I Will Be Outnumbered

It's all about to change for our family of four.



Baby makes five.

And, it's another boy to boot.

We're thrilled (I really am, Doug's getting there). And our existing boys are split down the middle. Jason wanted a sister, Michael was hoping for another brother.

Michael won.

But, what will he say when the new one, already named "Squishy" takes HIS crib?

That's a worry for another day.

Right now, we're excited to share that this little one is so far healthy, weighing in at 14 ounces. He's due in the middle of May, when middle-of-the-night feedings, tiny toes, and baby toys return to our house.

We're slowly building our own outfield!!

We can't wait!!!

Like Kids in a Candy Store

Actually, make that a toy store.

Christmas Day finally arrived, to the absolute delight of both of our children.
Funny thing is, my early bird, Michael, was the first in the house to wake up. But, he had no idea what treasures were downstairs. So, I could just hear him talking to himself in his room while everyone else slept.



We think Jason is growing right now, and he sleeps incredibly deeply anyway. We had to wake him up! But, once we did, watch out!!!!



Waiting for all of us to gather around was not a simple thing. He was itching to get his hands on presents!!!



We told him his hard work had paid off. Santa was very good to both boys this year. We hope the same can be said for you!

Merry Christmas!

Last year, and again this year, Jason knew Santa was watching. He told me he was consciously trying to be a good boy because he didn't want to disappoint the man in red.

For the first time this year, though, we saw him take a real interest in the rituals associated with our Christmas traditions.



Hoping you and yours got a bite to eat while you celebrated this wonderful holiday! Merry Christmas!

Star Power

Yes, that's my boy.
Michael is lighting up the stage for his preschool's Christmas show.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. This school is so ambitious. They put together a program for Michael's 2-year old class. Most of the kids couldn't wait to get off the stage!

Michael included.

Jason's program was the next day, and we were so proud of his performance. The two years difference really made a difference in this case. He sang and danced in the costume made for him by his wonderful teacher.

Now we're all in the holiday spirit!

Weekend in Washington

Looking back on our day in Washington, D.C., you'd think we were there for 17 hours. In reality, we could only handle about 3.



We visited all the places we wanted to. First stop, the White House. Thank you to the kind stranger who snapped our picture. Too bad, she didn't get the money shot. Had she panned left, she would have seen this:



Tourists were everywhere, staking their claim on a piece of wrought-iron fence in front of George W. Bush's house. This is the boys' spot.



We enjoyed a visit to the Washington National Monument, but decided to pass on the climb up a billion stairs.



By this time, the children were getting a bit tired of posing for photos. Can you tell?



We decided it was time to visit the Museum of Natural History, a favorite stop for schoolchildren.



It may be difficult for you to tell, but the boys didn't really appreciate the amazing animals on display. They were too busy being a part of the show.



This just may have been the favorite part of the trip. In fact, I know it was. The Metro ride still elicits smiles from Jason and Michael, who want to know when we can ride again. I told them probably not for many, many years. This trip was tiring enough!

Visiting Friends

It isn't every day we get to leave the house and visit other families. Last weekend, we had the chance to see Lisa and her boys, Austin and Leo. We had such a nice time.



You can see the boys did, too. They were oddly fascinated with little Baby Leo, who was trying to sleep in the bassinet. Hmmm.

Michael's First Crush

Her name is Miss Ashley.
And, I gotta tell you, I love her myself.



The woman has gotten Michael into the swimming pool. He asks for time in the water with Miss Ashley.



Both boys are totally on board now with the swimming thing, and we are so proud of both our little fish!

Party, anyone?

It wasn't their birthday--but, it sure felt like a huge celebration this weekend.


Big smiles from Jason and Michael who got invited to help ring in Tommy and Genevieve's fourth birthdays. Different parties, same kid fun.



Happy birthday to the two of you! We had a great time!

Welcome, Baby Lennox!

Our friend, Janelle, is a new mom! #2 is Baby Lennox. And, we were invited to a party to celebrate her arrival. We were included in their baby naming ceremony.



Big fun for the grown-ups (great food, too!) and not a bad time for the kids, either.


They stopped running around long enough so we could pose for a quick picture. Thanks, boys!

And--
Congratulations, Janelle!
We had a great time!

Football Aficionados

I don't think this looks like a lot of fun.



But, on a regular basis, the boys will call for this game with Daddy. It's called "Hut, Hut." And, you can probably figure out what happens next.




Everyone, including me, ends up smiling when the boys have picked themselves up.

It is Jason these days who is mostly calling for anything football. Just recently, his hearing has turned mighty keen. If there's a football game anywhere on television, it seems he'll find it, and he'll want to know who's playing. He'll want to know which team Daddy wants to win, and he'll need to know the score.

The other day, he asked Doug what the difference was between a punt and a kick.

Is this how it all starts?

From Predator to Protector

We always knew that one day the baby would fight back.
That day has come.

Sometimes we really have to hold onto pictures like this one.



It's a smiling, pleasant Michael. And, he really is that way. Most of the time. Unless he's creating terror by throwing things and biting Jason. We call him "Trouble," fitting, yes, because it's one of Michael's favorite games.

While Michael spends many a minute in time-out, Jason, meanwhile, has turned into quite a little protector.

It's started to come out just in the last week or so. Jason, encouraging Michael to be good. Jason, telling Michael that Mommy and Daddy would not like it if he dumped a bowl of cereal on the couch. Jason, urging Michael not to "be bad."



Boys will be boys, and there are times when both are out of control. But, I'm seeing more thoughtfulness in Jason, more of a focus on how we are doing, and how his little brother is faring. It appears my first baby has started to grow up! I'm going to go get the box of tissues!!!

"Dear Santa..."

Yes, it's Jason's first "Dear Santa" letter!

