Fishing part one

Jackson has been enthralled with the idea of fishing.  We play fish with a toy on a string.  Jason got the birthday boy a real rod.  Here they are learning to cast in the backyard.  Next up, hitting the lakes and streams.

Jonah rolls over

Baby Jonah is already trying to keep up with his big brother. I brought him home from the hospital, set him on the bed on his belly, turned my back, and he rolled over--twice.  Jason saw him do it a week later on the couch. Last night, he was on a roll (ohh, sorry for the pun), but I managed to capture it on film.  Here is my brand newbie 2 1/2 week old baby rolling from front to back:



It's a three step process.
Step 1 (optional): Get Really Mad
Step 2: Lift up giant head and fling it to one side.
Step 3: Allow giant head to pull rest of body over.

And lest you think my bed is sloped giving him some unfair advantage, he goes left!

Introducing Jonah Dale Dodge

 

It's [finally] time to welcome Jonah Dale Dodge to the world.  Born Monday, April 5, 2010 at 8:56 pm: 7lb 15oz and 19 3/4 inches long.  He looks very much like baby Jackson, but with a twist of Daddy this time instead of Mom.  Jonah has blue eyes and a surprising cap of silky dark brown hair. 

We were, of course, thrilled from the first moment.  And so far, things are just getting better.  Jonah is not following in the footsteps of his big brother on many accounts.  First, Note the size--less than 8 lbs (vs the 9lb 6oz of baby Jackson).  Jonah caught on to the art of breastfeeding right away.  He followed that trick up with the ability to sleep, in his own space, and on his back!   Like his brother, he is a breathtakingly beautiful child with a matching disposition.

How is big brother Jackson doing?  Pretty well.  He is doing a good job of checking on Jonah, helping to get things for him, and shushing us to be quiet when Jonah is sleeping.  Jackson is also very nervous about the baby.  He doesn't want to sit by him, and I've only seen him touch him twice.  Definitely no hugs or kisses yet.  Jackson is also alarmed by the crying, he will ask why he cries, and if it goes on for more than a few seconds he retreats to another room.

Here I am just before heading out to the hospital. 

 

Look at that yawn! 

That's it for the picture posts.  For those of you who are detail hungry, I'll get to the birth story soon.  

Behave

Quote of the day:

"Daddy, Behave!"

Followed by, "Mom, he isn't being have."

Catching up on the holidays--Halloween

This Halloween, I thought I could just try to put Jackson in his dinosaur costume from last Halloween.  Around mid-October, I was in Target with Nicole who was trying to show me an adorable chicken costume for wee ones.  We didn't see the chicken costume, but Jackson spotted the Elmo.  We weren't even out of the store before he was wearing it.

We had a great time trick or treating--Jackson was into it after the first house.  He would walk slowly up the driveway, say Trick or Treat before the bell was rung or the door was opened, collect handful after handful of candy (on account of his amazing cuteness), then whisper "Ank you" after the door closed and he was 1/2 way down the walk.  At the middle of the driveway, he would shout, "We need get some more candy!" and we'd walk to the next house.

Someone in the neighborhood stages a haunted house in their garage complete with a cardboard maze, scary music, ghouls and skeletons on pullies, and a strobe light.  We went in with Jackson walking cheerfully.  As we traversed the maze, Jack walked more and more slowly.  Eventually he just stopped walking and we had to carry him the rest of the way out.  Our hosts treated him at the end, and he declared it "not so bad" as we walked away.

Driving home, we all had a piece of chocolate from the pumpkin.  Back inside, the pumpkin went on the counter and Jackson got out his stool to help himself to more candy.  The pumpkin journeyed to higher and higher spots in the kitchen, eventually spending the night on top of the refrigerator.    It eventually went on a high shelf in the pantry, with Jackson asking daily for his candy rations (2 pieces).  The pumpkin was much heavier than it should've been for the 20 odd houses we hit (widely spaced country houses, and a still queasy feeling mother).