Uncle Kerry Visiting…

Jonas’ Uncle Kerry is visiting with us for a few weeks from Taiwan.  Yay!!!  He hung out with us last night and watched the Super Bowl.  Here is a post dinner (a new recipe I tried that, in all honesty, kind of bombed) and a pre dessert (super yummo Cinnabons that Kerry brought) picture of us chilling out on the couch.  Petra totally adopted Kerry and was snuggled up next to him most of the time.  And Jonas, bless his heart, had had a rough day (complete with a kitchen fall that resulted in a bruised forehead earlier in the afternoon and a living room trip that ended with a bloody lip just a few minutes before this picture was taken) and was ready for bed (hence the paci).  All in all, it was a fun and relaxing time of family togetherness that we look forward to more of…more pictures to come…

Marionette Show…

We met Jonas’ Aunt Heather and Cousins Val and Annabella at the Nashville Public Library downtown this morning to watch the wonderful marionette show, “The Frog Prince”.  It was SO good!!!  Here’s a picture of the little ones taken afterwards in the fun chairs of the children’s theater lobby.

Fifteen Months…

At fifteen months, Jonas is:  picking up new words and signs so fast that it’s hard to keep up with them all (his newest words include:  ”cor” for “corn”, “nah” for “snack”, “bah” for “(cereal) bar”, “popsih” for “popsicle”, “meh” for “milk”, “cuh” for “cup”, “nahnah” for “no no”, “ba” for “bath”, “duh” for “duck”, “boo” for “book” and “boot”, “outsih” for “outside”, “cahcah” for “car”, “opposih” for “opposites”, “Bibuh” for “Bible”, and “pay” for “pray” and his newest signs include:  baby, dad, and car); saying “yeahyeah” when he gets excited about something; putting together several two-word combinations (”dat paci” for “that paci”, “bown beh” for “brown bear” (one of his favorite books), “peekaboo DaDa” for “peek-a-boo DaDa”, “DaDa cahcah” for “DaDa car”, “MaMa ohme” for “MaMa oatmeal”, and “MaMa nana” for “MaMa banana”; getting REALLY excited about knocking over block towers and playing rousing games of hide and seek with DaDa; learning how to help clean up (helping put his blocks and books and toys in their bins) to the “clean up” song; starting to run and walk backwards; getting really good at climbing the stairs and learning how to go down the stairs; figuring out how to flush the toilet and pull the toilet paper off of the roll; experimenting with crayon scribbling (he mostly just likes to eat them and hold them); having a blast exploring outside; asking for his favorite songs (”B-I-N-G-O” and “Clap Your Hands”) in the car by doing the sign for “more” at the end of each song (over and over again); bringing books to us that he wants to read; FINALLY taking to whole milk and drinking 12 ounces a day; cutting one tooth (at the top) and working on a few more (at the bottom); identifying body parts (head, hair, nose, feet, belly, and toes); and telling how old he is…if you say, “Jonas, how old are you?” he holds up one finger.

A Budding Sense of Humor…

Jonas is really quite the funny man with a great sense of comedic timing.  So, I thought I would share a few things with you that he has said and done lately that have just cracked us up:

In church one Sunday, when the young man who read the scripture left the altar to return to his seat, all was quiet on the congregational front and Jonas said, “ByeBye”.

At dinner the other night, I was telling Tom about an elderly gentleman who Jonas and I had seen in the church lobby during mass, who noticed me basically running around after Jonas and said over his shoulder on his way out the door, “I know who’s in charge”.  Tom thought about that for a minute and then decided to go to the source, who just so happened to be sitting in his high chair at the dinner table.  Tom said, “Jonas, who’s in charge?” Jonas said emphatically, “DaDa”.  Then, Tom said, “Who’s second?”  Jonas pointed to me with a wry smile and said, “MaMa”.  Finally, Tom said, “Who’s third?”  And Jonas clapped (which is something he does when he’s proud of himself) and smiled.  

Several mornings ago, when I was getting Jonas dressed, he thought I was finished before I was, straightened up tall, and hit my chin pretty solidly with his head.  To lighten the blow for both of us, I said, “Conk”.  He thought that was funny, and we had a good laugh together.  A few days later, he tripped and hit his head while he was playing.  He immediately put his hand on his head where it hurt, looked at me, and said, “Conk”.

What a Wonderful World…

This was one of those moments where I wished I was half the photographer my older brother, Kerry, is so that I could capture the magic of what I saw.  Here is my feeble attempt…

Baby Seyfried Update…

So far we have had two prenatal appointments (at 11 weeks and at 17 weeks) with our midwife and have gotten to hear the sweet, reassuring sound of our baby’s heartbeat both times.  At our most recent appointment, our midwife laughed because the baby was moving around so much she was practically chasing him/her around with the doppler.  :)  Today, we went for the ultrasound (at 18 weeks) and got to see our dear baby…what a miraculous blessing.  Be safe, dear baby, be well…as we look forward to seeing you again very soon…

(For more pictures, click on the “Baby Seyfried: Ultrasounds” page to the right.)

Snow, Snow, Snow…

We have more snow in Nashville right now than we have had in YEARS.  It is so beautiful and so much fun. We took Jonas out in our backyard winter wonderland to play yesterday, and when we came in, he kept making the sign for “more” with such a pleading little face that we took him back out for a ride down the snowy street in his green “cah cah”.

Playing in the Kitchen…

Car Car…

So, Jonas and I made a Publix run the other day with Grandma Connie, and he went for his first ride in one of those super fun CAR grocery carts for kids (that every adult wishes they could still ride in, right?).  He was so excited…turning the wheel, sitting up board straight on the edge of his seat, and kicking his little feet.  I think I had more fun than he did just watching him enjoy himself.  

The next day Tom suggested we all go for a walk and asked Jonas, Petra, and I to wait for him by the mailbox. Then, around the corner, he comes, wheeling the most awesome green car for Jonas, who was ecstatic.  With much gusto, he calls it his “cah cah” (for “car car”).  Yesterday, he even said, “DaDa, cah cah” and then he said “out”. HaHa!!!  :)

First Haircut…

We took Jonas for his first haircut today.  He was very serious, keenly observant of his surroundings, and a little tender-hearted.  Overall, he fared really well and impressed the stylist with his sweet spirit and his first-haircut bravery.  I totally had a tearful moment watching one of the first of many rites of passage to come in the life of my little, baby boy becoming a big, grownup boy.

Another Snow Day…

Here are a few pictures of Jonas having fun in the snow with Daddy and Petra…

Snow Day…

So, I still get excited on snow days, even though I’m not the one staying home from school or work.  :) They’re just so hushed and beautiful.  Before breakfast, Jonas was looking out the window in his playroom (our living room), saw the snow falling down, pointed, and said “out”.  So, I promptly picked him up in his warm and cozy, fleece, footie pajamas, pulled a beanie down over his head and ears, and carefully carried him down our front steps into the makings of a winter wonderland.  He looked at the white flakes collecting on the ground and falling from the sky and looked at me and smiled the sweetest discovering-something-for-the-first-time smile…priceless.

