Week 10 update.
Another busy week for us. Nikki managed to get out and run both days this weekend. She said that felt great, but by Sunday afternoon (after also going for a walk in the park) she was exhausted. Elias is growing and growing. We’ve had to adjust the straps in his car seat to the taller position already. He used to love the car seat, then over the last few weeks we noticed he was getting upset as we buckled him in. He’d settle down once he was strapped in so we didn’t think too much of it. Then I checked it out and moved the straps to the tall setting and now he’s fine again. He’s apparently really tall for his age already (like me?). He’s also outgrowing a ton of his clothes and is into some 6 month clothes because he needs the extra length… He is starting to play more with us. He doesn’t have complete control over his hands yet, but they’re starting to make sense to him a bit more. I’ll try to get a better video of him at play time soon, seems he’s always having a blast when the camera is in the other room. Here’s one that you can see him crack a smile at the end:
NSOP Roger William’s Park meet.
We also had a NSOP (my photography website/forum) meet at the park Sunday. We (of course) arrive 20 minutes late. Elias was dead asleep and had had a rough nite Saturday so we let him sleep until he woke up. But that mean we still had to feed him and get out the door. We arrived ~20 minutes late, but luckily KC and Chuck were still waiting for us. We had an awesome day afternoon walking around talking photography while checking the sites. We had originally planned to have ~10 people there, but a bunch of people had things pop up last minute. There’s always next time.
Sluff:
Dad and I have both been going crazy w/o a boat… We sold High Voltage (our old yellow boat we raced on Tuesday nights) because it was too much of a hassle for us. A few reasons, but mostly it needed 7 people’s weight to sail competitively yet 5 people was the comfortable crew in terms of elbow space and getting everything done. Also I couldn’t sail it alone and I needed at least 2 other people and mom’s truck to get it put together and to go sailing.
We’d been thinking we’d take a summer off and not do anything seeing as Elias is brand new and the 20′ sportboat scene is just getting rolling here. But we also figured it wouldn’t hurt to test sail some boats. I had sailed at viper 640 in Marblehead in the fall. It’s a great boat, but it’s a bit too demanding (it’s basically a giant dinghy). My issue was in the typical 10~12 in Marblehead with 3 people sailing the boat, I was told “hike hard” upwind all the time. Sure hiking is great exercise, but 3 up in light/medium wind, no need to so badly? No thanks, I want to be able to sail this boat alone… So we got a ride on an open 2 weekends ago… It might be slightly less powered up, but it’s secret is in the heavier deeper keel. This means you don’t NEED to hike. You can, there are straps, you’ll go faster if you do, but it’s not mandatory like it was with the viper. The open is also very easy to setup, and sail alone, and I’ll be able to tow it with the WRX.
After the test sail we asked some questions and it turned out there was a boat for sail in GA, but they could delivery it to Annapolis for us that week. The price also fell in line with our budget (said budget ruled out the SB3 and M20, but they also seem to be too much boat for solo sailing) and everything just worked out. Mom and Dad drove down to pick it up in Annapolis on Thursday 2 weeks ago. Bad weather delayed them getting home Saturday. We rigged the boat Saturday night, but unfortunately couldn’t sail in Sunday due to mother’s day.
Last night we finally got to sail it for the first time last wednesday. It was a light air night, but we still had a blast. Who knows how we’ll do around a course in light air (the boat likes hot angles) but we were moving quite well last night in 6~8 knots of breeze.
I also gybed the boat “alone” no problem (Dad’s only help was to step on the sheet) and doused the chute alone as well. Seems like I should be able to sail the boat alone easily in ~15, more w/o the chute for sure, but I’d bet ~20 with the chute will be possible alone once I have more time in the boat.
Check out 2 videos I snagged last night:
We’re thrilled with the boat. It will be interesting to see how it stacks up on Tuesday nights, but it’s the perfect little boat for us. So far my only complaint is it really needs a main feeder. The mainsheet is easy to adjust to. It’s not hard or bad, it’s just different, but after ~15 minutes with it again last night it’s getting pretty easy.
Week 9 update
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!! It’s been a long week, and this update is actually getting posted a week late because of it. Nikki and Elias had their first mothers day. I made Nikki an album of every shot that’s been on the site through the entire pregnancy to the week before mothers day. I also made similar albums for each grandmother (our mothers) so they could have something to show off to their friends. Elias is getting bigger. He’s been measure at the doctors now (last week, but I forgot to post the info). He’s 24 3/4″ long (90th %) and 13lbs (75th %). He’s getting more active now and is talking up a storm (in his own language). He’s also getting more head control, but still can’t consistently hold his head up. He loves to smile for his mom and dad though. When I get home for work, he’s always good for a smile when he sees me which is awesome.
Elias week 8 update:
Another weekly Elias update! He’s really starting to become a little person. He’s gaining a little more control over his arms, and smiles and laughs with us daily. He also speaks his own language already. We have no clue what he’s saying (feed me?) but he’s making noises all the time when he’s awake now. He still loves the swing, and spends quite a bit of his day in it. He’s sleeping for a solid 4~5 hour chunk at night now. I’m also feeding him his late night bottle (~11pm) so Nikki can get to bed a bit earlier. We’re getting his routines down a bit more now so we know what works, and can better guess at what he needs/wants. I’m sure everything will change by next week though.
The party pictures are from a birthday bash at Tina and Mike’s house in Newport. That was Wednesday night. Mike is Andy’s brother (so Nikki’s Dad’s brother for any Jacobsen’s that are a bit lost). The birthday was for about 4 or 5 people at once, catching everyone. We also manages to get another 4 generations picture with Elias. That’s Elias, Nikki, Andy (with Debbie) and Andy’s Mom, Nana. It’s great seeing 4 generations together at once. Elias is so lucky to have 4 Great Grandmothers. Now we have to get him to meet the 2 on my side of the family. 