It may be hard to decipher, so I'll spell it out here. (I've added the punctuation, by the way).

"Dear Santa,
How are you? I've been a good boy. Please bring me mini-bowling, 2 Shark Watch, Hungry Hippos, Roll Ball. Love, Jason"

He came up to us with the wish to write a letter. The words and the letters are his own. Doug provided the correct spellings.

Jason also "wrote" Michael's "Dear Santa" letter. But, he got tired of actually writing, so Doug put pen to paper. Here's Michael's letter, thoughtfully crafted by his big brother.

"Dear Santa,
How are you? I've been a good boy. Please bring me a drum and a present and another present and a green and blue present. A purple diamond present. Love, Michael"

By the way, I heard of a great way to "encourage" the kids to be mindful of Santa, who is EVERYWHERE. Put him on speed-dial. Jason is just beginning to understand that certain numbers can be reached by the press of just one button. Santa, by the way, on speed-dial #8. I've felt like calling it many a time!

In the Holiday Spirit

We did pretty well this weekend, readying the house for the Holidays, and that all-important visit from Santa. The tree is up, and that means decorating the outside of the home is next.


You know it's serious business when Doug pulls out the 20-foot ladder.


Our little elves were more than happy to help. Can you tell?



Each boy was so eager to hand Daddy things he needed to put up the outdoor Christmas lights. Wonder where they'll be when it's time to take them all down?

Under the Sea

We have a membership to our local aquarium. So, we've had the chance to stop by several times over the last few months, with Amah and Akong, and Grandma and Grandpa.
But, when we paid a visit yesterday, it was through new eyes, apparently.



The boys couldn't get enough of the underwater life on display. The fish mesmerized them.



Michael, with his impish grin, was desperate to touch a stingray.



Of course, it was Jason who was closer to reaching that goal. He boldly stuck his hand in the water so he could feel a passing ray. I don't think he's ever done that before without much coaxing.



You know it's a good time when Michael refuses to leave. And, after our visit to the aquarium, that's what Michael did. Thankfully, we're still a bit stronger than he is!

Holiday Parade

It feels like the holidays "start" earlier and earlier every year. This year, no exception. We got the chance to go to our local Christmas parade. It took place the week before Thanksgiving.

I'm really slacking on the photos. This is the only one I captured.



We came with friend Tommy, and his parents, Claire and Mike. For a while the kids watched the floats and moved to the beat of the marching bands. Then, well, it's tough for little boys to sit still. They started running around the people around us.

Until Santa showed up.

Then they wanted to know why HE wasn't first in line.

I guess because it would result in a very short parade.

Group Hug

They look pretty tough, don't they?

Backing the Bulldogs

Boy, it isn't easy being a Bulldog.

The Georgia Bulldogs are on a roll right now--not the same story for the Bulldogs of soccer however.



The soccer season is now over. Above is the stretching session before a game a couple of weeks ago against a team that has the next David Beckham. The team really needed the workout.



We are so proud of Jason, though.

He tries so hard.

Last week, he scored a goal. It was such a triumphant moment.

Fast forward to the game above, though, where the mood was a little different.

Halfway through, the kids were asking Coach Doug if the game was over yet.

Not quite. Beckham, wearing a hat with fuzzy balls on top, had to score 6 or 7 more goals.

So this is how soccer moms become soccer moms....

Hair Emergency--Squashed

It was inevitable. The boys desperately needed a haircut. Jason looked ok, but Michael was getting the shaggy pieces that stick up behind his ear. I called ahead to the shop where the boys have spent many an hour since they were born. I knew one day I would hear it, and there it was.

"Kim doesn't work here anymore," the lady on the phone said.

Talk about kicking you out of your comfort zone.

I did some chatting with friends, who highly recommended a BARBER SHOP, of all places, for my boys.

Ok. We can try it.



The people in the shop have about 150 years of experience in cutting hair, combined. Mmmm, I guess that's good enough. I think we have found our new home for hair.

What do you think?

The Best Halloween--Ever! (so far)

For Jason, Halloween evening got better and better. For Michael, well, let's just say, he is learning how much energy it takes to get chocolate!

Let me explain the costumes. I was all ready to get a Spiderman costume, Buzz Lightyear, whatever Jason wanted. But, for several weeks, he's been resolute. "I want the M&M costume," he said. He wore it two years ago, and it still fit. So, I pocketed the money and let him wear it. Michael's costume is new. However, I just realized (Thanks, Walter!) that it LOOKS very much like the costume he wore last year. THIS one is a monkey. So, Michael believed he was not only a monkey, he thought he was Curious George.



We started with dinner at TA's house. Her kids, Cecelia and Verona were there, of course. Emily joined us with Matthew and Eli. Thanks for the great meal, and wonderful company! The kids scarfed down home-made pizza and pumpkin cookies. Then, it was time to scare her neighbors into coughing up candy...



For a while (like two houses), the younger ones enjoyed the running.
From door to door, the waiting (for the door to open), the anticipation ("Trick or treat!"), and the payoff ("She gave me TWO chocolate bars, mom!").

The older kids couldn't be stopped.

They didn't even really stop long enough for me to snap a picture. That must be why it's blurry.



But, the two-year olds didn't quite enjoy the action. After about a half-hour, Michael wanted to go home. Uh-oh. What to do? Thank goodness, Cecelia's daddy was smart enough to bring along a stroller. With a small bribe of candy, the two agreed to sit and watch while their siblings raked in sweets.

Take a look.



But, even the energizer bunny gets tired. By the end of the evening, these three needed a rest before moving on.



We finished out the evening pretty tired, and with heavy arms (carrying all his loot).
And, a buffet of candy STILL awaits him at home!
What a great Halloween!!!