Here are a few pictures taken during our before-lunch snow exploration…

Fourteen Months…

In his fourteenth month, Jonas is:  adding a whole new group of words and signs to his repertoire (the words “nana” for “banana”, “mome” for “oatmeal”, “minmin” for “cinnamon”, “mahmen” for “amen”, “bac” for “block”, “buh” for “button”, and “sic” for “music” AND the signs for car, toothbrush, massage, and light); REALLY helping us out by saying “up” and doing the sign for “sleep” when he’s ready for a nap or for bed; drinking whole milk (we have to water it down a bit to work him into the taste/texture but still…he takes it cold and in a sippy); trying a few new foods (tomatoes, oranges, and grapes); blowing on his oatmeal to “cool it off” after Mommy does; enjoying his two new favorite past times (saying “up” with a pleading face and climbing the stairs with Mommy or Daddy right behind him); exploring the house (especially the tupperware and the pots and pans drawer/cupboards in the kitchen); pointing at anything and everything and saying “dat” for “that”; stacking one block on top of another; asking for “music” with the words “sic” and “buh” and the sign for “music” and pushing four different buttons to hear his favorite songs; loving the new turning-the-fan-off/on-and-the-lights-off part of his bedtime routine; starting to explore the world of tantrum throwing; taking one champ nap in the middle of the day (2 to 3 hours) and continuing to sleep 12 to 13 hours at night without making a peep.

Playing with His Blocks…

Here are a few pictures of Jonas playing with the wonderful set of wooden blocks that his Grandpa Phil handmade for him in his home workshop.  

Christmas in Nashville…

We greatly enjoyed having Tom’s parents, Jackie and Phil, in town from Virginia as well as having my brother and niece, Darren and Kaia, in town from Norway for Christmas.  It was good times all around at the Haynes Family and Stuart Family gatherings.  :)  

We missed having my brother, Kerry, here from Taiwan for Christmas…it just wasn’t the same without him. We very much look forward to his visit with us in February.

I noticed after the holidays had come and gone that I didn’t take a lot of pictures (the double whammy of Mommy and pregnancy brain, I suppose), but here are a couple of Jonas hanging his stocking and enjoying a few of his wonderful Christmas presents…

Uncle Darren and Cousin Kaia’s Visit…

We loved having my oldest brother, Darren, and my oldest niece, Kaia, in town from Norway for the holidays. What a delight to get to see Darren twice in one year and Kaia for the first time in nine years!!!

It was so good just to spend some quality time together.  One of my favorite highlights of their time here with us was watching them work together in the kitchen, putting together the most delicious traditional Norwegian Christmas dish made with potatoes, rutabagas, carrots, butter, and cream (and yes…it was every bit as yummy as it sounds).

Here are a few pictures from our visit…

Baby Seyfried…

We are delighted to announce that we are expecting the arrival of our second child on (or around) July 2, 2010.  :)  Yay, baby!!!

Thirteen Months…

At thirteen months, Jonas is:  reminding us to pray at the table; pushing and pulling his toys; putting things in and taking things out of containers; shaking his head “no” when he touches something or does something he knows he isn’t supposed to; saying what a fishy says; holding on a little bit when you carry him (which really helps…he’s getting to be quite the tank); climbing and dancing; learning how to throw things (balls, toys, etc.); trying more and more foods (whole milk, egg whites, corn, raspberries, and strawberries); starting to really show his top two teeth when he talks and smiles and laughs; champing through his first ear infection (a double); saying “apah” for “apple”, “goo jah” for “good job”, “papa” for “pasta”, and “t” for “toast”; weaning from his night wakings/feedings and learning how to sleep (all the way) through the night; flirting with transitioning from two naps to one; hitting a HUGE growth spurt (eating like a champ); and slam dunking his pacifier in his crib after naptimes and bedtimes.

Footie Pajamas…

Here’s a picture of Jonas with all of his cousins on his Daddy’s side of the family…all dressed in the footie pajamas that Grandma Jackie bought them for Christmas.  From left to right and front to back are The Seyfrieds (Lindsey, Jonas, and Audrey), The Longs (Andrew and Kaitlyn), and The Paccassis (John, Peter, Sam, & Lily).

Seyfried Family Thanksgiving…

We really enjoyed spending Thanksgiving with Tom’s family in Virginia at his parents’ house (and having a wonderful overnight visit with my Uncle Tony and Aunt Nora in Johnson City on the way). Among my favorite moments were playing a competitive post-bedtime game of Euchre, sitting around the table and sharing what we were thankful for after Thanksgiving dinner, and taking part in the 2nd Annual Seyfried Family Turkey Games (highly recommended family field day fun!!!).

From left to right and front to back is Jonas’ Uncle Tim, Aunt Mary, Cousin Lindsey, Cousin Sam, Uncle Dave, Aunt Tree, Uncle Rich, Aunt Sherri, Daddy, Mommy, Jonas, Grandpa Phil, Cousin Kaitlyn, Cousin Audrey, Cousin Lily, Cousin John, Cousin Andrew, Cousin Peter, (Dixie), and Grandma Jackie.

Family Picture…

Here’s a family picture that was recently taken for the church directory (Jonas got a big kick out of the photographer).  :)

Jonas with Petra when we first got her. Wow she has grown!!!

Petra…

Here’s a recent picture of Petra (I thought she looked so pretty sitting in the light in the middle of all of Jonas’ toys).  She’s about 6 months old now and getting so big (well, sort of)…

1st Birthday Party…

We had a small family gathering at our house in celebration of Jonas’ 1st birthday.  I realized, after the fact, that I didn’t do a very good job of taking pictures because I was so in the moment.  HaHa!!!  But here are a few…one of his birthday cake and one of him tucking into it and one of him opening his presents with Daddy with his cousins Val, Annabella, Dylan, and Jordan gathered around checking things out.  :)

Happy 1st Birthday, Jonas!!!

It’s hard to believe that Jonas is one year old.  I was just telling Tom the other morning, after Jonas (and I) had a particularly rough night of sleep due to teething, that there’s no way I could ever be anything other than happy to see him in the morning because, no matter what, he wakes up talking and smiling and laughing.  What a tremendous blessing he is…what a joyful spirit and an old soul who already exhibits great depth and discernment, intense curiosity, and a keen sense of humor.  How delightful it is to watch him grow…

(To look back over his first year in pictures, click on the “First Year” picture page to the right.)

Fifty-Two Weeks…

In his fifty-second week, Jonas is: cutting two more teeth; enjoying fall-ish food (like homemade chicken soup and sweet potatoes with cinnamon); adding another word (”out”) and several signs (”help”, “fan”, “pet”, “sleep”, and “thank you”) to his vocabulary. 

Yoda Video

CLICK PICTURE FOR VIDEO

Happy Halloween…

We love and look forward to our annual tradition of hanging out at the Chandler’s house on Halloween night. They live in one of those neighborhoods that goes all out…practically every house is decorated, every door is open, and every child is out on the street in costume. We enjoy trick or treating with the Chandler Family and the Barefoot Family, seeing the children’s costumes and how much they grow each year, snacking on roasted pumpkin seeds, tucking into a warm bowl of crock pot chili and a cup of apple cider, and cozying up and watching “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”.  

Here’s one of us as a family, and one of us on the way out to trick or treat, where we found Darth Vader roaming the street. HaHa!!!

Yoda…

Here is Jonas in the AWESOME Yoda costume his Aunt Sherri made for him for his 1st birthday.  :)  And here is one of my favorite Yoda-isms that kept coming to mind every time I looked at him in it (aside from the fact that he is just SO adorable):  ”No. Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.”

Fifty-One Weeks…

At fifty-one weeks, Jonas is: walking all over the place; figuring out how to make a motor noise with his mouth and change the sound with his hand; laughing in a new way with his chin tucked to his chest, his head shaking side to side, and his eyes all squinched up (the sound of his new laugh is EXTREMELY reminiscent of his Uncle Darren’s); and looking forward to a cold fall night out this Halloween weekend with Mommy (Princess Leia) and Daddy (Luke Skywalker) as Yoda.  

Fifty Weeks…

In his fiftieth week, Jonas is: surprising us by going from a sitting position to a standing position without holding onto anything or anyone; adding a few more words (”Eta” for Petra, “gotcha”, and “bye-bye”) to his vocabulary and a sign (for “music”) to his signing repertoire; and really becoming quite the little walker.

