Tommy's Baptism

Family gathered today at our church for Tommy's baptism. Tommy was one of four babies baptized by Father Kenneth White, the same priest who baptized Patrick.

Things started off calmly enough, then bad timing set in-I was about to sneak a bottle feeding in before things got started when Father Ken called all the parents and babies to the front to begin. Ought oh. It wasn't long before Tommy made it clear that he was hungry. We had the only crying baby.

My side of the family (minus my mom who had to run back to our house in time for the food delivery).
The Pohl's

Tommy is blessed this day and we pray he grows up knowing and loving God.

We love you, Thomas Paul.

Big Day Ahead

Tomorrow, little Tommy will be baptized in the Catholic church. I couldn't resist putting on his gown (the same worn by his brother) and snapping a few photos today. It was tough though- as soon as this kid is put on the floor he starts rolling around and wouldn't stay put. He seems to get from his back to belly fairly easily, but then gets stuck on his belly.

God Bless baby Thomas...

Crossroads

Lately, our home has been a revolving pit stop for travelers, and we love it! A few weeks ago, a friend from Tom's Marine Corps Squadron in Hawaii stopped by for a quick visit on his journey out west from D.C. We hadn't seen J.C. in a while, and it turned out Tom had failed to notify him of Tommy's birth, so we had a lot of catching up to do.

J.C. and Tommy

And then today, my dear friend Bethany and her brood stopped by for a leg stretch during their ride from Richmond to Ohio. I hadn't seen her kids since November when I traveled to Richmond and what a difference 6 months makes! Her little girl just turned one. We wish we could have had them for longer (I thought about sabotaging her car), but maybe a Pittsburgh rest stop will be her new annual tradition.

Her kids are so photogenic-notice the only ones NOT looking at the camera are my boys.

A Preview of What's to Come

I have always assumed that Tommy would probably turn out to be physically bigger and more adventurous from his older brother who is sweet and very cautious when trying out something new. A few days ago, I put Tommy (9 weeks old) on his back on the activity mat while I went to change P's diaper. I returned downstairs to find him on his belly??? I figured that this might have been a one time occurrence so soon, but this morning I woke to him fussing on the monitor and when I clicked on the video option, he was on his belly again. I decided to let him be for a while because he quieted himself down, and figured he just fell asleep on his belly. When I checked the monitor 5 minutes later, he was on his back again! All this while wearing a sleep sack.

I think this one is going to be a handful. I weighed him in my arms on our home scale last night and it was reading 13 lbs. My little weed, watch you grow...

Dream a Little Dream

I dream of the day when I have only one kid in diapers, and Tuesday we came a little closer to making that happen. Patrick wanted to sit on the potty, and when I informed him that he would get candy every time he peed in the potty, he did his business (well, it took three tries, but still). Follow up that event with a trip to Target to purchase pull-ups, and we have been sitting on the toilet frequently at Patrick's request. I can't get him off that thing. The kid REALLY wants candy.

High-Five, P.

Daddy's Boys

Happy Father's Day!

Love,

Your Boys

Who is the world's greatest dad who fixed things around the house this weekend instead of hitting golf balls?

Got It!

Finally, a smile caught on camera, even if it is the tail-end of one. Patrick is so used to being bribed to pose with pictures that even when I don't ask him, he still asks me for an M&M after each picture.




P.S. EVERY muscle in my body is sore. Even the muscle along the top of the lower arm. The only things that don't hurt are my fingers and toes. No Pain, no Gain. No Pain, No Gain...

SORE

Yes, I am feeling Monday's workout, but even more so dreading tomorrow after an appropriately named workout today:

Death by Pull-ups

A little hard work though was rewarded by a relaxing afternoon at the pool with the kids, Baba, Aunt Ellen, and Tom's cousin Katie and her two adorable boys. I am kicking myself for forgetting my camera.

I was also taught a lesson today. Patrick was not happy with my P.J.'s pick at nighttime and was asking for a different pair using a whine/tantrum tone. I politely reminded him that we don't ask for things like that and that he needed to use his manners. He responded with a calm "please". After getting the requested pair out of the drawer, I instructed him to lie down on the bed so I could change his diaper, only to hear him say "please" immediately following my directions. Sometimes even mom needs to be reminded to use her manners.

CSI Pittsburgh

Breastmilk.

Baby Spit Up

Toddler throw-up

All on my shirt. We like to do things big here in Pittsburgh. Tom just arrived home and is inside with a crying baby and a tired toddler. I am outside on our patio, enjoying the puffy clouds passing by the tops of the trees that line our backyard. The other bonus to being outside-I can't smell my shirt as much. I haven't even bothered to change yet. Just sipping coffee and mustering the energy to go back inside.

Mental reminder: look into getting that material that airport hotels use to soundproff their windows. I can still hear the baby crying through our glass patio doors.

I think all the endorphines released during my morning workout (which was grueling, but great) are long gone. I really like the instructor, and the women were welcoming and very, very in shape. There is no one else even close to being new, but that doesn't bother me. I will probably push myself even harder trying to keep up with this crew.

