Month 4 (weeks 13-16)

Right after Grandma Dorry's birthday visit, Becca and I had to deal with the realization that daycare was about to begin soon, and that it was now time to start taking Jake somewhere else, a few days a week.

Jake and I as he heads to first day of daycare:



When Becca was originally thinking about her maternity leave and easing back into work, prior to Jake's arrival, everything was well planned out. Becca and I have both been more 'career oriented' and before his arrival in November, probably felt the transition would be easier than what the reality turned out to be. It turned out to be a lot more difficult with how attached we'd both instantly become to Jake, and in particular, Becca.

However, the plan was in place and Jake started daycare officially on Tuesday, February 19th, for 3 days a week for the end of February and the rest of the month of March, until Becca would transition full time to work in again in April. From my perspective, I really didn't realize how hard it would be for Becca, since I have always seen her as this top notch non-profit fundraiser, and now I was having to see her react as a mom very attached to our son. I have to admit, that very first day we took Jake to daycare (together), it was all suddenly very real and very scary to me. Here we were, about to hand off our precious baby to complete strangers - it wasn't for the faint of heart.

(added to the realization was watching a character on one of our favorite shows, "Friday Night Lights", just go through the exact same thing about a week or two before).

Once we finally made it through the scary stages of daycare (admittedly made easier by the fact that Becca was still home with him 2 days a week), Jake's next big event was also to be his 2nd plane trip - to head to Houston to meet his Great Grandma Berte, his Great Uncle Ken and Great Aunt Loretta, his visiting cousins from Dallas, Brenna, Philip and their three kids, Michael, Josh and Talia. Also on the Houston agenda was Jake getting to meet two of his mommy's best friends, Lisa and Jessica, along with their husbands, Jon and Danny respectively, and their sons (respectively), Drew and Jonah! Yes - Houston is filled with a lot of people who wanted to meet Jake and who would instantly love him.

The family getting ready to board their first flight together!




While in Houston, we did the best we could making sure to equally distribute our time and Jake's time with good friends and family. It was difficult in a short trip, but Jake started it off well with a surprisingly easy plane flight, and then proceeded to charm everyone during his first Texas visit. His Great Grandma Berte went nuts for him and Jake certainly brought her a lot of joy. Brenna and Philip couldn't take their eyes of Jake and Talia and Josh especially wanted chances to hold the baby. It was very sweet.

Brenna & Josh holding Jake:



Philip & Talia with Jake:



During Jake's time with Lisa, Jessica and their broods, Jake continued his charming ways, including a special bond he formed with Drew's nanny, Rosie, who maybe went crazier for Jake than anyone. Jake & Jonah bonded over a visit to the Segal-Miller house, Jake went on a fun run with mom, Lisa & Jessica. Jake was well behaved with Drew and his babysitter when the 6 adults decided to have a nice dinner out on Saturday. Houston was definitely a rousing success.

(in no particular order) Moms Becca, Lisa and Jessica and the boys, Jake, Drew and Jonah:



The day after we got back to Houston, Jake's traveling ways caught up with him and I had to stay home with him that Monday for his first 'home sick from school day'. It was tough after 4 days away to stay, but a sudden crisis at Becca's office meant I needed to pull daddy duty, which definitely had some trying moments as Jake was rather upset since he wasn't feeling well. Thankfully, mommy grabbed her 'super mommy' cape and was able to come home by early afternoon to save a beleaguered dad.

Also of note, the day before his 4 month birthday, Jake 'officially' sat with his me (and his UGA VI stuffed animal) and watched my Georgia Bulldogs wins the SEC Championship game in Basketball, after a rather improbable run through the tournament. It was a very exciting afternoon.

Jake watching Georgia win with dad:



Here's Jake on his 4 month birthday: