Baby J

Beautiful Summer

2009-09-09T03:18:00.001-07:00

I can't complain, this was a wonderful summer. Much easier than last year, when Molly was just a newborn. We had fun taking little trips on the weekend, like to NYC or to near by amusement parks.

Yes, it's pretty much August already!

2009-07-31T17:26:00.000-07:00

For the lone soul who may still check this blog, thank you! I've been putting my pictures up on Facebook lately, it's easier to share. But here are as many pics as I can put up from the last 8 months. Yikes!!!

Obviously I have no free time

2009-01-11T12:08:00.000-08:00

Or else I would've updated this in the past 3 months. Here are a bunch of random pics

Vacation

2008-10-12T04:01:00.000-07:00

We went to Williamsburg, VA in early September to visit Kim and her family, and Johnny fell madly, deeply in love with Brooke. You can see understand, as she's quite the blond bombshell!

Brother and Sister

2008-10-12T03:58:00.000-07:00

They just kill me sometimes. I hope they stay this amused with each other.

Crayola Factory

2008-10-12T03:57:00.000-07:00

He's just too cute for words sometimes!

Our Family

2008-10-12T03:53:00.000-07:00

Johnny needed a family picture for school, and we dont' really have any, since one of us is typically taking the pictures. So our neighbor stopped by and we made him shoot it. You can see his reflection in the front door.

Random pictures

2008-10-12T03:52:00.001-07:00

Johnny was enjoying feeding Molly the other night

apple picking

2008-10-12T03:37:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. It's been a looooong time since I've updated. I'll try to put up as many as I can, before a child yells for me.

we went apple picking yesterday in Warwick, and it was just perfect and so much fun.

BIggest Head EVER

2008-08-03T04:32:00.000-07:00

But isn't it the most beautiful?

Awww

2008-07-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

Molly was sleeping on the couch (actually, she was sleeping in my arms, and I put her down so I could get my shoes on so we could go to dinner) and Johnny climbed up next to her and put his favorite blanket on her, and rubbed her belly.

AWWWWW

Bigger and Blonder

2008-07-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

That's Molly!

Simply perfection

2008-06-16T12:52:00.001-07:00

I just think she is amazingly perfect. Just so perfect.

Singing? There will be no singing.

2008-06-13T11:42:00.000-07:00

Johnny had a Spring Show today at school, and we were so excited for it. I was pretty much in tears waiting for all the kids to come into the room! And Johnny sings songs all the time at home, and loves it.

Well, he ain't into singing in public. He spent the majority of the show buried into Jeff's shirt. Later, when Jeff asked him why he didn't want to sing today, he said, "I tired." And that's just fine. It was still beautiful.

Here's my chubby cheeked little princess. She'll be 2 and a half months old on Father's Day. Wow!

And I know I shouldn't have used the flash for this shot, but look at the color of her eyes!

Smiles

2008-06-02T07:56:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure I could top this picture...

Some fun

2008-05-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

So we're well into our 7th week, and I may just be getting the hang of things! I'm not so overwhelmed as I was. I can get us out of the house reasonably well. Today was the first Friday (Johnny is home from school on Fridays) that I didn't face with a knot in my stomach - we had such a great day! I put Molly in the carrier and Johnny in the wagon and went for a nice walk around 9am, then Johnny and I played with bubbles in the tree house, then we had snack time, then Molly ate, then we watched some Dora, and then we all took a drive to a fun park, and I strapped Molly back in and Johnny got to climb around and have fun. Then he fell asleep in the car, I put him down for a nap, Molly woke up and ate, we played, and then I got her down for a nap.

This is all going too smoothly, isn't it?

I even got to clean a bathroom, run the dishes, and do a load of laundry. Yes, I am Super Woman, thank you.

Week by week

2008-05-14T11:58:00.000-07:00

I think we're surviving, but sometimes I'm not so sure.

Jeff and I had our 4th Wedding Anniversary, but it was our 10th Anniversary of meeting each other! These are the beautiful flowers he came home with...

