Ol' Blue Eyes

Big Sister and her baby

So Sleepy...

...sometimes you just have too sleep where you are...

Brothers...

This morning I was racing around trying to get everything ready for the day and baby started fussing. Michael went and laid by him and said "Don't worry mom...I'm taking care of Damien." Damien quieted down immediately...they really love each other.

Damien found a really cute baby in his mirror.

Fairy Princess Party!

At 1pm we had 3 of Abby's friends (Sara, Livie & Mia) over for a fairy princess party. It was a lot of fun and the girls really enjoyed themselves.

Our big 4 year old!
Birthday cupcakes...thanks Krista for the cupcake stand (I really want one now - they are cool!)

Each girl received a crown, wings and a magic wand.

from left to right: Livie, Abby, Mia & Sara.

Damien got lots of attention from both the little girls and their mommies.

Abby received lots of nice presents. She was particularly excited about her big girl booster seat.

She tried very hard not to be shy when we were singing to her.

--Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this a special day for Abby.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABBY!

Our Abigirl

OSU Gymnastics

On Friday Abby, me and our friends Krista and Mia went to the OSU gymnastics meet. The girls had a great time. Abby was very keen on finding Benny Beaver. Krista took Abby to see him and give him a hug. You aren't allowed to use flash photography in the stadium (for the gymnasts safety) which is why this picture is so fuzzy. If mommy can find it she'll scan and post the picture of her kissing Benny Beaver when she was 3 years old.

1 Month...

You can kind of see Damien's dimples in the second picture. He has them on both sides. He has fit seamlessly into our family. The kids continue to love having him here. Even the cats are getting used to him...they like to sniff him when he is asleep in his bouncy seat.

Fun with boxes!

Chuck Taylors

Abby's first pair of Converse...I wish they made these in my size!

Michael got a really cool pair too - he can't wear them though until he learns how to tie them.

New Hair Cut!

Abby got her first real hair cut today. I haven't had it cut sooner because I LOVE the curls at the end and knew those would disappear once the hair was cut. However, her hair was getting to be a real pain to comb out and so she finally decided that a hair cut was a good idea (after initially telling me that she would cut her own hair). She handled it a lot better then the first time I cut her bangs. Abby's friend Olivia's mommy has a hair salon in their house so we headed over there.

Abby and Olivia. Abby wanted her hair to look like Livie's.

The back of Abby's hair has never been cut.

Misty had a special seat for Abby to sit on.

One last look.

*snip snip*

Shaping the cut.

Abby holding her ponytail...she did a great job!

Best Friends! (and now haircut twins)

Three Weeks Old

Oats n Peas and Barley...

Abby LOVES to sing...here she is singing (and dancing) to one of her favorite songs from preschool. It is called "How Oats and Peas and Barley Grow."

--enjoy!

The Baptism of Damien James

Damien James was baptized on January 11, 2009 - the Feast of the baptism of Our Lord. We had the baptism at one of Uncle Fr. John's parishes. He used the old rite of baptism (all in Latin) - it was so moving and beautiful!

Damien's godparents are Uncle Jim and Aunt Amanda (pregnant with baby Paul)
Uncle Jim couldn't make the baptism, since he is in seminary in Rome, so my cousin David stood in as his proxy.

Two Weeks Old

He is so engaging and starting to really smile at mommy.

Damien had his 2 week appointment and did really well. He was discharged from the hospital at 7lbs 13oz and at his appointment he was 9lbs 2oz. So obviously he is starving! :) As our pediatrician says Ben and I make perfect babies and we should have many more!

One Week Old

Damien LOVES to be swaddled - he is our little burrito!

We are busy learning how to be a family of 5! The kids are doing great. We haven't had any jealousy issues at all...I wasn't expecting any - they are both easy going and love having the new baby around. They have been very helpful too.