Drama

Marsh Creek

We spent yesterday afternoon at the Marsh Creek lake. Cole dove right into the water (literally) and there he stayed until we dragged him out a few hours later.

Charlie chilled on the blanket, Ry dug in the sand, and Mom & Dad sighed with relief that we were able to drain some of their energy out in the sunshine.

Perfect Little Angels

This is what transpired when we attempted to take a family picture. It was way past naptime and although Cole was up for the challenge, Ryan...not so much.

We'll give it another go when the timing is better. For now, go ahead and laugh at our pain. I see you laughing at us!!

Hazel -n- Coley Sittin' In A Tree

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Wonderland

Phil and the gang headed out to Dutch Wonderland today. I twitched a little at the thought of chasing around four boys ages 2-6 after not sleeping much the night before...but lucky for me I got to chill with Charlie at home while Phil and our neighbor braved the park.

This morning we said to the boys, "You're getting a very special treat today. You're going to go..."

And Cole filled in the blank by screaming "...TO A PARTY!!!"

Sorry - no - but I think that Wonderland was a much better alternative.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chillin'

Charlie received this handmade hat from Aunt Abby, and from the looks of it he totally loves it. Thank you to Abby and to everyone who has showered little Charlie with love! He's doing well and most importantly - sleeping for longer stretches now that he's eating more.

Next step, the briss. Oy vae.

Brotherly Love

Grown Up

Our L&D nurse was telling us that we'll be surprised at how big Ry and Cole seem compared to the baby. I was flipping through the pictures from yesterday and was totally struck by this one of Ry. He was watching TV - thus the totally zoned out expression - but it still made me do a double-take because of how mature he looks.

Family Of Five

I woke up Friday night around 11 pm and said to Phil "I'm in labor and we need to get to the hospital." I must have been having some kind of premonition in my sleep (or it could have been the contractions...we may never know) but whatever the reason, it was time.

Fast forward to 5 am and Charlie (a.ka. Charles Patrick) made his official appearance. At over 9 pounds he's no little baby...this guy is definitely able to fend for himself in the nursery! The labor was quick and recovery is going well.

Cole is quite taken by Charlie, and when the baby cries he soothes him by saying "shhhh" and rubbing his head. We have to work on the "gentle" part of rubbing the head of a newborn, but I think he's up to the task.

Ry has been pretty good with the concept of another brother invading his space...he asked today if Charlie could come home with him and seemed a little let down that he was staying at the hospital. I will say it was a major buzzkill when he said (and I quote), "Mommy - if Charlie isn't in your belly anymore, why is it still fat?" Kids say the darndest things, don't they?!

Thanks to everyone for your well wishes...more adventures to come as we dive into the wild world of being a family of five.

This is not Baby Charlie - This is Cole

These are pictures of Cole as a baby. Charlies announcement and pics will come soon!

Spidey And Friends

Yes, they're supposed to be Spiderman - not the scary guys from Insane Clown Posse. Yes, they're slinging webs from their wrists - not flashing gang signs, saying surf's up, or making other gestures deemed inappropriate for the playground!!

Eye Of The Tiger

Last weekend was the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium. Translation for all you living outside the WC area - they block off the town and create a course to host a professional bike race (60 laps). Before the real races begin there is one for the kids. I was excused from the festivities (walking more than 5 steps is not my "thing" these days) so Phil took Ry for the big competition.

He asked the boys to put on their game faces...here we see an example of the eye of the tiger:

Okay Ry - just a heads up - this is neither a "game face" nor the "eye of the tiger." You're going to have to do better than that...

Yea baby!! That's it - get out there and show that course what you're made of...

Luckily this year Phil thought ahead and had Aunt Debbie and Uncle Matt meet Ry at the end of the course. Last year we didn't really think through the logistics and I ended up running through the crowds of people like a lunatic madwoman to meet him at the finish line.

A year older, a year wiser. Here's to another championship racing season and the thrill of running off into the sunset for a victory lap.

PC Guy

Ry is in a new class at school, and they have a computer. He loves playing on it and yesterday he submitted the request that I "buy myself a new computer so he can have one for himself." Starting negotiations at a young age, nice.

We went to the library last night and he hopped on their PC to play the reading games. I kept snapping pictures with my phone because his expressions are so funny to me when he's concentrating. The tongue...the hand...the earphones...the joy of keeping a 4 year old occupied for extended periods of time!

First Half 7/8/9 - Marsh Creek

Today we were on our way to the zoo, but hit a wall of traffic on 202 in Frazer. So instead of going straight, we turned left and somehow ended up at Marsh Creek State Park. First we played at the playground where Ry was loved a new "air slide" (check out the video).

After an hour at the playground, we went lakeside and I quickly realized I had no suntan lotion, bathing suits or towels. So basically I took all their clothes off except their shorts and let them figure it out. Cole quickly identified that he wanted nothing to do with the lake (hence no Cole pictures in the water). Ry went in and spent 20 minutes trying to give himself a mohawk, but to no avail.