Spring has indeed sprung!

Hey gang,

The Pinewood Lane Welcome Committee

  To be completely honest with you all, I have been planning to write this blog since Easter.  Yup since Easter, weeks ago.... well its been a little busy sorry.  The lil' man is still growing like a weed and continues to amaze us with new random acts of abject cuteness.  The flowers are in bloom and the weather keeps changing from unseasonably warm to seasonably mild.  Apparently, either March or April (I forget which but maybe one of my gentle readers can enlighten me) was subject to an extreme weather phenomena due to the number of warm days... err climate change much.. but lets move on.

So the human portion of our little band (while the dogs, cats, and bunny enjoyed a short stay at hotel de Oakhurst) packed our selves up and headed up to see the Weiner clan for Easter (or if you are so inclined Spring equinox, Passover, or mini-family reunion) weekend.  EJ and Jacob were just getting over the previously mentioned microplague, I was in full thralls of the dreaded respiratory monster.  We arrived on Pinewood ave at around 12:30 in the morning (yes 2 am we left after I got home from work ... wanted plenty of family time).  Now typically we are able to sneak in at this time of night like delinquent teenagers, feed the baby and head to bed.  Our goal was to be a very welcome surprise when the sleeping denizens of the house arose in a few hours.  Think again .... for the anxious grandparents and auntie were already well awake and waiting to meet the newest member of their clan.  Good news... well Grandma Weiner got to feed Jacob his midnight bottle snack.  Better news Grandpa Weiner was able to sing him a lovely Yiddish lullaby (I think it was something about the alphabet).  Bad news.... well a very tired Zach after a 12 hour work day and a 6 hour drive ... he didn't get to go straight to bed... he had to wait another hour or so.  Small sacrifice obviously... plus Jacob opened a new surprise sanctum for us.  Yes ... you are hearing correctly, we were allowed to stay in the master bedroom which had its own separate bathroom.  YAY!!!

Lil' man meeting the family

Jacob as a newborn and my dad as a newborn.
 Quite the resemblance.

All dressed up, but where to go?

The weekend was very fun.  EJ and I both got to have a semi-weekend off because everyone and I mean everyone wanted to hold Jacob.  He was (reluctantly by whoever was currently holding him) passed from adoring Great Aunt to doting Great Great Grandma to kvelling Grandparents... to friends, cousins, uncles aunts you get the drift.  We were able to suffer through the Bosox opening series struggles with Detroit, watch the Celts win a game or two and eat tons of delicious food.   We even dressed lil Jake up to see his Grandpa read at Easter service.  It was totally not our fault that we got there late due to slightly incorrect directions (the gentle nudge is aimed at you Grandpa Weiner ;-) ).  In all a wonderful time... the drive back though not so much.  About 3-4 hours in (about midway through Connecticut) the congestion, running nose, itchy throat, and headache did me in.  We got back safe and sound, but I was out of commission for the next day.  Still all and all, we were happy we could make the trip and show Jake Daddy's old stomping grounds.  Hopefully,  next time I am up in the Baystate I will be well enough to show him around to family and friends (that means you high school, college, vet school, and internship buddies).  We did get to show off many of Jake's cute outfits though .... and he is growing enough to be big enough for a whole new crop.  All I am saying is get your popcorn ready and check Facebook often :)

Yankees ...suck.. just remember that little one.

Enjoying nature at Ag. Field Day Fair

Easter isn't the only thing that we have been able to enjoy recently.  The warm weather has convinced me to set up the bird feeders again.  Already this year we have been able to show Jake (and the kitties who love the feathered friends),  cardinals (male and female), house finches, goldfinches, sparrows, blue jays, doves, and some acrobatic squirrels.  In fact the furry lil' dudes were making such a mess that I had to construct some pretty cool baffles.  In Elsa's daily walks in our "wild" backyard with Jake, she even saw a raccoon in the hollow of one of our trees.  I know, I know, my first concern was that it might be sick too.... but it stayed far away from her and we haven't seen it since.  So hopefully no Rabies or Distemper in our backyard.  We also have been hiking in the local parks and Jacob went to his first agricultural fair!  On the lighter side he did step foot in his first bar (luckily there is no smoking inside in Jersey and it was early so no really loud music).  Jacob wanted to show support to his Aunt and Uncle during there Ovarian Cancer awareness event ... which he did quite well until nap time.  Elsa especially is trying to cram as much fun time in with our little miracle before her leave ends later in May.  We have many more fun days ahead for sure... but after Memorial day we will start a new adventure.  This my friends is ... daycare!  Trust me, I'm sure many fun stories will come from that phase of our lives.

No this is not a professional wildlife photo/ Elsa
took this with our videocamera
(has really good zoom capabilities in our backyard.

As for our furry family mates, pretty much status quot.  They seems to either not care about Jake or like him.  The dogs don't know how much trouble he will be yet (when moving, chasing and pulling) or how much bounty they can steal when he starts eating.  Right now he is just another small (loud) alpha.  As for the cats... well besides the fact that Nemo will occasionally steal a pacifier to tick off EJ, they don't give Jacob a second glance.  All of them are as healthy and happy as ever.

I am hoping to add many new blog entries about our Spring and Summer adventures very soon.  Our good friends the Danowitzes gave us a baby backpack ... so a hiking we will be!

Until then miss you all and can't wait to see you again.

 Zach and the House of Misfit Pets

Enjoying Passion Puddle with the family

Jake can't wait to see you all soon!

Spring means we don't always have to watch the "lightshow"