and of course, another monkey picture:
Friday, September 17, 2010
Costume party
Phin's first halloween costume was as a bumble bee. Realize that Phin was a whole five weeks older than Isaac at Halloween time. As it turns out, because Isaac is so much bigger than Phin, we had to take the pictures a bit early. So, here is Isaac's halloween costume, in mid September!
and of course, another monkey picture:
and of course, another monkey picture:
Thursday, September 16, 2010
It's pumpkin time baby!
It was a gift from LeaAnn and it was a three month outfit. Isaac just decided to be super long so he's wearing it now. Everyone who has seen him in it thinks it's super cute though. We are just halloween early around here! :)
Check out how he holds his binki to his mouth. How cute is that!
Check out how he holds his binki to his mouth. How cute is that!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Letter Love
He loves the bath and he loves letters. What could be a better match?
It actually started because we have foam tiles in the living room floor that are the alphabet. They are made from the same foam as these bath time alphabet letters. Phin started pulling the letters of out of the tiles (like the kids DO at the gym were they also have said tiles.) We weren't finding a good solution to his stopping that behavior, so we bought a bath set - hoping he would be encouraged to play with them instead. It has worked and now he has a "house" set and a "bath" set.
It actually started because we have foam tiles in the living room floor that are the alphabet. They are made from the same foam as these bath time alphabet letters. Phin started pulling the letters of out of the tiles (like the kids DO at the gym were they also have said tiles.) We weren't finding a good solution to his stopping that behavior, so we bought a bath set - hoping he would be encouraged to play with them instead. It has worked and now he has a "house" set and a "bath" set.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
hats, hats, hats
From the time he was born, I had a hat on this little boy's head. Even now, he has a variety of hats he wears inside and out. AND for good measure, we often play with "random" objects as hats as well. One time it was the Kid's pack lunch bag from Subway...
Today, during his nap time, it was one of daddy's QT cups that Phin carries around as a toy. It seems, we may need to find or make for him a "night cap" - like in his book "It's time for Tom."
Today, during his nap time, it was one of daddy's QT cups that Phin carries around as a toy. It seems, we may need to find or make for him a "night cap" - like in his book "It's time for Tom."
Sizing it up with the sock monkey
I plan to carry on this tradition of the sock monkey.
If you look back, you can see how Phin measured up and now it's Isaac's turn.
It's amazing how quickly they grow!
His expression is cracking me up! He's certainly his daddy's son.
If you look back, you can see how Phin measured up and now it's Isaac's turn.
It's amazing how quickly they grow!
His expression is cracking me up! He's certainly his daddy's son.
He pulls his little tiny (but very long) feet under him and I remember exactly how those little knees poked out of the sides of my belly just a week ago. This picture isn't the best representation of it, but it's as close as I can get. I am so happy he's "out in the world" with the rest of us now!
You will note the disposable diaper in this picture. His long, long legs are too skinny to fit the cloth diapers at this point. Hopefully, he'll gain a bit of weight in those thighs and we'll be in cloth in no time!
I think Grandma and Isaac have the same eyes!
You will note the disposable diaper in this picture. His long, long legs are too skinny to fit the cloth diapers at this point. Hopefully, he'll gain a bit of weight in those thighs and we'll be in cloth in no time!
I think Grandma and Isaac have the same eyes!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Phin in a BOX
The crate got left out in the living room and Phin decided it would be a spectacular toy to play with/in/on and while reading a book. He is such a JOY to my heart!
Brothers
Auntie thought the the boys looked alike.
Upon further investigation, it seems they do.
Can you tell who is who?
Upon further investigation, it seems they do.
Can you tell who is who?
Sunday, September 12, 2010
making C-O-O-K-I-E-S with Grandma Susie!
Grandma Susie is KNOWN for her cookies - even out of state. AND, since it's been a long tradition of her making said cookies and her kids grabbing at the dough behind her back, we decided that now Phin is two, he should get in on the action. SO, this was Phin's first time to "help" grandma make some cookies. He even wore his super cool hat and "helped" like a super star. It was great fun to watch.
Daddy caught the over the shoulder look from Phin after a few bites.
And, YES, the cookies were AMAZING!
Daddy caught the over the shoulder look from Phin after a few bites.
And, YES, the cookies were AMAZING!
Phin's new hat
I bought it when he wasn't with me and thought it may fit him next summer. However, it's fits like a glove right now.
Daddy thought it was pretty cool too and buttoned up the sides. Phin is totally awesome!
Daddy thought it was pretty cool too and buttoned up the sides. Phin is totally awesome!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Sleeping boys are adorable!
