We Did It!

We all survived the start of daycare...Brendan had a great day, Mommy didn't cry or throw up all day, and of course Daddy was cool as a cucumber...Colin did fairly well with the whole thing...except having to give up his pack and play for Brendan. My mom bought him the cutest nap mat for "back to school" that he picked out, it had his name, an attached pillow and all sorts of trucks on it. We had it with us and he had to carry it into daycare all by himself and he immediately unfolded it and showed Patty his new "pack and play". He seemed so excited about it...However when it came time to actually sleep on it - no go...So we'll have to work on it. My heart sort of breaks for him...all those changes, sharing, etc...and we sent a potty to daycare for him...I am sure it will get better with time. Overall a good day!

p.s. I admit I watched most of the 90210 premiere...anyone else??????

My Boys

Dear Brendan,
Tomorrow is a bittersweet day. It is your first day of daycare. I thought it would be easier the second time around, it is in a way, but there is still a small knot in my stomach. You have grown so much in the past 3 1/2 months. You're getting stronger, smiling up a storm, talking in your own little language with such a sweet voice, eating like a champ, and sleeping better. You have made such a difference in all of our lives, Mommy's, Daddy's, and your brother Colin's. I know you will be OK at daycare, I know you will learn a ton, and grow in so many ways, but I still wish I could be there to share it with you. I can't wait for the day until you can tell me stories about your day, about your friends, and about how much fun you had. For now I will take all the smiles to reassure me that you are OK. I know that your big brother will look out for you and he can certainly put a smile on your face. I love you sunshine! Mommy


Dear Colin,

What a big boy you have become this summer. You have handled so many changes, especially the addition of your brother, so easily. You have grown, your say the funniest things, and you love to do things independently. I loved being home with you this summer. I treasured every second of it, knowing it would come to an end...back to daycare you go, I kind of wish you were going to preschool this year, but I am also very glad you will be with your brother. I know you will always look out for him, protect him, teach him things, and love him. I know you will continue to learn and grow and I can't wait to be welcomed home from a long day at work with a huge smile and a huge hug. I love you sweet pea, more than you will ever know, Mommy

Vacation in Maine

We just returned from a week's vacation in Maine...it was so, so fantastic...we couldn't have asked for better weather, the kids loved every minute, Ryan and I did too, and we created some very special memories...this is our fourth year doing it and we have decided each year gets better and better and we are definitely going to make it an annual thing...Colin said some of the cutest things and seems to have grown up even more in a week...Brendan loved being outside and sitting looking at the ocean...all in all it was a blast and here are a few highlights...now back to work for Mommy...

We started our week in Portland and took in a Sea Dogs game

Slugger

Talking sports!



Dreaming big...

I actually read an entire book and this was my view while reading...so relaxing

We got to eat outside

Brendan loved eating outside, well not eating, but loving the fresh air

We did sparklers! Notice how it's daytime...Colin was zonked out everyday before dark, he loved them even in the daytime!

We had ice cream every day sometimes twice a day!

Napping outdoors was a big hit for Brendan!

We spent time at the beach...

and doing "butt jumps" on the trampoline!

We did some sightseeing...

and made family memories we will treasure forever!


Now...back to reality!

Future Olympian

I don't know about you, but we have enjoyed watching the Olympics. Colin loves to watch the games and then re-enact the events...you know "bolleyball", soccer, and this one...can you guess which event this is?????


Yes, that would be "sword fighting" (a.k.a. fencing which I am desperately trying to get him to call it, sounds much nicer than sword fighting!). Today he was in the kitchen and found his sword - yes a small whisk!

That's What Friends Are For...

I am truly blessed to have these ladies in my life...It's been 11 years since we left college and we still manage to get together twice a year...this summer's get together was an unexpected one, but it was a blast! We managed to have thirteen kids and six adults in our townhouse without any major catastrophes! I hope that we are doing this ten, twenty, and even thirty years from now...these ladies and their families mean the world to me and I am very lucky to be able to share my life with them!!!! Love you girls!!!

Three Months Old and A First!

No Brendan didn't roll over although he is working really hard to these days, BUT he is sleeping in his bassinet and has been since 12:30 (it's now 3:30)! For us this is a huge step since he has only wanted to nap in his swing, his car seat in the swing attachment, or his favorite place - our arms and the bassinet isn't a preferred place of sleep for the litte guy! We have only had to re-binkie him a few times and he has put himself back to sleep...Who knows, probably won't happen again, but we will celebrate when we can!!!! On another note, Colin and I had a date last night...we went out for ice cream, just he and I...I have been feeling like we needed some time alone and we had a blast...m&m with jimmies for him and turtle house for Mommy! It's hard to believe three months ago Brendan arrived, it's just gone by too fast...I know that everyone says that, but this time it feels like it gone by much faster than with Colin...I am so looking forward to the next three months and the changes that will take place, most especially the changes with the interaction between Colin and Brendan...already Brendan is watching Colin walk around the room and Colin is loving the fact that Brendan now responds with a smile...I can't imagine the day when they are truly "playing" together!

Birthdays and Boo-Boo's

My favorite - gerber daises...these were from Ryan, Colin and Brendan for my birthday, such sweet guys! The day was pretty low key - some pizza and birthday cake - YUM! Ryan and I were planning on going out for a nice dinner Saturday night, BUT this happened instead:

Yes, that is Brendan's head. We all went for a walk before Colin's naptime and I had but Brendan into his car seat and he was sleeping so as not to disturb him I didn't buckle him in (bad Mommy). We plopped him into the stroller and went for walk. When we got home I went in the house first with Colin and Ryan was bringing the entire stroller/car seat contraption up the two front steps and into the house. My back was turned and all I heard was "oh my god" and saw Ryan lifting Brendan off the ground...yes, my little guy fell out of the car seat and onto the front walkway. We are not sure exactly where he fell out from because Ryan was trying to get the stroller up and over the steps and was looking at the stroller wheels. In complete panic mode I called the pediatrician and was going to wait for a call back, however in the meantime Ryan said it was starting to swell, so we just left for the ER. Colin was a bit scared and cried a little, but he was a trooper and quickly got his blankies, binky and ran into the car - he also got to have a great playdate with his cousins so he was happy! After the ER doctor consulted with the head ER doctor and also Brendan's pediatrician they decided that since he was asymptomatic of a concussion and it looked more like an abrasion and he had no other bodily injuries they would not do a Cat Scan and avoid the radiation...He just has a very nasty boo-boo on his head and we are to watch him closely for the next 24 hours...So please all parents buckle your kids into their car seats no matter what, we have learned our lesson!