Jack's Friends

Jack made all kinds of friends this week. First, he got to meet his new neighbor, Elizabeth (Ellie), who was born on the day Jen hoped he would be born, 7/7/07. Is Ellie a magical girl? Jack's first girlfriend? Who knows! Ellie's parents, Jeff and Kathleen, are great neighbors who were happy to venture out of the house to introduce their daughter-- also their first child.

Our little neighborhood in Alexandria, Warwick Village, and neighboring Del Rey should be designated stroller zones. There is definitely something in the water. In addition to Ellie, our neighbor, Danna, is expecting her second child, a girl, in October-- same due date as our friends, Matt & Mae. As I look at Danna's first child, Zane, now 2 1/2, I have a hard time remembering when he was as small as Jack is now.

Earlier in the week, our friends Steph & Jay (pictured holding Jack) dropped in to deliver a fantastic dinner and dessert with plenty of leftovers. They were too generous, in fact, refusing to partake of their own food and leaving every bite for the new parents. Despite my protests as they left, I have to admit that we have been devouring the delicious chicken croissants. Supplementing that meal (which fed us at least three times), Jen's boss, Colleen, dropped in last night with a pasta dish that is tonight's dinner. The old saying is true-- the quickest way to the heart is through the stomach!

Another highlight from Jack's week-- mom went on her first adventure with him by driving on Tuesday into Arlington to a lactation support group. All the women at the group were very impressed that the mother of a 3-week old (and a c-section) was out-and-about with her boy. Jen managed all the rigamorole-- car seat, snap-and-go stroller, etc., and of course he put on his best show of breastfeeding. Jack seems to like an audience, which is appropriate when you consider what hams his parents are.

Finally, today, we ventured out of the house to visit Austin, Josh and Jenn's new son-- born on Wednesday. Austin tipped the scales at 9 lbs 6 oz and threatened to eat Jack while we were there. (Mercifully, Jenn had a scheduled c-section.) As my wife and I packed up to head to the hospital for a visit, we remarked that it felt like ages since Jack joined us, even though it has only been 3 1/2 weeks. Has time slowed down?

Jack is happy to have so many friends in his life, although he has limited means to show his happiness. Usually, he does this by making a dirty diaper. By that measure, Jack is a very happy boy, and the folks at Proctor & Gamble, makers of Pampers, also consider themselves friends of Jack's.