Walden Farm…

Yesterday afternoon, we took advantage of the first few days of sunshine in what seems like a month and went out to Walden Farm for a fall visit with the farm animals and the pumpkins.  Jonas loved all the new sights, smells, and sounds and enjoyed picking out a few pumpkins for our front porch to help bring in the new season.  

Jonas walking on his own

That sound is daddy with his train whistle. He is his father’s son…

Forty-Nine Weeks…

At forty-nine weeks, Jonas is: taking four, six, eight, and ten unassisted steps here and there; walking from one thing to another thing (instead of walking from one thing to Mommy and Daddy); trying cheese and whole wheat bread; saying “MaMa” (sometimes) and “dat” for that; not letting his socks, shoes, hoodies, and beanies stay on for any length of time; learning how to turn light switches on and off; walking from one side of his crib to the other (so waddly and careful); and pointing to things he likes/wants.

Eight Steps…

Forty-Eight Weeks…

At forty-eight weeks, Jonas is: trying and LOVING yogurt and joyfully welcoming Petra back from training camp (when he woke up from his afternoon nap the day of her return…instead of saying “DaDa” or “NaNa”…he was enthusiastically patting his leg, which is the sign for dog, and saying “dah”).

Forty-Seven Weeks…

In his forty-seventh week, Jonas is: becoming more and more verbal (venturing out to to say “ah duh” for all done, “up” for pick up or get down, “wow”, “heh” for hi, and “Heh, Da” for Hi, Dad); starting to go straight ahead instead of straight down when he takes a few steps towards open arms; and initiating his own game of peek-a-boo with blankets, books, and balls, by raising them up over his head and smiling and waiting until we say, “Where’s Jonas?”

(Photos courtesy of Rachel Jonas)

Seyfried Family Vacation…

For more pictures, click on the “Family Vacation” page to the right…

Forty-Six Weeks…

At forty-six weeks, Jonas is: trying out a few new foods (black beans, rice pasta, and cauliflower); experimenting with the use of his two bottom teeth for chewing; adding three words to his vocabulary (”ca” for cat, “boo” for book, and “ba” for ball); and cracking us up with his current favorite consonant/vowel combination (”da-da-da-diguh-diguh-diguh”) that he repeats over and over again in all seriousness and with much gusto.

Jonas walking on his own (kinda).

Jonas and Petra playing together

Forty-Five Weeks…

In his forty-fifth week, Jonas is: setting a new record with his hands-free balance time at 10 seconds (while clapping at the same time); trying lentils and asparagus (they both get the “meh” Jonas rating); continuing to practice his first words (”DaDa” for Daddy, “dah” for dog, and “NaNa” for Momma); waving like a champ (especially when it comes to saying goodbye to Daddy in the morning); laughing out loud all the time; feeding Petra Cheerios and cracking up at her puppyish antics; and amazing us with his newfound dexterity of (gleefully) walking behind his walking toy without much assistance.

Rainy Day Fun…

It has been raining in Nashville for days and days.  On a particularly rainy Sunday afternoon, Jonas enjoyed Daddy’s trying-to-make-being-inside-fun creativity, expressed in multiple transformations to his car seat box (including a house with a round window and a square door, a ramp and ball game, and a car race track).

Big Boy Car Seat…

Jonas loves his new big boy car seat (and even though he looks really serious in this picture, he REALLY loved playing with the cardboard box it came in).  :)

Big Girl…

Petra is getting to be such a big girl.  :)  She is off to training camp for three weeks; and, although we’re going to miss her (Jonas especially…he looks for her every morning and asks for “Dah”), we are super excited about the return of a better behaved version of the newest addition to our family.

A Sweet Day…

Yesterday was such a sweet day for Tom and I with Jonas.  He sent Daddy off to work with a big boy farewell, in his new favorite rocket ship pajamas with one hand holding on to the baby gate and one hand straight up in the air waving back and forth.  And when I went into his room to bring him downstairs to play after his morning nap, he stood up in his crib, held on with one hand, waved at me with the other, and said, “NaNa”.  He wins my heart every day, over and over again…just like his Daddy.

Rocket Man…

Forty-Four Weeks…

At forty-four weeks, Jonas is: making the signs for “dog” (and paying special attention to that picture and word in his first words book) and “change diaper” (he’s still making and perfecting the signs for “eat”, “drink”, “milk”, and “more”); babbling up a storm; enjoying games of reverse keep-a-way with Petra; crawling like Thor, with one hand flat and one hand in a fist; working on his balance; clapping and waving; and giving kisses and love pats.

Jonas’ Toy Box…

Here is a picture of the J-Man with the wonderful toy box that his Daddy made for him!!!  Jonas loves standing up beside it, peering over the edge to look inside, and pulling out his toys one by one (thus the temporary baby-proofing necessity of the yellow pool noodles).  :)  

Forty-Three Weeks…

In his forty-third week, Jonas is: enjoying finger foods from the melon family (cantaloupe and watermelon); trying his hand (and his foot) at climbing; figuring out how to go from a standing position to a sitting position without plopping down (holding on with one hand and doing it very gingerly and deliberately); getting a very determined look on his face for his home-exploring missions; continuing to balance (hands free) for a few seconds at a time and to take one or two steps on his own every now and then; and entering into a whole new arena of cuteness, as he learns how to clap and wave.  

Forty-Two Weeks…

At forty-two weeks, Jonas is: loving his new tropical fruit (mango); getting very adept at rolling away from the diaper change (much to his mother and father’s dismay); and taking his first steps (super wobbly but still).

First Steps…

So, Jonas took his first steps yesterday!!!

We drove out to Gallatin to spend some time with his Great Aunt Jean.  I was loading up the car outside after a wonderful afternoon of catching up over lunch and playtime, and Aunt Jean was hanging out with the buddy while he was showing off his pulling up skills.  When I came back inside, she said that he had turned loose of the couch and had taken a few steps towards her (heading down as we went…but still).  He did it again that evening, letting go of the window sill in our living room (his new favorite place to stand) and taking a few steps into Daddy’s arms.  

Yay, Jonas!!!

Forty-One Weeks…

As a forty-one week old, Jonas is: meeting another vegetable he loves (zucchini); hitting a major growth spurt with all that that entails; greeting his awake time with amazing bursts of jabbering and crawling energy; figuring out that DaDa is the “dada” he’s been babbling about; shaking his head no with great understanding; making the signs for “milk” and “drink”; giving us things we ask for (sometimes), to our amazement (his pacifier, as it’s only a naptime and bedtime thing now, and his favorite toys); working on his balance by standing with both hands free for a few seconds at a time; and asserting his strong will and discovering his independence.

Forty Weeks…

Tom’s Big Time O’Charley’s Commercial

Standing in His Crib…

So, this is the cuteness that greets us these days in the morning and after naps…

Brushing His Teeth…

On my last visit to the dentist, the hygienist encouraged me to brush Jonas’ teeth (with water and a baby toothbrush) when they came in (glad she told me because I’m so clueless on a lot of these first time Mommy things and might have ignorantly waited until he was several months older to start).  So, we busted out his toothbrush a few days ago, and he thinks it’s the coolest thing ever.  He loves brushing his teeth with Daddy in the mornings and as part of his bedtime routine in the evenings (you can tell by the look on his face that he knows he’s doing a big boy thing and that he’s so proud of himself).  Just when I think he can’t get any more adorable… 

Summer Visits with Two Great Aunts…

Here are a few pictures from Jonas’ summer visits with his Great Aunt Carolyn and his Great Aunt Sheila (Grandma Connie’s sisters).  We were so blessed to have them visiting from West Virginia and Ohio respectively and to get to spend some precious quality time with them.  We were thankful for our time together and were reminded once again of the priceless gift of family.

