Fredrick's Blessing Day

On Sunday we were able to have Fredrick blessed in church. Randy did a wonderful job, and it was a very special moment for our family. We were so glad that Dale and Darlene were able to make it to celebrate with us.

I was grateful that Fredrick with all his eating and growing still fit into the blessing outfit that I knitted for him. The pattern was from a Norwegian designer and was a stretch of my skill. It isn't perfect, but I was happy with the end result.

The beautiful blanket Fredrick was blessed in was crocheted by my mom. Thank you!!!

Our happy family!

Here is Fredrick in the outfit Randy was blessed in:

We get more and more dimpled smiles every day. I think he rather likes all the kisses and smothering from his big brother! I'm glad these two are friends already. I'm convinced the reason Fredrick came when he did was for Wesley. I can't wait to see these two grow up together.

We Wish You . . .

A Happy Halloween! From our future baseball players!

Don't party too hard.

Because that's just how I roll . . .

I looked over at Wesley yesterday evening and saw . . . one shoe off, one shoe on, one pant leg up, one pant leg down. Apparently it's the new style. I'm so behind the trends.

Thank goodness he's not too cool yet for a good cuddle. Poor guy has had a nasty cold this week, that he was kind enough to share with the rest of us :o(

Someone he's definitely not too cool for: Fredrick. The other morning when I got Wesley out of bed I asked for a hug, and he waved me aside. He promptly ran out of his room, went looking for Fredrick, found him and gave him a hug and a kiss. I know where I stand in the pecking order now!

Fredrick at One Month

Happy One Month Birthday Bud!

We love you!

Four Weeks Already!

I meant to get some pictures up after Fredrick's three week check up last week, but I got an infection in my incision (yeah, ick. Painful and ick.) so I haven't been completely on my game. With the help of antibiotics and more pain meds, I think I'm turning the corner if I can get enough sleep! But this little guy isn't such a little guy--he's over 9 pounds now and out of his newborn clothes. He cluster feeds and sleeps for a good six hour block some nights, which is amazing! Having a big baby is a lot easier I'm finding than having a premie. Also the second time around I'm not so paranoid.

We are getting ready for Halloween around here. Doesn't Fredrick look like he's trying to cast a spell on you? He is a crack-up already . . . I think I'm going to have my hands full with funny boys around here.

Monday we packed the boys up in the car and made our way to a local pumpkin patch. Wesley even had some very cool galoshes for the occasion.

I love this picture. Pure excitement and joy. That's what holidays are all about.

This lucky guy got a wheel-barrow ride from Grandpa. So much fun!

Brothers!

Searching for the perfect one . . .


Family Fun!

And here are a few random cutenesses from the past couple of weeks . . . .

Hopefully the rest of my recovery will be uneventful. I am looking forward to having my energy back and visiting family in few weeks for my nephew's christening. Plus the holidays are here, and I am ready to party!

Fredrick: Two Weeks!

Here is our cute, chubby Fredrick boy at two weeks. His check-up isn't until next Friday so I won't have his stats until then, but from the rolls accumulating on his body I think he's thriving! Wesley still thinks he's pretty cool--I have been lucky so far that Wes will let me read stories to him while I nurse Fredrick so he doesn't feel ignored. That boy loves his books!

My recovery is going better than it did last time. I sometimes overdo it because I am feeling well, but other than that no complaints. My mom has been an amazing help, coming over every day and making sure I am getting enough rest and helping out with Wesley and the house. We have been slowly settling into our new apartment, which we love by the way. One of these days I will take some pictures of our new place.

On Wednesday we took an outing to the library for story time. I loved the library growing up, and I am excited for Wesley to enjoy reading and learning as well. The librarian who led the story time did an amazing job-- she sang songs with the kids and did finger plays as well, and it was a blast. I think it will have to be a regular outing for the boys! It was a good excuse to get Mommy out of the house as well :o)

We are getting excited for the change in seasons and for the approaching holidays. Due to the fact that I just gave birth, there will be no repeat of the monkey costume sewing of last year (I'm not that crazy). Considering Wesley's obsession with baseball (EVERYTHING is baseball around here. According to Wesley, the only thing that should appear on a television screen should be a baseball game. He also turns everything he can either throw or hit with into a baseball/bat.) I think there will be some kind of baseball theme this year for the boys.

Wesley helped Grandma decorate for Halloween, which meant he either wore the decorations on his head or grouped them together in one spot on the ground. He has a great aesthetic sense already!
He also helped pick horse chestnuts at the park to use in decorations. Anything he can do out of doors is very popular. Did I mention that the mini pumpkin Grandma bought him at the store is also apparently a baseball? Luckily I saved it before it got thrown across the room :o). The kid has a pretty good arm.
Fredrick did his part in all of this by just being sweet and cute and sleeping through the whole thing! What a guy.

Big Brother

As I was preparing to give birth to Fredrick, I happened across a section in a child development/pediatrician book my sister in law gave me when I had Wesley. It was in the section dedicated to children Wesley's age, the "almost-two-ers," and talked about how to handle a new addition to the family. It gave some really good advice, but also gave this council: a child who is almost two is just figuring out who he/she is and what is going on--don't expect too much out of them. Don't expect them to love the baby, give them time. So when we showed Fredrick to Wesley in the hospital and then eventually brought this new little guy home with us, I wasn't expecting much. I was basically hoping that Wes would tolerate Fredrick until he was old enough to understand more of what was going on. But Wesley has far surpassed my expectations. He loves having Fredrick riding with him in the back seat of the car. He loves to give him kisses. He is so concerned if he ever hears Fredrick cry, and has to find him in the morning when he wakes up. This guy has all the makings of the best big brother ever. Fredrick is a lucky boy.

These are the flowers he brought Mommy and Fredrick in the hospital. Grandma is teaching him to be such a gentleman already!

Getting to know each other in the hospital. Tiny stinky feet! (to Wes, all feet are stinky and he waves his hand in front of his nose.)

Should say, #1 Big Brother!

Excited for Mommy and Fredrick to come home from the hospital! The kid is quite an artist by the way.

A little Grandma movie time while Mommy is away.

Future Best Friends.