Oh, and I have an endless supply of photos of Patrick sticking his finger in Tommy's Ear or mouth. I'll keep them coming.

No Pain, No Gain

Tomorrow is a big morning for me- At 9:00 AM sharp I begin my new mantra: No pain, no gain. Crossfit (http://crossfitpittsburgh.com/) becomes my new friend. Our babysitter arrives bright and early and I get to work getting back to my pre-baby body. I did the Crossfit program for about 2 1/2 months before my wedding in Granger, IN and loved the results. I actually enjoyed working out because you end up going to mostly the same time slot each day and working out with the same small group people, all with varying fitness levels. When I spoke to the Crossfit instructor Friday, she told me that a few guys have playfully nicknamed the 9:00 slot the "Hot Moms" class because it is almost all women, most with kids.

Where may you ask is my "before" picture? I am not quite brave enough to post that. Maybe after one month of workouts I will post a comparison, but not now. I will say that my starting weight is 165, although I actually am not as concerned with weight loss because I gained so much in muscle last time. I just want to get toned.

Here's to hoping I become a "Hot Mom"!

Romancing the Stone

Tommy is crying in his swing rather than sleeping as he should be. Laundry is still sitting by the basement door. The floors (my t0-do item for yesterday) are still not mopped. A pile of ironing as tall as Patrick continues to grow on our guest room bed (because I can never fetch the clothes in a timely manner when I hear the dryer stop). None of this matters though, because I am on my way to shower and shave my legs-we were just offered up date night by Tom's mom! What shall we do?? Both of us are sadly too tired to sit in a dark theater right now, so it looks like dinner out. Carving out time for husband/wife is long overdue in this house between all the yard work, baby and work.

On a sad note, our family bids a fond farewell for the summer to our friends and next door neighbors- they depart for the beach this evening and we won't see them until close to Labor Day. Who will share in my daily coffee binges now? Safe journeys and watch out for the jellyfish.

Growing

Tommy is 7 weeks old now and has only started smiling consistently in the last week and a half. Unfortunately, as soon as the camera comes out, the smile usually goes away. This was the best I could come up with-

Patrick moving in for a kiss.
Patrick loves sticking his fingers in Tommy's ears and mouth. Such a boy. Wait until Tommy gets some teeth. Still, there have only been a couple of incidents between the brothers so far-once when Patrick hit Tommy over the head with a flashlight, and another time when he pinched him using the pliers from his Handy Mandy talking toolbox.

Summertime

When life hands you 90 degree days, what can you do but head to the pool (while the baby stays with Baba)?

Six to Eight Hours

The directions said 6-8 hours for assembly. It was the day before Patrick's Birthday party and one week before his actual 2nd birthday. I paced, but there was little I could do at this point. Tom had decided last minute to build Patrick's swing set (our birthday present to the little guy) instead of buying the cheap metal version I found at Wal-mart. He ordered a kit online that consisted of a million pieces. The problem - six to eight hours did not apply to my husband. Not because he isn't handy or competent, but the opposite. He is such a perfectionist that he checks everything twice and sometimes comes up with his own ideas to improve on a flawed plan. So when the box was opened and the followed spread out on my garage floor (my car displaced outside until this project was done), I knew Patrick would not be swinging anytime soon. Sorry honey, I just know you too well.

The project kicked off with enthusiasm until about 1 hour into the project when Tom had to make his first return trip to Lowes after buying the lumber. Then a hanger bolt broke. Called the company and requested a new one be shipped. Received said bolt and nut 4 days later.

Weekend two: Install new bolt and nut. Call company again when another hanger bolt snaps. Continue construction minus one hanger bolt. Comfort wife who should be drinking heavily as day 3 comes to a close with no swing set. Day4 : The swing set takes form and Uncle Mike is called in to help finish up.

Getting there...
Done! Patrick has been swinging every day and as soon as Tommy gets a little older, he can join his brother. Happy Birthday, Patrick. Tom did a great job as always, but next year, we'll be getting Patrick some legos.

The Un-Joys of Motherhood

That's right, you heard me. Motherhood is not all blessings and joys. At times it is like today-being spit up on by one, thrown up on by another, a defiant two-year-old who chose a day following a sleepless night for mom to test boundaries. Tommy cried the whole way to the store and back home. Patrick lost his ice cream truck at one of the stores. I haven't slept through the night in over 6 months and trying to start back on an exercise program has been hard when I seem to lack the energy daily. Today is just one of those low days-I have snapped at both of them today out of shear exhaustion (yes, even the 6 week old who has no idea what is going on). I am frustrated with Tom who doesn't seem to understand the depth of my tiredness and seems to always respond to my "I'm tired" with "I'm tired too" instead of "I can only imagine". I just want to sleep. I also want to eat a doughnut. I want both boys to fall asleep at the same time right now so I can close my eyes for as long as they cooperate and nap.

Luckily, there are better days, like Tuesday when P and I got to go to the pool and spend some one-on-one time together while Tommy stayed home. It was blissful. We had a great afternoon. And tomorrow morning, I finally get some highlights in my hair after 11 months of letting my grays shine through. Those are the days that get us through these days.

Thanks for letting me vent.