Hang Time

Last night at 6:15 it was still 108 degrees outside, and Michael was driving me nuts. Maybe it had to do with the fact that he is obsessed with Preston and would not leave him alone and was destructing my house. The "newness" of a new baby has not worn off for Michael. If anything more and more he wants to be by Preston, kissing him, shoving his pacifier in his mouth, pushing him in his swing, kissing him, hugging him, kissing him, holding him, biting him, pinching him, kissing him, laying by him. Did I mention kissing him enough? You name it, Michael is doing it to his brother. He loves his brother almost too much. It's cute and scary all at the same time. It keeps me on my toes that's for sure. The kid has an endless supply of energy. He does not slow down for anything or anyone. I'm tired just thinking about it. So, back to my point. It was hot, I wanted to let him get some of his energy out, so I stuck him in his pool. He started jumping off the little slide, and I got some hilarious pictures. Don't mind the Ariel diaper; they were on sale. Kyle said he'd like to see another one and half year old get as much hang time as this kid. Enjoy....

Best Money Ever Spent

Since the week Preston was born Michael has been crawling out of his crib and thinks it's more comfortable to sleep by the door. After putting him down for a nap or for bed at night, he quickly jumps out of his crib, starts knocking on the door, and then shortly after falls asleep by the door. Sometimes when I go in to his room (if I can, since he's usually smack up against the door), I will find him behind the door surrounded by toys, shoes, or whatever else he could find in the dark to drag over to his new corner. As cute as it was, I was not enjoying this new arrangement, especially since it meant shorter nap times, and sometimes no nap. I bit the bullet and bought a crib tent on the Internet. After I put Michael to bed tonight for the first time with the crib tent up he said, "I down, I want out." He cried a little bit the first time, has since woke up twice crying, but is now sound asleep.

The crib tent and I are now best friends. What a lifesaver!

Not Much

My car has been out of commission for three weeks, so we've been trying to survive these hot summer days cooped up in the townhome. Oh how I wish I had a fenced back yard to stick Michael out in. For now, the kiddie pool is a pretty good babysitter. Speaking of a fenced back yard, we're on the house hunt. We need to be in a house by December 1st to get the $8,000 from Mr. Obama, so at least I know we'll be in a house by then. After 9 plus years of paying rent, I'm ready to own and not share a wall with someone else!

Preston is now a month old, and still our kicked back, relaxed baby. He puts up with quite a bit from Michael, which is saying a lot. He's getting chunkier each day, and already growing out of his 0-3 month clothes. It's nice having a baby during the summer, so they can hang out in their onesies all day.

Here's a little of what we've been up to in pictures....

I can't wait till I can jump in the river, only one more week!

This pool has been a lifesaver. Michael is up in his brother's grill, ALL DAY LONG. Luckily Preston doesn't seem to mind.

Piano Man

My favorite piano teacher is performing. You won't want to miss it...and it's for a good cause!

Steve Haberman’s Volunteer Jam

Three Rivers Convention Center

August 1st 12 pm-12 am (you can join in any time)

Pure Jazz entertainment

Jerry Douglas (former soap opera star) will arrive at 8pm and perform with the Steve Haberman Orchestra Sinatra-style swing jazz

Tickets available for purchase at Ted Brown Music, to charge call 582.0631

http://www.bfvc.org/

****My friend Ashley asked me to post this (she lives in China and can't access her blog), and she sent along this photo she happened to have on file of me talking to Steve at a wedding reception 11 years ago. I can't believe how long I let my hair get, and you can't even see the end of it!

Brotherly Love

During dinner Michael did his usual escape out of his highchair. He ran directly over to his brother and this is what we found him doing. I find Preston surrounded by balls and blankets at least once a day. I guess it's Michael's way of showing him some brotherly love. The day we came home from the hospital, this is the first thing Michael did to Preston. Sorry for the poor lighting, it doesn't look like that on my computer, just on youtube.

There are even more balls underneath the blankets. The next video I post should be of Michael throwing these balls at me and Preston while I'm nursing (Don't worry, I'll spare you). I'm getting better at blocking/dodging them, but I still have a ways to go.

Loving Our Newest (Sleepy) Addition

Preston is an angel baby, and we are so glad to have him around. His favorite thing to do is sleep. As soon as we put him in the bath, he falls asleep, and wakes up crying when you take him out. Michael LOVES his new brother, and keeps me on my toes every waking moment because he wants to be all over him, smothering him with love, kisses, hugs, balls, books, blankets...you name it, he wants Preston to have it. Lucky for us, Preston is as laid back as they come.

Life of the Party

Michael is definitely the life of the party. This weekend Michael spent slippin' and slidin' on the farm with his dad and cousins (probably the funniest thing I've ever seen was Michael sliding down the hill at full speed with his glasses on), swimming in Nana's pool (first time jumping off the diving board), splashing in his own kiddie pool, and eating sweet corn. It was a hot, hot, hot weekend, and I so wished I could jump in the pool or river.