Welcome Baby Elizabeth Rose

As usual, it has been a bit crazy around here. The most exciting news is the birth of Easton's new cousin, Elizabeth Rose "Izzy". She was born on July 28th, weighed 8lbs 4oz and 20.5in. She seems so much smaller than Easton was. She is a little smaller than Easton, but I think I have forgotten how small newborns are.

Yesterday, the crew came over and I took some pictures of the new addition. Big sister Autumn is so proud! The other day she came up to me and said, "This is my little sister. Isn't she cute?" It was very sweet.




Easton thought that Izzy was very cute as well. He stared at her for quite some time.


He is becoming such a big boy. The other day when I was filling his tub, I went into his room and got his washcloth while he was in the bathroom. I came back in to find him standing at the tub, watching the water. He must have pulled himself up while I left the room. He crawls around, slowly but surely. It's become a game to see how fast I can babyproof the house. He also has been saying "da-da". It doesn't mean much yet, being that he'll say it at random times and now when he sees his dad. Everyday there is something new that he is doing. He's such a sweetheart.

7 Months Old

As you can probably tell, we have been pretty busy around here. Jason has been hard at work on his basement steamroom bathroom. Next we have to deal with the basement floor. It will be so nice to have the house put back together soon!

I have been busy taking care of Easton and trying to fit in my photography stuff when I can.

Tonight we are going out to dinner as a pre-Katie having a baby celebration. She is about to go into labor at any second now! The Doctor (who was mine) actually gave Katie her home phone number just in case she went into labor overnight, and she wasn't on-call. I knew I liked that lady! (Jess, get ready for her! Hopefully you will be working, and thanks for coming out the other night. It was great to see you again!)

As you can see, Easton is doing very well and starting to crawl. He had been sick a couple days ago with a fever, lethargy and a decrease in appetite. I think he is doing much better this morning. He was even able to crawl over to Sadie and pull her beard. Sadie was a little surprised that this little being is able to move (and pull).

6 Months...and then some.

This past month has been a busy whirlwind. It started off with the flooding of our basement. We tried to save the carpet, but long story short, we had to rip it up. Now we have to decide what we are going to do to the floor. Carpet is out of the question. If it floods again, easy clean-up is key.

Easton, Ashley and I went to visit Easton's great-grandparents in Florida. It was nice to get out of the house and give Jason some time to himself to get the basement taken care of. I am sure Easton misses his Great-grandma and Great-grandpa.

I take pictures of everyone elses baby but mine, so yesterday we did a little miny shoot out back. Our boy remains a big baby. He is 95% in height and 85% in weight. He can sit up unsupported like a champ. It's so cute to watch him play with all of his toys. He also is spending a lot of time on his hands and knees, rocking back and forth. I suspect he will be crawling within a month. Then the fun (work-out) will really begin.

Zoo and AMEX

Yesterday we went to the Pittsburgh Zoo. It was a nice day and not too crowded at all. We went first thing in the morning, and the rain storms hit on our way home. It was perfect! Easton seemed to enjoy all the people watching. He really didn't have a great idea about what all was going on. He did very well though and took a nap fairly easily for an hour of it. I was so proud of myself for taking Easton out with Ryan, the neighbor boy, without any major problems. Here are the boys in front of the lions.

Is he not the cutest?

He was trying to catch a glimpse of the fishies.

Proud mama with her baby.


You may be wondering why this blog is titled "Zoo and AMEX." Well, I feel as if I should plug American Express. Jason and I have had this credit card for quite some time now. Not only do we get points, for which we have gotten this desk that I am sitting at now and a $500 gift card to Home Depot, but they have always been pretty good. Who can complain? Today after making numerous calls to get our credit card charge refunded from AllCare Dental (NEVER go there) for dental work that we prepaid for, I had no luck. I called my Dad to ask why I should do. He suggested filing a complaint with American Express against AllCare for fraud. It worked! I five minute phone call and everything was taken care of. I only wish I would have called them 2 hours sooner.

Got to go. The babies awake

Garden Update

Here's the infamous garden panorama. As you can see, everything is doing very well (especially the unwanted grass and weeds!) Jason has been hard at work and trying to get enough grass clippings from the yard to keep the weeds down. You would think with 2 acres that we would have more than enough!


I love the colors of this cabbage.


A row of cabbage.


The onions are doing very well. Right now we pick them for green onions, but soon they will be some large normal onions.


We started these tomatoes from seeds in the house. *Sniff, sniff, tear*...They are growing up so fast.

Raccoon Creek Picnic and Hike

Today we took Easton for his first picnic and hike. Easton loved it! It was nice to get out and get some fresh air.
Easton is just big enough for the backpack. He was so adorable! Here he is, already to go! Sorry, but you'll have to turn your head to the left for proper viewing of this picture.
Here are some videos for your viewing pleasure. First one is Easton giggling at his Daddy. The second is Easton sleeping on his Daddy's back.

Morning Routine

Those who know me well can tell you, I LOVE to sleep. I have had this love since I was born. My mother often will tell stories of how much I slept as a baby. I never did outgrow this love.

To ensure that I am not super crabby all day from lack of sleep, Jason gets up with Easton in the morning. It is wonderful! He brings him in to eat, and then I go back to sleep. Then about 9am or so, he'll bring him back in for the next feeding. I will generally get up about then, while Easton falls asleep eating. I just thought this was the sweetest sleeping position I have ever seen. He looks so comfy!