The Dog Lover

Just look at how excited he was.

We walked to an ice cream stand with several friends and all of our kids. It was perfect weather. It was a nice outing. And who can pass up ice cream?! David got to play with yet another dog. I just can't get over how happy he is when he sees dogs. No fear. Lets hope the ones we keep running into don't bite.

Little boys are made of snakes and snails and puppy dog tails!

Stone Zoo

Brad took David to the Stone Zoo today. It was a small zoo, Brad said he has seen better. For David it was really just a new place to play. The report was that he found a few animals that were funny or interesting but spent most of the time running around and picking up rocks...William and I enjoyed a quiet morning at home.

Playing near the globe

These aren't the best shots but you can just see his face smiling at what he sees behind the glass.

About to get his hand bit off by some wild cat. Brad thought to take a photo!

Sunday Dinner

We enjoyed having the Clark family over for Sunday dinner. Jeff is one year ahead of Brad in dental school and they've taken us under their wing so to speak...we've had lots of good advice from them about school and how things work. They were nice enough to let us celebrate their son's birthday with them. He turned six. We had fun.

(Note the cupcakes were provided by Cheryl, she is a talented cake decorator.)

Sailing Date

Getting stuck in Boston traffic and completely missing the date we had planned at the Sailing Clubs open house--$73 (sitter plus, very expensive parking, plus Gatorade, plus Mike's pastry, plus lunch)

Walking around Boston alone with Brad--priceless (no crying, no demands for food, no need to provide entertainment)

Too bad we spent our dating budget for the year on just one outing...perhaps we'll plan better and go sailing next spring!

Curious George

David and Curious George

We've been experimenting with a few TV shows for David--I hate to admit this but it is a lifesaver when Mom needs a shower in the morning! Our favorite by far is Curious George. Brad and I can even watch it. David thought that George was interesting...from a distance. He was pointing and getting excited and saying "Ooooo" as we walked up to the monkey. But being plunked down on his lap was another story.

Feeling more okay about the monkey when Mom came on the scene

An all to familiar picture of William--I just couldn't bring myself to move a happy baby even for Curious George.

I was so proud of myself. Today I was out of the house with both kids by 8:00 am and had everything done that I wanted to accomplish by 12:00 noon. This never EVER happens! But it didn't last. I realized that I forgot to buy sour cream and worse. I got a parking ticket at the library while we were getting pictures with George. Trying to get the two boys in and out of the car was such a production I forgot to feed the stupid meter. Forget feeling productive too. Argh! Curse New England and the tiny tiny paid parking spots at public buildings. I find it horrid that you have to pay to park at the library where everything is supposed to be free.

Marathon Monday

The Boston Marathon

We weren't convinced it was the great. Watching people run? Seriously? How could that possibly be fun? Wow. What we didn't know!

This man was one of the first things we saw. It really brought me to tears and I don't think it was just hormones. Are there even words for this picture? We were sitting on mile 19 just before heartbreak hill. I'll have to remember to not let things get in my way when I want to do something. How inspiring.

Some of the women runners

There were just waves and waves of people. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 20,000 and they all have a story. (And have to qualify in another marathon to even get a number in this one!)

Another inspiring sight

It wasn't a meltdown free morning but I won't ever forget how happy David was to play with dogs. Probably my second favorite memory of him to date. I'm a little scared that he is so friendly with "ruff ruffs". He is a prime candidate for getting bit. But the look on his face as he pets and plays. Priceless. There is a little part of me that would almost buy him one.

How William spent the entire outing

David and I

Red Sox caps. Brad made a special trip just to buy one for David. Of course there was a lot of chatting and laughing with the families that were there with us. You can't have enough friends at an event like this.

Bekah's Shower

I hosted a shower for a friend from our ward. Host is a very broad term. I really couldn't have pulled it off without all the help from Brad and everyone else that brought food, planned games, or lended decorations and other little things. I am amazed at how everyone just came together and made the planning so much easier. It turned out to be a really great party. Congrats Bekah.

Bekah after the games

Refreshments

Enjoying themselves!

The whopper centerpiece...in hopes that the baby isn't a whopper!