She's waking up

2008-04-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

Here are some shots of Molly from yesterday afternoon, when she was just hanging out for a while.

And here is Johnny playing with Grandma Linda's sunglasses. In one of the shots, I think he actually resembles Katie Holmes...

Molly Grace

2008-04-16T08:35:00.000-07:00

She's here! She joined us on Sunday, April 6th at 1pm, and weighed in at 8 lbs, 10 oz. We're doing well, all things considered. Molly's Great-grandma passed away yesterday, a few hours after meeting her great-granddaughter. So now Molly will have a special angel looking out for her.

Circus

2008-03-30T04:11:00.000-07:00

Johnny found a few of the Easter Eggs that the Bunny hid, and has a love for jelly beans now. Smart kid!

We went to the Big Apple Circus on Easter, and Johnny had fun until about intermission, when his "Go home??" pleas got more and more urgent. We had a nice time while we were there.

Ready to pop?

2008-03-30T04:09:00.001-07:00

This was from Easter, 4 weeks before my due date. Any day now!!!!

Baby's Room

2008-03-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

She's due any day now (April 22, but she'd better be here before then!) and we've been working hard to get her room done. Well, maybe I should say that Jeff has been working really hard - he's replaced the windows and put in such wonderful molding all around the doors, the windows, the entire room.

Plus - he shocked me one day recently by hiring some artist to paint adorable flowers all over!

As you can see, we've chosen Molly for her name. If she pops out and is a boy, we're in biiiiig trouble.

The longest month

2008-02-24T09:15:00.000-08:00

What have we been up to in February? How about passing back and forth some horrible cold virus, which I've started referring to as the plaugue. First Johnny had it, then me, then Jeff, not Johnny has it again. I'm on antibiotics for a sinus infection, and Johnny's on them for an ear infection, but he ran another fever last night and is just suffering so much today. Thank God for Motrim, but his nose is just running like a faucet. The nurse said he's most likely got a virus on top of his ear infection, so expect a nasty cough and maybe some messy diapers.

I'm guessing that next up is me getting sick again, and then it'll be Jeff's turn. Last time we thought we were dying, so I can't wait to see how this time goes!

Here are some pictures of Johnny from a few minutes ago, lying on the couch, watching Teletubbies.

These Boots are Made for Walking

2008-01-18T11:09:00.000-08:00

I bought these snow boots at a consignment shop a few months ago for probably $7, but every time I tried to get them on Johnny, he fought me tooth and nail. Until Saturday morning, when, for some odd reason, he willingly wanted them on. I got him strutting around on videotape, b/c he was clomping around so hysterically that I never wanted to forget it.

And when I grabbed the regular camera, he was more than happy to pose for me!

Christmastime

2008-01-11T11:13:00.000-08:00

Some pics from Christmas Day and the parties that surrounded the holiday. Johnny had fun opening presents, and held up well seeing everyone. I think he got used to seeing his grandparents every few days!

Grandma's Birthday

2008-01-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

Johnny, Connor and Alex had fun helping Grandma celebrate her birthday.

Mommy's Helper

2007-12-06T10:36:00.000-08:00

As I was cooking dinner, Johnny was helping me wash dishes. I wasn't paying close attention, and I hear, "Mommy?"

Halloween

2007-11-02T13:25:00.000-07:00

This year, Johnny's costume was Extremely Strong-Willed Toddler. I had a nice lion costume from Old Navy all ready for him, but he refused to put it on! We tried everything, but he wanted nothing to do with it.

I was able to get this mask on him for all of 5 seconds, and grabbed the camera to get evidence.

Then I joined in the fun, until he made me take it off.

My guy

2007-10-14T08:51:00.000-07:00

He was very interested in the scarecrow's shoes the other day.

Then he came in for a kiss.

