Welcome Sydney Jane!

Well, it's happened!  Another miracle has been added to the mix.  Sydney Jane was born at 5:12 in the morning this past Thursday 6/10, weighing in at 7 lbs. 15 oz., and screaming her little head off.  She has since settled down, way down.

Mom was, once again, amazing throughout.  I remain in awe of her strength and resilience.  Sydney was born less than 1-1/2 hours after we checked into the hospital - quick, but I wouldn't say painless!  All are well and we're home now.

Nothing compares to this feeling.

Proud mama.

Sonny came to visit the day Sydney was born.  They exchanged gifts and pleasantries - no competition yet!

Thanks to everyone who helped out - and who will be helping out!  

We couldn't do it without you.

The Final Days of the Only Child

It would seem the end of an era has finally arrived, as has Lisa's due date. While we're still only three, it's probably pretty safe to say that by the time the next entry is up we will be four.

As we have said before, Sonny will be a great big brother. He's developed into such a wonderful little boy - smart, friendly, curious, cheery, adventurous, and just plain fun. It'll be interesting to see how his personality develops further with a little brother or sister, and how the younger sibling develops differently than Sonny did as the result of having an older brother around.

No, really, he's very smart.

An afternoon at the train station with Grandma - beats Sesame Street any day.

Our second year at the US Open of Mountain Biking - Diablo Park.

Jump! It's no suprise that this is the same place Daddy broke his arm in 2008.

Pillow-fort destruction. It was a short-lived fort.

Backyard oasis.

The youngest patriot at our local Memorial Day gathering.

The lighter side of Memorial Day, "USA!, USA!, USA!"

It really is very exciting.

In closing, a special thanks to Mom for nine months of dedication... and a special thanks to Sonny for being such a great first child. We couldn't have asked, or even hoped, for more.

Miles of Milestones!

First Ag-Field Day (now called Rutgers Day). Apparently, there is a wholesome side to this event that completely escaped us as students.

Moo!

Hot dog eating on the field.

First time we saw Aunt Sal on TV!! Opus Jazz!

"Sal great!"

Sonny loves to dance... where does he get it??

First fire engine outside the house - not for anything serious, just serious excitement.

First Easter Egg Hunt at Grandma Chris' house!

First dip in Lake Kinnelon - clothes and all. Summer, or at least Spring, has arrived.

First climb to the top of the playground (not shown here). He's getting harder and harder to catch!

First appearance as the Unknown Comic.

First Jack Torrance impression (fortunately there are not a lot of these).

"Heeeeeere's Johnny!"

First Yankees' Game. We made it through several hotdogs and three full innings.

Hankes, #1, seriously.

First big-boy room (and big-boy bed, and giraffe head, and chalk board).

First catch with Aunt Hillary!

First day as a big brother... real, real soon.

Stay tuned...

Saint Patrick, His Day, and His Trip to Fort Lauderdale

Santino Patrick's Day.

Right before the little saint spit out his corned beef sandwich...

maybe making room for some stout?

Sonny's first plane ride - we were a bit nervous, but he was remarkably well-behaved.
I-Max laptop.

Dinner with some of the Fort Lauderdale family. Solid bunch, for certain.

Studying the menu with Mom at Bubba Gump's.
"Hmmm. Shrimp scampi, shrimp gumbo, rock shrimp, shrimp cocktail, shrimp parmagiana, shrimp over-easy, shrimp benedict, shrimp Sonny-side-up?"
Man, I love eggs.

You'd think he'd be all over that playground, right?
Wrong. Sand was definitely one of the highlights of this trip.

Dad looks like he has a serious double-chin. Can this photo be accurate??

More importantly, Sonny spots a bird on the beach.

Sonny goes after the bird.

The chase goes on.

Sonny goes too far.

Dad decides some exercise would benefit all.

"Hey you! Get back here!"

The reunion with Mom after the bird chase.

Sun, son, and fun.

I scream, you scream, we all scream...

Woo-hoo!

The gang of three, soon-to-be-four. We are officially ready for summer, and all that goes with it.

Pool envy.

Balcony sprints.

Beach sprints. This is my "Citizen Kane."

Uh oh! It looks like someone peed in the tub!

Actually, it only looks like someone peed in the tub. The water down there had a hue to it that was normal according to the notecard above Sonny's head.

Hugs on the balcony.

"Too sunny!"

Too Sonny.