Beautiful little boy

Hello sports fans, Sparky's Mojo is back with the whole Rowan story. He was born last Wednesday morning at 8:12 am. He brought many surprises - he was much smaller than his older sister - a full pound and seven ounces lighter, though only 1/2" shorter. Maureen had a full head of brown hair and very pronounced eyebrows; Rowan has no eyebrows, sparse blond hair and white eyelashes. We are trying to figure out who he takes after but are unable to confidently pin him on a relative. He looks like Rowan. It just proves that you can't measure against anyone else - he is his own person - and we are very happy.

Rowan is, for the most part, a very calm baby. He has taken off with the feeding concept and seems to know exactly what to do. We're in the re-learning process about baby-care. The whole circumcision thing is new to us - and a bit daunting. He seems to still ache from the procedure.

Maureen seems to be doing OK with her new baby brother. She manages to get her fair share of attention - last night we were having dinner at home with Kristin's parents and sisters; we were all jabbering about Rowan, when all of the sudden Mojo broke out in song. Immediately she was center stage and all was right with the world.

Here are some more pictures documenting the last week. I'm on vacation and will be home for an extended stay to help while Kristin heals. Feel free to stop by for a visit!

Introducing Rowan

Rowan Patrick

7lbs; 7 oz

19"

Miriam's birthday

We went to a birthday party for 1-year-old Miriam last night. Miriam is the niece of Maureen's future uncle Jeff. The party was held in a really nice neighborhood on the east end - there was a wonderful spread of Asian food (Jeff's family is from the Philippines) and they had a huge bouncy inflatable (we used to call them moonwalks.) Maureen was in heaven. We had to pull her out, much to her disappointment, when the bigger kids took over. But the bigger kids would only be interested for five minutes or so, and then they would leave and Mojo would go back in. She was able to play with her cousin Claire. Because Claire is a year older and more sure-footed than Mo, she was able to climb the ladder inside the bouncy to go down the 10' slide. Maureen was disappointed each time she disappeared to do so, and would yell, "Claire, where are you!" All in all, it was a nice outing. Miriam was cute as a button. It's hard to imagine that she and Mo will be in the same class in school - Maureen seems to be so grown up compared to a one-year-old. But, she's an October child and that's where the cut-off happens. I guess kids catch up quickly.

"Here you go Joby"

As hoped, I received a disk in the mail (yes, the US postal service) this Wednesday with a series of cute videos. Here is Maureen feeding ice cream to her uncle Joe, or Joby as he is know in some familial circles. Thanks for the vid Chrissy!
Baby Dood is getting bigger and bigger and mama bear is getting more uncomfortable and anxious. She is big-time nesting now, preparing for the little guy. We have a full day of chores in store for us on Saturday, and we hope to enjoy the day together on Father's Day Sunday. With this preparation, I am getting pretty jazzed too.
I really think Maureen is putting the pieces together about a baby coming to live with us. The more she realizes, the more she wants to avoid the whole conversation. We're trying to talk with her and prepare her accordingly. We ask if she is going to help take care of the baby and give him hugs and kisses. She agrees quickly, and changes the subject quickly. I'm sure she'll need time and support through this whole process.
Have a great weekend. Be good people, and don't drive like my brother.

Papa Joe's Bday

You are never ready for your propane tank to go out on you. For yesterday's birthday party for my dad, the plan was for a BLT dinner for nine adults and two kiddos. To avoid the mess and smell, I was going to fry the bacon on my two-burner skillet outside. Well, if you are paying attention, you'll know where this is going. After frying up about thirty pieces of bacon in the kitchen the whole house smoked up and the place smelled like a Sunday Morning Cracker Barrel. But soon the guests arrived, the smoke quickly dissipated and we had a really nice party. My sister Chrissy took some fun videos that I hope to post soon.

As for my last post about the baby boy, no need for concern. I am very excited!

More on the Dood

I've been calling Baby Boy Dood lately, short for Maureen's idea of a name: Doodoo. It is becoming more and more of a reality that The Dood will be here soon. Am I ready? Good question.
Was I ready when Maureen was born? Definitely not. We both kind of adjusted to her. I think I'm in the same boat when it comes to Dood. I think we can handle the new baby part, it's the two kid dynamic that makes me uncertain. I'm sure we will just make it work.
It's weird though. Before Maureen was born, I had a sense of who she was. I guess, with the first child, you get so wrapped up in anticipation that you have this bond already in place. This new baby seems to be growing behind the scenes. At one point, I told Kristin that I sometimes forget she is pregnant. That went over well!
I know that I will love this new baby boy more than words describe. Watch this blog as I attempt to profess that love many times over.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THIS WEEKEND: Papa Joe's birthday party (here) on Sunday.

Happy Anniversary part 2

It was a happy anniversary indeed.

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 3rd anniversary! We are celebrating by showing our support for a free Tibet.

Namaste, y'all!

Growing pains

We went to Maureen's Aunt Kathy's birthday party yesterday, and there were quite a few kids there, closer to her kids' ages. Maureen is at a point where she wants to play with other kids, but still needs adult supervision most of the time and can't run as free like the older ones. A and G are great with Mo, but she just can't compete when there's running and throwing and fashion shows and giggling about tooties involved. So poor Mo is stuck with Mom or Dad looming over her. We may be a bit overprotective and could possibly give her a little more rope, but, until she can easily master stairs (a StairMaster?) and become sure-footed, we're not likely to leave her side.
Maureen certainly LOVES* her cousins A and G, talks about them constantly, and longs for any face time possible with them. She gets giddy at the mention of them. We are happy that she will be seeing her cousins often over the summer and hope that they will be very close throughout their lives. I realize though, that A and G are growing as fast as Mo is, and there will always be an age gap. But fear not because Baby Doodoo** is on the way. I hope that Mo is as loving and nurturing for Dood as A is for G.

*Mo also loves her cousin Claire, who is closer in age to her. We look forward to seeing the two of them become close friends as they grow together. And even though cousin APD lives miles away, he is a special entry in her nightly "Godbless-ings".
**DooDoo is Maureen's name for the new baby. I probably should not start with the nicknames (especially nicknames that relate to fecal matter) until he is officially with us.