another week with james

friday we had our second newborn visit with a new doctor (we like this one a LOT more) and james is doing well. he weighed in at 7.14 lbs and 21 1/2 inches (somehow he grew 2 inches since his birth - clearly the measuring is somewhat subjective).
hopefully the following pictures will satisfy my family enough that we won't get anymore 7am why haven't you blogged in a week phonecalls.
ps. james is a dream - we love him. and he looks a ton like ian at this age.

(best baby sideburns ever)

ian is super sweet with him, and asks at least once a day to hold him. then he immediately says "heavy, heavy" and pushes him back to me.

he even asked if james could sleep with him one night. anyone who knows ian knows that he is always up for having a sleeping partner - and most nights demands one.

Good Bye Curls (for Grandpa Clay)

Ian needed a haircut. I decided that I would try my hand at trimming his hair. I started and quickly realized I was in over my head. (Same story when I tried to take his portable DVD player apart to "fix it"). In both cases a professional had to fix my work.

Haircut + candycane.

Haircut + mean face.

Baby James

Some pictures of the boy - doing what he does most of the time, sleep.

Life with two

So, it turns out that having two kids is not at all like having one kid. We are slowly adjusting, getting no sleep, thinking maybe two is all we need, - and how is it that I already forgot everything there is to know about newborns? The good thing is - they are both so cute and lovable that we think we will keep them anyway.

My siblings bought us this perfect moses basket that James has been sleeping in. It keeps him safe and I can take him wherever I go.

Last night Grandma and Granpa Leonard came over for some grandkid time. Ian made Grandpa read him Curious George almost the whole time he was here and Grandma hung out with James.


Then ian turned off all the lights so we all could play ghost - yeah - and finally cried when they left.



Here is Ian wearing James hospital hat. He loves James, but sometimes asks that he go back into my belly. He's definitely enjoying all the visitors.

+1

Introducing..

James.

7 pounds. 5 ounces.

19 1/2 inches.

Amy started with irregular contractions yesterday. At about 11:00PM, Amy woke up with strong and consistent contractions. We took our time (mistake), got things ready, and headed out. On the way to the hospital, the contractions picked up and were about 2-3 minutes apart - and we were 40 minutes from the hospital. I made record time, somewhat worried that I might need to pull off the highway. Amy was admitted and in a bed at 1:00 and J was born at 1:30. Welcome to the family, James - I guess that is how we do business.

It all went so quickly. Amy did an incredible job. Both baby and mother are happy and healthy.

Proud (and relieved) father

Big brother is watching

Aunt Ashely has been a great help!!

More later.

Amy, Curt, Ian and James.

Is it possible

that Ian needs another haircut already? I guess it is time for Grandma to come back and visit (ps he isn't grumpy at all when he wakes up from his naps).

The perfect decorating day

Today we woke up to a light dusting of snow on the ground. It took me FOREVER to find Ian's winter stuff - but it was totally worth it.

Later on we went to a tree farm for our Christmas tree. It was really wet and of course Ian wiped out and got soaked. He hates when his hands are dirty.

The best part ever was the guy that cut the tree, and then tied it to our car while we payed and drank hot chocolate. We are for sure going there again next year.





It snowed lightly outside while we decorated the tree and played Christmas music. It was perfect.

Funny things Ian did today:

-He ran up to the Santa at the Home Depot, stopped 5 feet away from him, screamed "bike", and then ran away.

-Curt asked him where is other sock was and he said "my bum", meaning he was sitting on it.

- In the car on the way home from Tommy's baptism he said "mama stay, ashy stay, parkder stay my bed". Slumber party.

In conclusion...

We haven't settled on a name for the kid yet. But Ian presents a pretty persuasive argument for his selection. In the end, he objects to my line of questioning.

Kissing cousins

Parker's first make-out. Ian's too for that matter. He loves to "kissy" her.

Thankful

We had Thanksgiving dinner at Curt's parents house this year. Dinner was delicious - I felt even huger than I normally do lately. This year I am grateful that I didn't have to cook a turkey, that my sister is visiting with my darling niece, that my son is healthy and incredibly funny, that I actually carried a baby full term, that my husband is my best friend, and that both of our families are so wonderful and supportive.

Here is Ian eating with his cousins, Katie, Tommy and Jack.

Parker in her Thanksgiving dress.

What our family would look like if we ever have a girl (except she will probably be balder and fatter).

Hanging out this week.

Parker Love

We love Parker and Ashley! Parker is such a perfect little snuggly baby. If baby bean is anything like her, I might actually live through life with Ian +1.

Ian likes to hang out on Parker's blankets, and has been really good with her. He especially loves that she gets dressed several times a day - because it means that he should also get "nake-dee".

My favorite thing about Parker is her thighs. They are amazing.

Curt's favorite thing about Parker is that she likes to watch the Seahawks with him.

Ian's latest.

1. galloping around the kitchen island screaming neigh neigh neigh (thanks mom)

2. taking both hands to my belly and yelling "out baby", he also loves to kiss and talk to my belly

3. telling us all to be quiet because "parkder" is "seepin"

4. when he doesn't get my attention with mommy - he starts calling me "aim, aim, AMY!"

5. finally singing the ABC song (at least partially) and trying to count

6. he loves his "aunt ashy" and baby parker

7. lastly - unfortunately, (or fortunately) he has discovered kids movies, his "moo moos" - here he is watching Shrek with his shrek underwear sticking out.

The neighborhood Star

I've lived here for a year and I've never been invited to the park with the neighborhood "mom's". My mom has been here three weeks and she is already in with the mom crowd and I'm pretty sure she already has more friends in my ward than I do. This week she and Ian were invited to go to a new park with the other mommies and kids, and next week they have been invited to go to the Seattle Children's Museum with one of the families. Is there something wrong with me?

Ian and grandma at the train park with his new favorite friends.

Meet Parker, my niece

How do you make a newborn this cute?

They made her. And I get to finally see her next week - can't wait!

Tricked or treated?

Halloween is my parent's anniversary. It seems like kind of a funny day to choose but the story (told by my father) goes like this (I know we have all heard it a thousand times but I think it is time it was written down): My mom invited my dad to a Halloween party at her Grandmother Whitney's house and thought it would be funny to dress up as a bride and groom. When they got to the party my dad realized that he had been TRICKED - it was really their wedding. He went to the back yard to contemplate running away but as he was standing by the pond, my grandpa (or is it Uncle Joe?) came out with a shot gun and a cement block and told him to get back inside and marry my mother. And, apparently, that was the beginning of their 36 years of marriage bliss. There are a few flaws in my father's story (for example why did his mother fly all the way from the Virgin Islands for a Halloween party?), but the truth is, no matter how it started, I have always admired my parents relationship. They are obviously still in love and happy and I am grateful for them - and all the work they put into their relationship and into our family. Here's to another fabulous year for them!

October 31, 1971 (picture curtesy of Ashley's blog)

Now with that said - I owe both my parents an apology because this year is the first year they have ever been apart on their anniversary. I think my dad took it kind of hard, but for my mom it was Halloween business as usual. She took Ian out to a Halloween party and then trick or treating for at least an hour and a half (he is barely 2 years old). He said "trick or treat" at every house and came home with his pumpkin full of candy as well as the entire trunk of his little push car. He loved every second of it - we are so lucky to have her here. (read the entire story of Ian's Halloween night on her blog).