San Gennaro

2007-09-28T12:35:00.000-07:00

We went to the Feast of San Gennaro last weekend, to eat, eat, eat, and eat some more. Yummmmmmm

There's really no other point in going, as far as I can tell. Jeff's friend Brian and Brian's girlfriend Kelly joined us, and Brian is one of the few people who Johnny lets hold him, so I took photographic evidence.

Also, I took some pics of what Jeff and Brian would look like as a happy gay couple walking with their son. We call it, "My 2 Dads". Awwww

Monster Treehouse

2007-09-28T12:27:00.000-07:00

In case you don't know us, we don't do anything on a small scale.
Here are some shots of the treehouse Jeff has built for Johnny. I swear to you, it's not a deck for us - it's a treehouse for the little guy.

Just so gorgeous

2007-09-23T04:49:00.001-07:00

I know I'm totally biased, but wouldn't you be, too?

Fashion Week

2007-09-03T04:23:00.001-07:00

Here's a typical outfit lately

Actually, the fact that he has a shirt on is a step ahead of many mornings

2!! Can you believe it???

2007-08-27T04:17:00.000-07:00

I've been slacking when it comes to taking pictures, but I did my best yesterday, which was both Johnny's 2nd birthday, and his party.

I hadn't wanted to get the big bouncy castle this year, because on some level it just seems so obnoxious - like when I was a kid we either had to find a way to entertain ourselves or be bored and deal with it. Johnny was sleeping when the castle came and was set up, and he woke up about 30 minutes before guests started arriving, and he hardly came out of the thing! I guess it makes sense, as he's more than happy to just jump up and land on his butt in the middle of the living room, so how would he not love a whole huge castle where he can jump? It was kind of hot and humid out, and you can see in one of the pictures (of him and Yazmine in the playhouse) just how red and clammy he got.

Also, we're pregnant again and expecting #2 in April. YAY!

Disneyworld, The Sequel

2007-07-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

More pics of our trip

Disneyworld

2007-07-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

We had such a great vacation. First it was New Orleans, then on to Pensacola, and then finally a week in Disney. We didn't expect Johnny to travel so awesomely, and we all just had a wonderful time together.

The Good Life

2007-06-27T15:09:00.000-07:00

We went for our first boat trip on Greenwood Lake with Grandma and Grandpa Lane, and Connor and Alex. Johnny was so calm and happy!

Best. Picture. Ever.

2007-06-27T15:07:00.000-07:00

I'm not biased, am I?

Young Love

2007-06-20T05:12:00.000-07:00

This is Yazmine, who is Maribel's daughter. Her preschool had a party on the last day, and Johnny got to go and crash it.

Yes, that's my son

2007-06-10T04:25:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when I let him play in the fridge, and don't keep a close eye on him. He takes his treasure and runs to the family room and starts chugging.

Beach Bum

2007-05-18T04:43:00.000-07:00

I can't wait for summer! We took a quick trip to Pt. Pleasant last Saturday, and this time, Johnny didn't try to eat the sand. Yay!
I hope my family from Ohio comes in this summer - Bridget and Greg, you're more than welcome to come, too!

Party Animal!

2007-04-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

We had 3 birthday parties to go to this weekend, each one for a different future wife of Johnny's. First was Madison's 1st b-day party, then Yazmine's 4th, and then Sunday was Ashley's 2nd.

Here are some pics, and one of Johnny smooching Madison at Ashley's party - only a day after he was kissing Ashley at Madison's party!!! What a player! I swear, he just likes the drama.

Easter Bunny

2007-04-13T03:57:00.000-07:00

I totally let Johnny feast on chocolate for breakfast on Easter. Does that make me horrible? It's kind of what Easter is all about, right?

That went well.

2007-03-18T16:07:00.000-07:00

We took Johnny for his first haircut on St. Paddy's Day, and didn't expect it to go quite so horribly wrong. It was worse than any time he was held down and stuck with needles! It even came out crooked, as you can imagine it would, after you see these pictures and the level of screaming.

I have some pre-haircut shots, to show you how he was begining to look like a member of The Beatles, and then after, when he looks like he just enlisted.

