Jasper at three months

These pictures were taken when Jasper was three months old (about a month ago). I've been meaning to post them, but haven't had a chance until now. I just think he's so gosh darn cute! I've heard from sisters and friends that it's natural to develop a little crush on your own baby boy. I sure have one! Jasper has made me one happy mama.

Here are some of his three-month-old skills:

focusing

mouth-hand coordination

listening to Rob sing to him

giggling

holding his head and upper body up, off the floor!

Seattle Fireworks, Grand Finale

We spent the evening of the 4th (after a very disappointing, failed attempt to go U-picking in Carnation with friends in the morning) with strawberry shortcake and some good company. Here's the grand finale of the WaMu Lake Union fireworks show, as seen from Wallingford Park via moving picture:

Big 'un

Picasa Web Slideshows

Many of our reading faithful have inquired about our fancy slide shows. We did not create the technology, nor did we find it ourselves. The code is integrated into Google-owned Picasa's web albums. And Rob's brother Scott was the first implementation we know of the snazzy flash-widget.

Here's a tutorial on how to get a slideshow up and running. Both a Google account and either Picasa for Windows or the iPhoto plugin for the Mac are required.

Our friendly beast

This photo was taken about a month ago, but I wanted to post it anyways because this piano has an interesting story behind it.


Rob's mother was a piano teacher all of Rob's childhood. She taught lessons in the family living room and he remembers having eight pianos in his house at one time. Music was a huge part of his childhood and family life. Everyone is Rob's family is musical, in one way or another. When the Egberts get together, there is always a concert or recital or a musical program of some kind. Last Christmas, Larry (Rob's father) even decided to put together a family orchestra.

The Ramptons are musical in their own way too. We grew up having hootenannies and sing alongs whenever we had company or family reunions. All of my siblings played in school band, took piano lessons, and sang in the community Heart of the Valley Children's Choir.

So, two years ago, while we were estate sale shopping and stumbled across this 100 year old player piano, both Rob and I sat down and tried out the antique keys. We saw the price tag on it, and quickly realized that it was far to expensive for us. We were walking back to our car when the woman who was running the estate sale called out to us and asked if we were interested in the piano. We told her that it was beautiful but that we weren't interested, thanked her, and turned to leave. She came running towards us with tears in her eyes. She said that she really wanted us to have the piano. She said she felt something special about us and she wanted it to go to a family who would play it. At this point, we couldn't turn down her request and asked how much she would sell it to us for. Again, she said she wanted us to HAVE it, for free! Rob and I felt kind of weird about accepting her offer, but she was so adamant about it, we couldn't turn her down.

So we got a crew of five people from the ward (we'd only been to church once so we felt odd asking strangers to help us in the daunting task of moving a piano) and got the beast into Toly's basement with the help of my dad's purple pickup. Last week, we moved to a two bedroom apartment and the piano dilemma arose. Do we move it again? Do we give it away? Do we sell it? The new couple that moved into Toly's basement actually offered to buy it from us! When I suggested that we give it away, Rob got emotional. He said the thought of not having a piano in our home made him really sad. I think it reminds him of his mother and all those years of piano music in his home.

So, I guess it's here to stay, with us Egberts. Our friends - Hyrum and Nicole Anderson and Andy Schmidt - helped us move it to our new place and it rests boldly in our new family room, waiting to be played. It's beautiful and definitely important, but it's quite a beast of burden at times of moving.