In the first picture from left to right is Jonas, Grandma Connie, and Great Aunt Carolyn. In the second picture from left to right is Cousin Patrick and his daughter Shelby (Jonas and Shelby had so much fun playing together), Great Aunt Sheila and Jonas, and Cousin Philip and his wife Lindsey.  Yay for family!!! We look forward to Great Uncle Bobby’s visit soon…

Cousins Jordan and Dylan…

So, I had to post these precious pictures up…

The first one is of Jordan and Jonas, taken during a family game of Apples to Apples several weeks ago when Darren and Marina were visiting.  Jonas was sitting in my lap and was ALL ABOUT the cards.  His Daddy gave him a create your own category or something card that we weren’t ever going to use and, of course, it went right in the mouth.  All of the mommies at the table were concerned about paper cuts. So, I opted for a little bit of pacifier protection and was considering taking the card away to preempt any injuries. Daddy, who is very attuned to what delights his son’s heart, took the card and turned down all the edges and gave it back to a very happy Jonas.  It was so cute to watch him, holding his card up like a trophy…enjoying with ever fiber of his being…just being a part of the family Apples to Apples game.  If you look really close in the picture, you’ll see that he’s still holding his card.  :)

The second one is of Jordan and Dylan sitting on our neighbor’s porch with Petra a few weeks back when Aunt Julie brought them over for a Sunday afternoon visit with the babies.  

Thirty-Nine Weeks…

In his thirty-ninth week, Jonas is: learning how to give hi-fives and kisses; enthralled by anything electronic; becoming a fast crawler; standing up in his crib with one hand waving free; trying to pull up on things other than Mommy and Daddy; continuing to explore his environment with keen interest; crawling with a toy in his hand; discovering his first favorite green vegetable (broccoli); exhibiting such skill with his pincer grasp that we are making the transition to all finger foods; and beginning to understand object permanence and to not be deterred if desired objects are placed out of sight.

Exploring the Light…

Thirty-Eight Weeks…

At thirty-eight weeks, Jonas is: experimenting with more finger foods (peaches rolled in crushed Cheerios and egg yolks); enjoying Mommy’s creativity expressed in pureed fruit mixes (he’s still not into vegetable mixes); trying his darnedest to stand up from a crawling position; cutting another tooth; continuing to get super excited whenever he sees a dog (especially Petra); deciding to enter the consonant/vowel babbling world with gle-gle-gle and guy-guy-guy (he’s a very verbal little mister and has been entertaining us with his own version of talking and communicating since he was born) ; and finding new and improved ways of rolling away from the diaper change.

Happy Birthday, Jodi!!!

Welcome the newest member of the family…

Please help us welcome to the Seyfried family, Petra. We found Petra through a rescue shelter called Proverbs 12:10. We got her on a foster to adopt situation which gave us a week to see if she would work with our family. After a week we knew she was a match for our family. She loves Jonas already very much and they are great friends. They are always both very excited to see each other. Petra has a very sweet spirit. She was the runt of the litter but certainly has a big heart. She is a predominately yellow lab with something else mixed in. We are very excited about this new addition and look forward to many years of playing and yelling “No Petra”.

Jonas and Nature…

Jonas is quite the naturalist.  From very early on in his life, he has always seemed to enjoy going for a nice stroll around the neighborhood.  Being outside has a way of calming him down…he just looks around and takes it all in.  There are a few places on our morning and evening walks, where he reaches his hand out when he sees tall grass or plants up ahead (it reminds me of the Gladiator and the field of wheat).  He’ll often come back from his walks with a leaf or a piece of grass in his hand, holding it like a prize.  One morning, he went for a walk with Daddy and brought me this flower from our yard.  :)  And here he is with the most beautiful crepe myrtle on our street.

Thirty-Seven Weeks…

Jonas’ thirty-seven week gigs include: crawling; sitting up on his knees to pull himself up; trying and loving cherries and plums; delving into big boy finger foods with diced bananas coated in crushed Cheerios; and cutting a second tooth. 

Jonas has a big week.

So last week Jonas began crawling. Here is the first video. Jonas crawling

Thirty-Six Weeks…

At thirty-six weeks, Jonas is: cutting his first tooth; getting really adept at going from a sitting position to a crawling position and back again; adding blueberries (what a MESS by the way…I actually stripped him down to his diaper for this one on Daddy’s wise recommendation and still ended up having to just put him in the tub afterwards…here’s picture proof) and nectarines (the first food he’s ever tried that had him smiling after the first bite) to his fruit repertoire; breaking out into a sweat with all of his playful floor activities and new skill honing; and perfecting his crawling jag (he has been getting really good on advancing forward on his knees…he’s still figuring out how to involve his arms, although he has managed to get one in there for a lopsided crawl a time or two…I’m sure it won’t be long and he’ll be putting on the turbo). 

First Tooth…

Jonas cut his first tooth on Friday.  :)  He was nursing and started bawling, so I rubbed his gums which always seems to make him feel better and was surprised to feel the telltale ridges of his very first tooth!!!  Here he is with two of his three favorite teething past times: the mesh feeder with ice cold yumminess inside (sometimes with ice and sometimes with a frozen fruit or vegetable cube) and his second favorite plaything ever (Turtle, the bath toy).

Uncle Darren and Cousin Marina’s Visit…

Jonas loved getting to spend some quality time with his Uncle Darren and his Cousin Marina (as did we all), who came for a wonderful two week long visit from Norway.  :)  It was the first time I had seen Darren in six years and Marina in nine years!!!  We had great fun with family visits to the Grand Ole Opry, games of Apples to Apples, rounds of frisbee golf, shopping outings, long walks, fabulous meals, and catching up on lots of laughs and good conversation.  We look forward to visits with Jonas’ cousins, Reuben and Kaia, from Norway as well in the coming years, enjoy so much our blessed annual Christmas/New Year visits with his Uncle Kerry from Taiwan, and long for the day when we can all be together sitting around the kitchen table eating and laughing like old times.

Thirty-Five Weeks…

In his thirty-fifth week, Jonas is: warming our hearts with the resurgence of his crinkled nose smile; tasting two new fruits (prunes and apricots); figuring out how to pull himself up in his crib and play peek-a-boo over the bumper pad (which never fails to dissolve him in fits of giggles); moving himself forward once with the right knee and once with the left knee in a valiant crawling attempt (he’s still trying to figure out what to do with his arms); continuing to crack us up with the intense curiosity he shows for his environment; going from a crawling position to a sitting position with a bit more familiarity and ease; and absolutely loving hanging out with his Uncle Darren and his Cousin Marina.  

Thirty-Four Weeks…

In his thirty-fourth week of life and living it to the fullest, Jonas is: checking out the new and improved view from his big boy tub and shopping cart seat cover; trying and loving two new fruits (pears and peaches); cracking us up by tilting his head down and to the side when he’s investigating something; showing a sudden very strong preference for standing instead of sitting; taking his downward facing dog yoga pose to the next level by flattening himself out into what looks like a pretty serious push up; pulling himself up from a sitting position to a standing position (using Mommy and Daddy’s hands as leverage); maneuvering himself into a sitting position from a pseudo crawling position (he’s only done this once but it was really exciting to watch); coming close to crawling backwards by getting onto his hands and knees and pushing himself back with his arm; and averaging 7 hours of sleep at a stretch at night (with a few 10 hour stretches gloriously tossed into the mix).

Carrots + Zerberts =

I had to chronicle the carrot zerberting fest…and, yes, those are carrots IN his nose.  :)

Big Boy Tub…

Big Boy Shopping Cart Seat…

Exploring the Guitar…

Thirty-Three Weeks…

This week Jonas has been: dipping his head down to investigate things like his shadow and his reflection in a mirror; trying oatmeal (which he LOVES so much he reaches for the bowl, kicks his legs, opens his mouth so fast after a bite that it’s hard to believe he’s swallowed the first one, and gives you the feeling that you can’t shovel it in fast enough to suit him); trying his first fruit combination (apples and avocados…wacky but he likes it); pressing both of his lips together for a comical and determined expression; saying “mmm” when he eats something he likes; and extending his legs and making it REALLY hard to get him into his car seat, stroller, and high chair.

Storytime…

So, today Jonas met his Aunt Heather and his cousins Val and Annabella at the Nashville Public Library Children’s Theater for his very first storytime (of course, Mommy had a moment and started to cry).

Thirty-Two Weeks…

Thirty-two weeks finds our little man: windmilling his arms when he’s happy and playing; grabbing his hair and hitting his head when he’s tired and fighting sleep; kindly raising his hands up when we go to lock his high chair tray into place; pulling his bib off/wiping his face with his bib/crying/smiling at the “all done” sign when he’s done eating; smiling at the “eat” and “milk” signs and doing his own versions of those pretty regularly; lifting his hands in the air when he wants to be picked up; saying what seems like “hi” sometimes; moving backwards (in a crawling sort of way); adding bananas and apples to his repertoire of solid foods; feeding himself his very first melt-in-the-mouth puff; trying to figure out the whole object permanence thing; getting really good at turning the pages in board books; and continuing to assert himself with grunts and other vocal protests.

G.I. Jonas. Fighting sleep since 2008

Jonas and the mirror

Jonas was trying hard to figure out where the other baby in the building blocks was.CLICK PICTURE FOR MOVIE

Balancing…

Jonas had a big day today…he figured out how to balance himself on his hands and knees and rock back and forth!!!  He hasn’t started moving forward yet, but it looks like he’s close to launching himself that way soon.  

It’s amazing how, in just a few short days, he seems to have gotten heavier, longer, and stronger all at the same time.  I’ve been looking at him sideways and smiling, thinking, “Jonas Seyfried…you are such a big boy.”  He is so much fun and is really becoming so mobile so quickly.  

I had an inkling of it when I was pregnant with him because he was super active in the womb, but that’s nothing compared to the inklings I’ve been having lately about what a mover and a shaker we have on our hands.  :)

I’m a Cowboy, Baby…

Thirty-One Weeks…

This week Jonas is: starting his third solid food meal of the day with fruits (avocados will be his first fruit…unbeknownst to me, until recently, avocados are a fruit and not a vegetable); figuring out how to push down the rooster on top of the barn on his farm animal exersaucer to start the music; enjoying playtime sitting up; continuing to follow and attend the bounce of a conversation with uncanny alertness; becoming really deft at rolling from back to front and from front to back and pretty much just getting all-kinds-of-some mobile; working on with what looks like a yoga pose (downward facing dog)/the beginnings of the army crawl; and giving us a few glorious 8 and 10 hour nights of sleep…here’s to more of that.

Beach…

Jonas enjoyed his first trip to the beach (St. George Island, Florida) with Mommy and Daddy, MeMe and Papa, Great Aunt Jean, Aunt Julie, Cousins Jordan and Dylan, and Aunt Jeanne and Mr. Eric.  :)

Here are a few pictures with more to come…

Thirty-Weeks…

Here is the latest and the greatest in the world of Jonas Benjamin Seyfried:  helping Mommy and Daddy out by leaning forward to have his bib snapped on or off AND to get out of the shoulder straps of his car seat and jogger stroller; figuring out how to put his uni-directional pacifier in the right way (it’s amazing how his wheels are always turning); scratching to explore different textures; trying out a new vegetable (green beans); attempting to strong arm the spoon away from whoever is feeding him; sampling cold water in his sippy cup; talking, humming, and singing himself to sleep; skipping out (more often than not) on his third nap of the day; having the time of his life playing peek-a-boo in his crib; starting to protest when we leave the room and when he drops a favorite toy; and making signs on his own for “milk” and “eat”.  

Thank You…

I am having the hardest time putting my heart into words for this post.  So, just know that I’m still working on it…

Thank you with all of my heart to the most blessed team of family and friends who gave the priceless gift of time and of themselves in taking care of my precious little Jonas while I was away at work: my dear husband, Tom; my mother-in-law, Jackie; my mommy, Connie; and my friend, Julie.  A picture is worth a thousand words…I am forever indebted to you.

Happy Birthday, Tom!!!

Twenty-Nine Weeks…

Jonas is just so cute in his sun hat (on loan from the Paccassis) that I had to share two pictures.  :)  

Twenty-nine weeks finds him trying out a new vegetable (peas…he doesn’t seem to be a huge fan and makes the shiver face but he still eats them), LOVING walks outside in his stroller, showing off his sense of humor (he belly laughed tonight after he raspberried out a mouthful of rice cereal and watched it shoot across the high chair tray at me), adding new and interesting moves to his crawling skills set, getting ready to head to the beach for the very first time, and welcoming Mommy home not only for the summer but full-time.

What’s it gonna take for me to put you in this car today??

You know you could not say no to a salesman this darn cute!!

Little Buddy falling down

I was blowing in Jonas’ face and he would fall over like it was a huge gust of wind knocking him down.

CLICK PICTURE FOR THE VIDEO

Jonas’ First Birthday Party…

Here is a picture of Jonas and Nate.  Nate is the son of Jeff Chandler, who is Tom’s business partner.  Jeff and his precious wife, Michelle, threw the coolest birthday party EVER for Nate’s 3rd birthday at the Genesis Auto Brokers warehouse, complete with a homemade race track for the little ones to ride around on, amazing car-shaped cakes for the kids to decorate, and a full-screen showing of the movie “Cars” projected onto a giant wall for young and old to enjoy.  It was a great way to kick off the summer.  :)  

Twenty-Eight Weeks

Recent developments for our little man include:  rolling over from front to back; sitting up (not leaning back) in his bouncy seat, stroller, and car seat; working on his crawling skills; bouncing around like a pinball in a pinball machine in his pack-n-play; making his second sign with prompting for “eat”; moving up from 2 tablespoons to 3 tablespoons of rice cereal and vegetables at his morning and evening meals; adding squash and carrots to his repertoire of vegetables; being really serious about his big boy meals by letting us know with an intense grunt when he’s ready to eat and when it’s been too long in between bites; pounding his chest with both fists like Tarzan; exploring different textures with his hands; continuing to perfect the art of the raspberry; debuting what seems to be his first consonant/vowel combination, “nay-nay-nay-nay”; and becoming more and more alert to and aware/observant of his environment (to my delight, he just noticed the monkeys on the feet of his “go bananas” sleep-n-play). 

Twenty-Seven Weeks…

It has been a very eventful week for Jonas, full of transition and big boy things seeming to happen all at once…he: rolled over for the first time (back to front); officially graduated from a swaddle to a sleep sack; greeted his first Mother’s Day with an out-of-character, not-so-easily-consolable bout of fussing that ended up being the culmination of his biggest and longest growth spurt yet and tipping his Mom and Dad off to the fact that he was just plain old hungry, hungry, hungry; started solids with his first bowl of whole-grain rice cereal; said goodbye to his dear friend Dreemer; exhausted his Mommy’s store of extra breastmilk in the freezer; weighed in at a whopping 16 pounds and 13 ounces at his 6 month checkup; experienced his first taste of vegetables (sweet potatoes, homemade by his Aunt Heather) as part of his second solid food meal of the day recommended by his pediatrician; began discovering a new favorite sleep position (an extreme form of side sleeping that looks like it wants to be tummy sleeping soon); made his first sign, without prompting, for “milk”; gave many squnched-up-nose smiles with the most endearing pattern of open-mouthed breathing when he felt full of love for something or someone; launched headlong into teething; and uttered, more than once, what we’re wondering might prove to be his first word…”hi”.

