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!