Hello, 9-1-1?

Yes, is this 9-1-1?  I have a situation here...

We need a Hazmat team dispatched for a major clean up in South Austin.

The polluting suspect is a caucasian male, 3 months old, around 2 feet high, patchy brown hair and blue eyes.  While the rest of us are reeling from the spill, he seems rather happy and satisfied.  He has even smiled a couple of times.  No need to send an ambulance - a LOT of wipes and some rubber gloves will do.  

Uncle Scot, Aunt Maggie & Tyson

Scot, Maggie and Tyson made the trek to Austin this weekend to see their new nephew / cousin. There was a lot of eating involved, and just hanging out in general.

Tyson is a soon-to-be big brother so he was able to sharpen those big-brother skills with TE.  One of his most frequent requests was to 'pet' the baby.  TE happily obliged.

As you can see, TE finds Tyson very interesting.  Tyson was even able to get a few smiles from TE (by petting him, of course).

Tyson discovered that TEs crib was a good place to hang out and watch videos on Maggie's iPhone.  Regretfully, I didn't get a picture.  You'll just have to trust me when I say that finding him hanging out in the crib totally absorbed in cartoons was a pretty funny sight.  He also shared all of his toys with TE by piling them in the Pack n Play.

TE took to his Uncle Scot & Aunt Maggie right away.  He's definitely a fan of family who come to visit and hold him, even if he has to squish his newest cousin to get into Aunt Maggie's arms.  It was a sacrifice he was willing to make.

Aunts are FUN!!

 Scot, Maggie, Tyson - Thanks so much for coming to see us.  We hope these next two months go smoothly for you all.  We can't wait to meet TEs newest cousin!!

Easter Sunday

TE was fussy during the first half of the church service and then slept through the second half.  TR had church business to take care of afterwards, so TE and I headed home to see what the easter bunny left for us.   

We got two baskets, but we had to wait on TR before opening them.  Lucky TE got to hang out in the Neglect-O-Matic for a while.

All of that waiting can wear out a baby.  TE snoozed through the whole basket-opening event.

When he FINALLY woke up, we showed him the animatronic bunny Nana & Addy sent.  The first time we made it 'go' we got BIIIG smiles.  The second time the bunny got just a wee bit scary, so we put it on the mantle.  I guess there's truth in the whole 'too much of a good thing'.  We'll just use it in moderation.

Bathing Beauty

We discovered that hands that remain in fists most of the day are prone to finger jam.  Talk about a disgusting discovery.  

Look ma, no more screaming and crying during bath time.  I may even start to like getting clean.
Sucking on fist = happy place.

Hey, did you have to post a picture showing everyone my duck?  It's so embarrassing.    

First Job Interview

TE spent Good Friday pounding the pavement looking for a job.  Our plan is to have him employed in the next few months.  His first interview was at The Sound Lab.  He heard that audio engineers are practically rock stars, and we all know how TE likes to be the life of the party.

As you can tell, TEs smiles are infectious.  He was working his hardest to impress Phil and Steve. 
Steve is getting ready to test TEs ProTools skills.  Unfortunately, TE only knows about ProDrools, which is a NO-NO around the console.  Trust me, I know all about how it is forbidden to set your drink anywhere on the console...even if it looks like a 'safe' place.

All in all, the interview went really well.  We're just waiting for the call:)

Lord of the Manor

TE has discovered his hands.  Evidently they taste pretty darn good.

Remember the Muppet Show?  Remember the two old hecklers who sat in the balcony critiquing the show?

 Now look at TE....

All he needs is just a little grey hair & a serious moustache.  

TE's First St. Patty's Day

Underneath his bib his onsie says "Kiss Me I'm Irish".  It must have worked because he was tuckered out, or should I say puckered out, after day care today.  I'm not sure why his tongue is hanging out of his mouth, but it could have something to do with the beer stein in his right hand.    

Oh, and his bib is on crooked.  Again.

Hey, it ain't easy being green.

