so much to be thankful for. Most of all, we’re thankful that we’re home, and our little Jack is healthy.

“Jack?” you may be saying. Yes, “Jack”.

The baby’s given name is John Robert Engler, Jr. He’s named after his grandfather’s (my Dad’s) best friend, our Uncle John, and his Daddy.

To ease the confusion about who we’re referring to when we’re talking about John Engler or the baby though, as well as to give the baby a sense of individuality, we’ve decided to call him “Jack”, which is short for John. Yes, I know it’s not really shorter than John, but that’s how we’ll explain the nickname. Calling the baby “Jack” also honors my uncle Jack, who was one of the wisest men I ever knew, and I know will be looking after him as he grows.

So, look for us to call him either “Jack” or “little John” or “little John Robert”. You can call him whatever you want, but we’ll be calling him “Jack” most of the time.

…

So, we’re all home safe and sound, and healthy.

Jack is one hungry little son of a gun, lemme tell you. He’s eating like a champ. Christine has decided to breast feed him, so we probably won’t get a whole lot of sleep these first few weeks of Jack’s life, but I’m really happy she decided to give breast feeding a try. (And boy does it seem to be working well).

Patton and Wesley have both been curious about the baby. I think they’re just happy that we’re home and that we didn’t forget about them totally. They’re indifferent to the baby now that they’ve had a chance to smell him and decide he’s not food.

Mary and Frank have been wonderful. Mary’s cooking Thanksgiving dinner right now and Frank mowed the lawn for me (what a Godsend… with all the rain we’ve had lately, I’ve not been able to mow it).

We’re really lucky to have family willing to stay with us and help out. (I can’t wait ’till my mom comes up and stays with us in a few weeks too).

…

We were so lucky to have sooo many good friends come visit us in the hospital. Sooo lucky. This kid’s going to have so much support as he grows up we don’t know what to say or think. To all of you that made it up to the hospital… thank you for making us feel so special.

To everyone that couldn’t make it, stop by anytime, or let us know when we should bring him over, and we’ll be there (give us a few weeks to figure out this parenting thing though 😉

…

Lastly, Marc Swendner, a friend of ours that also happens to be a professional photographer, came by the hospital and took some photos of Jack. They are posted here, and are the best photos we have of the little guy so far. We hope you’ll agree that they came out great, and that the kid is just adorable. Not bad for 24 hours old, huh?

…

Happy Thankgiving.