Bigger brothers

Ever since Jason was born, Ethan has really enjoyed being a big brother. Now that Christopher is here (pronounced Kiss-tow-her by Ethan), he is even more excited to have brothers. Here are some pics of our boys playing together. We are going to try and get a nice family pic while we have CJA but we can't even manage to get out of the house in the morning without hours of prep. A picture with everyone behaving and dressed sharp seems like an impossible feat. So my candids when I get the chance will have to do. I can safely say these will not make the Christmas card.

So I have previously mentioned how good this baby is. I can't even imagine how tired I would be returning to work if he was as fussy and colic stricken as poor Ethan was. I remember having to walk him from 4 to midnight every night and if we didn't have a swing for the rest of the time, we would have been in trouble. Jason is so much the opposite that I had to take a pic of his crying just to remind myself it can happen. He does this "eh eh eh" thing for attention when bored or when I want to sleep and he has other ideas but he very rarely wails unless in pain. He is getting more and more alert each day and we are working on using his legs to push up and sitting up on my lap.

It is still hard to leave him every day and I haven't been able to get out of the house without 2 hours of laundry, feeding, chores, dressing kids etc. 8:00 am meetings just kill me but Jeff is such a huge help and there is nothing we can't do together. Mom keeps Jason during the day and I know he is getting the best care and some good bonding time with Grandma.


As quick as it started, so it ends.

Grandma's Birthday

For my Mom's b-day we decided to risk taking all the boys and going out to dinner. Now luckily Maw Maw and Paw Paw were here too so we had lots of hands! We went to Firebirds and everyone was a complete gem! I still can't believe how lucky we are with such a good baby. You put him in a car seat or a sling and he just sleeps for hours. We continued the celebration on Sunday going to Uncle Mikey's to swim and for a cookout and cake. Here are a few pics of the day and the subseqent falling out by all parties involved. Please note the fashion statement with Ethan wearing Grandma's shoes.

Back to work

Christopher arrived today and got to see his little brother for the first time. I have 2 more days home and then it is back to work. I plan to spend some time with CJA and Jason and then prepare for the 2 hours it will take me to say good-bye on Thursday.

I just can't get over how often he smiles and what a happy baby he is. You could set a watch by his feeding schedule and our nights are so regular. We feed him at 11 and then Jeff and I take turns with who does the 3 am feeding. Then he is set until 7 am when Ethan wakes the house. Jason is aleady cooing and making lots of different noises when conversing with us. I feel like he is growing up too fast and that we didn't take near enough pictures of him. I guess it is better to spend quality time than chase him with a camera. Here he is playing in his little rocker.



Our first smile caught on camera. They never do it when you have it handy.


Christopher decided Jason would look much cooler wearing his glasses.

Our first baseball game

Aunt Susan got Durham Bulls tickets and we all went. Ethan's favorite part was the popcorn and the play area. He really behaved well and had a blast with Susan and her friend Amanda. Jason slept through most of it in his sling. We didn't stay until the fireworks since it was tied and heading into extra innings (they later lost) but we had a great time. Ethan even got to see Nina and play with her on the slides. Here is a pic of the boys (totally pooped) once we got home. Ethan is wearing his baseball hat that Daddy bought him at the ballpark. He has not let go of it since and keeps asking to go to a baseball game.



Earlier today, E had his first PB&J (one of my personal favorites) and he ended up wearing more than he ate as usual but seemed to love it.

4th of July

I can't get over how fast he is gorwing. I feel like if I blink he will be a year old. Another blink, driving. I just want to hold on to this little fingers and watch him sleep and keep him small for just a little while longer. Here is a pic of his tiny feet next to mine so I can remember how small he was.



I'll try and post more pics soon but this week is wonderfully crazed with a cookout at Michael's to celebrate Independence Day, our wedding anniversary on the 8th and Jeff's b-day on the 10th. For a peek at some pics from the pool on the 4th, check out Ethan's site and peruse the pics.

Happy B-Day to our best Dad! Love, Christopher, Ethan, and Jason

July 4th Celebraton

Today we all packed up and went over to Michael's to swim and cook out. Do you have any idea how much gear and stuff you need to pack for a 2 year old and a 1 month old? I needed a wheelbarrow to get it all to the car.

Getting ready to go:

Susan met us there and we had a fabulous day. Jason pretty much slept through it and Ethan enjoyed the pool and the trains. Jeff said it felt like a resort as he floated on his raft and drank rum lemonade. We had cheeseburgers, chicken, and ice cream cake for desert. It had blue icing and Ethan wore most of it but had a great time.

Here is a lovely pic of Aunt Susan with the sleeping baby Jason:


Here is Ethan wearing Uncle Mikey's shoes.

Bath time

The progression of expressions from our first bath is entertaining. I am not sure Jason really trusted me but he never really cried and has started liking them after the initial shock of losing his clothes. He truly hates to be undressed. Totally different from his brother.

Initial reaction.....aaack!

Getting better....

Not so bad....

Finally done