Part II.

Summer 2011 Part II.

Summer Movie Pt. 1

In honor of Harry Potter Seven Pt. 2 being released this weekend (Ashley and I are going on a date to the 11:45 am showing), I thought it was time for the blog-buster event of the year. This first video catalogs the months leading up to Thomas' birth. Enjoy!

Houston

Last weekend, the 4 of us got to go visit Houston and see a couple of Jacob's cousins! Our god daughter and the newest cousin (Dani) was baptized Sunday morning and we were thrilled to be there<3 Unfortunately, through a series of chaotic events, we lost our camera en route to houston (likely just misplaced it in the apartment or the grandparents house).
On the morning of July 4th, we rounded up the kiddos and aimed for a park so Tally's neighbor and photographer, Joy Lalonde, could snap a few shots. It's impossible to get 5 kids 3 and under to all look at the camera simultaneously, much less smile...but they all sure are cute!








From Left to Right, it goes: Parker, Sofia, Thomas, Dani, and Jacob. For a gauge on just how gigantic our baby is, Thomas is about 6 weeks older than Dani.








The trio...there was 1 afternoon when Parker and Jacob were running away from Sofia because she's a girl (duh, mom). Ms. Spunky was unabashed and joined the laughing, running, and mischief; love it!








Jacob godfather/Parker's father Trent loves hats; he shared the love and got the boys hats w/ their names embroidered on them and those hats quickly became priceless gems!








Oh these blue-eyed boys of ours....and the attitude<3










We had a fantastic, but quick trip. Fortunately, we know these boys (Jacob and Parker) are old enough to remember the visits and can really pick-up where they've left off the next time we meet!

Here's to hoping we find our camera or figure out the next option!

Homeward bound

Another full weekend of breathing treatments and machines beeping away here at the Children's Hospital.

While the baby smiles were hard to find on Friday and parts of Saturday, they've returned full force here on Sunday.

Friday afternoon, Daniel brought Thomas and Jacob to the ER, where I met them. Events leading to this: Jacob brought home a mild cold last week and so Thomas got it, too. After a day of nasal symptoms, it quickly moved into a respiratory issue.

Some good news is that we're likely heading home here in the next few hours (as you can see the O2 is not needed and the IV is not plugged-in) and Thomas has a sweet big brother who helps love on him.

It's hard being the older brother and not getting all the attention; but Jacob got a weekend with his Didi and Yaya...and we hear cake was involved.

The not so great news is that with 2 hospitalizations by 6 months for respiratory issues, having food allergies and eczema, plus a family history of asthma ...Thomas has earned his own asthma diagnosis. And there is nothing we can do about avoiding this sort of occurrence (hospitalizations) than wait for him to "outgrow it". So here's to avoiding germs until he's "outgrown it".

Dad's Day

Happy Father's day to all the Papa's out there. You're talking to a proud one right here. Jacob (thanks to days of study with Ma and the Preschool) can name each letter and tell you an animal that starts with nearly every letter. He has decided that he doesn't want to take naps anymore, but over and again naps tend to find him one way or another.

Both boys taking a snooze.

Thomas is growing like you wouldn't believe, then again, maybe you would. He celebrated his six month birthday this week.

Ashley and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary with fancy dinner and a night at the hotel. Jacob, Thomas, and Grandma celebrated with a night at the same hotel. We had a wonderful time on our stay-cation. Although, to be honest, all four of us are looking forward to an actual vacation. It feels like summer outside, it hit 106 today, but we're still working and summer keeps passing us by. We will be glad to get to Texas, NJ, and even a trip to MN to see some of you lovely people.

Until we meet again,

D, A, J, and T.

Making up for lost time!

I'm not sure where May went. At work, I have to schedule clients 3 months out...and I'm struggling to remember that is scheduling for a time when we'll be back in Berkeley!

In the past few weeks: Thomas began sitting independently for 20+ seconds and tasted his first solid (just last night), while Jacob ended his first school year and is now on "vacation"! Ma arrived on Wednesday to help us during the "vacation" time...as only Jacob gets such fun while mom and dad have to keep working. And, as seen....everyone is in love.

More videos are being taken as the boys start to truly interact and Thomas shines his hilarious personality! Enjoy.

Dancing, singing, mild sitting involved.

Video contains little white bodies in the tub.

Last night, without any grimacing, gagging, or even mild nostril flaring, Thomas ate his first solid: avocado! He appeared to love finally having something other than mom's milk on the spoon and was grabbing my hand for more. He acted as if he'd been eating it for months....

Our gigantic baby.

Yes, Thomas is huge. (and so are his lovable cheeks).

We thought Jacob was gigantic...and he was.

*Refresher picture*

But, we just took Thomas for his 4 month check-up (at 5 months because at 4 months he was in the hospital...yay, it's been a month already!). The child was 17 pounds 6 oz. and 26 1/4 inches; he's longer than ~65% of the kids his age...and obviously quite well-fed. With his allergic system, he won't be getting foods until at least 6 months; fortunately, that doesn't appear to be a problem for him!

Random photo: this is from Monday morning before I left for work. I had been afforded the 6" to the left of Thomas and Daniel had the space on the right of Jacob. Ridiculous (Jacob had joined us only about 15 minutes before I had to get up for work anyway....I complain but actually LOVE the snuggle time).