Pool's Open, Summer's Here!

It's been well over 80 and even 90 degrees for a couple months now, but Memorial Day signals the official beginning of Summer with the opening of the pool.  Evan's been keeping close tabs on the pool's progress, reporting daily on the events as we drive by: The cover's off!  The water's clean!  The chairs are out!  The umbrellas are up!  He was thrilled today to be able to announce that the gate is open and join many of our neighbors in the splashing good fun.  The water was pretty chilly, but that didn't stop him from spending much of the weekend in it.  He has a new kickboard and water-football to go along with his new swimming skills, and is loving showing them all off as much as he can.  This little fish is looking to have a great summer. 

2 weeks

Visitors

Auntie Chrissy and Grandma Barb came to visit this weekend.  Drew was happy to have the extra cuddles, and Evan loved having more people to chase him around the yard.  We had a blast playing baseball and lacrosse, swimming, riding bikes, chasing bubbles, eating donuts and blue ice cream, and snuggling. Thanks for all the great fun!!

Storytelling

Lately Evan has been coming home and asking us "what you did today?" and "how was your day?"  He's getting better at remembering the events of his day too, and we encourage him to tell us stories.  (They may not always be accurate, but it's fun to see where his 2.5 year old imagination goes.)  Today he didn't want to tell us about his day, but he plopped down in the chair and was more than happy to tell Drew all about his day.  I caught about half of the "conversation" on camera.

10 days old

Drew's changing every day.  We love this little munchkin so much! 

Football

"Red 94... Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches... Hike!"  Evan's learning that there's more to football than just tackling.  He's starting to get into the stance, and even trying out some play calling on his own.  Mostly though, it's just gleeful giggles, which is ok by us.

Sleepy Monkey

Drew does what most two week old babies do: eat, and sleep.  He received a monkey pillow and lovey from friends, and loves to snuggle on it in mommy's lap.  Evan still dotes on his brother, kissing him all the time and wanting to constantly be near.  Sweet boys! 

First Walk

The weather was nice, so we took a quick walk down the street today.  Drew wasn't too sure about the new stroller at first, but once we got going he loved it.  We met some of the neighbors on our journey, and made it home just in time before it started raining. 

When Evan came home, it was of course time for more snuggles, this time with all three Pariseau men while mommy got a little break. 

Drew's sleeping amazingly well, and seems quite happy wrapped up like a burrito in his sleep sack.  Here's hoping he is a great sleeper just like his brother has always been! 

Going Home

It's time to go home from the hospital!  After a nice going-home brunch from the nurses, we were headed back to begin life as a family of four.  Drew did great in the car, and was happy to snuggle in with mommy when we arrived.  Ernie was very happy to see us, and curious about the little bundle in blankets.  He sniffed Drew and licked his feet, then seemed to say, "He's alright with me." 

When Evan got home from school, he was excited that we were all together again, and even more excited that Drew had bought him presents!  Evan got a new baseball glove, a real helmet, and a new bat and ball.  As if he didn't already love his brother enough, this really sealed the deal. 

 

Drew: Day 2

Drew and Evan are going to look so much alike!  Remember Evan's baby pictures?  The similarities are constant.  They were almost identical in birth stats too: Evan was just 4oz heavier than Drew, otherwise they're exactly the same.

Brothers

In honor of his brother's birthday, Evan skipped school today to come meet Drew.  He couldn't stop wiggling he was so excited to meet his brother (though we're still working on convincing him it's a brother, not the sister he's been talking about for 9 months).  After a gigantic hug for mommy, we went to the nursery to visit Drew.  A nurse brought him to the window, where Evan waved and waved, then asked to hold his brother.  Back in the room, Evan was super gentle and full of kisses for "his baby Drew."  He held him, snuggled him, slept with him, and even sang him a couple songs (Take Me Out to the Ballgame and the theme from Imagination Movers) when Drew started to cry. 


Thank you SO much to the Hunts who got Evan from school and had a sleepover last night, and to the Grams who are took him this evening!  We couldn't have done it without you. 

Meeting Drew through the nursery window.

A VERY proud big brother!

Evan's and Drew's feet.

Wardrobe change: he figured out why
he was supposed to wear the
Big Brother t-shirt today. 

"Daddy, PLEASE let me hold Drew!"

Lots of kisses for little brother.

Sleeping together.

Protective and happy.

Telling Drew stories.

 

Singing Drew a song so he won't cry.

Introducing Drew!

Drew Alexander Pariseau is the newest addition to our family!  He was born on Monday, May 16, 2011, at 7:47pm in Charlottesville, VA.  He weighed 8lbs even and measured 20.5 inches long.  Mike, Drs. Owens and Wamhoff and Nurses Meredith and Jill were a great support and fantastic team.

11 days after his anticipated due date, I was finally induced.  We went to the hospital at 8am and was given two doses of medicine, hoping to get labor going.  We sat around and waited all day, twiddling our thumbs and wondering if baby would ever come... until 4:50pm when suddenly my water broke and the contractions started like crazy.  Then, with a clap of thunder and a bolt of lightening from the storm outside, Drew arrived a mere 3 hours later.  We were thrilled to find out that despite most predictions, including Evan's, he was a boy!

Drew, we love you immensely already, and can't wait to see the amazing man you'll become.  Welcome to our little family!

May 5: due date?  Nope.

May 16: Induction Day!

Hello, world!

 

 First bath.

All clean!

Bike Riding!

For his birthday way back in October, Evan got a new bike.  It's a Balance Bike, or a Run Bike. There are no pedals, but also only two wheels.  The concept is to teach the balance (the harder thing to learn) before introducing the pedals.  In theory he won't rely on back wheels, and since the pedaling motion is so similar to the running motion, that part should be easy to grasp when he's ready.  Mommy thought it was a cool concept, daddy was slightly skeptical, and frankly Evan's legs weren't long enough to really test it out until now.

Yesterday was the perfect day for trying out the new wheels.  He's tall enough, the weather was perfect, and most importantly, he really wanted to.  His typical attention span on the bike is about 4 minutes, probably owing to the fact that it's frustrating when your feet don't quite reach the ground.  But today was a whole different story!  We were outside for almost 2 hours riding and practicing and picking up speed and balance every time.  Daddy got out his bike (and helmet of course!) and the two boys were soon zooming down the driveway, around the cul-de-sac, and up the street. 

Make sure the tires are properly inflated:
Safety First! :)

Feet up in the air, coasting down the hill with great balance!