Spring in Alaska

We've been having some great weather for the last month or so, allowing us to get out with our little guy quite a bit. Last weekend we checked out Campbell Creek Estuary, which is a fairly new addition to Anchorage, and lucky for us only a few minutes from our house.

The estuary is a great place to see Sandhill Cranes during their migration, we're going to try to remember to come back and get some pictures this year.

Max keeps growing, his feet keep finding their way out of his swings and baby chairs! 

One Month!

Max turned one month old today, a major milestone for no reason other than we all survived and he's growing and healthy. Good stuff. I tried to take some pictures of him to commemorate the day, but as you will see, he hasn't quite perfected his modeling on command. Still pretty darn cute (says his mom).

He wasn't ready.

Sitting up is hard. 

About done with this game.

Yep, done. 

Max's First Adventure

We've been taking daily walks about the neighborhood with Max to get out of the house, but today we ventured a little farther from home so Max could see some Alaska scenery. Really, he just saw the inside of Dave's coat, but we think he enjoyed the experience nonetheless.

 Dave keeping Max warm. More accurately, Max keeping Dave really hot. The little guy is a furnace.

 Taking in the views with Dad from the Turnagain Arm Trail.

He's in there, really.

Grandma Jaci

My mom came to town about a week before Max arrived, and helped us out for the first three weeks of parenthood. By helped us out, I mean she made all our meals, did all our laundry, and let us stare at our baby all day. It made the transition as easy as possible, and now, 48 hours after her departure, we are realizing that having three square meals a day and an extra set of arms for baby holding really is quite the treat.

The first morning she was in town, we went up to Glen Alps and walked around a bit to get out of the house, the weather was great for her entire visit.

She got some shots of Max's first bath at home...and several other firsts that we can safely assume only parents and grandparents are interested in capturing.

Grandpa Bob also made the trip north to meet Max last week. Another Max fan is born.

In return for taking care of Dave and I so well, Grandma Jaci got a lot of baby time.  Max thinks she's pretty cool,  he gave her lots of baby smiles before she headed home to Colorado. 

Max-tron 5000

Max's adventure being alive is continuing quite nicely. He registered a series of firsts over the past couple days. 

Max met Kyle, they got on just fine. 

He got strapped to my chest and...

We all went for a walk up and down our street. Look at all the melting snow and ice!

He set new standards for cuteness, well done son. 

He tried out playing hard to get. It worked. He got more attention. 

Meanwhile, Jes and I enjoyed ourselves some post-preggers treats. For me, a delicious beer...

and then we indulged in some sushi, heretofore off limits and now solidly back in the rotation. 

Cheers!

Max and the blankets

We have received a lot of great blankets from friends and family so we took some pictures of Max lounging about on them.

Here we have Max on a blanket from the Davidson's.

Here we have him on a green number from Grandma Jaci.

And a camel themed one from Grandma Jaci.

And now a friend of Jes's from work. 

And here Max is on a tractor/farming themed blanket from Barbara. 

And finally, a colorful number from Grandma Joanna. 

Cheers!

Max!

After a 9 months, Max made his arrival and he's great. Here are a few pictures from his first few days at home. 

Here's me looking like a giant. 

Jes smiling at lil' duder.

Stan, clearly exhausted from all the hub-bub, steals a moment for himself. 

Michelle and her little girl Elsa came and visited us. Here Elsa attempts to reprogram our tv. 

Grandma Jaci is in town for a few weeks being generally helpful and sneaking some grandson time in as well. 

Max in baby jail. He got off on good behavior. 

Sharon, a friend from Jes's days clerking, came by to visit. 

Jess (two s's) also came by to check him out. 

Here I am looking alive, really alive!

Jes being a mom, pretty awesome.

More pictures to come!