Ya, so I know he looks pretty similar in all of the pictures - and that is fine. I am just IN LOVE with this little boy. Just like his big brother. So, sometimes, you may have to look at one too many pictures of him, sleeping or looking or playing or whatever. It's just the mother in me...
The "Allen" side.
Phin got to see all of his grandparents and Issac got to meet them. What a happy day!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Rockin' out with Grandma Susie
One day I ventured out into the halls of the hospital. Grandma Susie had taken Phin for a walk. And as I exited my room and looked around, THIS is what I saw. I hobbled back to my room to grab my camera because it's just too sweet to possibly forget someday.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
He's all that
and a bag of chips. If you scroll back to Phin's time in the hospital, you can see his similar picture too!
I am just wondering, could this little boy be any sweeter?
I am just wondering, could this little boy be any sweeter?
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Hoooray!
Isaac Lucas has arrived! 8lbs 6oz, 21 inches & a head full of DARK hair!
Everyone is happy and healthy.
Everyone is happy and healthy.
Open note to "the boys"***
Isaac,
My sweet little baby Isaac, today is your day - your BIRTHDAY to be exact. We have been waiting and preparing for this day for quite some time now. Everyone is excited to finally meet you.
It is probably true to say that at this point, I know you the best. I was the first person to know you existed, and at your first ultrasound we learned our first lesson. YOU are quite different than your brother, Phin. I can look at the first films of both you and your brother and tell you apart - even from the start you have looked and acted differently. At each additional ultrasound, you proved over and over that you are a unique person even from the very start. While your brother performed for the video, jumping around and making #1 signs with his fingers, you seemed to act more like your daddy - hiding your face and not wanting to be bothered with having people stare at you. Your brother kicked and moved only when HE felt like it you kick on demand - bumping your daddy in the face every single time you hear his voice. Phin was active before he was born, but you are even more active - never slowing down from your dancing and hiccups.
With these few facts I have been able to discern about you, my heart has burned for the last nine months - wanting to KNOW you like I know your brother. I have done my best to keep your big brother from bouncing off of you and elbowing you excessively. I promise to work hard to keep you safe in the future. Phin is not mean, he's actually quite the opposite. He's happy and funny and he has been saying your name and patting you from my stomach for months now. But, he's two years old and that makes his powerful little hands a little haphazard and at times uncertain. I hope to foster a positive and loving relationship between the two of you. I pray that you will be best buddies, because a boy needs a brother who loves and helps protect him. I think you and Phin will be perfect together. So, we are all going to give it time to learn about each other and find a way to all be happy and taken care of in the family. Just know that from day one, there is no question that you are loved - even before you take your first breath and that you have been wanted, even before you were realized.
Phin,
My sweet and happy "big boy," no longer the baby. I will never forget the day you were born. The most funny thing that happened that day is that your Daddy walked in - in his hospital issued gear and he was wearing a "lunch lady" hairnet and I couldn't help but bust out laughing. As I tried to say the punch-line "You want fries with that?" I had a fit of laughter that I couldn't control! Certainly, some of it was nervous energy that I was trying to release but it was also a nice belly laugh before you got here.
When I heard you cry, I remember feeling overwhelmed and wondering what I was thinking to believe I could be trusted with such a little person - taking care of you and helping you grow to a productive member of society. If I had any question about whether I would like your personality or not, it was answered quickly. I have fully enjoyed the last two years and one week of my life with you. Were there one day in my life prior, to which I wondered if I had a reason to be happy - you fully and completely filled that question that day you were born. I love taking care of you and helping you learn about the world. I love hearing your little voice in the morning when you are awake playing in your room and hearing you singing your songs in the evening while you play before sleep falls on you.
I know that adding another member to the family will be a big transition for you. With that said, you are such a good, smart and sweet boy I do know that we will all get through the transition in flying colors. It is going to be so very exciting for you to have your daddy home to take care of you and play with you for a few weeks. All day yesterday, you kept chanting "grandma" because we had told you she was on her way to see you. You are so lucky to have so many family members who came to see you when you were born and are also making the trip to visit your bother. They are all very excited to get to see and play with you too!
As silly as it sounds, I can't wait to see you later today. You are just now waking up with April as your caretaker. She will make you breakfast and play with you this morning and then she will bring you up to the hospital to see me and your extended family and your new brother, Isaac. You won't be able to crawl up into bed with me, but daddy can hold you over me so I can give you a great big hug. Little boy, I love you and that fact will never change!
