Stink Barns

Uncle Christian had some leftover fireworks. The younger kids really enjoyed when he light the "stink bombs" which MJ called "stink barns." He was a bit excited and nervous about the whole thing, but had a pretty good time.

North Carolina

Here are Joey and I with Michelle and Baby Natalie. Doesn't she look amazing for just having a baby 1 week ago! Joey was a bit tired and cranky so we had to use the pacifier for the picture. I like how Natalie and Joey both have their arms strecthed out.

Natalie is such a sweet baby. I think she is about 6 1/2 pounds and Joey is about 24 pounds. There are 5 months apart.

Here is Joey with Godfather, Luke.

Joey really had a fun time.

Carrots and trip to NC

Later on Sunday, we tried giving Joey some carrots. Why carrots? I'm not sure, I think I should look at the order of food introduction for MJ. Carrots were not a big hit. Joey ate them, but didn't look as happy about the taste.

Monday, Mario headed off for work again, this time back to Cincinatti. My mother-in-law and her family were making a trip from NY through VA to NC to meet their newest grandaughter, Natalie. They entertained my crazy idea to hitch a ride with them, so off me and my boys went in the van. There were 11 of us altogether, and we had a great time. I'm glad it was able to work out. MJ and Joey were able to spend a lot of time with many of their aunts and uncles, and Grandma Suarez. Here's MJ in his carseat in the "big van".

Uncle Christian and Aunt Michelle have a lovely home with a nice fenced in yard. MJ found the dirt quickly and was literally rolling in it. What a boy!

Wedding in Charlottesville

Last Saturday-Sunday we headed back to good old Charlottesville for Jack and Montana's wedding. It was fun going back to a place we lived for 2 years. We had to take the standard boys in the hotel picture. Can you see Joey's incredible drool spots?

I'm bummed our canera was taking fuzzy pictures. Below is most of the Darden gang in attendance at the wedding. It was probably the most well-organized and best time-managed wedding we have been to. They had babysitters lined up for the 2 families (with 3 kids total). So, our kids were watched in a suite where both the wedding and reception took place. I think both of the boys were good, but MJ didn't fall asleep again. He eventually fell asleep on the drive back to the hotel at about 12:20am. Poor kiddo was a little off his normal schedule for a few days after that.

Our Band

Happy Anniversary to Mario and I! Wow, 4 years... it's been pretty great. Sadly, Mario was on a project and was traveling from New Jersey to Cincinatti on Thursday so we weren't together. I had fun with my other boys though. I wanted to get a picture of Joey and one of his new favorite toys (the red piano). Mario grabbed the xylophone and started to play too. Wasn't it nice of them to play for Mommy and Daddy on their anniversary?

This basket was at least a foot away from Joey, but somehow he lunged at got it. He tipped it over and hit the "jackpot" of toys. I remember when MJ was at this stage. Their eyes light up like, "Wow, look at all those toys in there!" As you can maybe see from the ladder in Joey's hand, I'll need to do a better job of watching which toys are in his reach. I doubt he'd poke his eye out with that, but I should still be careful.

In other fun news, I've been trying to remember to add prayers to our bedtime routine with MJ. He really likes it when we start saying "God Bless, Daddy... etc" I know he misses Daddy so much when he's away. I didn't actually think he'd pick up on the prayers so quickly, but after about a week of doing this, I walked away to fill his cup of water and when I returned I heard MJ trying to say the Our Father by himself. I know he's heard it many times before this, but it was fun to hear him try it on his own.

We're heading to a wedding in Charlottesville tomorrow. And now I hear Mario is getting off the phone with his brother, so it's time to watch our movie!

2 1/2 years

At 6:08pm Monday, July 16th, my neice Natalie was born. I'm so excited for Christian and Michelle. I totally began to reminsce my first moments holding MJ when he was a baby, when I realized that it was exactly 2 1/2 years ago that MJ was born. Really, almost to the minute too, b/c MJ was born at 5:54pm on January 16, 2005. I'll never forget Natalie's birthday! So, late Monday night I wanted to get a picture of MJ to remember the moment. This is the best I could do. Happy Birthday Natalie!

Our First Movie

This is just a picture of Joey sitting up from earlier in the week. I'm not sure if you can tell, but he's holding a car. He loves watching MJ play with them; and it seems he already likes them too.

This morning we made our first attempt to see a movie in the movie theatre. One of the new theatres in our area is showing movies at 10am for kids (and their parents) FREE! Small soda and kid-size popcorn are $1 each. Today they were showing Over the Hedge. MJ sat on this little booster seat and Joey's carseat fit in a chair well and I positioned myself between them. Joey should have slept, but I think he was awake for the whole movie. MJ was a little scared in the beginning, so I had to hold him then. But then he got back in his chair. I think they had a good time...well, at least they were cooperative. I had a good (free) time.

Joey looks really big from the angle of this picture. I stayed during the credits so I could take these pictures. The few people left in the theatre with me probably thought I was crazy.