Approaching 6 months

Jak is a week away from being 6 months old. It seems like in the last 2 weeks, she's picked up several amazing new talents.

• She can sit up by herself.
• She is a pro at eating cereal.
• She can push her feet and scoot around the room on her back.
• She's started babbling. Her favorite phrase? "Da Da" .... go figure!

She amazes me everyday. When I look at her, I wonder if I was as cool of a baby as she is. I'm sure I was. Well, maybe not AS cool, but I bet I was pretty cool.

Watching cartoons 

Baking something yummy in her new kitchen 

My beautiful girl

My Grandma

Theres simply no one else on earth
Who's as fortunate as me
For, I have the most special grandma
That this world shall ever see!

Questions & Answers

After people found out we were pregnant, Meredith and I got some interesting questions. So just in case you were wondering...

#10
Q: Why the name Jak?
A: Meredith always wanted a little girl named Jak. I thought it was cute, so it was a done deal.

#9
Q: If you had a boy, would you have named him Jak?
A: NOPE! We only liked Jak for a girl. We could not decide on a boys name. Thank goodness she was a girl.

#8
Q: Are you two married?
A: Not legally...although we consider ourselves to be. In Ohio same-sex marriage is not legal. I did change my last name to her last name, though, so that Jak could have her last name when she was born.

#7
Q: Did Meredith adopt Jak?
A: No. In Ohio, second parent adoptions by same-sex couples are not allowed. We had to hire a lawyer and draw up special paperwork in my will saying that Meredith gets Jak in the event anything happens to me. One day I hope to live in a state where everyone is equal.

#6
Q: Do you plan to have any more kids?
A: We're undecided. Before Jak I wanted at least two and Meredith wanted one. After Jak I only want one and Meredith wants two. We'll see...

#5
Q: How did you get pregnant?
A: I was artificially inseminated. We were very lucky that we got pregnant on the second try. I did not go through Invitro Fertilization.

#4
Q: How much did it cost?
A: More than what a typical heterosexual couple spends getting pregnant, and less than IVF.

#3
Q: Do you know who the father is?
A: No. We chose someone who (on paper) seemed to look like Meredith (Italian, brown hair, dark complexion, full lips) and have her personality (laid back, musically talented, artistic). Unfortunately, with regard to looks, Jak is 100% me - fair skin, red hair, blue eyes, no lips.

#2
Q: Did you see pictures of the donor?
A: No. We did not choose a donor who had photos available because I didn't want to see him when I looked at Jak...I wanted to see Meredith.

And the #1 question we've gotten (by far).....

Q: How did you decide who would carry the baby?
A: There was no decision to be made. Meredith has no desire to ever carry or give birth to a baby. I, however, wanted nothing more than to be pregnant and go through labor...so we're a good fit. If I didn't do it, then we'd have no kids. Easy choice!

This time last year

One year ago today - on June 16, 2010 - I was laying down in the doctor's office listening to the greatest sound I have ever heard...my baby's heartbeat. I remember it like it was yesterday. I laid there with tears in my eyes while Meredith tried to take pictures of the little blob on the screen that was our baby.

We left that appointment so excited by all the things that were to come through the next 7 months and beyond....and now here we are. We have a 5 month old little girl who is the prettiest, smartest, friendliest thing God ever put on the Earth...and here I sit, with tears in my eyes again...looking at the little person that we created, as she plays in her jump-a-roo and tries to eat her crinkle book.

We love you Baby Jak and thank God for you every single day. We are so lucky!

Baby Jak - June 16, 2010

Jak - One year later (chowing on some cereal)

Just thinking...

Reading blogs like this (link below) makes me feel so blessed that I have such a healthy, happy little girl....while at the same time, terrified for how drastically things can change in a second.

Bissing Family Blog

4 month check-up and trip to Atlanta

On Thursday, Jak had her four month check-up. She weighed 12.1 lbs and was 23 3/4 inches long. That puts her in the 30th percentile for her height and 20th for weight. She's a tiny thing! Seems like the only thing growing is her head. Last time she was in the 10th percentile for her head...now she's in the 25th. All in all, she's perfect....just like her mommy. :)

Right after the doctor we got in the car and drove 11+ hours to Atlanta for my niece's high school graduation. It was so nice for Jak to finally meet her Uncle Jamie and cousins Melinda and Adam (she met her aunt Kathy and cousin Owen a few weeks ago). Lucky for us, they're all moving from Atlanta to Ohio next month, so we won't have to wait for another graduation to get together again.

 Jak with her cousins Adam and Melinda

Napping with Uncle Jamie 

Chillin' before the graduation party 

 Very proud of her cousin, Melinda

The whole gang - Adam, Owen, Melinda, and Jak 

Adam loved Baby Jak

Jak has this whole vacation thing down!

What a difference a year makes!

I can't believe it's been one year since last Mother's Day. I didn't know it then, but I was pregnant with what now has become the greatest thing to ever happen to me. Jak (and Meredith) made my first Mother's Day very special. I received chocolate covered strawberries delivered to me earlier in the week and today I received the first piece for the Swarovski crystal collection Jak and Meredith are starting for me - The 2011 teddy bear from the Mother's Day collection. I'm also told that I will be getting another gift later in the week (it didn't come in yet).

Jak got her Mimmy flowers and brownies delivered to work earlier this week and an engraved necklace with Jak McKennah and 1/27/11 on it. She also took us both out to brunch. She's a very thoughtful baby.

It's been a busy weekend for baby Jak. She went to visit Grandma K yesterday to give her the Mother's Day finger painting that she made especially for her. She is very talented. :)

So far, my first Mother's Day has been more than I could have ever dreamed of. I could not be happier.

 Family Picture

So happy! 

She loves to dance. 

Mommy and baby 

On our way to brunch 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

On a side note: Happy Mother's Day to my mom. They say you never understand how much your mother loves you until you have a child of your own. When Jak was born I told my mom that if she loved me even half as much as I love Jak then I'm a lucky girl. I have to say, I'm a very lucky girl.  

Jak and Grandma K