Xander and the bird

It was an interesting day. Thsi bird was following us around the yard, just hopping around everywhere we went. He hung out the entire day and then was not seen again. Must have come through a wormhole or something.

first swim

Here I am at Kevin and Megan's pool in Greely, CO. I didn't know what to think about the water.

bananas

Long time

We apologize that it has taken so long to get back to adding pictures, life seems to get in the way a lot of the time. Xander is now sitting up on his own, on the verge of crawling and sticking everything in his mouth. His newest step is giving kisses, they are quite odd and wet but beautiful nonetheless.

Mamma's boy

Here are some of Marna's favorite shots, taken over the past week. These are the moments that make us forget the endless feedings, diapers and cries... and fall in love all over again.

Play dates

Alexander likes to get together with his pint-sized friends, like the crew at PEPS and longtime friends Talia and Dylan (they attended the same birthing class with our lad pre-partum, and we often go out with them these days). Here are some highlights:

Alexander trying to impress Talia with his masculine cries. (Love is in the air..)

Teaming up with Dylan for an morning stroll. Dylan and Alexander played (screaming) tag during the walk, and will be tossing the football in no time.

Hanging out with the posse at PEPS (a support group for local couples and their babies, all within a month's age of our little guy).

Outsized and outnumbered, he wasn't so popular at this party. Ben, the two-year-old next to Alexander is now the proud big brother of a newborn, Aaron, so we're sure that he's getting more comfortable with the shocking world of infants. Soon he'll be able teach Zander and Aaron all sorts of mischevious ways.

Mormor and farmor (the grandmothers)

Where would a little boy be without his grandmothers? Here are a few photos of Alexander in the arms of his loving mormor (mother's mother) and farmor (father's mother).



Mormor Ia is already teaching Alexander to speak Swedish and all about trolls. In fact, he already gurgles with an accent.


Farmor Diane came to visit for a couple weeks and lavished him with hugs and kisses (they say you can't spoil an infant!). We look forward to seeing her again and introducing Alexander to all the Siefkens at the family reunion in Colorado this June.

Mormor is lucky to be local and visits from time to time (this photo is more recent). Over the summer she'll even be caring for Alexander while Marna and JJ are at work.

Mommy and me

Alexander and friends

Here are some photos of Zander with some of his friends during the early round of introductions.

Jen, Mark and Tina came to visit us in the hospital. While Jen and Mark waited for Alexander to grow a little, Tina dared handle the tiny china doll. And what a pro! He's had a thing for British ladies ever since...

An experienced father, Chris shared some early tips with JJ (as well as a stockpile of snacks for the famished new dad). We're forever grateful!

Anne and Lulu were also able to catch a few moments with him while he was just a couple days old. Fun for Lulu to see the tiny baby, and for us to spend time with her!

Lynda and Tobey (off camera) were entertaining visitors for Alexander. Much more interesting than bleary-eyed mamma and pappa at that point of the game...


Alexander modeling Frankye's stylish knit hat from a comfortable embrace.

Rebecca has come to visit a few times with Madeline, who is a pro at cradling the little baby in her arms. We're lucky to have a babysitter lined up for the future!


Jay looking like a natural. He managed to lull the baby to sleep and then baked gourmet Italian pizzas for all of us - we tried to beg him to be our manny...

Alexander was asking for JoAnn to come back and babysit soon after she left.

Jen turns out to be a pro on her second visit. We know how that goes, as Marna wasn't so sure about babies until Alexander arrived.

Mark and Alexander got comfortable in front of a football game. Zander will be introduced to the Broncos in April with the draft, and it'll all be downhill from there (in his mother's opinion, anyway).

Sleep time

Here are some examples of us (finally) falling asleep, including some early father and son bonding.

We are sorry

We have had our hands ful trying to keep up with Alexander and have not been very good at posting to our blog (ok, we haven't posted to our blog at all). So now that I have a moment I decided to just post the pics that I thought people might want to see so here it is. We will do our best to be better at keeping up with things in the future. Here are some early glamour shots Marna took.

Peace and love,
JJ, Marna and Alexander

My First Caucus

I know I am only a month old but I had to do my part for our democracy. I attended the Washington caucus to support Barak Obama. I can't vote yet but it is the least I could do. I hope everyone had the opportunity to be a part of the decision making process.

Alexander

Alexander Meriwether Abrams Siefken

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our son! (JJ will try to limit the full body shots in the future.) We will fill everyone in with all of the details here on the post soon but wanted to get out some pictures of the tyke. The quick stats: 8 lbs. 3 oz. 21 inches, born at Swedish Hospital in Seattle at 1:15 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2008.

Peace and Love,

Marna, John (JJ) and Alexander (Zander/Alex)