Nuance

I was going to choose one of these pictures to post on the blog, since they are pretty much the same. I left the post to finish the next day and went to bed. As I was winding down for the night, listening to my two boys breathing deep in sleep, I realized that what I love most about my life with a new baby right now--when I remember to think about it!--are the slight but poignant nuances. The toddler is so varied and dramatic in expression and emotion. The baby moves at a slower pace and is just discovering his laugh, his hands, his world. I feel such peace as I take care of his needs and am rewarded by such serious yet smiling eyes.

Cousin Fun

I wasn't at the park this day (I took a nap on Greg and Jessica's sofa), but I imagine Davy is saying something like, "I want a bat!"


An abandoned shopping cart and milk crates are just as good for 2-year-olds and obliging uncles than any other amusement--including Disneyland!



These boys love to throw frisbees, but watch out! because there is very little control where or how hard they fly in the hands of these guys!


Uncle Garrett is always a crowd pleaser, especially with these two boys.


Eddy's favorite ride, Small World. It was still holiday last time we went on it, but I imagine next time it will be regular. I'm sure we'll still get this awed expression from the little one.


Last I heard from Collin it was -9 degrees when he walked to catch the bus. And here we are at the beach on a perfect day!




The boys loved the water and sand, but did NOT like the showers to wash off the sand before getting in the car. I don't like them much either, so it's understandable. Davy doesn't throw many full-out kicking and screaming tantrums, but trying to get him in the shower after a full morning at the beach was a tad trying (understatement)!


We got to spend a full day down in Irvine with Aunt Jessica and Evan last week. Jessica had some coupons for a fun train ride and zoo at Irvine Park. It was just right--small zoo, petting zoo with nice goats to feed and brush, a funky painted piano to play, and a cute train to ride around the park.



We've got to get ourselves one of these Plasma cars for home. I've wanted one (for my boys, of course) since I first saw one at my friend's house when I was pregnant with Davy. I don't know if we can wait for next Christmas, either. Hey, my birthday is coming up! Maybe I can hint to Collin that this would be the perfect gift. Who needs a new computer for school, anyway?

In No Particular Order:

The rocks Grandpa has around the house (instead of flower beds, for ease of care) are incredibly child-friendly. Davy has been highly entertained with collecting, sorting, lining up, piling, dumping, and yes, throwing ("only at Goliath" he says) pebbles of every shape, size, and color. Here's a cute story of Davy from church on Sunday. He fell and hit his head on the slide in nursery and was crying so much that they found Grandma to take care of him. He ran for a hug and said, "I want to feel happy!" He says that about Eddy, when Eddy's crying--"I want Eddy to be happy!" The only hard part about that sweet sentiment is that then he starts to sympathy-cry, so then I have two sobbing boys!


Davy's favorite ride at Disneyland. It really is, as I've asked several times and the answer is always "the horse carousel" (as opposed to Dumbo, the "elephant carousel"). He does not, unfortunately, like the Peter Pan ride. He calls it the "pirate ride" and "does no like" Captain Hook who is "a little scary."


Watching How to Train Your Dragon with cousin Evan. Cute boys! So different and so fun. They play so well together, as long as they are not too tired or have not been together and having to share too long!


Eddy rapt, watching his big brother (try to) hit the ball with a bat. I really need to get more pictures of this kid. He truly is a doll. Wish I got as many compliments on my hair as he does!


We got a Mr Potato Head at Disneyland with all the special Disney pieces. Davy's favorites are the Mickey Mouse ice cream Popsicle and the glasses--of course! Every kid has a picture of themselves wearing Mr Potato Head glasses!


Do not be deceived by this jacket. It got to 80 degrees that day, but I had no idea how warm it was outside until we went outside. Then it took several minutes of convincing Davy to take his coat off. He's been well trained in Massachusetts.


Cowboy, I don't know, but wanted--yes!

Check out my little pitcher's new routine! Don't know where he got that smacking the ball into his "mitt" before throwing thing.

Garrett playing with the video again! Normal Sunday fun. Boy, we miss Collin something awful!

Disneyland . . . Again

With us traveling to see our families out West on average every 6 months, we get plenty of Disneyland visits in. This time, I was dropping off Rachel and the boys to spend a month or so in decent winter weather while I wallow in misery during busy season in Boston. Rachel in bold: Kind of crazy to jointly post a blog entry when we're so far away from each other! Anyway, Davy had an eventful airplane ride. He talked about it several days after, when he saw a plane flying in the sky. He said, "Day-ee go on airplane. Day-ee fall asleep on airplane. . . . Day-ee spit up on airplane. It was orange." Yes indeed. About an hour after eating cheetos he got an upset stomach and 'charmed' the annoyed and annoying lady right in front of us--sweet justice! They'll be returning to Disneyland without me multiple times, for sure, but we had a great time all together before I had to leave. Here are some highlights:

Eddy on It's a Small World. He loved it! So did the other kids. Grown-ups, I don't know . . .

On the teacups. There was one moment when we first got in the teacup when Davy experimented with the wheel and you can see Evan's reaction below. After that Davy was content to just hang out. Davy loved checking everybody else out, or just chillin' while Evan did all the spinning work. Evan loves wheels, and Davy loves . . . can't think of exactly what Davy loves except the whole experience.

The new Toy Story ride was truly awesome, and worth the 45 minute line. We got radical, germ-infested 3D specs to wear on the ride (and help pass the time waiting in line).

Davy and his cousin, Evan, hanging out together with Tigger and on erst-while Tom Sawyer (now Pirate) Island.

Davy was quite brave with the characters--I was surprised he didn't show more caution, but he just ran right up and gave them hugs.

Eddy was asleep most of the day in the sling or the stroller. He got a cool "1st time" button, though!

Here's Grandma having fun with Eddy's smile:

Garrett abusing the video feature on my iPhone:

Collin's Welcome Home

After less than a week in sunny California, I returned to Boston just in time for a 15" snowfall.

When I was taking the picture below I thought, "I don't remember being able to see the neighbor's house from this view." After a while I figured out it was because those piles of branches covered in snow used to be trees that stood straight up. They couldn't withstand the weight of the snow on them and now look like bushes.

Our very nice landlord, Mike, used his snowblower to create an escape path for us, creating a 3-foot wall of snow along the driveway.

Rachel here: (evil sounding laugh) Wahahahaha!