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.

Second Half 7/8/9 - Brandywine River

After taking a short nap and eating lunch, we headed out once again. This time we traveled to the Brandywine River to throw rocks. The water was warmer than I thought it would be, but after this morning's fiasco I came prepared with bathing suits and water shoes. The boys threw rocks, (kinda) swam, played with some passing dogs, floated on a blow up whale with some teenagers, and particpated in a picnic with some people and a hibachi near the rivers edge. ENJOY!

Gossip

Yesterday when I got to school to pick up the boys, the Center Director seemed surprised to see me. She told me Ryan had told his teacher that I had the baby on July 5th, and that I was in the hospital so his Dad was coming to pick him up.

The faculty was pumped to hear the announcement, and apparently my full-bellied presence was a total buzzkill.

I'm not sure where he came up with this tall tale, but I find it interesting that the kid is only 4 years old and already spreading rumors. Maybe he has a future as a National Enquirer journalist?

Kickin' It Old School...2005 Style

We have about 20,000 pictures (literally) on our computer so we're clearing out a bunch of files to save on memory. While starting the project I dipped into some folders from Ry's first year. Has he completely changed or stayed exactly the same???

Celebrate

Last night we blocked off the alley for our neighborhood 4th Of July Party. Between the burgers, beer, Holy Cow Cake, pool, and witty banter, it's hard to pinpoint all of the highlights. Here are some moments captured in time before Phil got too buzzed to document the rest of the fun...

Baby Limbo

Big Kid Limbo (a.ka. do not trust 4-6 year olds with the limbo pole)

Filling Up On Brownies (and cupcakes...and cookies...and watermelon...and more cupcakes...oy vae...)

Pina Coladas (I don't even like pina coladas but that looks delish)

Burgers With Buddies

Motorcycle Madness

Riding Off Into The Sunset...Happy 4th...Peace Out People!!

Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days Of Summer

When we drove past the swim club tonight and realized there was a meet, we decided to set up Camp Kerper in our yard. All of the kids enjoyed the pool - and despite the unfortunate incident (i.e. the part where someone "accidentally" dumped a bucket of water on me) it was fun to sit back with some watermelon slices and watch their carefree play.

New rule at Camp Kerper: You're not allowed to aim anything involving water at an adult!

Here's to the lazy days of summer...