Lots of love

We had lots of family in town over the last couple weeks and it's been so fun!

3 Generations --- Grandpa, Daughter/Mom, Boys

LOTS of family came in town for Josh's blessing. What a blessing to have such a strong support network.

The men that participated in the blessing. Again - we're so blessed to have a strong support network.

My wonderful parents drove all the way from Utah for the weekend festivities.

Grandma with the kids.

First drum set.

SMILES!!!

Rock star Josh. He likes to sport the Mohawk look these days.

Parenting

I am working on a post with pictures. But I've thought a lot about parenting in the last --- well - two years - but a lot more in the recent months. This video really touched me and reminded me the importance of truly BEING with my children. How often do I just get down on the floor with Gabe and play? Or take the time to sit and coo and smile at Joshua? Probably not often enough!!

Cousin Love

Claire and Gabe, March 2010
1 point for Claire

Gabe and Claire, August 2010
1 point for Gabe

Are Iris and Joshua gearing up for the same rivalry?

Waveland, Mississippi

A typical Sunday evening at hotel Garcia, Metairie, LA

Kids y Abuelos

We went to Houston this weekend to see Caroline, David, Elijah, Claire, Iris, and the ever-hospitable Schmidt family. Here's a picture of Caroline and I and the kids. Iris and Joshua are 4 days apart. (Yes, Gabe and Claire are also quite close in age - they were born 3 days apart.)

Gabe wants to be like Brian in every way - including how he puts on shoes.

And more pictures of the noise-box sleeping. Doesn't he look calm and serene? You would never guess at the grunts, squeaks, and other indescribable noises he produces while in slumber.

Despair

Dealing with transition by fighting off sleep like it's the plague has brought Gabe to new sleeping quarters.

For Jennifer

We've had a request...
Here you are Ms. Chiles!!

Notice the trend of these pictures - a sleeping Joshua and a not sleeping Gabe. That's been the life at our house for the last three weeks!
We took Joshua for his 2 week checkup last week and he's already gained 1 lb 3 oz and grown 2 inches. It's amazing how fast they grow.

It's been so hot here, that whenever it rains without too much thunder, we head outside.

Gabe was mad because he wanted to SEE pictures of himself, not TAKE pictures of himself.

Coordination

Life with the Squeaker

While Joshua certainly has the lung capacity of his brother, he opts for squeaking, snorting and sighing for communication purposes. It's quite charming.

He likes to sleep with arms above his head

A rare moment awake (or at least half awake)

Gabe excited about holding "baby brother"

More sleeping

And what has Gabe been up to since Joshua has been born?
Below you'll find him in his lawn mowing get-up. (Brian mows the lawn with a similar ventilation/cooling system.)

He's taken over Josh's robe/towel thing. This is what he wore during a trip to Joanne's yesterday.

Making monster cookies with Grandma

Painting with Grandma