Goodbye Dreemer. You will be always remembered….

Tonight we laid to rest my dog Dreemer. I got Dreemer almost 14 years ago when she was just 8 weeks old.

Dreemer was a loyal and faithful friend everyday of her life. She was a friend to everybody she met. Those that know Dreemer and know me will understand that words can not express how special she was, and how much she meant to me. Letting her go was the hardest decision I have ever had to make, but I know the time was right. Dreemer’s love was probably the closest thing to God’s love a person could experience. In her eyes I could do no wrong, even when I did. She was always joyous to see me, whether I had been gone a week or an hour. She gave me everything she had to give, right to the very end.

Dreemer,
You will forever be in my heart, and a part of who I am. I hope to honor you by loving unconditionally, the way that you always loved me. I pray that your spirit never leaves me, and that when I come home, at the end of this journey, you will be there waiting for me. I know that your body no longer hurts. I know that you have the energy and vitality that you had when you where young. I know you are happy to see your best friend Siva. I know she is happy to see you. Watch out for me, watch out for Jodi, and please watch out for Jonas. Thank you for holding on to see me enter this new stage of my life. I am glad you were able to meet my son. I am even more glad he was able to meet you. There will never be another like you. Your work here is complete, go run, go swim, chase Siva around the yard. Thank you, God Bless you.

PLEASE CLICK THIS PICTURE FOR MORE PICS OF DREEMER

Rolling Over…

Jonas rolled over for the first time tonight!!! (Click picture for video) First rollover

Twenty-Six Weeks…

Jonas hit a major growth spurt this week, and he’s been tanking back the milk and putting away some serious daytime and nighttime z’s. When he’s not eating or sleeping, he’s all about pinching and grabbing (pretty much everything), and he’s discovered his first favorite toy…bunny.

Twenty-Five Weeks…

Twenty-five weeks finds Jonas sitting…on his own.  If he gets tickled, though, it’s all over with…but he’s smiling and laughing all the way, as he’s tipping over backwards or falling over sideways.  He’s so cute with his the-world-seems-different-from-here look on his face, leaning forward and grabbing his toes.  He cracked us up tonight on our early evening walk around the neighborhood by sitting in his stroller just like that…leaning headlong into the world.   

Jonas and the Azaleas…

Grandma Jackie, Tom, Jonas, and I went to Ellington Agricultural Center last weekend to take pictures. This was Jonas’ first time sitting on his own (well, almost) for a photo shoot…

The second picture is the one we were going for and initially the only one I was going to post on the website…but, in the end, I just had to include the others…I mean, how cute is he…with a handful of mulch on the way to his mouth and with his trying-to-figure-this-out look, staring at the ground…and look at that belly.  What a funny little guy!!!

Staying at Home…

The Seyfried Family…

Jonas getting in a little workout before breakfast

Twenty-Four Weeks…

The latest Jonas developments are:  being successful most of the time at putting his pacifier in his mouth all by himself;  pulling a 9 hour night (it was stand alone, yes, but still…we know he’s got it in him); finding his thumb and sucking on it backwards; continuing to eat like a champ (I can’t wait to see how much he weighs at his 6 month check-up); making a very understandable spit out/shiver face when he takes his liquid vitamins with iron; making his first sign (with prompting) for “milk”; showing more and more strength when it comes to sitting up on his own; coming really darn close to rolling over; working on his crawling skills by getting his knees up under him during tummy time (he’s still figuring out how to not do the otter thing with his arms); reaching for Dreemer; pinching and grabbing anything and everything in sight; and enjoying his outdoor walks.

Twenty-Three Weeks…

Twenty-three weeks has brought about the institution of the Daddy-dubbed, windshield-wiper head.  It’s something that Jonas does when he’s really happy…it’s a vigorous left to right and back again swoop of the head with smiling abandon…it’s really free, really creative, and really sweet…and it makes my heart smile and rejoice over this bright and free spirit by which we are daily blessed.

Easter Eggs…

Jonas had so much fun helping dye Easter eggs at MeMe and Papa’s with his cousins Jordan and Dylan.  :)

Twenty-Two Weeks…

Spring Break…

Spring Break was this week, and we had a blast.  

Jonas kicked off the week with the most precious welcome home presents…taking frequent breaks to smile at me when he was nursing and sleeping for eight hour stretches two nights in a row.  

His adventures this week have included:  a stroll at the Buttercup Festival in Historic Downtown Nolensville, walks in the neighborhood and at Crockett Park, a Sunday afternoon lunch on Grandma and Pops’ back porch, a visit with Aunt Jeanne at work, lunches and a walk at Radnor Lake with Cynthia and Erin (and Knox!!!), a spontaneous tour of the Grand Ole Opry Museum, an evening hang with Jen while Tom and I went to see the Cirque du Soleil with Grandma Connie, Easter egg dyeing at MeMe and Papa’s, and an Easter Egg hunt at Great Aunt Jean’s house.   

Here are a few pictures from our eventful week…

Twenty-One Weeks…

Here is the latest and the greatest from Jonas Benjamin Seyfried:  graduating from a swaddle to a sleep sack; reaching for his rattle and passing it from one hand to the other (sometimes as a default and sometimes with deliberation); blowing raspberries and sticking out his tongue; pulling the musical umbrella on his mobile arch; taking his pacifier out of his mouth, holding onto it, and trying really hard to figure out how to get it back in; presenting a bit of a squirmy challenge to whoever is dressing him by grabbing the sleeves of his onesies as they’re going on; arching his back at a gymnastic degree in his bouncy seat and on his playtime blanket on the floor; taking serious note of his surroundings (especially light and music); and continuing to greet his waking moments with plenty of gusto, sparkling eyes, wide smiles, and belly laughs. 

Twenty Weeks…

Nineteen Weeks…

St. Patrick’s Day

Tom took Jonas’ picture today in the St. Patrick’s Day onesie that Grandma Jackie sent for him and e-mailed his picture to her to say thank you and to Aunt Jeanne (Aunt Beans!!!) to say happy birthday.  HeHe!!!

HAPPY FEET

Happy Feet

CLICK PIC FOR VIDEO

Eighteen Weeks…

Lately, Jonas is all about batting at his mobile arch, pulling his knees up under his belly during tummy time, finding his voice in shrieks, and graduating out of his little baby settings (in his car seat, swing, bjorn, and bouncy seat).  At his four month check-up, he weighed in at 14 pounds and 12 ounces and measured up at 24 inches long!!!  He was cracking our pediatrician and the nurse up with his hearty kicks and vocals.

My first day back at work in the Nolensville Elementary School Library was Monday and was met with a welcome back breakfast, daffodils on my desk, and many hugs and encouraging words.  I cried all weekend long and a little bit every day, but I tried to remind myself that the blessing that is Jonas Benjamin Seyfried is being shared right now.  In the remaining ten weeks of the school year, he will be surrounded by a dear group of family and friends, including:  his Daddy, his Grandma Jackie, his Grandma Connie, his Godmother Julie, and his Auntie Sar.  

The kids at school help to ease my heart a little with the funny and endearing things they say:  ”Mrs. Seyfried, I miss-ded you.”  ”Have you had your baby yet?”  ”Why were you gone so long?”  ”You’re skinny again!”  ”Did you have a boy baby or a girl baby?”  ”What did you name him?”  ”Jonas, like the Jonas Brothers?!?”  It’s really sweet, when you’re struggling to make it through the day, to have an entire line of kindergarteners hug you on the way into the library. And it’s at that moment that I’m reminded of the fact that these little people are all someone’s blessing being shared… 

Seventeen Weeks…

Jonas’ newest and cutest thing is the development of the late night/early morning conversation and/or monologue.  He will nurse intently for a good while, and then all of a sudden, he will look at me like, “Wait a minute…I didn’t realize you were here…AWESOME!!!” and the expressive gooing and gaaing begins.  I wonder sometimes how I can get up at all hours of the night and morning to feed him and still be functional and even happy (because I am truly a 10-hour-of-sleep-a-night-and-a-nap-or-more-a-day kind of girl)…and it’s times like these, in addition to the mommy grace that God gives, that I know.