Spring Break '08, Part Deux

In case you can't tell, I was getting a little tired of TE always being the star.  Not to mention that he's laying down in all of the pictures since TR hasn't been home to hold him during a lot of the photo ops.  This is my attempt at getting us both in the shot.  You can see from which side of the family he gets his double chin.

This is how TE likes to fall asleep - on someone's shoulder.  I am usually anxious for him to doze off so I can get things done around the house.  When he FINALLY does drift off, I get suckered into holding him for the entire nap.  There's something to be said for having him so close AND so quiet.  It's almost special:)

Needless to say, there are a lot of things around the house that don't seem to be getting done.  Oh well, there's always the next nap...

Spring Break '08

Sleeping in until 10, eating late breakfast, taking long naps in Mom's arms....this is the best time ever!

Morning Routine

Normally we are too tired to take any pictures in the morning but TE's cuteness factor was through the roof today.  He's sporting his fancy overalls and personalized cap.

TE hangs out in his baby vibrator while mom finishes getting ready for work.  This little seat has made our mornings a lot easier.  TE gets a massage while I dry my hair and make faces at him.  

Notice the tray in the background.  TR makes a hot breakfast for everyone in the morning & brings it upstairs.  This way we can eat while taking care of business. 

Just in case you didn't believe me about the personalized hat AND the cuteness factor.  
  

Sensory Overload

Given that TE likes to lay on the floor and wriggle his entire body while inspecting the room around him, I thought that he would LOVE one of those play mats with the dangly things.  I spent a lot of time imagining how much fun he would have kicking his little feet at the toys suspended above him while fixating on the bright colors & bold prints.  He would be in baby heaven - and I was going to be the one to make it happen.  

All week I looked forward to Saturday when I could go to the store and pick up his surprise gift.  I was absolutely convinced that he would think this play mat was the best toy EVER!!!

Boy was I wrong.

As you can tell, he can barely contain his excitement.  Heck, he's almost looking at the thing.  I fired up the music and blinking lights, but obviously some tinny sounding Mozart screeching out of a crappy speaker didn't cut it.  He didn't think the lights were anything special, either.

As a matter of fact, one could almost say all of the noise, blinking lights, dangly fuzzy things and bright colors are just a little scary.  Nope, this is not a fun time for TE at all.

GET ME OUT OF HERE BEFORE THAT GIRAFFE EATS MY BRAINS!!!!

Let me just say playtime ended in tears.  Evidently he likes the simple things: floor, receiving blanket, ceiling with fan.  

On the upside - he did look exceptionally cute the whole time in his little crocodile outfit.  Thanks Tanta! 

Moon in the Morning

This is TE all dressed and ready for his two-month doctor's visit.  There wasn't any time to do a wardrobe change if he did one of those 'belch up my breakfast on the way out the door' moves, hence the bib.  Notice how it is DIRECTLY below the spigot...I mean mouth.  That's right, I meant business. Come rain, sleet, snow or a stomach full of milk, we were NOT going to be late.  

The Pooh hat is really cute when it's on the right way (pulled down a bit more & with the little ears sticking up in the air).  

And yes, let's address the 400lb gorilla in the room...those jowls and the nice quadruple chin.  We're not 100% sure what he's packing in there, but it has been a while since we've seen the cat.

What you can't see in this picture, which I did NOT know about until we had him undressed at the doctor's office, is that his diaper is loose and his little plumber crack is on display.  By a little plumber crack I mean practically his whole bottom was hanging out in the breeze.  You can only imagine the moment of shame I had when the doctor turned him on his tummy and the moon came out.  I almost said "Well, we can tell that Daddy dressed you this morning", but caught myself before the words came out of my mouth.  That won't happen again.  The new rule is if you aren't at the doctor's office to defend yourself, you take all of the heat.  Sorry.

The New Babysitter

We've decided that instead of taking TE to daycare he can just stay at home with Sylvia.  It certainly is a lot cheaper.  We're sure they'll get along just fine - they both like to lay on the floor and both seem to like TE's little toys.  

As you can tell, Sylvia takes her job seriously, never letting her eyes leave TE.  

Catching a TE smile with the still camera is hard.  This is just another failed attempt.