And, to the Daddy. Who could have possibly imagined when we met - that we would be here less than ten years later? The night we met, I knew you were special and you have proven that over and over again to be true. I am so happy and blessed that you are the father to my children. You will never know how many people have commented on what a good father you are to Phin - and they are exactly right. You have been a great father to our first born and a great husband to me and I look forward to our future as a larger family with the delightful moments and the struggles that come along with life. I can truly not imagine a better partner to be doing this with. At the end of the day, I can only thank this whole situation on our loving God who put us together. Don't forget to wish our Isaac happy birthday. I hope it to be one of a long line of birthday wishes that we all share - as a FAMILY.
***written in the wee hours of the morning - before my labor. Set to post during labor.
My sweet little baby Isaac, today is your day - your BIRTHDAY to be exact. We have been waiting and preparing for this day for quite some time now. Everyone is excited to finally meet you.
It is probably true to say that at this point, I know you the best. I was the first person to know you existed, and at your first ultrasound we learned our first lesson. YOU are quite different than your brother, Phin. I can look at the first films of both you and your brother and tell you apart - even from the start you have looked and acted differently. At each additional ultrasound, you proved over and over that you are a unique person even from the very start. While your brother performed for the video, jumping around and making #1 signs with his fingers, you seemed to act more like your daddy - hiding your face and not wanting to be bothered with having people stare at you. Your brother kicked and moved only when HE felt like it you kick on demand - bumping your daddy in the face every single time you hear his voice. Phin was active before he was born, but you are even more active - never slowing down from your dancing and hiccups.
With these few facts I have been able to discern about you, my heart has burned for the last nine months - wanting to KNOW you like I know your brother. I have done my best to keep your big brother from bouncing off of you and elbowing you excessively. I promise to work hard to keep you safe in the future. Phin is not mean, he's actually quite the opposite. He's happy and funny and he has been saying your name and patting you from my stomach for months now. But, he's two years old and that makes his powerful little hands a little haphazard and at times uncertain. I hope to foster a positive and loving relationship between the two of you. I pray that you will be best buddies, because a boy needs a brother who loves and helps protect him. I think you and Phin will be perfect together. So, we are all going to give it time to learn about each other and find a way to all be happy and taken care of in the family. Just know that from day one, there is no question that you are loved - even before you take your first breath and that you have been wanted, even before you were realized.
Phin,
My sweet and happy "big boy," no longer the baby. I will never forget the day you were born. The most funny thing that happened that day is that your Daddy walked in - in his hospital issued gear and he was wearing a "lunch lady" hairnet and I couldn't help but bust out laughing. As I tried to say the punch-line "You want fries with that?" I had a fit of laughter that I couldn't control! Certainly, some of it was nervous energy that I was trying to release but it was also a nice belly laugh before you got here.
When I heard you cry, I remember feeling overwhelmed and wondering what I was thinking to believe I could be trusted with such a little person - taking care of you and helping you grow to a productive member of society. If I had any question about whether I would like your personality or not, it was answered quickly. I have fully enjoyed the last two years and one week of my life with you. Were there one day in my life prior, to which I wondered if I had a reason to be happy - you fully and completely filled that question that day you were born. I love taking care of you and helping you learn about the world. I love hearing your little voice in the morning when you are awake playing in your room and hearing you singing your songs in the evening while you play before sleep falls on you.
I know that adding another member to the family will be a big transition for you. With that said, you are such a good, smart and sweet boy I do know that we will all get through the transition in flying colors. It is going to be so very exciting for you to have your daddy home to take care of you and play with you for a few weeks. All day yesterday, you kept chanting "grandma" because we had told you she was on her way to see you. You are so lucky to have so many family members who came to see you when you were born and are also making the trip to visit your bother. They are all very excited to get to see and play with you too!
As silly as it sounds, I can't wait to see you later today. You are just now waking up with April as your caretaker. She will make you breakfast and play with you this morning and then she will bring you up to the hospital to see me and your extended family and your new brother, Isaac. You won't be able to crawl up into bed with me, but daddy can hold you over me so I can give you a great big hug. Little boy, I love you and that fact will never change!
And, to the Daddy. Who could have possibly imagined when we met - that we would be here less than ten years later? The night we met, I knew you were special and you have proven that over and over again to be true. I am so happy and blessed that you are the father to my children. You will never know how many people have commented on what a good father you are to Phin - and they are exactly right. You have been a great father to our first born and a great husband to me and I look forward to our future as a larger family with the delightful moments and the struggles that come along with life. I can truly not imagine a better partner to be doing this with. At the end of the day, I can only thank this whole situation on our loving God who put us together. Don't forget to wish our Isaac happy birthday. I hope it to be one of a long line of birthday wishes that we all share - as a FAMILY.
***written in the wee hours of the morning - before my labor. Set to post during labor.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Waaay better than nap time.
Phin is good about going to bed and even to nap. He's not super fussy about having to go to his room - but he also never falls fast asleep, straight away. He usually spends a bit of time "winding down" in his room, playing with toys - which I think is fine.
