Grandma Sheila

If you are wondering why Carlyle looks so cute yet sad in the photo above, it is because all of us are mourning the departure of my mom. She very generously agreed to stay with us for over a month while we adjusted to parenthood. We are thoroughly grateful to both her and my dad for this. I mean, my dad was a bachelor for that long...and, let's just say, he's not cut out for bachelorhood...there's only so many frozen pizzas a man should consume in consecutive days. Their willingness to give up that chunk of time really leaves me speechless. Of course, they say it was their privilege and pleasure.

My mom is so incredibly good with babies. They love her. Look how content they are in her arms...

Needless to say, I miss her quite a bit. Not simply because she was a huge help, but also because she's also one of my best friends and having her around just made everything better.

Now, mom, I hope you were able to read this blog post with your newly acquired internet skills.

cousins

Over the holidays, Carlyle and Luella spent some good time with their sweet cousins. They have five cousins in all--Werner, Flynn, Syl, Larkin, and Tobin. We had a swell time with the Brundige kiddos on Christmas. They always keep us entertained with their silliness and excitement. Some highlights of their visit were the mayhem of opening gifts, hanging out at the hotel, watching Uncle Tyler take out T.J.'s stitches (note the video (at the bottom of this post) taken by Werner himself with his assistant, Flynn), and watching them love on their new baby cousins.

Tobin (Laura and Eric's boy) also met the cousins in December. He wasn't too interested in them until right before he had to leave. Then, he couldn't get enough. I think he enjoyed seeing people that were smaller than him.

p.s. yes, for those of you who don't know...a week after I gave birth, T.J. went and cut open his thumb with a pocket knife. He got five stitches in the emergency room. He was trying to cut through a twist tie on a package of spoons...yep, a twist tie...something you'd think wouldn't require a pocket knife, and indeed you'd think correctly...unless you're my husband. But, you gotta love him.

just a few more to keep you interested

whoa, something exciting just took place, that's for sure.

carlito burrito after his bath

lulu bean zonked out after a feeding

just hanging out

There is so much to discuss and show you, dear readers. But, for right now, a picture will have to suffice. The sleep deprivation is hitting a new level as my beloved children hit a growth spurt (thankfully, at the same time...they are so in tune with each other...what good people). So, enjoy their little faces for the moment and I will try to throw together a post or two soonly.