Belly Evolution Slide Show

Hey guys,
Well, it snowed again today, so I got off work early! Hooray SNOW! I've put together a little slide show of the evolution of the belly. Jess and I selected the best of the weekly belly pictures and did a little "Ken Burns" effects on them. Technology, in conjunction with high-speed internet, is so much fun!!! I put Blind Melon's "Three's The Magic Number," the theme of this blog, as background. I also threw in a few audio surprises at the end!

I've also attached a draft layout for our backyard. Let us know what you think - we really need the input! It may take us a few years to do everything, but we're hoping to at least get started this summer with garden boxes on the side of the house. Hey, at least we got grass to start from. The gray blocks are steps to the side yard and driveway. The black lines with green beside them are latices with climbing vines to cover the retaining wall. We're thinking about a flagstone patio with river rocks outlining the flower beds along the sides.

Shea and Jess stopped by the daycare center today to get acquainted. Shea was quick to begin charming the other infants and staffers. THAT'S MY BOY! He'll do very well there we think. We'll keep you updated on the first day at daycare. Stay warm and cozy this weekend!!!
Love,
Doug, Jess, and Shea

Shea meets the Lutz side of the family.

Hello everyone!
It's been a busy week for Shea. He's begun teething. Yes, I said it, he's teething. He's always gnawing on his hand, gumming everything in sight and drooling like a St. Bernard. The doctor felt the top left tooth lurking just under the surface and Jess and I think we've seen glimpses of the tooth just starting to poke out. He's practicing rolling over onto his back, coming within an inch several times. He doesn't give up though, so daddy has the camcorder always at the ready. He's really starting to master grasping at things and swings around his favorite butterfly toy like a 5 month old. It's so much fun seeing him develop as quickly as he has. Kids are great!

I wanted to put up a few pictures of Shea meeting the Lutz side of the family over Christmas. I hope you enjoy these. The next post will be some of Frankie's visits. I'm also playing around with the movie-editing software that came with the new computer. My first assignment is to develop a video montage of Jess's belly evolution. The software has a "Ken Burns" feature (for you PBS and documentary fans) that lets you pan around still pictures during a slideshow. I know, I'm a dork. Anyway, stay tuned!!!
Love,
Doug, Jess, and Shea

Shea attempts to wake up mommy and daddy through a shrill scream...it didn't work too well. He clearly failed to realize that it was that same shrill scream that kept mommy and daddy up all night!

Everyone's all smiles now that Shea stopped screaming! ;-}

Like a grizzley hugging a gnat, Grandpa tenderly cradles his grandson.

Grandpa was a baby hog and wouldn't stop touching Shea. Eventually, Maureen elbowed him, saying, "It's my turn damnit!"

Hanging with the hotties, Shea gets to meet Jeannie and Great-grandma.

I'm blogging!

Can you tell I never do this sort of thing?  I do think it's a great idea though, especially with so many of our friends and family out of state.  

So what's new...well, Shea's growing almost by the hour it seems.  He's sleeping mostly through the night now, which Mom and Dad are grateful for. He's really starting to babble and make lots of sounds now, which I think is cool.  Here's a pic that Doug took just the other day, all smiles again!  Anyway, I'll try to post some more when we've got some other pics to put up.  -Jess :)

First Entry: Pictures of Shea

Hey everybody!
My cousin Jenn inspired me to create this blog to keep you all up to speed with what's been going on in our lives. The title of the blog, "Three is the Magic Number" is not a rip off of Jenn's blog, "...and baby makes three," but comes from a Blind Melon song we love. It's appropriate for us now. I'm going to try to post it if I can. I'm hoping that this entry will be the first of many so that you can all share in our lives. My goal is to update the blog weekly so you can see all of the wonderful changes taking place.

Thanks to some snow and sleet, I have a few extra hours before I have to go to work. I threw together a few pictures of Shea that I hope you enjoy. I'll try to post a few more from Christmas later this week. For some reason, we haven't been taking many pictures lately, but will try to post at least a few every week. Shea's really developing lately. He smiles all of the time, especially when I sing off key. He loves new and strange sounds, so I have to be creative. He tries to mimic the sounds and coos a lot lately. He's also getting really good at batting and grasping things. He started to try to roll onto his back last night and is getting really strong when on his belly, but he really doesn't like it too much and grumbles until you pick him up. However, his legs are super strong and he likes to stand up when we hold him. Who knows, maybe he'll go straight to walking?

Anyway, I've got to begin to get ready to go to work now. So, stay warm and enjoy these pictures!
Love,
Doug, Jess, and Shea
Sleeping with Pop Pop. Dad claimed he was "just resting my eyes."
Proud aunt and uncle holding their new nephew.
Brooke taking care of Shea.
Yes, we dressed him up like a reindeer for Christmas.
Happy as can be in Mom Mom's arms.
"You're damn straight that good looks run in the family!"
Sleepy buddies.
This is his coy smile. Gotta love the Superman curl in the front - just like daddy!
Look into my eyes!!!
"Little does Pop Pop know this, but I just pooped!"
"Don't give me no backtalk sucka!"
"Who you lookin' at?" For some reason, he gave us the "stink-eye" on this one.

Kids are so much fun to play with. I think he was mocking us here!

Another coy smile. This is my favorite picture of him!