Trying to stunt his growth

2007-03-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

Since he's so big and tall, we've been trying different things to slow down the speed at which he's growing out of everything. Here he is drinking some Twisted Teas that Daddy loves so much.

Easy Rider

2007-02-17T08:09:00.000-08:00

His Harley is parked out front.

Delay

2007-02-11T04:28:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the delay, but Jeff is renovating the room where the computer was, so it's been in pieces until I bought a nice new flat screen monitor. Now it fits in the kitchen. Here's some pictures of the work in progress, and you can see how badly Johnny wants to get into the construction and cause damage.

J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!

2007-01-01T08:11:00.000-08:00

We scored some amazing tickets to the Jets game on New Year's Eve, and got to hang out in style in one of the amazing suites that rich people get to hang out in regularly, I guess. It was Johnny's first football game, and we've probably spoiled him for life. It was great weather, and the Jets won, so everyone was having a great time.

Christmas Eve

2006-12-30T10:44:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Christmas Eve with my dad's side of the family at my brother's house. Johnny wasn't too thrilled anytime I tried to put him down or hand him to someone else, so my back was KILLING me the next day. Do you know he weighs 30 pounds?? These pictures were from the few moments I was able to drop him and run to grab the camera.

Early Christmas Morning...

2006-12-30T10:40:00.000-08:00

Johnny got us up around 6am, so we got an early start to the day. Here's the aftermath.

Christmas Morning

2006-12-30T10:36:00.000-08:00

We go to Jeff's brother's house in the am on Christmas morning, and here are some pictures from there...

Ho Ho Ho!

2006-12-30T10:14:00.000-08:00

We has a great Christmas, and Johnny got to listen to his great-grandma play the piano for the first time (the first time he heard her, not the first time she played). Of course, he was spoiled by all his generous grandparents!

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

2006-12-17T17:30:00.000-08:00

We had fun with Jeff's side of the family this weekend, celebrating Christmas a little early. Johnny held up well until he started falling asleep as we were giving him dessert! He had food in his mouth and everything, and he couldn't keep his eyes open, the poor guy. I changed him into his pjs and then he slept in cousin James' arms. awwwww

And yes, Johnny was roaming around without his shirt on for a while. He was hot! But man did he look cute in his little outfit. And when he was shirtless. And when he was in his pjs. And...

When we all get Lyme's disease,

2006-12-17T17:22:00.000-08:00

you'll understand why.
These "neighbors" were in our backyard Friday morning.

Brrr!

2006-12-09T08:45:00.000-08:00

It's getting cold outside! I dragged Johnny outside to snap some pictures. He's getting good at ignoring the fact that I have a camera in his face.

Yum?

2006-12-03T09:28:00.000-08:00

He'll grow into it

2006-11-17T14:01:00.000-08:00

I read an article about taking a snapshot every year on your child's birthday in the same piece of clothing, so you can look back when they're older and see how they've changed. Let's hope I keep this up - look at how cute he looks!

Trick or Treat!

2006-11-03T13:36:00.000-08:00

Guess who was a monkey for Halloween?

Anyone seen my pants?

2006-11-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

Anyone?

Look Into My Eyes

2006-10-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

Just try to remain strong after looking at these.
And those lashes!!!

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

2006-10-17T06:47:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Picking was fun this weekend - we couldn't have asked for nicer weather, and Johnny got to walk around and fall without getting anymore injuries.

Please don't call the authorities

2006-10-17T06:39:00.000-07:00

Here is what happens when you fall face first onto a cement sidewalk. This was the first time we saw blood, so needless to say we were heartbroken for the little guy. He's healing up fine, but ouch!

Hobbies

2006-10-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

It's hard to explain how awesome it is watching him discover things, and seeing what he finds fun.
We have a cat door in the door to the basement, so that they don't get locked in down there, and Johnny finds immense pleasure in taking things and putting them down there. He'll take the remote, waddle over to the cat door, reach in, drop it, and then you hear "thump. thump. thump." as the remote tumbles down a few steps.

