Cousins

Aren't cousins the best?! They can be your best friends and best playmates. If you lose contact you can pick right back up where you left off. You have the connection of blood and special tie of family to keep you close if you drift apart. I am so glad that Joseph has the greatest cousins!

One Month Old?!

One month old little toes...


...one month old little cheeks, eyes, lips and nose...


...one month old little fingers...


...one month old in a little blue outfit...


...one month old precious profile...

...one month old little perfect face...

Can you believe it's been a month? Our little Joseph has come so far in such a small amount of time. He is holding his head up and moves it side to side. He is such a strong baby and likes to push off our chests and stomachs with his feet and hands. He looks around with great interest in his surroundings and tries to find us when he hears our voices. Joseph also likes to grab hold of his bottle when we feed him, and it amazes us each time he does it. It seems like just yesterday (in a way it was) that he didn't have any control of any body parts and we could cuddle him up tight without him squirming!

We've had many visitors come from near and far. Most recently Josh's Auntie Debbie, Uncle Sid and Bobe have come to hug up the new baby. It's been busy around here. I think my favorites have been Jessie and Lindsey, though. I love to see them with Joseph. It reminds me of my own memories with my neices and nephews and the bond that I quickly formed with each of them. Although they are cousins its still nostalgic and special to see them together.

I am officially a stay at home mom! I spoke with my (former) manager at (what was formerly) work and put in my notice. It was really very easy to quit (usually I would be very nervous about confrontation) and I am not sure that I will miss it at all! Not even a little bit! I won't miss riding the train, or waiting on elevators, or work clothes, or answering phones, or transcribing, or being scared of our building being hit by an airplane (yes, its true). So, let the mommying begin! What silly, and fun, and scary, and great adventures we will have! My little Joseph is just amazing and we couldn't have asked for anything better for the holidays and new year.

TWO WEEKS OLD!

Hello to all of my four faithful readers! I am here I am here! I have not been completly swallowed whole by the baby machine that is my new son. I love that phrase by the way. "My son". It is very surreal to hear that word combination. Josh said it for the first time when Joseph was a few days old and it really stopped me in my tracks. I turned and it was the most awesome feeling to see my son and my husband together! I've been itching to get on and journal my newest adventures and now that I am here, there is just too much flashing through my mind.

Joseph is the most precious thing! He is such a good baby...for two weeks old, that is. Check back in a few more weeks and I'll reconfirm that. He lays here next to me now stretching and making the sweetest little baby noises. I have surrendered to trying to keep his arms in his blanket when we swaddle him since he really likes them out best. I figured out that he will fuss until they become free and then he will quiet down...so we let him win that battle. I have actually been getting sleep, although not at the hours I like best. We seem to sleep the best between 6am and 1pm, but then the day is half over. I hear "it gets better" closer to six weeks. Is this true?!?! Oh psh, it doesn't really matter as my new "boss" is really the best I've ever had and we can get through all this newborn chaos one day at a time.

Some of our favorite moments in the past two weeks:
when the booger finally made his entrance after almost four hours of pushing,
our first day at home (we're really a family!),
when Joseph toots...they can easily be a minute long and are the most hilarous thing ever!
when Joseph pees on daddy,
when Joseph poops on daddy,
when Joseph's belly button healed, daddy didn't like that thing very much,
when Joseph squeaks like a puppy or kitten,
when Joseph is done eating and he makes his steal trap lip pout to let us know he is finished!

Much love and baby kisses to all!!

Joseph is very excited to be a card carrying, hard working American!

Our little present!

Our First Hanukkah!


Joseph in his Uncle Peter's blue sweater from when he was a baby!

Diaper run!