The gifts. So pretty!

MInute Man National Park

During the shower Brad took David to Minute Man National Park to see some of the Patriot's Day festivities. They left before the actual reenactment of the battles of Lexington and Concord but were still able to see a lot.

The Redcoats

David thought about joining up with them for a minute...

Luckily he didn't. We all know what ended up happening!

The Colonial Minutemen

As I recall they get the name because they were to be ready in a moments notice. They don't look as pretty as the British for sure but they did get the job done!

It was the taxation with out representation that got David. He joined up with the minutemen.


The cannon firing was so loud the vibrations knocked off Brad's aim for the photo.


It doesn't look like much but welcome to the Paul Revere capture site. You'll always be sure to get a history lesson if you read much of this blog! Brad came home with a sleeping David. Happy but tired. David went straight for a nap without waking up.

Spring?!

Days like today make me feel a little guilty for whining so much about the weather. David was just SO HAPPY to walk to the park and play with friends. Luckily they were nice enough to share their toys with us. I never thought I'd get a sunburn in 60 degrees but I did. Thank goodness for warmer dry days!

Easter Weekend

You might not know it but this is David at the church Easter Egg hunt. I hassled Brad for not posing a better picture but you make do with what you have. Brad reports that David was so excited to find eggs. He picked up one...two...found that the candy inside shook and then he was done. He spent the rest of the time pushing a trash can around the cultural hall. At least he isn't too tied up in the commercial part of the holiday!

But I must admit I had to do a basket even though it had nothing to do with the true reason we celebrate the holiday.

Once he saw the truck he didn't care about the other stuff in there. William may participate a little more next year...

After church we spent the afternoon in Cambridge at a waffle brunch with a lot of people from dental school that I've never met. I felt a little uncomfortable as we were one of a few there with kids. I got over that pretty fast. David was a wild man but still charming. He was more than happy to be the center of attention the whole time. Hopefully we didn't scare most of the single people there from getting married and having children! William slept through it all and we enjoyed ourselves. It was good to put faces with names I hear so often. Brad and David both came back with stains on their ties and I'm not sure how to get out. So that means the waffle toppings were great. Thanks Mel and Derek for hosting.

Down at the Gun Range

This is a rare Brad post.

Well, yesterday marked the end of a long line of tests, about 14 tests in two months.  To blow off steam I went with my friend Mark down to his local gun range.  We decided to try out a few of his guns.  We shot off a .22 semi-auto pistol, a 9mm Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol and a .40 Sig Sauer semi-auto pistol.  Ironically, the small .22 was the least accurate.

The 9mm Smith & Wesson

We also fired off some of his rifles.  We fired both an M1 Garand, the main rifle used during WWII (this one was made in 1944, so it could have seen action in that war) and an AK-47.  The AK was fun to shoot, but the M1 was amazing.  Accurate and powerful with an extremely easy to use sight.  Only problem with the M1 is it's almost too powerful.  The next morning I found a bruise on my right shoulder.

Brad and the AK-47 (with muzzle flash)

One Month William

William

My baby turned one month old today. I honestly can't believe it. I blinked and he wasn't a newborn anymore. I've been told time and time again that they just grow too fast. I finally believe it. It is no secret that this little baby surprised us but now I can't imagine life without him. William is a mellow guy who spends his days sleeping, sucking on his binki, and looking around. He is in the bouncer or swing a lot more than David was. This is mainly for protection from his brother. But he seems like the movement too. William is already starting to hold his head up. Even though our lives have changed quite dramatically this past year I often find myself humbled when I think of blessings--mainly three wonderful boys.

Leave Him Alone for a Minute...

David helping William

I hopped on the computer to pay a few bills and didn't think through where I'd put William. The pediatrician at the hospital told me that of anything my older son was the biggest danger to my newborn. I thought DUHA! What, did they think was an idiot?! But I guess I did need the reminder. Leaving William on the floor in David's room probably wasn't the very best idea. I went to check on him and found David trying to "help" put his binki in. Forget that half the time helping means taking it out. And he has been occasionally smashed too. At least this time nobody got hurt. But I can't say it always turns out this lucky.

William survived the incident :)