He also is a fan of yoga. This pose is known as Downward Facing Dog

Sometimes, he can't hold the pose

Fresh from a long nap

2006-10-01T17:47:00.000-07:00

Look at how kissable he looks! He'd just woken up from super long nap.

Party at Luke's!

2006-10-01T17:37:00.000-07:00

Luke had his Dedication today, and we had a blast. Johnny got to show off his mad walking skilz, and Mommy got to enjoy some delicious red wine.

Wheeeee!!!!

2006-09-19T15:21:00.000-07:00

Look at his new swing! He loved it, obviously!

Labor Day

2006-09-13T05:32:00.000-07:00

Here's a great shot of Johnny using his new walker that he got for his birthday. He's not a fan of walking yet - he'll do it a bit with this toy and will walk if you hold his hand, and walk around holding on to the couch, but that's about it. Everyone keeps telling us how much things will change once he figures it out, so we're not pushing it too hard.

I took Johnny to his Nana's apt and he had a great time playing in front of the tv and taking these tin cans off the ledge, then putting them back on, then taking them off, then putting them back on, etc.

Then on Monday we went to Allen and Lynda's for burgers and hot dogs.

Happy Birthday!!

2006-09-01T07:03:00.000-07:00

Where the hell did a year go? How is he already 1? One of our friends (and father of 3) said, "The days are long, the years are short" which I can't stop repeating that in my head. Here are pictures from last Saturday, August 26th, Johnny's first birthday.
(note: I need a new camera, so many of these shots suck. Once I finish paying off this crazy party, I'll invest in a camera that costs more than $5)

Jersey Boy

2006-08-21T17:03:00.000-07:00

Johnny took his first trip to the Jersey Shore on Friday, since our family from Ohio was visiting. He seemed to enjoy it, and only tried to eat sand twice. My sister-in-law told me about the trick of using baby powder to get the sand off, which worked awesomely, except a baby covered in baby powder soon equals a mom covered in baby powder, which isn't great when you're wearing a black bathing suit.

He held up pretty well, but I wish we could've stayed even longer. Here's what happens to Johnny after a day at the beach

He's a simple man

2006-08-16T04:43:00.000-07:00

Obviously, there's no need to spend any money on toys for his birthday if he's happy playing in a cardboard box...

Little Friends

2006-08-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

We took a trip on Saturday to visit with one of my oldest friends and her husband and their little guy, who's a month younger than Johnny. Her guy claps with his whole heart, getting so excited when he does it, and I tried to get Johnny to take notes, but he prefers to simply pound his chest with his right hand, like he joined some gang and that's their secret sign. My baby rolls with the Crips.

We went to the pool for a bit and after playing for a while and refusing to nap all day, her little smoosh finally gave in and conked out.

Grandma's House

2006-08-14T17:57:00.000-07:00

We had a great afternoon at Grandma & Grandpa Lane's house, until Johnny hit his limit and started melting down. But before that, he had fun playing with everyone, and got a lot of special love from LeiAn.

Riding High

2006-08-11T06:12:00.000-07:00

Pretty much anything his daddy does makes BabyJ smile like this.

Baby Got Back

2006-08-09T17:27:00.000-07:00

Someday he'll kill me for this, but for now, I can't resist.

Plastic Man

2006-08-08T05:45:00.000-07:00

It took about 10 seconds for BabyJ to toss all of this tupperware out of the cabinet and onto the floor. It's like he was hunting for a buried treasure, the way he pulled all of the stuff out.

Horse Races

2006-08-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

We went to Monmouth Racetrack yesterday, for something called the Haskell Races. Or something like that - it's apparently a well known event for people who are in the know. Since it was my first time at a horse track, I couldn't help but feel like I was in Mary Poppins. Love that movie.
Here's BabyJ with Uncle J. BabyJ rested his head on his uncle's chest, and just looked at me with such an amazing look of peace and comfort that just blew me away. I took as many pics as I could.