Rattle and Cool Boy…

Here is Jonas, sharpening his rattle skills, and in his cool boy jeans and shoes.  :)

Bath Time…

The kicking of bathtub water has begun in earnest.  Right now, it seems to be for the sheer joy of kicking. Although, last night, I had a flash forward moment of the time when everything will connect and it will be for the sheer joy of soaking Mommy and Daddy.  HaHa!!

Here is a picture of Jonas and his absolute cuteness in his first kitchen sink bath.

Sixteen Weeks…

Jonas’ newest gigs are:  belly laughing, fighting sleep, taking his little baby yell to new heights of volume and intensity, reaching for and holding on to things, deftly dodging the nasal aspirator, asserting his preference for snacks instead of meals in the mornings, smiling at himself in the mirror during bath time, and perfecting the art of the stretch.

One Year Anniversary…

Tom and I had a wonderful one year anniversary trip to the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee with Jonas, Grandpa Phil, and Grandma Jackie.  Here are a few pictures from our hike to Rainbow Falls…although we didn’t make it all the way there and back, it was a beautiful, snowy, festive walk in the woods.  The pure mountain air did wonders for our little man…he pulled his first ten hour night that weekend. 

Baptism…

Jonas was baptized on Saturday, February 21 at Holy Family Catholic Church by Father Ed Alberts, encircled by a group of dear family and friends.  

He was wrapped in the blanket his Great Great Aunt, Sister Rose, made for him and wore the gown his Great Grandmother made that his father wore 33 years ago at his baptism.

For more pictures, please see the “Baptism” page to the right…

Fifteen Weeks…

OBK Baby…

Jonas went to two Old Black Kettle rehearsals this week.  It was fun for me to watch Jake, Lex, and Kenny vie for his musical attention.  HaHa!!!  I loved seeing him peace-ing out on Julie’s lap, turning his little head and visibly listening to the upright bass, the mandolin, and the dobro, each in turn.  Of all the instruments, he seemed to be especially attuned to the dobro…it warranted a steady flurry of coos when he was holding on to Sarah.  

Here is a picture of the newest addition to the Old Black Kettle family.  (From left to right and back to front: Sarah, Lex, Kenny, Jake, Jonas, Jodi, and Julie.)

Inspiration…

So, I was thinking tonight about what an inspiration my dear cousin and friend, Heather, has been to me…in having a natural childbirth with a midwife, in blogging about our family, in making homemade baby food for Jonas (when he starts on solids), and in walking out many other motherly and wifely endeavors…and I just wanted to say: “Thank you, Heather. You are a blessing to my life and to my heart.  I love you!!!”  :) 

Fourteen Weeks…

Let the Sunshine In…

We have really been enjoying the warm, end-of-winter weather and getting outside as a family for a little bit of hiking and frisbee golf.  :)

The Bumbo Seat…

Look at our big boy sitting up in his Bumbo seat!!!  How super cute is he?!?  

Thirteen Weeks…

Tummy Time…

Jonas is up for a bit more tummy time these days…he does best with a little bit of sunlight, a little bit of music, and/or a little bit of Mommy or Daddy beside him.  He seems to enjoy it more now than he used to…I think he’s beginning to realize his own strength and to see how much fun the world can be from a different angle.

First Hike…

The first day of February was a beautiful, warm, sunshiny day.  And Tom and I took Jonas for his first hike at Radnor Lake.  We suited him all up in the Baby Bjorn and hit the South Lake Trail.  He likes to face out now so he can see what’s going on, and he’s gotten so much bigger that we had to readjust the buckle to fit him. He actually fell asleep on the way back down the trail to the car (you can see the nap coming on him in the picture of both of us together), with his little head laid back, just soaking up the sun. He stayed awake for a surprisingly good bit of the hike, though…enough that I kept asking Tom, “Does he still have his eyes open?” He’s just so peaceful and quiet in his observance of the world sometimes.  It’s really quite precious.  

Introducing the Exersaucer…

I had to put this picture on the website, because it’s just so cute!!!  Here is Jonas in his Farm Animal Exersaucer. Jonas and I sat in the floor with Tom while he put it together…Jonas was mesmerized by all of the colors.  He’s still a bit too little for it, but we know he’ll have a blast in it when the time comes…

Happy Birthday, PaPa!!!

We met Meme and Papa, Aunt Julie, and Aunt Jeanne at the Cracker Barrel for breakfast to celebrate Papa’s birthday.  Here is a picture of Jonas enjoying some Papa time.  :)

Twelve Weeks…

Jonas is as easy going as he looks in this picture.  

His new things lately are:  waking up pretty consistently at 6:00 am every morning with a big smile on his face…flirting with the sunlight, kickboxing, and vocalizing in twenty different expressive ways; averaging anywhere from five to eight hours of sleep at a stretch at night; shoving his little fists in his newly drooling mouth; staring at his hands (he just started doing that today); protesting tummy time and coming awfully close to rolling over onto his back in the process; talking to the baby he sees in the mirror on his bouncy seat; laughing at his Mommy and Daddy in their fumbling attempts at teaching him sign language; and delighting in his farm animal musical mobile.

He is truly a joy…we are having so much fun with him!!!

Grandma and Pops…

Jonas and I had so much fun hanging out today on the set of the Marty Stuart Show, listening to Grandma and Pops do their magical musical thing!!!  (Jonas was mid-yawn in this picture, as he had just woken up from a nap, all cozy during the show in Mommy’s arms and lullabied by the beautiful country music.)  :)  Words cannot express what a blessing it is for me to be able to share with my son what it feels like to grow up around music…

Being Silly…

Jonas at 6AM

OUR LITTLE BUDDY IS DEFINITELY A MORNING BOY.

Eleven Weeks…

Here is Jonas in the onesie Dreemer gave him for Christmas.

Jonas and Dreemer

Jonas-”Hey dog, have you got a tongue like me?”
Dreemer- “Sure right here.”
Jonas-”I like you.”
Dreemer-”I lke you too.”

Ten Weeks…

Cutest Baby EVER!!!

How thankful are we for such a beautiful little spirit?

Nine Weeks…

Jonas has smiled and laughed since he was born (and, no, I don’t think it’s just gas).  :) Lately, he has been smiling and laughing a lot and finding his voice with little coos and even a very distinct, attention-getting, little baby yell.

Eight Weeks…

As I was nursing Jonas on New Year’s Eve, my heart was full of thankfulness for my husband, my baby boy, and my life, when I heard fireworks and thought how good and right it was to celebrate the end of a banner year with that sound and feeling.

We hung out with Grandma and Pops on New Year’s Day…Jonas was eight weeks old.  (A beautiful picture that Uncle Kerry took, of Jonas napping with Pops in front of the fire, is forthcoming.)  

Acting Debut…

Here is Jonas’ acting debut…he was baby Jesus in the Seyfried Family Christmas Pageant…also starring Lindsey as the narrator, Lily as the angel, Kaitlyn and Andrew as Mary and Joseph, Audrey and Sam as the shepherds, and John and Peter as the wise men.  

