One Month Old!

The baby is in motion! He is one month old! I have never seen a baby who loves to lay on the changing table as much as Jackson. He has just started smiling during diaper changes. The changing table is in our bedroom and when he lays on it, he looks up at our curtains and the sun coming through the window. He seems to really love it. He smiles at the curtains, and as soon as I try to get into his line of sight - he stops smiling. So, at one month, here's the score: curtains: funny, mom: not so much.

First time campers...

Liam and Maddie went to summer camp for the first time this summer. The day camp they attended is run by the local Parks and Recreation department and is an 'institution' in this town. Everyone who's anyone has gone to this camp sometime in its' 60 year history.

The mission of the camp is threefold: to teach children respect for nature, basic camping skills and respect for the Native American culture. It was a blast! They couldn't wait to go in the morning and didn't want to leave at pickup time. They learned so many funny camp songs, I was laughing so hard it hurt! In fact, next time you see them, ask for a performance of "The Beaver Dance." They can't wait to go back next year, next time with Isabella!

Three Weeks Old

There's just something about a sleeping baby...

You lookin' at me?

Yawning during his first photo shoot with Grandma Hickey.

 

Two Weeks Old

I had almost forgotten how much our babies have loved the sling at this age. We can't quite nurse in it yet, but he loves to sleep and just hang out in it.

"Uh, Dad? You sure you're doing this right?"

The boys bonding.

Just not sure how he feels about this whole incarnating thing.
(note all the dark hair - it's starting to fall out!)

 

My plan to phase myself out is nearly complete...

Jackson bonds with his "other mom."

 

War of the Worlds?

I've noticed that I tend to take *billions* of photos in the first few weeks. I think I've figured out why. When babies are that young, their faces are sort of angular and it takes that many shots to find one where they don't look like an alien. I'm still working on it...

Eclectic fashion at its best

The time Grandpa Ken was here was so busy that this is the ONLY picture I got of him holding Jackson Kenneth. I was a bit upset about that - although as I looked more carefully at the picture, I noticed something. A bit of a metaphor for our life here. If you look closely, you'll notice that Liam is dressed for his baseball game. Isabella is wearing a bathing suit. Maddie is still in her pajamas. What I want to know is what time of day is this and WHERE in heaven's name were we going?!? 

Isabella is 4!

Isabella was thrilled when she woke up in the morning and realized that it was her birthday and she was finally FOUR!! Grandpa Ken came into town to see his namesake and to help us celebrate Isabella's birthday. He came in the morning and brought Isabella a crown that says "birthday princess" and a wand (see above) to wear on her big day.

Isabella got many birthday phone calls from well-wishers. She was thrilled to get so many calls on her birthday. (Note the remains of the birthday cake on her face...)

She got a new outfit for her doll "Tasha" and a double stroller from John and I. Many stroller rides for Tasha and Jennarose are in our future.

I desperately wanted to have a big party for her, but somehow 8 days postpartum, I just couldn't seem to get it together. (I know, you are all surprised.) We had some of the kids in the neighborhood over for cake and ice cream and did our best to make a big deal of her birthday!

It's hard to be four, but even harder to be almost four!

Grandma and Grandpa Hickey came into town to celebrate the Fourth and Isabella's "fourth" birthday with us. We did cake and ice cream on Tuesday and she opened her presents from Grandma and Grandpa, Jen and Sean, Grandma Laury and Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Beef. (see pictures below) She had great fun.

This morning, she woke up and eagerly came down the stairs.

Isabella: "Mom, how old am I?"

Kat: "You're three. Well, three and a half."

She instantly folded her arms, turned her body away from me and began to pout. I was confused.

Kat: "Isabella, what's wrong?"

Isabella: "I thought I was four."

Kat: "No, honey. We opened presents yesterday because Grandma and Grandpa were here. You'll be four tomorrow."

Isabella stormed out of the room and stood in a corner in the living room.

Isabella: "I'm going up to my room and I'm not coming out until I'm FOUR!"

Opening gifts with Grandma and Grandpa Hickey

She's really gratifying to give gifts to. She was thrilled with her new "beautiful clothes" and the addition to her "Holly Pockets" collection.

One Week Old

Jackson celebrates the Fourth with Grandma and Grandpa Hickey and Uncle Sean.