One game he likes to play at the beginning of his nap or in the mornings, when he wakes up is the one shown below. Daddy or Mommy are required, but as you can see, it's tons of fun for our little boy!
One game he likes to play at the beginning of his nap or in the mornings, when he wakes up is the one shown below. Daddy or Mommy are required, but as you can see, it's tons of fun for our little boy!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Today is Friday
Today is the last day I will be alone to "mommy" Ethan.
Luckily, this weekend Dan will be home with me and by Tuesday mid-morning, I will be the proud mommy to TWO boys from now on.
I am just working to stay relaxed and still, as my doctor is now out of town for the holiday and I am not a huge fan of "different" things from what I expect. So, baby boy, stay put until Tuesday please! :)
Luckily, this weekend Dan will be home with me and by Tuesday mid-morning, I will be the proud mommy to TWO boys from now on.
I am just working to stay relaxed and still, as my doctor is now out of town for the holiday and I am not a huge fan of "different" things from what I expect. So, baby boy, stay put until Tuesday please! :)
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Playing outside with Daddy
It's hot outside and I am tired and very pregnant - so luckily Daddy is home today to help out with Phin. Dan spent the day working outside and his little helper kept himself busy as well! So, THIS is what little boys do when mommies aren't looking.
I think it's adorable!
I guess he's "washing" maggie's outdoor toy for her???
Check out those dirty shorts!
I think it's adorable!
I guess he's "washing" maggie's outdoor toy for her???
Check out those dirty shorts!
Friday, August 27, 2010
BABY WATCH 2010
Last weekend, I started having some contractions so this last Monday was my last day to teach at the gym for this pregnancy.
Today, we had our appointment at the OB. Phin did a great job. He read a book with Daddy in the waiting room and sat on Daddy's lap during the meeting with my doctor. He also did not cry this time as I was weighed and had my blood pressure taken. I mean, there were a few tears in MY eyes when I saw my weight, but Phin was FINE! ;)
The doctor said I was doing fine and made no comment (besides an understanding look) when I said I was done at the gym for now. So, it looks like we are just going to continue to do a countdown waiting for baby.
We will be arriving at the hospital the morning of the 7th at 6:00AM
In the meantime, I am trying to stay cool and keep Phin in low risk situations. (Example: he can not go to the mailbox with me because he stages a formal "sit-in" on the road - as he wants to stay outside and play (which breaks my back = sciatica); We can not go to any store - anymore - unless I understand and accept that there will be AT LEAST three potty breaks - where Phin often tries to crawl under stalls, shut every stall door and sometimes, lay on the floor etc.)
FUN TIMES!
Today, we had our appointment at the OB. Phin did a great job. He read a book with Daddy in the waiting room and sat on Daddy's lap during the meeting with my doctor. He also did not cry this time as I was weighed and had my blood pressure taken. I mean, there were a few tears in MY eyes when I saw my weight, but Phin was FINE! ;)
The doctor said I was doing fine and made no comment (besides an understanding look) when I said I was done at the gym for now. So, it looks like we are just going to continue to do a countdown waiting for baby.
We will be arriving at the hospital the morning of the 7th at 6:00AM
In the meantime, I am trying to stay cool and keep Phin in low risk situations. (Example: he can not go to the mailbox with me because he stages a formal "sit-in" on the road - as he wants to stay outside and play (which breaks my back = sciatica); We can not go to any store - anymore - unless I understand and accept that there will be AT LEAST three potty breaks - where Phin often tries to crawl under stalls, shut every stall door and sometimes, lay on the floor etc.)
FUN TIMES!
Could snack-time get any more MESSY?
This is a question I ask myself every single day. :)
He dumped his bowl of "sauce" onto his highchair table. Then, he used his hands to put the sauce back into the bowl. Then, with spoon in one hand, he ATE the sauce with his opposite hand. We call this learning - or - cheap family entertainment.
He dumped his bowl of "sauce" onto his highchair table. Then, he used his hands to put the sauce back into the bowl. Then, with spoon in one hand, he ATE the sauce with his opposite hand. We call this learning - or - cheap family entertainment.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Play dough
As it turns out, we are still in the Parents As Teachers program and I have to say, I am quite pleased with our new Educator "Diana." Diana brought home-made play dough - along with a recipe for us to make more at our last visit. I told her I had acquired a Phin a play dough kit (via April Welch Birthday Present) but was reluctant to get it out - due to the mess I was expecting. She gave me some great ideas to keep the mess down and off we went - into the play dough.
I would like to believe that it was a great stress reliever for Daddy too!
I would like to believe that it was a great stress reliever for Daddy too!
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