Christmas with the Seyfrieds…

Jonas very much enjoyed his first road trip to Virginia to spend the holidays with the Seyfrieds.  Here is a group shot.  (From left to right and back to front…Aunt Mary, Uncle Tim, Aunt Tree, Cousin Sam, Uncle Dave, Jonas, Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Sherri, Uncle Rich, Grandma Jackie, Cousin Lindsey, Cousin Kaitlyn, Cousin Lily, Cousin Andrew, Grandpa Phil, Cousin Peter, Cousin John, and Cousin Audrey.)

Seven Weeks…

Jonas was seven weeks old on Christmas Day.  Here he is in the AMAZING stocking that Grandma Jackie made for him.  :)  (Thanks to Aunt Sherri for the idea of putting him in it for a picture.)

Jonas’ Godfather…

This is Jonas’ Godfather, my brother-in-law, David Paccassi. I met Dave when he was a freshman at George Mason University, where he met my sister Teresa. They married in December of 1998 and have four beautiful children. Dave has been a wonderful example of how to live Catholisism everyday of the week, not just Sunday mornings. Jodi and I know that we can always count on Dave to keep Jonas in his daily prayers and that Jonas can count on him for strong love and sound advice. It was very sweet when we asked Dave to be Jonas’ Godfather, via web video-chat, he could only smile and nod because he was so moved. We love that Dave has always worn his emotions on his sleeve, and we hope that Jonas can learn much from him.

Jonas’ Namesake…

I met Ben Jonas the summer of 1999 when I first moved to Tennessee. I was renting a room in a house, as was another man who was a painter. That man had hired Ben to do some work for him and we met at the house. Ben was a train hopper (one who jumps on freight trains and rides them long distances to get somewhere, or just for fun) at the time and that was something I had always wanted to do. He agreed to take me on my first train hop and I was hooked. For the past nine years, Ben and I have always kept up with each others’ whereabouts and happenings. I have been to his family’s home in northern Idaho twice now. Once for about three weeks helping to cut and bring in firewood for the cold winter. I was welcomed as a member of the family and certainly see where Ben gets his strength and faith. His mother, Ann, has strength not seen in women since the pioneer days, and his father’s faith warms their whole house.

While Ben’s humility will not allow him to say this himself, he is truly the most Christlike man I know. We are all human and born into sin, and certainly not perfect. Benjamin Jonas is not perfect, I would guess he has his struggles like all of us; however, I know no one who better lives the way Christ has called us to live. It is an honor to call our son Jonas Benjamin Seyfried, and we hope he will grow up to be close to the kind of man Ben Jonas is.

Uncle Kerry’s Visit…

We were so excited to have Uncle Kerry home for Christmas from Taiwan (for the first time in a year and a half) and to meet up with him for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel before leaving for our Seyfried Family visit in Virginia for the holidays!!!  (From left to right and front to back…Uncle Kerry, Aunt Julie, Grandma Connie, Aunt Jeanne, Daddy, Mommy, and Jonas.)  

Hanging out with Meme and Papa…

I love this picture of Meme and Jonas…it reminds me of the day we spent at Meme and Papa’s.  Sheri, Jonas and I were hanging out in the kitchen making peppermint bark.  At one point, I stepped away, and when I walked back into the kitchen, Sheri was holding a sleeping Jonas on her shoulder and laughing. She had picked him up, as he had started to fuss a little bit, and was amazed, as she continued with her cooking (crushing candy canes with a mallet) while holding him, that he fell asleep.  HaHa!!!  

Three Generations…

How blessed we are to have three generations of Seyfried men…

GO TITANS!!! Jonas’ first Titans playoff game.

That’s my boy!!

**VIDEO OF JONAS PREDICTING HIS FIRST GAME**

A Thanksgiving Visit…

We enjoyed visiting with Grandma Jackie and Grandpa Phil over the Thanksgiving holidays.  Here are a few pictures of their time with us:  Jonas hanging out with Grandma, while she was cross-stitching his stocking; Grandma and Grandpa in front of Jonas’ first Christmas tree; and Grandpa holding Jonas at the beautiful Thanksgiving table set for the Stuart Family gathering.

Six Weeks…

Where It All Began…

I was just going through some of our wedding photos this morning…

Jonas’ Godmother…

And introducing Jonas’ priceless Godmother, Julie Lee.  We listen to her new EP (”Will There Really Be a Morning?”) almost every morning, starting our day with “Petite Bebe”…Jonas with his eyes as wide as saucers and me with my heart overflowing for my little one whose ears seem to be just as attentive to and as in love with music as my own.

First Snow Day…

We love the car seat cover that Aunt Tree sent with Grandma Jackie.  The first time we put Jonas in it and got him ready to go, we cracked up for a minute or two straight over his cute little face being the only thing you could see through the hole in the fabric.

Five Weeks…

Here is Jonas:  wrapped up in Daddy’s childhood quilt and enjoying the true Snow Day experience with Mommy; chilling with Daddy and basking in the evening glow of his MacBook; and curled up on Daddy’s chest, thankful to be home, after a morning of Christmas shopping.

Date Nights…

Thanks to Tamara, Aunt Julie and Cousins Jordan and Dylan, and Grandma Connie who have all stayed with Jonas for emergency and non-emergency date nights.  We love and appreciate you and know that Jonas does too!!! (A picture of Tamara and Jonas is forthcoming…).

Stick ‘Em Up…

This picture makes me laugh so hard and is one of the many reasons why we love our little baby boy…all of his different sounds, expressions, and poses.  We had just come in from a stroll around the neighborhood, with Jonas all cozied up in the Baby Bjorn, complete with sweaters and hats and blankets, and this is what he looked like when I took him out of his warm little mobile home and laid him down.  HeHe!!!

Four Weeks…

This is one of Jonas’ favorite places to be…hanging out anywhere with Daddy (he takes after his Mommy in that way).  :)

Video of Jonas’ first three weeks.

The Seyfried Family…

We are so thankful for our first family portrait, taken by Grandpa Phil, complete with our fourteen year old lab, Dreemer.  

Three Weeks…

Jonas Benjamin Seyfried enjoyed his first Thanksgiving as a three week old at the Haynes Family and Stuart Family gatherings.

Jonas at six hours old listening to momma singing on the computer

CLICK FOR MOVIE 

“How Beautiful Is the Lord” (written by Jenna Martin)

Two Weeks…

And here he is napping with Mommy and Daddy on his two week old birthday…

One Week…

This is our little man, napping on the one week anniversary of his birth.  The lamb behind him was in my crib when I came home from the hospital too…it still plays a beautiful, if out of tune from age, Brahms’ Lullaby, that he seems to enjoy just as much as I did.

A Few Firsts…

Here are pictures of a few firsts for Jonas:  his first bath and his first ride in the Baby Bjorn.  

Going Home…

Words cannot describe the emotion of taking our little baby boy home from the hospital…

At Last…

At last…Daddy holding Jonas a few minutes after his birth in the labor and delivery room, and Mommy holding Jonas a few hours after his birth in the postpartum room (look at his little praying hands…and we agree…”Thank you, God, that we are finally all here together…safe and sound and healthy…warm and cozy”). What a blessing that we do not ever want to take for granted!!!

Team Seyfried Too…

And thank you to our unforgettably encouraging and supportive labor and delivery team:  my dear husband, Tom; the midwife, Emma; the labor and delivery nurse, Christina; and Julie, Emma’s intern.   

Team Seyfried…

Thank you to our strong and compassionate primary midwife, Linda Hughlett, of the Vanderbilt Nurse Midwives (www.vanderbiltnursemidwives.org), who graciously walked with us throughout our pregnancy journey.

Welcome to the World, Baby Boy…

On Thursday, November 6, 2008 at 12:21 pm, we welcomed our firstborn son, Jonas Benjamin Seyfried, to the world.  He weighed in at 7 lbs. 1.2 oz., measuring 19 3/4 in. And we are in love…