Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Enderby

We were so fortunate to have Grandma and Grandpa Enderby here for the holidays. They fell in love with Mr. JXB and gave us new parents some of that very needed new parent relief. Hey, when you guys coming back again? Here are some photos from their trip...

Jackson says, "Hey I can get used to this special treatment stuff, Grandparents are cool!"

The First Christmas with the expanded Brandt-Enderby family!

Elf Jackson's famous grin!

Jackson sporting his cozy handmade blanket from Aunt Jone.

Two very handsome bald guys.

It actually snowed on Christmas, even downtown! Then the next day, a killer rainbow! You gotta love Portland!
Grandma is all play!
I think I hear Santa!!!!
It was Santa! It was Santa! JXB was thrilled to see that even at 8 weeks old, you can score a few presents. This year, to keep things simple in our small place, the GP's (grandparents) brought us a rosemary plant for our Christmas tree and decorated it with small LEDs. It kept the place smelling fresh and came in handy when grandma was whippin' up her famous stuffing!

The GP's loved shopping at IKEA and really got into the spirit of things!

The rain didn't stop these guys from walking all over the city either!

Ahhh, a luxurious holiday spa for Baby Buddah.

A call to the Grandparents in Cleveland, "Hey thanks for all the cool gifts guys!"

JXB high-fives his new life size teddy companion he named Oswald, leaving Mr. Old-news Robot rattle feeling a little left out!

No, you guys can't go yet, we just started to have some real fun! By the end of the GP visit, Jackson gained a whole pound or so (all that good cooking from Grandma), was sleeping better (sleeping on the GP's is better than a sleep number bed floating on a cloud!), and talking up all kinds of crazy goo-goo stories. Can't wait to see you guys again! XOXO - JXB

The NumCook Visit

Just before the holidays we had some very special visitors arrive from Providence RI, starring 6 month old LUCA JUILET COOK who took our breath away with amazing cuteness! Luca is so frickin' cute, she scored both Jackson and herself 2 free pairs of shoes from Keen. Jeanette and I were hanging with the munchkins outside of the Daily Cafe and a Keen employee spotted that both of us moms were wearing Keen shoes. She took one look at Luca's hair and said, hey sweetie come on up for a tour of our studio (which is just above the cafe) and we'll give you some free shoes. Nice work Luca!

See what I mean, babies just can't get any more cute than this.

... and here is the whole Cooking-Numbers family; Luca, Supermom Jeanette and Superdad John.

Luca says, "Hey Jacskon, this is how you do tummy time, it works your neck muscles... here let me help you". We saw this as a tender moment between new friends, a gentle love tap from Luca! Makes you just melt!

Jeanette shows Christine how to get out of the house in record time, quick before these babes start crying! It was a great visit (except for that part when we got stranded in the car for two hours waiting for a battery jump in the pouring rain with two kids...we survived) so come back soon with more helpful parenting tips!

Future Babysitters?

Since bringing Jackson home we've had lots of friends come over to meet him for the frist time...

Steffen and Nancy (from Boston) had to keep feeding the meter because Jackson was so addictive. Steffen's parents live here in town and Christine was thinkin'....Nanny Koury??

Israel and Anna visit from Boston too! Anna was planning on taking Jackson home with her!

Drea, her husband Nick and their little girl Rami stopped by to say hello. They also brought by some amazing food to keep mom and dad alive during the long stretches without sleep!

Nicole (Olivers better half) had just moved out from the east coast! Its great to have another Boston-er in Portland!

Oliver settling in on the couch with Jackson... "Hey this is easy..."

Julie's got the midas touch when it comes to holding this little guy. He feels right at home...

Stuart waited a week or two for the "newness" factor to wear a bit before taking Jackson for a spin. Them little ones are awfully fragile you know! All said and done, I think he wears him quite well... (actually I think he just wanted to make sure that he had a matching outfit!)

JXB update: right around 2 weeks....

Things at the Enderby-Brandt household are starting to settle in. We're starting to get ourselves in to a routine, no matter how odd it still feels getting up at 3:00AM for an hour or two....These pics were taken right around his two week visit to the Doctor, so we were working real hard to get his weight up. He did just great and has been packin' on the pounds ever since!

Much of his time was still sleeping at this point, but Grandma didn't seem to mind!

Here's Jackson chillin' on the doctors office table. He surpassed his weight by two ounces, which was a relief for us, as the feeding schedule up till then was getting a little nuts!

....and his hands are HUGE!

3 socks are always better than two!

Ayyyyyee Matey!

Watch out for me booty (aka poopy diaper!), or I'll have you takin' a swim down to Davy Jones locker!

First Few Days!

We were super excited (and a little nervous!) to bring Jackson home on Friday, November 2nd! It was nice to have some professional supervision for a little while, but I guess it was time to officially step up and act like parents!

Up on Skyline enjoying the view with Jackson!

Mom and J getting some well deserved R&R...isn't he awesome!

Papa B gettin some one on one with his new boy

..and like I said, the close ups are the best! Look at those wrinkles and fuzz!

Welcome Jackson!!

On Wednesday October 31st, 2007 at 10:42am, Jackson Xavier Brandt came in to this world!! He was 7lbs 8oz and 19" long at St Vincents Hospital. Words can't describe the feelings that we have for this little guy. We are truely blessed. Here are a few photos from the first few days. We'll be sure to post more...you can bet on that!

precious jackson in his mother's hands

Only a few minutes old...and these parents couldn't be more elated!

Grandma is pretty happy right now

Our boy Johnny came by to say hi to Jackson at St. Vincents! It was great to see him.

aww man..the closeups are the best!

Anniversary #3 and a Birfday!

sooooo....on September 18th, C and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary, yippee!! She surprised me with a foot massage and then some great eats at Carlisle's, one of our favorite restaurants. She's looking good isn't she!

getting ready for some foot rubs in the pearl!

and some tastey dessert at Carlisle's!

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...Forward to October 8th...B's birthday. Took the day off and went to Byway's for breakfast and then to Lovely Hula Hands on Mississippi for dinner that evening.

a few windows down from the Byway. Nice profile if you look close.

then later on to dinner at LHH with a few surprise guests. It was nice to share with some friends...

Lean in a biiiiit more Oli....